After an unsettling experience with the little Panasonic 35-100, I have just this very hour received the Olympus 40-150 f4 Pro.
Thanks to Claire and Bronwyn at Teds cameras in Australia for their excellent, efficient and friendly service. I went with them originally on price, but will be a repeat customer based on service (comments not sponsored).
First impressions were good. It seems heavier than the Pana, but is not by much and the odd mechanical design is out-weighed by the solid metal quality. Not sure, but it feels lighter even than the 75-300 kit lens in the bag.
This thing feels every bit as nice as the f2.8 lens, just half the size, price and weight, all for the cost of just one stop.
After a bunch of very un-scientific hand held, 1/15s, low contrast, ISO 1600 images (above), I decided to give it a fair chance to impress and went outside into a wet, but glowacious back garden.
Sharp, contrasty and pleasant looking, it instantly felt right. Colour in particular is attractive considering the cool spring light.
Very sharp.
Very.
The better close focus and reach are also appreciated. I noticed the close focussing limit of the 35-100 after a few shots, this lens with it’s extra reach seems to hit a sweet spot.
Bokeh, in front and behind the focus plane is very nice, better I feel than it’s bigger sibling.
No misses.
Macro lens sharp, seriously impressive (you have to remind yourself this is a tight crop)..
Left and right sides are also perfectly usable and CA free, unlike the Pana.
The lens it reminds me most of is the 75 f1.8, which can’t be a bad thing.
I am looking forward to the weight drop in my day bag, but also the possibiities this opens up for good light sports shooting. Matched to my 300 f4, I now have a lighter weight alternative for long football games.