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Archive 2009 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Arka
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Anyone using this lens on an EP-1? Thoughts?

Thanks!

Arka C.

Aug 27, 2009 at 02:57 PM

mawz
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

I've tried it on a G1. It's a monster. Note this is a 67mm filter size lens larger than most kit zooms and not light. It handles nicely on the larger 4/3rds bodies but really is just too big for the m43 bodies.

Aug 27, 2009 at 04:44 PM

pascal03
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Had it on the E3 - this is an exquisite lens.
If you don't mind the bulk on micro4/3rds, the image quality will not leave you wanting.

Aug 27, 2009 at 04:46 PM

Arka
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Hi Mawz. Thanks for your feedback.

Aside from eagerly awaiting the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, do you have any good recommendations for m43 lenses that give me a shallow DoF, reasonable size, and AF/metering?

Thanks. I really enjoy your comments in this forum, especially on the m43 products.

Arka C.

Aug 27, 2009 at 04:47 PM

Arka
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Pascal, it seems to me that the larger lenses would balance pretty well on the E3, since it is a much larger camera than the m43 EP-1. That being said, I haven't been too troubled using larger E-system lenses on this camera. I think I may just have to wander into B&H and give the Leica-sonic 25 a test drive. I'm already using an Oly 11-22 on this camera, and I much prefer it to the kit zoom (faster glass, wider). But I want something that will give me outstanding shallow DoF without being too long.

Appreciate the comments. You mention that you had it... did you ditch just the lens or the entire E-system? If the former, what prompted you to stop using it or sell it?

Thanks!

Arka C.

Aug 27, 2009 at 04:51 PM

mawz
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

lordarka wrote:
Hi Mawz. Thanks for your feedback.

Aside from eagerly awaiting the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, do you have any good recommendations for m43 lenses that give me a shallow DoF, reasonable size, and AF/metering?

Thanks. I really enjoy your comments in this forum, especially on the m43 products.

Arka C.

Aside from the upcoming Panasonic 20, the PanaLeica 25 and the Olympus 50/2 Macro there are no primes of f2 or faster which AF on the E-P1 (and the Oly 50/2 doesn't AF on the G1/GH1).

Since everything meters, my suggestion is to get a good small RF prime like the Voigtlander Nokton 40/1.4 for shallow DoF, reasonable size and metering. You give up AF. I'd pair one of those (or maybe the equally small Nokton 35/1.4) with a Oly 17/2.8 for a good small 2-lens kit.

Aug 27, 2009 at 06:45 PM

RSSmith
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

I just got the 25/1.4 a couple weeks ago. I love it!

While it certainly is large on my G1, I don't really mind the size.

When I want something small, I generally use my 35 Summicron.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3823652825_9d78730279_b.jpg

Aug 27, 2009 at 09:03 PM

mawz
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Oh, it is a real gem optically. Just a little...big.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3621269921_6f3bb330d8_o.jpg

Summilux-D wide open on the G1. Her right eye is the point of focus.

I don't own it, but I have tried it.

Aug 27, 2009 at 09:21 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

mawz wrote:
Since everything meters, my suggestion is to get a good small RF prime like the Voigtlander Nokton 40/1.4 for shallow DoF, reasonable size and metering. You give up AF. I'd pair one of those (or maybe the equally small Nokton 35/1.4) with a Oly 17/2.8 for a good small 2-lens kit.

Why, that sounds like me! (17/2.8 and 40/1.4 make a great combo). I may trade my 17/2.8 for the 20/1.7 when it comes out, but a lot depends on the quality of the 20/1.7 and its price. I'm loving my 40 Nokton more each day. Great little lens.

Aug 27, 2009 at 09:29 PM

mawz
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Jman13 wrote:
Why, that sounds like me! (17/2.8 and 40/1.4 make a great combo). I may trade my 17/2.8 for the 20/1.7 when it comes out, but a lot depends on the quality of the 20/1.7 and its price. I'm loving my 40 Nokton more each day. Great little lens.

While it's not the combo I use, my combo's a little harder to put together (14-45OIS, Ultron 28/1.9, Nikkor 5cm f1.4 close-focus) so I tend to recommend that 2 lens kit of yours. You aren't the only one I know using that kit either, it's a pretty straightforward set of choices.

Aug 27, 2009 at 10:03 PM

pascal03
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

lordarka wrote:
........You mention that you had it... did you ditch just the lens or the entire E-system? If the former, what prompted you to stop using it or sell it?

Thanks!

Arka C.

Ended up moving out of the entire E-system. If I had to stick with Olympus, the 7-14mm f4 and 25mm f1.4 would be the last to go.

Got tired of waiting for a long time for Olympus to release an SLR that could keep up with the competition. I really liked the lenses. The ZD 7-14mm f4.0, 50-200mm f2.8-3.5, 35-100mm f2.0, Leica 14-50mm f2.8-3.5, 25mm f1.4, 50mm f2.0 .... lenses were just impressive....

However, the camera's Olympus offered were lacking and could barely keep up with the lenses. If the E3 even had the capability/image quality/high ISO capability of the E-P1, I would still be shooting the E-system.

Now I am using all my legacy lenses with MFT... and like the Panasonic offering. My primary system is still Nikon.

Aug 28, 2009 at 10:20 PM

Arka
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. For those of you using obligate MF lenses on an EP-1 or G1, is there a way to enable the MF zoom 'assist' when focusing, or do you have to use the LCD at it's standard magnification? I've been using the Olympus 11-22 on the EP-1, and I must say that MF using a 4/3 lens (through the Panasonic adapter) has been an absolute pleasure, because the automatic zooming makes it easy to see if you have perfect focus. Is there some equivalent approach when using older lenses, or do you have to do it the old-fashioned way? (distance markings and eyeballing the scene in the LCD).

Thanks! This m43 system is clearly a very cool new development.

Arka C.

Aug 29, 2009 at 02:21 AM

Navyblue
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

In the zoom view mode, you can press "ok" button to switch between zoom in and zoom out view.

Aug 29, 2009 at 03:19 AM

Arka
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

I don't quite follow; the zoom mode appears the moment I turn the MF ring on the lens (Oly 11-22), and while hitting OK toggles me out of the zoom mode, it does not get me back into it... only turning the MF ring on the lens again does that. Is the toggling function something that only works when you don't have an MF-only lens on the camera?

I am increasingly thinking that it would be smartest to wait for the Panasonic 20/1.7 to come out before purchasing any more optics for this system.

Thanks!

Arka C.

Aug 29, 2009 at 03:59 AM

ace97302
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

lordarka wrote:
I don't quite follow; the zoom mode appears the moment I turn the MF ring on the lens (Oly 11-22), and while hitting OK toggles me out of the zoom mode, it does not get me back into it... only turning the MF ring on the lens again does that. Is the toggling function something that only works when you don't have an MF-only lens on the camera?

I thought the same thing as you the first time I heard that. The "zoom mode" is actually one of the display modes. The info button cycles the display modes. The zoom mode is the one that constantly displays the green focus box. It comes right after the standard display mode, and before the one with the digital level.

When you are in the zoom mode, the ok button is programmed to be a dedicated digital zoom switch. Pushing it will turn it on or off. Turning the dial while zoomed will change the zoom level.

I don't think it would be possible to trigger the zoom mode with a legacy lens that is not electrically coupled to the camera.

I am increasingly thinking that it would be smartest to wait for the Panasonic 20/1.7 to come out before purchasing any more optics for this system.

If you don't have any immediate need, waiting on the announcement of 20/1.7, so you can see the price and estimated release date, is probably a good idea.

Aug 29, 2009 at 07:07 AM

mawz
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Panasonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4

On the G1 it's easier, when using MF lenses, or for manual activation when the camera is set to MF, you press the AF (left) button, then you can move the zoom-in frame around the full frame, OK confirms and zooms in.

The Panny 20 will most likely be announced tuesday.

Aug 29, 2009 at 07:15 AM


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