Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

They've been on Olympus's roadmap for a while, but today the company officially announced two new wideangle 'Pro' lenses - the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 8mm fisheye PRO. The 8mm fisheye is equivalent to a 16mm, while the 7-14mm covers an equivalent focal length range of 14-28mm. Both lenses are weather-sealed and are clearly intended for use with the company's high-end OM-D cameras.
We've had our grubby hands all over them since they arrived in our Seattle office. Click through this slideshow for a closer look.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

One of the major benefits of the Micro Four Thirds system is the comparatively small size of the lenses. Considering it covers an effective focal length range of 14-28mm, the new 7-14mm wideangle zoom (on the left in this picture) is considerable smaller and lighter than full-frame equivalents, at only 534g (19 ounces). Meanwhile the 8mm fisheye is positively featherweight by comparison at only 314g (11 ounces) but it's interesting to note that this is about twice the weight of Panasonic's older and slower 8mm F3.5.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Both of the new lenses feature integrated lens hoods, which makes sense for optics with such large exposed front elements. Even with the hood, it's very easy to accidentally smudge the front element of the 8mm fisheye, especially. In fact we had to clean a couple of fingerprints off just during the course of creating this slideshow.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Offering a 180-degree angle of view, the 8mm F1.8 fisheye boasts the fastest maximum aperture of any lens of its type. Although F1.8 is actually more like F3.5 in full-frame terms, the extra brightness compared to most wideangle M43 lenses is welcome and increases the utility of this lens in low light. Olympus also claims that it is capable of very pleasant bokeh with subjects positioned close to the lens. A short minimum focus distance of 12cm (4.7in) should certainly allow for some interesting images.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

The only moving part on the exterior of the 8mm fisheye is a generously wide manual focus ring. Focus is 'by wire' but fine enough for precise adjustment in manual focus mode. Build quality is extremely high. Like the rest of the body the focus ring is metal, and moves smoothly and without any 'slop'.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Optically, the 8mm fisheye is very dense, despite its compact form factor. It's comprised of 17 elements in 15 groups, including one aspherical element, three Super ED elements, two ED elements, one 'Super HR' and two HR elements.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Like the new 7-14mm and other PRO-series lenses from Olympus, the 8mm fisheye is weather-sealed and rated as 'splashproof' by the manufacturer. A slim rubber seal between the lens and camera helps to keep dust and moisture at bay.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Here's a closer look at that rubber seal, being expertly prodded by our hand model's fingernail.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 8mm fisheye PRO will be available next month for an estimated street price of $999.99.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

The new 7-14mm F2.8 has been widely anticipated ever since it first started appearing on Olympus's lens lineup. Comprised of 14 elements in 11 groups, the lens contains two Aspherical ED elements, one DSA element, one Aspherical element, three Super ED elements, one ED element and two HR elements.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

That's a lot of elements - and look at the pretty reflections they make. Like the 8mm fisheye, the lenshood of the 7-14mm is built in.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

Also like the 8mm fisheye, the 7-14mm seems to be constructed to a very high standard. The all-metal finish looks classy and feels exceptionally solid - dense without being too heavy. This is in line with our expectations of previous 'PRO' lenses from Olympus and it makes them a good cosmetic and ergonomic match for the flagship OM-D E-M1.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

The focus ring (the uppermost of the two in this picture) is not as broad as the one on the 8mm fisheye but is still perfectly useable for manual focus. To focus manually, simply grasp the ring as shown and...
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

...pull it back towards the camera. At this point a distance scale is revealed. The focus ring moves with a pleasant, well-damped smoothness and again, there's absolutely no play in the ring at all - nor in the zoom ring.
Hands-on with new Olympus PRO 8mm and 7-14mm lenses

The 7-14mm also offers an 'L-Fn' button which can be customized with 17 possible functions. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO lens will be available next month for an estimated street price of $1,299.99.


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