Olympus M43 12-50 mm zoom

[PHIL RUDIN]

Several questions have come up about this new "kit" lens sold with the E-M5. First when the lens is zoomed to 50mm the minimum focus distance is about 11" (28CM) from the front of the lens. This renders an image of around 3.5" (8.9CM) on the long side. I you lock the lens in the macro mode the lens is set to 43mm and you can focus to around 4" (10CM) from the front of the lens. I use a standard method of looking at the minimum focus distance of any lens I intend to use closeup. This method allows me to access the area I will be able to photograph at the minimum focus distance. You may want to try this with your own lenses. In the photo I have taped a 35mm slide mount to a bill which is them taped to a window. With the 12-50 zoom locked at 43mm in the macro mode and a the minimum F/stop of F/6 I set the camera to manual focus, move the lens to the minimum focus setting and take a photo when the subject comes into focus. Just rock the pre focused lens in and out until you see focus in the EVF. As you can see in the atached photos the max amount of subject you will be able to get into the frame is in the photo. With the 12-50 the first image is just a little larger than 1:1 in the 35mm slide frame, I then used the ReefNet SubSea +10 closeup lens to shoot the next photo. This time minimum focus distance was reduced by about half or down to about 2" and the area covered drops to less than the 35mm 1:1 size in the frame but is NOT cut by one half. In other words while the +10 did make the subject larger in the frame it did not double in size.

Next I did the same thing with the Panasonic 45mm F/2.8 macro. The first thing that you will see is that by shooting at F/2.8 depth of field is reduced and getting the entire frame in focus is very hard hand holding the camera. This is not the fault of the lens and when shooting macro you would offen be using an F/stop closer to F/9 or above. The first image at minimum focus allows an image of almost 2:1 or twice life size compared to the 35mm slide mount. Adding the +10 closeup lens the image becomes almost 4:1 or four times life size compared to the 35mm. With the 45 macro you are about 4" from the subject and less than 2" with the +10 lens.

It is clear to me that the 12-50 is not only wider than the 14-42mm kit lens, ( 84 v.75 degrees) but it also has faster focus and better overall image quality.

The Panasonic 45 macro has excellent image quality, much better overall than either of the zooms.

Phil Rudin

 

[deeper thoughts]

thnx.

 

[jlyle]

So, Phil, when is the Nauticam port for the 12-50 lens going to be available?

I own the 12-50 and OM-D. The housing is on order, along with a port for the 14-42 kit lens. If I can get my hands on the 12-50 port, I'll cancel the order for the 14-42.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Don't know yet

 

[ProfF]

Phil,

Thanks for the note. How does the 14-42 kit fare in this test (I, like many, use the kit lens + diopter)?

If I understand correctly, you are saying that in terms of image quality for macro the Pana 45 >> Oly 12-50 >> Oly 14-42? I am wondering how big is the difference between the two olympus lens.

Thanks!

-Nir

 

[mjh]

We recently spoke with Nauticam, as mentioned, they are working on the correct gear/extension/port for the 12-50mm. It was "suggested" that those buying the camera and lens combos today can go with 12-50mm (if that is there lens of choice). BUT housings will be available first and the 12-50mm gear/extension/port following around 2wks later. For those who want to dive the housing as soon as it arrives the 14-42mm is the quick choice.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Hello Nir,

Your question is a little more complicated than just image quality between the two KIT lenses. The quality of the 12-50 and the Panasonic 14-42 pancake lens are without question higher than the Olympus and Panasonic 14-42 kit lenses. The pana pancake can be used with the Nauticam 45 macro port and the new gear set for the Pana pancake is listed on the front page at reef photo.com. The other issue is that at 12 mm the 12-50 is much wider than the 14-42, (84 v. 75 degrees). This is a big difference on the wide end and without dought it will suffer on the wide end if put behind a flat port. Making a "quick choice" may not be the best way to go. I will want to see what type of port is offered for the 12-50 (dome or flat) to make an informed choice.

Phil Rudin

 

[jlyle]

Phil,

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I just want to say, "Thank you!" You have been very helpful.

DSAO,
Jim (jlyle)

 

[ProfF]

Hi Phil,

I am not sure if you answering the question I asked (I didn't even think of the pana pancake 14-42).

I will try rephrasing: I am now shooting with 14-42 kit (Oly) behind flat port (with or without +10 subsee). I am wondering whether on the macro side there will be a difference in magnification/quality if I spend on the 12-50 and put it behind the current flat port.

If I understand your comment, the advertised dedicated port will have to make some sacrifice (or compromise) in the tradeoff between wideness and macro abilities.

Do you think that behind a flat port the 12 vs 14 will be noticeable?

Thanks!

-Nir

Your question is a little more complicated than just image quality between the two KIT lenses. The quality of the 12-50 and the Panasonic 14-42 pancake lens are without question higher than the Olympus and Panasonic 14-42 kit lenses. The pana pancake can be used with the Nauticam 45 macro port and the new gear set for the Pana pancake is listed on the front page at reef photo.com. The other issue is that at 12 mm the 12-50 is much wider than the 14-42, (84 v. 75 degrees). This is a big difference on the wide end and without dought it will suffer on the wide end if put behind a flat port. Making a "quick choice" may not be the best way to go. I will want to see what type of port is offered for the 12-50 (dome or flat) to make an informed choice.

Phil Rudin

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Nir, your question did not ask anything about magnification but between the two Olympus lenses (12-50 and 14-42) the 12-50 has the greater magnifaction of around 1:2 v. around 1:4. As already stated the 12-50 is going to have much better image quality than the 14-42.

Read my post again regarding the difference between the lenses at the wide end, I don't know how to make it any clearer.

Also read the last line, the 12-50 will get a new port and will need a new set of gears as well.

Phil