I love this lens. I use it all the time in good light. I also have the 4/3 version that I use to this day with my E-510 and my e-5. That lens is over 15 years old and still works great.
This lens was my introduction to the Olympus system. I bought a used Em10 Mark II with the 14-42 and the 40-150 for about $250 and that was second best camera deal/decision ever (first being a Nikon D800E I got for $150 but that’s a story for a different day). This lens paired with the Em10 is the most fun I’ve ever had, especially on my hikes. The very first day I took this kit out, I was in Shenandoah here in Virginia, USA and ended up about 10 feet from a black bear. If it wasn’t for this lens, I would’ve never been able to capture the bear because I wasn’t willing to carry anything heavier. I now have an extensive Olympus collection but the Em10 is still my favorite. For my hikes, I have graduated to an Em5 Mark II with the 12-200 because of the weather-sealing but on a dry sunny day, the original kit just can’t be beat in terms of fun.
Same here. I've since added the 30mm macro as well. Both of those and the EZ lens still fit in the kit bag, as long as either the macro or zoom are attached to the camera when in the bag.
I see almost all your sample shots were taken wide open (or as wide as possible at their respective focal lengths), and yet, they were all surprisingly sharp. That's impressive enough, but when you factor in the price, it's nothing short of miraculous.
Received mine the other day. For £128 I can't complain. It's sharp enough for me although I'm no pro used to expensive gear. Love the size of it and the reach isn't bad if you 2x crop birds etc. Well pleased with it.
I have this lens and use it with my em1 mkii and have only good things to say about it. I am using it for photographing bald eagles in flight and am very pleased with the images. Certainly the pro lens would be better but with the use of dxo pr for noise reduction I get great results! The pro lens is in my future with the teleconverter but for now I’m happy with my “ budget” lens!
Thanks for all your great Videos/photos, and help you give us . Have a Happy New Year 2021 . Pay palled you... have a good coffee... and a good Durian fruit...I miss K.L. and Singapore ;-) ..was there in the 70's...be safe and take care ;-).. bye Roberto Sorini.
I have both of the Oly 40-150 lenses. I usually use the f/2.8 lens, but I bought the "plastic fantastic" specifically for my longer hikes. The E-M1.3, 12-40 f/2.8, and the 40-150 f/4-5.6 makes a VERY light and VERY capable hiking kit. The 12-40 is my lens for photographing near waterfalls and for general scenes and the little 40-150 provides extra reach.
it´s not called "plastic fantastic" for no reason :) its awesome lens, I have it in my bag for few years now and even I have PRO lenses aswell, this is really handy one :)
Probably one of the most useful, economical lenses in the Olympus catalog! It travels well and stellar performance on my Pen-f! It’s a regular in my small, 2-lens travel kit. Yes, I’ve rented the Pro version,and it’s a best-in-class, imo. Fwiw, I use the “R” with a hood. Good video, Robin! 🙏
Great that you're giving some love to this lens, Robin. I have both versions and as much as I love the quality of my PRO version, I can't imagine lugging it along when I travel. Having said that, my 40-150 R shots are not as sharp and clear as yours. Gotta keep working on the technique!
A+ to this. I hope to see more videos like this. I bought this lens, wanting a telephoto zoom and not wanting to spend a lot, and so not expecting much. I was SHOCKED at how good this lens is! I shot it side by side in motorcycle racing against my old OM 300/4.5, and even though this one has a lot less magnification, its coatings and optics are so much better that I always preferred the results from this lens. (even in against the shots with the 300 in which I nailed focus) It is a great lens, even without the qualification of "for the money."
Thanks for the cheerful heads-up. I purchased a used PM2 kit that came with this lens and the 14-42 IIR, but was lured into buying the "must-have" 45/1.8. Now I have to get this lens out and actually give it a try!
Yes, it is a winner! I used to have one, but it got replaced with the Panasonic 35-100 2.8 and Panasonic 35-100 4-5.6 for small size, as well as the Olympus 75-300 for longer reach. But I must say that I have come to miss this lens. Maybe it's time to repurchase it :D
Thanks,Robin, for once again highlighting the capabilities of non-pro lenses for those of of who are not professional and cannot justify the price of the awesome Pro line of gear. I've been very happy with my 40-150mm R, and it's nice to see the beautiful shots you shared. I have a question: Did you ever do a similar video for the 14-42 mm kit lens (the II R, not the EZ)? I've heard some people say that the II R is not as sharp, good, clear, etc. as the EZ, but that hasn't been my experience. Any thoughts, anyone?
My 14-42 II R sits and collects dust It just can't compete with my other super fast f1.8 12, 17 and 45 mm If you don't have the 45mm, it's a must have!
Hello Robin and thank you so much for the review. I recently purchased an OMD-1 Mark 3rd, I love it and I just purchased this lens tonight from eBay for about $90. I'm so looking forward to the pictures this lens will give me. I really appreciate your knowledge, you helped me make my decision, Thank you
I have just bought it, I use the 12mm and 45mm prime lenses and some times felt the need to have some reach for my tiny amateur camera bag. So glad I discovered the Olympus m4/3, light bag and great cheap lenses. Perfect for me.
Got one as a kit lens when purchasing the Mark 10. Upgraded to the EM1 M2 and kept the lens. Use it all the time with great success. Thanks for reinforcing my thoughts on this lens.
Thanks for the video. I just bought e-pl5 on eBay and this was bundled in so I came to watch the video. So excited to try it out. Plastic for such a long lens to keep it light will be good. A great photo isn’t always about the fanciest gear.
I bought a Panasonic GF3 and then a GF6, and started a panacake lenses collection, I started with the Pana 14mm 2.5, the Zuiko 17mm 2.8, 25mm 1.8, 45mm 1.8 and 60mm 2.8 macro (ok not a pancake but small enough to be carried everywhere), and the pana 14-42 pancake. all of these need just a small bag,I just lacked a telephoto. I tried the zuiko OM 200mm f4, very small lense but not ideal on small camera, therefore I first tried the zuiko 14-150 4-5.6 but very disapointed with it, and found this 40-150 used for 60€, and I'm very happy with it, it completes my small lenses collection and is very good. When I really want to travel light, take the GH6+14-42+40-150+1battery and everything fit in a small bag and weights
Yep, just an exceptional lens, and so inexpensive. A great complement to the Oly 14-42 kit lens, which also creates great images. Add a low light prime, such as the Panny 20 or the Oly 17 or 25, and most hobby photographers have all they need for a kit that will cover a very high percentage of their photography needs. This is the kit (with the Oly 25) that is always in my car with the Oly e-pm2 for unexpected photo opportunities. As much as I may drool over Oly pro lenses and cameras, I am quite happy with the results I get from this kit.
Thank you. I bought this lens because Rob Trek recommended it some time ago. I don't think it feels cheap at all. The plastic is good quality. Focus is fast and accurate. Handheld shots at 150mm are always sharp. Sharpness is insane when processed in DXO Photolab with DXO's Olympus lens module. I do have prime lenses but strangely this lens is always on my camera (and the cheap 14-42mm zoom on my other camera which is also insanely sharp) It's a great lens delivering great results and I enjoy it a lot
At f/4 & 40mm it makes a nice soft background blur for waist level or head shot portraits. My copy actually exhibits a bit better color than my 45mm f/1.8. With a 16mm extension tube it really makes a decent semi-macron lens. I actually bought a second copy for larger bugs such as butterflies and hummingbird moths. Much more flexibility than my 60mm. In high contrast situations I do find purple fringing & flaring in both copies at long focal lengths which makes the images soft. Lens hood does help a bit for the flaring. I have both the 14-150 & 75-300mm which really controls the chromatic aberrations, purple fringing and flaring very well in comparison. However I find many times in normal circumstances the 40-150mm can be sharper than the 14-150mm and the Bokeh is smoother than the 75-300mm. It is amazing how often I will use this lens after I got other lenses. It never leaves my bag.
I picked up this lens for a hundred U.S. dollars. It punches far above its weight, literally and figuratively. I have all three lenses Robin rated as "underrated." I had figured out that these offered the best bang for the buck. The size and weight of these lenses are also the most consistent with the Micro 4/3 concept.
The only Olympus M43 I own is this one which I picked up cheap second hand but my goodness was I surprised at it's image quality! Used it on my Lumix G9 and was very impressed just how sharp it was. Definitely worth adding to anybody's M43 kit as a lightweight zoom 😉
I have just purchased my first m4/3 camera as I am going to be traveling and want something smaller than my DSLR. I have ordered this lens now - thank you Robin - indeed...Let's Do This! Side note: I love KL, the bird park is one of my favourite places and so convenient to cross the road for the butterfly farm. Got some nice shots from Menara KL
Lovely description in plain speak. I don’t think I ever let anything go without a little fiddle in photoshop, not because my lenses are poor, I have those expensive lenses and full frame too, it’s because I always want the shot as I see it. The light is not always quite right, the backgrounds too busy or an unwanted object. So what the heck, it’s a nice lens and a little touch up as you show, makes it a great lens for little money. Keep up the good work.
I bought this lens 6 years ago and was revisiting my M43 lenses and came across this in my bag and i got all enthusiastic to go out and use it as its been used probably twice i was loving your video up until the bubble burst when you mentioned the pro version and COMPARED them, why oh why oh why Robin did you do that. i will leave this here and maybe visit again.. or check out your other video titled *"Why Olympus 40-150mm F4-5.6 R Is Perfect For Beginners?"* and see if i can get my enthusiasm back again unless you talk about the pro version again before i resign it to the bag for another 5 years.
Robin, As always you give great advise to budding photographers and Pro's alike. I will be getting this lense and appreciate the recommendation. Kind Regards John
This was the first lens I bought when I got the EM10 MKII. I think it was 100 USD at the time. That combination while traveling made go all in on Olympus and get pro gear. Even with the 12-100, I would still go to the 40-150 R to get the 150mm.
I bought this lens second hand off eBay and used it for about 2 years with fantastic results. Sold it a couple months ago to get the 14-150mm instead as I wanted the wider focal length and weather sealing.
I have had this lens for 3-4 years and it is a staple when traveling light is a priority. In adequate lighting, the images are very good. It is not a sturdy lens so be careful with it. I bumped if quite firmly while it was in the small camera bag and it broke off the camera at the mount. That night I glued the mount back on and the lens again the next day with no issues. Sadly it broke again a couple weeks after and had to be replaced.
Thanks for the review, my first Olympus OM-D was the 10 M2 with the normal 14-42mm lens and I quickly added the 40-150 for about $100 US when on sale. I am very pleased with the kit lenses giving fast focus and sharp images and when I show my photos no one asks me if the lens was kit or Pro they just judged the image. I am not a got to have the latest and greatest chasing for on the Pro lenses from Olympus, plus I shot with Olympus om film lenses when I need an f1.8 or f1.4 aperture with a manual adapter giving me the look and feel when I shoot with film. To me the best camera and lenses to have is the one in your hands, so get out and shoot.
It has great bokeh too. The 9-19 and 40-150 R are my most frequently used lenses. I wish there was a 40-150 f4 option though. The 2.8 Pro is way too large and expensive.
I took some nice pictures at the zoo with this lens a couple of weeks ago (before it shut down again). Nowhere near as good as yours, which shows that the main difference in the quality of photos is down to the photographer's skill, not the kit! I'll practice more when we are allowed out again...
Also don't under estimate how much an image comes to life in post processing from RAW. If you don't already use a RAW converter try DXO Photo Lab 4 on a free 30 day trial it's AI trained noise reduction is stunning.
Hi Robin, I have this lens it's great for an enthusiastic armature. Please make more video's for us on a budget. There's a lot of us out here. Thank you
I got the predecessor 40-150 lens together with the 14-42 as a kit with my E-510 years ago. Thereafter I bought the E-500, E-1 and E-3 and bought the Zuiko 14-54 Mark 1 and my alltime favourite the Zuiko 50-200 non swd. Than I stepped Into the micro fourthird system with the Panasonic G85 and Olympus 45 1.8, Panasonic 25 1.7 and Panasonic 45-175 and Samyang 10 mm 2.8. All pretty good lenses. But...a few days ago I ‘dusted off’ my old Zuikos 14-42 and 40-150 and was amazed how sharp the images are with my Panasonic G85. I think even better than the native mft lenses. I use the Olympus mmf adapter and the only issue is that the zuikos hunt to find focus, so I switch to manual which works fine. Because of the hunting I plan to buy an OMD Em-1 Mark 1, which has phase detect so the old lenses can be used better and don’t hunt I hope. And as a bonus I can also buy the Olympus 75-300 Mark 1 together for a very good price. What is your opnion on this. Is it worth the investment. Thanks in advance🍀
I own this lens but not the similar focal length 2.8 pro version. Everything you say confirms my experience - the lens is way better than can be expected for the price. I do own the Olympus 75mm f1.8 but do not choose it for sharpness over the zoom, but for it's fast aperture. The inexpensive zoom is preferable when weight and flexibility is important. I love prime lenses having been disappointed by the lack of sharpness of Nikon's first zoom the 43-86mm in its early years. . It was really good to quickly document subjects using several focal lengths quick angles without having to change lenses in the professional work I did in the early 70s - mosty colour slides for educational purposes. We had to produce hundreds of slides a week and the Nikon 43-86 got the job done more quickly than the fixed lenses of much higher quality. We got complaints if the presentation was delayed - no one complained that the images were a bit soft! But bothered me and the other photographers on my staff. But this light compact Micro4/3 lens is so sharp and easy to handle. Everytime I use the Olympus 40-150R I remember how much better it is than even some later Zooms I have used. I think you are spot on in your assessment of it being excellent wide open. I just weighed my old Tokina 100 to 300mm at 1328 gr. On a 35mm DSLR it means I have to heft 10 times the weight to get to 300 mm. My old 43-86 zoom Nikkor weighs in at 410 gr and the body an extra 800 grams. I finally found a sharp one going next to nothing and couldn't resist it. Another excellent video - thanks from Perth.
Man I wish I lived in the states or was able to travel at the moment - the Olympus refurb offers are insane. Finally bit the bullet and purchased here in the UK and the best deal I could find was £90 GBP for an open box - oh well
Back in the day before I bought the olympus 14-150mm lens, the 40-150mm lens stayed on my camera more than the kit lens. Surely a great budget lens for potrait, wildlife and to some extent, landscape.
When I want to carry as little as possible with my E-M10 II, then I take my 14-42 II R and this one and leave my primes at home (17 1.8, 25 1.8, 45 1.8 and 60 2.8 Macro). 14-150 range with two inexpensive lenses, 360 grams altogether including Olympus original lens hoods and protective filters -- it doesn't get more compact and lighter than that with a real camera. I also have the 14-42 EZ (kit lens with my E-M10) but prefer this combo since the 14-42 II R gives more precise zoom control. So I couldn't agree more -- the 40-150 R is a steal. By the way: I bought the FL-LM3 some time ago after having seen your video. That little wonder is about the same thing: very small, very light and astoundingly versatile. Now always with me. Thank you for all instructive and inspiring videos over the years, and greetings from Sweden!
I love your easy2understand explanations + follow up sample picks Robin 📸 I'm on a small budget but now I don't feel guilty buying the cheaper lenses.😎
Nice Video Robin and I have to totally agree, for the money this is one heck of a lens. If you get a good copy, it is reasonably sharp at both ends too. Colours are rendered nicely.
Hi Robin,, great job on your videos!! I have this lens along with the 14-42 lens from Olympus. This was for my Olympus E -620 A great camera in its time! I recently purchased the Lumix G100 and with the electronic micro lens adapter and I can now use them with with the Lumix and there awesome! Just thought I would share!
In Finland we call this lens muovi-ihme (=plastic wonder). It's also good for shooting close-up images with some macro conventer. (I have an old Opteka 10X achromatic macro which has 58mm thread.)
I have the original Four Thirds version of this lens and nothing will part me from it. My version has a metal mount and a faster f3.5 starting aperture. I ❤ the lens! It gives me excellent results and since I'm no pixel peeper I can honestly say nothing bad about the lens and that's even though all.my other lenses are Pro versions. But I must confess that I am still using my original Four Thirds cameras and enjoying them with no plans to change them!
Had this lens briefly after I bought my Oly EP-3 2nd hand. But soon after, the 14-42mm lens failed and I was going to be travelling to Japan. So I just went ahead and got the Oly 14-150mm instead. Since the 40-150mm range was already covered, ended up it just sat in my drybox till I eventually sold it off. 😏 Still using the 14-150mm which is now on my EM-10 MkII. 😊
I also like this lens because it is small, light and compact. And to this day I still use it with my OMD EM5 camera. By the way, nice reviews and you got 1 like from Singapore. Stay safe.
Man I love your reviews...no stupid frills, but your passion is so enjoyable and balances in to your reviews perfectly!! I have this lens and I've honestly overlooked it on some of my shoots. I have a JVC LS300, which has a Super35 sensor with a MFT mount. I do have Canon glass that I use with a Metabones adapter, but it was a bear getting the Canon 70-200 to keep from "Hunting" for the subjects. And I just didn't think about using this Lens, and although you make the point that it's not the "PRO" lens, its image quality is really really good. Im going to take my Camera out for a day of shooting exclusively with this lens so I can "see" what it can really do. I definitely want the the Pro Version as its constant aperture would be welcomed. But in the mean time I need to get to "know" this lens better!!!
Thanks Robin! I have this rather than the pro lens as I don't shoot at the telephoto end often enough to justify it. Every time I use this lens I'm surprised how good the results are. Then I forget again until next time...
Thanks Robin, this might be a good companion for my 14-42 pancake zoom (not a great performer, but very, very handy ;-)) or rather for my simple 1.8/2.0 primes for a longer reach. I didn't consider it prior to your review, even though Rob's comparison to the 14-150 zoom did give a glimpse that it might be worth a look.
Hi Robin, Is this the same 40-150 lens that I would have received as a kit lens when I purchased my EM10 Mk2 in 2018? If so, mine has served me well. Even though I have more advanced Olympus gear, I still have a 'light bag' with two Em5 cameras and some other small lenses for travelling on days out. My 40-150 gives me that bit more reach for getting details from distant subjects on these occasions. I'm glad to see you're overcoming the current difficulties to provide useful and interesting videos. Well done and thanks.
This is an awesome lens. Its so lightweight and has a really speedy autofocus. My only complaint is zoom ring function not being very smooth given its all plastic on plastic, but it just takes some getting used to given the weight difference you will feel compared to other zooms. This is a really special lens and I won't be selling it anytime soon. I shoot on an PEN E-P5
Thanks for a great review as always, Robin. I'm tempted to buy one for non professional work.. who knows .. may be also good for some of my pro work too .
Was it ever confirmed the 40-150 R was an upgrade over the original non R? I bought mine back in 2011, but never really upgraded it...and the forum speak from old threads seem to be all over the place on it. It has served me well through the years
