Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60 mm F2.8 Lens, Standard Zoom, Suitable for All MFT Cameras (Olympus OM-D & PEN Models, Panasonic G-Series), Black

I just had to buy this. With Amazon discounting it and also offering a £70 voucher, it was too much of a bargain to turn down. I had to wait a few weeks for it to arrive but the immense saving of £160+ made that wait worthwhile. (Even used versions of this lens sell for more.)A 1:1 magnification ratio is the gold standard when it comes to macro lenses, which means that the image on the sensor is the same size as in reality. So, what’s it like to use? Attached to my EM5.2, in a word; brilliant. Weighing in at a mere 6.5oz (185g), the first thing you’ll notice is the three position ‘oh-so-handy’ focus limiter switch and distance scale. To save the lens from hunting it’s entire length, you set a specific range outside of which the lens won’t focus, but you can also jump from a close focus distance to a far one and back again in milliseconds. If you’re using the 0.19-0.4m setting, by moving to switch to the 1:1 position (it will spring back to its previous position) you go to the closest focusing distance then it’s easier to actually move the camera itself until you get the focus you want. Or use manual focus alongside the focus peaking option.Not only that, the large ribbed fly-by-wire focus ring is comfortable to use and precise, but to go from infinity to the closest distance does require a lot of turns, hence the limiter. Unusually, the distance scale is vertical instead of the usual horizontal type. Due to its internal focusing mechanism, unlike many other lenses, this one doesn’t extend, so you needn’t worry about scaring those creepy crawlies. That it doesn’t rotate either means you can carry on using that polariser (or any other filter) if and when needed.Having used this for a week or so, I’ve decided that though f11 and f16 are perfectly satisfactory, it’s at its best from f2.8 to f8 with spectacular centre sharpness. It’s both dust proof and splash proof and it doubles as an excellent portrait lens and medium telephoto one too. Now, some may bemoan the absence of an included lens hood, but Olympus (or should it be OMDS now?) doesn’t include them with their non PRO lenses anyway, so it’s not really a deal breaker.+Exceptionally sharp, even wide open at f2.8.No chromatic aberration (that I have seen).Weather sealing.Focus limiter.Renders nice bokeh.Small and light.Excellent as a slightly longer prime lens.-No lens hood.

UPDATE TO REVIEW:I thought you might like to know how it's been after seven months with this lens now I'm really used to it. The answer is that I'm even more impressed. I upgraded my camera body to an E-M5 Mk II and this lens makes the most of the new 40MP high-res mode. The increase in detail is more than I expected in this mode and fantastic for macro work. But I use this lens for all kinds of things (not just macro) and the images it produces are always outstanding.ORIGINAL REVIEW:I chose this over the new and cheaper Panasonic 30mm macro because of its longer focal length, which has a few advantages. You don't have to get quite so close to your subject for one thing, which is handy when it's an insect that would be frightened away. And you're less likely to cast a shadow. Plus, when you use it as a normal lens, for portraits, it's a nice, long 120mm equivalent focal length.But I'm using it mostly as a macro lens and it is superbly sharp, with lovely colour and good contrast. Out of focus areas are really beautifully rendered – nicer I think than my Olympus 45mm f/1.8. I had a Canon SLR and Canon 60mm macro before I switched to my Olympus Micro Four Thirds system. That was my favourite lens ever and I wasn't sure if this would be as good. Actually, I think it's better.[August 2015 update: I've now used it 'in anger' at a classic car show and I was knocked out by the quality of the photos. It proved that this really is a multi-purpose lens, fabulous long shots of the cars and the ability to go really close on those lovely polished chrome details. Background blur is some of the nicest I've seen on a micro four thirds lens.]The slightly smaller sensor helps a bit I think, because with macro shots, you get more differential focus than you want as a rule and smaller sensors have a bit less of that. Using this on a camera with really fast autofocus helps too, as does having a flip out touch screen to focus on any part of your shot in an instant. Macro shooting can be frustrating so every little thing helps.It also helps to have a three position dial on the lens barrel to limit the distance the lens focuses over to stop it hunting. There's a distance scale too with a moving needle that's rather nice. And you can switch straight to 1:1 for the ultimate close up effect (the dial is sprung to the 1:1 position so you can return there instantly when lens refocuses, but only from the position that limits you between 0.19 and 0.4m). By and large so far though, I've left it on the default setting and hunting has rarely been an issue. The little dial that selects all this is too smoothly profiled and hard to turn though, and I found this somewhat annoying.You can manually focus of course, using the wide ring that turns very smoothly and weightily. There's no 'MF' switch on the lens itself so you have to select in your camera menu. I set my camera initially to magnify the image when the focus ring was turned. This gives you a really close and clear view, but if you're using the lens handheld, it makes keeping the image steady enough to actually focus (remember this a fairly long lens) extremely difficult. And it only magnifies the very centre, meaning what you're focusing on might not be in the magnified view. Best used on a tripod. Focus peaking helps too, if your cameras has that. This works well on my Olympus E-M10.Long and narrow, It's an odd looking lens, and definitely not as sexy as the all metal 17mm f/1.8 for instance, but it's nicely made, rather like the 45mm f/1.8 in feel. It feels quite light in weight but not in any way cheap. There's no case or lens hood.Overall though, I think this is just about the perfect macro lens for me and any downsides pale in comparison with its usability and outstanding image quality.