The currently fastest autofocus lens for MFT is the Panasonic Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2 you see here on top. Olympus didn’t bother for now to make any super fats f/1.4 or F/1.2 Micro Four Thirds lens. But this could change soon. According to one source Olympus will unveil a new roadmap (likely at photokina) with a “super-fast” prime lens on it. This lens will likely be introduced in 2015 (if Olympus doesn’t delay it later).
Let’s see…
Reminder: Olympus will bring the new E-PL7 on August 30. And likely also a Silver E-M1.
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
171 Responses
Yes , Olympus .
Please do it & speed up the process .
Make it a Pro lenses such as the great 75mm lens .
A 19mm-ish 1.4 (20mm 1.7 panasonic IQ challenging and it’s AF performance far exceeding) about the same size as the 25mm 1.8 would be appreciated. 1.2 is nice, but heavier and larger is not so nice.
19/1.4 would be a dream come true
Another 45mm F1.2 to compete against the Nocticron would be sweet .
Gosh, why would you want two of the fastest MFT lenses be of the substantially same focal length? It’d be much more reasonable for there to spread the wealth among other commonly used focal lengths.
Imo would say they should come with the longtime promised 100m during the FT years. f/1.4 would be awesome.
Yes .
Good idea , bring that on .
Because the M.Zuiko 45mm can’t really compete against the Nocticron . It also lacked of a Pro standard when shooting in big events .
Oly need something really serious to fill in , whether is 40 , 45 or 50mm , it doesn’t matter as long it have to be very very fast .
??? Pro standard???
45mm F1.8 is less than a third of the price of the Pana and very capable indeed, in big events!
Use both lens to shoot in F1.8 then you will know .
If the 45mm produce sharpness , rendering & resolution like the 75mm , I take back my words but it’s not there .
Still I have to say I love my 45mmF1.8 .
believe me the 45mm is good…I only shoot it at 1.8 because of the looks it gives. That the Nocticron is performing better in resolution should to be expected. Its just you wont see it unless in 1:1 comparison. This is why i find the importance of superb resolution or sharpness impression totally overrated if you mainly use screensize view(like most do)
This needs to be a PRO-labled lens, meaning weather sealed and faster than their standard f1.8. Give us f1.2, or f1.4 at least, and design it like the PRO zooms already available. I would suggest a great starter focal length such as 17.5mm for an equivalent of 35mm. Hopefully, the price will be somewhat reasonable too.
17.5mm f1.4 weathersealed for a reasonable price. I would instantly buy that.
Or even f1.2
Yes. This is the lens I think most people want. It’s what the Panasonic 15 1.7 should have been. I really think the 25mm length is covered.
If I were king here’s what I’d do regarding fast primes.
First would be a 17.5 1.2
Second, a 12 1.2
Third, a 9 1.4
Fourth, a 67.5 1.2
Before any of that I’d make a 9 mm tilt shift lens and a 45 mm tilt shift lens.
I guess it will be too expensive for my anyway ^^, BUT if they really to this, I would like to see something between 20 and 25mm.
Something great for indoor people shots, group shots in low light, etc.
I don’t see much use for something around 40mm – 50mm.
Since Voigtländer came out with their great f/0.95 lenses, people kept wondering why nobody managed to make similar lenses with AF. Would be nice if Olympus started a change of trend here, even if they didn’t go for quite as fast lenses yet.
Maybe the group for focusing is quite heavy and thats why it is not easy to do with AF motor or it would increase the size significantly.
At the price of the voight, sure they can even with af and lighter.
Ah, but they wouldn’t have that gorgeous Voigtländer rendering or the 10-bladed aperture, which adds a magic of it’s own to night and low-light shots.
I also hope they wouldn’t have the huge size and weight of Voigtländer. If they want to Olympus is every bit the lens designer
And where did the topic about Ibelux go?
Ibelux can be bought already so no need for rumor topic anymore i guess?
It’s back.
you mean the topic is back?
Yes, including the comments.
very good if they finaly do, either a 1.4 to keep the price within reach, other wise goin full throttle with a 1.2 and all the extras like weathersealing, this due to lack of weather sealed primes(are there any? i forgot)
+1 for weather sealing!
The great 60mm macro is weather sealed. Love that lens.
A 25mm F1.2 will be nice, but if we look back to old OM, had Olympus 50mm F1.2 and before this 55mm F1.2. So i stil vaiting.
A 25mm would be equivalent to that 50mm angle of view: I hope for that, being it my favourite focal lenght.
Mine as well, I know we have several options already (as I own the PanaLeica), but I would love to own an Olympus copy only if it provides a different character.
And an f0.5 would be equivalent in DOF and total light gathering
I care more about the angle of view. I leave the rest of math equivalences (ISO and shutter speed included…..) to those who prefer math to pictures 😉
And the m43 double depth of field is simply a blessing to me.
I was just helping you along the journey of kindergarten maths taht so many mFT users seem to have missed, If , DOF and total light gathering { vitally important aspects of photography} do not matter just AOV then why consider the huge expensive mFT gear at all when there is much smaller available. People who are solely dedicated to furthering their artistic abilities with photography , seldom spend as much time on equipment rumors websites as you.lol
There are very few threads here without your input, if you only knew maths you would be able to calculate how much time you waste not taking pictures.
If you want to teach, you should first learn how to spell correctly. 😉
I can speak for myself: photography is a passion and I manage to pay it with it. I “work” on the red carpet side by side with people who respect my photos without asking the crop factor of my gear: guess what, to them results are more important than your calculations (are you saying that you do your homeworks and do all the calculations before pressing the shutter button? 🙂 )
And my passion let me meet and know artists, actors, musicians and many interesting persons, and none of them complained nor asked about the math implied in my pictures.
This month I’m also featured in Olympus Magazine UK: how? Because I take pictures.
There’s a direct link to my Flickr where I sometimes post some of my photos: can you prove you are not just another sad person trying to act “pro” by writing the old mush equivalence argument?
If I reply is because I’m a polite person, I live so positive that I can waste some time dealing with arrogant people.
I visit this site (along others) because I like it, and I can do it even if I’m busy with my main job, I’m out taking pictures, I’m going to be married, I have to face all the little problems normal people usually have.
If you don’t have the time to write on this forum, I suggest you, next time, to use it to write something more original, useful or just polite, so you won’t be consider just a troll without anything better to do.
You should really try to enjoy life. 🙂
This is relevant to my interests..
I’m dreaming about 20mm f1.0.
But I think Oly will make something less unusual (12 or 50mm)
I’m thinking 17.5mm, 25mm and 42.5mm are the most conventional focal lengths to upgrade. Fast and with weather sealing – new holy trinity!
Hmm. Well, that’s unusual. 🙂
No sarcasm here.
They need to bring f1 lenses to the market if they want to play the game seriously!
Has a nice ring to it too. “The new F1 series primes”
LOL good one!
I bet they are not so hard to make, an f1 lens equals f2 on FF.
The difficulty of construction has nothing to do with FF equivalence. The change lies in the extreme angles that the photos go through the lens at. Those are extreme angles are constant for a given aperture independent of sensor size. So while production might be easier because of the smaller size of the lens elements, that isn’t sufficient to make up for the fact that the designing of a super-fast f/1 lens is still just as complicated and difficult for μ43 as it would be for FF.
BS , a FF lens has to cover a sensor with nearly 4x the area, and using a 3×2 ratio. A mFT sensor has a quarter the area and uses a 4×3 ratio [ which makes extreme corner performance easier}.
Look at some of the crazy lenses on smaller format sensors to confirm the relative ease of design as the sensor size shrinks. The Panasonic FZ200 has a fixed F2.8 aperture lens covering from and effective 25mm-600mm. Ignoring equivalence [ everyone else here tries their best to do this] how easy do you think it would be to design a 12.5-300mm fixed aperture zoom for mFT , harder or easier and then ask yourself why
It may be so, it may be not. I have a feeling that is harder and more expensive to make an f/1,4 lens for FF than f1 lens for m4/3.
I usually chuckle when people suggest outrageous high end specs, but I must admit your marketing idea is cool. imagine a pro line of 12, 25, and 45mm F1 primes with very fast AF, and marketing featuring F1 racing. Maybe they can f distinguishing feature to the lens, like a white and red ring and F1 logo lens covers. Sounds like it could be sexy as far as gear goes.
There was a patent of a 12 mm f1.2 some days ago ?
It was something for a smaller sensor camera.
I hope for a 50/55mm equivalent, with a metal body construction.
that would suggest a pro class design i guess,
T would be fantastic to have a lens to compete with the Nocticron with no IS and no Leica branding. Hopefully it could be just as good but less expensive.
In the long run, super-fast glass will be the holy grail of m4/3. Not entirely necessary (f/1.8 or f/2 is fast enough with current sensors), but still rather nice to have as an expensive option for those who judge a system by DOF control.
While I am excited to hear about what is ANNOUNCED (who knows when it will ship, i.e. 40-150mm) at Photokina, these rumors leading up to it are starting to sound a little too much like wishful thinking.
f1.8 or f2 is adequate for a cheaper range of lenses, sub-$300. But f1.4 (or faster) is where it’s really at for premium lenses. I would like to see f1.4 (f2.8 in FF DOF) as standard on all their premium lenses.
30mm f1.2 or 1.4 is what I want to see! don’t know what happened to the rumoured Schnieder 30/1.4…
A set of lenses faster than f1.8 would be great to go with the f2.8 pro zoom lenses. Maybe a 20 mm and a 40 mm. Most likely f1.4 to keep cost down but f1.2 would be very welcome.
Just think back about 2 years ago when an Olympus official stated that they wouldn’t go faster than f1.i. Then back 4 years ago when they stated 12 mp was enough. Times are a changing.
f1.i = f1.8. Sorry for the typo.
For a moment, I was considering the prospect of an aperture ratio that involved imaginary numbers!
There is Pana 20/1.7 and 25/1.4 and 42.5/1.2. What else is needed in this range?
9mm/2.0 though would be useful. Rectilinear of course, there are plenty of fisheyes.
A 20/1.4 or 1.2 will be faster than the Panasonic 20/1.7 and most likely a faster focusing lens, but larger. Plus it would be between the Olympus 17/1.8 and 25/1.8.
True a 40/1.4 or 1.2 would be close to the Panasonic 42.5/1.2 but should be a little smaller and less expensive.
Yes, I will love a 9 mm rectilinear lens built like the 12/2.0. It could be either a f2.0 or a 2.8.
I would not hold you breath. If you want f/1.2 on m43 for some reason and OK with its price and size, you are better off buying FF to begin with.
5D Mark III + 85mm f/1.2 L = $5600~.
E-M1 + 42.5 f/1.2 Nocticron = $2600~.
The E-M1 nets you in body IS, a much sharper lens, much more compact combo. For less than half the price.
Equivalence, the 85mm F1.2 L on FF { which probably uses about four times the amount of optical glass} gathers four times the total light of the mFT , while giving the same DOF as an F0.6 lens on mFT. Image stabilization for stills is really only helpful for static subjects in very low light.
The Canon 85mm F1.2l on the 5Dmk3 has higher sharpness,
better transmission, less distortion and less CA . The only area where the mFT compares is if you choose to compare with the Canon is at an aperture setting where the Canon gives half the DOF and four times the light gathering. This is one of the reasons for so many mFT fans almost retarded attainability to accept the very real impact of equivalence. It makes too many of their beloved lenses look decidedly average.
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/EF85mm-f-1.2L-II-USM-on-Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-versus-Panasonic-Leica-DG-Nocticron-42-5mm-F12-ASPH-on-Olympus-OM-D-E-M1___270_795_1297_909
You don’t need 85/1.2 on FF to get the same as 42.5/1.2 on m43. 85/2.4 will get you about the same (somewhat higher noise if the sensor made on older tech), 85/1.8 will beat it every time, cheaper.
A7 costs $1050 already. Even D610+85/1.8 is cheaper and sharper. Only DoF is so thin that even for portraits the whole head does not fit into it. Minor movement between focusing and taking the picture will get eyes out of DoF.
We need more lens VARIETY, not more repeats of existing focal lengths.
Five 17/17.5mm and four 25mm are plenty… that’s Panasonic, Olympus, SLR Magic and Voigtländer.
@peevee… Absolutely we need at least a 10mm f2.8! Wider would be better, of course.
I agree about the variety, but there aren’t any great 17mm/17.5mm lenses with autofocus. I agree we don’t need another 25mm. Maybe Panasonic could update the build of the 25mm to match the other PanaLeicas.
I don’t understand why so many people rave about another boring fast standard prime. What m4/3 is in desperate need of is something that would come close to a 135mm f2 (FF eq.) lens. A 67mm f1.2 would be a good start. Make it macro capable and it’s a no brainer. Fuji is already working on such a lens, because their customers have been asking for it. So why not Olympus/Panasonic?
So whats the problem with the weather sealed Olympus 60mm f2.8 Macro? I understand that it is not 135mm (FF) but 120mm, and not f2 but f2,8. However I think it is close enough, and for sure close enough for Olympus not to do something that similar like you propose.
Or the 75mm f1,8 maybe (150mm FF)….
Ok, sorry, saw you wanted F1.2, not F2.0… Tired over here 🙂
No prob 🙂
150mm F3.6 you fellas always forget the consequence on effective aperture when doing your focal length maths
The 60mm f2.8 is nowhere close enough in terms of shallow DOF capabilities (FF equivalent 120mm f5.6). I own it so I’m well aware of that.
To each its own. f2.8/60 on 2x crop at macro distance hardly ever gives me enough DOF and needs to be stop down.
Of course the wide aperture isn’t for macro work. Think about full body outdoor portraits. This is where short fast tele shine. Macro capabilities would be a bonus, that’s what I meant in my original post.
Most 135mm film lenses were f2.8, 120mm is close enough.
There is the 75mm f1.8. The difference in depth of field between a 67mm f1.2 and the the 75/1.8 is only about 15%. Not enough difference to warrant making a new lens for.
M4/3 needs a long macro lens, like a 100mm or 105mm, not another mid-range macro.
Unfortunately, I don’t see anything like that appearing anytime soon, especially from Olympus with what seems to be a 2-3 year lead time between lens roadmap announcements and actual shipping lenses.
Until then, I’ve got my Nikon AI-S macros: 105mm f2.8 and 200mm f4 IF. Great lenses!
I got both for the cost of just the Oly 60mm, too! KEH, baby! 😉
Maybe that’s what’s coming? Although I think the 75 1.8 is awfully close to the spec you’re looking for.
as Oly/Pana proclaims that their target market is mid/high end cameras ..then its obious they will do also premium primes ( premium primes are already here(Pana) or announced(Oly) )
and even I am not in the market for pro stuff …its good cause only new & new lenses will make the system atractive
i think it’s the 12mm/1.2 or 12mm/1.0 rumors before. Olympus doesnt have fast wide angle prime faster than f/2 (Olympus 12/2).
I am a bit puzzled by all the calls for essentially wide angle lenses with very fast apertures, at least if shallow DOF is the object. The thought with 35mm was that wide lenses didn’t really need fast apertures for DOF effects because you were into hyperfocal distances from very short camera – subject distances. In 35mm terms, I always considered 50mm and less to be wide-angle 🙂
Now for anything from short-tele and longer, wide apertures make a lot of sense for DOF manipulation. Since it seems de rigueur to express a wish, I’ll make mine a 50mm f1. That should give you something like the depth of field and look of the OM Zuiko 100mm f2
Agreed. Anything below 50mm equiv. doesn’t need to be faster than we have since, regardless if its an f1 or f2, you really aren’t getting shallow DoF on your subject unless you get close enough to distort the image. A 12mm below f2 seems absolutely pointless to me.
For me it’s about light gathering more than anything else. I’d rather be at f/1.2 ISO 1600 than f/1.8 ISO 3200 if DOF isn’t an issue and a minimum shutter speed is required.
Agreed. Its not about DoF, people. Its about low light hand holding.
No you wouldn’t, because the overall performance would be garbage. You’d have to stop down anyway. Unless you’re shooting portraits in a dark bathroom, the scenario you speak of has no real world advantage. Everyone always says “it’s for Astro” – What are you shooting handheld? Besides, you think the development and production costs for a super fast wide angle is really justified just for that small market?
A fast, wide-angle lens could be useful for astrophotography, even with a tripod. Since we can’t stop the planet from rotating, a faster lens can reduce star trails on Milky Way shots or aurora.
shallow dof is still a possible aspect for creating a mood with wide angles if your subject is close to the lens…I think 28mm or 35mm are very popular on 24×36 for such style of shots…canon 35mm f/1.4 for example. I did an whole day model shootings with sigma 28mm f/1.8 with nice looks wideopen in 2004-2006….time flies…huhuhuhu
This is very true. I know people that spend a ton on 24/28/35mm that are f/1.4 because even though they don’t need it it does create a unique look upon wide shots…like sets it apart from the pack.
I love shallow DOF on certain occasions, but lately I prefer to include the backgrounds as part of the subject and/or mood.
4/3 lenses already offer big heap plenty (or should it be tiny fleck scarce?) shallow DoF, if you actually ever need it, why would you ask for more? Fast lenses are build for low light photography.
Not for me, fast lenses are for shallow DOF. Decent high ISO and IBIS are for low light photography.
Faster lenses is what m43 needs, unless a magical new sensor is unveiled soon. I just shot a wedding with the Oly 45 and 75 f/1.8 lenses and never had to go beyond ISO 1600. Having the IBIS of the EM-1 helped as well. Fast glass helps these smaller noisy sensors a ton. But even ISO 3200 looks great, so hey were living in a great time for photographers.
I think this is a good move. There is room for a 25mm and a 45mm fast 1.2 Zuiko lens. I don’t care if we have the overpriced Leica Nocticron as an option. Olympus should have a line-up of all metal and fast branded primes. The 75mm shouldn’t be the only crowning achievement. If Fuji can do it (And at a rather good price point) Olympus can as well.
There is no guarantee that any Olympus f1.2 would be significantly cheaper than the “overpriced Leica Nocticron” if at all.
There’s no guarantee that it won’t be modestly priced either- mute point. Fuji has plenty of all metal faster lenses for well under 1k. Olympus can do it as well.
Of course, anything is possible at this point. I just would not hold my breath on it. Specially if you are asking for an all metal construction that stands toe to toe with the Nocticron.
I’d be happy with the metal build found on practically any metal bodied lens. My problem is that the 25mm and 45mm scratch easily. As in day one you own it. For the price, what’s another 100 dollars for either a metal build or composite. I also hate the feel of plastic. If Olympus is trying to move upstream eventually your consumers are going to want the higher builds.
We certainly share more points of agreements than disagreements.
The way I see it, if Olympus is going to produce f1,2 lenses, its not going to be half baked and they will charge for it. Top notch built, complex design, large front element. Of course, hardly anyone would complain, should I be proven wrong about the price. Early Nocticron adopters, maybe.. For what it’s worth, I think it is safer to assume they will be expensive.
In the end, what I really expect to have (between the Noctictron and an eventual alternative) is a set of trade off: If you prefer X,Y, Z, go for the Nocticron. If you prefer A.B C, get the Olympus and be happy.
Agreed
The fact that Fuji makes cheaper lenses for under $1,000 is the moot point . . . unless you already have FujiFilm ILC cameras. 😉
I don’t actually, I’m an Olympus kinda guy- what can I say. Everything else I have is Zeiss glass and sony a mount full frame stuff. I confess, I just want a metal 25mm 1.2….and I’ll end up buying the 42.5 reluctantly. That price is going to be a hard pill to swallow….
I know what you mean about metal lenses. I haven’t yet pulled the trigger on purchasing the Nocticron, (nor the P35-100mm) because of price constraints. I haven’t lost interest in either of these fine lenses however.
I might give up a kidney for a 25mm f1.2.
I’d give up both kidneys and walk around with a colostomy bag for a 25mm 1.2.
Take the Nocticron, remove the IS, add sealing, remove the aperture dial, add snap focus. The price could be cheaper. Competition is a great thing.
you could throw in all the conditions in the world and link with the “could” logical connector to the last proposition and your statement remains true.
But we agree, competition is a great thing 😉
Pretty sure it would be cheaper. Heck, the Oly 12-40 is cheaper than the Panny 12-35 (though now panasonic has dropped the price to compete), and the oly has a better build, nice manual clutch, function button and weather-sealing. Also, if Fuji can make a lens as good or better than the Noct for $1,000 retail, someone sure as heck can make one for m43’s.
>There is room for a 25mm and a 45mm fast 1.2 Zuiko lens.
What’s wrong with the Panaleica 25mm f/1.4? Just the fact that it’s plastic, or…?
1 : It is not OLYMPUS.
2 : It is not SEALED.
3 : while it is quite sharp, It is not as sharp as OLYMPUS could make one wide open.
I agree with the above that Olympus should have their own line of lenses, optimized for use on their bodies, sealed, with snap ring focus. Why rely on the other guy to make things for your camera? Canon and Nikon already have a full lens lineup. That doesn’t stop Sigma and others from making identical focal/aperture lenses that happen to sell VERY well.
I think your point number 1, “It is not OLYMPUS” is your real issue. And your point number 3, “…It is not as sharp as OLYMPUS could make one…” is more of the same.
Olympus is a fine organization with talented people. There is more than enough proof that Panasonic is also, and a leader in both design and optical manufacturing in their own right, not to mention the consultancy arrangement with Leica. None of these brands possess fairy-dust magic.
If you continue to look for justifications for your Olympus preference, you can certainly find them, but perhaps you should re-think the validity of your comparisons.
I don’t think you are grasping the point. My brand preference has no point in this discussion. Olympus should have their own lenses in their premium lineup, regardless of whether or not their competitor has a similar lens or not. Panasonic is both Olympus’ competitor and ally. Just because someone else made a lens in a focal length doesn’t mean Olympus shouldn’t. Canikon already had a 50mm f/1.4, but Sigma made one anyway, and now its a best seller. Olympus already had the 17mm f/1.8, then Panasonic released the 15mm f/1.7. Panasonic already had the 12-35 f/2.8, then Olympus released their own version.
Yeah, I’m not saying that I wouldn’t welcome it, but my reason for bringing up the panaleica 25 f/1.4 was the statement that “There is room for a 25mm and a 45mm fast 1.2 Zuiko lens.”
If there’s room for a fast oly 25mm when the panaleica 25 f/1.4 (which is a very well thought of and reviewed lens) exists, there’s room for pretty much anything, so the concept of “room for x” becomes a little meaningless.
But hey, from a consumer’s viewpoint the more the merrier.
Speaking as a primary Olympus shooter (100% body and 80% optics) I agree. Panasonic is just as good as Olympus.
Agreed, my three favourite lenses in my collection are the panny 12-35 f/2.8, the panny 25 f/1.4 and the oly 75 f/1.8. I shoot entirely on Olympus bodies.
The panny isn’t really that sharp though for a $600 50mm equiv lens. Its just a bit sharper in the center than the Oly 25, but its significantly less sharp in the corners than the Oly. The only thing the panny has going for it imo is that it renders nicely. I think there is still room here for a better lens in this space.
Haven’t tried it although I’m aware it’s pretty good. I don’t like plastic lenses- personal thing I guess.
Plastics are not all created equal. PL25 certainly is not the cheapest. It has been my default lens for over a year and still is unscratched.
I’m so tired of hearing this. I don’t know what fantasy land some of it’s users/supporters live in, but Fuji is not leading in anything. At least not yet. Yes, their on the right track. Their designs are usually nice with a decent build of metal and PLASTIC.
They have a nice $1000 56mm f/1.2, $1000 10-24mm f/4 zoom, and $900 23mm f1.4. Their $900 14mm f/2,8 is pretty good, but it’s pretty slow. The $400 27mm f/2.8 is sharp and a nice small size.
Speed sells. I want it. I also find the fuji 56 ad 23 to be pretty decent. Don’t like it move one. Otherwise, as a consumer I’d like faster olympus lenses built like the 75mm…simple enough….not asking a lot. And heck, if they can squeeze a little more speed out of it great. All I’m saying.
Build quality? Who cares about that? Obviously you do, but for me, image quality and price are the only issues. I would like faster primes that are as sharp as their f1.8’s, but aren’t expensive, otherwise I simply can’t afford them and will never buy them. I look after my equipment and don’t care about top build quality as long as it’s adequate. Plastic on lenses doesn’t bother me at all.
I’d like a 45mm 1.4 for about $600 max, since the 1.8 is great but quite small and so going 1.4 shouldn’t make it too much bigger or more expensive. (The price of the 42.5 f1.4 is ridiculous.) And a 25mm f1.0 (with autofocus of course) for about $900. And a 100mm f1.4 for a grand.
Hmm… I would admit a disposition to stare at very fast lenses. I wanted but could not afford the 55mm f1.2 Zuiko for the OM1/OM4 cameras I cannot part with. I shot the f1.4 prime instead, the one I learned the whole game on. It is nostalgic to consider a new super fast mZuiko, but an extra third of a stop on the Leica is a waste of money and Olympus knows it. When we shot Kodachrome 64 and Fujifilm 100, fast apertures rescued many a shot in compromised light. We have very deep ISO’s these days, try 3200, AND multi-axis image stabilization to sneak a couple of extra stop’s worth on the slow shutter end. The need for a huge aperture just isn’t there. I am sure it is fun to have one, though. On the other hand, we have to consider the legitimacy the new PRO lenses confer on the OM-D system. They are awesome, and they sell the whole system to some smart people who are dumping Nikons and pocketing a bit of cash in the exchange. A PRO-level prime might add to the fire!
With aperture rings, real weather sealing w warranty to back it up, premium build but priced without gouging — this could be a hit. I hope they start very wide and very long, since the mid focal range is pretty well covered.
Why is it everyone keeps asking for premium this, premium that, everything premium, without a premium price?
Because its entirely possible. They sell the 12-40 2.8 for $800. Its premium with a great price. The Nocticron could have been much more affordable if they hadn’t put IS in it, for example. Even so, its still very affordable compared to say, the Canon 85 1.2 L, which doesn’t have IS, is soft, and doesn’t focus even remotely fast.
Those premium glass should come with a consultant that pops out periodically and gives a lecture on economics, dealing with concepts such as worth, value, alternative products, simple living as well as coaching strategies on establishing personal needs 😉
😀
Like your Internet access, or the electronics you access this site from? Or the camera you obviously own that could be captured with a cheap point and shoot or disposable film camera? People in glass houses look really stupid when they throw stones and then try to justify it.
Sorry. I forgot to mention it was meant as an absurd joke.
There is little justification for the claim that in-lens OIS is expensive. Panasonic’s very good implementations of OIS are included in the cheapest kit lenses and a whole range of inexpensive zooms, also noting its presence in their entire range of compact cameras.
Is it free? Well, of course not. Does it compromise the optical design? Apparently not based on numerous stellar-performing lenses that have it. But I think you should stop asserting that the Nocticron, or any other lens, would be “much more affordable” without it.
IS inside a fast f/1.2 lens is a LOT different from IS in a slow f/5.6 lens.
It WOULD be much more affordable. Do you have a clue how in lens stabilization works? I didn’t think so.
Super fast aperture equals expensive, from any lens manufacturer.
12-40 is made of plastic entirely (except exterior), has poor lens base design and made in China. Nocticron is japan made, all metal… with IS, manual aperture, leica design, extraordinary ASPH ringless lenses and highly corrected very sharp razor sharp super fast lens… Not coming cheap anytime in real life.
I’m not saying that at all. I’d expect a premium product to justify its cost. The Olympus 75mm is an example. The Olympus 12-40 is another. Panasonic-Leica F/1.2 pushes to the limit, but sounds like it delivers. Some might say it costs beyond a fair premium. I’m in that camp. But I think it is making a brand statement and is there to help reposition Panasonic, and in that context, is justified. Olympus attempting to artificially create a collectible, limited edition black 12mm is an example of gouging, to me. But everything is subjective. Premium pricing brings premium expectations. To me, IQ, build quality, handling, packaging, design and ruggedization are all expected.
17.5mm f/1.2–make it so!
The headline ,superfast lens coming at photokina?’ is deceiving and the sole purpose seems to be to get yet more clicks and money for admin.
This site is deteriorating, a pity. No real rumors in months and trying hard to get attention anyway.
If anything, then the roadmap for that lens might appear at photokina, not the lens! At least not in 2014.
Go away troll. This is a rumor site, not an announcement site.
Agree with Martin K. Three posts a day, while sometimes there is really nothing new for a month or so, can only have one purpose – to draw clicks.
Go and count how many times new Olympus telephoto zoom was rumored in last half year – after it has been announced by Olympus itself…
It’s a pity really. Quality rather than quantity of rumors is what makes a rumor site great. So yes, this site is detoriorating. How could it be different, if so many rumor sites are operated by a one man band, who has a regular job too… Admin is not a superman (or spiderman?… batman?…) after all.
I think a nice high end standard prime to pair with their high end bodies is a definite need for the system. 17.5mm f1.4 with metal build and MF ring like the 12mm makes sense. It MUST be weathersealed to finally provide a good all-around prime to pair with the weathersealed bodies in harsh conditions. I imagine it will be released as a kit at some point as well.
Where would something like that fall pricewise? $699-799? I’m guessing that is a reasonable premium over the PL25 1.4 for the better build and weather sealing.
How about a full line of AF .95’s. built out of glass and brass. I would also prefer the “PRO” label on the side etched in and embossed with silver. Yeah, that’s pro.
How about not ever going to happen and I’m happy for it. You would to if you knew something about lens design.
.85?
42.5mm f/0.2.
Comes with a built in ND filter, because its so bright, it will burn up your sensor if used in the daylight.
Wanted : Zuiko 17.5mm f/1.4 sealed with snap ring focus, black, metal.
Zuiko 25mm f/1.2 or f/1.4 sealed with snap ring focus, black, metal.
Zuiko 12mm f/2 or 1.8 sealed with snap focus ring, black, metal.
Would be nice : Zuiko 42.5mm f/1.2, sealed, with snap ring focus, black, metal. Could be cheaper than the Nocticron since it wouldn’t need IS on Olympus bodies.
Hope It’s gone be a wide angle lens, a 14mm or 17.5mm would be a VERY VERY nice addition the M43 line-up! BLACK, snap-ring focus, and metal build should be a must. Aperture of 1.2 or 1.4 at a price tag of 900$ to 1 200$ USD. If not, a 100mm F/1.4 ? Superb lens for lowlight !
I’m hoping for a 100mm, or 150mm, f/1.2.
about the picture, combo GX7 and Nocticron is really cute.
I would address it , a formidable combination .
they make them look a lot smaller than they really are. GX7 is not a petit camera and the 42m is not tiny lens. I guess we all know “photos lie”
The Nocticron looks fat (compared to the lenses I use on my GX7). It almost looks as though it might crowd the hand-grip a little. While the GX7 is a nice size, the Nocticron lens exaggerates the smallness.
Serious camera-porn.
It would be fantastic to have a lens to compete with the Nocticron with
no IS and no Leica branding. Hopefully it could be just as good but less
expensive
THis lens is called Nokton voigtlander 42.5/.95, you can find it for 849€ in Europa if you live there.
The voigt does not have AF.
yes like legacy lens.
Let’s move forward, not backwards.
Get rid of the IS, paying Leica branding keep the optics and the lens cabe smaller, lighter, and just as fast and cost less!!!
No AF. No sale. Not everyone likes to hope they are focused correctly with a manual focus and wide open aperture. Too many opportunities for missed shots. And to manually focus while the camera zooms way in to verify focus is not as easy as half-pressing a shutter button.
Agreed.
People are crying because fast prime lens are expensive like the Nocticron. I don’t understand…
Yep
“And to manually focus while the camera zooms way in to verify focus…”
Huh? What does that mean exactly?
Manual focus is manual and is entirely up to the user.
The camera has nothing to do with it. You learn to trust your eye, not an algorithm.
Besides, it’s actually an enjoyable thing to do and it’s nice to have a real aperture ring with a focus scale. It’s a whole ‘nother experience entirely from AF.
BTW, the Voigtländer 42.5mm is a fantastic lens!
As long as Olympus continues to make low-end optics (like the recent 25mm prime, the pancake zoom or the fisheye bodycap), I have absolutely problem with them going full steam ahead with expensive zooms and primes.
The 1.8/25mm low end? No way! It is better than the P 1.4/25mm and a very sharp lens.
Low-end doesn’t mean it’s bad, just much more affordable.
Go back to marketing 101, low-end means cheap period.
Really, troll?
Low-end means quality, not price. Otherwise you need to specify that you talk about price and product being affordable, cheap or expensive.
My weather sealed, aperture ringed, premium built, prime wish list:
6mm
9mm
200mm
300mm
200mm f/2.8, yes please! 300mm f/4 already announced, so they got that covered, except for the aperture ring. I can live without the aperture ring, as it would just make the handling different between lenses. If they would make a complete line of lenses with that feature like Fuji has done, I would be fine with it. I don’t see it happening, though.
I don’t mind paying a premium for my most used focal lengths which includes 35mm and 50 equivalents not 85. I would definitely pay over a grand for a 25mm 1.0 or 17.5mm 1.0 without question.
Olympus and Panasonic both patented fast wide-angle primes…
So maybe we see a 12mm / 14mm f1.0 ?