Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2 !
 

From Seb Farges on Vimeo :
Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2, the quick test on GH2 !!!!!
Day test of the Noktor : vimeo.com/​30097165
Night test of the Noktor : vimeo.com/​30165718

Some people want to have a test between the Noktor -SLR Magic- 12mm f/1.6 and the Olympus Zuiko digital ED 12mm f/2, and i have the opportunity to have a loan (from my favorite photographer local store Panajou in Bordeaux) of the Olympus.
So I've done a very quick test this afternoon with those two lenses on the GH2.

The Olympus seems to be sharper, but the Noktor has a more strong "cinematic" feeling. The Noktor seems to be a little more wider than the Olympus.

GH2 24P
Noktor SLR Magic 12mm f/1.6 : 325 grams
Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 : 130 grams
No filter at all
No CC
Shutter speed from 1/50 to 1/1300
Duration : 1mm13sec
Nostalgic mode (sorry forget to use the normal mode…)

Re: Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2 !
 

Noktor certainly does better in low light, but that is to be expected. If the low light is worth the loss of auto focus to a shooter, than it is certainly the better deal. If you're a shooter that needs autofocus then the point is moot. I personally am done with manual focus lenses. The F/2.0 lens is the fastest autofocus I have ever seen, and allows me to capture dozens of random clips in a crowded room, most all of them usable. I lightly touch the shutter button, and bam it's in focus.

Noktor is an outstanding lens for the money, for sure, but I'd never trade if for my Zuiko.

Re: Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2 !
 

I just checked the image resolution between the Olympus 12mm f2.0 and the Canon EF 24 mm f/1.4L II USM that is the FF eqiv and the 12mm F2.0 is sharper at F2.0 than the Canon at F5.6 !

http://www.lenstip.com/upload3/3434_roz.jpg


http://www.lenstip.com/upload3/3114_roz_1D.jpg

Re: Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2 !
 

The 12mm F/2.0 is quite a lens, for sure. The 45mm F/1.8 is also very nice. It's autofocus rivals that of the 12mm. These two lenses are real game changers for me.

Re: Noktor 12mm f/1.6 VS Olympus 12mm f/2 !
 

B&H still don't have the 45mm, where did you get yours Jeff?

Nevermind, just checked B&H and it is in stock, they just never sent me an email to let me know.