Exclusive: Hands-on preview of the new Olympus m.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8

[T-Lama]

Looks like a nice lens with stellar performance wide open.

BUT..
75/1.8 at 900 USD without lens hood (75 USD)... hmm, seems that Oly is really going nuts with this one, putting it amongst lenses like PanaLeica 45/2.8 and m.ZD 75-300, which are badly overpriced, yet many people wants them. As I mentioned before - no sealing at this price is really hard to understand as well as why this should be indoor lens.

Oly campaign few weeks ago presented two nuts, so I am worried, that 60/2.8 will be priced the same way.


dingenus: There is quite significant sharpening on the picture, so lighter and darker lines on edges can be spotted at this magnification, I believe it is sharpened for smaller resolution sample, like 1024*768 or so.
Some other samples from Oly page shot with this lens are oversharpened as well, IMO not really a good example of what is this lens capable of.

[Rene]

It's on my list
I only ordered the 12mm and the 45mm with the E-M5 to be able to afford this one. Looks to be a cracker of a lens.

[Ian]

For this sample image to be of any value it would have to be straight out of the camera. The metadata indicates that the image was not subject to abnormal sharpening in the camera. I can't see sharpening artefacts myself although this image doesn't contain the kind of detail that will easily show sharpening problems.

With the pre-production sample I tried the other day I did see what is probably some mild CA. Olympus bodies don't correct for CA. I hope to have another chance to use the same lens tomorrow at a reader event in Brighton.

Ian

[Hans]

This is a tough one for me as I have the 50 Lux and 90 Cron (both with built in lens hoods). Right now I'm not seeing it.
As far as the lens hood, I might guess that someone will come out with a cheap one like the 12-60 JJC.

[T-Lama]

Lighter outline next to the arrow is IMO clear sign of some kind of unsharp mask applied. Of course this is an extreme magnification and it should not be visible at normal viewing size, although it is visible at 1:1 magnification.
It can, however, change local contrast in some parts of the image (even out of focus), that may look unnaturally after that.

We will have to wait for raw samples to pixel-peep them properly.

[dingenus]

Ian, thanks for your answer. I keep wondering why there is a change in color as this would be a blur gradient. I think that it probably is something in the processing/ sharpening like T-Lama said. I don't see it visible so haevy with the EPL1 and 45mm.(Ph.Sh.CS6)

[dingenus]

Pavel, I think you're right.

[Graham]

This is certianly an interesting addition to the range of lenses that will be available to us.

Personally I do not consider it to be an ideal portrait lens as the working distance will be greater than available in the spaces I now work in. Also the perspective may be flatter than we expect to see in portraits.

The low light capability will make it an ideal lens for the stage and indoor sports as has been stated.

More than anything, the Image Quality will always be the key factor in determining the use of this lens, and if the 12mm and 45mm are anything to go by, this will be true asset.

I look forward to trying this one out, but as has been the case in the past, having tried one, I end up getting one...

[Kees]

I'm glad there are some really high quality lenses for m43 coming forth lately. It is an indication that the format will be developed further and has to be taken seriously.
This lens however has me .
For stage or sports events I would personally need at least 150mm and for portraits this is way too long, my 45mm or any of the (non m43) 50mm lenses would do much better in my opinion. So that really leaves me wondering where I could possibly use it for....

[Ian]

Originally Posted by dingenus

Ian, thanks for your answer. I keep wondering why there is a change in color as this would be a blur gradient. I think that it probably is something in the processing/ sharpening like T-Lama said. I don't see it visible so haevy with the EPL1 and 45mm.(Ph.Sh.CS6)

I can see a similar effect in your shot

Look at the defocused flowers just under the mid-left of the frame.

Ian