Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 07/17/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 07/16/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 07/15/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 07/14/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

Camera and Lenses: Images with a legacy G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8, a vintage wide-angle prime known for its solid all-metal construction, a long-throw focus ring, and classic mechanical build, and a 70mm short-tele equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5.

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The wide-angle Olympus G.Zuiko Auto-W 35mm f/2.8 (G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8 for short), one of the most affordable Zuiko lenses when it debuted along with the OM System in 1972, is deceptively small, more compact than the Zuiko 28mm f/2.8, but stood high on the threshold with its acclaim for sharpness, contrast, color rendition, and the acknowledgement for low distortion and minimal vignetting.

The lens carries the ‘G’ designation to indicate the optical design of early-version Zuiko lenses, with the 35mm f/2.8 being a 7-element in 6-group construction, and comes with 6 aperture blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters, measures 33mm in length and 58mm wide, takes 49mm filters, and weighs 170 grams.

Later versions of the 35mm f/2.8 were reportedly to have a longer body length (43mm) and a heavier weight (240 grams). The letter designation for Zuiko lenses (e.g., D=4 elements, F=6, G=7) was also phased out by the early 1980s when Olympus transitioned from single-coated to multi-coated lenses. The lenses were then labelled "Zuiko MCs."

On the 2x crop sensor Olympus E-P5, the 35mm f/2.8 lens is equivalent to a 70mm short telephoto or a handy portrait focal length on a full-frame camera, a focal length highly recommended for head-and-shoulders shots, architecture, environmental portraits, and candid street photography, where the main subject can be captured within the context of its scene.

With its minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters (and maximum magnification of 1:6.4), but short of being a true macro lens, the lens is equally adaptable for crops and close-ups. Pairing it with a digital camera that has EVF aids (magnification, focus peaking) adds to the comfort of using the setup and the convenience of achieving greater depth in your photos.

Though not clinically sharp by modern standards, images are artistically pleasant with punchy colors and film‑like hues, clear separation, and smooth and creamy bokeh. Minor tweaks in the desktop image editor do help to accentuate and enhance these qualities.

As it stands, the Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8 is quite a cult favorite among vintage‑digital enthusiasts for its compact size, smooth manual focus, and image renders that may feel analog even with modern digital bodies. It is one of the smallest OM prime lenses available, and pairs beautifully with small digital bodies, like the PEN E-P5, fitted with readily available lens adapters.

Olympus PEN E-P5, G.Zuiko OM 35mm f/2.8

The Olympus PEN E‑P5, a compact, rangefinder‑style Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera released in October 2013, is an enthusiast-level retro‑film‑camera design with modern specs. The camera is fitted with a 16.1MP Four Thirds Live MOS sensor (the same as the OM-D E-M5), a TruePic VI image processor, and 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), a system that works well with adapted manual lenses to allow for more stable shooting at slower shutter speeds.

Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/26/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/25/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/24/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/23/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

Cameras and Lenses: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 and the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/2.8 are an ultra-compact, lightweight everyday setup with seamless mounts and no adapters.

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For the vintage enthusiast looking for a compact carry-around to enjoy photography with, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5, fitted with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens, is an enviable choice not only for street, documentary, and travel photography but also as an everyday camera for use around the house.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5, a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera released around 2012, features a 16MP Live MOS sensor, a Venus Engine processor, an ISO range from 160 to 12,800, a mechanical shutter speed from 60 to 1/4000 second, plus a silent electronic shutter option, and a 920,000-pixel 3-inch articulating touchscreen.

The SLR-styled camera is also credited for its fast performance, 6 fps continuous shooting, and 1080p60 video recording capabilities.

The Olympus M Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8, a pancake with 6 elements in 4 groups, with one aspherical element and 5 rounded diaphragm blades, was the first prime lens for the Micro 4/3 camera system, introduced as a kit lens for the E-P1 in 2009.

The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.17 meters, measures 57mm in diameter × 22mm in length, takes 37mm filters, and weighs 71 grams. It is fitted with a conventional DC Micro motor for autofocus, with a reasonable AF speed and accuracy for most shooting situations.

The lens is equally small, and as a fairly fast, lightweight lens, it is perfect for use as a discreet, all-day shooting lens. While it is not a dedicated macro lens, it is a fun walk-around lens that can capture decent close-ups (as seen in this post) if you are not seeking professional-level magnification.

On the G5, the M Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 is equivalent to a 35mm wide-angle lens on a full-frame camera. The focal length sits between the wide-angle 28mm lens and a standard normal 50mm lens, wide enough to include scenery but not so wide that it introduces strong distortion.

Lumix DMC-G5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The lens and camera kit, complete with battery and SD card, weighs approximately 480 grams. It is light enough to be lugged around, tucked in a sling or side bag, or simply strung across the shoulder.

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/05/26

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Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/04/26

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Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/03/26

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Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 06/02/26

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Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

Cameras and Lenses: The Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 and an M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8, an ultra-compact, pocketable mirrorless digital camera with a classic 34mm equivalent full-frame setup.

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For the vintage enthusiast working with a set or limited budget, a compact digital camera setup with a 2013 Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 and a 2009 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 is a very interesting digital mirrorless camera kit for having fun and enjoying photography, in or around the home or garden, or even on city streets.

The reasonably priced pair (on the auction market) is a highly compact, pocketable, and capable everyday camera, with excellent and sharp images from the 16MP E-PM2. The 17mm pancake lens (equivalent to a 34mm lens on a full-frame camera) offers a versatile wide-angle view and excellent close-up capabilities.

The Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 (PEN Mini 2), a compact, entry-level 16.1MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera launched in 2013, features the same high-quality sensor and image processor as the flagship E-M5, 8 fps shooting, in-body image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen in a very compact and minimalist body.

The camera, designed for ease of use while offering advanced manual controls, features a plastic body available in black, silver, red, or white. Features include exposure bracketing, art filters, manual focus override, and sensor-shift stabilization. ISO sensitivity is automatic from 200 to 25,600, and autofocus is a 35-point contrast-detect system.

Though aged, the camera is still in favour today, praised in vintage circles for street and travel photography, and for its adaptability to legacy manual focus lenses, with a recent review noting its enduring and sustainable image quality. The kit is equally ideal as a carry-around for everyday photography as well as for beginners.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8, a compact pancake prime lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless cameras, was originally released as the kit lens for the Olympus PEN E-P1. The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 34mm, which is highly suitable for street and travel photography.

The lens, launched in 2009 as a kit lens for the Olympus PEN E-P1, weighs just 71 grams, measures 22mm long, accepts 37mm filters, and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters. Optical construction is 6 elements in 4 groups with 5 rounded diaphragm blades to help produce smooth bokeh.

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8

Reviews praise the lens's portability for landscapes, portraits, and close-ups (as seen in this post), though autofocus can be slower and noisier on modern bodies. Optical quality is moderate to good, with some corner softness and fringing, but it excels as a lightweight walk-around option. The lens, though, is often considered inferior to the later 17mm f/1.8 version, a 9-element-in-6-groups construction introduced in 2012.

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 05/08/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 05/07/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 05/06/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 05/05/26

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Vintage Camera Marketplace by ImagingPixel

Malaysia's Online Marketplace for Vintage Film and Digital Cameras, Lenses,
and Camera Accessories. Follow ImagingPixel on Facebook, Pinterest, and X.

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

Cameras and Lenses: Image-making with the Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph., a highly regarded ultra-compact prime introduced in 2010, mounted on a Lumix DMC-G5.

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A thought on night scenes, with the basics of do's and don'ts of night photography. The claim to fame, however, is the Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph., an ultra-compact wide-angle equivalent prime that is only 20mm in length, weighs 55 grams, with autofocus driven by a stepping motor.

This minuscule form factor makes for a very discreet and inconspicuous front end for MFT (Micro Four/Thirds) system cameras.

The plastic-bodied lens, introduced in 2010 with a durable metal mount, is a six-element in five-group design with three aspherical elements, seven rounded iris blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.18 meters, and accepts 46mm filters.

On the Lumix DMC-G5, the lens is equivalent to a 28mm wide-angle prime on a 35mm full-frame camera, a focal length ideal for street, travel, and landscape photography.

The wide-angle focal length offers a dynamic look that pulls the viewer into the frame, creating a sense of being rather than just being a distant observer. The image frame induces the scene to tell a more complete, layered story with a strong sense of space and place.

The lens is also known for its fast autofocus, excellent color reproduction with sharp and vivid details right from its widest aperture at f/2.5. As it is, the lens is already a better performer for low-light and background blur as compared to standard kit zoom lenses with f/3.5 or f/4 widest apertures.

The Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph., well worth its value as a classic or early-era digital lens, and still sought after by MFT (Micro Four/Thirds) enthusiasts, was updated to the Mark II version in 2014.

Lumix DMC-G5, Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 Asph.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5, a 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless digital camera, was introduced in 2012. The DSLR-style compact features an articulated 3-inch touchscreen, 1080p video at 60/50p, 6 fps continuous shooting, ISO sensitivity from 160 to 12800, and a built-in EVF (electronic viewfinder). The camera, a versatile option for photography and casual videography, weighs approximately 396 grams with a battery and memory card.