I have been using the Zuiko 12-60mm for almost a month now. I've been waiting for this for quite a while as I think this would be a perfect "walk-around" travel lens. This is my first high grade lens So how has it been for so far?
Initially I found the lens a bit larger and heavier. I think as heavy as my e500 body itself if not heavier. But you'll get used to it with proper handling.
Love the mechanical focus! It reminds me my analog Film SLR lenses. It's great you don't have to flip a switch to change from AF to MF as you could do it real time. Rotating the focus is not as smooth as the kit lens or other Oly lenses I've tried though, again, you get used to it.
Very fast but a bit noisy when focusing, not really a big noise but you could hear the very short clicks and clacks. I guess it's the focus motor doing that.
As expected focusing is very fast (compared of course to the lens kit) that it surprises me sometimes. If it's fast on the e500 I wonder how faster on the E3?
Very close Focus distance! This is another thing that amazed me as it can focus to as clos as 1.5 to 2 inches. Great for macrosWell here are sample images I've taken. All are out-of-camera and unprocessed. Uploaded to flickr. I always shoot at RAW + SG JPEG. Here are jpg outputs.

First Set is Architecture:

12mm wide f8 ISO 100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2293/2208565715_d46beae4fe_b.jpg


12mm wide f2.8 ISO 100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2208389199_ed7a3183ac_b.jpg



12mm wide f10 ISO 100
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2209261986_a5cdd721cc_b.jpg

Was also recently in bora on a sponsored trip by Seair and Microtel, it's great timing since there's an Ait-atihan festival on the island. managed to get some action shots as well.

12mm wide f2.8 ISO 100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2209185768_47f276fc99_b.jpg

46mm wide f3.9 ISO 100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2208389931_8b9f2743fb_b.jpg

60mm wide f4 ISO 100
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2209185282_a259716ce7_b.jpg

very nice set ferdz. e-500 stil holds on its own inspite of the new oly bodies in the market. i actually still have one, but never used it yet. As far as the 12-60, i think it has proven to be a perfect all-arrounder. would like to see macro shots with it na lang. i'm just wondering how much of an upgrade it will be compared to the classic and proven 14-54mm. the 14-54 is brighter, but the 12-60 covers a broader range and sports SWD. it's like the 11-22 and 14-54 combined into a single SWD ED lens. and you mentioned it's a bit heavy for you, but just imagine an f2.8 and a range from 12mm to 60mm, i don't think it's 'heavy' for its specs/capability compared to the other lenses of other brands.

good shots...

i thought of getting this lens too, instead of the 14-54, unfortunately, it was not available that time, all the stocks were gone, faster than the E-3 here in Sg... so I ended up getting the 14-54... not as wide and long as the 12-60, but a very good lense...

the 14-54 is a performer indeed! i actually missed that lens. :) but i can't wait to get my hands on the 12-60! :D and if there isn't any available yet when i get the E-3, i'd have to play with my OM lens for awhile. patience is a virtue! :D

Thanks guys! Despite it being a bit on the heavy side, it really pays in terms of versatility in use. Great all-arounder indeed. :Grin:

Here are some macro test shots I did a few weeks back. It's amazing for a range as this I could actually focus as close as 1.5 to 2 inches. Again all JPGs are out cam, un processed at RAW + SQ JPG

56mm focus at f4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2208388201_76d08668b3.jpg

Here's 100% crop at f4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2208400473_a98fff653d_o.jpg

56mm focus at f22
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2209184096_cc89e7624a.jpg

100% crop 56mm focus at f22
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2209196460_f933104a68_o.jpg

impressive and interesting lens. may i ask how much this is?

@chewy, it's around 45K here locally. Only issue is it's very hard to get one. Worldwide shortage of supply. This lens gave Olympus the bragging rights as the 'World's fastest auto-focusing system' - well... paired with the E-3 of course.

Thanks guys! Despite it being a bit on the heavy side, it really pays in terms of versatility in use. Great all-arounder indeed. :Grin:

Here are some macro test shots I did a few weeks back. It's amazing for a range as this I could actually focus as close as 1.5 to 2 inches. Again all JPGs are out cam, un processed at RAW + SQ JPG

56mm focus at f4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2208388201_76d08668b3.jpg

Here's 100% crop at f4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2208400473_a98fff653d_o.jpg

56mm focus at f22
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2209184096_cc89e7624a.jpg

100% crop 56mm focus at f22
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2209196460_f933104a68_o.jpg

Interesting choice of subject here!

Ora Et Labora! =D

wow! i can see it does close focusing as well as the 14-54! :D yumm yumm! :D thanks for the samples, ferdinand.

Wow... I wish Pentax had a sweet 12-60mm lens too:D

Just wondering Ferds about your comment on the "noise" during auto focusing. Using my E-1, the 12-60mm is very smooth and very quiet compared with all other Zuiko lenses I've had (14-45, 50 macro, 40-150). Hope to see you during the Photoworld mini-EB so that we can compare.

e-3 and 12-60. looks nice. and gotta love those oly colors.

Just wondering Ferds about your comment on the "noise" during auto focusing. Using my E-1, the 12-60mm is very smooth and very quiet compared with all other Zuiko lenses I've had (14-45, 50 macro, 40-150). Hope to see you during the Photoworld mini-EB so that we can compare.

Hi Bert! The noise is not the "big" noise like the kit lens. More like a small "ticks" and "Tacks". This only happens when it's trying to find focus. But on bright conditions it does well. Kita-kits sa Photoworld. I'm near the area so I'll be there for sure :Grin:

Hi Bert,

i am just contemplating on how much the 12 - 60 mm cost? I am about to buy the 14 - 54 mm, just want to know on how the price will varies if i wait....

regards,
Mark
e-510 user

Cant remember the exact cost but it is about P43th...well worth it. I waited for the 12-60 to come out otherwise I would have gotten the 11-22--I like the wide angles.

PopPhoto.Com reviewed this lens here (http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/5033/lens-test-olympus-zuiko-digital-12-60mm-f28-4-swd-af.html).

were they impressed!? hell yeah!!! :D

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this is among the sharpest and least distorting wide-angle zooms in recent memory. Following the Olympus strategy of pairing lenses of complementary ranges (for instance, the 12-60mm with the 50-200mm, and the 14-42mm with the 40-150mm), the 12-60mm SWD is unofficially mated to the new 50-200mm SWD -- a match made in heaven, we're guessing. Finally, the visual effect of that 1:8.77 magnification at 12mm -- uniquely strong magnification at such a wide angle -- has to be experienced to be appreciated.

kaasar, im planning to buy the 14-54 lens. Un na ung pinag iipunan ko. Dahil dito sa 12-60, parang nagdadalwang isip tuloy ako. hmnnnnnn, pag nagphoto shoot naman oly club, dalhin nyo naman ung 12-60 nyo para makita namin sa actual ung performance. Thanks :)

got a text from mr. ng this evening. i think next week will be a happy week for me? :D

got a text from mr. ng this evening. i think next week will be a happy week for me? :D

congrats in advance Dex!:)

thanks francis!

first impressions --- DANG! :D it's a heck of a lens! it's as good as the L lenses i had in built. the copy i got zooms smoothly, it's not as heavy as i thought it would be. it focuses fast oh yes it does! grabe! :D

i got one that already has an upgraded firmware (1.1) and i hope that's a good thing. :D

happy kid here in davao!

dex congrats. i think that's the 2nd gen na.

wowo congrats, kapag hindi kinya ng budget ko, malamang 14-54 na lang muna ako ;)

one thing i missed about olympus when i was on the lighter side of the other side was the ZD 14-54's close focusing capability! that's why when i first attached the ZD 12-60 to my E-3, i immediately tried focusing as close as i could to my keys on the table, i-was-not-dis-ap-point-ed! :D i had the tip of the hood touch the table (the lens about 45degrees point down) and it still focuses on the keys! :D w000t! :D

malamang kakalimutan ko na ang 14-54, mararating ko din ang pangarap ko na 12-60 :) tipid tipid lang muna

ryan, it's going to be worth it. :D

Guys...you are tempting me to buy!! I NEED the 12-60mm.....:Scared:

so our local photo group had a get together earlier tonight here in davao. and i was showing off the 12-60's super close focusing capability, everybody's calling it a magic trick! :D hehehe! oh yeah were they impressed! :D