This lens begs to be used. Unlike zoom lenses, prime lenses are noted for their sharpness. And the Panasonic Leica collaboration is one of the best. I love Leica lenses. I own nearly every Leica Panasonic lens made for the. Micro 4/3. The only one I don't have is the 15 mm F1 .7. That's because I have this lens and the 25 mm, and I don't need a lens as close to 12mm as the 15mm. What they have done here is very special. This is a fast wide angle lens that is Crisp from edge to edge. Fast lenses have to be sharp. If they are not sharp it is immediately apparent in the image quality. I often take one lens with me on my camera every day. I do this to train myself to get the most out of each lens. However one day as I struggled to get that sort of sharpness I wanted in an image, I found myself wishing I had this lens which was an equivalent focal length. Well I succeeded after taking many shots, I know I would've been immediately successful with this lens. It would've provided the sharpness I wanted instantly. Well my friend says the lens doesn't make the photographer, and he's right, it's still also true that a good photographer with great equipment can create astounding images. This lens is one of the tools, and your toolbox, for fantastic lenses. The only lens I like better is the 42.5 mm f/1.2 Nocticron. Well I was able to find that lens used at a very good price, I was unable to find this lens used, because it is a Newer lens, in more demand, it's so useful if you will return to the used market. So, while I paid full price for it, and hate to do that for any lens, I have no regrets in this case. This is one of those lenses I will keep for the rest of my life.
This is the best 12mm prime for MFT. Worth every penny!
If you need an MFT 12mm for low light or if you need a 12mm prime to complete your lineup of MFT primes, this is the lens for you. Excellent construction. Beautiful images. I use it on my Olympus E-M1 ii and Olympus PEN-F cameras. The aperture ring on the lens doesn't work on Olympus cameras, but they have built-in image stabilization (not really needed on a prime that wide). You can get as close as 8" away from a subject and achieve some beautiful bokeh.