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Archive 2013 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron

  
 
jhinkey
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p.12 #1 · p.12 #1 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Yohan Pamudji wrote:
I'm assuming from early reports that Panasonic is the slightly better lens optically. But judging from early Fuji results we're getting into angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin territory, i.e. both are excellent optically. I'm just looking at it from a practical perspective: if both are well beyond good enough and the Fuji is $600 cheaper and offers more DOF control on a larger sensor... that's just food for thought, you know?


It's just that no matter how hard I'd try that Fuji won't fit on my GX7 - thought it would look just as sexy as the 42.5 . . .



Mar 07, 2014 at 11:02 PM
bobbytan
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p.12 #2 · p.12 #2 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Here's a shot of a lady bug with a 100% crop. It was shot with the mini flash that came with the E-M1, so I had to shoot at the sync speed of 1/250 seconds … at f6.3 and ISO 200.












Mar 09, 2014 at 08:17 PM
jhinkey
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p.12 #3 · p.12 #3 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


So I took some test shots with the local pro shop's copy of the 42.5 on my GX7 and I noticed that when I took shots wide open the image in the viewfinder showed way more DOF than in the image taken at f/1.2.

I then looked inside the lens and noticed that even though I had the aperture set to f/1.2 the camera had it stopped down - to about f/2.8.
When I hit the shutter button to take a picture the aperture opens up to f/1.2, snaps the image and then the aperture goes back to f/2.8 again.

I did the same thing with my 75/1.8 and it's fully open until you take the image as is my 20/1.7.

Has anyone else noticed this?

I also noticed that wide open at far distances the focusing is not all that precise - I wonder if it's performing the focusing at f/2.8 and then suffers a bit of focus shift when it opens up to f/1.2 to take the image?

Could it be I need to update the firmware on my GX7?

- John




Mar 10, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Julius
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p.12 #4 · p.12 #4 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Very impressive resolution on the 100% crop Bobby. No doubt that this is an excellent lens.
It would have been interesting to see the shot at wide open.



Mar 10, 2014 at 11:52 AM
bobbytan
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p.12 #5 · p.12 #5 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


These ones are for you, Julius. All shot hand-held at f1.2 except for #4 which was shot at f1.8. Bokeh and sharpness are both outstanding IMO. Now go out and buy this lens!

BTW there is no way in hell that I could have shot these with my old 85L II and that's why I am saying that the Nocticron is way better than the 85L for less money. With the 100L macro or Zuiko 60 macro, yes … but you won't get this kind of bokeh or rendering.

Julius wrote:
Very impressive resolution on the 100% crop Bobby. No doubt that this is an excellent lens.
It would have been interesting to see the shot at wide open.




























Mar 10, 2014 at 12:52 PM
bobbytan
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p.12 #6 · p.12 #6 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Change of pace … here's a hand-held shot of my MacBook Air keyboard.







Mar 10, 2014 at 07:06 PM
FlyPenFly
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p.12 #7 · p.12 #7 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


jhinkey wrote:
So I took some test shots with the local pro shop's copy of the 42.5 on my GX7 and I noticed that when I took shots wide open the image in the viewfinder showed way more DOF than in the image taken at f/1.2.

I then looked inside the lens and noticed that even though I had the aperture set to f/1.2 the camera had it stopped down - to about f/2.8.
When I hit the shutter button to take a picture the aperture opens up to f/1.2, snaps the image and then the aperture goes back to f/2.8 again.

I did the
...Show more

I would try lowering the light levels and seeing if it will open the aperture a bit more.



Mar 10, 2014 at 07:13 PM
fsiagian
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p.12 #8 · p.12 #8 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Bobbytan, those bee and flower shots are amazing. Beautiful color, beautiful rendering, and so sharp. Thanks for sharing. I need to start saving.


Mar 10, 2014 at 07:16 PM
Julius
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p.12 #9 · p.12 #9 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Bobby, thanks for posting those close up flower and bee pictures, they are absolutely phenomenal!!!
Razor sharp images and out of this world book eh.
I do not know when but I will have to buy this lens, these images blew me away.



Mar 10, 2014 at 09:28 PM
bobbytan
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p.12 #10 · p.12 #10 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Ha Ha! I am still trying to sell my E-M5 and 2 or 3 lenses to pay for this! The 75/1.8 is a superb lens but this Nocticron really Noct my socks off - it's just magical at f1.2!

Julius wrote:
Bobby, thanks for posting those close up flower and bee pictures, they are absolutely phenomenal!!!
Razor sharp images and out of this world book eh.
I do not know when but I will have to buy this lens, these images blew me away.



Mar 10, 2014 at 10:16 PM
jhinkey
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p.12 #11 · p.12 #11 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


FlyPenFly wrote:
I would try lowering the light levels and seeing if it will open the aperture a bit more.

Yeah - I'll find some time at the end of the week to try it again.
At close distances the 42.5/1.2 appears to be stellar. I'll post sample pics later on this week.



Mar 11, 2014 at 02:24 AM
Jman13
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p.12 #12 · p.12 #12 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Got my review sample this morning -

A few thoughts:

1) The build is outstanding. Feels incredibly solid in the hand...it's pretty big though.

2) About that size. It wouldn't be an issue, but one frustrating thing is that it's too big to use the grip on my E-M5. With the horizontal grip attached, there is no room for your fingers between the grip and the lens, unless you find wedging them between two hard objects comfortable. I had to take the grip off my E-M5 to use it.

3) The very few test shots I've taken look pretty good. AF is fast, it's definitely rather sharp right from f/1.2 and has excellent bokeh. That said, in the very limited shooting I've done so far, they don't look any sharper than the shots I've been getting out of the Fuji 56/1.2, though contrast is a little higher at f/1.2.

4) The hood is gorgeous. Enough said.

And, since I have both lenses here, and there's been a lot of talk about these two, I took a VERY quick test setup...you definitely can't take these for gospel, as they were hand-held (though I did have OIS on the PL, so in theory it should have a better chance here)...I will definitely do a much more controlled test later on.

The two lenses side by side:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/fast_lenses.jpg

First the Fuji 56/1.2 @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/test_56.jpg

Now the PL 42.5/1.2 @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/test_nocticron.jpg

and now the Fuji 56/1.2 @ f/1.6 (matching DOF):
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/test_56_16.jpg

And 100% crops:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/fast_crops.jpg



Mar 11, 2014 at 11:15 AM
FlyPenFly
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p.12 #13 · p.12 #13 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


PL42.5 looks more saturated which is kind of the PL coatings look. It could be down to Olympus vs Fuji colors but I have noticed my PL25 is more out of camera saturated than any other lens I've owned.

At these distances, the bokeh looks very similar although again the PL42.5 looks a bit more corrected even for bokeh. You don't see the harsh fringing in the central area that's present in the Fuji. It would be interesting to compare the bokeh on a mid-distance bokeh shot like this one with a busy contextual background, I would love to see the difference: http://500px.com/photo/63228023


I think there might be a focus problem or something going on with the PL42.5 100% crop, the diagonal lines look very jagged?



Mar 11, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Jman13
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p.12 #14 · p.12 #14 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Yeah, that's why I want to do more controlled tests. The Fuji does have a slight bright line outline in some cases on specular highlights. I kind of like the overall look, but that's subjective. The saturation I think is simply down to the slightly higher contrast the PL has at f/1.2.

In any case, both these lenses are outstanding.

Edited on Mar 11, 2014 at 11:37 AM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2014 at 11:31 AM
FlyPenFly
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p.12 #15 · p.12 #15 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Anyway, thanks for doing the comparison Jordan, would love to see mid distance contextual shots comparisons. If you could throw in a comparison shot with a legacy 50mm F1.4 that would be cool too, I can even send you one to borrow but I'm sure you have something, a humble OM 50mm F1.4. :P

I desperately want to get a PL42.5 but for the nearly the same price I could go essentially go pick up a T-1 and a nice lens. And I also already have the Oly 45mm F1.8... Hrm...



Mar 11, 2014 at 11:36 AM
Jman13
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p.12 #16 · p.12 #16 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Oh...one more thing. It's annoying to have an aperture ring that does nothing. (At least on my camera). Frustrating that a firmware update hasn't been made available. This is something oly and Panny should enable in EVERY m4/3 camera.


Mar 11, 2014 at 11:43 AM
itai195
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p.12 #17 · p.12 #17 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


The 42.5 looks like a lovely lens. Wish it were cheaper, I'd probably pick one up at around $1k.


Mar 11, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Steve Spencer
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p.12 #18 · p.12 #18 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


It would also be interesting to see the performance farther from the centre. According to tests the PL 42.5 should do a little better there, but I would like to see whether that shows up in shots.


Mar 11, 2014 at 12:12 PM
millsart
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p.12 #19 · p.12 #19 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Jman13 wrote:
Oh...one more thing. It's annoying to have an aperture ring that does nothing. (At least on my camera). Frustrating that a firmware update hasn't been made available. This is something oly and Panny should enable in EVERY m4/3 camera.


I'd think it annoying to have the aperture ring turn the "wrong" way too



Mar 11, 2014 at 12:20 PM
Jman13
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p.12 #20 · p.12 #20 · PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron


Ok...some other comparisons. I basically tried to re-shoot the test shots I did last week with the Fuji56. Mind you, these are different days, slightly different conditions, and possibly slightly different positioning, so take that into account.

That said, it is apparent that the PL 42.5mm is a little sharper at f/1.2 than the Fuji is, and that's saying something, considering the Fuji is quite sharp at f/1.2. The sign center crop looks like a big win for the PL, though I don't know whether it's actually sharper or just the way the light is hitting the reflective parts....on the mid-distance shot, the Fuji actually looks slightly sharper to my eye.

Full image, Fuji 56mm @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/children_play.jpg

Full image, PL 42.5mm @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_sign.jpg

Center crops:
Fuji:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/children_crop1.jpg

PL:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_signcrop1.jpg

Corner:
Fuji:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/children_crop2.jpg

http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_signcrop2.jpg

Mid-distance....

Fuji 56mm @ f/1.2, full shot:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/triangle_park.jpg

PL 42.5mm @ f/1.2, full shot:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_triangle.jpg

100% Crop Fuji:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/triangle_crop.jpg

100% Crop PL:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_triangle_crop.jpg

Bokeh Statue (PL is definitely a little smoother)
Fuji 56mm @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/statues56.jpg

PL 42.5mm @ f/1.2:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2014/pl_statues.jpg



Mar 11, 2014 at 12:55 PM
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