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Archive 2013 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42

  
 
jen.raborg
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


Cameta has this camera factory demo with the 12-50 for $1,049.95 OR with the 14-42 for $879.00. I'm considering saving a bit and taking a chance on these demos since they come with a 1 year warranty.

Which kit lens would you recommend? I love the idea of the 14-42's price, but is the 12-50 a much better lens? I like the idea it's weather sealed like the camera.



Feb 15, 2013 at 09:30 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


I own both. Neither lens is particularly stunning optically, though both are decent. The 14-42 might be slightly sharper in the overlapping range, but I find the weathersealing, extra 2mm on the wide end and extra 8mm on the long end to tip the scales in favor of the 12-50. The 12-50's macro mode is also quite good, though slow (it becomes a fixed 43mm f/6.0 in macro mode). Macro mode won't go to 1:1, but it gets very close to 2:1, so isn't too far off what a 1:1 macro on full frame can capture, and it's not bad optically in macro mode either.

I tend to use primes around that range, with the rather excellent 12/2, 14/2.5, 20/1.7, 25/1.4 and 45/1.8 all running in this range, you get far better image quality and a much wider aperture, though you'll spend more money and not get the convenience of the zoom.

FWIW, I haven't used the little 14-42 since I got the 12-50, but the 14-42 is a lot more compact, so that may make it more desirable depending on your priorities.



Feb 15, 2013 at 10:53 AM
owyhee
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


If you are only going to own one lens the 12-50 makes sense. But if you are going own several m4/3 lenses it makes more sense to skip the kit lens, get just the body and start collecting some of the fantastic primes that are available. I own both the 14-42 and the 12-50 and prefer the 12-50 for its versatility. The macro, as always is best on a tripod.


Feb 15, 2013 at 09:10 PM
gotak
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


1049 factory demo is not a great price. I got the exact combo new for about that much + tax.

Part of the reason for having the OM-D is the weather sealing and the 12-50 is about the cheapest way to get that in a lens. So for me I'd pick that.

If you don't care for that then I am with Owyhee's suggestion to collect primes. This camera is great for primes. If only they be weather sealed :P



Feb 15, 2013 at 10:56 PM
jonrock
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


I'd probably pick the 12-50 over the 14-42 since it's weather sealed and acts as an ok macro lens.


Feb 16, 2013 at 02:00 AM
Mescalamba
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


Just get body only?


Feb 16, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Mescalamba
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · OM-D E-M5 - Which kit lens? 12-50 OR 14-42


gotak wrote:
1049 factory demo is not a great price. I got the exact combo new for about that much + tax.

Part of the reason for having the OM-D is the weather sealing and the 12-50 is about the cheapest way to get that in a lens. So for me I'd pick that.

If you don't care for that then I am with Owyhee's suggestion to collect primes. This camera is great for primes. If only they be weather sealed :P


Even tho its probably not exactly convenient, m4/3 to 4/3 adapter is weather sealed like most of 4/3 lens from Olympus. Im not saying its easy to use or light on shoulder, but it gives "something". And they are weather sealed really well (not like Canikon - we sealed it.. sorta).



Feb 16, 2013 at 10:14 AM





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