Our first copy died as well. Feels comforting to know that others have this problem too. I ordered one more from MPB, and I bought maximum warranty (I think 3 years) for a little extra pound. Just in case. I tried to replace the snapped ribbon, but I couldn't find a place on the internet where I could buy the exact same one.

The ribbon problem is more common than you think. The first 9-18mm lens I bought from MPB came dead on arrival, though I was able to exchange it for a working version. A pretty high proportion of users have reported the problem.

Hmm I expected you to be vlogging from Osaka…maybe on an S9! I’m hoping Pan has sent you and you can prompt them to do a similar small mft. Great video as always! Loved that photo in the slot canyon!

Super photos! Thanks for putting this on my radar.

I have both the 9-18 and the 8-25. The 9-18 is more fun, especially for stills taken with a smaller camera body (the Pens up to the OM-5 or Panasonic GX9). But the 8-25 is incredibly versatile, especially for serious video productions. Here, having a 50mm equiv reach comes in very handy. But is too heavy for handheld vlogging. In that case I'd use the 9-18 or the exquisite Pana/Leica 9mm prime.

Great video, with some drama at the beginning with the falling lens but you convinced me, I'm gonna buy it 😁

I had the 9-18mm for years. I never had any issues with it. It's not perfect, but it is so versatile and useful in so many circumstances while being so small and lightweight. I was happy with it.

As always, this was a wonderful video, Emily! I love the little Oly 9-18. And the locking lever isn't an issue for me because I regularly use the manual 14-42 kit zoom, which has the same "feature." 9-18, 14-42, and 40-150: Oly kit zooms all, and all are really light weight, sharp, and yield beautiful images. As for the OM rebranded version, I suspect the only thing that has gone up is not the quality, but just the price. For those of us who do not need or cannot afford the top-of-the-line OM 1 models, OM has been rather a disappointment. There's the OM 5 that didn't inherit the newer, cleaner OM 1 menus. And as for the OM 10, oh that's right, there is no OM 10.

And going back and editing old files is definitely a wonderful process. For me, I know so much more about post processing than I did not that long ago, and with today's software, you can end up having an amazing shot that you didn't know you had. I'm soooo glad I switched to shooting in raw mode long ago!

Good video as always. Just wanted to mention that the lever is only needed to retract the lens, it can be opened just by turning the zoom ring. I tended to open/extend my copy when I would take the camera out of the bag and leave it open/extended all day or until I put it away again.

Now you’ve gone and done it! Loving your reviews by the way👍👍 Was convinced to get this lens for my Pen f, you convinced me to get that to, along with a few other reviews so it’s not all your fault and I love this camera❤️. But I’ve just watched your review of the LUMIX 9mm f1.7. Looking at these two for some nice landscapes maybe Aargh. Which one to chose now

I believe this is the second video you have done on this lens, and it just may motivate me to get out my copy of the lens and actually use it. I bought it several years ago and must confess that it has barely been used. I really must do something about that! So thanks for another motivating review.

I had never considered that lens, but after watching your video I think I'll have to pick one up. It will flesh out my tiny micro 4/3 lens set nicely. You've taken some great pictures with that lens!!!

I really love my 9-18mm. Bought it for a really good price. The other Ultra Wide lenses were way more expensive and I am very pleased with the results. And I really dont mind the plasticy build. In fact it feels robust. I really whish it would have Weather Sealing. Its a really big drawback for example for photographing waterfalls. I use it mostly for travelling. Its pretty much glued on my tiny Lumix gx80, as its really versatile in focal length and the tiny size. For the price, the size and the very good results its a nice piece of gear in my bag.

Oh wow, I’m the first! 😂 Thanks Emily, I have been away from Olympus since 2011 when I used the E-P2 for street. I just picked up the EM-5 mark i (thanks to you!) just to play around with. I have nothing but Panasonic lenses so needed a good suggestion. I don’t mind the quirks and I’m cheap! I’m mainly a 28 mil shooter, FF but wanted to have a good all-arounder. Appreciate this! 😊

The 9-18 has got to be one of the most under-appreciated lenses in the system. It's a gem. The build quality is much better than it looks in the pictures, and you can't beat the size/weight while still getting superb results. I bought the 8-25 pro last year, and will use that when I absolutely need either the extra reach or the weather sealing. But I still find myself using the 9-18 much more often. An OM-5 with the 9-18 and the Pana 35-100 f4-5.6 is going to be my kit this summer for an extended backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where low carry-weight is top priority. This after I lugged around the OM-1 and 8-25 last year. It's just super frustrating though that they didn't upgrade the new version with weather sealing. Had they done that, I would have bought it twice as well.

You are right on with your recommendation of this lens. I've used the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO and love the speed, the ultra-wide angle views, and the excellent PRO image quality, but I was always nervous about the exposed front element and it was very inconvenient to not be able to use conventional filters. I recently bought the 8-25mm f4 PRO on sale and find it's a really versatile focal range with no front element worries, and has the ability to use the same 72mm filters which fit some of my other lenses. However, it's not an inexpensive lens. Using an ultra-wide lens, especially one with as good an IQ as this 9-19mm OM System/Olympus, can be so much fun and help you create such interesting images that narrower lenses can't do,. You can find some really good deals on the Mark I version and I think you owe it to yourself to give one a try, if you haven't.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts. I like the focal range, however for me, I'd ruled out this lens for the specific reason of the locking/unlocking button which is also on the kit lens. I bought the 14-42 EZ pancake lens just to get away from that button issue and on my PEN F it looks and works great. The only issue I've had with the EZ lens is the hood I purchased doesn't allow the lens cap to be on at the same time, so it's either the hood or the cap. This probably just as much a hassle as the button on the kit lens, so I'm in a bit of a quandary for my next step.

For my walk around photo trips in town or in the woods, I use the OM-1 with the 12-40/2.8 most of the time, and bring the Pan-Leica 100-400mm for wildlife photos. So since I already have a lens with zoom range down to 12mm, I decided to buy the 9mm f/1.7 two weeks ago to get some background bokeh for closeup wide-angle photos. I only need to bring those three lenses when I go for a walk.

entertaining video with wide appeal :) I wonder if time will show if the OM version has a better ribbon-cable design?

My no.1 travel lens. Used with an epl10. For low light or more compact use a Panasonic 1.7 pancake. With this combination it fits in a jacket pocket. Great walk around system. Because of lenses like these is why you hardly see DSLR cameras any more when on vacation. They appear ridiculously large in comparison

Thanks for the review Emily. I'm currently saving up for this lens. Even though it's quite cheap compared to other lenses, unfortunately real life has to come before photography (boo!) - But when it's here my basic/cheapskate setup will be complete! An E-PL10 (my eyes don't react well to EVFs), the 9-18mm, the 25mm f/1.8 and the 40-150mm kit lens. Like I said, very cheap and cheerful but it's amazing what you can get for not a lot of money these days 🤯 (if you don't mind plastic lol)

Hi. Great video. Still waiting for panaleica 9mm f1.7 review for astro, milky way timelapses, e.t.c. I already have zuiko 12mm f2, but not sure if I need to switch it to 9mm. Thanks

Welcome to Utah! Some days you can go skiing at Snowbird in the morning and enjoy a round of golf in the afternoon in Salt Lake. It’s only a 20-30 minute drive between.

I also have two of these but only use one if weight and size is really important. I prefer to carry my Olympus 12-45mm f/4 and Pana/Leica 9mm. Obviously a lot more money but I’ve got 50mm and 90mm equivalent to work with for all the situations where I don’t need super wide angle. For street photography though it’s a very handy lens.

I've had this great lens for 4 years and really enjoyed it. I was also using the 14-42 EZ pancake lens, but finally much less because it' s not wide enough and I don't like the electric zoom. Then I bought a second camera with the lumix 12-32 kit lens and I realised that 12 mm was wide enough for my practice. It's also smaller and the unlocking is easier. I sold the 9-18 for a very good price and have no regret.

This really is a lovely lens. I would like the new version to be weather sealed. I often end up choosing to bring the Leica 9mm (also lovely), exclusively because of the seal. On long trips I tend to take the Leica 9mm, the Oly 12-100, the Leica 100-400mm, the Oly 20mm f1.4 and the Macro 60mm. For fast and small: 9-18+12-50+75-300

This was my first real mft wide-angle lens and I used it happily for several years. I never struggled with the extending tube, that's an easy 2-fingers game. When the Laowa 10mm came out, I switched, since that isn't as bulky (yes!), optically better and offers some background blur possibilities because of f/2. Additionally I have other super-wide lenses which I hardly use because the small one is always there. In this sense I can really recommend the 9-18 for anyone being on a budget. Pair it with the 25mm and 45 primes and you have a really great kit!

I was concidering the 8-25 f4 pro , but th size and weight are holding me back . I also have the 12-40 and 12-100 , and if you take these all togheter in your bag it is quite heavy . The other downside is that my main camera is the Pen F and lighter lenses are more pleasing on this camera . So you helped me here to make my choise . Thank you Emily on this wonderfull video , again !

I purchased the 9-18 early on when I was using the original OMD EM5, sometime in 2013 or early 2014. It is a great lens and we still have it. It is currently part of my wife's kit. I personally wanted to go wider and experimented with using 7.5mm fisheyes before eventually settling on the Panasonic 7-14.

Bought the 9-18mm then sold it 3 months later! Nothing wrong with the lens we just didn't get along. It is very sharp and awesomely versatile, but wasn't going to achieve what I needed. I replaced it with the Oly 12mm f2 and for me that's a keeper!

Thanks for rekindling my interest in this lens, Emily! I used it extensively in my early m4/3 days, but it's languished as I got seduced by the PRO lenses. It really is sharp and compact, and perfectly sized for Micro Four Thirds. (And about your sponsor, it appears that MPB doesn't want to do business with Canadians for whatever reason. 😐)

Darn! You made me wanna buy this again... after your last video I ordered it... twice from a local camera store (Ted's in Oz) for AUD300, but it was out of stock both times! Then I read about the ribbon cable problem (including in the comments below this video) and gave up. Went looking for Lumix 7-14mm instead.... but missed one eBay auction for AUD350 and that was it, hardly anything at $600 or below... still looking, passed on a few sub $300 9-18 though, so maybe I should start considering them again and roll the dice 😜

My best/worst lens is probably the Lumix 12-32. Pancake ✅Weirdly sharp. ✅ good range ✅ somehow has OIS ✅ but no manual focus ❌ have to extend/open it to use it ❌ and plastic lens mount (why?!) ❌. Great video as usual!

Emily thank you for your vids they are fantastic, I have a question I have recently sold my 2 older Olympus cameras and ordered a new Panasonic G9 Mk2, I have only 1 Olympus lens left I want to keep which is the 75-300 mk2 will this be ok with the new Panasonic G9 2. Regards Alan W.

I've had great experiences with olympus plastic lenses. It literally sounds creaky if I zoom with video, but the 40-150 is amazing and I greatly enjoy the tiny size and weight of the 30mm macro. Those two have made up my hiking kit, as I don't often find myself wanting a wide lens while hiking and camping. Just the places I'm going, at least. Regardless, the quality of both of those lenses feels "sturdy enough" and the optical quality is amazing. The zoom in particular has unreal micro contrast and captures the most subtle details in light. The macro is good for macro, but also a good length for general photography and has a bit of character. Trends toward darker darks and makes that contrasty woods photos really vibrant.

How well does it handle night skies at 9mm? I picked up a used copy a couple months back and it hasn’t seen much use but I’m kicking myself for not grabbing it on my way out the door to shoot the northern lights last weekend.

Would you say it's sharper than the 12-32 kit? It sure looks like it. I'm on the fence if I should get a wide prime next, or something like this. Don't usually have much use for such a wide angle, but sometimes when traveling vistas present themselves ...

Something about this lens always makes me think of R2D2 whenever I see it

I owned one of these and loved it. I agree with you in that I hardly ever took it off the camera. I transitioned through a Panasonic 7-14 which I never grew to like that much (flare), then moved on to the Pana Leica 8-18 which is optically superb. It’s like a bigger better sharper version of the 9-18 but a bit wider too. Sadly bigger and heavier though. It also passes the ‘real life’ test of hardly ever coming off the camera. I’d buy the 9-18 again if I was looking for a super light travel setup. It’s perfect with the smallest of Olympus bodies.

I've moved away from m43, but using the tamron 20-40 2.8 on FF makes me wish I had picked up this lil R2-D2 long ago. It really covers a great useful range for my style.

I have the 14-42. Not a fan of the lock! And it seems to turn a different way to my Nikon and Lumix lenses if I remember correctly. I do like the blue ring, though... I bought a wrist strap to match!

Thank you for this new video ! The subject talk to me : next mounth i will cross France from Bordeaux to Marseille on my byke. For this trip i'm looking for 1 camera and 1 lense. The 9-18 mm lense is great but for this trip i would be too limited (only wide angles...). I want something more versatil maybe the pana 14-140 mm. For the camera it will be the pana gx9 (compact and stabilized) or a recent acquisition the samsung nx500 (with a 16-50 mm), it's not m4/3 but the pictures are realy great. I still have 3 weeks to make a choice...

The non-pro Oly lenses render nice images. I sometimes like them better than those coming out of the pro lineup. The latter, in conjunction with the default camera image processing algorithms, tend to over-sharpen all contrasting pixels (I know, I know, this can be addressed and mitigated either by adjusting relevant settings in-camera or in post-processing, but still...) making any image look as if it started as a pencil drawing and the colors were applied on top.

Hi, may I ask, when you say rectilinear at 9mm, are you referring to the jpeg, or the raw file? Thanks.

I love this lens. I've had it for many many years and it is part of my 3-lens kit.

I bought my 9-18mm sometime around 2015/16. I would not be without it. My hiking/travel kit is the Olympus 14-150mm and the 9-18mm. For hiking I take my E-M1 ii and for travel, my E-M10 iii. Over the years I have upgraded every M43 lens I own to a better version with the exception of the 9-18mm. M.O.O.N. That spells great lens! 😉

I find it's not just the passage of time evolving one's perspective, the software capabilities also evolve over time. If the RAWs are "only" a few years old then the tools will have less impact on novel interpretations than photographers' changing skills, but files older than a decade or so can often be processed in ways previously difficult or impossible. Strangely enough, I spent most of yesterday playing with files from an old folder on a forgotten drive, and here you are "today" suggesting just that! Maybe Jung was right...

I think the ribbon cable problem is actually quite common. I bought a 2nd hand one that had that problem within a few days - thankfully the company I bought it from had a 10 day warranty for 2nd hand items so I returned it and got another on that worked without issue.

This was the 2nd m43 lens I ever bought, back when I was in Japan to go with my GF1 + 20/1.7. Sold it many moons ago.

Well, then I've been unlucky too - I am on my second version of this lens for exactly the same reason as you, and I didn't use my first copy anywhere near as much as you did. Take it easy out there.

Where I always commend Olympus over Panasonic is in CA control: the 9-18 is not perfect, but is on another planet from the horrors of the 7-14 from Lumix. It is nit a kit lens either: it might be cheap now but it commended a 600€/$ price when Olympus was in the camera business. I got mine 8 years ago, used and heavily discounted for about 400€ on Ebay

How does the Oly 7-14 PRO compare to this lens for astrophotography? I have the PRO version which is fantastic, but it’s soooo heavy that I only end up using it for Astro so it’s not very versatile for me

A bit off the topic for this channel, but how did you get into half-life on 0:42

I have had the Oly 7-14 for a few years, it is a nice lens but a bit big! The 8-25 was released a year or so after I bought the 7-14 and I've thought about a swap! But it's not much smaller, although I'd be happier taking it out as a single lens.

My favorite best worst was my Olympus 75-300. Some of favorite outdoors shots came off that guy.

I have kind of a love-hate relationship with this lens. I've owned a used copy since 2016 and it has held up well. I hate-hate-hate the lever. I have other collapsible lenses, and I much prefer the sort that just require a little extra twist to expand them (like the Panasonic 12-32) to those with a locking lever. Other than that, it's been a very economical workhorse lens for me. I don't really use it as much the last couple of years, because I now own the Olympus 12-45 f/4 pro, which is wide enough for most occasions, and I also bought the Panasonic 9 f/1.7, which focuses quite a bit closer, has a much wider maximum aperture, and is still quite lightweight and compact (and has a bit of weather sealing). The prime is obviously more limited, but since I'm usually carrying the 12-45 I'm usually only switching lenses to go ultrawide, and the 9 is perfect for that.

I have the Olympus and Panasonic kit lens the 14-42 and I really do like them a lot. I also have pro lens and those are my wedding lens. But for going out and having fun most of the time I rather just take the kit lens. No one can really tell if they are taken with the kit lens or the pro lens really. Sure there could be some giveaways if you really know how to examine a image. But for the most part people can't tell.

You talked about how the lens is quite plastic fantastic and that made me curious how it compared to some of Nikon's Z lens lineup. Particularly the APS-C DX lenses some of which even have plastic mount "hard"ware. Have you had any experience with Nikon's recent budget offerings? Even some of their S lenses ain't nuthin to write home about build-wise. Curious how they compare.

My copy had what I think was a misalignment of one of the elements. The right-hand side of all my shots were slightly blurry. I had pretty wild CA all over too. Unlucky too I guess.

Hi Emily, I enjoyed your vlog. I found this interesting! I always learn new things from your videos!

what about comparison to lumix 7-14 f4?

I have the M.Zuiko 9-18mm and it is excellent! I use it on Lumix GX80, GX8 and G80. It doesn't have OIS like Lumix zoom lenses but it doesn't need it. It is sharp, contrasty and flare resistant and it packs down really small. It is not weather sealed and that is, in my opinion, its only deficiency. This complaint about plastic? It's nonsense. Plastic is an excellent material when used properly. The zoom and focus on this lens are super smooth. There is metal where it matters: the lens mount. I like that the zoom ring is made to resemble a brass focus ring on a vintage lens. This M.Zuiko looks so much like my old Minolta 35mm F2.8 MC Rokkor that it's like a tribute act to 1960s lenses! This complaint about its size and the button? When the lens is at its most compact and you mount it on the camera body you can fully extend the lens in the same action. It is as quick as a lens which is not collapsible.This is when it might matter! Putting it away? Who cares if it takes one second more? I bought mine used from mpb for a very good price. It was the cheapest non-broken one they had. In the product pics I could see that the glass was clean but the item was a bit grubby but without dents or dings or scratches. I bought it. I spent a few minutes with cotton buds and wipes and the whole thing now looks pristine, like new. It's my favourite lens until it rains!

I own it and I like it, as do many reviewers. The lock is a fair trade off for size and quality.

Concur with Emily. Get the old Olympus version of this lens while it's still available at its used prices. This is a limited time opportunity to get your hands on such a versatile lens that weights almost nothing in your camera bag.

The cable problem is actually very common with this lens, which is the main reason I haven't gotten it... yet.

I prefer the bigger ultra wide zooms on m43. Particularly the 8-25 F4 Pro. The little 9-18mm made a whole lot sense 15 years ago. It still does. But personally, if I were starting over, and looking for something ultra wide and small, I'd just get the Panasonic 9mm f1.7 instead .

My best/worst lens has to be the lumix 20mm 1.7. Gorgeous lens super small, perfect for street photography. But it’s loud and slow, why does it have to be so loud and slow? Because it’s old? Wish they would update that banger.

The ribbon issue seem to be a out going thceme with that lense. You know the worst? OM system do still sale the old lens on they web site.... With a small disconts on it.... I personaly use the 9mm Panasonic and I will think it is a worthit replacement, as my main lens will be a standard zoom range.....

"Best-worst" for me would be the 12-32 Lumix. It's... Not great, but I've probably taken more photos with it than any of my other lenses... It's just so easy to leave on my GM5 or GX85 and works for like 90% of situations. I can also completely forget about it in a coat pocket while walking around with a prime, and switch to it when I need something else. Like the 35-100 variable, it just brings so much to the table by nature of being small. I've been looking at a wide angle for M43, but I'm thinking of just going with the 9mm 1.7. it's small, fast, weather sealed, accepts filters, and is fairly reasonably priced. You lose the zoom functionality, but I think I can live with that.

I got mine in 2012, no ribbon pb but I lost the olympus logo on the cap... we miss small weather sealed MFT lenses... I don't think we will get them now

Great little wide zoom lens... ultimate mistake of OM to not make the mk2 weather sealed!

Meanwhile my 9-18 went to MPB. I've been a happy customer there for some years, until recently. Not anymore, but I won't lay out details here in public.

I've had one for ages and love it despite its' "problems" .

The Canon EF-S 9-18mm with an adapter is a pretty decent lens and can be had cheap (I got mine for £90 on ebay)

Aw man, this looks like it's about 250$ on eBay in Us, more from the resellers. Wonder what it was yesterday lol. I also see a lot of 9-18s for Olympus Four Thirds mount .. which would be a disappointing mistake to make, hehe

one of the best plastic fantastic lenses in my collection is the 25mm 1.7. just works great.

I am about to trade my Olympus macro lens for the 9-18mm lens from MPB, of course!!!!😃

The 9-18 is one of my favorite lenses for infrared photography. No hot spots.

9mm f1.7 is selling for 300 usd

Much prefer the new edits, lets the lens character shine 👍

1:45 Not really... I use on my old Olympus E-PM2 PEN Mini the Olympus Body Cap 9mm F 8.0 and if you have a stable stand or use a tripod, you will get better pictures (in good weather) than you think!

It was the first lens I bought after getting my first mu43 2011 and still going strong yes it "plastic fantastic" Yes it is a definitely up for the best / worst award ❤️

I had it, wasn't that impressed - but I'm no fan of the very short end focal lengths, I'll rather have a 12-200 mm zoom with me (well, this one is still on my wish list ;-)). But yes, this is an interesting lens, and the only missing feature is weather sealing (as is missing with nearly every other affordable and light-weight lens option).

my favourite best worst lenses for micro 4/3 are the 9mm f8 body cap, the panny 14mm f2.5 and the 30mm f3.5 macro

Pro: small enough to juggle with. Con: oops.

The person who returned the E-M5 to MPB should have just run the Pixel Mapping function in the menu. Problem solved. Surely MPB did that as soon as they got it back, and then sold it off to someone else.

you are looking good...

That lens I always new was good when I saw this Russian wedding photographer use it. If you Google Micro Four Thirds Russian Wedding Photographer there is a photo of a couple walking down the stairs.

Now you can't find any on MPB!!! LOL

wanted this years ago with my EPM-1 but could only afford a body

Bit of retro before the new stuff Emily...

I owned this lens from 2011 until I gave it away in 2016 or so. I can credit it with two things: 1) taking the photos that sold my old townhouse, and 2) teaching me what I didn't want in a lens. I disliked the unlocking, the poor sharpness, and the lack of a hood. I was without a wide angle lens for some years, and today I enjoy the Panasonic 9mm prime.

Great video....But... Please stop that MPB stuff, because of your videos M4/3 gear are getting more expensive. The G7 goes for more than A G80 and the M5 original its already double in price... I check every week for bairgains. Shame on you. 😂😂😂 I expect a new video/report about the Japan trip very soon👍👍👍