NEED HELP from Photogs who OWNS the OMD EM5

<p>Hi everyone,<br>

So I finally decided to go ahead w/the purchase of the OMD EM5 in silver. I need inputs from those of you who owns or uses the OMD...and who have used, uses or owns the following 3 lenses mentioned below.<br>

Should I get the kit's lens or Oly ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6? I actually have in mind to get the OMD body only and separately get the Oly ED 14-150 & Lumix 20mm f/1.7. I know the latter option would bring the cost a lot higher. Or should I stick w/the kit's lens and get the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 combo? I wouldn't mind spending a little bit more now if that means I don't have to switch lenses later. My mindset behind getting the 2 lens combo is to have one prime (a smaller lens to make the carry-around a lot easier) and one zoom that has very good coverage, which I feel the 14-150 would do. <br>

But since I have never used any of these lenses, much lens the 4/3rds system, I really would appreciate feedbacks from those of you photogs who uses/ed the OMD and any of these lenses!! Or do you have another 2 lens combo (prime & zoom) you recommend??<br>

Thanks again!!</p>

 

<p>Lens selection depends on what you do with images, typical subjects, cost and personal preference. If you aren't making prints larger than 12 x 16 the zoom lenses you mention are fine. You could probably go to larger prints, if they are viewed from normal viewing distances. Subjects, as in what you're shooting, lighting and the look you want, may or may not be limited by your listed lenses. The listed lenses don't go very wide or fast and long. For cost and personal preference, keep in mind that it's significantly cheaper to get the body with the 14-42 kit lens and buy the 40-150/4-5.6 (there is always some sort of deal on these lenses) than to buy the 14 - 150. The image quality will be the same. Keep in mind that although the 20/1.7 is very good for low light and is very sharp, it has very slow AF.</p>

<p>(FWIW, along with the EM5, I have to 14-42, 40-150, 20/1.7 and the <em>FOUR</em> primes.)</p>

<p>Congrats on the EM5, it's a superb camera! I have had mine for only a couple months and bought it with the 12-50mm lens which I love. I highly recommend this lens as it covers the 35mm equivalent of 24-100mm which covers a lot of territory from wide to portrait and a bit beyond. Since I enjoy wildlife photography, I am waiting to purchase the new M Zuiko 75-300mm which will cover up to a 600mm! equivalent. Lens selection is all about what you plan to shoot and, of course, how many dollars you want to part with!</p>

<p>Congrats on the EM5, it's a superb camera! I have had mine for only a couple months and bought it with the 12-50mm lens which I love. I highly recommend this lens as it covers the 35mm equivalent of 24-100mm which covers a lot of territory from wide to portrait and a bit beyond. Since I enjoy wildlife photography, I am waiting to purchase the new M Zuiko 75-300mm which will cover up to a 600mm! equivalent. Lens selection is all about what you plan to shoot and, of course, how many dollars you want to part with!</p>

<p>Not sure what slow AF in regards to the 20mm means, but I have it and have found it to be more than adequate for most events.<br>

I bought the OM E5 with the kit lens, 12-50, which is an excellent lens but I normally keep the 20mm attached. I tend to use my Canon FD and EOS lens more than the kit lens as the stabilization on the camera is excellent. Manual focusing is fairly easy as one can multiply the view to focus.</p>

 

<p>Thank you Bruce and Glenn on your feedbacks! Yes, lens selection must be taken with great consideration. I want to get the right lenses from the start so I can minimize spending more $ to get the right ones later if I make the mistake from the getgo. <br>

The type of photos this camera will be used for is mainly and in this order:<br>

1) People/Events (portraits; friends and family gatherings; weddings & other social gatherings)<br>

2) Lanscape (while on vacation and trips)<br>

Thanks again for the feedbacks. Keep the suggestions coming!</p>

<p>Thanks Manuel for your information as well (I wrote the previous response while you were writing I guess). Thanks!</p>

<p>There's no way to "get the right lenses from the start". As you grow as a photographer, your needs and interests are going to change. What lenses you are going to want will change too.</p>

<p>Here's my advice: unless you can very clearly explain why you want or need a lens, you shouldn't get it. Answers like "it will take better pictures" and "I need better zoom coverage" are not enough, in my opinion.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would get the kit lens for general photography and the 20mm for indoor events. When that combination doesn't work for you any more (and it might always work, those are very useful lenses), THEN you should think about buying other/more expensive gear. </p>

<p>Hi Dave,<br>

Thanks for your advice. Yes, the kit's lens and the 20mm was one of my option (option 1) and my other option was the 20mm & the 14-150mm. Of course I leave myself open for suggestions from photogs who have more experence. But yes, those two lens-combo options were the only ones I have planned out along w/the purchase of the OMD. <br>

You are correct, it's impossible to get the 'right' lenses from the start. I meant to say the right, or most proper lenses for the 2 types of photography I mentioned that the OMD will be used for at this time. Of course I understand as time and shooting evolves, preferences and needs will change as well.</p>

<p>I have the OMD with Panasonic 14-45mm (excellent sharpness), Panasonic 20mm f1.7, Olympus 45mm f1.8 and Panasonic 14-140mm lenses. Of these, I'm likely to be selling the 14-140mm and acquiring the Olympus 40-150mm. Your shooting requirements are similar to mine. You really need faster lenses if you want nice out of focus elements. Events will also benefit from faster lenses. I also have the FL-50 flash with a 'tupperware' attachment for flash.</p>

<p>Another OMD owner here.</p>

<p>My feeling is that as an initial setup you might enjoy the kit zoom (12-50) plus the 20/1.7 and 45/1.8 primes.</p>

<p>This means you have a versatile general purpose zoom that also does a bit of macro to boot, and then a couple of prime options for lower light / smaller size benefits with one being wide/normal and the other for portraiture. You can think about something longer afterwards if you feel the need, but this would cover very many shooting situations.</p>

<p>Neither of the primes are that expensive either compared to other glass options, and you can get the zoom for a great price bundled with the camera.</p>

<p>By the way it is a superb camera; I've had mine for about 6 weeks and am overjoyed.</p>

<p><a href="http://slrgear.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/2">SLR Gear</a> has reviews of the Olympus 14-42, 40-150 & 14-150 lenses. The 14-42 & 40-150 are significantly sharper for the ranges they cover than the 14-150. The Panasonic 14-140 also tests better. Honestly, I think the IQ price paid for the convenience of the 14-150 is too high.</p>

<p>my personal choice would be to go with either the 12-50 kit lens and 40-150, or the 14-140. Figure out which focal lengths are your most used and fill them in with either primes or faster zooms later. I admit to being a bit of a glass pig and along with my 2 OMD bodies (I was one of the first in Canada to own one), I currently have 9 m4/3rds zooms and 5 primes. My personal lens favourites: 7-14, 12-35, 35-100 Panasonic and 12-50 and 75 Olympus lenses. But we are all different and our needs are different. While many here may shoot the same subject material, they may approach that material differently. It will be up to you to determine what, in the end, will fill your lens needs.</p>

<p>I purchased my OMD with the 12-50 kit lens. I also had the Oly 40-150, which I sold in order to buy the 14-150. That is the perfect "walking-around" lens for me. My 12-50 is also for sale. The 14-150 and 20mm Panasonic make a great combination for most of my photography.</p>

<p>Thank You All for all your helpful input. For my starting kit, I think I will go w/the kit lens (14-50mm) and get a 20mm f/1.7 as well. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Hi All,<br>

Just wanted to update everyone on my decision since all of your inputs helped. I just pulled the trigger and order from B&H. I got the silver model with the kits lens and Panny's 20mm f/1.7. I also got an extra battery and separately ordered a grip base made by J.B Camera Designs from Amazon.<br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Base-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5/dp/B009V71HEQ">http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Base-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5/dp/B009V71HEQ</a><br>

Thanks again!!</p>

<p>I am using a JB grip and I think it works great. I put a wrist strap on as well and carry everything I need in a little Lowepro Passport sling bag ...</p>