01Apr Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 vs Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 flicker test
First, sorry for my lack of enthusiasm in this video, I filmed this right after a 12 hour shoot that sucked the life out of me. Still after all of the debate I really wanted to find out more about the aperture flicker many of you were reporting. I’ve watched the test clips a number of times and at f2.8 the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 does flicker quite noticeably as you zoom in and out. The Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 seems to suffer from this as well though far less noticeably. Also the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 i’m testing seems to flicker at higher F-stops while the flicker on the Olympus completely goes away at f3.2 and above. Paul made a good point in the comment section
The aperture is not mechanically linked to the zoom in this case, the aperture jumps positions electronically as the focal length changes.
After using much bigger lenses, I hadn’t really thought about how the aperture is actually controlled in some of these M4/3 lenses. To make the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 as small as it is, it makes sense that they would have to use an electronically controlled aperture.
Holding both of these lenses in my hands the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 feels a lot more substantial. The focus ring and zoom ring on the Olympus are metal and the rubber on the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 zoom ring makes it feel sort of like a kit lens. The Panasonic i’m borrowing has been in action for awhile (note the marks near the HD logo) so maybe it’s just been worn in, but in my personal opinion the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 feels like a nicer piece of kit.
The other major thing on my list to test is the image stabilization system. Hopefully I’ll have some time to play around with that today or tomorrow and see if that’s where the Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 really shines. I have until Friday to squeeze in a full review, if I don’t get it done you might end up with a few short bits like the one above. If there is anything you guys want me to test, just let me know.
April 1st, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for posting this DeeJay. You seemed to have a lot of life still in you BTW.
From the YT video it seemed the Oly flicker was a lot less noticeable. You also cut away before you got 100% zoomed out, and you stated it was most noticeable when you got 3/4 zoomed all the way out. Was there a reason for this? Did I miss the flicker (I watched it twice).
I also wanted to ask if the FW version on he Oly plays any kind of a roll here?
And if the flickering aperture goes away at a deeper stop than 2.8?
Many thanks.
April 1st, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I’ll post the whole clip on the second channel for you Cfreak. The Olympus has no noticeable flicker at f3.2 and above the Panasonic still does.
April 2nd, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Thanks!
April 1st, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Would be interesting if you could test whether the lenses are parfocal? Thanks!
April 1st, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Just tested that. Looks like as long as you set the focal point fully zoomed in they maintain focus zooming in and out with only a very minor amount of drift, this seems to be true on both lenses.
April 2nd, 2014 at 7:58 am
Thanks for this Deejay! Informative. Look forward to your next installment on these lenses and the GH4.
I was wondering if anyone knows, if you were to purchase the Olympus, will it be possible to update the lens’ firmware without an Olympus body?
Take care.
April 3rd, 2014 at 9:37 pm
I have been loving my 12-35mm for a while now. I use this lens more than any other because of the OIS. I do a lot of handheld and this allows me to shoot with out a rig.
April 4th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for the test. Looking forward to your other reviews. Also stoked that you are trying out m43.