08-29-2011, 08:25 PM
I think Wim sums it up nicely : is it good enough... for the price.
I'd venture to say that the main issue we're seeing now (and not discarding any part of your comment, Wim) is mainly a price point constraint. This lens is currently the most expensive Olympus m43 lens at 650€. 650€ is not much, be it APS-C or legacy Four Thirds and I'm sure it limits the actual design of the 12mm f/2.
The very real and technical size constraint might also cap the maximum theoretical cost (e.g. can't pack any more 'sophisticated' glass in a definite volume), but I think we still got some margin to go on both technicalities (purely on optics quality) & features (build,sealing,...).
Also, I don't think Olympus has such a large lens park that it can allow itself to loose much money on one specific lens and have this loss compensated by other lenses sales.
If you look at the mirrorless market, it's still quite new and I don't see many people from the heavy-pockets club investing a lot to it. Many are just sitting and watching, some are still waiting for Canonikon. Because it's this new and because there's still no promises of pro products. One problem causes the other and vice versa.
I think Olympus could probably do better, within desirable sizes but at a price nobody would go for. Patience...
Just my two cents.
Greetings,
S.
I'd venture to say that the main issue we're seeing now (and not discarding any part of your comment, Wim) is mainly a price point constraint. This lens is currently the most expensive Olympus m43 lens at 650€. 650€ is not much, be it APS-C or legacy Four Thirds and I'm sure it limits the actual design of the 12mm f/2.
The very real and technical size constraint might also cap the maximum theoretical cost (e.g. can't pack any more 'sophisticated' glass in a definite volume), but I think we still got some margin to go on both technicalities (purely on optics quality) & features (build,sealing,...).
Also, I don't think Olympus has such a large lens park that it can allow itself to loose much money on one specific lens and have this loss compensated by other lenses sales.
If you look at the mirrorless market, it's still quite new and I don't see many people from the heavy-pockets club investing a lot to it. Many are just sitting and watching, some are still waiting for Canonikon. Because it's this new and because there's still no promises of pro products. One problem causes the other and vice versa.
I think Olympus could probably do better, within desirable sizes but at a price nobody would go for. Patience...
Just my two cents.
Greetings,
S.