Latest with the E-M1 Mark II and 12-100mm f4 M. Zuiko

Congratulations Gary.

• I don't have this lens, but it appears both the Olympus and Panasonic 12-60mm enjoy great reviews.
  
• The 40-150 is n excellent lens. I used it shooting a badminton match; it was so easy to use. Hwvr, as a zoom-lens aficionado, I felt I did not need it much once I got the Olympus 12-100 paired in focal length by Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm. Maybe, or maybe not, that you will go through the same procedure. I always believe people have to go through a path to eventually reach the final decisions. I do that all the time - not exclusive to cameras and lenses.
  
• Re 20mm lens. My reaction is "Meh" - from a zoom lens fan.
  
• If I were you, I would use the money you will pay for the 3 lenses (pancake + 20 + 12-60) to get the 12-100mm instead - something I believe you will want to have or at least curious about in the future. -- 3-in-1 - just like a fruit tree I bought that I will shovel (haha) to plant within these few days, saving effort and real estate space in the garden or camera bag in a photographer's situation. The 12-100mm is bigger ( > 1lb) but nothing compared to the Nikon heavy metals we masochistic photographers suffer through on a regular basis.
  
• Just my opinion of course. :)
  

After buying a 70-200 f/4 and the E-M1, I have blown my camera budget for the year.

I will be squeeking a used 12-60 through, just so that I have a GP lens, everything else will have to wait till next year.

 

I figure used, the 12-100 would be about $900, which is too much for this year, since I already blew by budget.

After buying a 70-200 f/4 and the E-M1, I have blown my camera budget for the year.

I will be squeeking a used 12-60 through, just so that I have a GP lens, everything else will have to wait till next year.

 

I figure used, the 12-100 would be about $900, which is too much for this year, since I already blew by budget.

 

Agreed. I agree you are making a sound decision based on the current situation.Not only that, you can always sell the 12-60mm at a decent price in case you don't want to keep it any more in the future; but then you would have already tried the 12-60mm and it's a good experience.

I figured that I want a compact GP lens, for when I don't want to haul around a heavy camera.

The 12-100 would be pushing me back up to DX territory, which I am trying to come down from with the m43. But I can see it's value.

So to me, it makes sense to have both the smaller/lighter 12-60 and larger/heavier 12-100. Then I can choose what to carry based on the shoot/event.

 

For my first lens, the choice was between the Panasonic 12-60, the small 14-42 pancake or the 14-45. The goal was to keep the kit small and light.

I opted for the 12-60 for the extra range, since it will probably be my only m43 lens till next year and a new budget.

 

I have to pay IRS this year, so I don't have a tax refund to apply to toys :(

 

BTW, I'm a zoomie from way back.

My 2nd camera was a Nikkormat FTn with a 43-86, and I've used a zoom as my primary lens ever since, plus longer zooms.

It was a LOT easier to use a short zoom when shooting slides than zooming with my feet.

It was a LOT easier to use a short zoom when shooting slides than zooming with my feet.

 

Totally agree - from one zoombie to another. Not to mention that "zooming with one's feet" may land the feet into a ravine or ocean under some situation. Wonder who thinks that's a good idea given all the lens choices we now have. ;)

 

The 12-60mm is a good lens - very adequate as a walk-around-lens (equivalent to 24-120mm).

The E-M1 is due to arrive tomorrow :)

But I'm still looking for the lens. I lost a couple auctions, trying to keep the price down. :(

The E-M1 is due to arrive tomorrow :)

But I'm still looking for the lens. I lost a couple auctions, trying to keep the price down. :(

 

This is exciting.

 

Re "trying to keep the price down": The Panasonic f/2.8 you are looking at is lighter but appears to cost much more than the Olympus f/2.8 (1.27 lb). I see there are two used Olympus available at B&H (link) at a little more than $200 - seem like good deals.

 

One caveat, when you are looking for M43 lenses, make sure they are. One time I made the mistake of buying a non-M43 lens (when I was new at this). It was an excellent lens - used it with an adapter on Nikon, but not M43. LOL!

 

Good luck.

Mary, the lenses you liked to are four thirds, not micro four thirds.

I got mixed up by that as well.

Mary, the lenses you liked to are four thirds, not micro four thirds.

I got mixed up by that as well.

Oh, I looked at the B&H link I sent to you again - it does not mention "micro". So not likely to be M43 - sorry. No wonder the price is so low for f/2.8. Pls double-check.

Oh, I looked at the B&H link I sent to you again - it does not mention "micro". So not likely to be M43 - sorry. No wonder the price is so low for f/2.8. Pls double-check.

Note that an adapter is needed to mount four thirds lenses on micro four thirds bodies.

 

Olympus terminology is Zuiko (four thirds) and M.Zuiko (micro four thirds). Olympus quit manufacturing four thirds lenses in 2008.

 

I can't help you with Panasonic nomenclature.

Zuiko (four thirds) and M.Zuiko (micro four thirds)

Thanks That's the correct and accurate distinction. However, some sellers are not necessarily so accurate, so one may miss a portion of available listings when used in search. I usually search with the brand and the focal length of the lens first, then narrow down. I apologize for the error provided in a prior post - happens in a hurry. For my own purpose, I would check the reviews, determine the lens desired, before searching. Gary did his homework, so he spotted the error immediately.

Thanks That's the correct and accurate distinction. However, some sellers are not necessarily so accurate, so one may miss a portion of available listings when used in search. I usually search with the brand and the focal length of the lens first, then narrow down. I apologize for the error provided in a prior post - happens in a hurry. For my own purpose, I would check the reviews, determine the lens desired, before searching. Gary did his homework, so he spotted the error immediately.

 

Only because I had gotten confused about that more than once.

Only because I had gotten confused about that more than once.

I thought I was over it, but still confused. :confused::(:oops::D

Gregg and Mary,

What speed SD card are you using?

I'm looking at 2 cards; 80MB/sec and 95MB/sec.

I don't know if it makes any practical difference to go up to the 95MB/sec card in the E-M1 mk1 or mk2.

IOW how easy is it to fill the buffer, and is the card interface fast enough to use the faster 95MB/sec card or is it maxed out at the 80MB/sec card?

I have not been able to find info on the card interface speed, hence I'm asking your opinions.

 

I don't see myself using the EM-1 mk1 for sport/action photography, so I have my doubts about shooting continuous for any length of time. Though that may change as I shoot more, and who knows what will happen on a vacation.

I don't see myself using the EM-1 mk1 for sport/action photography, so I have my doubts about shooting continuous for any length of time. Though that may change as I shoot more, and who knows what will happen on a vacation.

I think what you mentioned are fine. I mostly used the SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB or 64GB 95MB/s and some higher speed Lexars (1000x). I never had any problem with either, burst or no burst. So most of the time I was not aware of which were in which camera.

Panasonic 12-60 is on it's way to me :)

Panasonic 12-60 is on it's way to me :)

Great! Good luck! :)

Panasonic 12-60 is on it's way to me :)

 

It arrived.

Now I can shoot. :)

It arrived.

Now I can shoot. :)

Congrats Gary. Tell us how you like it.

Just for giggles, the E-M1 + 12-60 on the left, and D7200 + 18-140 on the right.

According to the specs, the Olympus is 44% lighter than the Nikon.

 

The original E-M1 is a nicely compact professional grade mirrorless camera. The E-M1 Mark II and 12-100 M. Zuiko, which is a little closer to the comparable coverage of the 18-140 Nikkor on the D7200, brings the two setups closer as the Mark II E-M1 has a little more heft/grip to it compared to the original E-M1. When I revert back to the 12-40mm f2.8 M. Zuiko after using the 12-100 M. Zuiko for a few days or weeks, the 12-40 feels like going back to a compact lens, but then you have to also consider, when I use the 12-100 I'm basically replacing two lenses with it, both the 12-40 and 40-150mm f2.8's since the 12-100 range is probably where I am at 85-90% (if not more) of the time anyway with the two f2.8's. Might as well have access to it through one nice lens.

Greg,

 

I plan to get the 12-100 next year, when I get a new "toy" budget.

I came to really like the coverage range of the 18-140, and the 12-100 is even better with a wider short end, and a constant f/4. I would have loved a f/2.8, but not the added bulk and weight. I thought about the 12-40 f/2.8, but compared to the 12-100, why? As you said the 12-100 replaces two lenses, and no lens changing. I'll take the 1 f-stop hit for a more flexible lens.

 

With the E-M1, I realized that I want what seems like duplicate/overlapping lenses. Each of the 3 lenses fits a different need that the others can't fit.

• The compact 14-42EZ pancake lens. For when I want to be as compact as I can.
   
  
• The small 12-60. For an easy carry around GP lens, with an extra 2mm on the wide end and a bit more reach than the 14-42..
   
  
• The 12-100. For more specialized shooting when I don't mind the extra bulk and weight. Faster and longer reach, with better image quality than the 12-60. This would be a great field sport lens, and I can't wait to get it onto the field.
  

I still have to figure out my FAST prime; 17, 20 or 25. I'm leaning to the 17.

The first trip I took the 12-100 with the E-M1 Mark II was for a few days to White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, which was the PERFECT trip for the 12-100. Few lens changes in what is often high wind/sandy conditions in the mid-to late afternoons. The two lenses I used in conjunction was the 7-14mm f2.8 for the really wide compositions, and the 25mm f1.2 M. Zuiko for when I wanted to use a more shallow depth of field.

 

White Sands National Monument- 2017 - Greg

 

BTW, the Olympus dust-reduction system works a charm. I've been to White Sands now four times with Olympus systems, three of those mirrorless, and have never had an issue with sensor dust despite a few lens changes in less than desirable conditions. If one is going to have sensor dust issues anywhere, it's there.

 

I also used the 12-100 for most of the second-half of a trip to a ranch and canyonlands in West Texas in the Fall..

 

Pole Canyon Ranch, 2017 - Greg

 

Given the choice of all three f1.2's at once the 17 is probably where I would lean as well. The 25 was the only one available when I picked it up.

Greg and Mary,

 

About how much time/use will I get out of a battery on the EM1-mk1?

IOW how many batteries should I plan for during a day of vacation shooting?

I think I will need at least 2, but will I need 3?

 

I am tentatively planning for 2, with a 3rd as backup, in case I have charging problems where I only get 1 battery charged.

That would make the next day tough, to charge 3 batteries :( Dang, that means I may need a 2nd charger also.

Greg and Mary,

 

About how much time/use will I get out of a battery on the EM1-mk1?

IOW how many batteries should I plan for during a day of vacation shooting?

I think I will need at least 2, but will I need 3?

 

I am tentatively planning for 2, with a 3rd as backup, in case I have charging problems where I only get 1 battery charged.

That would make the next day tough, to charge 3 batteries :( Dang, that means I may need a 2nd charger also.

 

It depends on how much you shoot too. Yes, it is safe to have two then a 3rd as backup. I believe that's what I did. Now that I use the Mark II more and the battery has a higher capacity, I still have 3 batteries with me. But truthfully I hardly ever needed to use more than one in a day - but I wasn't shooting non-stop either. I always feel safer to have 3 batteries with me.