The first "PRO"

Processing and haptics are impeccable. Ranging from Vollmetalltubus on the grippy, tired ongoing zoom ring through to precisely operating manual focus ring, there are no criticisms. For this purpose a good size and the E-M1 suitable weight round off the positive picture.

In use, it can be compared to nothing I had in hand. The enormous light intensity over the entire focal length range makes for almost all Lichverhältnissen, especially on the dark side for rich reserves that allow the lower ISO range to stay.

So far I have no complaints about the imaging behavior. The images are (again, over the entire focal length range) rattenscharf up in the corners and on the edge. With noise reduction turned off the M1, it produces results that save a any post.

A recurring theme in MFT lenses is of course the free regulation behavior. Again, it makes with its enormous luminous intensity at maximum aperture of the results that have extorted me an incredulous shake of the head. Combined with a minimum distance of 20 cm gives the almost macro properties. Sharpness at maximum aperture not an issue (well that's something that the MFT lenses append ....).

Just a few words to focus: the 12-40 has an ultra-fast autofocus, which is expected to meet with the adjustment of M1 virtually any situation and even in difficult lighting conditions is still working reliably. The AF is complemented by a manual focus mode, which is activated during the retraction of the focus ring.

The lens itself is not image stabilized, this provides as usual the Oly integrated in the camera (here 5-axes) internal stability.

I know from my own experience little comparable. I still have an old analog-SR (Minolta XD7) plus a 135 / 2.8 prime lens that is reasonably similar in size, weight and quality (and the end of the 70 was similarly expensive). The 12-40 coincides with an equivalent focal length of 24-80 mm from the range from wide angle to portrait focal length, making it a true Always Dran and workhorse of my M1.

Currently a second glass from the Pro Series is only available, the 40-150 / 2.8. After the experience with the 12-40 that was a no-brainer, despite a steep price of 1599 (with the MC-14). Unfortunately, it is not delivered until early November .... the 40-150 / 4.0-5.6 I therefore returned the way (at this point Thanks to Amazon for uncomplicated withdrawal), even though I was also very pleased with the.