Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 @ Petaling Street

If I only limit myself bringing 2 lenses to travel or everywhere I want, an Ultra Wide Angle lens is on the list for sure. Another one probably 45mm f1.8 will be cool. Yes I used to have an Ultra Wide Anle lens, Panasonic 7-14mm f4. But I sold it not long after my Hong Kong trip due to unable to meet my expectation. Don't get me wrong, the lens is excellent and I love it so much! It just failed me on low light with the 90% rate on unable to focus. Well, those day when I still using Olympus E-P3.

* Olympus 8mm F1.8 and Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 *

Olympus recently launched not one, but two new lenses into the PRO line. The Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 and 8mm f1.8 Fisheye. Both lens are available for preoder currently with RM4,899.00 and RM3,599.00 respectively with GST included. Yes a lens that cost arm and leg... and probably need free my liver and kidney in order to get it.

* Size comparison *

But hey, it is expensive. But I think the following reasons I gonna mention later are justifiable for the purchased. I am pretty much convinced. Just my wallet. My damn bank account. My damn money tree that never grow. grrr

* Wishing for blue sky... *

* Caps *

* Busy street *

* dusty mirror *

* selfie to test sharpness *

* Texture *

Hitting the street with the brand new 7-14mm f2.8, I am cracking my head all the time what to shoot. It is too wide for everything except landscape. Do note that most shot taken with as wide as possible, AKA at 7mm length. Despite being wide angle lens, the 7-14mm actually able to focus as close as 0.2cm. THAT IS VERY CLOSE UP FOR A WIDE ANGLE LENS!! Imagine how many creative shots can be done! As general knowledge, when shooting some subject with background using wide angle lens, the perspective view will make it as if the background are being push all d way back. Now with the ability to focus so closely, isn't it awesome?

* Close up shot *

* Robin & Calvin *

* Smoke *

* Circular *

* Bike *

Oh since it is known as PRO lens. definitely a constant F2.8 just like the 12-40mm f2.8 and 40-150mm f2.8. Yes 7-14mm is one of the lens to complete the F2.8 trinity in every camera system should have! The camera is fully metal built, weather sealed. It as focus ring as well that can be slide down to enable immediate manual focus. Did I need to mentioned it also came with one FN button that can be customize to any button you need?

* Cow *

* Another close up shot *

As much as I am talking and mentioned about all the camera physical look, what's matter in the end still performances. I am actually impressed and shock on how less.. lesser... lessen.. minimal distortion the lens has on 7mm. The image are so straight as if it corrected by post processing. Not to mention the absent of Chromatic Aberration. Probably Olympus in body image processing corrected it since I do recall the new TruePic does that job. Didn't manage to encounter with lens flare though but I do believe all Olympus lenses are good in controlling lens flare.

* Out of focus, dont care *

Was shooting whole day with Olympus E-PL 7 actually while mounting the 7-14mm f2.8. It is heavy but still manageable. It would be much balance and easier to use if it mounted on my EM1 instead due to the larger grip.

I have used the 8mm f1.8 Fisheye briefly as well before we ended our shooting day in a coffee shop.

World first F1.8 fisheye. Not so attractive for me compare with 7-14mm but heck, this probably one of the best lens for diving due to the accessories availability. Looking forward to shoot more with 8mm in my coming outing so that I can share with you guys.