The purchase is not easy for me at first. Up for discussion, the 14-54er adapted to operate, which would technically work without major problems on to the EM1. Decisive for me this, yes, you may say it hardly to keep KIT Zoom was the quality of the lens.
The 14-54er was and still is a good all-around lens, but it's really quite large and clunky, especially when it is brought to MFT by using an adapter. It no longer wants to have the actual concept of MFT fit high-quality lenses with compact dimensions. Compact Zoom this is certainly not, but it is compared to full-frame zooms in the same focal length range, ie 24-80 already a dwarf.
At first I was skeptical at first whether the missing 14 or 24mm would be missing in the telephoto range. This of course is very subjective, but I've hardly used in the past, this focal length range. And who has the opportunity to approach a few steps toward the subject, this can also be relatively easy to compensate again.
For the lens excels in all other areas. I finally !! a metal sheathing. Not that would have been bad the old FT lenses, but I find they are selling through plastic with their otherwise but so quality lenses slightly below value. In addition, it is water and dust protected. Both the zoom ring and the focus controller is compared with the old FT and there mounted rubber-coat not as handy, but it works for not as fast as "abgegrabbelt".
A date has come under me with any other manufacturer's capacity has the objective by the mechanical switching from auto focus to manual focus. To this end, the focus ring is simply pushed upwards or downwards. May sound a little shaky on, but is implemented quality and massively. It snaps audibly and conveys a sense of quality.
It is also very commendable that Olympus has actually attached here a caption from 0.2m to infinity. The regulator also ends here and is not only possible electronically, such as the popular PanaLeica 1.4er 25mm in which one can begin to turn the focus knobs anywhere.
In combination with the EM1 lens runs on top form. If you switch to manual focus and uses for example the zoom function in the viewfinder without the camera can depose only changed over the lens to manual focus to be nachzukorrigieren, if necessary. Simply pull back and you're back in the auto focus. Last is incredibly fast. It has been said several times in scientific journals, but I had it first yourself experience to really believe. Compared to my E-520 this happens swift as an arrow here.
With its still very good for a zoom lens Close-setting limit can be in some way something like a macro picture of a flower or the like produce. Surely this is not the best discipline of the objective, but perhaps already perfectly adequate for many. For buildings Photography of wide angle of 12mm is very useful. Believe it or not, but these 2mm (4mm) compared to 14-54er bring me in practice considerably more profit than another telephoto range.
I have been with the lens a few times on the road and find it very pleasant especially on the go (the day). For me, the ideal travel lens unless you want to limit his collection on the go. The light intensity is neatly integrated with 2.8 and perfectly adequate for me. At dusk and in particular in dark buildings where you have to screw up the ISO value, what MFT of all the least forgiving, however, I prefer my 1.4er fixed focal length.
Often the crop is indeed the MFT criticized, but I think if you are not on a completely blurred background of, can also be achieved with the 12-40er respectable portraits.
I for one think it is so far the most successful kit zoom, which Olympus has ever brought to market. It would be unfair to say it can be anything, just anything right. Because I think that you already do damn much must as a hobby photographer to push the limits of this lens.
The 12-40er is properly brilliant future well complemented by the 40-150. Alternatively, the 75mm fixed focal length lens would be a nice complement in the telephoto range, as long as you need it.
Only the price is in this objective (as of October 2014) of just 900-1000 already without.
