Price Announcement: Olympus 17mm f1.8 (m43rds) for $500 [and two hands-on reports]

Two months ago, at Photokina 2012, Olympus announced three new Micro Four Thirds lenses, the 60mm f2.8 macro, the 15mm f8 body-cap-lens, and the 17mm f1.8. The 17mm f1.8 has now been given a price by Mother Olympus, it will go for $500 and come out next month. UK price will be 450 GBP (Four Thirds User) and continental Europe will be 600 euro (Focus Numerique).

Curious about the lens? Good news - you don't have to wait for long - photographer Pekka Potka has published his hands-on report including resolution chart geekery! But wait, there's more! Photographer Robin Wong published his street shooting report using this very lens.

If you are a boldly-going early adopter, you can place a $500 pre-order for the lens at B&H Photo.

Disambiguation: If you are not a Olympus/M43rds fan, you may be wondering. Wait didn't Olympus already have a 17mm m43rds lens? Yes, they do, but that lens is a 17mm f2.8 pancake, while this is a 17mm f1.8 and not a pancake.