A worthwhile investment! 1

I bought this lens as a complement to the Olympus E-510 Double Zoom Kit. The occasion was that I wanted to have another fast lens particularly for portraits besides the two kit lenses that are not particularly bright.
Especially in the field of portrait photography lenses with a fixed focal length, because they are brighter compared to zoom lenses and in most cases also allow sharper pictures.
To select therefore the following lenses were fixed focus lens: The Olympus Zuiko 35mm EM, the Olympus Zuiko 50mm EM and Four Thirds lenses from Sigma with 30mm and 50mm. The Zuiko 35mm falls against the Zuiko 50mm back because of the low luminous efficiency (aperture 3.5). In addition, the Zuiko 50mm succeed sharper pictures. Of the Sigma lenses the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG Four Thirds HSM was a real alternative. After the technical values ​​the light intensity of the Sigma 50mm is even greater than that of Olympus Zuiko 50mm (1.4 to 2.0). However, I have achieved with the Olympus Zuiko on the Olympus E-510 significantly better results. In particular, it seemed to me the intensity of the Olympus Zuiko opposite the Sigma lens to be better, although the Sigma according to the specifications should actually be the more intense lens. This could of course be that the Olympus Zuiko is optimized just for Olympus cameras and thus to an Olympus camera also provides better results than a lens from Sigma. Since both lenses are similarly priced (the Sigma 50mm is slightly more expensive), a lot of my choice, therefore, on the Olympus Zuiko 50mm, especially since this seems to be processed better, and convinced me that feel.

For Olympus Zuiko 50mm: The difference in the picture quality of fixed focal length is enormous compared to zoom lenses. This very fast lens allows sharp pictures unimagined quality that are not possible with a zoom lens. In addition, the Lichtempflindlichkeit allows very high shutter speeds. The lens is therefore especially suitable for shooting in daylight and indoors, but also works very well with a flash (I use the Olympus FL-36R), with great results especially against indirect lightning. For Protraitaufnahmen also the effect of a low depth of field is very interesting, which arises at full aperture (2.0). This both the background and individual facial features of a face (around the ears) appear blurred, what is very well suited for portraits. If this effect is undesirable, the panel must be closed manually, so that the depth of field increases.
Like any fixed focal length, as well as the Olympus Zuiko for focusing required significantly longer than a zoom lens, so that it is not suitable for quick snapshots as well. In addition, with the aperture wide open using a tripod is highly recommended, because the images are out of focus quickly even at a short distance change.
Those who observe these things, is with the Olympus Zuiko 50mm have a lot of fun. These fixed focal length is compared to each zoom lens is a fantastic addition and a large doing a quality enrichment.
Although the lens is not cheap, the price should not scare you too much. The price-performance ratio of this lens is outstanding and the quality of the photos, the high investment quickly forgotten.
Have fun taking pictures!