OM SystemOLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Black For Micro Four Thirds System Camera, Compact Design, Beautiful Bokeh, Bright

I can't believe I slept on this gem for this long. My hobbyist photography generally involves super zooms or travel zooms so I don't use primes much, but I like to have them handy.Lenses I tried before the 45mm:14-42mm EZ*40-150 R (the cheap one) x25mm F1.7 Pana... x60mm F2.8 macro*75-300mm x9-18 mk1 x12-200mm x100-400mm* (my favorite)12-45 F4 PRO x20mm F1.4 PRO ?12-100mm F4 PRO* (I consider this my best lens)7-14mm F2.8 PRO ?45mm F1 8 ?x - Sold or selling* - Keeping? - undecided, still testingThe 45mm is one of the cheaper lenses made by Olympus, but the quality is impressive, as is the 45mm perspective. I originally went with the 25mm as my first prime, but after a particularly rainy trip to Finland, I wanted to weatherproof my setup. So, I purged all of the lenses that weren't weather sealed, which is how I ended up with the 20mm. It's the cheapest Pro prime, but is also immaculate quality and I highly recommend it, although it lacks clutch and function button if those are desired (which explains the price).So now we arrive at the 45mm. I had the opportunity to purchase the 7-14mm F2.8 for a great price, and decided that for lowlight and indoor photography, I might switch to that instead of the 20mm, since the majority of lowlight stuff I do is either in museums, or when traveling or hiking and the sun dips too low, and the Em1x has impressive stabilization...But then I wondered what my options were if I wanted to do portraits, or needed something really bright. And then I decided that the non pro primes would be fine, because I don't use the primes enough to need them to be weather sealed.I'm eyeing the Sigma 30mm, but while I wait to snag one at a good price, I decided to pick up the 45mm... And it's been a joy to use. I picked up an Oly EPM2 recently to use on streets and it pairs magically with the 45 (and the 17 F2.8). I've also used it with an Em1x mkii, but it looks a little too ridiculous on my Em1x LOL.Autofocus is fast enough, it's perfectly sharp, and so tiny relative to the PRO lenses that I've gotten used to.While I'd still like to give the Sigma a try, and haven't decided if I'll keep it, I would recommend the 45 to anyone wanting to do portraits or street photos with a narrower FOV.The 25mm perspective is a safer option if deciding between that and the 45, and the 20 PRO is the better lens in every way but price (haha).But if you want the 45mm perspective and don't need the pro features and value the portability, get this lens, it's not going to hold you back.Oh, one more consideration... It's definitely more enjoyable to shoot this lens than say using the kit lens at 42mm... So if the kit lens is all you have... Well, maybe get the 25, unless you know you want a prime with more reach. And also get the 40-150 lol. But the 45 is great too.

This is a wonderful portrait lens for MFT, with excellent sharpness, nice bokeh, and very little weight or size. It is becoming a permanent fixture on my E-3. Cannot live without it!

This is by far my favorite lens. Pricer than what others May sell it for. But it’s a fantastic lens nonetheless.

Fast, compact and feather light. Decent build. Unfortunately flares in backlit scenes, even with a lens hood (generic black metal 37mm with ribbed and matted inside). A bit narrower than the original) and sun not shining directly into the lens. No ghosting but the images are a bit hazy with low contrast. No such problems with Panasonic 45mm f2.8.To be fair performs admirably for night shots, even wide open. Unfortunately, the sample photo doesn't do a justice to the original due to IQ loss on uploading.Update 12-21-2016. I returned the 1st lens, bought another for traveling 3yrs ago and it basically was staying in my bag. The IQ in broad daylight simply wasn't on par with Pana 12-35 2.8, 35-10 2.8 and Oly 9-18 and 40-150. A week ago I went to take some pics of football fans before the game on a cold day under evenly grey sky (about 11% grey). For some reason Oly 75 1.8 on M5-ii was focusing slower than usual and was a bit long. So, I put the 45 and went shooting (at 2.2) hoping to get may be a couple of decent pics. When I got home and saw the results on a big screen my jaw dropped. I have Pany 42..5 1.2 that works in any light w/o problems but is big (visually), heavy and slower focusing. The images for the tiny 45mm under dim non-descriminating light were detailed with consistent 3D feel. A touch of PP and you get a winner shot. Kinda what I am getting from top of the line old manual Konica-Minolta-Yashica lenses on Fuji X-E2. A precious vintage feeling w/o major flaws of the old lens design.Here is a comparison of ISO performance of m4/3 lens @ 45mm [...]