Now that I've found the groove with OM-D it's GAS time

[texchappy]

GAS tells me I need a new lens. I've narrowed it down to these 4 for now. When I looked at the data from my old camera I shot mostly from 35 (50mm on FF equivalent) with a lot around 55 (87.5mm eq). This lens would be the first besides the 12-50 kit on this system (OM-D). I would use it as a walk-around and to mostly keep up with capturing 2 active boys (4 and 9).

O17: would make for a compact package, price is right, but the two reviews I've read really don't have nice things to say about it.

P20: same said for compact, really good images but close to the PL25 which is on my definite list and the lock-up issue worries me.

PL25: on my definite list but on the priciest side right now and most apt to get wife aggravated.

O45: still on the high side to spend so soon after the camera but another one on the definite list.

Also, I will get a pancake for compactness at some point.

TIA,
Tony

 

[radical7]

Just a reminder that the crop factor is of 2. So if you want your 50 you should get the 25 and get the wife angry 🙂

 

[coelacanth]

Tony,

Glad to hear you are finally bonding with the OM-D. 🙂

For faster focus, I'd recommend O45 and PL25. P20 is a great one-lens kit that's very versatile, but it's not as fast or silent focus as O45 or PL25. If you want one small prime to couple with the zoom lens you've got P20 is great though.

Another way to look at this is to ask "what CAN'T I do with the 12-50?" and my take would be fast portrait as the F # goes up on the tele side. For that, I'd recommend O45 which gives you type of picture you can't really get with the kit zoom. That said, PL25 looks awesome on OM-D, and I really loved the rendering that lens gave me (Ask Keith). If you don't mind the size of PL25, it is a perfect standard prime, and again, I think you won't get the image that PL25 would give you with the kit zoom.

That said, you just can't go wrong with the small P20 though. Amazon have them in stock right now for regular price, not beefed up ebay price.

O17 will shine with tiny camera body like E-PM1 IMHO. With larger, more full-featured body like OM-D, the size difference between P20 and O17 is very small.

For small wide, consider P14. It's TINY (smaller than O17) and light, and IQ is very good especially for the size and the going price (see ebay for "from kit" new lenses going $160 ish).

Good luck!

 

[Kiyatkin]

I own the Oly 17mm and bought it reluctantly due to bad reviews. BUT I am very very pleased with its IQ. Its fine IMO. Focus is a little slow, but not limiting.

 

[Paul Luscher]

I went 12mm, 25mm & 45mm (24mm, 50mm and 90mm in 35mm format terms). Pretty much the classic photojournalist lens setup. Figure that way, I'm covered for most situations, from landscape to candid/portraiture.

But I am looking at that new 75mm lens, too. But it'll have to wait until I can grub up some cash...

 

[texchappy]

Well, went with the P20/1,7 so I could have the compact package. Now I need to update the firmware so it might not have the lock-up issue.

ETA: Add the banding issue with the lock-up issue with slower focusing and it adds up to me changing the order to the O45. Figured it was a good time to add it to the kit before Oly figures out it's to good a deal.

 

[rbelyell]

I went with the 20/1.7 because imo it takes the place of two lenses, a 35 and a 50mm equivalent, so i got the biggest bang for my buck. This lens is really stunning IQ and i never had any problem with it on either my ep2 or my new omd. Plus its a pancake. That its a half stop slower than the 25 is nothing given the omds great high iso. It can do everything the 17 or the 25 can do and with the money you save you can buy the 45!
Tony

 

[celluloidprop]

I went 25/1.4 because I plan to add the 12 or 14 soon, but if that's not in your plans I'd expect you'll be just as happy with the 20 as the 25.

 

[vrgard]

I went with the PL 25 plus the Panny 14 to give myself a 50mm equivalent (for regular usage) and a 28mm equivalent (for pocketability, close quarters and/or street usage). As for the longer end, while I still plan on picking up the Oly 45 (for all the known reasons), I'm enjoying my various Leica M-mount lenses with the Panasonic M-mount adapter.

 

[texchappy]

Well, it appears I'll be getting both the 20/1,7 and the 45/1,8 - oops. Amazon shipped both though I had cancelled the 20/1.7. Oh, well 😉

 

[PaulW128]

Damn Tex, hate when that happens!! Glad to hear you bonded with the OMD.

Best
paul

 

[jbot]

I had so many problems with the 20. Ended up selling it. The 25 is one of my favourite lenses from any camera though. Solid optics, fast focus. Good all around.

 

[mrbrown]

I also run the 12-25-45 combo on my OM-D. The PL25 is my most used lens and it is gorgeous. One would find it hard to own a Summilux at this price. So I think it's value-for-$$. Haha!