23Feb Should the Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 lens be the next on my list?
I have two lenses left on my M4/3 list to buy, the 60mm f2.8 macro and this beast born of Olympus (that sounds epic), the 40-150mm f/2.8 lens. Although I have the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 in my collection, I always find myself wanting a little more reach and when i’m pulling focus I really enjoy the hard stops I get on my Olympus 12-40mm f2.8. While the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 has IS, the fly by wire system makes it a bit trick to pull focus.
With the 40-150mm your 35mm equivalent on this guy is 80-300 and with the optional 1.4X Teleconverter you’re looking at about a f4 112-420mm full frame equivalent zoom range. I know that might seem a little extreme, but once you get used to shooting with that much reach, you start to really rely on it. Plus the 27.6 inch minimum focal distance on this thing would be fantastic for extreme closeups.
Currently i’m debating on either a Second Panasonic GH4 body or the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 lens. I’m hesitant to invest in a second GH4 until I see whats coming from Panasonic and Olympus at NAB and I don’t really “need” the 40-150mm f2.8, but it would be a nice addition to my kit.
The only negative comment I’ve found about the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 lens in reviews is the $1400 price tag and that’s usually followed by something like “it’s well worth the price”. Have any of you had a chance to shoot with this guy?
I know this lens is consider very large when compared to other M4/3 lenses, but its only 6.3 inches long which is only slightly longer than a Tamron 24-70 full frame lens. When shooting video I’d most likely have the Olympus locked down on a tripod but do you think I could get awhile with this for hand held photography without image stabilization? My Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS is a beast to shoot with when the image stabilization is off but the Olympus 40-150mm is significantly lighter and shorter than that monster.
I’m kind of thinking out loud here. I might have to see if I can get a loaner in for review or rent one to decide if I really want to spend $1400 on the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 lens. It really does look like a sexy lens.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:12 pm
i have this lens pair up with GH4. The question you should ask is what are you going to shot with this lens? Still photography? Bird photography? or for video work? As you mention, it is fly by wire system. In addition, GH4 AF is not that fast compare to DSLR. In addition, 300mm range is not enough for bird or wildlife. So really, it is kind float in the between. I bought this lens with the thought that i can get rid of my heavy Nikon 600VR but after 2 times test it out, i returned the lens.
btw, the lens is is not that big compare to Otus 55.
http://vnpixel.com/alex/40150b.jpg
February 24th, 2015 at 6:29 am
I’ve been thinking about that. When filming on the 5dmkIII outdoors my 70-200mm f2.8 IS stays on my camera around 80% of the time and I often find myself wishing for just a little more reach. I’ve always had an irrational belief that distancing the camera from talent results in better performance. It also allows me to shoot mediums and close ups without having to move the camera around. I don’t do much Wildlife but I occasionally shoot portraits and events, both of which I’ve done with the 70-200mm in the past. The 35-100 is probably good enough, but I think i’d get my use out of the 40-150 if I had it around.