Panasonic Leica DG Vario Summilux 10-25mm f1.7 ASPH

[Archiver]

Announced in May 2019, the Pana Leica 10-25mm f1.7 is a fast, versatile and chunky lens. I was incredibly fortunate to pick up a secondhand copy for only $700 AUD, compared with the retail price of $3200! It was in used condition, with rub marks on the zoom ring suggesting that it was on a tripod plate for much of its life. But the glass and operation were perfect, there were no marks that suggested that it had been dropped, and the retailer offers a three month warranty, so it was a reasonable purchase.

The size of this lens is surprising, similar size and weight to the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8, but with far better build quality. It is weather sealed and has a retractable manual focus clutch, allowing for a better manual focus experience than the usual fly-by-wire mirrorless lenses.

At 10-25mm f1.7, the focal length range is a 20-50mm full frame equivalent, with a full frame equivalent depth of field of f3.4, but the light gathering ability of f1.7. For many years, the only option to get this kind of focal length and aperture range on micro four thirds was the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 paired with a Metabones or Viltrox focal reducer. With the Speedbooster XL at 0.64, the Sigma becomes a 11.4-22.4mm f1.15, a full frame equivalent of 23-44.8mm f2.3.

Many video shooters in the past 15+ years have used the Sigma/Speedbooster combination with their Panasonic GH4/5 cameras for the image quality and light gathering. The PL 10-25 comes in wider, longer but not quite as open. Gosh, that sounds a bit rude, but never mind. The PL 10-25 is much lighter and shorter than the Sigma/Speedbooster combination, weathersealed, and has far better autofocus speed and accuracy.

If one is okay with a fairly chunky lens, it would be excellent for walkaround, travel and general family/friends situations. Dark art galleries, cathedrals, temples and other buildings are prime material for this lens, capturing the scope of interiors as well as details. Wedding and event photographers might find this similarly useful, due to the focal length range, wide aperture and fast focus speed.

For me, this lens is close to ideal for many situations. All of my travel photography is shot across 21, 35 and 50, so this lens is just right. I could quite easily carry this in a bag along with a body and a small prime like the Olympus 17/1.8, giving me the ability to switch between a small footprint for snapshots and a dedicated lens for art galleries. As I used to carry a Canon 30D + 17-55/2.8 and even a Canon 5D II + 24-105, the G9 II + PL 10-25 would be okay.

Very interestingly, this lens seems to be a Konica Minolta design!

Konica Minolta "16-30mm F2 for APS-C" patent application, but in fact it is for LEICA DG 10-25mm? - If you take it

Photos to follow! Posting this as a placeholder for future fun.

 

[trix4ever]

Announced in May 2019, the Pana Leica 10-25mm f1.7 is a fast, versatile and chunky lens. I was incredibly fortunate to pick up a secondhand copy for only $700 AUD, compared with the retail price of $3200! It was in used condition, with rub marks on the zoom ring suggesting that it was on a tripod plate for much of its life. But the glass and operation were perfect, there were no marks that suggested that it had been dropped, and the retailer offers a three month warranty, so it was a reasonable purchase.

The size of this lens is surprising, similar size and weight to the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8, but with far better build quality. It is weather sealed and has a retractable manual focus clutch, allowing for a more manual focus feel than the usual fly-by-wire mirrorless lenses.

At 10-25mm f1.7, the focal length range is a 20-50mm full frame equivalent, with a full frame equivalent depth of field of f3.4, but the light gathering ability of f1.7. For many years, the only option to get this kind of focal length and aperture range on micro four thirds was the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 paired with a Metabones or Viltrox focal reducer. With the Speedbooster XL at 0.64, the Sigma becomes a 11.4-22.4mm f1.15, a full frame equivalent of 23-44.8mm f2.3.

Many video shooters in the past 15+ years have used the Sigma/Speedbooster combination with their Panasonic GH4/5 cameras for the image quality and light gathering. The PL 10-25 comes in wider, longer but not quite as open. Gosh, that sounds a bit rude, but never mind. The PL 10-25 is much lighter and shorter than the Sigma/Speedbooster combination, weathersealed, and has far better autofocus speed and accuracy.

If one is okay with a fairly chunky lens, it would be excellent for walkaround, travel and general family/friends situations. Dark art galleries, cathedrals, temples and other buildings are prime material for this lens, capturing the scope of interiors as well as details. Wedding and event photographers might find this similarly useful, due to the focal length range, wide aperture and fast focus speed.

For me, this lens is close to ideal for many situations. All of my travel photography is shot across 21, 35 and 50, so this lens is just right. I could quite easily carry this in a bag along with a body and a small prime like the Olympus 17/1.8, giving me the ability to switch between a small footprint for snapshots and a dedicated lens for art galleries. As I used to carry a Canon 30D + 17-55/2.8 and even a Canon 5D II + 24-105, the G9 II + PL 10-25 would be okay.

Very interestingly, this lens seems to be a Konica Minolta design!

Konica Minolta "16-30mm F2 for APS-C" patent application, but in fact it is for LEICA DG 10-25mm? - If you take it

Photos to follow! Posting this as a placeholder for future fun.

I love the PanaLeicas, I have the 8-18mm, 12-60mm and 15mm. This 10-25mm is too big for me but I adore the 8-18mm. I only use M4/3 for hand held still photography.

Oh and can't forget the 9mm f1.7, everyone should own one!

 

[Archiver]

@trix4ever As I already have the Panasonic 7-14mm f4, I'm unsure if the PL 8-18 would be worthwhile for me. But it looks like a super lens, and if I didn't already have the 7-14, the 8-18 would be on my list.

The 10-25 is bigger than it appears in photos but it's also lighter than it looks. I anticipate using it for work, including sports and events, and as an art gallery lens. It will certainly come with me on my next gallery visit. I'm still surprised at how inexpensive this was compared with the retail and even street price. Street price in Australia is $2700-3000, and I got it for $700. I thought they mislabled it until they confirmed it was correct. No box, papers, bag or even lens hood, but I'm fine with that. Just the lens, ma'am. Just the lens.

 

[maddoc]

I just checked the details of this lens, it seems to be spectacular. However, at a weight of 690g without filter and hood it is a bit too heavy for my liking. Tempting though. I have the M.Zuiko 8-24 F4 Pro and PL 12-60 lenses. Combined with the PL 9mm F1.7 or 15mm F1.7 possibly the better combination for me regarding weight and portability.

 

[Archiver]

@maddoc It really depends on preferences and habits. I used to carry DSLR's with zooms in my everyday shoulder bag and it didn't bother me. Then I got into RF's and I thought I got away from all of that. 😅 Now it appears I've almost gone full circle as I'm increasingly carrying larger mirrorless cameras with bigger lenses. I can't wait to put this lens through its paces on a good photo walk.

The combination of PL 12-60 + 15/1.7 sounds ideal as a travel and general walkaround kit. I view the PL 10-25 as much more specialized.

 

[Archiver]

Another unique point about this lens is the declicked aperture. The aperture ring clicks positively at A and f1.7, but after that, aperture adjustment is smooth and without clicks. This is clearly aimed at video shooters for whom seamless aperture changes are important. Other lenses offer a choice of clicked and declicked via a switch, but this lens appears to only have seamless aperture changes. This can be overridden by switching the camera to A and setting the aperture in camera.

I'm stuck at the desk for today, but intend to take it out over Easter Weekend with my G9 II, along with the PL 100-400 and PL 12. Man, I never thought I'd accumulate this many lenses and bodies.