Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital Lens Review

The Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital lens is a highly regarded prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Released in December 2012, it offers a 35mm equivalent field of view and is known for its excellent image quality, compact size, and premium build. Here's a detailed review of the lens's performance and features.

Image Sharpness

The lens provides surprisingly sharp results, especially when stopped down. At f/1.8, there is some corner softness, but the majority of the frame remains very sharp. Stopping down to f/5.6 provides the best sharpness, while diffraction limiting begins to set in at f/8. Images start to lose sharpness at f/16 and become moderately soft at f/22.

Chromatic Aberration

There is some chromatic aberration, particularly in the corners at wider apertures. This effect is more noticeable at f/1.8, with a cyan shift in areas of high contrast. In the central region, there is a slight magenta shift at larger apertures.

Vignetting

The lens exhibits a slight amount of corner shading when used at f/1.8 or f/2, with the corners being about half a stop darker than the center. At other settings, corner shading is negligible.

Distortion

When using the Olympus 17mm ƒ/1.8, there is very little distortion—barrel distortion, in this example, at 0.2% in the corners.

Autofocus Operation

The lens uses Olympus' MSC (Move-Still-Compatible) technology, making it fast and near-silent to autofocus. Autofocus results can be overridden at any time by turning the focusing ring.

Build Quality and Handling

The lens has an old-school aesthetic and all-metal construction, making it feel premium. It is compact and lightweight, weighing only 4.2 oz. The focus ring is metal with raised ribs and can be pulled backward to enter manual focusing mode, exposing a distance scale in feet and meters.

Macro

The lens is not designed for macro work, with a maximum magnification of 0.08x and a maximum close-focusing distance of 9.8 inches (around 25 cm).

Specifications

• Focal Length: 17mm

• Aperture Range: f/1.8 - f/22

• Image Stabilization: None

• Filter Size: 46mm

• Weight: 4.2 oz

• Price: Approximately $500

Conclusion

The Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital lens is an excellent choice for Micro Four Thirds photographers. Its image quality is impressive, with sharpness and contrast that rivals more expensive lenses. The lens's compact size and premium build make it a great addition to any camera bag. While it may not be ideal for macro work, its versatility and performance make it a great walk-around lens for everyday shooting.

Availability

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital lens is now available at gearsoffuture.com (Gears of Future - GFX)