I’ve been threatening to formally review the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 for a while now, but I’ve just not gotten around to it. It’s a superb optic with a subtlety that too many fail to appreciate. Our digital cameras and lenses have reached a point of sufficiency that is so far beyond 35mm film as to be almost unbelievable, and yet we still complain for more; more sharpness, more “micro contrast,” better bokeh, etc, etc, etc. The 1.8/17mm unfortunately falls into that category.

I love this lens not only because of its image quality, but also its physical quality: all-metal construction, subtly etched finishing, and compact size. It’s silent enough in operation as to be totally silent. It’s rattlesnake quick when focusing, even in low light on the E-M5. And f/1.8 is more than fast enough on an E-M5 or Panasonic GX1. I would have been quite satisfied with an f/2 maximum aperture on this lens if it would have resulted in even smaller size, but then, it would have been dinged by self-proclaimed experts for being too slow.

It’s a Goldilocks lens, just right.

When I have a better and wider selection worth posting, I’ll put up a proper review and a proper selection of photos to go with it on thewsreviews. Until then I’ll take my time savoring the use of this lens.