OLYMPUS M.Zuiko 8-25mm F4 PRO (Full Review) - An INCREDIBLY VERSATILE Lens!

[@etchd_]

Is this lens something that will replace multiple others in your kit? Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

[@RumbaniNdhlovu]

I'm thinking of getting this and the 12-100 F4 PRO and use the 2 primarily. Just starting out on Olympus and I'm mainly in for video. I was flirting with the 12-40 f2.8 instead of this one, I'm stuck there.

[@terrysanders1550]

How refreshing to have a review by an individual who is not only able to select the attributes and characteristics of equipment that actually matter to photographers, but is also a very competent photographer who speaks from personal knowledge and judgement. So often, reviewers mediocre samples challenge the credibility of their reviews. Not in the case of Mr Horspool

[@etchd_]

Hi Terry, thanks so much for the kind words and apologies for the late reply. This dad life is a tough juggling act ha. I'm glad the video resonates with you and you found it useful. I agree that a lot of KZbinrs out there who review gear, often don't put much effort into showing what the tool can do. I'm a firm believer that you can't review something until you've shot with it a lot and in high pressure situations that require you to squeeze the absolute best out of it. Whether that is for a paying client, or once in a lifetime situation. That's where you truly find strengths and weaknesses in a tool. Hopefully I can continue to make these reviews. Although they are a hell of a lot of work ha!

[@paulconnors2078]

Hello, I just found your channel and subscribed. I also just recently purchased a slightly used Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II with grip. (Full disclosure, I am a 40+ year Nikon shooter.). I was immediately attracted to the Olympus due to its smaller form factor and outstanding ergonomics. The camera came with a rather unremarkable kit lens, but I immediately purchased the lens you reviewed here as well as the excellent 40-150 f4 PRO. So, far, I am really enjoying learning the Olympus/OM System and may take this camera and lenses with me to Vietnam next month rather than my larger NIKON gear. My main reason for buying the 8-25mm f4 PRO were several of the positive reviews here on YT and finding yours just today confirmed my decision. I am looking forward to finding and viewing more of your videos and wish you much continued success with your channel. Thank you again for such a thorough review of my latest Olympus purchase.

[@etchd_]

Hey thanks Paul! glad you dig the channel. Great you have the EM-1 MKII. Such a good camera. Some of my best work has been on that little thing! Keep pushing it to it's limits and you will get some awesome stuff!

[@patatipatata9726]

I love your colors edition, especially the autumn color ones.

[@etchd_]

Thank you! yes, that little area was so nice in Autumn. So random on the side of the road too!

[@dennisrogers4665]

Brand new micro four thirds user here (moving from years of experience with Canon’s 5D M IV to an OM-5). Trying to decide the optimal set of lenses for various use cases is a little chaotic when looking at everything available. Right now I have the Panasonic 8-16mm f2.8 - f/4. Less reach but I was drawn to wider aperture at the widest angle for nighttime. It seems like my brain either thinks in super wide or 200mm+ (FF equivalent). This review - so detailed, well explained, and so competently presented - was brilliant in helping me make some lens decisions going forward. My next purchase will probably be the 7-12mm f/2.8. When using Canon - and especially when traveling internationally - I always took along their outstanding 14mm f/2.8 prime. Such creative freedom allowed by these high-end super wides!! Anyway, thank you!! I was keeping this 8-25mm in the back of my mind and it’s clearly a very competent and versatile lens. But for my own use cases, I can intellectually “let go” of it now and focus on acquiring wider and longer lenses.

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, thanks so much for the kind words and for taking the time to get in touch. I'm glad this video has helped you make an informed decision! Both lenses are great options and I use them both equally, depending on the type of job. If low light is your thing, then definitely go with the 2.8 varieties, whichever brand that might be and you can't go wrong!

[@robinwong]

I have pre-ordered one myself, can't wait to use and try it. I don't have an ultra wide yet, was not too keen on 7-14mm because can't use filters (unless you do some awkward large attachments). Nice photos, love your portrait work!

[@etchd_]

Hi Robin! Thanks so much for dropping by mate! I love your work! Hopefully one day we can meet up and shoot together. 👍. Yes it can be super awkward if you want to use filters on the 7-14mm, however apart from landscape work, that lens has been an absolute workhorse for my cultural travel and adventure work! So sharp and fast. But quite heavy in comparison to the camera bodies like the EM1MKIII etc

[@projectdb83]

What an absolutely excellent review. I've seen thousands of gear review, hundreds of lens reviews and off the top of my head, this might be the best I've seen. Touched on everything I was interested in, high quality video and audio, amazing photos and well presented. I'll be watching for notifications from your channel. Great work man! (P.S. I can't imagine the amount of work it takes, but feel free to go back through the m43 lens lineup and hit all of them with this style review!)

[@etchd_]

Hey, mate haha thank you so much! what kind words! It definitely took a lot of work to go and shoot all these different scenes. Whenever I create a review, I always try and think about what I would like to see myself when watching one. Glad it resonates with you! Haha, I'm going to do a portrait shoot with the pro primes soon comparing them all. I have so many bloody videos to do and not enough time! Stay tuned though, you never know what might happen!

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

Delighted to have found your channel. Great review and thank you for linking your presets. Just purchased!

[@etchd_]

Ahh thanks so much for the support mate! I appreciate love and hope you get some good use out of the presets. Remember to tone back the settings once you apply them :)

[@brucewilliams999]

Your channel deserves way more subscribers! Man amazing content! Please keep it up. Switched from a Sony A72 a few years ago to Olympus and I've never looked back. Currently shooting on my EM5 MK3 7-14 2.8 and looking to add the 40-150 2.8 soon. Good to see such an ambassador for OM-D and M4/3rds

[@etchd_]

Hi Bruce! Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm only new in the KZbin world but hopefully I can keep growing the channel! There seems to be many people out there keen to see Olympus content so I'll keep on creating 🙏. The 40-150mm is such a good lens, I use it all the Time! I highly recommend getting the 2x tele converter as well.

[@barrieharwood5645]

Fabulous review Matt. As someone moving from FF to Olympus, I need all the help I can get in making my lens choices and this review is absolutely brilliant

[@etchd_]

Great to hear mate! I'm glad you found some clarity from this vid!

[@jonbengoetxea725]

The best review I've found about this lens (by far), congratulations!

[@RumbaniNdhlovu]

Amazing review. Very detailed and your photo work is amazing.

[@etchd_]

Appreciate the kind words and support!

[@catherinetremerryn]

Tremendous shots and great review.

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much for the kind words Catherine. I'm glad you think so :)

[@photonspark]

Incredible shots, well done, love it!

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much mate! Glad you liked it! I was amazed at how well it did shooting portraits!

[@hanajurakova1285]

I would also add that this lense will be great for all real estate and architecture photographers !!

[@etchd_]

I totally agree! I just got back from a luxury home shoot and used that lens for most shots! A game changer and so much nicer to use screw in polarisers than square filter systems. It's also super light so works well on my motorized slider!

[@hanajurakova1285]

@@etchd_ I bought Oly 7-14mm cos there was no other lens at that time to real estate and m43 but anter seeing this (even one year later), I wanna sell my 7-14 and buy this lens straigh away... this is what I needed to cover my range... So anybody interested in 7-14mm, perfect condition, let me know here. I'm based in Berlin, Germany =) Would be amazing lens to landscape, astro and night photography, I'm sadly not doing these kind of shoots

[@dhanil7470]

I already own 12-40 f2.8 and 12-100 f4, for different uses depending on situations. Your video makes me very interested in this new lens because of wide angle and reasonable price. Anyway, great thanks for your review

[@etchd_]

Hi Dhani, sorry for the late reply and thanks so much for stopping by. You own two of the best lenses Olympus make. This lens would definitely be a nice addition to that kit!

[@davidwendelrobinson6080]

Good review. Helpful.

[@etchd_]

Glad you think so David! 😁

[@zipfelchefchen6816]

very nice review, thanks

[@etchd_]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! thanks for the love.

[@garybrown9719]

Im no pro but i have been taking photos for 45 years Primes for low weight F4 lens are perfect for zoom lenses Ill be adding this lens

[@etchd_]

Primes certainly look a lot crisper and I try and use them whenever I can. For jobs where I don't have the luxury of changing lenses, then something like this is a godsend.

[@TKNORTH]

Amazing dude, crazy what you were able to capture with it in such a short space of time!

[@etchd_]

Yoo thanks bro! a long one again haha Thanks for the BTS footage! was a great addition!

[@chriseyrewalker]

Awesome vid Matt!

[@etchd_]

Thanks mate! I would have loved to get out and do a proper adventure with it like you, but these little shoots were all i could squeeze in! Baby is on the way haha

[@chriseyrewalker]

@@etchd_ oh wow! Congrats!! Honestly, we squeezed this production into a 3 day shoot... not actually the level of adventure I would normally have aimed at. But... you know... COVID and what not...

[@asqures5541]

Now this is a proper review! Thank you so much for the portrait section, I was considering buying this lens as a travel zoom, but was worried I wouldn't be able to take decent shots of my friends-you dispelled those concerns. It appears that 16mm will be amazing for in-door shots of churches and castles, and 50mm should look perfectly adequate for casual portraits.

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much for the kind words mate! You can always get great shots of people with this lens. You just have to sacrifice some depth! If you really want, you could put a 1/4 mist filter on the front to negate some sharpness :) I use this lens on my pocket 4k on the slider for high end architecture shoots!

[@nomikism]

as an amateur photographer i am always interested in taking cityscapes / architectural type photos and that is often in low light - night time even. Do you think f4 is enough!? I am leaning towards the 7-14 but the versatility of this one is something

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, thanks for stopping by. Are you planning on shooting these handheld or on a tripod? If on a tripod then this is a far more versatile lens and much lighter. You can also add a polariser to it which is handy for architecture-style shots. If shooting handheld then the 7-14mm will obviously be better in that regard, but i would just use a tripod for ultimate sharpness. Especially if you can utilise the hi-res modes!

[@nomikism]

@@etchd_ thanks for your answer. Tripod can come into play, but mostly I am talking about handheld use - especially when going into trips and you just have your camera and walk around ( with couple of lenses and a gorillapod at the most )

[@corykphotography]

Olympus OM System community is a for sure strong group. I am so proud to be apart of it. I am finally phasing into portrait and event work coming from birding wildlife macro and landscape. I am very excited for these first clients and hope my delivery is what these clients hope for!

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, so sorry for the late reply. I dont know why KZbin shows me comments i havent written back to at random times. Never when it should! Glad you are part of the family and i hope you are getting some great portrait clients :)

[@balboa0621]

Most m43 KZbinrs produce basic, amateurish content. This vid is perhaps the best argument for the system I’ve ever seen.

[@etchd_]

Hi mate! Thank you so much for the kind words. That really means a lot. I try and just do my own thing and love pushing what is possible out of all my gear. Stay tuned for more 🙏

[@phaselead_dj]

Stunning images!!! Subbed rightaway🙌

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much! It really means a lot!

[@yacinemadaoui6814]

Considering these longer videos take literally ages to put together, good job. This is a really fantastic review. Keep it up.

[@etchd_]

Hi Yacine, ahh thankyou so much! Yes it took a hell of a long time ha so many different shoots to do and organise. Glad you liked it!

[@prestonowens4594]

Hello, my focal range I currently have in primes are 12mm f2, 40mm f1.4, and 45mm f1.8. Recently I was at a public event where a crowd of people was marching through the streets. I think I missed a lot of photos because I was constantly swapping between three lenses while also walking. I’d like to start getting more into the professional world with my photos, and so I’d like to know if you have any advice on a zoom lens. I like the wide angle because I noticed while in the crowd, that it really makes the viewer feel like they’re in the image. But I also love taking portraits and like the longer focal lengths and the compressed sense of space. Any advice?

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Absolutely fabulous review. Even after all these years I’ve never grasped why photographers with larger sensor cameras hate the M4/3 system so much. I left Olympus when the camera side was being sold off and moved to a Sony a7iii and it’s a great camera, but lenses are heavy and expensive for the better glass. If JIP realised more Pro kit under the Olympus brand I could easily see myself moving back. I miss the 12-100 f4 that was welded to my EM1 mkii.

[@professionalpotato4764]

I think they probably don't understand it's about right system for the right job. One thing though, ff is drastically cheaper than m43 and lighter in some cases (not counting telephtoto, cos that's m43's greatest strength). Any prime f/1.8 under 100mm is usually cheaper than m43 equivalents. The Oly Pro f/1.2 lenses are one of the most cost/weight inefficient lenses for example. However, I do like the innovative lenses like Pana 10-25 and this 8-25. Very interesting lenses that would not be possible on larger formats.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

@@professionalpotato4764 the prime lens debate depends on what you want. The Olympus f1.2 25mm is less than half the price than the Canon RF f1.2 50mm in the UK.

[@professionalpotato4764]

@@richarddutchholland4780 Erm, well I think we should always compare lenses and their equivalents. Pitting it against the FF f/1.2 doesn't work since that would be f/0.6 on m43 which doesn't exist. Against nearly all f/1.8, or even compact f/2.8 primes, it's still a worse deal in price and weight to DoF. In my opinion, the f/1.2 primes were a mistake perhaps. No hate here. I do want to own a m43 kit, for some birding or travel landscape, travel vlogging. (God knows when we'll be able to do that again) But if I'm after bokeh, which the f/1.2 primes were clearly designed for, then larger formats would make more sense in terms of price, weight, image quality.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

@@professionalpotato4764 only on DOF and not light gathering ability

[@professionalpotato4764]

@@richarddutchholland4780 Yes, only in terms of per square cm/inch. Exposure-wise, definitely f/1.2 is brighter. However, light is information, and a sensor 4x the size naturally gathers 4x the information or 2 stops. Which ends up being f/2.4. So f/2.4 gathers the same amount of light information as the m43 f/1.2. That's how it kinda goes. You can't simply ignore the extra photons due to a larger surface area. And it's all about equivalency. We cannot talk about lenses and image quality comparisons if we don't match them. Again I like both. They're pretty cool in their own ways. I just thought M43 should have embraced their strengths more. Maybe a 400mm f/4. Or 200mm f/1.8 or something like a 200-400 f/2.8 idk. Maybe compact vlogging cameras like the Canon M50 for people to do TikTok and Instagram. It's cool I guess to engineer great glass like the f/1.2. But what's the point in fighting losing battles.

[@real1997]

Great review mate. Thorough and enjoyable with no fluff. Thinking of picking up one of these for my YT videos with my e-m1x. Cheers from Coffs Hbr.

[@etchd_]

Hey mate! Thanks so much for the kind words! I like to give honest practical experiences in my reviews so I'm glad it resonated! Hope you're well mate

[@real1997]

@@etchd_ haha bro we’re locked down and suffering in Coffs Harbour. Life is pretty cruizy up here but we are thinking of you Sydneysiders. My daughter is in the Shire and she’s going a bit lockdown crazy but hey, we’ll ride this one out. Her partner is a pro wedding photographer and his business is basically gone. Hopefully the photogs in Sydney can rebound sooner rather than later. All the best mate.

[@etchd_]

@@real1997 Ha! what a shit show it has been hey! Oh yeah, over the Shire way is even worse. At least she has the beach close by.

[@real1997]

@@etchd_ should have my 8-25 sometime this week Matt. Looking forward to making lots of photos with this lens. Heading down to Sydney in November to see our daughter for the first time in many months. Trust you’re doing well in Sydney town.

[@bobneedham6224]

Great review

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much Bob. Sorry for the late reply. it takes me ages to catch up :)

[@bobneedham6224]

Terrific review. Subscribed

[@etchd_]

Hi Bob, appreciate the sub and kind words. Are you thinking of getting this yourself?

[@bobneedham6224]

@@etchd_ I’ve been waiting for this lens to come out to get a close look at it. I was never attracted to the Oly 7-14. Currently I shoot with an EM5 mk l and have owned the Oly 9-18 since I bought my camera new. Underrated lens. I’m big on small and light, but if I bought it would probably become my most used. Currently my kit includes 12-45 f4, 17 f1.8. I have previously owned the Oly lenses 12-40, 12 & 12-50. I loved both the 12 and the 12-40. The latter just didn’t handle well on my EM5. That would be my big concern with the 8-25, but it a great zoom range. I love to shoot wide.

[@bobneedham6224]

@@etchd_ This lens is definitely on the top of my list. Recently I sold off a number of lenses. I wanted a more minimalistic approach to my lenses. To make that work I'm big on lenses that have multiple uses. Right now I own the EM 5 with a 12-45 PRO as the lenses that stays on my camera most of the time. My single prime lens is the 17 f 1.8 a perfect prime lens for my purposes. Finally I have the 9-18. It's a great small lens. I find I can use any of these as a single lens if I want to go out with only 1 lens. The 8-25 would fit into this philosophy perfectly. If I get one I'll sell my 9-18 although it is incredibly small and light.

[@etchd_]

@@bobneedham6224 amazing mate! You're right. If you know your gear you can create with any lens!

[@olive0eyes0]

Brother, lovely shots.

[@etchd_]

Thanking you kindly mate!

[@craigroethler1495]

Great and complete review! Thanks so much for your honest and thoughtful critique, most helpful!👍🏼🙏🏼🖖🏼

[@etchd_]

Hi Craig, thanks for the love mate. I appreciate the feedback. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I've been in the outback filming!

[@tijmen1803]

Great video, your pictures are stunning! I would love to see a video on how you edit them. They look natural yet intriguing.

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, thank you so much for the kind words! I do plan on doing some editing videos in the future. I really must get my underwater editing ones up first though as I keep promising people and never have time. I'm all about editing as much as the image needs rather than the edit taking over the entire image if that makes sense.

[@tijmen1803]

@@etchd_ it does make sense! I do try to give a certain look to my photos but often it ends up looking unnatural and I go back to the usual minor adjustments. I will wait patiently first for the underwater video then :) subscribed 🙌🏻

[@etchd_]

@@tijmen1803 yes, I often find it's very easy to overdo an edit. If you think maybe you have, stop and come back to it later and often you'll see it's too much. I do this all the time. I must admit, sometimes I look back and think I did way too much to the photo haha

[@t3hite]

Early in the video you start to discuss the 12-45mm f/4 Pro. I'd be interested in your take on that lens (I got one with a M5 kit). I'm thinking about the 8-25mm as a more useful all in one zoom for my landscape and mountaineering photos. In the range that the 12-45mm covers I usually want faster apertures/shutter speeds and more control over shallow depth of field. Right now I'm considering the 8-25mm and new 20mm f/1.4 as my primary working lenses and may sell the 12-45.

[@etchd_]

Hi Thomas, thanks so much for the comment. Unfortunately, I haven't actually used the 12-45mm so I really can't comment on it's usability. I agree though, for those mid tele ranges you really want something fast as F4 really isn't enough if shooting fast moving subjects or people. For landscape work i think the 8-25mm can't be beaten. Its so light and the IBIS is enough to do long expo handheld shots. The 20mm f1.4 is a great single lens option if you were to only have one prime. Your kit would be super light and portable!

[@brysonstansfield4904]

Great video, thanks Matt, I think the real selling point of this lens is the ability to use filters with it ... the magnetic Kase filters with step rings would be a match made in heaven for this, 12-40 and 40-150! Keep the great vids coming!

[@etchd_]

Hi Bryson, thank you for the love mate. Yes, to have a filter makes a world of difference when shooting video or certain long exposures. I'm about to use the lens to film and photograph an incredible architectural designed mansion in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

[@mikejankowski6321]

Great hands-on review. You covered a lot over 2 weeks with the lens. Very well done and really great images.

[@etchd_]

Hi Mike, thanks for the kind words! It was a big couple of weeks with a mad 13-hour day of putting it all together before the release. Cheers.

[@moisescugat3948]

Amzing!! your shots are incredible!!! WOW

[@etchd_]

Hi there! Thanks so much for the kind words! 🙏🙏 You're too kind!

[@moisescugat3948]

@@etchd_ too kind??? C'on!! I am really short!! thanks a lot

[@rinzevnrossum]

Great video! I do have an question: I'm looking for a circular magnetic round filter system for this lens. Manfrotto Xume could be great but poorly available. The lens size is 72mm, but in view of vignetting, shouldn't I use a 77mm step-up ring? What system9-s) can you recommend in view of my needs?

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, so sorry for the late reply! I hope you managed to sort your issues out., If not, I can highly recommend the new NISI Swift system. Amazing quality, and its all stack able, not with magnets though. I have all my filters at 77mm and use step-up rings. Nisi also make great rings, but don't get the titanium or aluminum as they bind all the time. The new brass ones are much better. Just buy brass regardless and save yourself guaranteed headaches in the field. Where are you based? If in AU or NZ i can get you a discount on them.

[@YannisSinadinos]

I have 7-14mm and I can't decide if I should replace with 8-25. I have read the 8-25 has sharper corners but I am afraid f4 is not enough in forests. Do you use your 7-14 after buying 8-25?

[@etchd_]

Hi mate. Remember F4 is the equivalent to f8 in full frame sense so it's plenty enough. I use both lenses for different things really. But mainly just use the 7-14mm! I tend not to ever worry about lens edge to edge sharpness as most people wouldn't notice and 99 percent of my work is viewed on small screens. That being said there could be some differences but I'm not too sure!

[@alexanderpieri1971]

Lovely review about this lens. ❤ I bought it immediately when the lens came out. For non professional like me is just marvelous. Although usually I go around with Zuiko 7-14 and 12-40 in combo or 12-100, my ‘problem’ was always to take photos of scenery in ultra wide but also marco or some wide photos deepening of the situation. The 8-25 partially resolves that ‘problem’ but also the situation of changing lenses all the time. Next dream lens? Zuiko must produce something like 8-60mm or 8-80mm 😇. I can’t be done I know but… One negative thought about this 8-25mm; it has a clutch system needed to be activated for lens to .. work. I got the Zuiko 9-18mm that has the same clutch system. But after so many years that clutch broke somehow. So the 9-18mm I can’t use it anymore 😭. I can send to Olympus service of course.. but nearest to my placewhere I live (Croatia) is in Prague. 1000km from me. At the end it will cost more to repair than the value of that old small lens. I fear that the same fate fate won’t happen to 8-25mm. 😢

[@etchd_]

Sorry for the late reply! Im glad you liked the lens and review! It definitely is a cool focal length that covers so much. The clutch really does take getting used to, but fingers crossed being a pro model, you don't have any of those same issues!

[@EsaMononen]

really beautiful photos ❤

[@etchd_]

Thank you kindly!

[@thedanpalen1]

Thanks for the review! I have found a sweet spot in my shooting style with "gopro" wide and standard portrait length in my Canon 17-40F4 on my 1dxmkii. This looks like it would be really similar. Plus it's a little bit wider and longer. Downside is the F4 on M43 for sure. I bet many ppl will use it an all rounder.

[@etchd_]

Hi mate! thanks so much for the comment. I totally agree, F4 for most people is more than enough, hence why the 12-100mm F4 PRO IS is my favorite lens. I'm keen to take this on a full adventure somewhere! Im actually heading out next weekend so might take it for a spin then. Let me know if you get the chance to give it a whirl!

[@markhoffman9655]

Canon makes plenty of f4 lenses so what's the downside for M43?

[@sexysilversurfer]

@@markhoffman9655 depth of field I guess as it would be difficult to get shallow depth of field.

[@freddie8812]

I'm pausing the video to say that those portraits are absolutely amazing, stunning yeah call it what you want!

[@etchd_]

Hi Frederik! Ahh thanks so much for the love mate! Its amazing what you can do in one single location with a bit of good light and colour! Who would have thought a wide angle lens could get so much!

[@narinthip3058]

Amazing work and very honest review!! Cheers man.

[@etchd_]

Hey! thanks so much for the kind words! I try and be as honest as possible in all my reviews. It is quite easy to only talk about the good things to hype up new gear, but honestly, nothing is super perfect for every situation and i just inform people of that. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnhazelroth899]

I currently have the Olympus OMD E-M5 Mark III which is waterproof. I currently own the 14-150mm f4.0 Zuiko lens which is my go to lens. I am considering getting the 8-25mm f4.0 pro. Thought this would give me a little more field of view, waterproof to accompany my camera, modest macro capabilities, however no upgrade in speed. In your opinion, do you think the extras I would get from this lens is worth it or it would be too much of a duplication of what I currently own? Thanks for your input and great video on this lens!

[@etchd_]

Hi John, sorry for the late reply mate. I have been away on jobs and my YT has suffered as a consequence. This lens would definitely offer you some very unique photographic opportunities compared to the 14-150mm as it is significantly wider. It really depends on the type of photography you currently do, and want to do. For many 14mm is enough and is about the cut off before faces become really distorted (in my opinion). But shooting at 8mm allows you to get super close and exaggerate things that 14mm just cant do. If you are looking for speed in low light instances, I wouldn't choose this lens. I'd go for the 7-14mm F2.8. But, I do know this is a lot more money. I hope that helps!

[@johnhazelroth899]

@@etchd_ This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@stevocem]

Great review, thank you! One question: What about the distortion? Maybe you had a chance to look at it, while you shoot some portraits.

[@etchd_]

Hi Stefan, thanks so much for watching! In what regard do you mean? There will of course always be distortion the wider you go and you'll have to be careful to angle the lens direct on unless you want the longer look which I did for a few of these shots. No distortion at 25mm though!

[@stevocem]

@@etchd_ Yes, I was thinking about 25mm and just below that. Many thanks! The lens seems to be a great addition to the portfolio. I hope to shoot some street photos and landscapes with it. Your pros and cons review is totally honest, excellent!

[@etchd_]

@@stevocem ahh right! Yeah no distortion out of the ordinary but again I didn't really perform a technical controlled test! I doubt anyone would ever notice if there was anyway ha. Perfectly acceptable distortion on most lenses down to 12mm! Thanks again mate!

[@artl52]

the best review of this lens so far

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much mate :)

[@KBoege]

I have been using the 7-14 for real estate photography with another camera for the more normal shots and this lens would realistically replace the need for a second camera. Seems like the ideal camera for travel or landscapes. A great product from the new Olympus. I am excited about their future.

[@etchd_]

Ahh excellent to hear mate! Yeah 50mm equiv is a great focal length for the tighter architectural shots so this lens would be awesome!

[@jamespkuzman]

Nice review! This is a super versatile focal range and a slam dunk pick for landscape, street and travel. It’s a relative bargain as well.

[@etchd_]

Hi Jim, thanks so much for the kind words! it really is a great lens for landscape, and those people who shoot mostly in good light when travelling will also appreciate the focal range!

[@rztrk3311]

By far the best review of this lens so far.. very thorough with many sample images! Keep it up! Sub'd

[@etchd_]

Ahh thankyou Eric! I appreciate the support. It's nice to know all the hard work creating these has paid off!

[@POVPHOTOGUY]

damn 41min :D Man you are a legend. Btw STC optic has screw in lens for the 7-14mm so you don't need filter attachements you can screw your regular filters like ND or polar. Locations are super cool. Those rainforests! Ahh... I wanna shoot there! you did a great job on model portraits. Love the vibe!

[@etchd_]

Haha yeah did a comprehensive review on this one! So lucky to have forests near my place!

[@jeremyn8939]

Very informative! Love the photos you take! Would love to see a video on how you approach taking photos. What do you look for? What sorts of compositions do you find interesting? Keep up the great work 👍

[@etchd_]

Hi Jeremy, thanks so much for the kind words! I'd love to do a video on that component of my work. And honestly, a lot comes from inspiration i see online where I make a mood board and then work from there. Once we scout the location and see the light things can change super quickly. What type of photography are you interested in the most?

[@jeremyn8939]

@@etchd_ thanks for the reply! I enjoy travel/adventure style photo along with portrait. But your travel images are the best I've seen on KZbin (or anywhere else for that matter) particularly with Olympus gear! So getting an idea of what you look for would be great. But in any case, I look forward to seeing more of your videos whatever the subject matter is 😊

[@etchd_]

@@jeremyn8939 No worries at all! thank you for watching! Sounds like you enjoy the same as me then ha! You are too kind! thankyou. There are plenty of other Olympus users out there , just need more that can reach the wider community :) I have so many videos in the works, just need time to get them done ha.

[@Centauri27]

I thought I knew most of the Micro Four Thirds channels out there, but I just stumbled across your account Matt! Your video was interesting, detailed, and well organized enough that I watched the entire 41 minutes! 😁 About the only suggestion I can make is it would be helpful to show a detailed side-by-side comparing this against the 7-14, 12-40, and 12-45. I've read enough to learn that this lens is a touch bigger and heavier than the 12-40.

[@etchd_]

Hi Carl, thank you so much for the kind words! I am only a new channel really, although have been shooting with OMD's for a while now. I did plan on having those side by side comparisons in there but ran out of time. I was super under the pump to get this out for release day ha. It really isn't much bigger than the 12-40mm!

[@majamogens]

Thanks for a good review - you have convinced me that this is my 'future' lens - especially the day I can combine it with a 25-100mm f: 4.0 IS (can you put a good word in for it at OMDS ?). For me to see, it must be a perfect walk-around/hike set - possibly supplemented with the 100-400mm. I am a happy amateur who is in the process of selling my house and when that happens, there will be money for an upgrade of my current em1 (first edition) along with 8-25 - I have a 7-14 f: 4.0 from before the micro-period - it's big and heavy, but I do not use it enough to switch to the new. When I "go for a walk" today, I probably only have my 12-40mm with me, possibly. supplemented with 75-300mm - or rather the 75mm. And yes, I know it - I suffer from/with GAS.

[@etchd_]

Hi Mogens, so sorry for the late reply. I'm glad you liked the review and are keen on the lens. I got to give it another big run here a few weeks back on a luxury home shoot. Both stills and video it was perfect. Ha, I wish i could click my fingers and get people gear! Best start saving or wait until there are sales. That lens is also an amazing option. It's my go-to for all travel related work. The little 12-40mm is still an amazing workhorse. And I often leave it on my Pocket 4k when mounted on the gimbal!

[@evenaicantfigurethisout]

Is the aperture ring declicked ? ( Asking for video)

[@etchd_]

Hi mate, sure is and it's manual clutch system. Feels beautiful. Shot a commercial shoot on weekend with it!

[@evenaicantfigurethisout]

@@etchd_ can you re-check please? I don't see an aperture ring mentioned anywhere in the specs. In fact I think none of the Pro lenses have an aperture ring, only a focus ring? Also, have you tested it for parfocal-ness?

[@etchd_]

@@evenaicantfigurethisout mate, my apologies. Baby brain here haha it's not declicked. Aperture controlled by camera and internally.

Gracias, las imágenes de referencia son geniales.

[@etchd_]

Thanks so much!

[@mcronfpv8736]

This would be a perfect lens for video gimbal work for sports events where you don't have time to change lenses or bodies but still need the 25mm for proper close ups on face, and the 8mm for lovely superwide gimbal moving shots. And need filters. Its on the expensive side though...

[@mcronfpv8736]

Thing is i scratched my pana 7-14 , not visible but cant resell it to help buy this 8-25... Hope the price goes down soon

[@etchd_]

@@mcronfpv8736 Hi mate! Sorry for the late reply , I was off canyoning with this lens! I agree, such a good lens on the gimbal, and so good to have a portrait length too. Sucks you scratched your other lens, hmmm might need to save some more 😂. Olympus often have good cash back offers top?

[@JapanLovers]

I would rather this than the lumix 10-25 - that thing is great but a tank especially on an EM5 😅

[@etchd_]

Hi guys! haha I haven't ever used that lens! I think this is a great little lens for all the Olympus line, particularly those who just want a do it all, small pro-quality lens! :) Do you shoot the EM5?

[@JapanLovers]

@@etchd_ Yeh great for travel especially. We see so many travel videos and photos with the background "bokehed" out and it's really frustrating. We had the EM5 but kind of regret selling it. The best colours and stabilisation in any camera

[@etchd_]

@@JapanLovers haha it's frustrating right! Defocus should be used to enhance a scene rather than be the main focus. It takes much more skill to tell a story using multiple elements than just blurring out everything! You might have to buy one again 😂

[@Centauri27]

@@JapanLovers I agree--the "bokeh" look is all the rage. That's the argument FF'ers use against m4/3. But the vast majority of my photos don't require crazy shallow DoF. And when I do, I have lenses and techniques to render really nice bokeh. And there are lots of fast, affordable manual primes available for m4/3 (one of my favourite is the Mitakon 25mm f/0.95).

[@keithmoorechannel]

I especially liked the disclaimers. You don’t often hear those.

[@etchd_]

Hi Keith! Thanks for watching! I like to be totally transparent with my viewers so they know about any preconceptions I might have about equipment! I will never release something where I was pushed into glorifying the product. Hope you enjoyed it!

[@samuelmedland1]

OLYMPUS PEN E-P7 looks good too

[@etchd_]

Ahh a great camera, and to be honest, every M4/3 camera that Olympus makes will make the perfect pairing. My suggestions were based along the lines of where the price entry point is for this particular lens. I'd be happy to use it even on the EM10! Which camera do you use?

[@samuelmedland1]

@@etchd_ I own the EM5. use the 7-14mm f2.8 pro, my underwater lenes ~ Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 Lens

[@samuelmedland1]

@@etchd_ your underwater photos are Beautiful ..looks like Bondi Beach :)

[@etchd_]

@@samuelmedland1 Thanks Samuel! It was actually Shelly Beach in Manly! have you swum there before?

[@etchd_]

@@samuelmedland1 Oh sorry missed this one! Great set up! i teach with the em5!

[@daryljohnson9010]

This lens, an OM-5 with a grip, an extra battery and the streets? Yes please.

[@artl52]

did I miss it or can the 8-25 ne used with the 1.4 and 2x teleconverters? Not sure one would but just curious

[@etchd_]

Hi Arthur, sorry for the late reply. You probably already have the answer now, but no, it can't be used with any of the teleconverters. Which is a shame, I wish all lenses could. Imagine the possibilities :)

[@laragwaysailoilo2898]

Which Olympus is for heavy rain photography?

[@etchd_]

Hi mate! You can't go past the EM1x for ultimate weather resistance or the EM1MKIII and 2 versions! Make sure you use pro lenses though!

[@Seanonyoutube]

The perfect hiking lens!

[@etchd_]

It really is! I literally just returned from an over night canyoning trip and gave it a real workout. Got some brilliant hand held long expo shots

[@Seanonyoutube]

@@etchd_ nice! Might get one to take on my hikes out here on Kauai. Would love to see a vid where you share the canyoning pics!

[@GnarlsGnarlington]

I'll buy it off you!

[@peternavanac9310]

Nice review, but you could have given the content in 1/4 the time? Script? Just took WAY to long to get to useable info.

[@etchd_]

Thanks Peter for the feedback. I agree, the review is quite long, which is exactly why I put the place markers in so you can skip right to the points you are after! Cheers for stopping by mate.

[@25palex]

REALLY COOL REVIEW, PITY THAT YOUR CHANEL IS NOT POPULAR

[@etchd_]

Hi Alex, thanks so much! Haha I am definitely new to the YT game, but not the photography game, so I guess like every new platform. It takes time and patience to build a good following. Lucky that the videos are still well received and do well on this platform so many people still get to see it. Thanks for your support!

[@25palex]

@@etchd_ you welcome . I am using olympus gear from E500 and now i have EM5III and love it

[@quiver99]

Such a horrible jello effect. I have an EM1 II which I was planning to use for video, but probably will sell it after watching your clip. But love the 8-25mm

[@etchd_]

Thanks for the message mate! Yep it's not the best when used in that situation, but then again, it's not designed to work as a gimbal, so if you're using it for that, then you've done the wrong thing. Ideal for holding stationary or when in a car etc. Also I hadn't changed the ibis settings for this which you would do when filming!

[@quiver99]

@@etchd_ thank you for your feedback. Appreciate it.

[@Teguvas]

Maybe cityscape/street?

[@etchd_]

Hi Pete! You'd like to see me shoot this? or what it might be useful for?

[@Teguvas]

@@etchd_ Something that its really useful for

[@etchd_]

@@Teguvas oh yep, I can see that for city it would be great! And in good light, street as well. I still tend to reach for my primes when doing travel Street as I often like to shoot in the shadows. Still, for day to day stuff 👌

[@joyacutey4563]

Y yuh yuh you

[@etchd_]

🙏🙏

[@MDMiller60]

$1,235.25 U.S.

[@etchd_]

Thanks mate! I'll note it down! 🙏

[@flipflinstone6494]

A "PRO" lens with F4? With NO 0 coating, with NO stabilisation, for 1000 euro EXCL 89 euro for a sunhood? I dont think so!! If this is the strategy from the new owners my Olympus days are over. BTW The news of this new lens i got from Olympus. In the header " you want to see the new camera and the new lens? click here" But whatever you do, no new camera to be found.

[@etchd_]

Hi Flip, Thanks for the comment. I can see why you might be hesitant, and on paper, it can appear to be strange. There are quite a few 'pro' level lenses around across all manufacturers that are F4. It means you can pack so much more inside than a 2.8, which let's be honest, not everyone needs. There are many pro landscape photographers that have never even used f2.8, but does that make them less 'pro'? I guess it is all subjective? Yes, they snuck the new camera in under the radar. To be honest, I wasn't even aware of its release. It is the new PEN-EP7, likely not a line that you might be after?

[@mikejankowski6321]

This is an exact word for word copy of your comment on the Adorama/Gavin Hoey review. You are acting like a troll with a grudge against Olympus/M43. Don't like it, go away.

[@donmeyers3090]

@@mikejankowski6321 Maybe we can report him to Biden's new "Disinformation Czar."

[@hachaboob]

Which bush walks do you recommend around Sydney?

[@etchd_]

Hi Michael, there are so many different types, but many beautiful ones up around Hornsby area, Kuringai NP, Lane Cove NP, Royal NP. check out We Are Explorers for some great ideas!

[@hachaboob]

@@etchd_ I'll check out that website! Thanks.