Lens… Preview… Demi-Test… First Thoughts?: SLR Magic 8mm f/4 Lens.

Subtitle: I Need To Stay The Heck Off Of the B&H @bhphoto website.

Absolutely no one says anything.

My subconscious: What are the least expensive new MFT lenses on B&H?

A few minutes later this is on the way.

Why? Easy.

$99. (On sale it says, but I seriously doubt this lens ever sells at full price. Especially as MFT increasingly becomes a niche {read that less used} lens mount.)
8mm. (16mm full frame equivalent.)
Rectilinear.
Mildly steampunk looking.

Put it together:

A mildly steampunk looking 16mm full frame equivalent rectilinear lens for $99.

That pretty much did it.

Before buying this lens, I should have ensured that a comparable 16mm rectilinear lens was not available for my primary mount. I did not, but I just checked and did not need to worry. 15-17mm manual focus full frame equivalents cost much more, and AF options even more than that.

A relief but it would not have changed anything. I just spent a bit of time playing with this lens and I am hooked. Before I get to the lens performance let me first outline why I prefer the MFT path for this lens in addition to its price.

Small.
Light.

I actually fit the camera and lens in a jacket pocket. There is no way I could pull that off with a full frame lens. Let me get the down sides out of the way.

Vignettes wide open.
- This is to be expected with an inexpensive and compact lens this wide.
Focus lock screw.
- There is nothing stopping this screw from backing all the way out and disappearing.

Flare is a thing.
- Mostly manageable but not that troublesome to me when it did appear. Easily forgivable at this price point.

That is it. The upsides after a few hours of use.

It is rectilinear.
- While I have and enjoy a 10m fisheye lens I often de-fisheye the images in post. While effective there are times where this will cause an image to fall apart at the corners. A true rectilinear lens is appreciated.
Sharp enough.
- No pixel peeping will be done here. The images look good to me.
I do not notice significant distortion.
- At this price I imagine there is some but, perhaps owing to the unique spec, nothing that bothers me.
Nice colors.
Handy for video.
- Offerings a unique perspective. Also helps that IBIS does much to calm down any shaking when shooting video.
Manual focus is a breeze.
- Mostly anything is in focus but when paired with the focus peaking on the GX7 I had no issues getting very close subjects in focus when I wanted to.
Focus lock screw.
- I did list this as a downside due to the potential loss risk, but it is quite useful as long as I have it. I mostly leave the lens at infinity and it is nice not to have to worry about it moving.
Did I mention it was only $99?