micro-four third lens: panasonic 12-35/2.8 vs oly 12-50macro

[stargost]

I’m debating between the Panasonic 12-35/F2.8 and the Olympus 12-50/macro option for underwater use.

Pros for 12-35: great lens for dryland photo and video, fits under the 6” nauticam dome port that I already have
Cons: cost (~1k$ +/- 15%) and wont work for macro

Pros for 12-50 oly: capability for single lens underwater, price
Cons: cost of the dome port and zoom kit

Cost wise, getting the oly 12-50 will be more expensive for me, based on what I already have (7-14 with 6” and 45mm with macro port)

I’d like to know if I’m missing some other trade offs and I’m very interested in any feedback on the 12-35 underwater (with the 6” dome), especially vs the kit lens 14-42.
Thanks !

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

The F/2.8 lens is faster and has much higher image quality V. The 14-42 kit lens behind the six inch port.

The Olympus 12-50 is very fast focusing and has the macro feature as well. For pure macro the 60 and 45 are much better lenses. The Nauticam port for the 12-50 is a flat port so to compare it to the 12-35 in a six inch port is apples to oranges. Both are excellent choices and the Panasonic 7-14 is an even better choice for pure wide angle.

Phil Rudin