Compact Ultra-wide-angle PERAR-R 17mm
A review and photo examples of the MS-Optics PERAR 17mm F4.5 with the Digital and Film camera.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Photo example taken by:
- LUMIX GM5
- HEXAR RF Limited +KODAK G200 +MINOLTA Dimage Scan Pro
- Leica M-P typ240
Review
1．Overview
The PERAR-R 17mm is the widest-angle lens released by MS-Optics (formerly Miyazaki Optical).
Regarding filter attachment, although there is a thread on the front lens of the lens barrel, there is no filter that can be screwed in directly due to the special thread diameter and thread pitch. According to the instruction manual, it is recommended to remove the glass from the 34mm filter and attach it directly to the inside of the hood to protect the lens.
The name PERAR-R comes from the fact that PERAR is the name used by Ms-optics for thin lenses, and the R following indicates that the lens configuration is retrofocus type.
This notation is different from the 17mm lens, which has a lens configuration of three elements called a triplet.
Therefore, the “-R” is added to the end of the series name to clearly distinguish it from other PERAR series.
2．Usage
The PERAR-R 17mm is a very compact lens, and even when attached to a camera, the lens is not noticeable.
It is a size that can be called a body cap lens without any problems.
Because the 17mm ultra-wide angle is packed into this size, it is not suitable for digital cameras.
Some cameras with 35mm full-size sensors have questionable image quality in the peripheral areas and noticeable color cast.
Some cameras with APS-C size sensors have color casts in the peripheral areas. Depending on the size, the image quality in the peripheral areas is dissatisfactory, but the 35mm equivalent focal length of 26mm for APS-C size sensors and 34mm for Micro Four Thirds sensors crops the center of the lens, cutting out the negative parts of the captured image, making it an easy-to-use lens.
The minimum shooting distance is 0.3m, so you can get close enough to the subject and shoot with a wide angle of view surrounding the subject.
This compact lens barrel is equipped with the necessary functions of a lens, with an aperture ring at the tip of the lens and a focus ring with a focus lever at the base of the lens. The layout is a little cramped, but not so much that it makes it difficult to operate.
As mentioned in the overview, the filter attachment method is unique, and since this is a wide-angle lens with a short focal length, this is thought to be a measure to avoid the vignetting in the corners that occurs with regular filters, but it is not a very practical method.
If a protective filter is not attached, the front element close to the front of the lens barrel must be handled with care, as it may be accidentally touched while shooting, or the camera may touch a wall when backed up in a bag.
A screw-in front cap is included as an accessory, but I don’t use it because it is a hassle to screw it in every time.
This lens also comes in a wide variety of colors. On some lenses with a gold body color, the plating on the surface of the lens barrel has deteriorated and peeled off over time.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the PERAR-R 17mm, it is a compact lens that well reflects the policy of designer Sadayasu Miyazaki, who refused to make lenses too large even in ultra-wide-angle lenses.
The fact that it has a focal length of 17mm at this size makes it useful as an emergency wide-angle lens when you want to reduce the amount of luggage you need to carry.
However, the image quality is not yet adapted to the digital sensors of early 2020. For this reason, it is recommended to use it with digital cameras with sensor sizes smaller than Micro Four Thirds and 35mm film.
Specification and Competitor
The PERAR-R17mm is overwhelmingly compact compared to the LEICA M SUPER ELMAR 18mm / F3.8, CARL ZEISS Distagon 18mm / F4, and LOMO ATOLL 17mm / F2.8, which have similar focal lengths. The image below shows a comparison with the LEICA M SUPER ELMAR 18mm / F3.8, but the scale is hard to describe.
- The lens construction diagrams are taken from materials distributed by each company, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.
| Maker | Ms-optics | LEICA |
| Item | PERAR 17mm | SUPER ELMAR 18mm |
| focal length(mm) | 17 | 18 |
| Maximum aperture | 4.5 | 3.4 |
| Minimum aperture | 22 | 16 |
| Leaf blade | 10 | 9 |
| Lens configuration | 4 elements in 4 groups | 8 elements in 7 groups |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Lens length(mm) | 10.2 | 58 |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 50 | 61 |
| Filter type | – | 77mm (using filter holder) M8 dedicated IR/UV filter available |
| Weight(g) | 60 | 310 |
| Hood | Dedicated lens hood | Dedicated lens hood |
| Lens mount | M | M |
| Release date | 2017 | 2009.03 |
| Price | ¥65,000 | ¥315,000- (when first released) Prices have risen since then |
Reference links
Update history
- 2025.4.29
- 2024.12.11
- 2024.02.15:Update the article
- 2022.01.20:First draft
ffiliate links
- Amazon Affiliate Link of Leica Lens
- Amazon Affiliate Link of Leica Books
- Amazon Affiliate Link of Ms-optics
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