(FT4) The Olympus 12mm f/2.0 coming in June. Already in production in Tatsuno.
A video from the Tatsuno plant.
Our Japanese friends from Digicam-info (Click here) contacted us to share a rumor they received from a reliable source. According to that source Olympus is already producing the 12mm f/2.0 lens for Micro Four Thirds. Production began in April and the lens will be announced in June. The lens production is in Tatsuno (where Oly’s high level lenses are made) and you can expect a top of the notch image quality. This is the very first Pro lens for Micro Four Thirds! It’s also one of my favorite focal lengths! So how will this lens be compared to other lenses?
1) The closest lens we can compare with is the upcoming Olympus Zuiko is the Panasonic 14mm f/2.5. The Zuiko will very likely be more expensive, bigger in size, but also be a bit faster, have a better build-quality and hopefully deliver a huge step forward in image quality. See the review of the Panasonic lens at Photozone, and check price at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
2) The two Micro Four Thirds lenses that do cover the 12mm focal length are the Panasonic 7-14mm f/4.0 and the Olympus 9-18mm lenses. But I expect the new Oly prime to be less big and to deliver a higher image quality. I do hope it will also be cheaper than the Panasonic zoom. See the review of the Panasonic lens at Photozone, and check price at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
3) An extravagant comparison can be made with the Pentax 12mm f/1.4 C-mount lens. Unlike the Pentax lens the Zuiko lens has autofocus and much better image quality. The only advantage of the Pentax lens is the price. The Pentax sells for around $20 on eBay (Click here).
Our sources told us that this is not the only lens Olympus will announce in June. The second lens is a portrait lens and I hope to get the specs very very very soon! Also that lens is a high quality lens. Finally Olympus!!! June will be full of new Micro Four Thirds stuff announcements (because new products are coming from Panasonic too!).
P.S.: The video on top shows the Tatsuno plant and one of the lenses made there: The Olympus 300mm f/2.8. it’s the most expensive lens ever made by Olympus. Check the scary price at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay (if you find them in Stock). There is an article about the Tatsuno plant here at Olympus Website.
One more thing: I am working on many new rumors, I am very busy with it. Sorry if in those days I missed to answer some of your emails. Please email me again if I forgot something ok? Thanks for your understanding.
Reminder -> Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
Via Digicaminfo
Thanks yatototo
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Duarte Bruno
2 years ago |A small correction. The Oly 9-18mm also covers the 12mm FL. The Panny 7-14 is not the only one.
admin
2 years ago |Thanks! Added!
Sigma_M/43
2 years ago |This lens is mine but admin, any news on pricing?
admin
2 years ago |Working on it. Hope to knwo it soon. I am also close to get the specs of the second lens which should also be an interesting one. Probably NOT the expected 50mm macro!!!
Miroslav
2 years ago |“NOT the expected 50mm macro!!!”
Interesting. That’s positive, since there’s already a 45mm macro in the system. Hope Olympus either change the focal length or make more portrait orientated 50mm lens instead of macro.
Michael Devitt
2 years ago |I agree with you, Miroslav. Macro shooters can even use ZD 50mm f2 lens (there is AF speed fine for that). Portrait lens would be more desirable (in range of 42.5 – 50mm), with fast AF and pleasant bokeh. Olympus claiming to bring fast glass and there is no better focal length than 50mm where it can be done easiest way (f1.4, f1.2).
One can argue there are plenty of fast 50mm legacy lenses but only small fraction are good at wide apertures on digital sensor.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Portrait shooters can also use a macro lens.
Having a second choice of a native M4/3 macro lens, brighter with a slightly longer reach, is a positive for the platform. Having 3 mediocre 14-42mm zooms, 3D and fisheye novelty lenses do not further the platform.
Few legacy lenses are useful at wide apertures with digital sensors? It seems that most lenses aren’t at their sharpest except at a few stops above their widest aperture.
I just inherited 2 Asahi Pentax Super-Multi-Coated screwmount lenses, along with an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SII body! The lenses are a 50mm f1.4 and a 105mm f2.8! I ordered a Rainbow Imaging adaptor from Amazon and can’t wait to use them with my GH2. They’ll join my legacy Nikon lenses: 20mm f2.8 and 60mm f2.8D macro.
KL32
2 years ago |The Oly portrait lens cannot be any slower than 1.4. If it is, you’re better off going with a legacy lens that will be much cheaper.
cL
2 years ago |The way I look at it, macro lenses are usually manual focused (AF has very little value for precision focus task such as macro shots), so if people really don’t want to wait, they could just get a legacy lens and Olympus made many of those lenses that are in the legendary status. And yes, macro users could just use the 4/3 50mm f2, which is really good for macro. I thought Voightlander Nokton 50mm f0.95 is here, and people should be very happy with that one when stopped down to f4 for macro.
Anyways, back on topic. 12mm F2!!! What a surprise. I hope the performance of that lens at F16 is good enough then I will be very happy.
Zonkie
2 years ago |Great news. Before a macro (and as said above there already is one in the system), m4/3 needs a good portrait lens. The ideal would be a 40-50mm f/1.4. I think Olympus has never gone beyond f/2.0 with (m)4/3 lenses, but I do hope they will this time.
For comparison, in terms of FOV and DOF a 42mm f/1.4 in 4/3 would equate to:
- 55mm f/1,8 in APS-C
- 84mm f/2.8 in full frame
That’s why I think that it should be f/1.4 and not just f/2.0, which wouldn’t be too competitive with bigger sensors (f/2.0 would equate to f/2.6 and f/4.0 respectively, which are hardly considered “portrait speeds” in those systems).
AndyOz
2 years ago |Interesting points. I agree that something in the 40-50mm range will probably be the case. I thought that a m43 version of the 43rds 50mm f2.0 macro would be just fine – able to be used for portraits and macro as per the 43 version. But I guess a f1.4 lens would be nice.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |A 50mm f1.4 would be very nice…
AND expensive…
AND a source of many complaints because that.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Mr Reee
I agree. It would be nice and would be interesting to see how it is priced. I would also like to see a higher quality zoom – like a Micro 43 version of either the 12-60 or 14-54 Oly zooms.
I reckon that some nice primes (12mm Oly, 20mm Panasonic and say this Oly 50mm – just in my opinion) and one high quality zoom would be great to complete the system. Sometimes a good zoom can be handy.
Zonkie
2 years ago |Well, Canon, Nikon and Sony have 50mm f/1.4 lenses in their systems that cover the whole full frame sensor, and yet they are pretty cheap (and quite compact). So I guess that making a 50mm f/1.4 that covers just the 4/3 sensor doesn’t necessarily have to be very expensive. It could be cheap and small and still have good performance (let’s dream…)
Mr Hipsta
2 years ago |“A 50mm f1.4 would be very nice…
AND expensive…”
Why should it be expensive? There are plenty of 50 mm f1.4 lenses out there for full frame that are fairly unexpensive, and m43 is smaller which makes lenses cheaper to make. There is no reason why it should cost more than for instance a Canon 50/1.4. =)
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Older f1.4′s can be found fairly cheaply.
New ones seem to be around the same price range as the Panasonic 20mm and more. $500 seems to be about average, if you ignore $4000 Leicas.
$500 isn’t that much, maybe I was thinking about f1.2s.
reverse stream swimmer
2 years ago |Oh yes, it will be more expensive.
The main reason is that the lens for the smaller sensor needs higher resolution (lines per millimeter), than for a larger 24x36mm sensor.
Ahem
2 years ago |And Canon and Nikon sell those lenses by the boatload, while Olympus only by truckload. Economies of scale = lower cost, which allows for lower pricing.
cL
2 years ago |Canon and Nikon have at least two versions of that focal length. The cheaper ones are junks, so you can’t compare that with high quality Zuiko lenses. The Canon kit lenses are made with low quality glass so they’re only slightly better than plastic lenses, and they cannot be used wide open like Zuikos can. Not comparable. You get what you pay for.
Ulli
2 years ago |“..I am also close to get the specs of the second lens which should also be an interesting one. Probably NOT the expected 50mm macro!!!…”
how close are you? i prefer to wait for that, before i am specualting about this “lens X”
NativeFloridian
2 years ago |Grumble… Grumble… please no teasers until you are ready to post.
G_C
2 years ago |looking goooooood!
MK
2 years ago |hmm lets review these companies strategy. (1) release two uber expensive WA lenses (check). (2) delay releasing the WA prime for two years, so the people who like WA can’t take it anymore and spring for one of the existing lenses (check). (3) release a wide angle prime and label it “pro”, allowing to charge$ 300 more for a lens that is SIMPLE to manufacture (check). (4) gloat because your plans to gouge customers is complete (check).
MikeS
2 years ago |The Olympus 9-18 costs around $700, which, for a lens, is pretty reasonable (and it was ~$100-150 lower than that before the tsunami/earthquake). The 7-14 is more pricey, but the angle of view that it covers isn’t offered by many lenses for any system, not to mention the quality of the glass.
Ahem
2 years ago |Argh, that hurt
I got tired of waiting for WA/UWA primes, so I splurged on the 7-14mm. If Oly, Panny or Sigma release a less than 10mm high quality prime within the year, I’ll be officially annoyed 
Tobias W.
2 years ago |What about that Olympus MFT lens displayed here:
http://www.43rumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/E-P2_MZ_concept_Left.jpg
Is that the 12mm?
Ulli
2 years ago |i have found that an ugly design from the first moment i saw it.
Eric
2 years ago |Really? I love the design. Seems to pay homage to the classic collapsible range finder lenses of old. It looks like a modern take on the Leica 50mm Summicron:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/blackfloorwhitesky/403772062_o.jpg
cL
2 years ago |I also love the design. It’s very Leica M3-ish, but with modern update. It gives that professional lens look. I just wish it could be more curved (hour glass style).
admin
2 years ago |It’s no more the REAL design of the production lens.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Admin
Just to clarify – you mean at one point it was the intended design but now that has changed and the production version will look different?
Also any info on whether Oly is looking at producing a High Grade zoom for Micro43 – something like the 12-60 or 14-54 from standard 43rds?
Thanks for your work.
admin
2 years ago |I don’t know that. I only know my source said that “design is now different”. That’s it. I didn’t hear anything about PRO zooms. Sorry.
Miroslav
2 years ago |“Is that the 12mm?”
That’s a $600 question
.
cL
2 years ago |LOL! Thought I tend to believe it’ll be a $800 question.
Bob B.
2 years ago |hmmmm….I have not purchased any Olympus micro 4/3′s products (their glass has been very disappointing)…perhaps that is about to change?!?!?!?!?! A pro quality 12mm would be a great place to start…as I decided not to purchase the Panasonic 14mm as it is not the greatest lens (but not too pricey either), and its lack of luster is compensated for in camera. Cheap trick in my book.
I have the Panasonic 7-14mm….great lens especially considering many of the disappointing micro 4/3′s offerings, but it would be great to get a clean, smaller prime lens.
Let’s hope for the best here…this could be a tool for photographers…and not a fashion accessory!!!!!
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |But will it be a pocketable fashion accessory?
I agree about Olympus’ generally unimpressive lenses to date. A good, fast 24mm equivalent should be a great addition to the M4/3 lens arsenal and a good compliment to the 20mm.
How about a 10mm f2?
It’s nice to see more primes being released. I find myself using zooms less and less, with the exception of the 7-14mm.
@Ulli… Yeah, that mockup is pretty ugly.
Inge-M.
2 years ago |Yes absolute
Helge Hackbarth
2 years ago |As rumored here, there will be another option later this year:
The Lumix 12-50/2.5-3.3 starts at 12mm as well and is also nearly as bright but much more flexible (and propably bigger and more expensive…)
Miroslav
2 years ago |“Lumix 12-50/2.5-3.3 starts at 12mm as well and is also nearly as bright but much more flexible”
Yeah, Olympus could have made 12mm a tad faster than F2, but F2.5 is not that far from kit zoom, so I don’t think 12-50 is going to be a threat to this prime being several times bigger and at least 50% more expensive. Not to mention that a prime must have better image quality.
I’m more interested in Panasonic’s “bright wide” lens that should be announced in August. If they build it to 20mm standards and don’t compromise it in order to shrink it, like they did with the 14mm, it should be serious competitor to Olympus 12mm. I guess it’s going to be a bit like Oly 9-18mm vs Pana 7-14mm.
John
2 years ago |The rumored 12-50/2.5-3.3 would be the lens (if it’s very good) that would finally get me into m43. On my Nikon bodies 24mm (ff equivalent) is where I want my general walk around lens to start. Throw in a 7-14/4 + 50-150 and we’d be all set for a great m43 lens set.
Rich
2 years ago |I love my Oly 9-18 but I would drop it in a second for a WA Prime at the same level of optical quality as the Panny 20mm F/1.7.
twoomy
2 years ago |Exciting, exciting! Go, Oly! Go Pany! It’s nice to see new high-quality glass on the near horizon. If there is a 12 f/2.0 or any other high-quality bright prime, my wallet will be open to either company.
G_C
2 years ago |does anyone else find it kinda sad that olympus engineers put so much effort and heart into their work only to be failed by their marketing team?
Bob B.
2 years ago |GC…yeah…I watched the video…The Olympus horizon looks kind of bleak for that lens factory…unless I am missing something here. Seems as though they are uncertain about what direction they are headed in as a company?
Archer Sully
2 years ago |That’s the life of an engineer anywhere. However, I believe these people also make the well regarded Olympus microscope objectives, as well as medical imaging lenses. Olympus is more than just cameras.
ADAM
2 years ago |Will this news in June accompany news of a new camera body?
I’d really love to go PEN but the Panasonic offerings get more and more promising the longer we wait…
admin
2 years ago |I am trying to find some reliable info about that.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Interesting admin. Any vague rumors/whispers at all about a new camera coming out from Olympus in June?
I thought they would prefer to release a lens with a new body, rather than just on its own.
I am hoping at some point that Olympus releases two more bodies:
- a rangefinder style body slightly larger than E-P2 with smaller EVF in top corner like the X100 (perhaps this could be the new E-P3?) and some nice manual controls
- a SemiPro DSLR shaped body with full size EVF
That way there could possibly be three Micro 43 product lines:
1. E-PL : entry level compact form (designed for P&S upgraders)
2. E-P : more for prosumers with fairly small form factor and possibly small EVF in corner
3. E-? : semi pro DSLR competitor with built in EVF
Any thoughts from others? Maybe there doesnt need to be two product lines with a built-in EVF. Maybe just one. I hope it goes for the rangefinder style.
Ahem
2 years ago |I have an E-PL1 with Panasonic (and legacy) glass, and it works beautifully – that’s the benefit of an open system.
bilgy_no1
2 years ago |What I find strange is that Olympus is apparently already producing them in good quantities, but not yet announcing them. I can understand that you don’t want to have too much time between announcement and shop availability (ahem Panasonic US…).
But would it not be better to let people know now that it’s coming? At least that way they can save up for it. It might also give some additional press to the system and brand in the meantime.
As to the portrait lens, that’s great news. IMO they already have a great design: PEN F 40mm f/1.4. It just needs AF and aperture drive…
Chris
2 years ago |I think it’s a good idea to produce them for a while before they’re announced. That not only means that they can start selling them whilst people are still interested in the announcement, but also means they can identify and eliminate an Quality Control problems before they start shipping. Particularly if they see this as a flagship-quality lens they’re staking reputation on, that’s just what I’d hope they’d do.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Smart strategy. Announce and ship concurrently. It’s exactly what Apple does, but on a MASSIVE scale.
We see how well the opposite has.worked out for Panasonic and the GH2!
Chez Wimpy
2 years ago |>But would it not be better to let people know now that it’s coming?
They did, between roadmaps and the mockup.
>At least that way they can save up for it.
It will be expensive… and I can say that without even knowing the MSRP :p
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |Lenses don’t just get assembled from parts laying around. Glass has to be poured, cured, and polished. For quality stuff, it’s difficult to do that in mass quantities simultaneously.
Most camera bodies and lenses are built in large batches, and that production starts months before we hear about it. The US market, for instance, is so large that you’ve got thousands of dealers to stock. High demand products in the US typically require you to build 30,000 or more to be available on DAY ONE. Then there’s the issue of shipping costs. If you air freight all of that, it gets expensive.
So:
a. Build large stock prior to announcement
b. Move stock via container ship if possible to warehouses in subsidiaries
c. Announce
d. Move stock from warehouses to dealers
If you’ve planned correctly, your second batch arrives to the subsidiaries about the time that dealers have mostly sold through the first batch.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Thom
Thanks for the info – some good points there.
What are your thoughts on where Olympus should go with their E-P range of cameras – in particular how they should go about line(s) of Pen cameras with built in EVF?
I am at least encouraged by the new sensor in the Panasonic G3 and that Oly hopefully will have access to that.
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |I’m not a great fan of EVF. I know a lot of people want it, but in looking at cameras that do have it and how people are using them, not so many using the EVF ;~). It would take a very good EVF to win over the optical folk. We’re not there yet.
In terms of camera, it seems clear that the E-PL2 has to go some more downscale and the E-P2 needs to go upscale. There’s not enough distance between the two. So, the low end needs:
* More simplification of buttons/dials/controls
* Even smaller body
* Strip the right features (e.g. hot shoe, not orientation control)
The high end needs:
* Better body build
* Solid, no-accidental setting, buttons/dials/controls that promote the primary shooting needs (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus, AE/AF locks, massively programmable function buttons); leave the rest in menus
* A better menu system ;~)
* Alignment (lens, tripod mount, hot shoe)
* Improved performance (e.g. focus speed, buffer, fps)
* Better low light results (both raw and JPEG)
We can argue about added features, but right now the two cameras feel like there’s too much jack-of-all-trades going into the design decisions. Wrong: it should be PL# = entry customer and P# = serious enthusiast. Which reminds me, can the current names, they’re too confusing, especially since the functional differences between an E-P1, E-P2, E-PL1, and E-PL2 really amount to different fiddling with controls and production costs. How about Personal Pen 1 and Professional Pen 1?
Ahem
2 years ago |OVFs will be just as quaint in 5 years as film cameras are today. I’m taking bets.
DonTom
2 years ago |EVF- I’ve become a huge fan of mine on my E-PL1 (VF2). I could quite happily lose the LCD screen, but maybe that’s because the resolution on that is low.
I won’t be buying another m43 until the “rangefinder” model is released, because I don’t like my nose pressed into the camera.
Thom, I agree that the E-PL? could go simpler and smaller, and the “Pro” model features you have suggested would be great. I would add that I would happily buy a bigger PEN, I find the E-PL1 a bit cramped. Size of a Voigtlander Bessa would suit me fine, with lots of room across the top for a “non-confusion” of dials, and a very smooth flat back that won’t wear out my clothes when I’m wandering around. Hinged LCD would be great, especially if I could reverse it and pretend it wasn’t there……
cL
2 years ago |I am also not a big fan of EVF. People who truly use a stick-my-eye-at-viewfinder type are actually professionals. They don’t use OVF just so they look professional (they ARE pros, they don’t have to pretend) but they actually know how to compose with it. Pros tend to like OVF, not EVF, so for a pro model to use EVF maybe a little weird…. But then how are you going to build OVF into a mirrorless camera is a question. Maybe follow the x100 step and use a hybrid? But this is NOT a fixed lens camera like x100, so that’s pretty much out of question.
Generally agree with your product differentiation idea. Except for stripping the orientation control for low-end part. Orientation is valuable even for non pros, especially because they use LCD to compose more extensively.
For the pro camera part, here are my absolutely required features:
1) Mirror lock up (wait… maybe no because m4/3 is mirrorless…
)
Wireless remote shutter release (Olympus is good at providing quality accessories, so I really don’t have to worry about this)
2) Yes!!! Many customizable buttons. I would say three. Dedicated custom white balance button would be super.
3) Dedicated IS on/off button.
4) Panasonic q.menu style menu (on top of the Super Control Panel). I have a very good concept for the touch screen user interface design which is practical, not just for fancy iPad user group….
5) Coupled aperture ring and shutter speed ring. After I used some 70′s rangefinders, I am spoiled. This is how manual control should be!
6) Yes, alignment of tripod mount and lens can be important to pros, especially if the lens is big.
7) Professional grade flash guns with bounce option. Wireless control and PC synch.
9) AF assist light (don’t use that flickering flash strobes please).
10) Yes, high amount of buffer (you have been doing homework!). High bandwidth CF interface. Dual CF or SD slots. I prefer two CF slots, since CF is both faster and more reliable for serious work, but I might be the minority. Dual CF may add to body size so that may not be the best strategy for m4/3.
11) Weather proof (I doubt this would ever implemented on a m4/3 because it’s bulky).
12) Better sensor for low light (I don’t need this, but wedding photographers need this).
13) No-cook RAW.
14) Very high resolution LCD/OLED screen, accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angle and can be read under sun light. Resolution must be high enough for checking focus. Auto zoom in when manual focus.
15) Ergonomic grip design. Very balanced body. The user must be able to use it for 8-hour straight without hurting their wrist.
16) Swivel screen for weird angle composition.
17) Battery power saving option. Eye sensor like Panasonic’s G/GH series. Auto turn off LCD when it’s not in use or eye is at viewfinder.
18) OVF/EVF has to be very accurate.
19) PASM dial (to me this is super important).
20) Pros probably want DoF preview button and DoF scale on lens barrel (in addition to focus distance).
21) Precision light metering. Most of us can tell the difference when the exposure is off by 1/3 of a stop and can guestimate with Sunny 16 rule. Precision light meter saves A LOT of time and spare us from post-processing loads.
Sergey
2 years ago |Great to hear this news, but I’am still waiting for a Pro body from Oly…
Ranger 9
2 years ago |Ah, yes, another world-beating Olympis vapourlens that is “expected” to have much better quality and performance than competitor lenses that actually exist! This is just like the “F.U.D.” (fear – uncertainty – doubt) strategy that IBM and Microsoft used to use: “Don’t buy our competitor’s product that is available now. Wait for our product, which will be much better and which will be available Real Soon Now.”
Harold GLIT
2 years ago |Ok I ‘ll admit : This is the FIRST real interesting news for me in years on the m/43rds front
NOW the question is : is Olympus going to have a REAL serious camera to go with it , meaning with a NON – Panasonic sensor and with the quick menu panel of OLY DLSR and not the iauto mode and the stupid amateurish menus ” a la Panasonic”
also IMHO if we are going to have ONE portrait lens 50MM ( 100 in 35mm terms) is a tad too long . somewhere between a 40mm and a 43mm would be MUCH betters uited for inside work
I am skeptical but very slightly hopeful
Harold
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Harold
What are your thoughts on the G3 sensor? I know its early days but it looks more promising than the previous sensor.
Ahem
2 years ago |I prefer 135mm FF equivalent for portrait work, and many like even longer lenses.
amalric
2 years ago |Spending 500 or even 400 credits, while I have the (old) sharp 9-18 I could hardly justify – sigh.
*However* that lens makes good sense on a new camera with flip outscreen, possibily the coming E-P3. Nice lens and camera for indoor architecture.
I remember Admin a few months ago pointing to 3 Oly cameras for 2011
-A look alike E-P1 with flip out screen and/or touch screen
- The Pro (semipro) for the end of the year.
The 12/2 and the other lens could be a good match for any of these, perhaps even sold in kit?
But so, how many more Oly cameras before the end of the year?
AndyOz
2 years ago |I agree thats a possiblity – two new releases of Oly cameras this year. See my post above.
I just wonder what form the semi-pro will take. Thats going to be interesting. I am hoping for a rangefinder form with corner EVF and some nice manual controls as opposed to the Panny approach (although I dont mind the G3 design for what it is, and the sensor seems to be an improvement). We can only speculate and dream.
I agree that it makes sense for the lens to be released with a body as a kit. Maybe admin knows something.
KL32
2 years ago |I would love to see a flip screen. I’m not interested in an EVF. I would also like to see Olympus implement much more robust video capabilities- something on par with the GH2.
KL32
2 years ago |An EP1 style body with a 3″ flip screen, video controls and capability at least on par with the GH2 (and hopefully even better), and sold with either the 17mm or 12mm as a kit lens- that would be awesome. With a fast 12mm, the 17mm, a portrait lens (something like 50mm 1.2), and a macro I’d have the perfect kit for me.
43RC
2 years ago |“An EP1 style body with a 3″ flip screen, video controls and capability at least on par with the GH2 (and hopefully even better), and sold with either the 17mm or 12mm as a kit lens- that would be awesome. With a fast 12mm, the 17mm, a portrait lens (something like 50mm 1.2), and a macro I’d have the perfect kit for me.”
Same here. Leave EVF for Pro model, 3″ swivel screen for E-P3. Better AF, AF-assist lamp(!) 1080p video w/fast tracking AF and less hunting. And E-PL built-in flash. I’ll buy two.
Awaiting rumor of portrait lens focal length and max. aperture…thanks admin!
amalric
2 years ago |I think the G3 is a very good camera, which perhaps is in my future.
However the shape I find difficult to handle and carry – a case like a cube?
Also, to make it into an enthusiast camera you need too many tweaks, with endless menus.
Where Oly could be innovative and traditional would be to make a still camera uniquely tailored for photographers, extracting maximum DR from the new sensor.
So E-P3 with added perks, not to waste the E-P1 aficionados, and a semipro showing the High Grade Path.
BTW I read part of their financial report. They are not shedding manpower but they are not replacing it either. They are on a cost containment and restructuring of Olympus America, still suffering from the 2009 downturn, which almost wiped them out.
That explains why they are treading so carefully along the Pen route, with a limited number of models and lenses. They cannot incur in any loss, while aiming at an average 27% profit target for 5 years.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Am,
“So E-P3 with added perks, not to waste the E-P1 aficionados, and a semipro showing the High Grade Path”
I am just not sure that there is that much difference between an E-P2 and an E-PL2. If they come out with an E-P3 which is an upgrade of the E-P2 with similar form and with no built in VF then what does it have over an E-PL2 (aside from the sensor, but we have to assume at some point an E-PL3 will be released with the new sensor)? I can see only two major points between the the E-P and E-PL lines:
- a nicer metallic finish on the E-P line
- and an upper rear command dial (which I would have liked to have seen on the E-PL2)
Is it worth just coming out with an E-P3 which is a slight upgrade from an E-P2? I am not sure about that.
What I think is another possibility is to have an E-P3 in a similar form factor to Fuji X100 with a built-in EVF in corner, and manual controls. That would be a true enthus camera that could take the essence of the original Pen F cameras. Perhaps the EVF would have to be slightly smaller than the VF-2 but I wouldnt mind that. Perhaps it could have a ‘folded’ light VF like the X100 to fit it in. Then have a Semi-Pro model to take on the G3. Just my thoughts.
KL32
2 years ago |Andy, there is a lot that a new EP2 could have over the EPL2- even if it doesn’t have an EVF. It could have more robust video capabilities, it could have a flip screen, an improved sensor, better build quality, etc. I’d like to have a built in evf, but those other things are much more important to me.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Maybe E-P3 will be as you say. Flip screen, better sensor, build quality etc. And then have a higher spec built-in EVF semi-pro model later down the track.
samshootsall
2 years ago |so what’s the difference between CS and C mount. Can I use the CS on a C mount to M43 adapter?? if I can i would mind spending $50 on the pentax lens until the Oly 12mm lens is out.
tutejszy
2 years ago |CS is a mount for 8mm cameras, where C mount was originally for 16mm cameras and now is also used in surveillance cameras. So CS mount has DEFINETLY TOO SMALL circle of view. C mount up from 25mm has very often enough coverage. Few 25mm (1 inch) lenses has also coverage, but the interesting (read: bright) ones are expensive. I haven’t seen any lens <25mm with coverage for mft (I've seen dozens). Even this new 12mm mft "toy lens" has not coverage!
Antonio P
2 years ago |PLEASE ADMIN… in your present understanding, will the other lens be 40-45mm???? Will it be macro or not????
admin
2 years ago |I am not sure yet. Please give me the time to wait for the response from other sources.
kelvin
2 years ago |if this is the kit lens for E-P3~~
i absolutely will join m4/3 rather than NEX…
Alfons
2 years ago |12mm, 20mm, 50mm… This is starting to feel like a system!
Nico Foto
2 years ago |Indeed
Very exciting.
Now we need a few more bodies to choose from…And the bright walkaround zoom lens.
frosti7
2 years ago |who’s releasing 50? and i’d rather have 40mm :\
amalric
2 years ago |@AndyOz
I don’t think Oly can afford to waste the E-P1 design inheritance: it has cullt followers and therefore might do good money. A hint was also given by the dummy new lens mounted on a similar camera.
The PL2 is settled. Where they can innovate now is in the Semipro, since I expect it to be expensive, and therefore allowing new more advanced innovations.
A three camera panoply makes good sense. They might leave to Panny to face Sony’s competition with faux dSLR. But then the NEX bleeding should be stopped too.
mahler
2 years ago |You know, that there are more brick-like, “pseudo rangefinder” style bodies for mirrorless systems (even m4/3 alone) available, than “faux DSLR” type? No need to make a crusade against the very legitimate and IMO preferable design choices of G/GH style cameras.
bricks: (7)
EP-1, EP-2, EPL-1, EPL-1s, EPL-2, GF1, GF2
DSLR: (6)
G1, G2, G3, GH1, GH2, G10
non m4/3:
bricks: (4)
NEX-3, NEX-5, NX100, GRX
DSLR: (3)
NX5, NX10, NX11
Add to this all the bricks / soap boxes without interchangeable lenses: (6)
X100, X1, M8.1, M9, DP-1, DP-2
You rangefinder fans have more than enough to choose from.
Thus, what is your point?
davide
2 years ago |What is yours? There are more or less same number of rangefinder-like or faux-SLR, so what? I can use the same argument against you and say: you faux-SLR lover have more than enough to choose from! (the fixed-lens category is a different beast, and irrelevant here)
I very much prefer the rangefinder-like, because IMO it’s more convenient to use and to put in a pocket. I assume others will have different opinions, but one think it’s sure: the best camera(s) to date are faux-SLR (namely GH1 & GH2). So people who likes rangefinder-like design are hoping to get a high-level m43 camera in this form format.
What faux-SLR lovers are missing? Only IBIS.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |I really don’t understand the outright hostility leveled at Panasonic’s G and GH series’ cameras with built-in EVF. I’m guessing that Mahler is simply reacting to it.
The thing is, some people prefer to have a built-in viewfinder. For convenience, simplicity, whatever. Keeping the EVF centered over the lens is a factor, too. Does it really matter?
I chose a GH2 over a GF1 or EP2 mainly because of the viewfinder, although the articulated LCD was a big factor, too. To me, it made little sense to spend $700+ for amcamera, then another $200 for an add-on viewfinder. It would be one more thing to carry, juggle and potentially lose.
So, yeah, I wouldn’t mind seeing a real rangefinder style body with a built-in EVF that’s the equal or improves on the GH2 EVF, or the VF-2 for that matter. My guess is that there are technological and physical restrictions that make integrating it into the body while keeping size, weight and cost down difficult, if not impossible at the present time.
I certainly don’t resent design, aesthetic and functional differences and philosophies between different cameras.
Esa Tuunanen
2 years ago |There’s basically no variety in DSLR-like bodies.
All are at same consumer entry level with too small grip, not enough space for buttons which are too small (thanks to oversize LCD for body size) and lacking direct controls. And if anything ergonomy and controls are just being flushed down the toilet while Pana’s marketroids keep cutting “corners” away.
Centered fake DSLR viewfinder position should go away in favour of rangefinder like position for EVF but otherwise that squarish soap box design is heck lot more unergonomic than decades refined DSLR-design.
And for those saying that many old film SLRs were small that’s because they didn’t have any grip to speak of and ergonomy/shape was dictated only by fulfilling physical requirements of film roll sensor medium.
Eric
2 years ago |One slight problem with that, only the X100 and the $7000 Leica M9 have view finders built in (in currently available models). Since I use a flash rather often hot shoe mount EVF’s are a no-go for me. All of us range finder design fans are still hoping for a m4/3′s rangefinder-like body with built in EVF. Hopefully the EP-3 will have one…if not, the G3 will do for now until Olympus/Panasonic make one.
Of course another solution would be for Olympus to remove the hinge on the VF2 viewfinder and add a hot shoe to the top of it. Not ideal, but I suppose that could work too.
Fishfishfish
2 years ago |Based on the technologies available now, the size of the EVF is just not small enough to fit into a range-finder form factor. Unless Oly is very creative to find a way to fit it in, or we will have the next “semi-pro” PEN with a EP-2-like form factor with external EVF or even with E-XXX form factor.
Eric
2 years ago |Fuji had no issues putting one in the X100. They just had to use a 90 degree prism. Olympus could do the same thing.
cL
2 years ago |The original Olympus Pen F (from the 1960′s) used such prism, so instead of prism hump on top, it’s to the side, but you don’t get to see the hump. The result is a very clean modern line That’s a real OVF in there, by the way. If they ever make a rangefinder style “mirrored” 4/3 DSLR, that’s how you do it. Actually I think it could be a penta mirror, rather than penta prism. Someone please do a research.
NiKo
2 years ago |VF-2′s not that big and could easily fit within an M9-like brick design. I guess the visible success of the X100 has already convinced Olympus to work on something like that, but it may be still a bit early. Let’s see what they’re going to anounce in June, and hope…
amalric
2 years ago |Well, no. You can put the EVF sidewise, like in the X100, you can use a prism, and therefore make use of optical view too. There are a lot of solutions, maybe a bit more expensive, which don’t need a faux-dSLR shape.
Oly has even a patent for a wearable EVF mounted on spectacles. Personally I’d love to have an accessory screen with either a cable or high speed connection. We don’t need to be conditioned by film camera designs.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Am,
Totally agree with you on this.
Fishfish,
See the Fuji website and in particular the EVF mode pics:
http://www.finepix-x100.com/en/x100/hybrid-viewfinder
I reckon that a pure EVF version of the X100 VF system could easily be put into a body a bit bigger than an E-P2 (forgetting about the OVF aspect of the x100 vf which would be an issue with interchangeable lenses).
spam
2 years ago |There are lots of small EVFs, Nikon put one in a pocket digicam one or two years ago. They are perfectly OK for framing pictures, but not big and hig res enough to judge focus accurately. I’d rather have a smallish integrated EVF than a really good external one.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012906nikonp60.asp
http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0801/nikon/nikon_p60_rear-001.jpg
AndyOz
2 years ago |Thanks for the link.
I remember some of the small EVFs in older Oly digital cameras as well.
I wouldnt mind a slightly smaller/compromised EVF in a body slightly bigger than an E-P2. Here’s an idea what if it had a smallish EVF just for framing purposes and when you were out shooting landscapes, but you could also attach a VF-2 to the hotshoe as well if you wanted to judge focus better for certain macro shots! Probably a bit redundant but I wouldnt mind.
Having said that everyone seems to like the X100 viewfinder and it doesnt seem to take up too much room and seems to be reasonable resolution EVF.
Tobias W.
2 years ago |The X100 is considerably bigger than an E-P2. I am not sure a PEN would benefit from this increase in size. Olympus will have done its studies of its sales numbers and compare the number of sold E-PL1, E-PL2, E-P2 against the number of VF-2 they sold. If the VF-2 number does not match the sum of PEN with accessory port being sold at least to some degree, it would be safe for Olympus to assume than an EVF is not /that/ important.
My guess: no built-in EVF in E-P3 or one that cannot match the VF-2. I’d rather stick with none in that case and continue using the VF-2.
Ulli
2 years ago |+1
I would welcome a VF-3, one that matches a pro grade olympus body
NiKo
2 years ago |> The X100 is considerably bigger than an E-P2
Well I woudn’t say so http://www.flickr.com/photos/45203414@N06/5722064870/
frosti7
2 years ago |Look at the back of G3, and tell me how can you make it any smaller?
Well u cant, the only way to make it smaller is if to move the screen to the right (impossible) or to lower the LCD size to 2.4 Inch and/or decrease the EVF size as well,
then u will get a slightly smaller G3 with smaller evf/lcd
AndyOz
2 years ago |Tobias,
Yes the X100 is bigger but not that much bigger. Check out the images in the following link:
http://www.seriouscompacts.com/f53/fuji-x100-compared-olympus-e-pl2-plus-20mm-f-1-7-pancake-lens-2449/
There are some more comparisons on that site. I think a Pen model which is slightly higher and longer could fit in an EVF. I dont disagree that for alot of people a small Pen form factor with no EVF is preferred. I am just saying that for those of us who want a built-in EVF I think that a form factor like the X100 could be a great alternative to just dSLR styling. Expanding the range of product lines to meet a greater number of customers needs is a good thing.
Nico Foto
2 years ago |Hopefully they’ll bring a lens that can be proud of the “zuiko” denomination. I’m eagerly waiting for this prime. One of my favourite focal lengths…
NiKo
2 years ago |(edited) damn, the comment thread system on this blog is broken
Bu
2 years ago |If only it was here now in time for the upcoming flower shows…
Intruder
2 years ago |If this is gong to be an SHG lens, its going to be really expensive… it is an F2 after all.
Inge-M.
2 years ago |I think, 12mm f2 is HG lens and water Pro.
And i hope the not is to big.
Boooo!
2 years ago |I can understand 20-25mm, but 12…? Why? That’s very wide — as in, “more than my eyes can clearly see” wide. I’m puzzled.
Ahem
2 years ago |12mm is a good start – some of us would like an UWA at 10mm or 8mm
My complete system would be:
8mm UWA
12mm WA
20-25mm pancake prime for walk-around
50-70mm very fast prime for portraits
Now I have to rely on zooms and legacy (manual) lenses to fill in the gaps. Getting closer.
Boooo!
2 years ago |But the thing is, a 12mm is extremely specialized. It’s not your “walkaround prime”, unless you live somewhere remotely outdoors and shoot landscapes in low light without a tripod.
I just fail to see the point of this lens and at this speed.
If you’re shooting in sunlight, then you’ll have to stop down the lens anyway, because the PENs cannot handle faster than 1/4000 (and I think one of them is limited to 1/2000). So, realistically, the only thing you have left is landscapes/nature in very low light… Which is when you’re going to use a tripod, anyway.
Why would you buy this 12mm instead of a 9-18 or 7-14? If you need wide for landscapes, then by all means get something that’s truly wide enough. The slower aperture will actually help you, unless you’re itching for an ND+CPL combo at the same time. Not that you’d find the CPL useful at 12mm in the first place…
I honestly don’t see the point. Am I missing something?
deniz
2 years ago |actually i find uwa lenses far more useful for indoor uses. i could let you capture the whole atmosphere even in a small room.
davide
2 years ago |Boooo!, you clearly didn’t use wide primes. And probably don’t hike much. And surely don’t do astronomical photos. And….
Anyway, a prime wide angle was sorely needed, in fact Panasonic itself made a similar one, even a moot one (i.e. 14mm, a focal length already existing in practically all the existing zooms).
Why not to use zoom? Size, weight, price, image quality, problems with long exposures when the zoom may move…. All very serious reasons.
In fact, 12mm is not that wide. I would have preferred a 11mm or even 10mm. The aperture at f/2.0 is probably a little exaggerated, f/2.8 would have suffice. But if price and weight don’t suffer, f/2.0 is welcome, given that m43 sensors are poorer than the competition.
Boooo!
2 years ago |I live in the city, so you guessed correctly
Still – why would I carry a wide prime on a hiking trip when I can bring something like a 9-18, which would be much more useful? Again, that f/2 will have to go down to f/4-5.6 on the PENs because of shutter speed limitations, and then you’re in 9-18 aperture territory again.
As for astronomy…
Oly 17 f/2.8 – severe coma wide open, corrected at f/4
Panny 14 f/2.5 – good enough
Panny 20 f/1.7 – horrible ugly coma, corrected at f/2.8-3.2
We’ll see how the 12mm turns out. If you need to stop it down to correct coma, then its fast aperture is a moot point again in that regard.
greyhat
2 years ago |Probably I’m not the best to argue for or against WA prime (I have none yet but there is one on my wish list my FF Canon), but there is one point you seem to be missing: F2 means that at about F4 you have the peak lens quality and on 9-18 you have it about F5.6-F8 where diffraction starts to kick in.
You can not compare the two for real life absolute IQ (but I understand that for you may consider 9-18 IQ at F4-F5.6 good enough), 12mm F2 “must” be better
Boooo!
2 years ago |I’m not really sure that’s the case.
Regular 9-18 test:
http://www.lenstip.com/164.4-Lens_review-Olympus_Zuiko_Digital_9-18_mm_f_4-5.6_ED_Image_resolution.html
They haven’t tested the m4/3 version, but I doubt it would behave very differently.
Miroslav
2 years ago |@Booo!
“I honestly don’t see the point. Am I missing something?”
Real life example:
On my business trips, often the only chance to see a city ( and to photograph it ) is at night. Since I’m not in a photography related business, I don’t carry a tripod to my business trips, so a wide fast prime is very welcome. Besides, here in Europe streets of old city centers are often very narrow, so wide is very useful there as well.
Jonas
2 years ago |Boooo! – you ask “Am I missing something?”
Yes, the 24mm (or equivalent) is probably THE photographers’ favourite wide angle lens. It’s wide enough to be able to introduce some of the “perspective distortion” characteristic of typical ultra wide shots (OK, I know it doesn’t come from the lens itself, but it allows the closer viewpoint), but it can also be a more “normal” lens – that makes it the only WA able to produce all this from one lens. All major systems have 1 or 2 lenses of this focal length and I for one am pleased to see Olympus go down this route with m43– it’s starting to look an attractive proposition finally, and the 12 will make a compact pairing with the Panasonic 20mm.
This 24 equivalent may not be the biggest selling lens in a range – I’m sure Nikon for example don’t sell as many of their 24/1.4 as the 16-85 standard zoom, but without lenses such as the 24 in the range they wouldn’t sell as many of the 16-85s. I am pleased to see m43 beginning to expand into a small system with some choices.
davide
2 years ago |I dropped out of m43 for this very same reason: I wanted the 4 lenses you mentioned and only one was available.
Now, if Oly comes out with two of the missing (WA and portrait) I’ll surely consider re-entering this field, especially if their rumored body with a new sensor will be “good” (=serious IQ, low Mpix)
davide
2 years ago |-
Miroslav
2 years ago |“I can understand 20-25mm, but 12…? Why?”
Indoors.
fta
2 years ago |ok… I better start saving now. Anybody want to buy a kidney?
David Bateman
2 years ago |Boooo! you maybe forgetting that your reading a four thirds site and a 12mm is about 24mm. And 24mm f2 is becoming fairly standard wide prime. I looking at a bunch of old Nikon 24mm f2 right now for a potential full 135 camera.
DonTom
2 years ago |Nooo, I don’t think anyone is forgetting which site they are on David. Perhaps you need to realise that a 12mm lens is a 12 mm lens, regardless of crop factor. Sure, it is using just the “middle bit” of a full frame equivalent, but it is still not easy to make light rays “go parallel” in only 12mm……..
Ulli
2 years ago |David is right, the 12 mm is the new “standard” for wide angle.
your reply is about optical facts rather then his remark about the wideness of a given fl within (m)ft
pdc
2 years ago |@Booo, David, Davide etc.
12mm focal length is 12mm focal length. The diameter of the light circle cast at the focal plane determines what size sensors you can use. For the 4/3 sensor the light circle will be fully utilized and this lens is equivalent to a 24mm lens on a full-frame 35 mm camera (2.0 crop factor). 24mm/f2.0 is not a specialized 35mm lens anymore, but a wide angle standard for 35mm that has been around for a long time. If you use the legacy 24mm on your MFT camera, you will be almost at “normal” focal length (25mm), as you are only using half the light circle cast and you are halving the effective agle of view. The “speed” (aperture f stop) doesn’t change.
joesiv
2 years ago |it’s just as easy (or hard) to make a 12mm 4/3 lens as it is to make a 24mm FF lens’. it’s the angle of view that makes it similar, which is obvious since the “field of view” is the same between the two.
for example, it’s a just as easy for Oly and Panasonic to make 14-42mm kit lens’ for $100, as it is for Nikon/canon to make 28-85mm FF kit lens’, or 18-55mm APS-C lens’. The smaller sensor/image circle means that for equivalent angle of view, you don’t have to “bend” light anymore or less with “shorter” focal lengths.
greyhat
2 years ago |Joesiv,
I may sympathize with your theory, i.e. it should be as hard to design a 12mm for m43 than is to design a 24mm for 35mm FF, but prices must be cheaper – it will use a lot less glass.
Probably it requires more quality control (due to higher pixel density) but in terms of raw materials it should be cheaper.
And no one would design _today_ a prime 24mm F4 (2x crop factor) for 35mm. It won’t sell.
Even with same crop factor, 12mm F2 for m43 is more sell-able than 24mm F4 for FF. Light gathering happens to be more important than DOF.
amalric
2 years ago |12 nm, that is 24 mm FF eq. is a good choice, because it’s when perspective distortion really starts to diverge from the human eye view.
Oly, which contrary to electronics companies is almost a century old, knows its photography well.
Size weight and price, for fast aperture. If you can put in your pocket, it will be more useful than having a wide zoom.
Am.
Matthias
2 years ago |I don’t need pancakes, I want a 2.8-3.5 zoom like the FT 14-54 II for mFT
Winston Loo
2 years ago |+1000
Jules
2 years ago |There is a market for both.
Hopefully a big enough one.
greyhat
2 years ago |I agree with all that say that this is becoming a system:
1. You have cheap zooms and small zooms for enthusiasts or P&S upgraders is what they want: a lens that do almost everything to replace their camera but with more IQ
2. You have a good (and expensive) zoom 14-140 for Video (for pros)
3. You have an enthusiast big zoom 14-150 (for those that think that what they need is one lens for really everything)
4. you have adapters for extend normal zooms (high quality from Oly and ebay ones)
5. you have long zooms for birders
6. You can convince pros to come to the system: you can adapt almost all legacy lenses on the market
Future:
7. You will have common primes to smile at pros and others that where at item 1. for some time: 12, 17, 20, 25, 50mm fast primes (I know 12, 25 and 50 don’t exist yet and 17 IQ could be better)
8. You have a macro lens (that is not have that price/IQ ratio, but you have one)
9. you will have a fast pro zoom 12-60 2.5-3.x
By the end of the summer you should be at item 8. So what’s missing? probably a longer macro lens and tilt-shift, but the latter may not be really applicable on m43 (and you have ebay adapters)
It could be faster, yes, but a system can not be made in one year, even with unlimited budget. Think Nikon and Canon: they want to get the CSC boat for years now; Nikon would join soon and I doubt that they will start with 10 lenses or only pro grade primes.
Yes they could re-use its lenses, but a 2.5x crop factor system with FF frame lenses (BIG) is awkward.
Nex? Nex may have very good IQ, but you would use almost the same lowepro stuff to carry the system. The camera is smaller, but lenses no. Typically you have more lenses than bodies.
What’s really missing: a better sensor. I know sensor is not that important, but for DR (not high ISO noise) IMHO it is. Basically what Olympus should do (and just can’t do) is buy the sensor with same technology as Nikon D7000 with m43 size, it would be about 12MP. Alternatively it could buy a SIGMA SD1 foveon sensor as an option (with m43 measures). Everyone would stop complaining about sensor anymore, and they would sell a lot more and get more money to R&D and…
sorry for the longish post.
Ahem
2 years ago |What’s missing is an UWA prime (8-10mm, doesn’t have to be fast), and an ultra-fast portrait prime (50-70mm, f/1.4 or faster). Those two would make me and a lot of other serious shooters VERY happy
But yeah, more dynamic range from the sensors would be welcome as well, and optimized for low ISO – unlike the current trend of optimizing high ISO at the cost of low ISO performance. Would love to see a next-gen Foveon sensor in an MFT body.
Esa Tuunanen
2 years ago |>2. You have a good (and expensive) zoom 14-140 for Video (for pros)
>3. You have an enthusiast big zoom 14-150 (for those that think that what they need is one lens for really everything)
Olympus 14-150mm has such slow max apertures that it’s not really enthusiast level zoom but more aimed to that first point.
Also Pana spend so much money for video features in 14-140mm that optically it’s no match for their own Four Thirds Leica D 14-150mm. (which works well with adapter)
BOka
2 years ago |12-60 for m4/3 please
that’s only lens i will buy.
Carlo
2 years ago |I still want a 25mm 1.4 (or even 1.8) for the classic 4/3
Boooo!
2 years ago |There is one – the Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4.
lunic
2 years ago |Summilux 25mm is a very good glass. but it’s heavy and expensive. We always wanted a normal prime (in size and IQ) in resonable price. But Olympus made just one lens in 2008, the 25mm 1:2.8, It was unable to satisfy us.
greyhat
2 years ago |Agree, I prefer perfect clean 200 Iso and clean and good color on iso 800 than a “no noise” (and no detail even in RAW) on Iso 3200.
Fast lenses can solve lack of light.
lunic
2 years ago |If they want to make another prime for M4/3, I think 40mm to 45mm (80~90mm Equiv.) is good. If it is 42mm 1:2 or (maybe olympus don’t want to do so, but) 42mm 1:1.4, it will be very bright choice. However, we still want 27mm 1:1.4/45mm 1:1.2/100mm 1:2 for FourThirds, not MicroFourThirds.
lunic
2 years ago |So now the stubborn Olympus finally surrendered and decided to make prime quality of primes. (Damn. They forgot the wide-standard primes for 4/3, especially those in good specifications and quailty for 8 years!!) The M.ZD 12mm and Pany/leica DG 25mm will complete the wide-standard line-up of M4/3 lenses.
amalric
2 years ago |I don’t know if this has any influence on Olympus, but if you know 4/3, you’ll know that due to the 2x crop factor it is impossible to find wide enough legacy lenses.
For portraits, it’s rather the opposite. Any old, fast 35 to 50mm lens will do. a native wide is needed by everybody, a new portrait fast lens only by pros or affluent enthusiasts.
Therefore I think that Oly made a good choice. 12mm and a fast standard 25mm too because it’s a good choice as kit lens replacement. Those two lenses could be offered with a semipro camera. Oly tends to introduce new lenses with new bodies.
The 12mm coluld help launching the E-P3.
architech
2 years ago |Finally a reason to buy Mirco 4/3. A couple more lens like this and M4/3 will start to push on Canon.