So I bit the bullet and (perhaps stupidly) ordered the Panny-Leica Lumix 42.5mm (85mm angle-of-view equivalent in 35mm terms) f/1.2 lens with autofocus and built-in image stabilzation. I wanted to see what the hype was all about, and how it compared to my love affair with my sweet little Olympus 45mm/1.8 pocket prime lens (which I still feel is the best bang-for-your-buck micro 4/3rds lens).

Mounted on the Olympus OMD-EM5.  Again, it's very big. — Mounted on the Olympus OMD-EM5. Again, it's very big.

Along with a lens hood, the Nocticron came with a nifty lens pouch, too.

I just received this last Thursday from B&H. I haven't yet booked one of my hot models yet for a test shoot with this lens (that's my excuse anyway, all in the name of showing off the photos to you guys) because I've been busy with a few other things. But I hope to very soon along with the Olympus 45mm/1.8, and I'd like to compare it to my Olympus 75mm/1.8 as well.

Anyway, this entry, other than to say "LOLZ I got dis lens NEENER NEENER," is just to give my first very unscientific, casual impressions. I hate doing tests; I'm no tester/chart guy. I was most curious on how much light this little sucker can, well, suck (on paper, it's another stop of light compared to my 45mm's f/1.8 wide open). That, combined with the magical 5-axis image stabilization of my Olympus E-M5 should practically allow me to have night vision without the need for external flash, right??

Here is a view (taken on my iPhone) out my studio door into the darkness of the basement.  This  is very closely matched to what I saw with my own eyes as far as light levels are concerned. The phone even had trouble focusing. — Here is a view (taken on my iPhone) out my studio door into the darkness of the basement. This is very closely matched to what I saw with my own eyes as far as light levels are concerned. The phone even had trouble focusing.

This is a straight-out-of-camera jpeg shot with the E-M5 and PL 42.5mm lens wide open at f/1.2.  Shutter speed was 1/10 with image stabilization on, and ISO 3200.  Focus on the door latch. — This is a straight-out-of-camera jpeg shot with the E-M5 and PL 42.5mm lens wide open at f/1.2. Shutter speed was 1/10 with image stabilization on, and ISO 3200. Focus on the door latch.

Here is a 1:1 crop (might have to click on pic) of the above photo for fun.  Keep in mind, this is ISO 3200, and at 1/10th of a second!!  I'm just presenting it to you as is right out of the camera.  By the way, "Noise Reduction" is t… — Here is a 1:1 crop (might have to click on pic) of the above photo for fun. Keep in mind, this is **ISO 3200**, and at **1/10th of a second**!! I'm just presenting it to you as is right out of the camera. By the way, "**Noise Reduction**" is turned *off* in the camera!

Now I'm standing in the doorway looking out into the basement.  Again, this was taken by my iPhone and just about matches what I saw with my own eyes. — Now I'm standing in the doorway looking out into the basement. Again, this was taken by my iPhone and just about matches what I saw with my own eyes.

Again, straight-out-of-camera jpeg.  Wide open at f/1.2, 1/10th second, and ISO 3200. — Again, straight-out-of-camera jpeg. Wide open at f/1.2, 1/10th second, and ISO 3200.

Here is a 1:1 crop of the fan in the background (click to see bigger).  You can even see its individual little spokes on the fan. At 1/10 second, this is more of a testament to Olympus's amazing 5-axis image stabilization at work.  Again, … — Here is a 1:1 crop of the fan in the background (click to see bigger). You can even see its individual little spokes on the fan. At 1/10 second, this is more of a testament to Olympus's amazing 5-axis image stabilization at work. Again, Noise Reduction turned off is my preference to preserve detail; I"m not sure this detail would be present if it were turned on in the camera.

So my quick, initial observations:

1. The extra stop of light is really nice. It allows me to shoot at twice the shutter speed or 1-stop lower ISO than I could with a 1.8 lens. Combine this with the uncanny Olympus 5-axis image stabilization, and you've almost got gray-alien technology for consumers.

2. I haven't played with the lens' optical image stabilization yet (I don't need to with Olympus's in-body image stabilization that I feel is superior, although I would use the Nocticron's optical IS if it were attached to my little E-PL5 camera).

3. Focus is extremely fast. Also, in the basement photo, it was actually able to lock on the faint highlight in the other side of the room fairly quickly. I was amazed!! Now whether this was more due to the lens or the E-M5 (or a combination of both), I'm not sure--I'm no camera tech whiz kid. But I think it's the lens because it's lighting quick on everything else in normal light levels compared to some of my other lenses.

4. Unless I had a specific requirement, I would still prefer to carry my E-PL5 + 45mm/1.8 combo around town as my walk-around, casual portrait combo due to the portability/pocketability.

5. Image quality overall is very nice so far from my stupid snapshots around the house. The reports are true--unbelievably sharp wide open. Contrast is very nice. Again, I haven't yet put it to more extensive testing on my usual subjects yet (models/portraits)....

I haven't done any real-world shooting yet, obviously, but I think I will hang on to this lens. I have a feeling it will quickly make back what I spent on it, therefore making it worth its small fortune that it costs. So I guess it's worth it to me. But I still think the Oly 45mm/1.8 is still the best deal on the planet, and is the better choice for someone who doesn't make income from photography.

I have been accused of being an Olympus fanboy (and I do love them, don't get me wrong!), but the fact is that I have and use both Olympus and Panasonic lenses. In fact, the upcoming Panasonic GH4 is probably my next body this year--another good reason to keep the Nocticron with its optical image stabilization. And then the successor to the Olympus E-M5 whenever it comes out. So I guess you can say that I'm a micro 4/3rds fanboy. :)

Left to Right: Olympus E-PL5 + 45mm/1.8, Olympus OMD-EM5 + 42.5mm/1.2 Nocticron, and Olympus OMD-EM5 (with battery grip) + 75mm/1.8.

As soon as I find an appropriate scantily clad model (update: model has been secured; shoot coming next week!), the above 3 lenses will be put to the test for comparison.

Later, dudes...