In summary
THe M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II lens has been designed to complement the OM-1 camera and boasts the same superior, weather resistance when used on the OM-1.
The 12-40mm (24-80mm in 35mm format) zoom range is useful for general photography as it takes in ideal focal lengths for landscape and portrait photography –as well as other genres in between. It’s not quite long enough for shooting sports and wildlife but would be ideal for family snapshots, where the fast f/2.8 maximum aperture would give the 12-40mm lens an advantage over the slower 12-45mm lens.
Full review
The new M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II lens from OM Digital Solutions is a second-generation model with the same IP53-rated weather resistance as the OM-1 camera, for which it was designed. It also features a fluorine-coated front element and improved performance in backlit situations. The manual focus clutch mechanism provided on most of the company’s lenses is also provided, along with the programmable L-Fn (lens function) button.
Angled view of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II lens. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)
Like its predecessor, the optical design of the new lens (shown below) contains 14 elements in nine groups. However, the internal components differ, comprising one EDA (Extra-low Dispersion Aspherical), two aspherical, one DSA (dual-sided aspherical), two ED (extra-low dispersion), one HD (high-definition) and two HR (high refractive index) elements.
A cutaway view of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II lens. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)
The optical diagram shows the positions of the exotic elements in the new lens. (Source: OM Digital Solutions.)
Innovative manufacturing techniques have been used to suppress surface scattering on the aspherical lenses, significantly reducing flare and ghosting, while proprietary ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating ensures greater clarity in backlit situations. The new lens is fully compatible with the High Res Shot mode in the OM-1 camera.
Autofocusing is driven by a lightweight focusing unit consisting of two cemented lenses driven by a linear motor. The MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism is compatible with the maximum burst speeds of the OM-1, which boast approximately 50 fps sequential shooting with AF/AE tracking. Standard features like the Manual Focus Clutch mechanism and use the L-Fn (lens function) button are provided.
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II lens is supplied with the LH-66D lens hood, a wrapping cloth, single-sheet printed instruction manual and warranty card.
Who’s it For?
This lens has been designed to complement the OM-1 camera and boasts the same, superior, weather resistance – but ONLY on that camera. As a second-generation model, it has a slightly different optical design and the latest coatings to improve flare resistance, although otherwise little has changed, as shown in the table below, which compares the new and previous models with the cheaper but slower 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens.
| M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II | M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO | M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 PRO | |
| Announced | February 2022 | September 2013 | February 2020 |
| Lens construction |
14 elements in 9 groups |
12 elements in 9 groups | |
| Exotic elements | 1 EDA, 2 aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD and 2 HR | 1 aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 2 HR, 1 EDA, 1 HD | 2 aspherical, 2 HR, 2 ED, 1 DS and 1Super HR |
| Diaphragm Blades |
7 (rounded aperture) |
||
| Weather resistance | IP53 | IPX1 | IPX1 |
| Focus drive | High-speed imager AF (MSC) using linear micromotor | MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) linear motor | |
| Minimum focus |
20 cm |
12 cm at 12mm, 23 cm at 45mm | |
| Maximum magnification |
0.3x at 40mm |
0.5x | |
| Focus clutch mechanism |
Yes |
No | |
| Lens function button |
Yes |
No | |
| Filter size |
62 mm |
58 mm | |
| Dimensions (Diameter x L) |
69.9 x 84 mm |
63.4 x 70 mm
(extends to 90 mm at 45mm) |
|
| Weight |
382 grams |
254 grams | |
| Lens hood supplied |
LH-66D |
LH-61G | |
| Average street price | $1550 | $899 | $699 |
The 12-40mm (24-80mm in 35mm format) zoom range is useful for general photography as it takes in ideal focal lengths for landscape and portrait photography –as well as other genres in between. It’s not quite long enough for shooting sports and wildlife but would be ideal for family snapshots, where the fast f/2.8 maximum aperture would give the 12-40mm lens an advantage over the slower 12-45mm lens.
With minimal differences in basic specifications between the new and previous-generation lenses, potential shoppers will doubtless consider whether the much higher weather resistance and hoped-for performance improvements will justify paying roughly 40% more for the new lens. Unless you have an OM-1 to put it on, it’s probably not.
Build and Ergonomics
Build quality is every bit as good as you’d expect from a M.Zuiko lens with superior weather resistance. Like the M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens, it is made mainly from lightweight metal with plastic trimmings. But it has features that are absent in the longer lens.
For starters, its inner barrel extends with zooming, although the front of the lens doesn’t rotate. It also includes the popular manual focus clutch mechanism that makes it easy to switch between auto and manual focusing and reveals a distance scale when pulled back to manual mode.
The programmable lens function (L-fn) button carries over from the previous model but, aside from the superior weatherproofing, little has changed. It’s worth noting the new lens has a fluorine coating on the front element, which repels moisture and dust and makes the lens easier to keep clean.
The front element of the lens is located in the inner barrel. It is 45 mm in diameter and recessed slightly into a 6 mm wide annulus of matte black that is ribbed on its sloping inner half. The threading for the 62 mm diameter filters surround this ring, with a bayonet fitting for the supplied, petal-shaped lens hood on its outer edge.
The front of the outer barrel has the same 7 mm wide metal band as the M.Zuiko Digital 40-150mm f/4 PRO lens. It carries the branding details of the lens plus a narrow blue ring and sits in front of the 13 mm wide focusing ring, which has similar ribbing.
The focusing ring turns through 360 degrees since focusing is driven from the camera. Pulling it back engages manual focus and reveals a distance scale with markings in metres and feet at 0.2m, 1 foot, 0.5m, 2 feet, 1.0m, 5 feet and infinity.
Roughly six millimetres aft of the focusing ring lies the zoom ring, which is 250 mm wide and has six narrow, closely-spaced bands of moulded ridging to provide a secure grip. A sloping, 4 mm wide metal band around its rear carries the focal length settings for 12mm, 14mm, 18mm, 25mm and 40mm.
These settings line up against a red index mark on the fixed, 17 mm wide section of the lens barrel that carries a second branding label and ends in the lens mount. The L-fn button is located in this section of the lens barrel where it should fall under your left thumb.
Surrounding the solid, chromed lens mount is a rubber flange that excludes moisture and dust. Eleven gold-plated contacts inside the lens mount carry signals between the lens and the camera.
The supplied petal-shaped lens hood has a maximum depth of roughly 35 mm and includes a locking button. As usual, it reverses over the lens for transport and storage.
Performance
As expected for a second-generation model, the review lens performed well on our OM-D E-M1 II camera body. Autofocusing was lightning-fast and unfailingly accurate as well as completely silent in all focusing modes and the face-detection function worked flawlessly, even with moving subjects..
Our Imatest tests showed the resolution of JPEG files came very close to meeting expectations for the review camera’s 20-megapixel sensor across much of the aperture range at most focal length settings, based on centre, half way out and near edge measurements. The highest resolution occurred at the 35mm focal length setting with an aperture of f/3.5.
Results from raw files paralleled those of JPEGs but were consistently above expectations; in some cases by a significant degree. Diffraction began to take effect from f/7.1 and plunged between f/8 and f/16 with a steep drop down to f/22.
Some edge softening was identified at wider aperture settings with the shorter focal lengths at our standard test distances but it was only detectable with close examination of test shots. The graph below shows the results of our Imatest tests.
Lateral chromatic aberration remained well within the negligible band at all lens apertures and focal lengths, as shown in the graph of our Imatest results, below. The red line marks the boundary between ‘negligible’ and ‘low’ CA.
As far as rectilinear distortion is concerned, in most cases it is corrected through the corrections applied automatically in the camera to JPEG files and also seamlessly by many raw file converters (including Adobe Camera Raw). As a result, we had to examine ORF.RAW files in simple photo viewing software, copy the viewed image and then import that copy directly into Photoshop to provide the samples shown below.
Vignetting was another aberration that is automatically corrected in JPEG files in the review camera so, once again we had to evaluate raw files via an image viewer that doesn’t apply any corrections. Slight vignetting was seen at f/2.8 across the zoom range increasing as the lens was zoomed to 40mm. Fortunately, most of it was gone by f/4 and, since this aberration is easily corrected in image editors and most raw file converters, it’s not a significant issue.
The seven-bladed lens diaphragm created excellent 14-pointed sunstars around specular highlights when the lens was stopped down to f/22. The circular iris was able to produce smooth and pleasing bokeh at the widest aperture settings, although some highlight outlining was found across all focal lengths.
The 40mm focal length can deliver close to 1/3 life size magnification at its closest focus, which is useful for close-up work. Unfortunately, with shorter focal lengths, the bokeh could become somewhat choppy when there were bright patches in the background. Even 1/3 of an f-stop down at f/3.2 could increase potential irregularities becoming visible.
The combination of lens hood and ZERO coating effectively suppressed flare in most situations, which meant normal backlighting was handled very well. However, when a very bright light source strayed into the frame it could create veiling flare.
Conclusion
Please Login or Register to access the Conclusion.
SPECS
Picture angle: 84 to 30 degrees (diagonal)
Minimum aperture: f/22
Lens construction: 14 elements in 9 groups (including (1 EDA, 2 aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD and 2 HR elements); ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) and fluorine coatings
Lens mounts: Micro Four Thirds
Diaphragm Blades: 7 (rounded aperture)
Weather resistance: Yes, to IEC 60529 IP53 standard
Focus drive: High-speed imager AF (MSC) using stepping motor
Stabilisation: No; relies on camera’s IBIS
Minimum focus: 20 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.3x at 40mm
Filter size: 62 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 69.9 x 84 mm
Weight: 382 grams
Standard Accessories: Front and end caps, lens hood (LH-66D), wrapping cloth
Distributor: OM Digital Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Ph: 1300 659 678
TESTS
Based on JPEG files from the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
Based on ORF.RAW files recorded simultaneously and converted into 16-bit TIFF format with Adobe Camera Raw.
SAMPLES
Vignetting at 12mm.
Vignetting at 14mm.
Vignetting at 18mm.
Vignetting at 25mm.
Vignetting at 35mm.
Vignetting at 40mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 12mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 14mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 18mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 25mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 35mm.
Rectilinear distortion at 40mm.
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/8.
14mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/8.
18mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/500 second at f/8.
25mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/8.
35mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/8.
40mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/8.
Close-up at 12mm; ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/2.8.
Close-up at 40mm; ISO 200, 1/320 second at f/2.8.
Close-up at 28mm in evenly-balanced lighting; ISO 200, 1/30 second at f/2.8.
Sunstars; 12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/30 second at f/22.
Strong side-lighting; 40mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/200 second at f/5.
Veiling flare at 14mm; ISO 200, 1/250 second at f/5.6; JPEG file.
The same image captured as a raw file and corrected with the standard auto setting in Adobe Camera Raw.
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/80 second at f/3.2.
28mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/640 second at f/9.
40mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/80 second at f/2.8.
25mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/200 second, f/5.
30mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/60 second at f/3.2.
35mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/100 second at f/3.5.
12mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/160 second at f/4.5.
Rating
RRP: AU$1599
- Build: 9.0
- Handling: 9.0
- Image quality: 8.9
- Autofocusing: 9.0
- Versatility: 8.8
BUY