New Olympus 8-25mm - any takers?

[Humu797 20]

Put in my order as the announcement rolled out. I was seeking a versatile lens that also featured a more normal perspective plus reasonable close focusing capabilities. This replaces my Olympus 9-18, which performed well for me. Anyone else happy to see this lens in their kit?

[nudibranco 26]

Interesting lens as it protracts out in 8mm focal length rather than 25mm.

It depends if it fits in a compact port with good quality.

Andrea

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[ChrisRoss 150]

The lens looks interesting, it's a retracting zoom design that extends out in use and it changes length when zooming but not as much as the 12-40 does.  It is longest at 8mm and shortest at 18mm, lengths are 116mm at 8mm, 107mm at 19mm and 110mm at 25mm.   Magnification is reasonable at 0.21x but not as good as the 12-40 lens, it does focus very close There is a quite detailed review with test shots here: 

https://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/olympus/8-25mm-f4-pro-m.zuiko-digital-ed/review/

The lens is about the same length as the 12-40 and extends 28mm at 8mm so with the extending design I would expect it would need about 30mm extension over the 12-40 lens, but that would need to be cpnfirmed.  With a wide focal length of 8mm I expect you would want it in a 170/180mm port for decent corner performance.   It is 77mm OD so I expect it would need to fitted from the front of the housing, it won't fit through an N85 port opening on Nauticam. 

[Humu797 20]

Chris - I suspect you’re right in regards to the lens dimensions, and likely need reasonably large dome.  I look forward to making it work. 

[Humu797 20]

5 hours ago, nudibranco said:

Interesting lens as it protracts out in 8mm focal length rather than 25mm.

It depends if it fits in a compact port with good quality.

Andrea

Inviato dal mio SM-G991B utilizzando Tapatalk
 

Andrea - I’ve used the Olympus 9-18mm underwater. Similar features with collapsible storage and that lens, too, extends outward at 9mm and shortens at 18mm. 

— Craig

[nudibranco 26]

I have not been too happy with the 9-18 because the range and focus is very limiting

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[Architeuthis 133]

I am reading here with interest. My wife and me have the Pana 7-14mm and the Zuiko 9-18mm and use it occasionally with the Zen DP-170 (N120 version). In case we would not already have the two WA lenses above, I think the 8-25mm is the lens to go as it provides the widest range, going up to 25mm (the lens may be great for e.g. shy hammerheads; I seldom use the 7-14 mm, as the corner performance at 7mm with the 170 dome is not overwhelming). I wait for the reports (Humu will test ) and will decide then (but I am not sure since we already have two WA lenses and do not use them too often; It may well be that the 8-25mm could replace the two WAs plus the 12-40: less tele (compared to 12-40), but practically all the usable rectilinear WA)...

 

Wolfgang

Edited June 11, 2021 by Architeuthis

[Humu797 20]

1 hour ago, nudibranco said:

I have not been too happy with the 9-18 because the range and focus is very limiting

Inviato dal mio SM-G991B utilizzando Tapatalk
 

Yes, not the 9-18mm is not the best lens, but it does fit into a small port.

[Humu797 20]

29 minutes ago, Architeuthis said:

I am reading here with interest. My wife and me have the Pana 7-14mm and the Zuiko 9-18mm and use it occasionally with the Zen DP-170 (N120 version). In case we would not already have the two WA lenses above, I think the 8-25mm is the lens to go as it provides the widest range, going up to 25mm (the lens may be great for e.g. shy hammerheads; I seldom use the 7-14 mm, as the corner performance at 7mm with the 170 dome is not overwhelming). I wait for the reports (Humu will test ) and will decide then (but I am not sure since we already have two WA lenses and do not use them too often; It may well be that the 8-25mm could replace the two WAs plus the 12-40: less tele (compared to 12-40), but practically all the usable rectilinear WA)...

 

Wolfgang

I have used the 9-18 quite a lot, and I don't love its performance. I had the Pana 7-14, but didn't love that either. I'm intrigued by the 50mm focal length, hoping it may be a good fish portrait/smallish critter lens.

[ChrisRoss 150]

44 minutes ago, Humu797 said:

I have used the 9-18 quite a lot, and I don't love its performance. I had the Pana 7-14, but didn't love that either. I'm intrigued by the 50mm focal length, hoping it may be a good fish portrait/smallish critter lens.

I think the 12-40 is in fact better at that - I use it quite a bit in temperate waters around home, it gets higher magnification than the 8-25 and fills the frame with a 52mm critter which would be 45mm from the front element.  The 8-25 focuses 102mm from the front element but it is deeper inside the dome and fills the frame with a 86mm critter.  What I'd really like would be a 10-40mm with the same min focus and magnification as the 12-40.

[nudibranco 26]

the 4" Nauticam semi dome port used for the 9-18 and 12-50  had a nice flip over attachment option for a CMC lens or similar magnifying lens.  It would not work with the 9-18mm because of the vignetting but it was very nice with the 12-50 and quite compact.  The same port worked very well with the 60mm macro lens.

With something similar over the 180mm (or smaller  semi dome) port you could (maybe) achieve a nice combo underwater from WA to smaller critters...  Not as compact of course but better quality.  However not sure if this would be any better than the 14-42mm and WWL1.

Edited June 11, 2021 by nudibranco

[ChrisRoss 150]

the 12-40 already focuses down to about 30mm from the dome and the new 8-25 will be around 50-60mm , so even if you could get a flip adapter you can only focus a tiny bit closer and the dome will get in the way of getting in that close.

[Humu797 20]

8 hours ago, ChrisRoss said:

What I'd really like would be a 10-40mm with the same min focus and magnification as the 12-40.

A 10-40mm would be an amazing thing! I missed having a lens wide enough for larger animals and the occasional seascape, with the ability to shoot tighter as needed. 

[Humu797 20]

7 hours ago, nudibranco said:

the 4" Nauticam semi dome port used for the 9-18 and 12-50  had a nice flip over attachment option for a CMC lens or similar magnifying lens.  It would not work with the 9-18mm because of the vignetting but it was very nice with the 12-50 and quite compact.  The same port worked very well with the 60mm macro lens.

With something similar over the 180mm (or smaller  semi dome) port you could (maybe) achieve a nice combo underwater from WA to smaller critters...  Not as compact of course but better quality.  However not sure if this would be any better than the 14-42mm and WWL1.

I didn’t have any success with the 12-50 in the 4 inch port! The ability to focus closely underwater was poor at 12mm, in my experience, negating the benefit of a semi-dome to reacquire that wider perspective.

I have the flip diopter holder and used that with the 9-18mm and CMC-1 …. But only a portion of the image is useable … making a small sensor smaller. I would digitally 2X for framing at 18mm … 72mm 35mm equivalent. 

And, I found the WWL-1 a unwieldy beast. Not easy to maneuver but optically fine.

Ultimately, I seek that lightweight, streamlined kit that is only found in Wetpixel Heaven. 

[Wapiti 25]

Really tried talking myself into this lens because of the extended range over my PL8-18 and the fact that I generally like Olympus Pro rendering over Panasonic.  Width wise, it would still fit in the 170mm dome I use on an Oly OMD housing,  but with the extended length over the 8-18 and the 12-40 I'd have to add another extension ring.  Right now, I can switch back and forth from the 12-40 and 8-18 without changing anything on the housing; really don't want to give that up.  Still, I'm looking forward to seeing what Humu and other early adopters can do with what will surely be an excellent lens.

[Wapiti 25]

Looks like a reviewer took it underwater.  You can jump to the 21:36 mark:

 

[Architeuthis 133]

Did someone already test the Zuiko 8-25mm f4.0 pro UW (or has other relevant information about UW use)? I am asking, since I consider to buy one for UW use for my wife as a birthday present (The zoom range/optical performance seems to be superior over the Zuiko 9-18mm that she already has and f4.0 is plenty for UW use)...

I could not find recommendations for extensions on the Nauticam homepage nor on the Zen homepage (we have the Zen DP170-N120). Nor was I able to find a zoomgear for Nauticam  housings (NA-EM5II and NA-EM1II). I emailed Nauticam (US) and also Zen, but did not get response. Today I also emailed deepshot about the zoomgear, lets see whether they have something to say...

Other lenses that appeared later on the market (e.g. Canon RF 100mm macro or Nikon Z 105 macro) already show up in the port charts of Nauticam and also focusgears are available. The Zuiko 8-25mm looks to me appealing, but in case it is not supported or does nor perform UW,  an achievement would not make sense for us...

 

Wolfgang

P.S.: I have a short update to this issue in post. I just got an Email from Ryan Canon (Nauticam US), saying " Thanks for reaching out! The Zuiko 8-25mm lens is not yet shipping, and we have not evaluated it for compatibility in our port system yet.". This is strange, since the lens is readily available here in EU. Seems the availability in US is delayed....

Edited August 23, 2021 by Architeuthis

[Humu797 20]

4 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

Did someone already test the Zuiko 8-25mm f4.0 pro UW (or has other relevant information about UW use)? I am asking, since I consider to buy one for UW use for my wife as a birthday present (The zoom range/optical performance seems to be superior over the Zuiko 9-18mm that she already has and f4.0 is plenty for UW use)...

I could not find recommendations for extensions on the Nauticam homepage nor on the Zen homepage (we have the Zen DP170-N120). Nor was I able to find a zoomgear for Nauticam  housings (NA-EM5II and NA-EM1II). I emailed Nauticam (US) and also Zen, but did not get response. Today I also emailed deepshot about the zoomgear, lets see whether they have something to say...

Other lenses that appeared later on the market (e.g. Canon RF 100mm macro or Nikon Z 105 macro) already show up in the port charts of Nauticam and also focusgears are available. The Zuiko 8-25mm looks to me appealing, but in case it is not supported or does nor perform UW,  an achievement would not make sense for us...

 

Wolfgang

P.S.: I have a short update to this issue in post. I just got an Email from Ryan Canon (Nauticam US), saying " Thanks for reaching out! The Zuiko 8-25mm lens is not yet shipping, and we have not evaluated it for compatibility in our port system yet.". This is strange, since the lens is readily available here in EU. Seems the availability in US is delayed....

I am still waiting for Nauticam and Zen to come out with recommendations and gears for this lens, too. My lens has been sitting unused in a bag. Very versatile and close focusing. I was hoping that it would fit in the 4” port so that a flip diopter could be used for the 50mm equivalent. But it is too big - without any gears. 

[hyp 103]

8mm rectilinear in a 4" port would have probably been very dodge in terms of corner performance anyway. I'd expect it work in similar ports/extensions as the 8-18 from panasonic, but I'm not sure about the extending bit of the lens. 

[Humu797 20]

18 hours ago, hyp said:

8mm rectilinear in a 4" port would have probably been very dodge in terms of corner performance anyway. I'd expect it work in similar ports/extensions as the 8-18 from panasonic, but I'm not sure about the extending bit of the lens. 

I suspect you’re right about corner performance. The 9-18 isn’t very good in that port either but i was seeking a compact solution. The solution will likely be a large dome port 170mm or larger. 

[hyp 103]

I think the way forward on compact wide angle is adapting one of the fisheye zooms to MFT. Long term I'm planning to go that way, but it's also an expensive solution and I'm contemplating to switch housing brands because Nauticams tiny N85 port drives me nuts...

[Humu797 20]

5 hours ago, hyp said:

I think the way forward on compact wide angle is adapting one of the fisheye zooms to MFT. Long term I'm planning to go that way, but it's also an expensive solution and I'm contemplating to switch housing brands because Nauticams tiny N85 port drives me nuts...

Agreed, that N85 is tiny. 

[Whiskeyjack 1]

I don't suppose you've heard anything further about this or had the chance to try it out?  I still don't see the lense on nauticam's port charts, though the lens is now defnitely available in US.

[Humu797 20]

2 hours ago, Whiskeyjack said:

I don't suppose you've heard anything further about this or had the chance to try it out?  I still don't see the lense on nauticam's port charts, though the lens is now defnitely available in US.

I never used the lens underwater. Seemed such a versatile range and it’s close-focusing. I dumped my m43 gear and went back to full frame. 

[troporobo 237]

14 hours ago, Whiskeyjack said:

I don't suppose you've heard anything further about this or had the chance to try it out?  

Robin Wong gave it a glowing review:

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yiPkdkZs3MI