I use the 3.5/35mm on my EP1, and I really like it.
The minimum focussing-distance is the same.
Autofocussing isn't fast, actually it's slow. One effect is that the EP-1 doesn't know if focussing is too close or too far. Suppose you are focussed. You move the camera closer to your subject and trigger the autofocus. Now it runs all the way to infinity and back. So it takes time, and I suppose it costs battery-power.
Turn off the camera (thus setting lens to infinity, my setting) and turning it on is faster (there is only one way to go, shorter distance-setting).
I Use the lens a lot (meaning about 25% of my photo's); also for longer distances, even landscapes. For close-up I usually use the FL36 plus a reflector to get enough light.
For close-up (or macro) my subjects are flowers and mushrooms and since both tend not to move about the lack of speed is no issue. With insects and so on it my be a problem. Then the focal-length is too small, I believe)
As for the image-quality: no complaints whatsoever. The lens performs well at all practical apertures (full-opening to say 11).

i just got my panasonic m43-43 adapter, and my fav lens on my old e500 was the 35mm macro...but as mentioned, autofocus is pretty slow, and it seems to be really confused.  however, with the addition of MFassist, MF is really quick and easy...i still love it!