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Archive 2014 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions

  
 
Jman13
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


So I got a copy of the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 in for review today. I haven't had a ton of time with it yet, but I'll keep updating this as I go, as I know a lot of m4/3 shooters are interested in the lens.

First things first, as I noted when I played with it at Photokina, it's a pretty big lens, especially in the m4/3 universe. You feel the weight, and while it's small for an 80-300mm equivalent, it's also not THAT small for an 80-300mm equivalent. It makes my X-T1+55-200 feel pretty small and light, and that lens isn't exactly tiny. Still, in the grand scheme of things, it's a bit smaller than a full frame 70-200/4, so I'm being picky here. The hood is huge, but nicely retracts so you don't need to reverse it. Build quality is outstanding, and it feels solid and the zoom and focus rings feel great.

http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150.jpg

AF is very quick and very accurate, though I noticed in dim light indoors, it would sometimes hunt, and sometimes hunt a LOT on my E-M5. We'll see how prevalent it is over the next week.

My first impresions optically? It's frickin' incredible. Absolutely tack sharp right from f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. From a resolution standpoint, there is literally nothing more to wish for here. It's extremely sharp into the corners even at 150mm and f/2.8.

Bokeh is very nice when there's a fair bit of blur...can get some slight nervousness on just out of focus grass, but specular highlights are smooth and round.

The Achilles heel? Flare. Don't shoot this into the sun. Don't shoot this with the sun right at the edge of the frame. Simply stay away from the sun. Bad. Bad flare.

Of course, I'll need to put it through a LOT more paces, but in the vast majority of situations, I don't think anyone would be disappointed by the optics. Oh...it also can focus really closely. 0.7m at 150mm.

Closeup of my son's eyes at 150mm, f/2.8. Uncropped frame (ISO 1600+pushed a bit, thus the noise):
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_eyes.jpg

100% crop:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_eyes_crop.jpg

Another super close up near MFD, this time at f/5.6:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_xander_close.jpg

100% crop:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_xander_close_crop.jpg


Some more shots:
55mm, f/5.6
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_city.jpg

135mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_xander_milk.jpg

Bokeh @ 150/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_bokeh.jpg

And here's bad flare:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/badflare.jpg

With bright reflection to the left:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/sideflare.jpg




Nov 24, 2014 at 08:07 PM
leo11877
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Fantastic results!


Nov 24, 2014 at 08:32 PM
kwalsh
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Hey Jordan,

Looking forward to your review.

Be aware there is a new E-M5 firmware specifically to improve focus with the 40-150/2.8. Basically every single Olympus camera got a firmware update just for this lens. EXIF on your images shows FW 2.0 on your E-M5 and the new firmware is 2.1 - so you probably want to update for the rest of your review.

Those 100% crops are impressive!



Nov 24, 2014 at 09:51 PM
Jman13
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions



Thank you for that. I will update tonight and report back. Sounds like that's the culprit.
kwalsh wrote:
Hey Jordan,

Looking forward to your review.

Be aware there is a new E-M5 firmware specifically to improve focus with the 40-150/2.8. Basically every single Olympus camera got a firmware update just for this lens. EXIF on your images shows FW 2.0 on your E-M5 and the new firmware is 2.1 - so you probably want to update for the rest of your review.

Those 100% crops are impressive!




Nov 24, 2014 at 09:58 PM
mcbroomf
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Hi Jordan, thanks for the results so far.

I don't understand the purple flare on the left in the last shot. What is causing the flare? I don't see any really bright and large reflection off the buildings in the scene to cause it and clearly the sun was off to the side-right and you were using the hood (I presume).

Thanks

Mike



Nov 25, 2014 at 05:01 AM
absolutic
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Jordan, great to hear you got that lens. I am running (foolishly, but that's a whole different story) several different systems and I am between Oly 40-150/2.8, Fuji 50-140/2.8 and Sony 70-200FE/4. Pricing is in the same ballpark for these three lenses and I know I would probably be getting one of the three lenses there. Just one though. The best one.

I have a feeling that you probably will end up reviewing all three of these 70-200 sort of equivalents. It looks like Sony is the lightest in weight of the bunch. Olympus of course has the extended range and the closeup capacity.
My problem is so far that with the samples I've seen from these 'big three' lenses, none of them wowed me, as, for example, my former Canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS II. There was something special about Canon's 70-200 rendering that created such an awesome 3d like rendering. I don't see anything remotely close from either one of these mirrorless guys. I don't know what it is, could it be DOF equivalency but I just can't put my finger on that. It is like these are from different universe. Of course 70-200L weighs almost twice the three mirrorless choices. I am waiting to see what tricks Fuji would have in their sleeves on 50-140/2.8.

What I am trying to say is hopefully, you'll get to review all of the above. In the mean time, can you post examples some more portraits of your kid at 200 to 300mm and 2.8 showing how it render these


Oh and also I read that Olympus 40-150/2.8 is significantly faster AF on EM1 than it is on EM5 for some reason.

Edited on Nov 25, 2014 at 05:30 AM · View previous versions



Nov 25, 2014 at 05:25 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


There was a really bright reflection off windows in the building just out of frame. And yes, with the hood. So, optically awesome except terrible against bright light. At least in the situations I've seen so far.

And yes, I plan on reviewing the Fuji as soon as it comes out. The Sony probably a bit later.
mcbroomf wrote:
Hi Jordan, thanks for the results so far.

I don't understand the purple flare on the left in the last shot. What is causing the flare? I don't see any really bright and large reflection off the buildings in the scene to cause it and clearly the sun was off to the side-right and you were using the hood (I presume).

Thanks

Mike




Nov 25, 2014 at 05:25 AM
megancanada
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Version 2 2 released this morning. Very quick to resolve any issues. Nice len.


Nov 25, 2014 at 07:14 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Updated my firmware and it does seem to fix the low light hunting...will try it out of course a lot more over the next week.


Nov 25, 2014 at 10:08 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


absolutic wrote:
In the mean time, can you post examples some more portraits of your kid at 200 to 300mm and 2.8 showing how it render these

Oh and also I read that Olympus 40-150/2.8 is significantly faster AF on EM1 than it is on EM5 for some reason.


Last point first: Maybe, but it's hard to tell, since it's really fast on the E-M5. I don't know how you'd perceive it to be much faster.

Here are some other portrait type shots. Note that these are terrible photos for the most part, but I was just screwing around, and my daughter certainly didn't want to pose for me.

@ 60mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_x3.jpg

100% Crop:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_x3_crop.jpg

@ 150mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_c1.jpg

100% Crop:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_c1_crop.jpg

@ 40mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_x1.jpg

@40mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_x2.jpg

@ 150mm, f/2.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_j.jpg

100% crop (and this is at 1/25s...love that IBIS):
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/40-150_j_crop.jpg



Nov 25, 2014 at 10:29 AM
millsart
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Looks great so far, but the big question (at least for me) is would you actually carry it around with your normal bit of kit ?

Relatively speaking its hardly that big and heavy, at least compared to something like a 70-200/2.8 zoom, but.... the very reason many of us (or at least me lol) went to mirrorless options is that we (or I) got tired of carrying around the weight of my DSLR kit for personal shooting, travel etc.

I think in terms of absolute performance the 40-150/2.8 is the best lens, but, given how much smaller and lighter options like the Panny 35-100/2.8, not to mention all the slower zooms (some of which are pretty decent for the price), could you see a lens like this fitting into most peoples bag ?

Certainly a great lens to have for shooting some action, going to the zoo, and any sort of special purpose where you need speed and maximum reach, but would it get much use ?

I don't want to spend $1500 for a lens, great as it is, and then end up leaving it at home when I'm packing my bag all the time



Nov 25, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


That's the big question, isn't it? Do I think I would want to carry this daily? No. The 35-100 is significantly smaller and nearly as good. Would I potentially want this lens in my stable for event shooting? Yeah. I don't think most mirrorless shooters will want something this size and weight for daily use, but it could definitely be a lens you bring out when you're shooting a paid gig and you shoot m4/3 as your only system.

If I end up getting Fuji's 50-140, it'd be that sort of lens....the 55-200 would still be in my bag most of the time.

Of course, I've only used it for a day...lots more shooting to do before I know the lens well.

Edited on Nov 25, 2014 at 10:54 AM · View previous versions



Nov 25, 2014 at 10:54 AM
galenapass
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


The size of this lens reminds me of my 135L. That's not that big, and I can see carrying this lens and the 12-40mm f/2.8 to cover most situations. For taking out a shooting, I have removed the foot which decreases the bulk of the lens somewhat.

My only gripe so far is that the edge performance, of my copy at least, does not seem to hold up to all these glowing reviews. I would say this lens is very sharp in the middle and acceptable in the corners.

Edited on Nov 25, 2014 at 11:03 AM · View previous versions



Nov 25, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


galenapass wrote:
The size of this lens reminds me of my 135L. That's not that big, and I can see carrying this lens and the 12-40mm f/2.8 to cover most situations.


It's bigger than the 135L. It's only 17% heavier, but it's 2 inches longer (nearly 50% longer). It's not a light lens. It also doesn't really fit well in to my typical m4/3 bag (or any of my mirrorless bags.)



Nov 25, 2014 at 10:58 AM
galenapass
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


From my perspective, I tend to judge it by FF/crop standards. I left that arena (Canon) to get a smaller system. Not sure where one will find a small f/2.8 300mm FOV equiv lens. So from that perspective, I got what I wanted. The Panny 35-100/2.8 is smaller, but it's not a 300mm equiv.


Nov 25, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Agreed. It's a seriously awesome lens. I'm excited for this week and review, but it isn't tiny.


Nov 25, 2014 at 12:44 PM
jhinkey
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


I had a few minutes to step outside the pro shop here in Seattle on Sunday of this past weekend and take some snaps with it mounted on my Pany GX7. Focus was incredibly fast and silent. It was typical of handling on such a small body, but that's just the laws of physics and no worse than when I put my 135/2 ZF.2 on my GX7 via an adapter. My GX7 occasionally had issues with the lens and needed to be cycled for power - likely a firmware issue I suppose.

I've not reviewed the images yet, but I specifically took images to see center and border sharpness and will report on those tonight if I get a chance.

Unfortunately I couldn't test for flare, but lens/sensor flare/ghosting it not one of m43's strengths with ANY of the lenses that I have, so it's not surprising to me. It is annoying that bright lights just outside of the frame produce problems as seen in the examples.



Nov 25, 2014 at 01:12 PM
AhamB
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Impressive, although not really surprising to me -- telephotos have always been easier to optically correct well. The flare is disappointing though. Perhaps the m4/3 sensor doesn't help matters, at least I have the impression that sensor flare is usually worse on smaller sensors. To show an extreme, my Sony RX100II gets this crazy colored flare: click


Nov 25, 2014 at 01:59 PM
absolutic
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Jman13 wrote:
Here are some other portrait type shots. Note that these are terrible photos for the most part, but I was just screwing around, and my daughter certainly didn't want to pose for me.



Jordan I have a 2.5 year old that always on the run and does not want to pose for me. I was looking for full body shots with a background to access how the lens renders background.....I understand the sharpness is already there, the sharpness is not the issue.... I mean something like this

http://brodsky.smugmug.com/Portraits/Portraits-1/Portraits-at-Huntingtons-Nov-2/i-CNgBpBh/0/X2/DSCF9021-X2.jpg




Nov 25, 2014 at 02:12 PM
galenapass
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Rolling Impressions


Here are a few quick tests that I have done comparing center sharpness first with the Nocticron 42.5mm, then edge tests vs both the Nocticron and the Oly 75mm. The 40-150mm was set at the appropriate FL for comparisons.

First, the center is quite sharp if we use the Nocticron as a measure of sharpness. These are all 100% crops. The Nocticron is on the left.

http://mlschragphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v60/p1001047532-5.jpg

Next, here are some edge crops. Nocticron on the left.

http://mlschragphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v111/p976514823-5.jpg

I'd say edge performance of my copy is acceptable, but not stellar. It's a bit hard to see as Zenfolio does not let me link to the original sized image.

Now in edge crops in comparison with the Oly 75mm:

http://mlschragphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v116/p678887206-5.jpg

The comparisons did not post as well as I hoped, but there is some edge softness for the 40-150mm. One can expect really nice center image sharpness, with what I'd call some typical fall off of sharpness toward the edges. It's a good lens, but my copy does not "blow my sock off".

Edited on Nov 25, 2014 at 02:50 PM · View previous versions



Nov 25, 2014 at 02:28 PM
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