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

[dingenus]

Well here is a 100% crop before resize and noise reduction. As far as I can see it is not as much.

[Ian]

The defocused edges of the flowers in the highlighted area here have a stepped halo-like appearance. It's not as pronounced as the 75mm sample, but I think it's not that different and I feel it is quite normal.

Ian

[alsoly]

Well I certainly am considering this lense, but I really do not understand, why Olympus persist in only silver versions of therse High-end lenses (never have understood why Canon (and Canon users) was so keen on their white line of top-grade lenses). Upon announcing the EM5 I remember having read an interview with someone from Olympus stating, that they would consider black version, if there was a market for it. !! I am convinced that the market would at least not be smaller if it had been black from the start. The recommendation (hint) at dpreview upon its "preview" of this lense says the same. It would be nice to have at least on this issue a more precise timeline from Olympus - whether they can confirm, that they will not or will produce a black version within say 2 years.

[Ian]

I asked Olympus' Toshi Terada about the colour finish options and his replay was:

"It was designed as one of high grade single focal length lenses beside 12mm F2.0. This is the reason why it has same design, color and finishing as 12mm has."

Unfortunately he didn't really provide an answer as to whether or not a black version would be produced. I have heard that a black special edition 45mm f/1.8 could be on the cards, but my source is not 100% certain.

I like the white Canon lenses. It's practical too because the white finish keeps the lens cooler when exposed to bright direct sunlight.

Ian

[alsoly]

Thanks Ian,

Would be very nice to know if that (potential) special edition 45 mm would come anytime soon and be packed with an EM5.

Also thx for the explanation for the white Canons - makes sense.

[Ian]

On the other hand, white lenses, especially big telephotos, is not good for wildlife photography because you'll be spotted a mile off by the critters you are trying to photograph

Ian

[Ian]

I should be able to take publishable images using the new 75mm f/1.8 this coming week - watch this space!

Ian

[Graham]

I too hope to get my hands on one this week