To use my new Camera OM-1, I purchased the new OM 40-150 f/4 PRO System. I took it out for the first time on a fiercely windy afternoon to put it through its stride. Here is my actual review of this lens.
Back in the mid-1990s, I was the leader of a youth organization. In that role, I was part of the leadership team that brought a group of about 25 young people to Namibia to help train new leaders there. My SLR goes with me. Almost everyone else carried a compact film camera. We camped in the semi-finals, so the air was constantly full of dust. Halfway through the three-week visit, most compact cameras were dead, their motorized film reels and zoom lenses covered in dust. But my trusty, hand-wound Olympus OM-2n continued to shoot for the duration of my stay. Therefore, I ended up providing the printout to everyone who didn’t bring one. Sand and dust removal camera.
The reason I’m reminded of that is when I take My new OM-1 take a walk with the new OM System 40-150 f/4 PRO The lens is attached, there is a sandstorm on the beach. The wind was blowing strong at 40 mph. However, I have absolutely no qualms about using this kit because of its IP53 sealing, even though I felt very angry at the end of my ride.
For the past few years, I’ve been using my old Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD Four Thirds lens for telephoto photography. I am always satisfied with its results. However, that old lens was big and heavy. This new OM System lens weighs just 0.841 lbs (381.4 grams). The new OM-1 and this lens are lighter than the old one when the MFT-3 adapter is attached. The new 40-150mm lens is certainly much smaller than any other lens in this range, and that makes it easier to use. Keep in mind that this has a field of view equivalent to an 80-300mm lens on a 35mm camera.
I feel much more comfortable with the new lens when tracking birds in flight. This is partly because it makes the camera more versatile, and because I always have both eyes open when shooting, spotting the birds that are heading into the frame with my left eye. Old lenses obscured a large portion of that vision. In addition, the new lens focuses much faster.
Does f/4 aperture bother me? Nothing. First, I usually stop doing that to focus on the entire subject. I wanted more than just focusing on one eye of the bird. Although I want separate the subject from the background, I like some background in my photos. I don’t like taking those simple blurred-background catalog-style photos of birds that have become cliché.
Also, the high ISO performance on the OM-1 is very good, so I don’t mind turning it on in low light if need be. Also, when I photograph wildlife, it’s usually on a beach where the light is bright. Additionally, a constant f/4 aperture throughout its entire focal range makes it perfect for focus stacking. But, most importantly, it’s incredibly sharp. I’ve always been pleased with the results of the 50-200mm, but this one is surprisingly better.
This is not just a lens for wildlife. The 40-150mm focal length range also makes it a great lens, and I’m wondering if I would now use it for more than my 12-40mm f/2.8 pro. The 40mm is what I mainly use for documentaries and portraits, and sometimes I miss that extra length. Similarly, when I’m shooting weddings and events, this is the perfect range, allowing me to get close to the action without stepping on it. Its unobtrusive size makes it ideal for authentic documentary style photography. At events, I will likely equip this lens on the OM-1 and the wider 12-40mm zoom lens on my E-M1 Mark II.
It feels well done. It’s built entirely of metal, as one would expect from a professional lens, and it’s solidly built. The lens is also balanced on my camera and even fits on the much smaller E-M5 series. Furthermore, it sticks out from the front of the camera by just 3.9 inches for storage. When you extend the lens to use, the length increases to less than an inch, making it smaller than the entry-level “Plastic Fantastic” Olympus Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 lens. Of course, the image quality is also far superior.
OM Systems already has a professional lens in this focal length range, M.Zuiko Digital ED 40‑150mm f/2.8 PRO. That’s so excellent. It’s an order of magnitude faster, but that results in it being larger, more than twice the size and weight of this new lens. That said, the f/2.8 version is still smaller than other system lenses at that focal length and speed range. These two lenses are aimed at different genres of photography; The new lens is better suited for those who need portability while hiking, climbing, kayaking, horseback riding, and carrying around the camera all day, while the f/2.8 lens is geared toward those who want to sit in hide birds and use tripods.
In common with most other lenses in the f/4 range, making the lens small and light means that extra features found on some other professional lenses have been omitted. The new lens is not compatible with either teleconverter; that will lead to a larger construction. It also doesn’t have a manual focus clutch ring. It’s a feature I like on my other professional lenses. However, when I use the rear button focus and use single AF plus manual focus (S-AF [MF]) or continuous autofocus plus manual focus (C-AF [MF]), which is less important to me for this lens. Manual focus, I save for landscapes and real estate, where I can spend my time. Then I will use wider lenses, such as Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO or theirs 12-40 Digital ED 12-40 f / 2.8 PRO. Also, there are no function buttons on the lens, another thing I didn’t miss is that the OM-1 and its OM-D E-M1 predecessors are equipped with programmable buttons.
These missing goodies should not be seen as a disadvantage. What this lens has in common is that it’s small and light, making the most of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) size. Losing these features creates that advantage.
As I mentioned, this lens is very sharp, and I was able to crop images of distant subjects up to 100% and see a lot of detail. It’s also super fast when locking objects. I found the out-of-focus area to be pleasant as well. Yes, you can get a shallow depth of field from an MFT lens at f/4! Limited depth is easy to achieve. However, at the same time, one can also leave enough background detail to add context to the photo. I find that much more interesting than a monotonous smudge.
Shot at 85mm f/4 full frame and approx 100% zoom.
For those excited by the spec, it features 15 elements in 9 groups (2 ED elements, 1 Super ED element, 1 HR element, 2 aspherical lenses). The front element is coated with a new water-repellent fluorine coating that makes it much easier to remove moisture and water droplets from the lens. When I shoot a lot on the beach, it’s a blessing.
The camera comes with a removable lens hood and a stylish carrying bag, along with front and rear lens caps.
What I like about the OM System M.Zuiko 40-150 mm 1:4 lens and what could be improved
As you can see from what I wrote above, I consider this a great addition to my lens collection and it is attached to my OM1 for now. It suits my shooting technique and style of photography and is an improvement in every area of the Four Thirds 50-200mm lens, which will be available on eBay from this weekend. Does it meet the high standards of the new OM-1? Sure. I was impressed to buy it.
40mm at f/9 with approx 100% crop
What can be improved? I have a hard time finding any criticisms of this lens. That is, in addition to what I would aim for most other manufacturers: its ethical proof. While the packaging is mostly recyclable or made from recycled materials, there is no mention of the environmental or ethical impact of manufacturing this individual product. That’s important to me, as I know to most other photographers.
Many other manufacturers try to keep us from making noise about the small token gestures they make as a company. To me, that’s worse than doing nothing because it’s selling their brand a lie.
I want to know the positive or negative impact of the item I am purchasing. Has CO2 production been offset? Was it made in a country with a good human rights record? Is a percentage of profit going to good causes? Do they promote equality?
OM Digital Solutions is still a new company, so they haven’t had a chance to build a really caring reputation or a clean and unnecessary reputation like some of the other brands have. Let’s hope they take it one step further and, like their market-leading technology, lead others with authentic, ethical evidence for their products.
