HELP! Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

[daved]

I guess this could have been posted in several forums but I hope someone will spot it!
I'm using a m43 12-50mm on an E-P2 (new e-M5 owners are throwing these away on Ebay) and it struck me that it would be handy if I could make use of the extra function button on the lens - L-Fn.
I don't know if it is even technically possible (maybe there aren't enough pins on the body/lens interface) but if it is.... Same question obviously applies to all other relevant bodies.

Can somone with better connections to Olympus than me have a crack at asking the question as to whether a firmware mod can be issuesd to allow this?

Thanks.

[Phill D]

Re: Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

Shame you didn't gat a response Dave.
Maybe this post will get you back on the front page and someone will be able to help.

[Glee]

Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

I have used on an EP3 with no problem. I used the macro function but never the programable function. I like the lens for its macro capability but I have mixed feelings about it as a standard zoom. I saw no gains over the 14-42 mm lens in terms of image quality, and I would say the focus speed is quick but not perceptively better than the kit on the EP3, the weather sealing is is irrelevant unless on an EM5 body.

I have just acquired an em5 and will test it on the em5 to see if it is any better, but there might be a reason why they going cheaply?

[Glee]

Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

A further thought, the EP2 is not listed as compatible with the 12-50mm on the Olympus web page

[daved]

Re: Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

Thanks for refreshing this thread guys! The 12-50mm is considered close to the bottom of the heap in terms of all round performance, mainly because it's so slow, hence the reason that many people are disposing of the E-M5 kit lens. However, I always liked the 12-60mm on 4/3 for it's sheer convenience so I thought I'd get a 12-50mm while they are cheap and give it a try. Personaly, I think it's had more bad press than it deserves because the optical performance is acceptable if you can live with the slow aperture. On a good summer day it has a lot going for it and it actually makes a lot of sense on on E-M5 if you haven't got any other glass.
I noticed Oly released updates for most mFT bodies to enable the new VF4 to be used with older cameras, so it seemed to be the obvious question to ask - why not make the 12-50mm Fn button do something useful, too?

[Glee]

Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

The 12-50mm is considered close to the bottom of the heap in terms of all round performance.

Thanks Daved, I am every trying to find the best in my kit. Firstly I feel that I need a return on my investment and I don't like to think I have made a poor choice, secondly looking at your kit as a problem is not especially enjoyable and it can blind side me to issues that are associated with poor technique.

I am trying hard with this lens, I got it cheap of an EM5 user. However I find the across the frame sharpness very poor without stopping down 5.6 to 8, not always ideal for duller days, and as previously stated it does not seem any better that the 14- 42 kit for image quality.

I have some more things to try, centre focus, use it on my newly squired EM5 body, try it as an option on bright sunny days.

The big plus is the macro function for me and I am told its great for video. I am sure I will keep regardless but I do find it hard to recommend to friends and people who ask.

[daved]

Re: Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

Hi Glee,

Sometimes the best is not always the best: we always seem to get so bogged down with ultra high specs and technical prowess. I think it was Robin Wong who reviewed this lens and in his usual inimitable style made it work for him. If he can, so can you, me and everyone else - maybe. It's been said so many times that it's the photographer that's the weak link, not the kit. Good photographers make the gear work for them: they make a virtue of flaws and shortcomings and produce art. Mmmmm. Can't argue, really.

Remember that so much fuss is made about the technical abilities of a lens on the back of the assumption that we're all making super sized prints, but the reality is that most people don't print bigger than A3 and many just print 10x8s and display on the screen.

If you want video and/or convenience and/or you're not making huge prints then this is a very good lens. If you want stills and pin-sharp poster size prints then there are better and there are much better. If you don't have any other lenses the 12-50mm is a good place to start and is adequate. Personally I like it because when I don't want to carry loads of kit is serves its purpose very well and I very rarely print anything, even though I do have an A3 printer. And one day I hope to have an E-M5 to ty the 12-50mm out on!

[daved]

Re: Using the m12-50mm on an E-P2: L-Fn

BTW, I didn't state originally that I bought my 12-50mm really cheap off Ebay and my somewhat glowing comments are in the context of the price I paid, which was about £125. I don't think it would be a wise move to pay the $600 list price unless you really want the fancy motorised zoom using it as a movie lens.

[Glee]