Author Topic: The Olympus 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Power Zoom (Read 3012 times)

voyager · « **on:** December 14, 2011, 12:26:40 AM »

$499, and it's weather sealed. Oh, and it has macro too.

Gillymaru · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2011, 12:39:48 AM »

I was expecting a lens of similar quality and specifications to the 12-60 4/3 lens. This annocement has left me feeling underwhelmed, can't see this making its way into my bag.

lisandra · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:01:56 AM »

Everything else is so wonderfully spec'd, why the f 6.3?

!!!

ralph · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2011, 05:16:55 AM »

It's certainly an impressive looking lump. If it was f2.8-4 I'd think about buying one, but as it stands definately not.

I really would rather have the current kit lens - i don't shoot macro and a couple of extra mm at each end isn't all that exciting. In fact it's kinda hard to see who this lens is aimed at at the moment.

If it's going to be the kit lens for a bigger 'pro' body I can see the point. If not I really can't.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2011, 07:02:25 AM »

i will pass on this lens even at 400 or 500 dollars , message to olympus you could have produced a lens like the amazing 12-60 2.8-4 and gladly gotten 800- 900 dollars from me , that you could piss away in the Cayman islands , or do some yakusa dealings with or what ever it is you do with your
revenue , but not you will not

camera executives are the most worthless humans alive they serve every interest imaginable , except the photographers and their camera systems,

beyond clueless ...supremely stupid .....and without any sort of honor , vision , or value to anyone but themselves , and others from their criminal class.

thats what i think of this lens!!

cosinaphile · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2011, 07:03:43 AM »

the title of this thread has a small error, its slower than 6.2 at the tele end ...as if that was possible

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:19:53 AM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on December 14, 2011, 07:02:25 AM

i will pass on this lens even at 400 or 500 dollars , message to olympus you could have produced a lens like the amazing 12-60 2.8-4 and gladly gotten 800- 900 dollars from me , that you could piss away in the Cayman islands , or do some yakusa dealings with or what ever it is you do with your
revenue , but not you will not

camera executives are the most worthless humans alive they serve every interest imaginable , except the photographers and their camera systems,

beyond clueless ...supremely stupid .....and without any sort of honor , vision , or value to anyone but themselves , and others from their criminal class.

thats what i think of this lens!!

Are you OK now that the rant is over

voyager · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2011, 07:30:12 PM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on December 14, 2011, 07:03:43 AM

the title of this thread has a small error, its slower than 6.2 at the tele end ...as if that was possible

Whoops. Fixed now.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:04:33 PM »

m5 im feeling better now

voyager · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:08:54 PM »

Would this bother you as much if it was the kit zoom for a weather sealed PEN Pro that cost $1099?

cosinaphile · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:21:16 PM »

i am truely bothered by the speed of the lens , there are enough kit lenses , , i want to see a serious zoom equivalent to the 4\3 12-60mm 2.8 -4 oly
so does everyone ive ever talked to about micro four thirds who have been waiting near 3 years for the system to offer at least one fast zoom

the feature of lenses seem to get worse with each passing year , i cannot fathom why neither panny or oly see the importance of offering a fast zoom
i also believe the first order of business for olympus was to make some similar fast glass for the micro system that they had previously made for 4\3
their failure to do this is just one of the bigget mistakes in the direction of micro 4\3 , impeding its adoption disappointing their loyal customers and telling pro and semi pros to stay away" we dont serve you here"

if they wanted to have this be a new kit zoom for a yet unseen weathersealed body , that fine then do that , but dont release this pathetically slow lens the the salivating masses of enthusiastic shooters waiting , hoping , finally for a fast zoom

this is a serious anticlimax to this long followed rumor , face palm stuff

Jason C · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:42:33 PM »

^
^
^

I fully agree. I am not a fan of zooms, but this cheapo (to produce) trend is pathetic. Is there some law of physics in regards to lens design and size that prohibits the production of a fast zoom (and even primes)?

Why not a 12-35mm f/1.4, or even an f/2...?

How about a 37mm f/0.6 for the pro/enthusiast?

Denied!

Cheaper to produce p&s optics, and massive DOF, and have a "BOKEH" Art Filter (as mentioned prior, and an actual filter in another camera).

Screw the enthusiast, they (Oly and others) want sales and that means catering to AUTO-mode p&s crossovers.

Jason C

lisandra · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:45:53 PM »

a year ago I could have defended oly to some extent, but unfortunately cosinaphile is absolutely right about everything

tamoio · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:48:34 PM »

Quote from: Jason C on December 14, 2011, 09:42:33 PM

Is there some law of physics in regards to lens design and size that prohibits the production of a fast zoom (and even primes)?

Actually yes. Good fast zooms, especially with a constant aperture are expensive to build, it also adds complication trying to make them auto-focus quickly and then keeping the whole package small to fit into the MFT "compact concept". They don't sell as many of any MFT unit as any CANIKON apsc or ff lens so its difficult to justify the development investment.

On the other hand, if they made sexier lenses they might sell more of everything.

I have to admit after thinking about it, this is a monumentally pathetic offering. It just confirms that Olympus isn't even thinking about the type of MFT user that is most enthusiastic about the format (at least on this side of the Pacific ocean). It looks nice, the power zoom is obviously an acknowledgment of the hybrid/video function, 'weather sealed' even, but who the hell needs a 50mm f6.3? This might be some sort of landmark, does anyone else currently make a zoom lens that is this slow for any format?

With all the stuff going on at Olympus corporate I'm a little surprised they are introducing anything, but I would be embarrassed to be associated with this lens if I worked for Olympus.

lisandra · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:00:08 PM »

Quote from: tamoio on December 14, 2011, 09:48:34 PM

I have to admit after thinking about it, this is a monumentally pathetic offering. It just confirms that Olympus isn't even thinking about the type of MFT user that is most enthusiastic about the format (at least on this side of the Pacific ocean). It looks nice, the power zoom is obviously an acknowledgment of the hybrid/video function, 'weather sealed' even, but who the hell needs a 50mm f6.3? This might be some sort of landmark, does anyone else currently make a zoom lens that is this slow for any format?

With all the stuff going on at Olympus corporate I'm a little surprised they are introducing anything, but I would be embarrassed to be associated with this lens if I worked for Olympus.

the only 50 mm f6.3 is the mamiya sekor 50mm, which is like 23mm on medium format anyway

tamoio · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:32:52 PM »

Quote from: lisandra on December 14, 2011, 10:00:08 PM

the only 50 mm f6.3 is the mamiya sekor 50mm, which is like 23mm on medium format anyway

Hey, I just thought of something positive about this lens! You can shoot it outdoors in daylight wide-open at 50mm and you won't need any ND!

Jason C · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:42:59 PM »

Quote from: tamoio on December 14, 2011, 09:48:34 PM

Quote from: Jason C on December 14, 2011, 09:42:33 PM
Is there some law of physics in regards to lens design and size that prohibits the production of a fast zoom (and even primes)?

Actually yes. Good fast zooms, especially with a constant aperture are expensive to build, it also adds complication trying to make them auto-focus quickly and then keeping the whole package small to fit into the MFT "compact concept". They don't sell as many of any MFT unit as any CANIKON apsc or ff lens so its difficult to justify the development investment.

Yes, complicated, expensive and larger, but in my opinion a necessary option for the enthusiast. Like other manufacturers, and even Oly of yore, lens for the masses and lenses for the pros. This lens for the masses ONLY is a sure-fire way to disassociate the company from the photographers that give them a NAME with the output using said products.

A Canon 85L is a huge, expensive, slow focusing behemoth of a lens of fantastic quality. Available to those of us who can utilize (or perhaps can afford) said equipment.

The Canon 85/1.8 lets in less light, has a little less overall IQ than the 85L but is super quick in AF, is a lens for the masses for a fifth of the price of the 85L.

Canon EFS 55-250 f/4-5.6. The lens you get in a kit that gets you 85mm, and other focal lengths albeit on the slow side. Image stabilized and decent AF for about a sixth of the cost of an 85L.

furthermore, As we all know Canon produces 50mm primes. I can go on, but wont.

No, Oly is content with offering their kit glass for all levels of photographers, but still over-charge for p&s optics.

Just my opinion, my rant based on my wants and not based in the real world of economics and supply and demand. However, I still want that 37mm f/.06!

Jason C

peterb666 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:47:28 PM »

Quote from: tamoio on December 14, 2011, 10:32:52 PM

Quote from: lisandra on December 14, 2011, 10:00:08 PM
the only 50 mm f6.3 is the mamiya sekor 50mm, which is like 23mm on medium format anyway

Hey, I just thought of something positive about this lens! You can shoot it outdoors in daylight wide-open at 50mm and you won't need any ND!

LoL - you should get a job with Olympus PR!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

voyager · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2011, 04:51:38 AM »

Jason, remember you can't use the EF-s lenses on a 5D.

Jason C · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2011, 07:29:47 PM »

Quote from: voyager on December 19, 2011, 04:51:38 AM

Jason, remember you can't use the EF-s lenses on a 5D.

My rant was about how Canon has the 85mm focal length covered from kit, to serious to pro needs.

However, I can use EF-S lenses on my 5D (if I want a big black circle on the edge of my frame); either by simply modding the EF-S lens, or by attaching a an EF-S compatible extension tube.

Jason C

Helgen X · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2011, 04:06:15 AM »

Man I fully agree with cosinaphile, to add to that, I've only kept the 17mm panny and sold every other official lens because honestly, most of the others were pure shit.

I remember the 14-42mm, it autofocused pretty shitty, I had a 10mp Canon P&S that AF faster. Also, when you extended the zoom, it became really soft and washed away the quality, as with the 42-150mm (I think that's the one, it sucked so bad that I forgot the number,) I only got it for $100 because of that Staples deal Voyager told us about, and I sent it back the following week because of how terrible the pictures came out zoomed, and how slow AF was on it when just with family and friends.

I find it way more enjoyable to just use vintage lenses with adapters. You save money, and you have a lot more options than some piece of shit F3.5 lens... I can't believe they even produce anything over 2.5 these days, we're in the future, and here these people are trying to beat people in the head with shitty materials for ridiculous prices and can't even bother to produce one decent lens.

If anything, I think the best lens I've seen (which happens to be a fixed length lens) is the 45mm, and it's F1.8, now that's some good shit.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2011, 06:29:40 AM »

i agree the next 2 lenses on my list are the 45mm 1.8 followed by the pan\leica 25mm 1.4 , im hoping price go down a little the25mm has alreadygone down
from 599 to 539

jap · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2011, 02:09:56 PM »

It may have weather sealing, but this looks like a prosumer lens at best. I have never been a fan of slow lenses because of my interest in available light/low light/night photography and my relatively poor eyesight. The slowest lens I have ever owned was F/4.5, and that lens didn't remain in my arsenal long.

Of course, Oly ZD may very well have some high end primes/zooms cooking in development right now which remain unannounced thus far.

voyager · « **Reply #23 on:** December 28, 2011, 03:24:58 PM »

A prosumer lens with weather sealing is a bad thing?

jap · « **Reply #24 on:** December 28, 2011, 03:41:25 PM »

Quote from: voyager on December 28, 2011, 03:24:58 PM

A prosumer lens with weather sealing is a bad thing?

I don't have a problem with a lens being prosumer---as long as it has weather sealing. My problem is with the too slow speed.

Author Topic: The Olympus 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ Power Zoom (Read 3012 times)

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