Olympus M.Zuiko ED 17mm F/1.2 Black

Overview

The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 17mm F/1.2 PRO lens is a premium prime lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, known for its exceptional optical quality and wide maximum aperture. Here’s a detailed overview:

Optical Design

• Focal Length: Offers a fixed focal length of 17mm, equivalent to 34mm in 35mm format. This provides a versatile wide-angle perspective suitable for various genres such as street photography, environmental portraits, and landscapes.
• Aperture: Features a bright maximum aperture of f/1.2, allowing for outstanding low-light performance and depth of field control. It enables photographers to achieve shallow depth of field effects with smooth bokeh, emphasizing subjects against blurred backgrounds.

Image Quality

• Optical Construction: The lens incorporates a sophisticated optical design, including Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and Super Extra-low Dispersion (Super ED) elements, to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure high image resolution, clarity, and color accuracy.
• Z Coating Nano: Olympus’s ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating reduces ghosting and flare, enhancing contrast and color fidelity, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus

• High-Speed Autofocus: Equipped with a high-speed MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) autofocus system, ensuring quick and precise focusing. This is beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects and maintaining sharpness in various shooting scenarios.

Build and Handling

• Weather-Sealed Construction: Designed to be dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof, making it suitable for use in adverse weather conditions. This robust construction enhances durability, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.
• Metal Construction: The lens features a durable, all-metal construction that not only enhances its robustness but also provides a premium feel and aesthetic.

Close-Up Shooting

• Close Focusing Distance: Allows for close-up shooting with a minimum focusing distance, enabling photographers to capture detailed shots of subjects near to the lens.

Compatibility

• Micro Four Thirds Mount: Specifically designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, providing a 17mm focal length equivalent to 34mm in 35mm format. It is compatible with Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Performance

• Low-Light Capability: The wide f/1.2 aperture ensures excellent performance in low-light conditions, enabling photographers to shoot handheld in dimly lit environments without sacrificing image quality.
• Edge-to-Edge Sharpness: Delivers sharp and detailed images across the entire frame, even when shooting wide open at f/1.2. It maintains high optical performance throughout different shooting conditions.

Applications

• Street Photography: Ideal for capturing dynamic street scenes and environmental portraits with a natural perspective and beautiful background blur.
• Landscape Photography: Suitable for wide-angle landscapes, architecture, and interior photography, providing sharpness and clarity across the frame.
• Low-Light and Indoor Photography: Effective for shooting indoors, in low-light environments, and for achieving artistic shallow depth of field effects.

Summary

The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 17mm F/1.2 PRO lens is a high-performance prime lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, offering exceptional optical quality, a bright maximum aperture, and robust weather-sealed construction. Its combination of wide-angle perspective, fast aperture, and advanced features makes it a versatile choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts looking to capture high-quality images across various genres. Whether for street photography, portraits, or low-light situations, this lens delivers superb image quality and creative possibilities, making it an essential tool in any photographer’s kit.