Olympus 15mm F8 bodycap lens...kinda okay

The local store camera store is still doing online orders and I saw a sale on m43 gear which included a 15mm F8 bodycap. I know this was an included lens with some kits but none of those at the time appealed to me. Also, everyone that has written about it seems to label it the worst lens Olympus has ever made...

Looking at it however, it has an integrated cover via the focus lever so no cap to lose. There is no AF motor or rings to bust up aside from the simple focus lever. Our toddler likes to participate in photographing by grabbing my E-M1 or E-PM2 with which I'll mount a 14-42 or 14mm pancake. He'll have a good go at misplacing the lens caps and putting his fingers all over the front element but seems to have fun.

It truly lives up to the name of a bodycap lens. In profile it looks just slightly thicker and all plastic. There are no contacts to register with the camera so had to manually input the focal length for the IBIS.

With the small and somewhat more durable package I set off on a walk with the boy yesterday (with lots of social distancing). Sadly, he took more interest in ripping up weeds, poking at garbage and creeks so I just took some quick grab shots.

It is surprisingly not bad. I was expecting to see fairly soft details like a funsaver or those lomo cameras. It is better than that. Adding the cost of an old m43 brick camera like a GF1 and this would be about 75USD or 100 in monopoly money (CDN). If durability wasn't a factor and it wasn't for the kid, I'd probably spend that same amount on a P330 or S120 (he would destroy those extending lens barrels in a few minutes) or splurge on a TG-4/5/6. He took a few photos around the house today so it might still serve its purpose.

The two position focus took a bit of getting used to and I find the .3m/1ft to not give as much DOF leeway as I was expecting. I found it almost easier to just leave it in the infinity position.

Anyhow, for those that celebrate, have a good Easter weekend. Stay safe and good health.