Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 Lens Review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 Handling and Features

Despite being very solidly put together and sporting a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, this lens weighs only 120g, which makes for a nice compact combination with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 body used for testing. High quality metal and plastics finish the lens off nicely, making a high-quality impression. Unfortunately this lens isn't weather sealed, unlike some other lenses from Olympus' range.

Autofocus is quick, precise and virtually silent, thanks to the MSC focusing motor, which is designed for use when shooting video as well as stills. The manual focusing ring slides back towards the camera body to reveal a distance scale and a useful hyperfocal focusing scale is also provided. Manual focusing is silky-smooth, which makes applying fine focus adjustments relatively straightforward. However, it is a shame that the lens does not automatically switch the camera used for testing to manual focus when the focusing ring is engaged. Instead a warning flashes on screen to prompt you to change focusing modes. Closest focus is 25cm, which allows you to get close for frame filling shots or for shooting in claustrophobic environments.



A 46mm filter thread is supplied, which does not rotate during focusing and the lens does not extend. This makes the lens ideal for use with graduated or polarising filters. No lens hood is supplied as standard. The optional LH-48B hood retails for a wallet-busting £55 if you require one.

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