Size, build and optical quality.

None.

In my opinion, this is one of the best Zuiko's, both in performance and cosmetics. I rarely travel without the 50mm 1.2 being in my bag. As well as having the extra speed over 1.4 and 1.8 variants, it also delivers results that have a truly wonderful quality to them. It is hard to put into words really, but no doubt it can be attributed to a combination of sharpness, contrast and bokeh. For a 1.2 aperture, this is a very small lens, taking 49mm filters. I have found it to be very useable at all apertures, even wide open. However, my best results have been achieved from f4 to f11. Even when focused at it's closest point, the results are stunning. The optics are beautifully multicoated, lending it a gem like quality. One of my favorite zuiko's and one I am likely to hang onto for a very long time.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Zuiko 50mm f1.8 lens.

Well built, very bright, aides quick precise focusing, sharp image rendering

Price but hey, you get what you pay for!

Well balanced, tack sharp lens. Found the lens to be versatile for general photography. I photograph weddings, christenings, football (soccer), parklands and nature and find uses for the 50mm in all areas. This is a truly great lens. Don't think twice about moving from your f1.8 zuiko to this one. However, do look at the f1.4 zuiko as it performs more consistently through the range of apertures. The f1.2 is a little soft on the edges wide open, but you're not buying it to use it at f1.2 are you? It's the brightness in the viewfinder that is just unbeatable and that's why I prefer this lens to the f1.4. Many people see my photos produced by this lens and comment on how clear and sharp they are. I sincerely believe that the QUALITY OM Zuikos render images like no other 35mm SLR manufacturers lenses I have yet to see in either digital or print formats! That's not to say Zuikos are the best, but I believe the images I have seen and obtained from comparable Nikon and Canon products all seem a little "clinical" in comparison. (By the way, clinical is good if you are a press or fashion photographer!)

Customer Service

I use small independent's so no tie to the mother company.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Canon

1.2 !

OM system

Strong buy. Wish I still had the OM system, if only to use this lens. Sold mine 1985 because of a system switch. Bad mistake. The 55/1.2 with OM-2 nicely fitted my hand. At 1.2 it was a bit soft but exactly what I wanted. Worked extremely well together with Tri-X. When I print the negs gathered with this lens I always ask myself why I had to make the mistake to sell it.

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Nikon 1.2/58

Quality feel, fast.

Rather soft image at 1.2. Improves at f8.

I bought the Olympus 50f1.2 new around 1984 (before Olympus abandoned us SLR users by stopping production of most of their SLR's) to replace my 1.8 version. While being a bit faster in low light, the soft images (especially at the edges) makes this lens a poor value for money, if you are after quality images. The images are better from f8, but why bother? I think the 1.4 version would have been a better buy.

Customer Service

Never used them

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At the time, Zuiko 50f1.8, Zuiko 28f2.8. Tamron 70-210SP f3.5.

Excellent lens at f5.6 and smaller, fully usable wide open.

Beware very shallow depth of field. Corners just OK wide open.

Not a Noctilux, it is in my opinion the best of the F1.2 SLR lenses. Like most very fast lenses, it has a learning curve. Good complement to the 50mm F2 Macro.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon f1.2, Leica Noctilux.