OM Digital Solutions Announced Revised Versions of the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 and 25mm f/1.8 Lenses
OM Digital Solutions has released improved versions of its M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 and 25mm f/1.8 prime lenses, which are suited for use with the new OM System OM-3 camera.
The upgraded mark II versions of the two primes are optically identical to their predecessors, but they have some significant design improvements.
The 17mm f/1.8 II and 25mm f/1.8 II now have enhanced IPX1 dust and moisture protection. The initial versions did not provide any extra sealing or toughness.
OM System lenses also use higher-quality materials when possible, so the previous plastic bodies are replaced with more metal. The new 25mm f/1.8 prime weighs 156 grams, while the 17mm f/1.8 II weighs 112 grams. In both situations, the new f/1.8 prime lenses are quite lightweight.
They’re also compact. The OM System 17mm f/1.8 II is 37.6 millimeters long, while the 25mm f/1.8 II measures 42 millimeters. They are both slightly longer than their predecessors, although photographers would struggle to notice without studying them. The new models, like the previous versions, take 46mm front filters.
Aside from the minor differences in weight and proportions, there is another considerably more visible design variation on offer. The previous 17mm f/1.8 lens had a manual focus clutch, which allowed photographers to switch between automatic and manual focus by pushing or pulling the focus ring, however the Mark II version does not. Instead, users change focus modes on the camera itself. This is probably a downgrade for some users, but it comes with some obvious improvements. The original 25mm f/1.8 lens lacked a focus clutch from the start.
The OM System 17mm f/1.8 II, which has roughly the same field of view as a 35mm prime on a full-frame camera, has nine elements organized into six groups, as did its predecessor. It includes a DSA lens, an HR lens, and two aspherical lenses. It also features OM System’s ZERO coating, which prevents ghosting and flare. The lens can focus as near as 0.25 meters and achieve a maximum magnification of 0.08x (0.16x in 35mm equivalent terms).
The OM System 25mm f/1.8 II is a nifty fifty for Micro Four Thirds, with nine elements divided with seven groups. There are two aspherical elements, and the lens has a ZERO coating. The lens likewise focuses to 0.25 meters, but because to its larger focal length, the maximum magnification is 0.12x (0.24x equivalent). Both prime lenses have seven bladed aperture diaphragms.
The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 II and M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 II will be available by the end of February for $549.99 and $499, respectively.
