The first lens I bought for MFT was the Olympus 40-150 (I had the Lumix 14-42 with the G3 at that time). This is a quite ok lens, not spectacular with f/4 to f/5.6, but has a very light weight and a good reach. It has too many scratches now, I didn’t treat it well at that time. I think for beginners and people with budget constraints it's still recommendable. Just don’t expect it to do miracles at that price, but it's by no means a bad lens.

A well considered selection that any beginner would be happy to dip into 👍

My first camera GX9 came in a bundle 12-32 pancake, 25 f1.7 and 45-150 (newer version than one you showed.) I then bought the 42.5 f1.7 which it turns with a 10+ screw on close up lens gives you essentially a macro lens (always good when a lens can have two uses). Next was the 12-60 Lumix f3.5-5.6 which now lives on my G80 which was my next camera. That combo G80 and 12-60 lumix together with a sennhiser mke 400 shotgun mic is my primary video set up. Next: Lumix 100-300 like you have and 7 artisans fisheye 7.5 f2. Then Panasonic Leica 15 f1.7, Olympus 60 f2.8 as dedicated macro lens and finally P Leica 12-60 f2.8-4 and the G9 during early 2023. Lots of GAS since.... with primes I use the 15 and 42.5 the most and with the close up lens on the 42.5 I really do not need the Olympus 60. For some reason the 25 f1.7 I almost never use the fisheye 7.5 gets a lot more use. And so the 12-32 is on the GX9, the 12-60 Lumix on the G80 and 12-60 Leica on the G9.

Started with a GX-80 and the 12-32, then i got the Olympus 45, Lumix 25, 12-60, 35-100 and the Olympus 15 cap lens.

I’ve had a lot of fun shooting fisheye lenses.

I have the 12-32 and 25mm f1.7, both great lenses

You should do a video on crop factor

Appreciated the added ‘Fun lenses’ too!

I bought an Olympus EM10 and a 40-150 but I quickly decided I preferred Lumix (I have also had an FZ18, 38, 200, 300, 82 and 10002) so I sold it and got a G80, and recently a G9. Since then I have been acquiring Lumix lenses and now have the 15mm, 45.5, 7-18, 45-175 and 100-300. On top of that I have a Meike 6.5 fisheye and a Mitakon 25mm, f/0.95. As you say (used) lens buying is very addictive...

Hi Eli, the prime I am most happy with is the Lumix 20mm f1.7. Super sharp and great small pancake size for MFT bodies. The Oly 40-150 plastic fantastic is also a must have lens for an enthusiast. Very cheap, very light and you can achieve great images. Just to say I enjoy your videos.

12-60 kit is still one of the best lenses in the system. Add a 1.4/1.7 leika prime for low light and maybe a 45-150 cheapo pocket telephoto and u are done.

I started with M 4/3 pretty much at the beginning with my Panasonic Lumix G1. I had the only two lenses available then; the Lumix 14 to 45mm f3.5-5.6 Mega OIS kit lens, and the 45 to 200mm f4.0-5.6 Mega OIS telephoto. I still have both as they are very good. I do have some of the lenses that you have shown, ie. the Lumix 25mm f1.7 (fantastic) and the Lumix 12 to 32mm f3.5-5.6 Mega OIS (super light and fun to use), also the Olympus 9mm f8 body cap lens (also great fun to use), as well as a few others. It's great to see how this format has grown since 2008, although I do hope that the cameras don't get too heavy (like the Lumix G9 MkII).

Great and informative video 👍

Other than the kit lens, my first lens was a kamlan 50mm f1.1 that I still absolutely love in low light settings.

I Had the superb 45mm F1,8 bundled with my Olympus and the first prime I bought was the 25mm F1.8 which is also great but don't use that much. I am loving the 17mm f1.8. I also think a fast ish pancake like the Lumix 14mm F2.5 is great for a first lens choice as it's so small you tend to plonk it on your every day camera and shoot with it and practice makes perfect. Also the Olympus 12-40 F2.8 is just awesome and being weather sealed , no excuses not to use it if you have a weather sealed body. Well worth a punt on the used market as the difference between that and the Lumix 12-32 kit lens or Olympus 14-42mm kit lens is marked especially at the longer end.

Great video as usual Eli! One of the things I like about the format is that for most Lumix lenses, there's a rough Olympus equivalent. I started out myself with the E-M5 iii with the Oly 25 f1.8 and the Oly 40-150 kit telephoto. Then got a good deal on the Lumix 12-32 kit lens, dropped it in the mud like an idiot, and took the plunge with the Oly 12-40 f2.8 Pro lens, which is fantastic and allows for dabbling in macro. Special shootout for the Oly 12-45 and 40-150 f4 Pro lenses. The 12-40 is usually around the same price on MPB, but they're both great lenses and the 12-45 is quite smaller and lighter, given that it loses a full stop (that's how that works, right?)

First lens Olympus 12 - 200mm then 75 - 300mm both used bargains.

Hi Eli! Just found your YT Chanel. And went thru a few videos. Nice aproach - I like it. I'm reaching out because of my son's football (sub 13) maches. I couldn't found your videos about the 50-200mm -lumix version. Bit more reach then 150mm but also wide for close action. Can you Share your thoughts. In any case thank you for your time.

I just got a G9 with the 12-60.

Sigma 30mm 1.4 ? Where is it?

I have 12-60 and 25 f1.7 as my first lenses. But sometimes when hiking I consider Panasonic 14-140 would be better. What do you think about that lens? :)

Olympus 60/2.8 macro. Panasonic Leica 15/1.7. (or lumix 14/2.5) Panasonic 9/1.7. Olympus 40-150/2.8 pro with mc-14 and mc-20 (all second hand) the first three will do most folks well.) the Olympus BCL 0980 (9mm body cap lens is great for coffee shop people gatherings... Oh ... every one should stop using the term "beginner photog" its meaningless...😎 ( I have seen pro's use that little Panasonic 12-32 kit lens for some pretty amazing shots on a cheap second hand old body!). (for the 12-32 Lumix kit lens. over 13,500 pix on Flickr alone by pros and amatuers alike.) CHEERS