Olympus 8-25mm F4 PRO - 5 Things I Like About This Lens

[@robinwong]

My head definitely rattles more than the lens after all that shaking. I will share my extended thoughts, especially on how the Olympus 8-25mm PRO compares with other existing Micro Four Thirds ultra wide angle lens options in my coming podcast video #ROBINSPEAKS. I am trying my best to keep this first impression video short and compact. No point for me to "rattle" on without real life, meaningful sample images at this point.

[@RobShootPhotos]

Robin your on a roll! From the ending of one of your Robin speaks of why your so happy to the beginning of this video. 😂 I really have enjoyed your new series.

[@Red35Photography]

Brilliant mate, good to see you have the lens! Similar situation in UK, I get to go out but not very confident though so limits my chance to photograph.

[@robinwong]

Yeah with the new variant and all. I miss the times we can just freely roam and do whatever we want.

[@josephoutdoors]

From your second point, thanks for showing us that there’s no rattle and explaining what the possible cause could be.

[@robinwong]

At least mine does not rattle, and even if it does, it is quite normal.

[@moisescugat3948]

Hi Robin... I have been able to test the lens extensively (I had one preproduction unit a couple of weeks to give some photos to Olympus) and you won't be disappointed at all about its quality. It is awesome and it has some advantages like the coating you mentioned and the extremely good management of flares. Zuiko Pro standard quality You will tell me

[@Lauren_C]

I just picked up a Sony FE 85mm F1.8. Such an amazing lens, and surprisingly compact. I’m itching to take that to the street. I’m a relatively shy person, so the extra reach is much appreciated. 😇 Just a random update that has little to do with the video. Wishing you well. I’ll do my best to get my shutter therapy in.

[@robinwong]

Oh please do go out and shoot if you can! I am dying to go out.

[@evanmcknight2566]

Glad you got a hold of it. Looking forward to the review!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Evan. Same here

[@paja13]

nice!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Pavel! Glad to know others are getting this lens already too

[@dangreenberg8983]

-Hi Robin. When you do get your chance to do a full review on the 8-25, I would love to know your thoughts on how it compares with the Panasonic 8-18, which you have reviewed, I think, in the past.. I use the 8-18 on my Om-D MkII and MkIII and it has been great. Thanks so much for all the wonderful work you do and information you put out all of the time.

[@ttbirds1082]

This is by far the best summary of the pros and cons of this lens to-date on KZbin. I also hoped the lens was a bit smaller and lighter for easier handheld vlogging. Wish Olympus would release an updated version of the 9-18mm lens with more rugged materials.

[@Smoothblue90]

I agree. I have been saying for years that Olympus needed to upgrade the 9 to 18 to the same specifications of the 14-42mm II R. When I heard about this lens I thought that I would be all over it to upgrade from my 9 to 18. But now that it's out. It looks too big for me.

[@evanmcknight2566]

Me too. This one is a bit too big.

[@robinwong]

Thanks, you are very kind!

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

Thank you very much , Robin... 👍👌👍🙏🙏 Very Good Lens... 👌👍👏👏👏 Health and Greetings from Spain... "SALUDOS... 👋🙋😃 "

[@robinwong]

Thanks Joan

[@Centauri27]

Glad you got your lens Robin! Looking forward to your full review. As for the rattling, I believe it occurs when the lens is extended, not collapsed. Even my venerable 12-40 rattles a bit when you shake it when the lens is at its longest length. So it must be due to the construction of extending zooms. My non-extending zooms do not have this issue.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Carl. Of course when a lens is extended, that means it is mechanical in nature, and the gaps between the internal lens zooming out and the outer lens chasis means there is room to move = hence some "rattling". That needs not to be discussed!

[@yaupie]

I think Robin is responding to his Finland friend sulantoblog's earlier review of this lens in which the latter complains about the rattling of the lens. But I note that sulantoblog shakes the lens when it is extended to full length. I guess all extending zoom lens would exhibits some sort of rattling when extended to full length. Perhaps that's one reason why Robin also prefers internal zoom designs.

[@RTFM70]

Thanks Robin. Great description of the good and bad points of the lens. Like you, I’m not a fan of extending zooms. That’s why I like the Oly 40-150 f2.8 Pro so much.

[@mikejankowski6321]

Great post! Glad to see the black background again. I for one really like it. You make it work well with the gray shirt. I was going to say this 2 videos ago, but YT crashed while I was typing and I didn't get back to it. Then you had the colorful background (it didn't have greens, so you didn't use ALL the colors!) and I was again going to comment that it was not to my taste. (I did notice that your excited waving made the entire background of items shake.) Whew, glad I got that out finally. Now to the lens. Yeah, time to pull out the card and flex it. Beats the PL 8-18 where I care. The extending zoom allows a more compact form factor when stored...ideal M43 philosophy. Good job going over the features that you like, and being honest about having dislikes.

[@robinwong]

I prefer the black background too. The color background is done to death, so many people do it and honestly the colors are distracting.

[@edfrancis66]

So tempting! But must practice self-control! ;)

[@robinwong]

I'd only suggest anyone getting this lens, if you absolutely need that 8mm ultra wide. Else, normal lenses like 12-40mm or even the kit lens 14-42mm will be sufficient.

[@GuyDalma]

Thank you Robin for your clear explanations!

[@robinwong]

Thanks Guy. I do my best

[@mikechudzinski6629]

A surprise to me....looks great, Robin

[@robinwong]

Thanks Mike

[@rayjenkins2754]

Here in the states those folks who have been obstinate about getting vaccinated are getting sick in large #s. Hope things begin to improve in Malaysia soon & you can get out with your 8 ~ 25, f4 pro lens. I've had mine for a week now and am very pleased. My camera is the G9 & I was not sure @ two particular features of this Olympus lens would work with the Pany camera; 1. Am pleased to report that the lens's function button pairs up just fine with the G9. I have it set to turn on or off the G9's IBS. 2. Also the lens & the camera work together when the Focus Stacking feature is used. Am looking forward to your future review. Ray

[@MikeC2K10]

Doesn't an internal zoom lens simply enclose the extending part in an outer barrel? That would make it larger. So your wish that it not extend, and your wish that it be smaller, are conflicting with each other. The way to make it smaller, and to not extend, would be to give up constant aperture zoom and make it f/4-5.6. I think?

[@blaed011]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this lens Robin. Looking forward to the lock down to be removed so you can go out and do a proper test. Based on your situation and how could anyone possibly give you a dislike with this. Really?

[@robinwong]

Thanks for the kind words. It is ok for people to dislike, much like restaurants or cloths, we have our preferences and we can choose.

[@bakermantube]

A very informative video, thank you Robin. I totally agree. I wished also a bit smaller lens and a little minus is no internal zoom. But that's all to complain.

[@pascalquennehen1119]

I like yr video you could be an actor 😊😊

[@garymatthews1806]

Thanks Robin! Another great lens from Olympus. I really appreciate every KZbin video you produce…gives great info and tips for my use of om-d e-m1 mkii. Where can I purchase a little toy like you use for some of your demos. Sorry you’re still in lock down. Hopefully you’ll be able to get out sometime in the near future and “take more pictures!!” Stay safe.

[@tobykelsey4459]

I disagree that the constant f4 keeps the size down. It's the aperture at the long end that sets the lens diameter. You could have a variable aperture zoom (perhaps f2.8-f4) with the same size. The only downside would be that aberration would be more noticeable wide open at the wide-angle end (if you used the same optical formula), but IQ would be the same at f4 so you're not actually losing anything. Having a constant aperture is a minor convenience - you can always set aperture-priority to f4 anyway. Constant aperture design is mainly to prevent reviewers & pixel-peepers complaining about wide-open IQ at the wide end, ignoring that they've got extra aperture stops to play with. It doesn't provide any material benefit for the photographer.

[@Simoneister]

Glad to see you've got the lens! And I'm keen to see what shots you get with it! It's a very exciting focal range. Small unimportant aside, I think generally in the word "versatility" the "-til-" rhymes with "hill" ✌

[@E2MC2]

Thank you. You have answered my question regarding the "rattling." I have heard this "rattling" in the Sigma Art lenses when camera is off. If I did not have the Panasonic Leica 8-18 lens, I would seriously consider this lens. I agree with review completely. I love the constant aperture, the 8-25 range and ability to use filters. And like you, I wish the lens had internal focusing.

[@robinwong]

Just to clarify, the Olympus 8-25 PRO does have internal focusing. When the lens performs AF, the lens barrel or the front of the lens do not move at all. What I said was, the lens does not have internal zoom mechanism. When you change focal lengths, the lens extend. That has nothing to do with AF.

[@davidblack2632]

Great initial impression review. Hopefully your lockdown will get over soon. It will be great to see your photos from this lens. I got this lens on pre-order. Hopefully I will get it next week. It appears that Olympus USA had an embargo on dealers delivering the lens to buyers until early July. Hopefully my dealer has the lens and I will get it when the embargo is lifted. I do agree with your two dislikes. I was expecting the lens to be similar in size to the 12-45/4.0 lens. Extending zoom lens instead of internal zooming does keep the lens a little smaller. From photos this lens appears to have flare under control. With the 7-14/2.8 any light shining on the front of the lens will cause too much flare for me. Anyhow, I enjoyed your initial impressions.

[@robinwong]

Hey David, glad to know you have the lens on Pre-Order. I guess it is the same for most of the world, but hey my local people got the lens to me as soon as they had it, maybe because they knew I had to make this content here. Yeah I cannot wait to test the lens too

[@warrendavies7313]

Thanks Robin…….great review

[@emc8366]

The pricing on this one is hard, £150 less than the 7-14 in the UK. If you don't really need anything wider than 24mm (which I don't really) I think the laowa 7.5mm will be what I add to my bag, along with the 12-40/40-150 and the teleconverters.

[@robinwong]

I will consider Laowa, when they decides to add AF. No AF no go for me. I need to shoot fast shots, everything moves.

[@Seanonyoutube]

Filter thread is the most compelling reason to get this.

[@25palex]

cool video robin. i got the new YONGNUO 25MM F/1.7 its really cool new lens

[@mikewalker3800]

Congratulations on 40k + subs.

[@supergeodotca]

Robin, I hope your lock down ends sooner than later. Since your vaccination rates appear to be relatively low, I hope Malaysia can increase that and get a downward trend going and reopening things soon. Thanks for your continued content despite difficult times.

[@robinwong]

Thanks. And I will continue to do my best with what I can here.

[@godofhope]

Vaccines 💉? This is the real bioweapon! Don’t get vaxxed!!!

[@martinschwienbacher9334]

Robin they are coated with metal yet not made of it. Interior is plastics as in most cases, most likely this is also more robust to thermal extension etc. The Pana 08-18 is also not really a non moving zoom - non moving zooms all suffer from focus breathing at low zoom level, bad for wide are lenses with > 2x zoom ;-) Such a video would have been a great opportunity to do some IQ comparison shoots against the Pana 08-18 or also the Oly12-40, 12-45 or 12-100 at 25mm. If the IQ at 25mm is very good a 8-25 lens is indeed great, yet basically you can only spare carrying or buying an additional lens when you are restricting yourself to maybe up to 40mm (cropping) or only carry an additional 40-150 Oly. As 2end lens for tele shooting (safari, wildlife) it might also work.

[@robinwong]

If you have seen the cross section of an actually Olympus PRO lens you will know that the outer layer (chassis) is not merely "coated". It is real, actual metal.

[@Dahrenhorst]

Usually, I don't walk around with several lenses on me when taking my camera with me. I just fix one lens onto the camera regarding of what I intend to shoot at the walk. For this I have mainly four scenarios: 1. hiking, nature, and landscape, 2. city, architecture, family, and portraits 3. zoo, wildlife and sports, 4. macro and scans This lens here will be my lens for hiking, nature and landscape. Right now I use my 12-40mm for this (which is also my lens for scenario 2), but I can't wait to change that with the 8-25mm.

[@robinwong]

For my own photowalks, I also carry only one lens, sometimes 2 if I have something specific to do (street shooting with 45mm F1.8, then I need a lens to shoot some food images during lunch so I carry a 25mm lens). I probably won't use the 8-25mm much for photowalks, unless I specifically need the ultra wide perspective, which none of my other lenses can give me.

[@garybrown9719]

Versatility

[@dagonbenifer2656]

Man, I sure don't miss those Asia COVID-19 days.

[@leonfourie5717]

Nice video and lens. As a enthusiast i hope this lens will reduce the price of the olympus 9-18mm lens.I will then get that lens as my budget can not afford the pro lens.

[@robinwong]

Now that the 9-18mm is the only "budget" option, I doubt the price will go down any more.

[@christophernation4793]

@@robinwong Well, it will go down if someone wants my 9-18mm because that has got to go, to contribute funds to the purchase of the 8-25mm which, as your exc'nt vid describes, is a super verstaile optic. The 8-25 and 75-150mm covers pretty much everything except sport and serious wildlife.

[@miluna94]

In a travel photography context, would you choose the 8-25mm f4 or the 12-100mm?? With the 12-100 you lose the ultra wide but don't need to bring a telephoto lens

[@michaelhenderson9412]

#6 - the lens diameter is 72 mm - the same as my 12-100, my 40-150 and my Panasonic 100-400 mm, so I don’t need to bother with filter adapter ring.

[@jamestan1261]

Hi Robin, I m thinking of getting a zoom wide angle lens. I m thinking of either the Panasonic 8-18mm f.2.8 or the Olympus 8-25mm f.4. I hv got a Panasonic 7-14mm f2.8 already, unfortunately it’s not a weather shield built, I need another lens for hiking. Can you give me opinions in choosing between Panasonic 8-18mm and Olympus 8-25mm? Thanks

[@lichtloper]

oly zoomlenses have their wide-angle values at the left of the scale, the more tele-values at the rigbt end of the scale; cf this 8-25mm zoom. Many lens makers have made a change, reverse: tele values at the ,eft to wider focal length values at the right of the scale. I prefer the Oly approach, which imo was also the classic lay out. Any thoughts?

[@gerlosv]

Thanks for this initial review! Is this lens sold with a lens hood? I remember you don't like hoods, but I find them really useful to prevent dew on the lenses when doing night photography, and this lens could be a really nice "Milky Way lens" for me!

[@JayChokdee]

This is so tempting! Must resist that GAS…..

[@robinwong]

Thanks Jay. Get it only if you really need it.

[@skyshinney1358]

I am looking forward to review of 150-400mm Olympus lens because I’m wondering if I should buy it or not.

[@seangray4512]

Just buy it, you could be dead tomorrow, besides....there are plenty of other videos around from wild life shooters who use it?

[@francishwlee]

I'd strongly consider this lens if I didn't already have the pl 8-18mm f2.8-4. In the meantime, I hope you can get out on the street soon.

[@robinwong]

No worries. If 18mm is good enough at the long end, then the Panasonic is a better choice. Smaller, and starts at F2.8!

[@stevec1256xp]

I don't understand. Is your country not giving out the vaccine? Here in Texas, we're out and about. Just did a weekend on the beach. Love your videos!

[@JeevesTCW]

Clearly a great lens but like too many olympus lenses I think its weight defeats the ethos of M43 when you go over 400g like the 7-14 & 12-100 . The Pana Leica 8-18 & 12-60 at around 320g with the added benefit of a faster max aperature at the wide end offer (for me) a better compromise and a better handling balance even on a camera as small as the Pana GX9. This problem is made worse when you try to pair the above Oly lenses with a camera like my old EM5ii which is not tall or heavy enough and then even the Pana Leica lenses mentioned become top heavy on a EM5ii or smaller body. In summary - Oly lenses too heavy and Oly bodies too small unless you go for the flagship EM1 .... a BIG reason why I have swapped all my gear over to Panasonic in recent months.

[@wencai7912]

Thank you for your video Robin! I am new to Olympus, now I am planing to upgrade my lense but I can only afford one pro lense, which one would you recommend? I have the em1 mk2 with a 12-200mm and one 45mm prime, I mainly use camera for family travel. It is so hard to choose😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@jsadiq]

Robin, photography is disallowed under the commercial sector. Nothing stops you from snapping away if not for profit, as I understand the rules. Look forward to some pix from this lens.

[@robinwong]

Outdoor photography is banned. It is under social activities on MKN's site, not commercial. I double checked this.

[@robinwong]

It was categorized together with picnics and religious activities!

[@jsadiq]

Righto.

[@robinwong]

@@jsadiq not sure why they made it soooo "specific". Was there a cluster started by any photography groups that we are not aware of?

[@jsadiq]

I reckon they were looking at modelling and such or photo walks but it sure is a bummer.

[@jaspervd1]

Hi Robin Wong, I own a om-d10 mark II with grip. I want to step up for quality. Which I understand the lens can make a use difference. Can the image quality seem the same on a Mark om-d mark 10 II as on for example M5? Or is the lens overkill for a om-d 10 mark II

[@emerana]

I have this on my list - thanks Robin. The downsides are tolerable I think

[@robinwong]

Yeah the complains are not dealbreakers, the lens is really great for what it is and can do.

[@j16m02]

If wishes were horses.... Internal zoom=larger lens body. Smaller lens=smaller max aperture. Olympus will need some new special physics to grant you your wishes. I know. You already knew that. ;-)

[@ttbirds1082]

Always a tradeoff. Panasonic's 8-18mm f2.8 to f4..0 is also a very interesting lens. Less zoom range than the Oly 8-25mm but 25% lighter, internal focusing and faster at the wide end.

[@robinwong]

@@ttbirds1082 Olympus 8-25mm has internal focusing too, if you miss that. The Panasonic 8-18mm, much like Olympus, extends when zooming.

[@robinwong]

Agreed James, but if anyone can do it, it will be Olympus.

[@creambun1963]

What about the 7 - 14 don't need filters what's your opinion on this one

[@Simoneister]

If you don't need filters, and are fine with the heavier weight, higher price, and don't need the 25mm zoom or macro capabilities... Then yes! It's a fantastic ultrawide, and a favourite amongst Olympus astrophotographers

[@robinwong]

I will talk about this in my coming podcast soon, yah?

[@newjersey1029]

I purchase this Lens a few day ago, i have to return it..... I keep getting an Error Message when i attached the Lens to my camera.... i was so so so so Disappointed..... " Please Check the status of your Lens"That was the error Message i got>>>> now what am i supported to do.... I had to cancelled a Baby shower Plans gig i was plan on doing...

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

Was that a Cokin filter holder? Didn't know anyone still used that setup. I always thought those filters were good for the money spent on them. Certainly like mine. Regards!

[@robinwong]

I have no idea. Pulled out random copyright free images from internet to show how big and clunky the attachment is for 7-14mm lens.

[@automaticimprovements6957]

Sulantoblog found out the barrel is loose and rattles a lot because it moves freely and wobbles. You should shake the lens while it's extended to 8 or 25 mm. And you will see it rattles and wobbles a lot. The same it true with the 12-40 f/2,8 and f/4. Build quality is not that good, I think Sulantoblog is right.

[@robinwong]

The zoom barrel has to move freely for smooth and frictionless extension while zooming. That's just logic. It has nothing to with built quality and the fact that there is gap that allows the extension possible, makes the extended part clash with the lens outer body. What I'm more interested in is for you to find a zoom lens that extends (any one out there) that does not "rattle". This discussion is not going anywhere and people are starting to look at problems that do not exist or gave unrealistic expectations. If there are no free moving parts (that causes rattles) then how does the zoom extension move?

[@robinwong]

Btw I've used the Olympus 12-40 for more than 7 years. Build quality is excellent. What do you mean it is not good?

[@matan7986]

How much is M1 mark3 now?

[@joeltunnah]

I really wish they had devoted their resources to making a 12mm f/1.2 pro lens instead.

[@robinwong]

Olympus did. But the lens will be extremely large, hence they made the 17mm, 25mm and 45mm F1.2 first.

[@matan7986]

What is fungus on lens?

[@matan7986]

In the philippines we have the freedom to photography.

[@robinwong]

Good to know that, go out to shoot more!

[@kierowcabezpieczny]

Thanks for this video. BTW, the idiocy of your government regarding the lockdown is just stunning and hard to believe. Hopefully you replace them with someone reasonable soon, if possible.

[@Tom-Tenerife]

I have it, but I do not like particularly it. Good for video, less for photos. Well done but very loud and no stabilization. Do not buy it! Too expensive for his performances. It's good to film or photograph food or close up photos

[@nasibriyaniayam380]

never seen someone sweat so much in a talking head video