Buy Olympus f1.2 lenses out of fear really!

[timboo]

Following the recent announcements made by Olympus/JIP, I can’t stop thinking about the similar timing of the Olympus promotion where the E-M1 mkii came with a free pro lens.
I have been racking my brain and mulled over many of scenarios some as follows:

1. Am I simply overthinking the situation and it was just a damn good deal, in conjunction with offers around this time each year?
2. Does the takeover involve re branding of the Olympus brand so all existing stock must go?
3. Coincidentally did Olympus overproduce some time ago? assuming they don’t have the facility at present to re produce seems bizarre.
4. Is/will production continue as we know it now?(excluding the location)
5. Granted the mkii will be eventually discontinued why sell all of the pro lenses off at such a reduced rate shortly after a takeover?

I could sit here and think, you know what time to call it a day as there is a little niggle making me wonder if the gravity of the takeover is more bleak than is being portrayed.

What is the point in this thread?
I have gone the opposite way and purchased the 17mm as of today meaning I own 2 of the 1.2 series out of shear fear they will eventually become more scarce, they also seem a fairly sound purchase if the supply/demand levels out in favour of demand in the future. Who knows......

[blu-by-u]

You are scaring me. Till today, I do not own any of the Oly's 1.2 lens. The only 1.2 in my collection is that Lumix 42.5/1.2

[Phill D]

I don't own any f1.2s either. Just too big and heavy for me to consider. The 12-100 is big enough.

[timboo]

I don't own any f1.2s either. Just too big and heavy for me to consider. The 12-100 is big enough.

I presume you mean collectively if u were to carry all three. Singularly they are smaller and lighter than the 12-100 in every sense.

[Phill D]

Yes that was what I was thinking, didn't put that very well did I, sorry. Shouldn't type stuff before I've had a coffee in the morning!

[timboo]

No harm done all good Phil. Personal preference, up until very recently the only prime I owned was the 60mm I thought I had everything I wanted owning the 12-40 and 40-150 all of a sudden I’m finding myself enjoying the prime side of things.

[MikeOxon]

I'm very fond of my 17, 45, and 75 f/1.8 primes and don't feel the need for f/1.2. The 45mm in particular is a beautiful small, light and inexpensive lens that is amazingly versatile.

[pdk42]

I reckon you're over-thinking it. It seems that JIP have acquired the manufacturing plants as well as the IP and engineering. The stated future direction is up-market and probably more video. The f1.2 lenses would work for both of those use cases! I reckon the offers were probably a reflection of over-stocking and also to keep revenue up during the Covid pandemic. Simple!

[DavidB]

In Jimmy Cheng's (Red 35) latest youtube video of 11th Nov he mentioned something about doubting whether he would continue to be an Ambassador as JIP's new business was going to focus on 'outdoor and wildlife' , and he does wedding photography. https://youtu.be/iPEbVUD1_mU shortly after 33:00

[timboo]

Thanks David I watched the video. The ‘outdoor & wildlife’ more so the outdoor opens up so many questions. I felt for Jimmy, he has had a real tough year. Must not have been easy discussing certain aspects of that video but he did very well. Everyone is effected in different ways at the moment. I hope Jimmy gets back up and running again soon.

Cheers Paul. I hope you are right, meaning we wont see a drop in quality and in fact see the opposite. I love the pro lenses, how they feel in the hand. They are beautifully engineered.

[pdk42]

I really like the Pro primes too, but for the type of photography I do I really don't need them. If I were going to get one of them it would be the 17 since I use the little 17/1.8 more than the other f1.8 primes I have (17, 25, 45). However, if I were ever to get into portraits/people, I'd definitely spring for the 25/45 f1.2 pair.

[OM USer]

I'm with Paul on this - they just want some money coming in to fund their new foray into up market video.

[timboo]

The irony that video maybe at the forefront in the future. I have always wanted a camera dedicated to stills only for me video is wasted as I don’t do video other than on my phone. Ah well can’t win them all.

[timboo]

Well that serves me right. My lens arrived today from Wex. No box and the resistance doesn’t change when you slide the clutch back. They did offer me money off. The box isn’t a game changer but the clutch has miffed me off as the clutch is wildly loose, it would really annoy me. Especially as all of my other pro lenses do not exhibit this. Lens returned. I swear I am cursed. I suppose these thing happen for a reason.
Wex are going to call tomorrow and offer a deal on another one 😃

[MikeOxon]

If you really need the shallow depth of field from very wide aperture lenses, the Mitakon range of f/0.95 MFT lenses have modest prices. The latest 17mm version has received very good reviews. Manual focus only but, if you are working with wafer-thin depth of field, you probably need to take control anyway.

[timboo]

Thanks interesting option, ordinarily I’m open to options but the pro lenses are too good a price second hand at the moment have my heart set on the Olympus 😃

[timboo]

Whoo lens arrived, happy this time. Well done Wex very excellent value 1 year warranty and brand new genuine olympus protective filter FOC. Certainly good time to get a deal.