I've been using the OG Pen E-P1 and this 17mm f/2.8 combo since 2009. My go to daytime point and shoot camera even with the IBIS gone. Great little pancake lense.
If you want to get the full compact camera experience, the 17mm f2.8 is also compatible with the auto-open lens cap from Olympus or JJC. Makes you feel like you're back in the 90's with a compact film camera and all their gimmicks.
Hi Grant, this 17mm 2.8 was the first MFT lens i purchased to attach to my Lumix GF1 over eight years ago. I still have the GF1 but the lens is now coupled with my EPL7 as an every day carry. Still a very good lens but I prefer my Lumix 20mm 1.7 which is coupled with my EM5 mkii ( recently acquired bargain camera buy).
Micro four nerds says the Olympus 17mm f1.8 lens is one of her favourite lenses for street photography because of focal length, build quality, image quality, price, size and the manual focus clutch. I think your lens is similar.
I am not a lens snob but have experienced a few lenses with really bad corners. The 17 2.8 is not one of them. I think the lens gets a bad rap and is a fine, affordable way to keep things small.
I have that one Grant, and it is a gem! You're right about the focal length, a good people and street lens with a bit of purple fringing on Panasonic bodies. Another oldie and goodie that's also an overlooked gem is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro. The full 4/3 version and not the Micro four thirds version (however the m43 might be good as well but I think it has more elements and funky corners). the original is one of the cleanest most accurate 4/3 lenses I've used. Super light, inexpensive if you have the 4/3 to M4/3 adapter. It's a good macro lens that makes for some good people, animal technical and scenic images as well.
I moved on from the 17mm 1.8 when I picked up the 20mm f1.4 pro. Looks to be slightly bigger that the 2.8 version but at about $70 more for the 1.8 vs 2.8 I reckon its probably the better option. The metal build of the 1.8 was always something I thought would pair well with the Pen F (though the cost of the Pen F kept me from buying one).
I have that lens. It originally was bundled with the Pen EP-1 back in the day. My original copy is found to be a little underwhelming but picked it up again, recently with the EP-1 body for around $120 US. This copy is better but not as sharp as the Lumix 20mm. Perfect match for the Pen cameras though!
Interesting you mention the Olympus 17mm F1.8. I know it's more expensive but the build quality is another big step up and the sharpness is amazing. It's not quite as small as the F2.8 though. Great video.
l love the 17mm. Just added one to use on my E-PL8..It fits in with the small unobtrusive size of Pen Cameras. It is slow to focus by todays standard, but to be fair l don't find that much of an encumberence ..I've just ordered another 'Oldie' the 45 mm f1.8. ..
I got this lens free back when I bought an epl5 camera . It got bad reviews but I thought it was a great little lens and around f6 my copy was super sharp
Since I already have Lumix 20mm F1.7 and Olly 25mm F1.8, I really need some solid reasons to convince myself to obtain this lens. Still on the fence. 😁
Thanks for the video. Have a pen e-pl3 on the way with 15mm body cap lens. Like to use that as my street edc but think a small fast prime would be better. I have the 15mm 1.7 but feel that's a bit large and would fit better on my g85. Considering 17mm 2.8 but many commenters here have great suggestions, such as 14mm, 20mm pancakes, or even oly 17-1.8. Any suggestion on a lens pairing with e-pl3?
Since I made this comment, I picked up the Oly 14-42mm EZ pancake lens. I am amazed…I took several shot wide open with it and the 14mm f2.5. I honestly can’t tell the difference.
I've been using the OG Pen E-P1 and this 17mm f/2.8 combo since 2009.
My go to daytime point and shoot camera even with the IBIS gone.
Great little pancake lense.
Nice pictures and colors. would you like to share how to achieve those colors? Thanks!
If you want to get the full compact camera experience, the 17mm f2.8 is also compatible with the auto-open lens cap from Olympus or JJC. Makes you feel like you're back in the 90's with a compact film camera and all their gimmicks.
Hi Grant, this 17mm 2.8 was the first MFT lens i purchased to attach to my Lumix GF1 over eight years ago. I still have the GF1 but the lens is now coupled with my EPL7 as an every day carry. Still a very good lens but I prefer my Lumix 20mm 1.7 which is coupled with my EM5 mkii ( recently acquired bargain camera buy).
Micro four nerds says the Olympus 17mm f1.8 lens is one of her favourite lenses for street photography because of focal length, build quality, image quality, price, size and the manual focus clutch. I think your lens is similar.
I am not a lens snob but have experienced a few lenses with really bad corners. The 17 2.8 is not one of them. I think the lens gets a bad rap and is a fine, affordable way to keep things small.
I have that one Grant, and it is a gem! You're right about the focal length, a good people and street lens with a bit of purple fringing on Panasonic bodies. Another oldie and goodie that's also an overlooked gem is the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro. The full 4/3 version and not the Micro four thirds version (however the m43 might be good as well but I think it has more elements and funky corners). the original is one of the cleanest most accurate 4/3 lenses I've used. Super light, inexpensive if you have the 4/3 to M4/3 adapter. It's a good macro lens that makes for some good people, animal technical and scenic images as well.
I moved on from the 17mm 1.8 when I picked up the 20mm f1.4 pro. Looks to be slightly bigger that the 2.8 version but at about $70 more for the 1.8 vs 2.8 I reckon its probably the better option. The metal build of the 1.8 was always something I thought would pair well with the Pen F (though the cost of the Pen F kept me from buying one).
I have that lens. It originally was bundled with the Pen EP-1 back in the day. My original copy is found to be a little underwhelming but picked it up again, recently with the EP-1 body for around $120 US. This copy is better but not as sharp as the Lumix 20mm.
Perfect match for the Pen cameras though!
Interesting you mention the Olympus 17mm F1.8. I know it's more expensive but the build quality is another big step up and the sharpness is amazing. It's not quite as small as the F2.8 though. Great video.
When I saw the title on this edition, I assumed you were talking about me. 🙄
LoL … My Dad would say the same thing!!!
Compared to the Panny-Leica 15, I find the 17 soft.
l love the 17mm. Just added one to use on my E-PL8..It fits in with the small unobtrusive size of Pen Cameras. It is slow to focus by todays standard, but to be fair l don't find that much of an encumberence ..I've just ordered another 'Oldie' the 45 mm f1.8. ..
Sometimes I think you read my mind. Love your content buddy, keep on rollin'!
I have the 14 mm 2.5 on my Pen F. Also a great match.
I've got Panas 20 /1.7 - very good, but too slow, Panaleica 15/.7 - all OK, but expensive and quite big. I'd love to get compact and fast lens.
I got this lens free back when I bought an epl5 camera . It got bad reviews but I thought it was a great little lens and around f6 my copy was super sharp
Since I already have Lumix 20mm F1.7 and Olly 25mm F1.8, I really need some solid reasons to convince myself to obtain this lens. Still on the fence. 😁
I’d probably now put the money towards a different lens :)
Thanks for the video. Have a pen e-pl3 on the way with 15mm body cap lens. Like to use that as my street edc but think a small fast prime would be better. I have the 15mm 1.7 but feel that's a bit large and would fit better on my g85. Considering 17mm 2.8 but many commenters here have great suggestions, such as 14mm, 20mm pancakes, or even oly 17-1.8. Any suggestion on a lens pairing with e-pl3?
yeah - maybe the 20mm 1.7 :)
@@grantrobertdavies thank you!
I have the LUMIX 14mm f2.5, but really like the focal length of 17mm. Do you think it’s worth the trade?
Nar - probably not
Since I made this comment, I picked up the Oly 14-42mm EZ pancake lens. I am amazed…I took several shot wide open with it and the 14mm f2.5. I honestly can’t tell the difference.
If you like pancake lenses, the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 is even smaller!
I might get that for my GX9 - The collection is growing :)
15mm f8 BCL Olympus…. You wanted small…
do you own and use 15mm f8? if so how do you like it?
230? thats expensive. I got one a few years back for 60 USd
au dollars
@@grantrobertdavies yeah, i see they are selling at that price now, I don't know why when a few years ago these were under 100 AU Dollars