Overview
The OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II is a versatile lens designed for mirrorless cameras, offering exceptional performance and build quality. In this detailed review, we will explore the various aspects of this lens, including its design, optics, autofocus, build quality, and overall performance.
Design and Build Quality
The OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II boasts a sleek and modern design, with a focus on durability and functionality. The lens features a weather-sealed construction, making it a reliable choice for outdoor photography. The lens body is made of high-quality materials, giving it a solid and robust feel in your hands.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | High-quality metal and plastic |
| Weather Sealing | Yes, providing protection against dust and moisture |
| Weight | Approximately 460 grams |
Optics
One of the standout features of the OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II is its exceptional optical performance. The lens offers a wide-angle to standard zoom range, making it suitable for a wide range of photography genres, from landscapes to portraits. The lens incorporates 14 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and one Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, which help minimize aberrations and ensure sharp, clear images.
Here are some key aspects of the lens’s optics:
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.25 meters
- Image Stabilization: Yes, 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization
Autofocus Performance
The OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II features a fast and quiet autofocus system, making it ideal for capturing moving subjects. The lens utilizes a linear motor for quick and precise focusing, and it offers full-time manual focus override for fine-tuning. In our testing, we found the autofocus performance to be consistently reliable, with minimal hunting and quick acquisition of focus.
Build Quality and Handling
The lens’s build quality is top-notch, with a focus on durability and ease of use. The lens features a comfortable grip, and the focus ring turns smoothly, allowing for precise manual focusing. The lens also includes a zoom lock mechanism to prevent unwanted zooming when the camera is not in use.
Here are some additional features that contribute to the lens’s build quality and handling:
- Focus Ring: Smooth and precise manual focusing with full-time manual override
- Zoom Lock: Prevents unwanted zooming when the camera is not in use
- Filter Size: 72mm
Performance in Different Scenarios
When testing the OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II in various scenarios, we found it to be a highly versatile lens. Here are some key observations:
- Landscape Photography: The lens’s wide-angle capabilities make it an excellent choice for capturing expansive landscapes, while the f/2.8 aperture allows for creative depth-of-field effects.
- Portrait Photography: The lens’s standard zoom range is ideal for portrait photography, and the f/2.8 aperture provides a shallow depth-of-field for a pleasing bokeh effect.
- Street Photography: The lens’s compact size and fast autofocus make it a great choice for street photography, allowing you to capture candid moments with ease.
Conclusion
The OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II is a highly capable lens that offers exceptional performance and build quality. With its wide-angle to standard zoom range, fast and quiet autofocus, and versatile optical design, this lens is an excellent choice for a wide range of photography genres. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiast, the OM System 12-40mm f2.8 Pro II is