How's the Panaleica 25/1.4?

Cron said:
I read an interesting review here: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Leica_DG_Summilux_25mm_f1-4_H-X025/
I decided to give it a try

6839784051_e94403b3c0_z.jpg
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Thanks for posting this pic. I really like the 20/1.7 pancake, which on my Oly E-PL1 makes an easily coat-pocketable kit. The Panaleica 25 looks less attractive from that standpoint.
 
I got one instantly when it came into B&H, back in November. I'm delighted with it--fine bokeh, good sharpness, and fast focusing on the GF2. (I have not tried it on my G1 yet.) In a way, this lens and the 45mm macro are what kind of bind me to Panasonic m4/3 cameras. I am tempted by many of the great new mirrorless cameras coming out, especially the Ricoh and Fuji equipment. However, the first-rate optics available in the m4/3 world are a big plus.

I agree with another post that the Voigtlander f/0.95 lens is tempting, but the Summilux is about half the price and has fast autofocusing....

Tom
 
This is probably my next 4/3s lens. I would consider the Voigtlander, 0.95, but I can't see why it is so incredibly expensive in comparison when it has no AF and I know some CV lens have pretty dodgy build quality ( while others are guite good). Plus, I have seen sample images that show the Summilux performing better. (But I guess that's why the Summilux is so hard to find right now!)

Is that extra stop really that important with m4/3s?
 
Got mine two days ago, and have been enjoying it since.

My thoughts so far:

1. Build quality is just a little better than the 20/1.7. Manual focus ring (although fly by wire) feels better dampened.

2. Probably just as sharp as the 20/1.7 (which is still a great lens), but tonality is much smoother. Bokeh a little smoother too.

3. Looks really nice in the deep black (albeit plastic) finish. I think it looks awesome mounted on the OM-D. 😎

4. The lens hood looks ridiculous. 😱

5. AF seems faster than the 20/1.7 on the OM-D.

Although I don't regret buying it, the only reason I bought is because my wife refuses to lend me here 20/1.7 for extended periods of time. 😀 Since I didn't want to have two identical lenses at home, I went for the PanaLeica.

Some samples from the past two days:


Michelline by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


- by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Blur by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr


Outside by The Johann Espiritu™, on Flickr
 
Johann Espiritu said:
Got mine two days ago, and have been enjoying it since.

My thoughts so far:

1. Build quality is just a little better than the 20/1.7. Manual focus ring (although fly by wire) feels better dampened.

2. Probably just as sharp as the 20/1.7 (which is still a great lens), but tonality is much smoother. Bokeh a little smoother too.

3. Looks really nice in the deep black (albeit plastic) finish. I think it looks awesome mounted on the OM-D. 😎

4. The lens hood looks ridiculous. 😱

5. AF seems faster than the 20/1.7 on the OM-D.

Although I don't regret buying it, the only reason I bought is because my wife refuses to lend me here 20/1.7 for extended periods of time. 😀 Since I didn't want to have two identical lenses at home, I went for the PanaLeica.

Some samples from the past two days:
Click to expand...

Johann, on the E-M5, rattlesnake? Has the body locked up using the 25 or 20?
 
rover said:
Johann, on the E-M5, rattlesnake? Has the body locked up using the 25 or 20?
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On the "rattlesnake", there was some initial clicking (which is similar to the one on the Leica X1) when I went from indoors to outdoors. I didn't know that this was an "issue" with this lens, but I remembered something in the OM-D's Custom Menu about "Live View Boost", which I switched on thinking it would make the aperture clicking go away. The clicking has stopped since then. I tried to recreate a situation this morning to get it to "rattlesnake" with the Live View Boost on, and so far, it's been quiet.

Hope that helps.
 
Just so you know there is an ebay seller selling PL 25/1.4 for $529. I think this is the cheapest new one in stock while often the used ones get over $600...

I finally broke down and ordered one. (they've got one more in stock it seems.)

Of course I have absolutely no connection with the seller.

Edit: Oh well that was quick. The last one is now gone. Hope someone here got it.
 
coelacanth said:
Just so you know there is an ebay seller selling PL 25/1.4 for $529. I think this is the cheapest new one in stock while often the used ones get over $600...

I finally broke down and ordered one. (they've got one more in stock it seems.)

Of course I have absolutely no connection with the seller.

Edit: Oh well that was quick. The last one is now gone. Hope someone here got it.
Click to expand...

I refused to pay a premium for this lens used -or new from a gouging dealer- so I just kept watching and unique photo had them in stock last week for $529 with free shipping. Haven't had a chance to use it much yet but I'm glad I finally got one. It is interesting that a camera like the xpro fuji is so readily available but this lens is so hard to find..
 
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