You're not wrong, Grant. I just got this lens, I had to wait until I could find it at an afordable price second hand. It might sound wierd but my travel setup is now the 12mm f1.4, 20mm f1.7 (pancake), and the 42.5 f1.2 all paired with my GX9 and a small flash (Godox TT350(o)) . I own smaller lenses and other great lenses but these are tiny but mighty! 🤩
I recently bought an excellent used copy of this lens. I use it on an OM1 and OM5, so do not have the benefit of the aperture ring, which, as a former Fuji shooter, I really miss. Having said that, there is something magical about this lens. In respect of image quality I’d say it is one of the best lenses I have ever used. I mean EVER. Over the years I have used Leica lenses with Leica film cameras, L glass with Canon, Red Badge with Fuji and currently a lot of Pro glass from Olympus. Trust me - there is just something about the results this lens produces. I can’t put my finger on it - it’s more than sharpness, it’s more than colour, it’s more than rendering - I can only describe it as ‘magical’. I have 3 other pro grade lenses that cover 12mm , and each of them is really, really good - but this is the only ’magic’ one. This is not exactly scientific - but it is the only way I can describe it.
I would love this lens but I have ended up with 4 lenses that all have the same filter size which suits my 75 filter holder. Laowa 7.5 and 10 and the Panaleica 15 f1.7 and 25 f1.4. All great lenses. My other cameras are a S1r and Pentax 645z but I really like using the G9. Small lenses on a chunky body is just perfect for ergonomics.
I have it too and it is indeed a great lens. As you said the image quality and build quality are excellent. It is expensive though, as you said, and if on a budget the 15mm 1.7 (also a Pana Leica) is great value. It is also a wonderful lens and a good focal length for street/travel/landscape. Although both are relatively expensive I'd say the 12 mm and 42.5 mm are similar in respect of image quality and build quality and two of the best MFT prime lenses available.
Wonderful lens Grant along with the Leica 15mm f1.7 but I agree its always this 12mm that goes on for most of the time. Now I don't want to use my previously adored Leica 8-18 zoom.
Yup, you mentioned all the lenses that have an aperture ring (12, 15, 42.5, 10-25, 25-50) but the two zoom lenses have a de-clicked aperture ring. Better for videos as far as I understand. And those are pretty spectacular I might say!
I rented the 12mm lens to try for a week on my g9 & gx85 but could not justify the cost, so I went with the Sigma 16mm 1.4, glad I did. I like the review though.
@@grantrobertdavies the Sigma is a great lens, it’s tack sharp at 2.8-4 across framed, quick focusing, works well with eye tracking. But, I profoundly use it as a street and landscape lens. Good for low light. My lens bag is Sigma 16 & 56 1.4’s. Lumix 12-35 & 35-100 2.8’s lastly lumix 25. 1.4. Mainly portraits and weddings.
I just got this lens after using a £170 Chinese Meike 12mm f2.8. Upon testing it managed to get a low light pic from 2.5 seconds on the Meike down to a quarter of a second on the Leica all setting identical except f1.4 but my god does this len have a lot of distortion. Take a picture of your keyboard and watch it turn into a banana. The Chinese lens is much flatter and doesn't require any post correction. Kinda mad considering so many RUclipsrs advertised this as low distortion. You should try some of the Chinese lenses but unfortunately they're manual only so bad for video.
YES - I do agree, the distortion is a bit of a issue - I thought I was the only one that noticed lol - It can be especially tough when shooting portraits up close… Yes I do plan to try some more cheaper Manual lenses :)
You're not wrong, Grant. I just got this lens, I had to wait until I could find it at an afordable price second hand. It might sound wierd but my travel setup is now the 12mm f1.4, 20mm f1.7 (pancake), and the 42.5 f1.2 all paired with my GX9 and a small flash (Godox TT350(o)) . I own smaller lenses and other great lenses but these are tiny but mighty! 🤩
I recently bought an excellent used copy of this lens. I use it on an OM1 and OM5, so do not have the benefit of the aperture ring, which, as a former Fuji shooter, I really miss. Having said that, there is something magical about this lens. In respect of image quality I’d say it is one of the best lenses I have ever used. I mean EVER. Over the years I have used Leica lenses with Leica film cameras, L glass with Canon, Red Badge with Fuji and currently a lot of Pro glass from Olympus. Trust me - there is just something about the results this lens produces. I can’t put my finger on it - it’s more than sharpness, it’s more than colour, it’s more than rendering - I can only describe it as ‘magical’. I have 3 other pro grade lenses that cover 12mm , and each of them is really, really good - but this is the only ’magic’ one. This is not exactly scientific - but it is the only way I can describe it.
I would love this lens but I have ended up with 4 lenses that all have the same filter size which suits my 75 filter holder. Laowa 7.5 and 10 and the Panaleica 15 f1.7 and 25 f1.4. All great lenses. My other cameras are a S1r and Pentax 645z but I really like using the G9. Small lenses on a chunky body is just perfect for ergonomics.
Awesome, Great Cameras and lenses :) I’d like to get that 25mm f/1.4 one day :)
I have it too and it is indeed a great lens. As you said the image quality and build quality are excellent. It is expensive though, as you said, and if on a budget the 15mm 1.7 (also a Pana Leica) is great value. It is also a wonderful lens and a good focal length for street/travel/landscape. Although both are relatively expensive I'd say the 12 mm and 42.5 mm are similar in respect of image quality and build quality and two of the best MFT prime lenses available.
Yes I agree :)
I am thinking about this lens too. Just curious. How many Panasonic lens you own?
5 :)
Wonderful lens Grant along with the Leica 15mm f1.7 but I agree its always this 12mm that goes on for most of the time. Now I don't want to use my previously adored Leica 8-18 zoom.
Yes - Great Lens :)
Sir i have lumix g9 and sigma 1.4 16mm lens. but I only use video record for my youtube channel. what do you suggest for only youtube purpose ?
Panasonic GH5 - GH5ii Or Panasonic G9
@@grantrobertdavies i have g9 and just need lens only :) which lens you recommend
@@BurakCankaya 12 to 35mm f/2.8 :)
@@grantrobertdavies thanks a lot man ! just last question any stable alternative? without zoom? my friend told me 35mm is best for youtube videos
@BurakCankaya I shoot 90% of my videos on the Panasonic Leica 12mm f/1.4 (24mm Full Fram Equivalent)
Yup, you mentioned all the lenses that have an aperture ring (12, 15, 42.5, 10-25, 25-50) but the two zoom lenses have a de-clicked aperture ring. Better for videos as far as I understand. And those are pretty spectacular I might say!
Hey - Thanks for the info :) Great lenses :)
I rented the 12mm lens to try for a week on my g9 & gx85 but could not justify the cost, so I went with the Sigma 16mm 1.4, glad I did. I like the review though.
Yes, Ive been thinking a-lot about the Sigma 16mm too for my RUclips setup :) Is that your Beagle in your profile pic? I have one too :)
@@grantrobertdavies Yes sir, Sally aka Diva! Lol
@@MrRoqblok LOL :) Mine - Robbie aka "The Tracker"
@@grantrobertdavies the Sigma is a great lens, it’s tack sharp at 2.8-4 across framed, quick focusing, works well with eye tracking. But, I profoundly use it as a street and landscape lens. Good for low light. My lens bag is Sigma 16 & 56 1.4’s. Lumix 12-35 & 35-100 2.8’s lastly lumix 25. 1.4. Mainly portraits and weddings.
I just got this lens after using a £170 Chinese Meike 12mm f2.8. Upon testing it managed to get a low light pic from 2.5 seconds on the Meike down to a quarter of a second on the Leica all setting identical except f1.4 but my god does this len have a lot of distortion. Take a picture of your keyboard and watch it turn into a banana. The Chinese lens is much flatter and doesn't require any post correction. Kinda mad considering so many RUclipsrs advertised this as low distortion. You should try some of the Chinese lenses but unfortunately they're manual only so bad for video.
YES - I do agree, the distortion is a bit of a issue - I thought I was the only one that noticed lol - It can be especially tough when shooting portraits up close… Yes I do plan to try some more cheaper Manual lenses :)
@@harryniedecken5321 About 2ft. All updated... the distortion gets corrected automatically when you view the image on a PC or import into Lightroom.
Nice lens!
Thanks!