
October 3rd is our National Holiday here in Germany. A perfect opportunity to take The Significant Other and my newly acquired (used – of course) “Nifty Fifty” for a walk into the autumnal landscape outside Nuremberg.

Last week I took the opportunity to acquire a used mZuiko 25mm F/1.2 Pro lens. As m4/3 has a crop factor of 2, this translates to a “Nifty Fifty”, a 50mm prime lens on a full frame sensor. A 50mm equivalent is a must-have, regardless of the brand you shoot or the size of your sensor.
With its versatility, you can use it for street photography, landscapes, portraits, or even beautiful close-ups. It can teach you a lot about photography. First, you have to learn to zoom with your feet. Then it allows you to play with depth of field, as almost no other lens can.
You can get deep depth of field with the whole frame in focus, you can get extremely shallow depth of field at the lowest aperture. It is also a versatile portrait lens, for those head shots with half the face in focus, but it is also wide enough for environmental portraits but also long enough for half or 3/4 length portraits.
I have always owned a “Nifty Fifty”, my first one with my analogue Olympus OM-1, later also for my Nikon APS-C bodies. After switching to Olympus m4/3, I bought a 25mm (again, this is the Nifty Fifty for m4/3 due to the crop factor) F/1.8, a tiny and remarkably sharp lens that fits perfectly on my PEN-F and that I use for my street photography.
When Olympus introduced a F/1.2 Pro version in 2016, I got a serious case of G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome), but stayed away because of the hefty price tag. But those awesome Pro lenses (dust- and water-proof, full metal-build) have started to appear on the used gear market. When last week I found a decent offer for a used one, I finally decided to make the splash.
The image quality is sublime, and during today’s walk I took it’s versatility to the test. Check out the photographs in this post to get the idea about the capability of this magnificent “Nifty Fifty”.













The big success were The Significant Other’s portraits, that she actually liked. Which says a lot about the quality of the lens – as this happens only once a year….maximum…;-)
A you can see in many of the above images, the bokeh of the Oly 25mm F/1.2 is awesome. I know, there are still people saying that m4/3 doesn’t have a decent shallow depth of field. And that full frame is the only way to go if you are serious about portrait photography. Well – I don’t need more than what this lens gives me. And hey, I just shot a full wedding on mirrorless m4/3. And my new “Nifty Fifty” will be an awesome addition for the next one.
If you look for more inspirations and tips around photography, check out my Learning Center for a comprehensive link collection to all my posts designed to inspire and empower my readers.
Wish you all a great Thursday!
Related Posts:
What’s there and what’s missing
These pics are just fabulous
Thanks so much Robert, kindly appreciated! Marcus
You are very welcome Marcus
Simply gorgeous pictures. And your significant other is simply stunning and beautiful. Great captures here.
Thank you my friend, it means so much! I’m back in town after two crazy weeks on the road. Time to catch up! Hugs!
Hey friend, perhaps next week can work at some point. Would love to. Hugs
Great! I will be super busy but for sure we can work something out. Best is to send an e-mail with your options. Or we FT to work something out. Tomorrow evening would work. Hugs!
I am away right now and can’t this week. That’s why I suggested next week, but please don’t worry. I understand life is very busy right now and I don’t usually have WiFi at the house to FT. Email is easier for me to access for right now. Hugs.
Looking forward to email!
Be in touch next week my friend.
Looking forward 🙂
A crazy week but hope things slow down next week. 😉 Hugs
Just got back home from my last business travel of the year. I’m done 🙂 Should be much quieter the rest of the month
I am so glad you can take it a bit easier now. So deserved. I can’t believe it’s alarmist time for me to leave for the states again and I still have things I am trying to get done before I go. Wish I could have connected with you but don’t see how this time. Hugs my friend.
There will be another time, maybe on your side of the pond! Hugs!
Perhaps on this side and either way and no matter where, I am looking forward to that day connecting with you once more. Hugs
The holidays will provide opportunity to at least FaceTime! Hugs! Marcus
I would love that and we will figure a time. I’m a little sick right now, trying to fight a full on flu but hope to be better soon. When are you going back to work?
Bets wishes for a speedy recovery, my friend, send you healing hugs! I’m in Austria now until New Years Day, then back home. Will go back to work on Jan 7.
Thank you Marcus. Wishing you a happy new year and much fun in Austria. I’m sure we can find some time after new year; between your birthday and when you go back to work to chat 😉
Lovely captures of your significant other. In the last one, the natural light hightlighting her face is stunning. <3
I’ve really enjoyed seeing this series. The first portrait of your significant other is sublime Marcus. Fab photos. I haven’t been out with my “nifty fifty” in a while. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for your kind words, Richard, glad you feel inspired 🙂 ! Marcus
Gotta love the “nifty fifty”. Stunning set of photos!
Thanks, Amy, so much appreciated! Marcus
Beautiful images! I love the shallow DOF. Nice! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your kind words, Alina, so much appreciated! Marcus
Wow, I love checking in to see your pics and what you’ve been up to, usually a few days late. More great images, love the toadstools, and your wife with the sunflowers.
Thanks, Jill, appreciate your visit and kind words so much! Marcus
Love the photos!
Thanks, it means so much! Marcus
I love all of these photos, especially the ones of the sunflowers! I haven’t been receiving your post notifications, so I have a lot of catching up to do… I hope you’re doing well!
Thanks, Cate 🙂 ! I’m doing fine, just a lot going on my life right now, and my blogging (as well as reading other peoples blogs) suffers a bit. Will need to catch up on your stories as well 🙂 ! Marcus
I’m glad that you’re doing well and I hope things slow down for you soon. I know the feeling!
Some great shots. I feel the best pictures are of the lady, your wife. 50mm is well known for portraits. You have used it pretty well in your pictures, Marcus.
Thanks, Arv! You kind words mean so much! Marcus
🙂
The ‘nifty fifty’ is indeed a versatile prime lens. I get a lot of exercise out of it was the only way to compose is to walk backward or forwards. A good lens in any case.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jase! Marcus
Great photos, hope you have a good weekend Marcus !
Thanks, Marion, much appreciated! Weekend was a nice one indeed! Wish you a great week! Marcus
How I live your shots! 😍 Great work!
Thanks, Flavia, this is really appreciated! Marcus
You’re welcome☺️
Marcus–you are such a great instructor: ‘have to learn to zoom with your feet.’ I have a 50mm lens and it is probably my least used lens. Having read this….I am dusting it off and taking it out for a spin. Your photos are gorgeous. Thanks for the nudge I am sure I sorely needed!
Thanks, Lois, appreciate your feedback so much! Have fun with the 50mm! Marcus
Great photos Marcus, beautiful countryside and a beautiful lady! 😎
Thanks, John, and pretty she is 🙂 ! Marcus
Great shots, Marcus. looks like you got a nice piece of glass there. I totally agree with your comments on 50mm equivalent lenses. That is the only thing I carried on my recent trips.
Thanks for confirming, Allan, much appreciated! It is a liberating experience to carry only one lens, but easily done if it is a capable as this one. Marcus