Last Updated on 12/13/2013 by Felix Esser
Correction: We were just informed that this lens is NOT a HyperPrime lens, as previously stated.
Today, SLR Magic officially announces their latest lens for Micro Four Thirds, the 17mm T1.6. Once again, the lens is T-rated and comes with gears for videographers, but of course it can also be used for still photography. (We like the gears quite a lot in our review of their 35mm T1.4 lens, as they provide great grip.) We reported about this lens back in September, when it was still in its testing phase.
The 17mm T1.6, which renders a field-of-view equivalent to that of a 34mm lens on 35mm full frame, and is a direct competitor to the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f1.8–albeit without the autofocus. It sports 12 lens elements in 10 groups, and like all SLR Magic lenses is made from solid, black anodized metal. With a length of 3.1 in (79 mm) and a weight of 12 oz (340 g), it’s also relatively large and heavy, as far as Micro Four Thirds lenses go. It will be available by the end of this year and will retail for US-$ 499.