The perfect wide angle of view: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12mm F2 & ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 lenses

We ca argue again and again on what is the perfect "wide" angle of view but many of us will agree that 12mm (24mm equivalent in 35mm film format) is one of the most appealing focal length to work with.

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12mm F2.0

Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3

These two fine Olympus Zuiko Lenses are very good choice to start experimenting the 12mm focal length .







The12mm is certainly an true urban lens that allows photograph to be close from his subject. It is also a real contextual lens in term of the extra angle of view available. It may be the widest lens that you can easily apprehend the final result without doing testing during your photo shot.

With such a wide angle we are able to control the impact of your foreground and background subjects by creating a more dynamic composition. The notion of space arrangement is giving a true 3D perspective to the observer.

Because wide angle lenses are "decompressing" the final image using them is demanding a more careful attention to its composition. It also add some kind of disproportion of near subject opposed to far context. That could be use as a creative tool.

Wide angle lens are by essence very close action lenses compared to their telephoto brothers. But it doesn't prevent to do action imagery if you are able to position yourself to do so.

Although many people are recommending wide  angle lenses for architectural work the use of the M.12mm may be tricky considering the fact that this model of lens doesn't have any provision for tilt and shift correction. Yes it can be use successfully to exaggerate perspective for instance but it cannot pretend to present objectively to work of the designer.

Playing (i.e. working) with the M.12mm is very interesting because it will ask the photograph to learn to anticipate a different perspective and the results will represent a different view of our surrounding world.