Olympus M.Zuiko ƒ/1.2 PRO prime lens series

Amazingly compact lightweight lens system which provides unrivaled mobility at ƒ/1.2

Yoshio Nakamoto

29 Oct 2017

Olympus M.Zuiko ƒ/1.2 PRO prime excellent bokeh lens series 2017

Olympus has released two new F1.2 PRO prime lenses; the M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO. These two lenses join the existing M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO to form the M.Zuiko F1.2 PRO prime lens series, an amazingly compact lightweight system which provides unrivaled mobility at F1.2. With these lenses, Olympus extends its PRO lineup to a total of nine lenses covering all needed focal lengths.

The two new lenses have been created under the same single design philosophy of the F1.2 PRO prime lens series (which includes the already released M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO); to give beautiful depictive performance which delivers high-quality feathered bokeh and outstanding resolution; razor sharp fast, high-precision AF in a compact, lightweight lens which is dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (-10°C).

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO lens will be available from late November 2017, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO from March 2018 (see below for recommended retail prices).

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO (35mm equivalent: 34mm) Photographers can enjoy superior feathered bokeh at a maximum aperture of F1.2; this prime lens is ideal for landscape and documentary photography even in harsh conditions thanks to its compact, lightweight design which is dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof to -10°C.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO employs aspherical lens elements and includes newly developed ED-DSA (Extra-low Dispersion Dual Super Aspherical) lenses. Olympus is the first manufacturer to successfully mass produce these lens elements which allow a reduction in the number of lenses used and make it possible to achieve a lighter-weight lens with a similar overall length to the M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO. This construction also compensates for various types of aberrations that tend to occur in wide-angle lenses, such as chromatic aberration, distortion, and color bleeding on the image periphery.

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO (35mm equivalent: 90mm) Allowing shots with pleasing proportions of the human face, this prime lens is the perfect choice for portraits. With outstanding feathered bokeh at a maximum aperture of F1.2, professional photographers can rely on precision technology and attention to detail in the design to capture the true beauty of their subject.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO is a medium telephoto lens and the design of the back focus and relay lens system allowed a reduction in the number of lens elements required, resulting in a very compact, light-weight lens. Olympus has used optimally placed lens elements to effectively compensate for abberations such as out-of-focus color bleeding – a common problem on large-aperture lenses – as well as peripheral color bleeding. Photographers can enjoy excellent optical performance which delivers feathered bokeh effects and accurately reproduces details even at the widest aperture setting.

Both lenses also use the same Z Coating Nano technology found on the M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO for sharp, clear image quality that significantly reduces ghosts and flares that tend to occur in backlit shots.

Depictive performance

The Olympus M.Zuiko F1.2 PRO prime lens series delivers feathered bokeh and outstanding resolution using an optical design that prevents a significant reduction in light. This bokeh style transitions smoothly from the in-focus to the out-of-focus and gives photographers a smoother, softer overall background bokeh which adds depth of field and makes the subject stand out more beautifully, without sacrificing any resolution.

Fast and high-precision AF

The Olympus fast, high-precision auto focus is at the heart of the design philosophy for the M.Zuiko F1.2 PRO prime lens series. The F1.2 PRO lenses are class leading; delivering high speed performance to ensure that photographers never miss that vital shot.

When paired with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, professional photographers can rely on blisteringly quick, high-precision coverage of their subjects. Due to the advantages of mirrorless cameras when it comes to autofocus with large aperture lenses, the E-M1 Mark II’s 121 point all-cross type On-chip Phase Detection AF sensor provides edge to edge, breathtaking pictures even at F1.2.

Despite being large aperture lenses, a lightweight focusing unit allows the MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism to facilitate high-speed, high-precision still image autofocusing and silent, smooth autofocusing for movies in all of the M.Zuiko F1.2 PRO lenses.

Close-up shooting

The F1.2 PRO prime lens series joins many other M.Zuiko lenses, to give photographers exciting close-up shooting opportunities which further enhances the beautiful bokeh, covering a larger area.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO has a closest focusing distance of 20cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.15x (35mm equivalent: 0.3x), while the M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has a closest focusing distance of 50cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.1x (35mm equivalent: 0.2x).

Premium design

Olympus designed the F1.2 PRO prime’s to give photographers a series of lenses which have a premium feel, high functionality and superior operation, fitting of a M.Zuiko PRO lens.

Understanding the importance of the ease of use, Olympus has created a common design and layout of the control section, so that photographers can concentrate on shooting without interruption – even when changing the lens between shots.

The focusing ring has been positioned at the front of the lens to make focusing easier especially when paired with the large grip of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II. The L-Fn button is situated on a gently curving surface which makes it easy to access. The MF Clutch mechanism allows photographers to instantly switch between auto and manual focusing mode by pulling the focusing ring towards them.

By making the overall length and the maximum diameter of each lens almost the same size, Olympus has cleverly created a series of lenses which are compact and light-weight, perfectly suited to the OM-D camera range.