Portraits have been a lot more enjoyable with the 45mm focal length. Faces look natural, and the wide f/1.8 aperture gives portraits a pleasing separation from the background without making the lens difficult to handle. I have also found the perspective useful for candid photos when I want a little distance from my subject.
Focusing is quick and quiet enough that I can use it comfortably for both casual photos and short video clips. It tends to lock onto people without much fuss, and I appreciate not having to constantly adjust things manually when the subject is moving around.
Low-light photography is where the lens has earned a permanent place in my bag. The f/1.8 aperture lets me keep shutter speeds reasonable indoors, and I can get good results in rooms where a slower lens would force me to raise the ISO much more.
Handling is one of my favorite parts of the experience. The lens is light enough to leave on the camera for long walks without becoming tiring, while the silver finish looks great with my camera body. The focus ring also has a nice feel when I want to make a small manual adjustment.
I have used it for portraits, family gatherings, street scenes, and detail shots, and the focal length has proven surprisingly flexible. It is not the lens I reach for when I need a wide view, but for subjects where I want natural proportions and some background separation, it has become an easy choice.
Weeks into using it, I keep finding reasons to bring it along. It takes up very little space, performs well in dim conditions, and produces the kind of portraits I had hoped for when I bought it. For my Micro Four Thirds setup, it has been one of the more enjoyable lenses to keep mounted.