[ Lens ] Olympus Announces the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f1.8

[nitewalk]

Wow that would be around 860 SGD

[alamak]

US$499. RRP S$699??

[Randius]

Price seems ok. I am getting one!

[ageha]

Nice: Robin Wong: Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm F1.8 Review: Street Shooting

[Oly5050]

Nice: Robin Wong: Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm F1.8 Review: Street Shooting

Looks like a great lens.

But I think he has confused natural FOV and natural magnification with regard to the 35 and 50 mm focal length, just as a side comment.

[tsaieh]

Nice pics from the 17mm lens. If the price fall near the 45mm price range, might consider it. If it fall on the higher range, i have to think about it.

[theITguy]

It will be $799, same as 60/2.8

[nitewalk]

Wow that is very close to the price of a second hand 12mm. But then again, this lens will still be extremely tempting to those who are used to shooting 35mm.

[Oly5050]

Wow that is very close to the price of a second hand 12mm. But then again, this lens will still be extremely tempting to those who are used to shooting 35mm.

It supp to be metal with the mf ring. I'm just glad it's not 12/2 price

[nitewalk]

It supp to be metal with the mf ring. I'm just glad it's not 12/2 price

Ya that is the only comforting thing for now. It looks good and the user review seems decent enough. Very attractive. Will probably sell the 20mm for this since the 20mm feels a little slow even though that is a more usable FL than my 45mm.

[alamak]

It will be $799, same as 60/2.8

oh crap.. then no chance for it to be under $700 in the near future liao

[theITguy]

Media Release published on DPreview

Olympus creates 60mm F2.8 Macro and promises 17mm F1.8 for Micro Four Thirds: Digital Photography Review

BHPhotovideo price

Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens V312010BU000

[tsaieh]

oh crap.. then no chance for it to be under $700 in the near future liao

it will be under $700 for sure. just don't get it locally. i got my 60mm under $700 in thailand.

[alamak]

Comparative lens review: The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital 17/1.8 – Ming Thein | Photographer

[nitewalk]

Comparative lens review: The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital 17/1.8 – Ming Thein | Photographer

Thanks for sharing. Anyway i was just wondering, how many would jump to the 17/1.8 from 20/1.7 because of the faster AF speed, considering the relatively similar optical performance?

[Oly5050]

Thanks for sharing. Anyway i was just wondering, how many would jump to the 17/1.8 from 20/1.7 because of the faster AF speed, considering the relatively similar optical performance?

I will not jump. The 20 is great. But I wld still get the 17.

[nitewalk]

I will not jump. The 20 is great. But I wld still get the 17.

For me, the price will be a big consideration since i'm minimising the amount spent on m43 system and they are rather close in terms of focal length and even my 14/2.5 is close to the 17. It would of coz be wonderful if i could have 12/2 and 17/1.8 but the amt spent would be wow. Hahahh.

[jamestan75]

any idea when this lens is coming to our Stores?

[tsammyc]

After looking at Ming Thien's review and the technical measurements at lenstip.com, I doubt I will be getting this lens. Although it is "sharp enough", it is not as sharp as the Panny 20 1.7 or the Sigma 19 2.8, which are both truly excellent in this regard. Yet, it is not a pancake like the Panny or cheap like the Sigma. The saving grace is that it focuses faster than the Sigma and much faster than the Panny. However at 35mm EFL, fast focus is not a typical priority and shallow DOF is very difficult to achieve unless you are really close. So, I will stick with my Sigma 19mm. The Oly 75mm and 60mm have been such spectacular lenses so this is quite a disappointment.

[milez]

To me, the 17/1.8 from Ming Tien's review shows that, image sharpness wise compared to 20/1.7, they are more or less the same. CA, 17/1.8 is better. Even sharpness across the frame, 17/1.8 is better.
The price diff (if 17/1.8 is $799, compared to 20/1.7 at $520), of about $280 is for metal construction, better lens element and coating (less CA), and much faster focusing.
How much all these is worth the extra price paid is really up to the individual.

The 20/1.7 will always be a classic lens everybody wants.