Olympus OM-D E-M5, E-M1, E-M10 - Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3 Owners Thread

trevorbray said:
Gosh, This'll seem little tame after those wonderful wildlife pictures
OM-1 12-40 Pro

It's Willow-6 by Trevor, on Flickr
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Trevor, have you had the chance or opportunity to compare the IQ of the 12-40 with the 12-45? I have the 12-45, and I'm on the fence about the 12-40. One downside is the extra weight, and I have seen some tests which suggest there is little practical difference in quality. Hopefully you can shed some real-world light on the matter.
 
Stephen L said:
Trevor, have you had the chance or opportunity to compare the IQ of the 12-40 with the 12-45? I have the 12-45, and I'm on the fence about the 12-40. One downside is the extra weight, and I have seen some tests which suggest there is little practical difference in quality. Hopefully you can shed some real-world light on the matter.
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Sorry mate. I’ve never even seen one.
Perhaps @trevjm might be able to help.
 
Stephen L said:
Trevor, have you had the chance or opportunity to compare the IQ of the 12-40 with the 12-45? I have the 12-45, and I'm on the fence about the 12-40. One downside is the extra weight, and I have seen some tests which suggest there is little practical difference in quality. Hopefully you can shed some real-world light on the matter.
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My 2p worth.

I have had the 12-45 before and was intending to go for an OM1 and 12-45, due to budget.
But managed to the the OM1 ii with the 12-40 ii.
Weight wise I am not really noticing much of an issue.
IQ wise I have not really had a chance to use the 12-40 in anger yet.
 
Just a heads up re settings , I have noticed that during testing of the 100-400mkii I was getting a fair amount of oof shots during a burst , in fact I wrote up a query on dax smiths facebook group .. then the penny dropped I had my CAF sensitivity set to +2 when in fact to improve stickiness it should have been set to -2 .. a little used / viewed part of the menu system . Not yet tested but I’m pretty confident that’s the problem
 
New OM-1 Firmware update 1.9 to fix the purple screen that some people complained about after the recent V1.8 firmware update

New OM-1 firmware update

www.43rumors.com www.43rumors.com
 
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Stephen L said:
Trevor, have you had the chance or opportunity to compare the IQ of the 12-40 with the 12-45? I have the 12-45, and I'm on the fence about the 12-40. One downside is the extra weight, and I have seen some tests which suggest there is little practical difference in quality. Hopefully you can shed some real-world light on the matter.
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12-40mm on the Om-3? I had one a while back and can’t complain with either of the lenses quality. I wouldn’t like the 12-40 on the Om-3 though, it was quite heavy even on the original om1 from memory.
 
bumper said:
12-40mm on the Om-3? I had one a while back and can’t complain with either of the lenses quality. I wouldn’t like the 12-40 on the Om-3 though, it was quite heavy even on the original om1 from memory.
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Yes, that was also one of my concerns. I'm happy enough with my 12-45, in fact it's one of my favourite lenses. I did wonder, though, if I would get benefit from the extra stop. But if I needed that, I have a few f1.8 primes to go at.
 
Stephen L said:
Yes, that was also one of my concerns. I'm happy enough with my 12-45, in fact it's one of my favourite lenses. I did wonder, though, if I would get benefit from the extra stop. But if I needed that, I have a few f1.8 primes to go at.
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Perfectly happy with my 12-45 on the Om-3. Like you I use the primes too, in fact use the new primes more than the 12-45. I bought the plastic 45mm too and really happy with it. Couldn’t wait for a new weather sealed version! Have you tried the 2x zoom, handy with the primes if you want to use straight out of camera without cropping.

Love the 17mm but the new version is also slightly soft, like the original. 25mm and 45mm are spot on but love the 17.

Couldn’t image what a pig the Om-3 would be with a 12-40mm on all day. I can’t bring myself to put the grip on the body.
 
bumper said:
Perfectly happy with my 12-45 on the Om-3. Like you I use the primes too, in fact use the new primes more than the 12-45. I bought the plastic 45mm too and really happy with it. Couldn’t wait for a new weather sealed version! Have you tried the 2x zoom, handy with the primes if you want to use straight out of camera without cropping.

Love the 17mm but the new version is also slightly soft, like the original. 25mm and 45mm are spot on but love the 17.

Couldn’t image what a pig the Om-3 would be with a 12-40mm on all day. I can’t bring myself to put the grip on the body.
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Never tried the in-camera zoom. Do they still produce raw? My 17mm and 25mm are both Mk2, but the 12mm and, obviously, the 45mm, are both Mk1, I sometimes use the 12-100, which definitely needs the grip. But I find the grip fine. It's one of those original wooden handled ones. Very light.
 
Stephen L said:
Never tried the in-camera zoom. Do they still produce raw? My 17mm and 25mm are both Mk2, but the 12mm and, obviously, the 45mm, are both Mk1, I sometimes use the 12-100, which definitely needs the grip. But I find the grip fine. It's one of those original wooden handled ones. Very light.
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I always shoot jpeg and raw but truthfully only use the JPEG’s now so can’t say what raw it produces. Probably the non zoomed/uncropped version. I only shoot raw as a backup nowadays. I’m at work so can’t check what raw files they save but sure it’ll be the non zoomed. I’ve got one of the fn buttons by the shutter button set to the x2, think it was the video record button.
 
Stephen L said:
Never tried the in-camera zoom. Do they still produce raw? My 17mm and 25mm are both Mk2, but the 12mm and, obviously, the 45mm, are both Mk1, I sometimes use the 12-100, which definitely needs the grip. But I find the grip fine. It's one of those original wooden handled ones. Very light.
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Yeah works quite well with the right lens i.e a 300mm f4 with 1.4 tc gives you a fully stabilised circa 1600mm reach . Published a few long distance owl shots a couple of years ago
 
Folks - can you help me please with a decision I am stuck with. I need a general purpose zoom to go with my OM1 - specifically for a trip to Paris next month but after that for general landscape work. My main issue is I can't decide whether I will need to go wider than 12mm - if not then maybe a 12-45 or even a 12-200 (yes I know the long end is soft but the wide end is decent), if I do need wider then 12mm then probably an 8-25 but looking back through my Flickr I rarely shoot super wide so maybe the long end would be more useful than the wide end...

Have achieved full paralysis by analysis and need some guidance please :)
 
Perhaps the 12-100mm this is very well considered lens and I thought about but have been very happy with my 12-40mm f2.8

But stating the obvious 12mm in mFT is not that wide :(
 
Box Brownie said:
Perhaps the 12-100mm this is very well considered lens and I thought about but have been very happy with my 12-40mm f2.8

But stating the obvious 12mm in mFT is not that wide :(
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Cheers - yes the 12-100 seems to be great but fairly big and heavy I believe. For >12mm there are loads of great options but it’s whether I’ll need wider that is vexing me
 
dibbly dobbler said:
Folks - can you help me please with a decision I am stuck with. I need a general purpose zoom to go with my OM1 - specifically for a trip to Paris next month but after that for general landscape work. My main issue is I can't decide whether I will need to go wider than 12mm - if not then maybe a 12-45 or even a 12-200 (yes I know the long end is soft but the wide end is decent), if I do need wider then 12mm then probably an 8-25 but looking back through my Flickr I rarely shoot super wide so maybe the long end would be more useful than the wide end...

Have achieved full paralysis by analysis and need some guidance please :)
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There is so much choice, I think it’s tricky. I have several lenses and struggle to decide what to pack. My 12-100mm is my main go to. I’ve never tried the 12-200.

This time I’ve brought my 8-15 with me and have used it for city shots (with 12-100 left in my room). I still have my 9-25 at home and if I’m going light, would take that.. It rarely gets used these days but I’m struggling to part with it. The cheap 50-150 is a great lens to have in your pocket in case you need something longer.

I think it does depend on your favourite genre. I don’t use less than 12mm very often. Also my OH would not be willing to hang around whilst I change lenses.
 
peat said:
Ooo thats interesting. I kept looking at Santander and wondered how hard it is to get out of the port if that was the first time driving on the wrong side.
If it was like the chunnel and straight onto an A road that might be the best way.
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Usually our ferry arrives around 8am and the roads near the port are pretty empty - you follow everyone off the boat, and we use google maps. It does then get busier, but it’s all main roads and pretty straight forward and we seem to be on open roads quite quickly. The bits I would find hairy would be navigating the roads around Seville for example.

There must be info out there, but one odd thing on Spanish roads, is that sometimes for a left turn off a main (A type) road, you indicate right and pull into a slip lane and then stop before you cross the carriageway. Sensible really.
 
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dibbly dobbler said:
Or... maybe I pick up a cheap ultra wide angle (Laowa 7.5mm ?) and then add a 12-xxx lens of choice? The Laowa is small and light so I'd just keep it in my jacket pocket until needed :D
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I’ve had the samyang 7.5 in the past .it works quite well and although MF only you basically set it to F4 and everything is in focus ,just point and shoot .. it also takes quite well to de.fishing software either in camera or PP … another bonus is there readily available used for sub £100
 
the black fox said:
I’ve had the samyang 7.5 in the past .it works quite well and although MF only you basically set it to F4 and everything is in focus ,just point and shoot .. it also takes quite well to de.fishing software either in camera or PP … another bonus is there readily available used for sub £100
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Good shout Jeff - maybe one of these just for the odd shot and a 12-100 for the bulk of it would be a good answer. Cheers
 
Bebop said:
There is so much choice, I think it’s tricky. I have several lenses and struggle to decide what to pack. My 12-100mm is my main go to. I’ve never tried the 12-200.

This time I’ve brought my 8-15 with me and have used it for city shots (with 12-100 left in my room). I still have my 9-25 at home and if I’m going light, would take that.. It rarely gets used these days but I’m struggling to part with it. The cheap 50-150 is a great lens to have in your pocket in case you need something longer.

I think it does depend on your favourite genre. I don’t use less than 12mm very often. Also my OH would not be willing to hang around whilst I change lenses.
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Thanks - sorry if I’m being a pillock but can I just check what lenses you are referring to as I am not finding them :)
 
dibbly dobbler said:
Thanks - sorry if I’m being a pillock but can I just check what lenses you are referring to as I am not finding them :)
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I think he might be talking about the cheap 40-150. Great lens for the money.

I am going to try one on my om1, just want to see how it performs on it.

Every time I have bought an Olympus camera I have always bought this lens.

I keep looking at the 40-150 f4 pro, but it is so much more money.

I have a finite budget for extra lenses right now and will probably go for this and maybe the 75-300.

Currently we are away for a few days and ‘only’ an hour from WEX in Norwich. They have loads of the 40-150 second hand in stock. Just got to pursued the OH to go there lol
 
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I managed to get some bird video done at the Shorelark using the 150-400mm and first time in anger with the mkii. I would say the bird detect AF on the video seems to work and track the bird better than the AF on the mki in video. Its still not perfect but it was good enough to get enough video. I definitely think i can apply more PP sharpening to the video as well. Looks like there is room for it. Very happy with the IS though. it was very windy. I've done some PP stabilising too on the windier clips.

View: https://youtu.be/UzIce74YuIU?si=KIAT96Ni_oH9yKUz
 
peat said:
I managed to get some bird video done at the Shorelark using the 150-400mm and first time in anger with the mkii. I would say the bird detect AF on the video seems to work and track the bird better than the AF on the mki in video. Its still not perfect but it was good enough to get enough video. I definitely think i can apply more PP sharpening to the video as well. Looks like there is room for it. Very happy with the IS though. it was very windy. I've done some PP stabilising too on the windier clips.

View: https://youtu.be/UzIce74YuIU?si=KIAT96Ni_oH9yKUz
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Smashing. Love the clip with the sea as background. Well done!!
 
Stephen L said:
Trevor, have you had the chance or opportunity to compare the IQ of the 12-40 with the 12-45? I have the 12-45, and I'm on the fence about the 12-40. One downside is the extra weight, and I have seen some tests which suggest there is little practical difference in quality. Hopefully you can shed some real-world light on the matter.
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I have both, bought the smaller 12-45 pretty much when it came out and used it loads ever since.
If anything its a tad sharper than the 12-40 at the long end and pretty similar at 12mm.
The 12-40 does still come in handy and that extra stop does make a difference in certain conditions.
Glad I have the choice and with the 12-100 and Panasonic 9/1.7 all my travel requirements are covered
 
tijuana taxi said:
I have both, bought the smaller 12-45 pretty much when it came out and used it loads ever since.
If anything its a tad sharper than the 12-40 at the long end and pretty similar at 12mm.
The 12-40 does still come in handy and that extra stop does make a difference in certain conditions.
Glad I have the choice and with the 12-100 and Panasonic 9/1.7 all my travel requirements are covered
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Thanks for that, Rich. It more or less confirmed my thoughts. What with the primes, the 12-45, the 12-100, and the 8-25 I think I have all the bases covered. I don't really need anything longer. Oh, I also have the Laowa 7.5mm. I did consider swapping the 8-25 for that 9mm, but I couldn't bear to part with it. Had it listed on here for a while with zero interest, and MPB's offer was derisory. But for my next "expedition", next week, to a cottage on the Reivaulx Abbey estate where we will have 24x7 access to the Abbey and grounds, I'm bravely taking only primes. Hope to get some atmospheric night or dawn shots, which of course will benefit from wide apertures.
 
Nice Pete believe it or not that was the first bird species I photographed with a dslr ( canon 40d ) and an old sigma lens . Never knew at the time how rare they were , but here’s the coincidence I took mine at the point of Ayre as well but the one at talacre north wales . That was 15 years ago
 
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Stephen L said:
Thanks for that, Rich. It more or less confirmed my thoughts. What with the primes, the 12-45, the 12-100, and the 8-25 I think I have all the bases covered. I don't really need anything longer. Oh, I also have the Laowa 7.5mm. I did consider swapping the 8-25 for that 9mm, but I couldn't bear to part with it. Had it listed on here for a while with zero interest, and MPB's offer was derisory. But for my next "expedition", next week, to a cottage on the Reivaulx Abbey estate where we will have 24x7 access to the Abbey and grounds, I'm bravely taking only primes. Hope to get some atmospheric night or dawn shots, which of course will benefit from wide apertures.
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Glad to be of assistance Stephen, sounds like you have a good selection of lenses there.
Wondered about the 8-25 myself, but then remembered how little I used my Panasonic 8-18.
That sounds like a good expedition with some fine photo opportunities
We stayed in Bilsdale in 2021 and Reivaulx Abbey was not very far away at all
Lucky to be there on one of the few days NT Rievaulx Terrace was open and went for a look round.
Hope you have a good time and get some nice photos, look forward to seeing them.
 
the black fox said:
Nice Pete believe it or not that was the first bird species I photographed with a dslr ( canon 40d ) and an old sigma lens . Never knew at the time how rare they were , but here’s the coincidence I took mine at the point of Ayre as well but the one at talacre north wales . That was 15 years ago
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That’s one hell of a first bird to photograph. I think mine was a jackdaw :)
 
Just in case anyone with an OM3/OM5/EM5 is looking for a new bag, I thought I'd share my most recent purchase.

It's a ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover 25. It holds my OM3, fitted with grip and one of my prime lenses. Including whatever's on the body, I have a Laowa 7.5mm f2, OM System 17mm f1.8 II, Olympus 45mm f1.8, Olympus 12mm f2, and OM System 25mm f1.8 II in it. Also 2 spare batteries, a 46mm pola filter, a rolled-up neck strap, flat case with about 6 spare memory cards (why, I don't know. I've yet to fill a single card on a weeks holiday), a USB-C cable, and a large cleaning cloth. Oh, and some dog poo bags (empty). The gross weight of this lot is 2.15 Kg.

Hope this is of interest.
 
Stephen L said:
Just in case anyone with an OM3/OM5/EM5 is looking for a new bag, I thought I'd share my most recent purchase.

It's a ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover 25. It holds my OM3, fitted with grip and one of my prime lenses. Including whatever's on the body, I have a Laowa 7.5mm f2, OM System 17mm f1.8 II, Olympus 45mm f1.8, Olympus 12mm f2, and OM System 25mm f1.8 II in it. Also 2 spare batteries, a 46mm pola filter, a rolled-up neck strap, flat case with about 6 spare memory cards (why, I don't know. I've yet to fill a single card on a weeks holiday), a USB-C cable, and a large cleaning cloth. Oh, and some dog poo bags (empty). The gross weight of this lot is 2.15 Kg.

Hope this is of interest.
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Any pics to show how it fits in?
 
dibbly dobbler said:
Good shout Jeff - maybe one of these just for the odd shot and a 12-100 for the bulk of it would be a good answer. Cheers
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The 12- 100 is a brilliant all-rounder! I also have the panasonic 9mm f1.7 but hardly ever use it. 12 (24) is quite wide enough for most things.
 
alfbranch said:
Any pics to show how it fits in?
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Hope this helps. Apologies for the quality - for some reason I couldn't use my OM3 for this ...
IMG_1150-Edit.jpg
 
dibbly dobbler said:
Thanks - yes I think that’s my dilemma ie whether 24mm (equiv) will be wide enough or not. I’m also now seriously considering an 8-25.
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That used to be my dilemma - and I have the excellent 8-25. But looking back over my photos I find I have rarely use it, and that 12mm is perfectly wide enough for most things. Throw in a wide prime "just in case" and you're sorted. Of course, I may decide to have another go at selling my 8-25.
 
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