A plowed field in winter, a thermal power plant in the background. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.
Martin Mojzis / Fine Art Photography and Graphic Art Atelier.
The Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro lens.

OLYMPUS M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 25 MM 1:1.2 PRO.

OLYMPUS PHOTOGRAPHIC GEAR REVIEW – PART 7.

April 5, 2018.
Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro has focal length equal to 50 mm for 36 mm film or image sensor. It is therefore a standard lens, the fifty, which is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated focal lengths, not only for me. Large lens speed here has a little to reduce the congenital disadvantage of the 4/3 system, a relatively deep depth of field.

The mechanical construction is as good as the previously referenced lenses with varying focal lengths. The metal prevails, the focusing ring rotates with reasonable stiffness. The lens hood is plastic, but robust enough.

The lens contains 19 elements, arranged in 14 groups. It seems to be quite a lot and, as we will see from the samples, it really is. Focusing is internal, front member does not move or rotate. Minimum aperture is f/16.

Diaphragm contain nine rounded blades, a proven standard in this category.

Diameter of the filter thread is 62 mm. Length of lens is 87 mm, diameter 70 mm, weight 410 g.

Together with the lens we will receive both caps and lens hood.

The retail price of the lens is currently 1300 EUR incl. VAT. Olympus is more than three times more expensive here than comparable lenses for DSLRs (Canon and Nikon 50 mm 1:1.4 is about 350, resp. 460 EUR). True, Canon EF 50 mm 1:1.2 is about 1500 EUR, but it can not compare with Olympus too much. Above all, because of the extremely shallow depth of field and the generally softer drawing, it is more about special lens than universal optics. Universal are these two lenses with a 1/3 EV smaller speed, which is in this case practically negligible. The Olympus price seems in this way a bit exaggerated.

We will see, let's create photographies.

A plowed field in winter, remnants of snow, in the background a thermal power plant with smoking chimneys. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Thermal power plant chimneys, original houses in the foreground. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ ENERGY. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/200 second, aperture f/8, ISO 200.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
In the terms of sharpness, this lens looks excellent. Photograph is very spatial (but clarity is set to +75 here, it very helps) and in smaller size (title photograph has 3000 px longer side) detailed also. I have this powerhouse on several photographies created with Canon EOS 5DSR, but comparing these images would not be fair to Olympus.


Green and plowed field. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

A group of trees in the field. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ BORDERLINE. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/80 second, aperture f/8, ISO 200.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Here I let the autofocus work independently and it was a mistake. As you can see, the columns and rail tracks in the background are relatively in focus, the rest not.


Electric locomotive 163 065-6 with the inscription CD for you, unconventionally classified as a pusher of a passenger train. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Entrance to the driver's cabin and two round windows. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ 163. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/800 second, aperture f/4.5, ISO 800.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Nice details drawing and sympatic colors.


Small railway car MUV-69 1094. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Part of the MUV cabin. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ MUV. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/800 second, aperture f/4.5, ISO 640.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Briefly: very good.


Shelf in the studio. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Close up of Gitzo tags. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ IN A ATELIER. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/60 second, aperture f/1.2, ISO 1000.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Compared to APS-C, leaving alone 36 mm sensors, the depth of field is a bit too deep, at least bokeh is quite noble and creamy.


The night-lit staircase in front of the entrance to the waiting room of the station building in Zdice. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Entrance to the waiting room in the Zdice station building. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ IN FRONT OF THE RAILWAY STATION. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/60 second, aperture f/2.8, ISO 2500.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Cropping the top of the image is a bit unfortunate. That's why I did not want to publish this photograph at all, but later the excellent dynamics and overall pleasant atmosphere convince me. Deep depth of field is contrary the advantage here (f/2.8).


A glowing lamp on the wall. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Part of a glowing lamp close up. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ BELOW THE LAMP. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/320 second, aperture f/1.4, ISO 1000.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
Here is many optical flaws. I would forgive the cheap lens, but that's not the case with this Olympus. Here are the negative aspects of too complicated optical construction.


A tannoy under a roof of a platform. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

Part of the tannoy close up. Photograph created with the Olympus M. Zuiko digital ED 25 mm 1:1.2 Pro.

↑ UNDER A ROOF. Focal length: 25 (50) mm, exposure time 1/125 second, aperture f/2.8, ISO 1000.
Second photograph is crop from 100% size at 150 dpi.
In the terms of sharpness, here are no flaws and it is very good visible here.

And that's all for today. In the ►eight part, we will introduce some sample photographies and summarize the findings.

© Martin Mojzis, 2018.
Photographies: © Martin Mojzis, 2018.

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