Got this lens in today at work, but I won't be able to put it through its paces until this weekend since I work late. Anyway, here's a couple test shots I took in my hotel room (currently on the road for work).
All test shots taken at f1.2.
First impressions/small review: I didn't look at the tech specs, but the lens is a little heavier than I expected. By hand it feels almost as heavy as the Nocticron! Size-wise it feels almost the same as the 12-40mm Pro on my camera (albeit a touch heavier than that lens, and more solid feeling). AF speed is fast and silent. In comparison to my old old PL25, it definitely feels snappier point to point. The focusing distant is much closer than the PL25 as well. It terms of sharpness, from my own eye cropping in at 100%, it looks sharper wide open at 1.2 compared to the PL25 at 1.4. Not by much, but it feels noticeable. That's not to say that I felt the PL25 I had was not sharp wide open (wouldn't have kept it for 4 years had it not been). It just doesn't seem as sharp wide open upon my first impression of the O25 Pro. I'll definitely be taking more shots in the next week or so to see if my first impression holds up. Build quality between the two 25's is night and day. The Olympus feels like a tank compared to the Panasonic-Leica. Lastly, I must say the bokeh is smooooth on this lens!
I know the price is expensive. It's definitely not for everybody. The optical gains over the PL25 I had before it are not drastic, but AF speed (to me) and the build quality is. The weather sealing is a plus too. I've fully committed to the m43 system though, so when this lens was announced I knew I was going to pick it up. I sold my PL15 and PL25 to help offset the cost, and after my first impression, I do not regret that decision.
All test shots taken at f1.2.
First impressions/small review: I didn't look at the tech specs, but the lens is a little heavier than I expected. By hand it feels almost as heavy as the Nocticron! Size-wise it feels almost the same as the 12-40mm Pro on my camera (albeit a touch heavier than that lens, and more solid feeling). AF speed is fast and silent. In comparison to my old old PL25, it definitely feels snappier point to point. The focusing distant is much closer than the PL25 as well. It terms of sharpness, from my own eye cropping in at 100%, it looks sharper wide open at 1.2 compared to the PL25 at 1.4. Not by much, but it feels noticeable. That's not to say that I felt the PL25 I had was not sharp wide open (wouldn't have kept it for 4 years had it not been). It just doesn't seem as sharp wide open upon my first impression of the O25 Pro. I'll definitely be taking more shots in the next week or so to see if my first impression holds up. Build quality between the two 25's is night and day. The Olympus feels like a tank compared to the Panasonic-Leica. Lastly, I must say the bokeh is smooooth on this lens!
I know the price is expensive. It's definitely not for everybody. The optical gains over the PL25 I had before it are not drastic, but AF speed (to me) and the build quality is. The weather sealing is a plus too. I've fully committed to the m43 system though, so when this lens was announced I knew I was going to pick it up. I sold my PL15 and PL25 to help offset the cost, and after my first impression, I do not regret that decision.
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