Micro Four Thirds has been getting some love the last couple of days. First we have Sigma’s new 16mm f/1.4 announcement yesterday. Today Olympus are raising the bar with a pair of super fast f/1.2 Pro primes.
First up, the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.2 PRO, that might attract a few higher end MFT shooters over Sigma’s 16mm. Firmly aimed at portrait shooters, the second lens is the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2 PRO.
M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.2 PRO
With the 2x crop, the 17mm lens gives a similar field of view to a 35mm on a full frame body. It’s a nice comfortable field of view to be at for environmental portraits. And that fast f/1.2 aperture is going to let you use it in some pretty dark locations.
- Focal Length : 17mm
- Max Aperture : f/1.2
- Min Aperture : f/16
- Mount : Micro Four Thirds
- Format : Micro Four Thirds
- Minimum focus distance : 7.87″ (20cm)
- Elements : 15 elements in 11 groups
- Diaphragm Blades : 9
- Filter Thread : 62mm
- Dimensions : 2.69×3.43″ (68.2x87mm)
- Weight : 13.76oz (390g)
M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2 PRO
The 45mm looks like a fantastic portrait lens, offering a slightly narrower field of view than an 85mm lens on a full frame body. With an f/1.2 aperture, you can get that super shallow depth of field look, even on a 2x crop sensor.
- Focal Length : 45mm
- Max Aperture : f/1.2
- Min Aperture : f/16
- Mount : Micro Four Thirds
- Format : Micro Four Thirds
- Minimum focus distance : 1.64′ (50cm)
- Elements : 14 elements in 10 groups
- Diaphragm Blades : 9 rounded
- Filter Thread : 62mm
- Dimensions : 2.86×3.34″ (70.2×84.9mm)
- Weight : 14.46oz (420g)
Aside from the obvious benefits to stills photographers, I can see them both becoming favourites for video shooters, too. That 17mm on a GH5 would be fantastic for establishing shots, or wide shots on something like an interview. Both the 17mm and 45mm with nice fast f/1.2 apertures would be great for wedding video shooters, too.
The first to ship will be the M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2 Pro in November 2017. It costs $1,199, and you can pre-order it now. The M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.2 Pro is also available to pre-order now for $1,199 and ships in January 2018.
