User Review of Olympus m.Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.2 PRO lens

[spidey89]

The last of the f1.2 large aperture, fast lenses as of 2017 has finally come around for a user review! This lens rounds up a small group of PRO lenses which I believe will grow in time, joining the M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f1.2 PRO and the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.2 PRO lenses in a lineup of ultra fast lenses in the PRO category of lenses offered by Olympus.

Like it's brother, the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.2 PRO, the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.2 PRO also has the "feather bokeh" that the former was being promoted for, which gives smooth bokeh transition of subject to the background, thereby creating soft edges of the background bokeh and making the subject pop. All 3 lenses share same filter size and are similar in size.

Some specs of the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.2 PRO

• Focal length - 17mm (34mm in 35mm equivalent)
• Lens construction - 15 Elements in 11 Groups (1 Super ED lens, 3 ED lenses, 1 ED-DSA lens, 1 EDA lens, 1 Super HR lens, 1 aspherical lens)
• Dust & Drip proof - Yes
• Closest focusing - 0.2m
• Maximum aperture - f1.2
• Minimum aperture - f16
• Number of blades - 9 (Circular Aperture Diaphragm)
• Weight - 390g

For most people, the idea of a standard lens would be a 50mm equivalent, while some, the 35mm equivalent which this lens is built for. I've been longing for a weather sealed, 35mm equivalent lens that is extremely sharp and light and it finally arrived in the form of this lens. Having previously owned the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8 premium lens and the first M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f2.8 lens with the PEN E-P1, this lens is a lens that I personally have waited for for a very long time.


In the picture below, you can see the size difference between the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f2.8, the 1.8 version would be about 1.5 times the size of the f2.8, making the PRO lens a huge lens by comparison!

Having used a Full Frame camera for years before I came back to using Olympus, there are lenses I've grown accustomed to, one of them being the 35mm f1.4 lens and in my case, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART which I used for comparison.

Initially when I looked at it, it seems like there wasn't a big difference between the 2, compared to the comparison of the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.2 PRO to the Sigma 85mm f1.4 ART, but when I looked at the diameter and held it in my hand, the difference was clear. The Sigma was noticeably bigger even if not by much, but the weight was a big difference, 390g(Olympus) vs 665g(Sigma). While itself isn't a very impressive difference, the weight when I carried all my gear was.

 

[spidey89]

Comparing the bokeh at f1.2 (Left) and f1.4 (right), both shot on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 MKII. At first glance, I honestly couldn't see any difference, but on closer inspection, there is a very slight difference, it's not as clear the the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.2 PRO, but it is there without a doubt!

Now comparing the bokeh between the M.ZD 17mm f1.2 PRO on a Olympus OM-D E-M1 MKII VS a FF camera and Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART, it is quite clear that the FF bokeh is a lot more than the M.ZD version, but to be honest, the Olympus pair is able to stand its ground and honestly, if you gave me a picture shot with the Olympus, I wouldn't have guessed it's taken with a m43 camera

 

[spidey89]

One thing I love about the M.ZD lenses is their close focusing capability, their 300mm PRO lens, despite being a 600mm 35mm equivalent, can focus as close as 1.4m, which is insane considering the view is comparable to a 600mm lens! What are you going to look at so close with a long lens?! But back to the 17mm, it focuses as close as 20cm whereas the Sigma focuses at 30cm. While honestly, the 10cm difference doens't seem to make a big difference, the actual picture does show quite a significant difference

Olympus OM-D E-M1 MKII and M.ZD 17mm PRO on the left, FF camera and Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART on the right

Since the time I had this lens for a review, I've shot food, wedding, events, toy/products and street photography. Despite the size of the lens, I'm surprised I could do street, and the close focusing allowed me to get through an entire simple food photography session with it! The next few post will contain pictures that shows a variety of shots taken with this lens.

The old gate in the wall Shot at f2

 

[spidey89]

Cosplayer Shot at f1.4

Master Chief Shot at f1.2

Overwatch Shot at f1.2

Golden retriever puppy Shot at f2

The hardened scooter Shot at f1.8

 

[spidey89]

Puppy dog eyes Shot at f2.8

You got the combi? Shot at f1.2

One man's trash is another's treasure Shot at f1.8

Time to chill after a meal Shot at f1.8

That sweet ride Shot at f2

 

[spidey89]

Selling tissues Shot at f1.8

What chu looking at kitty? Shot at f1.8

X doesn't mark the spot Shot at f1.2

A dash of color Shot at f4

Penny for your thoughts? Shot at f2

 

[spidey89]

Housefly on a tree, what chu doing? Shot at f1.8

This guy doesn't know what's round the corner Shot at f2.8

I'm sure a portrait will look better than a broom, but I got no model, so make do Shot at f1.8

The concrete jungle towers over us Shot at f2.8

Bloom flower, bloom! Shot at f1.2

 

[spidey89]

Back to simpler times Shot at f1.2

Amazing to see details out of this lens! Shot at f1.2

This is really just a walk by shot, he posed hahahah! Shot at f1.2

At the tip Shot at f1.2

Half half rider Shot at f11

 

[spidey89]

Look at this, son Shot at f2

Which is the selling point? The camera or the lens? Shot at f1.2

"Huh? Uncle, why you taking my photo?" Shot at f2

To the mothership! Shot at f5.6, 0.8 second handheld, this lens isn't too heavy for handheld with the built in IS

I don't know who is more excited Shot at f2

 

[keithwee]

nice review bro. This review shows that you should keep to the 35mm (and get this lens)

 

[spidey89]

nice review bro. This review shows that you should keep to the 35mm (and get this lens)

I am, new year, new lenses

 

[spidey89]

Fun for everyone Shot at f2

Cause foam dropping from the sky is interesting Shot at f2

See what? Shot at f2

I wonder what she was looking at Shot at f4

Last light of day Shot at f2.8

 

[spidey89]

When you're young, do everything and get away with it Shot at f4

Puffy clouds Shot at f6.3

Old wood, rusty nail Shot at f2

The curve Shot at f1.2

Whe you're old, do whatever you want Shot at f2

 

[spidey89]

That separation and bokeh! Shot at f1.2

Bonding time Shot at f1.2

I'm hungry now Shot at f2

Obstacle course for ants Shot at f2.8

Look here, look there Shot at f2.8

 

[spidey89]

Where you going? Shot at f4

Nature is always watching Shot at f4

So old and still shooting, respect! Shot at f1.2

"Clever girl", famous last words from Jurassic Park Shot at f2

Power rangers pose Shot at f2.8

 

[spidey89]

When the wives shop, the men sit and use their phones Shot at f4

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow~ Shot at f1.8

It looks like snow, but it ain't snow Shot at f4

Never enough snow Shot at f5.6

Best seat in the house Shot at f1.8

 

[spidey89]

That look in her eyes as she set eyes on the snow Shot at f1.2

What is the meaning of life? Shot at f1.2

Soap monster Shot at f4

Spider-Man is being punished Shot at f1.2

Center of the web Shot at f1.2

 

[spidey89]

For some reason, all the kids were looking at something Shot at f1.2

She looks like she's bored half to death Shot at f2

First world parenting Shot at f1.2

Traveling at light speed! Shot at f11

Bicycle parking lot Shot at f1.2

 

[spidey89]

Using one's phone with privacy Shot at f4

Shooting the Victoria concert hall before the ban is effect, 21 shot multi row pano shot at f5.6, zoomed in and it was suitable for a huge print!

Huge Japanese paper weight? Shot at f1.2

See what see? Shot at f4

Attempted symmetry at St Andrew Cathedral Shot at f4

 

[Ah Keong]

want to buy!
was thinking of getting either the f/1,2 or the f/1,8.