The Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 Lens for Micro Four Thirds Cameras
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- This is my take on the Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 lens lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras.
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2022 and still watching you David. So much knowledge and kindness. Miss you David!
I have an Olympus body and had the Olympus 45mm f1.8, but sold it. I would like to get the Panasonic because of it's short focusing distance. This is also a very important aspect of this lens..for a lot of people.
Great review as always, and sound advice at the end. I shoot with LUMIX cameras, but my Olympus 45 is my favorite lens. I briefly considered upgrading to the Panasonic 42.5, but this video confirms my decision stay with the Oly. Thank you.
Written before I learned of David's passing. I'm going to leave it up as both a memorial and encouragement for beginners. The new Lumix MFT cameras are a near magic combo of easy to use and stunningly sophisticated. Cheers and thanks, again, David!
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I'm an old film shooter from the 80s. (I was a real estate appraiser, so mostly houses). My Lumix (now shooting for fun) was simply overwhelming and I just set it aside for a couple of years.
Your approach is perfect! Thank you!
You were a big reason why I own the 45mm F1.8. I wish you'd review the 25mm F1.8. I love your reviews.
Just bought this one to pair with my G7, your review sealed the deal. I currently have kit lens, the 12-35mm f2.8, and the 25mm f1.7. Should make a snappy addition.
Yes, it will. Fast focusing, and sharp and stabilized. Enjoy it!
Welcome back!Really glad you finally got the chance to review this one.
+白海塔 Thanks!
Another excellent, insightful review. I can't tell you how much I value these. Thank you.
It's great to hear that - thanks!
me too
Thanks for the review. In North America de Panasonic and Olympus now both cost the same, $399. Since the Panasonic comes with a lens hood, it is now effectively the cheaper of the two. The Pani also focusses a bit closer, enough to be a good lens for flowers and such.
Interesting - in the UK the Olympus is much cheaper at $260 equivalent. At US prices, the Panasonic would be the better buy for Panasonic owners especially, as you say.
Excellent review again, David. This will be my 3rd lens in the lineup for my GX8. First the Panasonic 14-140 in the kit, then a relatively wide angle, light lens such as the Panasonic 20, 25 or Olympus 17 mm 2.8. Finally this lens. I like the idea of the dual stabilisation.
Thanks, Martin! Yes, the dual stabilization really works, putting the best Olympus and Panasonic performance on a level.
consider the excellent panaleica 15mm as well if the 28mm focal suits you. The lens is excellent, sharp and aberration free. Unfortunately sold mine and replaced it with the 17mm form olympus because 35mm suits my eye better (but I got the 12mm to cope for wide angles)
I got this lens a few days ago, I cant believe the photos this amature (me) is getting, its so sharp and softens the background so my subjects pop out at the eye. The depth of field feels waifer thin when shooting semi profile, I get one eye in and another slightly out of focus and it makes a stunning image. "(Looks) better than real life." said my Japanese friend.
It also really fun with my GX1 creative effects like "toy" and "miniature".
It is quite a learning curve going from the power zoom where I mostly ranged from 14-25mm and now having fixed 42.5.
After looking at my results I can understand the attraction to a prime collection, I hope Panasonic re-release the 25mm with OIS and a good price tag next.
+Brian Cullen Yes, excellent lens. I read somewhere that Panasonic will be releasing a 25mm f/1.7 with stabilization soon. Good price tag? We'll see!
+David Thorpe that would be interesting. Can you Post the source. I'm highly intersted in a 25mm with ois.
+Jazzkatze99 See goo.gl/IQWUii
Thanks, unfortunately i can´t read something about stabilization in the new 25mm lens. I own the PanLeica 25mm 1,4 but i have stabilization in my GX8. A friend of mine hopes for a 25mm with stabilization because his G7 model.
I don´t get Panasonics politics. Who needs this lens?
+Jazzkatze99 Tell your friend to just buy the panaleica 25 1.4 as well. He will not have the slightest regrets.
Straight and to the point all done in great style. Most useful, thank you.
Goof to hear that, Colin. Thanks!
Thank you very much for this review. I've been wanting to purchase a portrait lens for my Olympus Mark 10 EM iii for the past several weeks. I've finally narrowed it down to the Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 and Olympus 45mm F/1.8. Your review was the impetus that pushed me towards the Olympus 45 F1.8. Thank you!
Glad I was helpful - you'll love the lens. And on the E-M10, an incredibly compact pairing.
Thank you for helping me make up my mind about this lens, your opinion is highly valued David
Glad to help, Pravin, thanks.
@@DavidThorpeMFT welcome have been using the lens for a week now and I love it! Its exactly as you described!
I just picked up this lens on eBay for about $85 dollars less than what Amazon was selling it for. I am using it for the new GX85 that I got for Christmas. I cannot wait to start testing it out.
That was a good buy, Mark and a lovely lens. Have fun with it.
3:10 Wow. The shutters sound so different!
I like your real life, real user reviews
Goof to hear that, Christophe. You learn a lot more about something by just using it than interpreting the specs.
Three years on, I'm watching your review as I've just bought the 42.5mm, replacing(?) my 45mm Zuiko (a beautiful little lens, truly in keeping with the m43 'compact' ethos).
I just thought it worth having a Lumix lens with OS, to pair up with my G9 with IBIS, but I've yet to see if it's optically better. The 45mm Zuiko remains a great m43 lens, and bargain priced too. Marvellous video reviews David btw, always pleased to see new ones.
Thanks Andrew! Both lenses are sparkling performers. What Micro Four Thirds lens isn't these days? I still have my Olympus 45mm but there is something tidy about matching body and lens.
I'm thinking of getting this lens for my GH5. How do you like it so far?
Wonderful review. I have the gh4 and I love the new Panasonic 42.5 lens.
This lens was selling for under 400 Canadian, and I had to pick it up, great reviewThanks.
Nice price!
Great review, and many thanks for helping me choose the G80 with kit lens and now the 15mm 1.7. Bloomin' great lens that I hope to be using here on RUclips. Your reviews are fantastic. If only I will be as popular. Thanks again for all the effort. Really helpful stuff. BTW, not doing review stuff :)
Just as well you are not doing reviews, Mark. I'd hate to have the send the boys round :-) Glad the reviews are helpful. I have a bigger choice of cameras than most, since I buy them for review but the one I now seem to pick up instinctively is the G80. The just right blend between size and usability. And I love that shutter more and more.
David Thorpe shutter on x-t2 is way better.
Ryan Thomas what do you mean ?
Thanks for this review. I really like the idea of having the hood included and how the Pani lens caps work... so if I can find a deal, or can find one gently used locally that's what I'll chose despite having an oly body .I really appreciated your comparisons (subbing for sure). I'm just getting started (oly om-d e-m5ii).
The Panasonic lens/Olympus body won't give any problems, though you may find the Olympus body won't get rid of any purple fringing in high contrast areas towards the outer parts of an image. Any software will get rid of it, though. If you decided to get the Olympus 45mm instead, don;t forget that lens hoods are available really cheaply and just as good as the Olympus items. You are getting started with a nice camera - years of learning possible with it.
David while I own the Nocticron and love it for its beautiful sharpness and bokeh I wish sometimes it was smaller thats why this new 42.5 f1.7 intrigues me. Its small size and closeups :)
+Cody Robinson It's a much better lens for day to day use. The f/1.2 needs to be used wide open _a lot_ to justify its price. But , for some, worth every penny
+David Thorpe Heres some Nocticron photos Ive taken. I normally only use the Nocticron when we have events here in Nashville www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=28047784%40N02&sort=date-taken-desc&text=42.5mm&view_all=1
+Cody Robinson I can see it is worth every penny to you, Cody! Nice to have that speed in hand.
Again a very useful and interesting review. Thanx for sharing your knowledge.
+Fred Px You are very welcome and thank you, Fred.
Great thanks for this very efficient analysis !
I would just remind for video makers in Panasonic world that lens stabilisation is almost mandatory without an handheld steady stabilizer or a shoulder rig, especially for 4K shooting.
Therefore even if you own a "stabilized" Panasonic body GX8, or even a GX7, you should consider it seriously.
As I already own both M.Zuiko and macro stabilized Leica 45, I am not going to be interrested by this one too, that is enough :)
I agree that for something else than macro shots I prefer the Olympus lens. But as now I shoot in 4K, I may prefer bring the Panasonic with me. (Or my 35-100 ? Not far bigger... )
+CosyPhotos Thanks! The 35-100 lens is amazing, isn't it? Panasonic have said they will upgrade the firmware of all but 3 of their lenses to use the combined system so that'll make it even more useful.
Hello David, I didn't clarified that I own the 35-100 f2.8, therefore sure it can be a great lens ! So it is big, but just longer and heavier than Leica 45, not very much thicker.
And I have so much blue/purple fringes with the Leica ! Never with M.Zuiko.
Update 3 years later:
The lens works in Dual IS mode on newer Panasonic cameras, as it's firmware has been updated.
av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/hs043.html
The result is an insane amount of stabilization, and combined with the wide aperture, results in being able to take sharp photos at night fully hand-held.
Imagine taking a 0.5s shot hand-held and being razor sharp. MAGIC ?
Edit: Actually, it seems that the Dual IS update got out just 4 months after this video was made...
In any case, I can say that it works perfectly on G9 !
Is it magic? As Arthur C. Clarke said, all new technology looks like magic. Hand held 0.5.s would have been laughed at not too long ago. It may not really be magic but it's near enough :-)
I purchased one of these, and my feelings are very similar to yours. I am using it with my GH3. This lens represents an outstanding value. I'm very impressed. I also own the 12-35 mm f2.8, the 35-100 mm f2.8 and the 14-140 mm f3.5 - 5.6 mm. Gerry in Calgary.
+Gerald Prost Hi Gerry - yes, a lovely lens. That's good outfit you've amassed there, covers about everything. What always amazes me is how much use my 14-140 gets. Apart from being slower, I don't see much if any difference in IQ between that and the zooms. This 42.5mm is noticeably sharper, though - as it should be! Nothing quite like a good prime
Great video, David. I'm getting confused between this 42.5mm and 30mm f/2.8. Can this lense do the macro photography as 30mm does? Thanks
No, the 42.5mm doesn't do macro. It focuses reasonably close but for !:1 macro and very close focus you need the 30mm or one of the other macro lenses.
Nice and thorough review. Thanks for posting.
+rumvodkaf1 Thanks for telling me - much appreciated.
I'm sorry if this is stupid question - I'm new to film.
Is there a setting somewhere that must be turned on for the OIS to work?
I love this lens but feel like it's even shakier than the kit lens that came with my G7.
Since the lens has no stabilization on/off switch on the body, it must be operated from the setting in the Rec Menu. It's set On by default, though, so I'd be surprised if it wasn't already in operation. Stabilization on this lens was pretty much the same as any other Panasonic lens so if you find it ineffective, I can only think there is a fault. Unlikely though.
+David Thorpe thanks for the quick reply, I'll check out the settings. I bought it Amazon refurbished, and it does make a constant sound everytime it's tilted. I doubt anything is broken, likely just need to develop my handling skills more.
The noise is normal and happens with all stabilized lenses.
I mostly take family photos (such as prom photos) with my Panasonic GH3 so I suppose my next lens to buy should be a portrait lens. My GH3 doesn't have image stabilization. I find the Olympus 45 on sale for $299.00 while the Panasonic 42.5 is being sold for $348.00. Which lens would you opt for, David? The 14-140 is currently out of the budget range.
After a second viewing, I see that my question was answered in the video. Much thanks
Great advice
Hi David, thx for the amazing video. I own a GX7 and using an old pentacon 50 for street portrait. Now i want to upgrade to either the olympus 45 or the pana 45 1.7, i do street photography of people's natural expression, mostly at evening and night, which one you think is better for me'?? thanks in advance!
+XY Zhou Buying from new and with a Panasonic body I'd by the Panasonic lens. In particular, if you ever buy a GX8, the f/1.7 will use its stabilization in cooperation with the camera body's, giving you Olympus level stabilization. Also, on its own the lens's stabilization is better than the GX7's. Glad you found the video useful.
One negative point is that it takes five to ten seconds to focus in video mode and when I move the camera it shakes like a digital scism. Still shot focus is luxuriously quick however, but when shooting children in the shallow depth of field it needs to be as quick as it is because children frequently move out of focus (nearly as quick as the lens can focus) ; it makes shooting very fun actually.
+Brian Cullen Keeping up focus with the fast movement of children is a big ask. This lens does it as well as any lens in any system but I find my personal method even more effective. I just fill a couple of pillow cases with sand and then tie them around the child's legs. Hey presto! 100% in focus shots :-)
The video focusing doesn't sound right - you must be shooting 4K?
+David Thorpe na not 4K Ive got gx1 and Im an amature. Im getting better at it though.
I just grabbed the new 25mm f1.7 whilst in Japan and it feels and looks like the 42.5 f 1.7. Like brother and sister. The IQ is very similar and the shallow DOF is still prominant. These two primes have eliminated my 14-42 pz as I mostly shoot family or pirtrait at 1m to 10m distance. Cant wait for the price of the gx8 to become more reasonable.
+Brian Cullen Re the price of the GX8, Panasonic do some pretty good cashback offers sometimes so it's always worth keeping a lookout.
I think the bokeh on the Olympus 45mm is that little bit more special. A bit nervous, sure, but unique.
+Omar Carrasquillo A long time favourite of mine and a bargain too. I've never made any secret of that!
Love your videos ! Would you think in a studio environment for fashion work it would make a big difference between this and the Notricon 1.2 ? If shooting both lenses @f8 using studio lighting (strobes)? Differences in image quality such as color reproduction or microcontrast?
There is essentially no difference in these two lenses performance. The extra money for the Nocticron is purely for the extra bit of speed and the very small difference in depth of field obtainable neither of which are relevant in a studio environment.
I wouldn't advise stopping down to f/8, both of these lenses are at their very best at f/4 and 5.6. At those apertures, both lenses will test the ability of the sensor to resolve the detail they can show. The edge performance of the f/1.7 shows up as slightly better than the Nocticron in chart tests, though no real world use of an image would be able to show the difference.
Another factor is the 31cm vs 50cm close focus in favour of the Panasonic.
Yes, good point, Paul.
Coleman's mustard. We can trust this man!
😄
Hi David, thanks for a very concise review. I have a G85, and was deciding between the Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7 and the Olympus 45mm f1.8. Would the Dual IS system and the DFD compatibility put the Panasonic ahead, especially for video? The price difference where I come from is only about $50. Appreciate any input! Cheers! :)
Yes, it would definitely put it ahead, Daniel, especially at that price difference.
Excellent advice as always I just ordered one based on it because I have a GM1. I'm just getting going with MFT and I have a 14mm 2.5 and now this, is there any other lens I should have to complement them? Maybe a zoom but I'm trying to keep things really small
+tomfurstyfield Thanks! A perfect GM1 outift in my book would be the tiny zooms 12-32mm, 35-100 plus your 42.5mm. 3 very, very sharp lenses covering every normally used focal lengths plus a great people and landscape lens Both of these the zooms are stabilized.
I'd suggest the 12-32mm as a next lens regardless.
+David Thorpe Thanks very much for the reply
Hi David, great review as always. I am considering buying all three of the new Lumix primes. The 15mm, 25mm, and 42.5mm. I shoot on the GH4 and G7 bodies and most of my work is video, not stills. I shoot more planned production than events and I prefer the performance of primes. The fast f/1.7 is the selling point for me and finding a pro wide lens on the M4/3 system is challenge. I was wondering what your thoughts were or if you have a better alternative. Many thanks!
+Indie Ingenuity There's the 12mm Olympus f2 as about the only fast alternative, though the Panasonic 15mm is better all round. Otherwise, it is zooms. The 12-40mm Olympus Pro is as sharp as any primes but doesn't have the speed and is much bigger. Looks like the 15mm is your best buy to me. Certainly I'd be very comfortable with the lenses you 15, 25 and 42.5 as a set. Small, fast and sharp.
Very interesting thank you ! I have a GX7 and I am currently hesitating between the Oly 45mm and pana 42.5, your conclusion makes sense and is perfectly logical, but I will one day replace my GX7 with the GX8, and in this case, do you keep the same conclusion or do you think that the GX8 + lens O.I.S. could justify buying the Pana lens for the stabilized GX8 ? Thank you.
+Yak Eru My conclusion was taking the extra cost of the Panasonic into consideration, which at £105 UK is a quite a lot. If the extra cost is not a major factor in the decision, for the GX8 I'd go for the Panasonic lens. The faster focusing and combined stabilization systems are both worth having.
+David Thorpe Thank you very much for taking the time to answer me :-) Pana lens it will be then !
Very informative, thank you.
+Supee Juntranggur Glad to hear that, Supee. Thanks.
Another good review! I am glad I went with the Olympus 45mm :)
So when is the GX8 review coming? ;)
+Andy_Curtis28 Working on it but it does take a while to get to know a camera body. Lenses are easier!
Absolutely :) Couldn't agree more
Just watched the 42.5mm f/1.2 vs the Olympus 45mm f/1.8. Now this.
good video as always - I do own the Olympus 45mm F1.8 and it is one of those must own lenses - as I have 2 GX's and a GX8 coming this week and EM1 and EM5 ( original) - i will pass on the Panasonic 42.5 F1.7 - but if I did not own the Oly I would opt for the Panasonic for the IS as I sometimes go with friends that have the GH4 and G7 - so they could borrow it - but the Oly 45mm f1.8 is a real gem at a very reasonable price - I do think I like the looks of the Panasonic a bit better but IQ is what counts -
+igetsmart The Olympus 45mm is a real bargain and a hard act to follow.
always love your reviews....can you do one for the new panasonic 30mm macro
+Peter Maxwell Working on it now!
Good review! Do you plan toreview the Panasonic 25 mm f1.7 lens, please?
+donphobos Thanks! I'm hoping to get a look at that and the Olympus equivalent soon.
Thank you David
I notice you are shooting with a GX8, can we look forward to a review on it?
+123HURST Soon!
02:38 Is that with stabilization on!? That's extremely shaky...
Hii David :)
Do you recomend this lens for Videos? I've got a GM1 Panasonic (no stabilazed build).
I'm searching for a Stabilizated lens for Video.. for my camera but i'm a little bit comfused with the amout of lens there are in the market .
Thanks you so much! (ohh, by t way i'm with the package lens 12-32 f3.5-5.6 )
+DaXin3 That lens will work just fine with good stabilization. If you don't have to have the f/1.7 aperture, the little 35-100 f/4-5.6 that matches your 12-32 has excellent optical performance and stabilization.
nice review, but if i already have the 20mm F1.7 panasonic lens, apart from lens IS , why would i want this? I shoot with a GX8
It's double the focal length which makes it far more suitable for portraits. fill a frame with a persons head on the 20mm and you distort the face because of the steep perspective. With the 42.5, the face looks natural. The lens is also bery nice for landscapes, isolating detail and shallow depth of field _effects_.
This is a great little lens. I sold my Olympus lens after getting this lens. The focus ring is a bit easier to operate and the O.I.S. is a god send for hand held use. The close focusing is great for macro-ish shots. The CA is worse than the Olympus, but the degree it's a problem will depend on what kind of photos/videos you shoot.
+Dave Patterson I wonder why Panasonic lenses have more CA than Olympus? It's easily enough dealt with but I'd be interested to know the technical reason.
Thanks David
Hi David thanks for another great video
Funnily Max Yurev also compared these lenses and found the Pansonic better than the oly both in sharpness and in fringing Max also complained that you had to pay 40 euro extra for the lenshood on the oly
Both Max and you believed that the leica was superb but HUGE and expensive...
You convinced me to the 1.7 42.5 panasonic Compact on my GX ( which you too convinced me too :-) )
Small affordable and nice bokeh
There's so much more to a lens than speed and ultimate sharpness and pushing the envelope in every way in one lens leads to a large and expensive lens. It's great that they exist and I find them as interesting as the next photographer. Then there's the _but_...and for me, as for you, a compact lens that will be in your bag takes better pix than a lens on a shelf at home.
The reality is that at the level of the lenses we are talking about, IQ differences need pictures of lens charts to perceive. And the difference between f/1.7 and f/1.2 is rarely a game changer. On the other hand, there are people who specialize in low light photography and for them the extra bulk is tolerable in return for wringing the last rays out of a subject. We're lucky to have such a choice of lenses and camera bodies is my end view.
Thanks again David Lord of M43 ;-)
I live in Tyrol Austria and I love mountain walking. So light gear is very practicle. I last year made some Photo's ar th Breda Jazz Festival (my city of Birtv in Holland. I made sime nice indoor photo's in BW with the gx8 lumix 14-140
Even with that lens it worked well si the 42.5 1,7 must be a massive improvement and it has nuce Bokeh
QUESTION
I am merely a hobby photograper on s budget
I am going to buy s new acer spin 5 Laptop
Sgrb coverage is 94% which i Guess is not bad for a laptop
I also want to by a monitor
I read ab extensive introduction on Colourmanagement on fotovideotec.de
The author who als publishes books on this topic believe that for amateur photographers SRGB is more zhsn sufficient. He is honest that for some scenes AdobeRGB has an edge when printed pics are compared side by side
But then again only in direct comparison
So Andres states fo the majority printed photos SRGB is sufficient
I have my eyws set on this monitor (only the 24 inch version)
content://com.sec.android.app.sbrowser/readinglist/0225192513.mhtml
The pro photographer is very enthusiastic about the Monitor
He claims that ve solely works in SRGB
So far so good. But then I read an article in Zoom.nl saying that for i.e Sunsets SGRB is not sufficient
What to do now
My wallet says believe the upper to professionals
But since you convinced me for M43
THANK YOU !
I want your final verdict on
SRGB vs Adobe RGB for a hobby photographer
Thanks in advance
Hi Peter - there is such a lot of garbage talked about color spaces. It's not so complicated! The range of colours produced by your camera's sensor are fixed and are what they are. Color Space does not change that in any way.
If you shoot a RAW file, the sensor's output is written to file in a stream of binary code. The camera's RAW output may cover a brightness range of 14 stops from pure black to pure white. A monitor might have 10 stops capability and a print rather less than that. They must still have pure black and pure white to look good, however, so the camera's 14 stops must be compressed into 10 for a good monitor. Thus, if we have an image that consists of 14 shades from white to black, we could display them accurately on a monitor with a 14 stop range. But such monitors don't exist in a form that ordinary mortals can afford. So we compress the 14 shades into 10 , meaning we space them out at 10/14, that is 0.7 stops apart instead of 1 stop. The image will look a bit flat compared to the original. Thus, color space simply describes the way in which we have chosen to compromise the tones in the original file to fit the available space
sRGB is a colour space designed to give the best results for real world display media. It's a world wide standard and looks good on mobiles and monitors and most everything. Adobe RGB retains more range but since your monitor cannot show them, it will compress the range more so you will get a flatter image.
The main reason for Adobe RGB is professional. If you supply an original with an Adobe RGB space, the user can take it and adapt the surfeit of tones to the medium he is working with. In the real world, he will take your Adobe RGB file, tweak it how he wishes and output it to sRGB.
You should only use Adobe RGB when a professional client requires it for his work flow. It has no advantage over sRGB, in fact it has disadvantages over it. A screen with 100% or as near as possible sRGB coverage will give the best results. The statement that sRGB is not sufficient for sunsets simply means the writer does not understand what he is talking about. Even sRGB has a wider range than most monitors and prints can show but sRGB is designed to give the best compromise results possible.
David Thorpe You are a hero
Andreas almost came to the same conclusion stating that lots od people are fundamentalistic about AdobeRGB but not knowing what they are talking about.
The Viewsonic it will be
Thank you so much 😄
Have you used this lens on the Panasonic G7? I'm interested in using this for video. I currently have the Panasonic Lumix 20mm 1.7 lens.
I haven't used it on a G7 but they would be an ideal match. You'll notice how much faster is the focusing (less important on video, I know).
Uhhh, so when you say keep the Olympus do you mean when you buy the Panasonic, or don't buy the panasonic? I'm thinking of selling the Oly for the Pana as I have unstabilized body.
+orange42 No, not keep both. Presuming your camera body is a Panasonic, the Panasonic lens is the better bet. However, selling the Olympus and the loss involved, plus buying the f/1.7 is a financial hit and since stabilization is not crucial on a high speed short tele (because you will usually be using a high shutter speed) that's why I personally wouldn't swap .
If the on-cost doesn't bother you, the Panasonic lens is the one to have in your case. I just have a plain old fashioned mean streak!
David Thorpe Aha, many thanks!
What about if you can buy the Panny 42.5 1.7 for the same price as selling a used Oly 45mm? I've got the Oly and a local retailer is doing the Panny at $AU329 then there's a cashback deal of $100. $AU229 is a good buy yes?
Yes, for sure. I'd do it.
Thanks David. I had already done it yesterday however I was feeling a bit remorseful about having the sell my Oly. It's taken some beautiful shots of my kids.
OOpps, posted on the wrong video. I am going to buy this lens though.....
I just got a G7, per your recommendation. I need some advice: what ONE prime should I buy? I really want to get into 4k movie making.
For movie making, I guess a 25mm would be overall best. The f/1.7 Panasonic would be a good choice being something of a bargain.
Hi there!
I have a question... I've just received a pre-owned pana 42.5mm. But it makes very annoying,buzzing (not rattling,which i've seen on yt) noise when autofocusing. Is it normal sound? I own 14-140mm Pana and 9-18mm Oly lenses,and anyone of them make that kind of noise...
No, it shouldn't make a buzzing sound, certainly not enough to be annoying. There's a constant rustling sound from all Micro Four Thirds lenses but that's all the time and not just focusing. You have to put your ear to the lens to hear it. If yours is a buzzzzzing sound and definitely caused by focusing it's not normal. The 42.5 is a modern lens and focusing should be silent. Does it do it with the camera set to MF at all?
Thank You for quick response! Ok,Your remark about MF guided me to the solution. The issue was really simple (and embarrasing for me as well)-i haven't noticed my camera is in AFC mode... It was enough to switch it to AFS mode. This is my first prime lens,so now i know... Sorry for bothering! It's so good to have You here,Sir! Thanks for help!
It's no bother. Cameras are so complicated now that we are all on a learning curve - that definitely includes me too.
Very nice and informative review but its difficult to make out the difference besides technical difference. I mean lenses are about rendering, colors and bokhe. For instance the olympus in my mind looks really attractive at first i mean its neat, cheap, fast and very sharp looks like a winner. Until you start comparing the rendering, bokhe and colour witch i completely dislike. ;) Well i am really curios about the new Panasonic so i may have to get one to check my self, i mean its probably no Nocticron but for sure much cheaper and lighter hehe. :)
Hi David.
I have a question related to GX8, I've got last month.
Do you or anyone know how to reset cursor to the center position, if it is off center?
On my D800 all it takes - press center multi F button.
I've looked all over manual few times.
Kind bagging me,.. it sets off cursor due to a touchscreen, but on other hand don't want to disable a touchscreen functions.
Thanks Gene
+Eugene Schwartzman Touch the focus area marker as if you were going to move it (so that it highlights inyellow) and then just hit the Disp. button. Puts it right back in the middle!
+David Thorpe Thanks David. I found it the other day! For some reason there is no info in the manual. Thanks again for getting back to me. You're the best!
+Eugene Schwartzman What can I say - thanks!
Is all panasonic lenses i suitable for olympus camera? Thanks...
Hi William - yes, all Panasonic lenses function as expected on Olympus and vice versa. Micro Four Thirds is a standard, so any equipment labelled Micro four Thirds will function on either make.
Is a GX8 review coming in the future?
+Shaka It is!
Hooray! Thanks, David.
Does this mean it's equivalent to an 85mm f3.4 on a full frame camera?
No, equivalent to a 21.25mm f/0.85 on an Olympus XZ sensor but it has a Micro Four Thirds mount so won't fit, making any comparison pointless.
I switched to the 42.5 from the 45 Olympus as Panasonic felt the need to make the in body stabilizer not work in video with the GX8 , what the hell were they thinking ? haha
+leacol36 Probably thinking of making you buy the 42.5 :-)
+David Thorpe haha good point
Have you seen the Meike Battery grip for the GX8?
+Cherrard Cohen No - I must take a look.
I will give you the link
+Cherrard Cohen I Googled and found it but didn't fins anything for the GX8 (at first look, that is).
It was a Sony A7 battery grip modified. It doesn't actually work. I will wait for one to come out if they decide to make one for the GX8.
Hi, someone have noticed a continuous vibration of this len when the camera is in static position like on tripod and ois is on?
+Simone Santamaria There's always a noise from electronic cameras, mainly from the stabilization and aperture systems, a kind of rustling noise. If you can _feel- the vibration as well as hear it, it sounds like something is wrong to me. Stabilization should be off when using a tripod but not because it vibrates!
Pana 42.5 1.7
Stabilisation | sharper (fwiw) | closer focus
Oly 45 1.8
Better bokeh - "creamier", round 'bokeh balls (from bright light/s) | no stabilisation | sharp
I'm tempted to think it's better to have same brand lens and camera. But David reviewed the Oly, and kept showing it on Panasonic bodies and never mentioned a problem. There may be slightly more purple fringing with Oly on Pana camera - but it didn't bother him any much - gave a rave review of the Oly lens.
I'm busy thinking about all this stuff cause I have a Panasonic body and am torn between these two lenses. (Price difference wouldn't be enough to put me off the more expensive Pana lens.)
For a broken comparison see Skylar King's comparison video of these two lenses
How do you put the lens hood on? I can't figure this out
The ring around the top of the lens is there to prettify it. Twist that, remove it and it reveals a bayonet mount for the hood
David Thorpe thanks I got it
ithink panasonic gx 85 are much faster to conbine to this panasonic lens ?
It'll focus fast on any body but focus speed is more a function of the camera body than the lens.
I rented to the Olympus 45mm and it always seemed awkward compared to the Nocticron.
+Cody Robinson These things are always quite personal. Much as like the Olympus, pretty it is not!
Hey David, have you used the raynox macro lenses at all? i have the dcr-150 and it totally turns my 40-150 kit lens into a very different creature, was just wondering what you thought about them (if at all)
2:40 a shame that the em-1 "Phase detection" wasn't superior.
6:20 "This page was intentionally left blank"
MUSTDOS well, I'm using the EM5 M2 and have used the EM1 and have to say that in normal shooting the AF speed is similar, if not the EM5 M2 is slightly faster, but in continuous shooting the PDAF improves the EM1's tracking AF. So the PDAF, by my experience and many other reviews, improves the tracking AF and the AF with 43's lenses. But I've to say, on my brief hands on with the GH4 in low light situations (was in a store where I had to use ISO 1600) , I felt like the Lumix bodies AF is better than the OMD's. Just my experience..!
+Rahul Vj That's my experience, too Rahul. The Panasonics just feels snappier. I'm talking about single AF. It's so hard to compare tracking AF and C-AF but the E-M1 definitely seems better there to me. Also, no question that Panasonics work better in very low light S-AF.
+MUSTDOS Mind you, I only tested single AF so the PDAF doesn't come in to play there.
David Thorpe :) Yeah true that.
BTW, I'm a big fan of your work David, and you are one of the very few people who inspired me to get into the m43 system. I'm from India, and so far, I've never seen anyone using a m43 camera in my country...its just that rare. And now that I own the EM5 M2, I cannot say how happy I'm about my decision. And thank you so much for your wonderful video that helped me take this decision..! Keep up the great work, waiting for more.
+Rahul Vj Thanks Rahul - it's great to know my videos are being seen in India. Even better to know you find them helpful.
I got the olympus because it was silver to match my Panasonic gx7. lol
You did the right thing. Black lenses are always less sharp than silver ones because black absorbs more light than silver so there are fewer light rays to go though the lens and be focused. That's why I always wear a silver Elvis style jump suit when taking pictures. It gives me more light to focus and thus the edge over other photographers.
Great minds think alike!
no shame, gotta keep up appearances.
Elvis style jump suit.. commitment..
Suppose the ois puts the price up, shame really and a bit weird with the gx80 etc having ibis. Currently it's £320 on Amazon compared to £220 (with hood and uv filter) for oly 45mm. The difference is nearly enough to buy the panny 25mm 1.8!
I have the Olympus 45mm and no intention of changing it! The Panasonic does use the dual stabilization, though and focusing is better. If money wasn't a consideration, I'd probably buy the Panasonic for those two reasons but since I have had the Olympus a long time now, I'll just stick with that.
David Thorpe I'm currently shooting with a gf1 and em5, as the gf1 is welded to my 20 1.7, this would go on the em5, where it'd also be a bit smaller, so I think the price difference could go to a 14 2.5 to 15/17mm upgrade fund :)
I have a personal preference for the 17mm focal length but either one is a good choice. I'd probably go for the 15mm, since it the 17mm is a bit close in focal length. The 15mm would give you a proper wide-angle option.
i have the gh4. 42.5mm f/1.7 or 45 m. Zuiko f1,8 ? plz if anyone
+kostas chelioths You message didn't get to its end, Kostas.
Three minutes of black screen at the end David.
I think your browser had a problem, or David's videos are like fine wine and improve with age, it's not there in 2020 hindsight and perfect vision :-D
will this fit on the FZ1000
Afraid not, Wilfred, Micro Four Thirds fitting only.
Thank you bro
The lens to get is the Leica 42.5mm F1.2. Much better low light performance and insane bokeh.
+mahadragon You've seen my review of it, presumably? It's great lens but not for everyone.
+mahadragon Yes, and also 5x the price... Of course it will be better.
mahadragon Meh, it's probably closer to 3x, who really cares. The point is it's very expensive, around $1300.
You dont mention an important point. FOCUSING DISTANCE
No need to shout :-)
lmao that wasnt the intention.
it is a big point though for some people
I'm a one man band here, no helpers or assistants so occasionally I'm less than perfect. If you mean closest focusing distance, Google tells me 31cm, just over a foot. Quite handily close but no outstanding.
I rented it for the weekend. While I like the size it just doesn't produce the Pop my Nocticron does. I won't be buying this one. Here are a few photos I took today www.flickr.com/photos/princecody/albums/72157665860667510
+Cody Robinson Nice pix! If you don't mind the size, which, after all is only big in an Micro Four Thirds context, it's the best prime of them all.
Please, dusk your gear before making the video LOL. Why all your gear is covered in dust? I know it does not affect the image quality, but it looks bad in your videos. Thanks!
I give them a blast of air and a wipe over but this lens came from Panasonic and had worn in dust. With the rubberized finishes on so many lenses now, it looks great new but quite tatty when well used. It takes me a long time to do these videos and I think making sure every lens was pristine would lose me the will to live. Think of the dust as the change in the taste of wine as it is aged - a sign of maturation :-)
IMO MFT is a travel kit, with pancake lens. Picture quality with good glass is not even close to FX. It's a tragic waste of money to buy good glass for these cameras because your investment in FX is light years ahead.
+madzappa Thank you for sharing that with us. It's always good to hear a reasoned and cogently argued point of view.