Full Res Olympus 15mm f/8 Body Cap Lens Sample Images by Peter Norman on Flickr

Amin Sabet · #1 October 3rd, 2012, 03:00 PM

One of our members peternorman has shared a set of full-resolution photos taken with the Olympus 15mm f/8 Body Cap Lens on Flickr.

Direct link to the samples: Flickr: Aussie.in.Guernsey's stuff tagged with bodycaplens15mm180

[Thanks peternorman]

dhazeghi · #2 October 3rd, 2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amin Sabet

One of our members peternorman has shared a set of full-resolution photos taken with the Olympus 15mm f/8 Body Cap Lens on Flickr.

The quality of the photography is excellent. I'm less sure about the quality of the lens. At f/8, there's enough DoF, but I'm having a hard time finding images where more than the central 2/3 of the frame is sharp.

DH

speedandstyle · #3 October 3rd, 2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhazeghi

The quality of the photography is excellent. I'm less sure about the quality of the lens. At f/8, there's enough DoF, but I'm having a hard time finding images where more than the central 2/3 of the frame is sharp.

DH

There is a focus lever on the lens. Perhaps he had it set for short rather than infinity? What is in focus looks pretty sharp however and it rendered nice colors. I also don't see much distortion even though it is a wide. The lens is definitely not a "toy".

Amin Sabet · #4 October 3rd, 2012, 04:27 PM

Edge sharpness is not good compared to most lenses including kit zooms. On the other hand, it's the thickness of a body cap with a built in lens cover, has manual zone focus controls, costs $50, and has good central sharpness.

My primary use would be street photography where edge sharpness is unimportant to me. A bit of peripheral softness might even contribute to a result in some cases.

JJJPhoto · #5 October 3rd, 2012, 04:31 PM

Considering the low cost and the fact you get a body cap/lens in one package it's not bad ... but I'd say the 14-42mm II R kit lens is much better at 15mm and f8 than this (even if it is a physically larger lens).

Nice compositions ... but those samples reveal the optical shortcomings of this body cap lens.

speedandstyle · #6 October 3rd, 2012, 04:33 PM

The edges look sharp to me. Granted not as sharp as the center but all lenses will be some softer at the edges. For $50 you can't go wrong with this lens!

Amin Sabet · #7 October 3rd, 2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJJPhoto

but I'd say the 14-42mm II R kit lens is much better at 15mm and f8 than this (even if it is a physically larger lens).

For sure. This lens seems to be about two things: size and simplicity (zone focusing with a lever). It's more about the process/experience than it is about the results.

LovinTheEP2 · #8 October 3rd, 2012, 04:58 PM

KUDO'S TO OLYMPUS

for making a real interesting lens out to market that performs very well for what it is. Don't see why anyone with a u43s cam wouldn't want one simply as a lens cap and nice solution to play around with.

Here in lies the issue with Online reviewers. For what it is, it's a perfect lens. Sub $100. Excellent sharpness. Lens cap with a couple of fix focus points. Outstanding concept and real winner for Olympus in my opinion. Fun (non toy) lens that could easily be in everyones bag.

Is it perfect with edge to edge sharpness like the 75mm/1.8.. no. Should it be.. NO!

Colors and rendering look bang on, amazing sharpness for sub-100 dollar lens cap. Definitely will be interesting to see it up against in a direct comparison to the 14mm pana, 17mm olympus and 14-42 IIr at 15mm kit at F8.

sLorenzi · #9 October 3rd, 2012, 06:21 PM

IMO if one thinks about this lens in a comparative way will be disappointed for sure. It's not about clinical sharpness, it's about the way it's designed to be used. I'm getting it, but obviously not expecting it to replace the 14mm. It' not about the destination, it's about having fun until get there. ;-)

Sent from my BlackBerry 9000 using Tapatalk

Linh · #10 October 3rd, 2012, 06:49 PM

It's frickin $50, what do you want guys!??! =)