God the wide-angle, God the standard length, and God the slightly telephoto.
These are good times to be a micro-four thirds camera owner; because the choice of lenses now available to stick on the camera body of your choice is quite exceptional. And if you want the best, you can’t get any better than the three little beauties above.
On the left we have the exquisite Olympus 12mm F2. Crafted in metal with a price that reflects the construction. It features a special trick, a ring that you slide down to expose the distance scale, an action which also switches the camera into manual focus mode; or at least it does if you have an Olympus camera; can’t make it do that on my GX1. But then, it’s not my lens; it’s Nik’s latest acquisition and he just lent to me for a quick play; so maybe I haven’t worked out how to use it yet.
Slightly cheaper, and with looks that say “hand grenade” rather than “work of art” is the Panasonic/Leica 25mm F1.4. It doesn’t look like much; but it is probably the best micro-four third lenses you can buy. Leica may not have been involved in designing the body, but their hand is clear to see in the optics. Beautiful colour, clarity, contrast, detail, sharpness; and a slide into a creamy bokeh that makes it worth its not inconsiderable price tag. Delicious.
And on the right is the cute, cheap and immensely capable Olympus 45mm F1.8. Best value lens available and stupidly sharp.
With these three in your camera bag, image heaven awaits.
I’ve already done a brief review of the Olympus 45mm F1.8. Plan to do similar for the other two lenses over the next week; and start saving for a 12mm of my own.
Comments 🔗
2012-03-16| Jock saysCan we expect an F1 podium style photo of the top 3 once you´ve completed your test drive?
2012-03-17| Spike saysYes.
2012-03-20| Bob saysWhat about the Panasonic 20mm 1.7? No longer a Trinity member?
2012-03-21| Spike saysIt’s the founder member of the Classic Club. Smaller and lighter than the 25mm (and half the price) and takes great shots; but once you have experienced the output from the Panny/Leica 25mm, you will not want to take it off the camera.