Searching for one of the best lenses for the OM System OM-5 Mark II? There’s an enormous vary to select from and, whereas the digicam can settle for any Micro 4 Thirds (MFT) lens, some are higher suited than others.
The OM System OM-5 Mark II is a comparatively modest replace of the unique OM-5, however it’s an improved digicam being offered on the similar value because the outdated one – and that’s uncommon at this time. Additionally uncommon is that this digicam’s mixture of sunshine weight, weather-sealing, maybe one of the best in-body stabilization there’s and a few intelligent computational images options that would make cumbersome outside images filter techniques pointless.
It is an excellent digicam and one of many finest OM System cameras to purchase, however what are one of the best lenses for the OM System OM-5 Mark II? There are three issues I wished to bear in mind. First, that is an inexpensive digicam that lots of people will select for that purpose – so I’ve caught to comparatively inexpensive lenses. You won’t assume it however, in some ways the OM-5 Mark II is likely one of the finest cameras for newcomers – and definitely one of many finest cameras for journey.
So not one of the lenses on my record prices greater than the digicam itself – and plenty of are whole lot cheaper. Even so, a number of of those are weather-sealed Professional lenses, and it’s one of many benefits of the OM ecosystem that these are nonetheless comparatively cheap.
Second, this can be a compact digicam, so that you’ll most likely need to steer away from massive lenses. I’ve made an exception for a few zooms which can be simply too good and too helpful to rule out, however principally I’ve caught to lenses of a measurement that match this digicam’s compact physique.
Third, the OM-5 is weather-sealed, which is uncommon at this value, so I’ve targeting sealed lenses to go along with it. Primarily, any OM System Professional lens is weather-sealed – however its non-Professional 17mm and 25mm model II primes are weather-sealed too.
So now that you understand the place we’re coming from, let’s get on with the record!
Greatest lenses for the OM System OM-5 Mark II
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That is the usual ‘equipment’ lens offered with the OM-5 Mark II, however it’s a great distance from equipment lenses as we perceive them as a result of this can be a skilled high quality, constant-aperture, weather-sealed zoom that you simply most likely received’t really feel the necessity to improve – ever.
It covers an efficient focal vary of 24-90mm with a continuing f/4 most aperture, and if that appears slightly low to you then remember the fact that this can be a lens that delivers edge-to-edge sharpness at any aperture or zoom setting and could be very compact and inexpensive. And when you’re satisfied you want a continuing f/2.8 lens as a substitute, then there’s at all times the bigger however equally wonderful M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Professional II…
Learn our full Olympus M.Zuiko 12-45mm f/4 Professional overview
The M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Professional II has the identical optical development as the primary model of this lens, however the important thing distinction is improved climate sealing. It’s not usually bundled with the OM-5 Mark II, so this will likely be a further buy – although if you have already got this lens or its prececessor, then each are an outstanding various to the 12-45mm.
This 24-80mm equal f/2.8 Professional lens has a barely longer attain than the everyday 24-70mm professional lenses on different codecs, however the identical ultra-reliable optical high quality, with edge-to-edge sharpness at any aperture or zoom setting. It’s noticeably heavier and greater than the 12-45mm f/4 on the OM-5 Mark II, however the redesigned grip on this digicam is healthier for larger lenses like this, so the stability will nonetheless be good.
Learn our full OM System M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Professional II overview
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 12-100mm f/4 IS Professional is an distinctive lens in all kinds of the way. First, it’s a long-range superzoom lens with stellar picture high quality throughout its vary – and that’s uncommon. Second, it has its personal optical IS to spice up the stabilization of the OM-5 Mark II’s IBIS, particularly at longer focal lengths. Third, it has a continuing f/4 most aperture, and also you simply don’t get that with every other superzoom lenses on every other system. Fourth, it’s climate sealed!
For these within the know, that is the go-to long-range zoom for the OM system. The one downsides are its measurement – it’s not big, however it’s fairly massive for an MFT lens – and its value. You received’t see this lens discounted a lot, however you get what you pay for.
In the event you’re on the lookout for an ultra-wide zoom to make use of with the OM-5 Mark II then there aren’t too many decisions. You would possibly gravitate in the direction of the M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 Professional, however this can be a massive outdated lens with a bulbous entrance factor that guidelines out typical filters. As a substitute, I’d suggest the M.Zuiko 8‑25mm f/4 Professional – and for a few causes.
First, it’s rather a lot cheaper. Second, it sacrifices solely 1mm on the huge finish however goes all the way in which as much as an equal 50mm focal size while you zoom in. You don’t get the quicker f/2.8 most aperture, however you do get a novel zoom vary that would prevent an terrible lot of lens swapping. Maybe essentially the most compelling purpose, although, is the optical high quality, which is each bit nearly as good because the heavier and extra limiting 7-14mm.
Learn our full Olympus M.Zuiko 8‑25mm f/4.0 Professional overview
In the event you’re utilizing your OM-5 Mark II extensively for wildlife or sports activities images then I might most likely suggest one of many larger OM telephotos – such because the model new OM System M.Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8 IS Professional, however that’s an costly, specialised lens that not everybody wants. In the event you solely want a telephoto sometimes, then the 40-150mm f/4 Professional is ideal.
It packs an 80-300mm efficient focal vary right into a retracting design sufficiently small to maintain in a nook of your digicam bag for while you want it. Optically, it’s wonderful. The bokeh can get slightly ‘busy’ within the background however that’s a small level as a result of this can be a compact, inexpensive but super-sharp lens that actually deserves its ‘Professional’ label.
In the event you like your prime lenses small, transportable and discreet, then the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II matches the invoice completely. It has what many would think about to be the proper focal size for avenue images, mixed with an f/1.8 most aperture and pint-sized proportions. It’s not as quick because the f/1.2 Professional model, however then it’s a fraction of the scale and value and nonetheless delivers wonderful outcomes.
Its measurement means it’s an ideal match for the compact OM-5 Mark II physique for while you’re strolling town streets on the lookout for photographs. Optically it’s the identical as the unique model, however provides climate sealing whereas dropping the main focus clutch mechanism on the older lens.
Learn our full OM System M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II overview
What’s your favourite focal size? For some it will likely be a 35mm equal lens just like the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II, however for others it will likely be a ‘nifty fifty’ – and that’s the place the M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 II is available in. Its 50mm equal focal size will ship what many think about essentially the most pure angle of view, whereas its f/1.8 most aperture together with the OM-5 Mark II’s wonderful IBIS makes this an excellent lens for atmospheric low gentle photographs too.
The important thing distinction between this and the unique model of this lens is the addition of climate sealing, which makes it an excellent associate for the OM-5 Mark II and its potential to maintain capturing in adversarial situations.
Learn our full OM System M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 II overview
In the event you like photographing the nice open air then this can be a nice lens to maintain in your digicam bag for close-ups of nature to associate with bigger, sweeping panorama photographs. This can be a very misleading lens! It’s so small and light-weight that you simply would possibly discover it onerous to take it critically as a macro lens, however you solely have to make use of it to see simply how good this lens it.
Its 120mm efficient focal size means you possibly can shoot timid or hard-to-reach topics from additional away, and the inherent depth of subject of the MFT format means you should use it huge open with out struggling a lot with razor-thin depth of subject. Better of all, it’s weather-sealed as nicely.
Learn our full Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro overview