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

[ageha]

I tried the lens yesterday in one of the local shop but left without buying.
As i did not bring any camera, i borrow their OMD for testing.
tested on close up object, seems ok, looks sharp too.
tested again on a object 3m away, it seems very soft, try at f1.8, f2.8 and f5.6
All test with decent shutter speed, i only can remember at F1.8, shutter speed was around 1/100.
I told the shop staff that it is soft, they took the camera retake the object, result is the same.
They finally reset the camera to default setting, retry again, still soft.

maybe those who have the lens can try to take a pic at 3 metre away.

Not even at f/5.6 or f/4.0? The F2.8 version is pretty sharp when stopped down slightly.

 

[milez]

I tried the lens yesterday in one of the local shop but left without buying.
As i did not bring any camera, i borrow their OMD for testing.
tested on close up object, seems ok, looks sharp too.
tested again on a object 3m away, it seems very soft, try at f1.8, f2.8 and f5.6
All test with decent shutter speed, i only can remember at F1.8, shutter speed was around 1/100.
I told the shop staff that it is soft, they took the camera retake the object, result is the same.
They finally reset the camera to default setting, retry again, still soft.

maybe those who have the lens can try to take a pic at 3 metre away.

These 2 shots were taken about 3m away (i cant be sure... maybe more or less).

f1.8 1/500 ISO200

f5.0 1/80 ISO400

 

[speedtest99]

These 2 shots were taken about 3m away (i cant be sure... maybe more or less).

f1.8 1/500 ISO200

f5.0 1/80 ISO400

i am not sure about outdoor as i tested in shop.
can post a few indoor pics, no flash with 100% crop.

 

[milez]

i am not sure about outdoor as i tested in shop.
can post a few indoor pics, no flash with 100% crop.

these were the first 2 shots i took when buying the lens in the shop.

 

[Forsei]

That's Hg mall?
HN there got good price?

 

[speedtest99]

these were the first 2 shots i took when buying the lens in the shop.

can provide a 100% crop at centre.

 

[keithwee]

thanks bro, now the decision between keeping my 20 or buy this 17.
or keep 20 and buy 17.:dunno:

Having the same difficult decision here too bro , AF on the 20 is really a bit slow but wondering should I spend on this 17?

 

[speedtest99]

Having the same difficult decision here too bro , AF on the 20 is really a bit slow but wondering should I spend on this 17?

if the centre sharpness is as sharp as 20, I think I will get this lens for the fast AF, wider fov and snap focus.

 

[milez]

can provide a 100% crop at centre.

 

[speedtest99]

May I know where is the focusing point for the 2 pics?

 

[sin77]

That's Hg mall?
HN there got good price?

it is hg mall.

$650 if pay by cash/nets

 

[milez]

May I know where is the focusing point for the 2 pics?

Centre I supposed. I don't remember. But I know I just point and shoot n

 

[speedtest99]

Centre I supposed. I don't remember. But I know I just point and shoot n

you focus on the chio lady in white ah? I guess your wife is not beside you right?

Joke aside. seems quite ok with your 2 shots, while testing yesterday at the shop, i zoom to max using the OMD LCD and we can see very obvious softness.
unless the copy i tested is a lemon copy. i guess i might have to make another trip to another shop for testing.

 

[milez]

you focus on the chio lady in white ah? I guess your wife is not beside you right?

Joke aside. seems quite ok with your 2 shots, while testing yesterday at the shop, i zoom to max using the OMD LCD and we can see very obvious softness.
unless the copy i tested is a lemon copy. i guess i might have to make another trip to another shop for testing.

I just point and shoot. I bought it in HN somewhere else but went to HM to collect as only there has stock. So I was in a hurry. Didn't think too much.

From all my shots (I've been using this lens extensively since I got it) I don't see any softness in the centre. Only at the edge when open f2.8 or larger aperture. F3.2 and smaller aperture all look sharp across the whole frame. Not as contrasty sharp as 14/2.5 or 20/1.7, but if you post process the raw files, can squeeze more out. I'm going to get a PL filter tomorrow and try to see if more sharpness can be gotten with the filter on.

Overall I'm quite happy with the lens. AF is a tad faster than the fastest I have used (12-50 kit lens).

 

[speedtest99]

I just point and shoot. I bought it in HN somewhere else but went to HM to collect as only there has stock. So I was in a hurry. Didn't think too much.

From all my shots (I've been using this lens extensively since I got it) I don't see any softness in the centre. Only at the edge when open f2.8 or larger aperture. F3.2 and smaller aperture all look sharp across the whole frame. Not as contrasty sharp as 14/2.5 or 20/1.7, but if you post process the raw files, can squeeze more out. I'm going to get a PL filter tomorrow and try to see if more sharpness can be gotten with the filter on.

Overall I'm quite happy with the lens. AF is a tad faster than the fastest I have used (12-50 kit lens).

did you try the snap focus? i forgotten to test this function.
i wonder just point and shoot without pre focus can get decent sharp image.

 

[nordleadx]

I feel , if user looking for the sharpest lens in m4/3, they should skip this lens .. Compare to the 14mm f2.5 , I will pick the 17mm .. Reason becos of the purple fringing from the 14mm , the side also very soft as to compare to the new 17mm.





Hope they come up with a chrome 14mm.. Big fan of their lens primary becos of the AF speed.

This is from the 75mm , to me .. Too bloody sharp , those looking for SHARP lens ... THIS IS IT !!!

 

[wonglp]

I feel , if user looking for the sharpest lens in m4/3, they should skip this lens .. Compare to the 14mm f2.5 , I will pick the 17mm .. Reason becos of the purple fringing from the 14mm , the side also very soft as to compare to the new 17mm.





Hope they come up with a chrome 14mm.. Big fan of their lens primary becos of the AF speed.

This is from the 75mm , to me .. Too bloody sharp , those looking for SHARP lens ... THIS IS IT !!!

Nice street shots!
Any chance to use snap focus? the review set I did seems conservative on distance markers, not sure of the production units. 17 & 75 are world apart, IQ & focal length, of course price too haha. Stop down on the 17 gives very good details easily at F4, at least on review set.

 

[milez]

Nice street shots!
Any chance to use snap focus? the review set I did seems conservative on distance markers, not sure of the production units. 17 & 75 are world apart, IQ & focal length, of course price too haha. Stop down on the 17 gives very good details easily at F4, at least on review set.

Organize an outing. Can let you try. still learning how to use snap focus.

 

[nordleadx]

Ok , next round .. I will try with snap mode... Will post the results here

 

[wonglp]

Organize an outing. Can let you try. still learning how to use snap focus.

Haha, ok. I try weather hasn't been that predictable.

Ok , next round .. I will try with snap mode... Will post the results here

Thanks!