Olympus 12-40 on GH3

S

snowblindfilm

Carbonite Member
Is anyone using GH3 and Olympus 12-40mm F2.8? How is manual focus for video? Are you able to rack focus with it? How is autofocus for shooting stills? Any first hand info appreciated.
 
I am also really interested in this lens and have asked about it on a couple of other forums to no avail. I have read all the reviews and it seems a little better than the Panasonic 12-35mm. Not having IS is not an issue for me. The only negative I read about was some distortion in photos at full wide that they say is corrected in camera. However, I don't know if this correction applys to shooting video. If they would drop the price to $899 and include a U.S. warranty I would probably buy one today.
 
Mark, from the online samples I like the colors from this lens much better then Panasonic. Plus Panasonic has servo only focus, so even if you go to manual focus, it's only through servo, there is no mechanical ring providing it. Also I do not care for IS, but I just wanted to see how it's working with GH3. I intend on buying GH4, but I need to decide on lenses. I guess we are both on in the same boat.
P.S: Olympus also announced 40-150mm MFT lens F2.8 and 7-14 F2.8 towards the end of this year.
 
Yes, same situation here as I have a GH4 on pre-order. I am also pondering which lenses to get. I have plan A which is a cheap set to get me shooting (Panasonic 12-45mm f3.5-5.6 and Panasonic 45-175mm f3.5-5.6) But, I really want a constant f-stop 2.8 through the zoom range. I could probably get by initially with one premium lens as that is all I can currently afford. Then save up for the Olympus 40-150 that you mentioned or the Panasonic 35-100. I am interested in hearing how your lens choice process goes.
 
If and when you guys do manage to fins some credible information it would be good to know if autofocus (in video) works with this lens.
 
Found the lens from a Japan seller for $890 and includes Olympus Worldwide Warranty Card. He has a good reputation. Are there any pitfalls here with any type of additional import duties or Olympus Worldwide Warranty vs. U.S. Warranty?
 
Has anyone used or even bought this lens?
Still haven't found much solid info on its usability for video purposes.
If it's not parfocal it's a non-runner.
Also interested in how much focus travel it has. Looks to be in the region of 90 degrees.
 
maybe I am not reading right, but my new 12-35mm panny has both auto focus AND A manual focus ring I can use. But yes, you hear/see aperture changes while zooming - but I rarely zoom, but NEEDED OIS.
just confused about the manual focus mention

EDIT: ah... the focus ring is "fly by wire", I see what they mean. doesn't cause any issue for me, feels great
 
Bern Caughey said:
Does the manual clutch on the Olympus 12-40mm allow smooth focus or is it steppy?

If it's steppy like their 12mm then it's completely useless for rack focusing with or without a follow focus.

This video example doesn't look promising but I'd like to see a better test.

http://youtu.be/KGwLXMPMN5k

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?318437-Problem-with-AF-100-and-Olympus-Zuiko-f2-8-12-40mm
Click to expand...

Wow. If true that's very disheartening. I was seriously considering this lens for it's manual focus clutch, but damn that video makes me skeptical.

Anyone else have experience with this?
 
I ran some tests using a focus chart.
The 12-40mm definitely isn't parfocal, but it only shifts focus a touch during zoom.
I literally had to refocus one notch of focus (the focus by wire has very distinct steps) at a couple of points in the zoom range.

The difference is so small that if might actually be within tolerance for a 1080p video.
It's clear at full magnification in camera, but when played back on my MacBook Pro Retina the difference was hard to detect.

Usefully there's no breathing during focusing. Not that there would be with a modern, internal focus lens.
 
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Rented this lens and posted a thread about it in October - the AF was not that great and the latitude I found to be poor - to the point that if I wanted to put on the 14-42mm kit lens for outdoor shots (for a wedding I shot) just to get better AF/Latitude. Great close focus but really PALES by LIGHT YEARS to the Panny lens.

the 4/3 12-60mm and 14-54mm can be had for peanuts used btw and adapters are not even 50 bucks if you need a zoom (both those lenses I found are actually better IQ wise). You may as well get those since the 12-40 doesn't offer much more to warrant paying 6-800 more dollars. The 12-40mm is only giving you a smaller lens and a half stop at the long end for a constant exposre. The IQ and Latitude are BETTER on other zooms, including the kit Panny, and the image is better from the OLY full 4/3 zooms if you don't mind the size and poor continuous AF (the new 12-40 doesn't offer much more in Continuous AF btw).

IMO - if you got that much cash to burn, GET THE PANNY.
 
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