A Look At Three Kowa Lenses for Micro Four Thirds Cameras
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- Опубликовано: 24 ноя 2024
- They're built like tanks, feature both T and F stops and have none of that new fangled data swapping between lens and camera.
8.5mm, 12mm or 25mm, take your choice. But check your bank account first!
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FYI... the Kowa 8.5mm f2.8 is an optical masterpiece, and it definitely feels and performs like one. Its accurate perspective and resolution is stunning. It has none of the dizzy, "fun house mirror" effect distortion that you may experience with some other lenses. And the fixed focal length is perfect for most situations where you would need a wide angle lens... a wide zoom would usually be superfluous and only handicap you with a higher f/stop. Although it weighs 440g, or about twice many M43 lenses do, it still is relatively compact on a GH 3, 4, or 5. It has fully met my expectations.
i have been getting educated through your channel but most of the best part is the way you narrate ,your voice pitching and accents! Thank you so much for in enlightening us!
Thanks for telling me, Manoj - it is comments like yours that make it so enjoyable!
have you checked nikon 1 system lately sir!? i wanted to experiment with it, in combination with some cctv lenses, just ultra budget portrait photography !
No, I stick with Micro Four Thirds equipment. Hard to keep up with just that at times!
Filmmakers probably would see the most value from these lenses with their smooth and clickable apertures and manual focus. I wish more lenses were made this way, as I'm not a fan of Panasonic's fly by wire design particularly for video use. Good review, thank you.
Like you, I prefer more mechanical manual focusing like Olympus's 17mm. or Pro lenses. These would be good video lenses but....the price. I'd be more inclined to FF glass with a Metabones.
As always, you pack more useful information into a review than most anyone else. Being slightly older than you, and having winnowed my MFT stable down to 2 bodies (MkII versions of E-M1 and E-M5). and 9 lenses, I rely upon you to keep me abreast of new developments - I'll buy only if you rave about it. Thank you, again.
Thanks for the kind words, Joel. I have to say that with the mainstream Micro Four Thirds lenses it becomes quite difficult to find criticism of them as the designs become more and more refined. Basically, put a 12-40 on your 5, a 40-150 on the 1 and you have what would have been a fantasy only outfit ten years ago.
For 800 you buy a decent canon fd prime set. For 1600 you got the FD set complete. For 2400 you got all the FD's including F1.2's. Indeed to much money for the kowa'a
Great info as always. I have been watching in particular the 8.5mm but was concerned about the price tag. This really helps me with my wide angle lens decision. Thanks!
Good to hear that Todd, thanks.
I never expected a review for these lenses. Thanks for reviewing them; I always wondered if they are worth saving for at least one of them.
Hope I haven't disappointed you. I have no doubt there will be photographers who can't wait to get hold of one of these. Not many, though, I think.
David Thorpe actually, impressed! The cosina 10.5 was known to have coma issues. I am keeping my eye on the 8.5mm kowa. Might be pricey but worth it. Not much into the auto focus especially for the wide angled lenses. And I can have something that is timeless for the asking price, it can even be sold as a second hand lens for a decent price since it can hold the test of time. However I don't see myself going to get with that lens anytime.
It's worth taking a look at the Voigtlanders, too.
Great review David. That's what I call Stone Cold honesty. there Is no other way to tell it really. Did the company send you these units to review?
Thanks! Yes, sent to me via ePhotoZine. I don't enjoy dissing any gear and I always start out preferring to like equipment because, well, I just enjoy photo gear. On the other hand, if a review is to mean anything, you have to say honestly what you think. I think makers accept that because reviews get the lens out there and noticed. While I do criticize the price of these lenses, they do have some good attributes and I take care to point that out too. There will be some photographers who will have been looking for a lens such as these and the price won't worry them. I'd be very happy if my review pointed them in the direction of one of these Kowas. The bigger the choice, the better for all of us. The overriding thing is that I've built up a level of trust with my viewers and that takes a long time to build and a very short one to destroy.
Good review David. I have seen these lenses at shows and wondered about their capabilities. They are built like tanks as you say! I bought the Samyang 7.5mm f3.5 fisheye lens for my G80. Of course it is manual exposure/focus as are the Kowa lenses but I am very happy with the results, and it only cost around £200!
I have the 12mm f1.8 Kowa Prominar and it’s gorgeous and top quality results.
Nice Review.
I also have 25mm F1.8.
25mm is a good lens that takes a good look around the surroundings.
Everything I'd need to know about this. Shame they priced themselves out of a market.
Samyang and a speedbooster (if it's an APS-C variety) might be handy if T Stops and out of focus separation is important. IIRC, SLR Magic also has a 12mm that's T stop rated.
the 8.5 seems like really great lens.
Yes, best of this bunch for sure.
I simply love my kowa 8.5mm and I would highly recommend it as there really isn't a better option if you are used to manual focus but for the other focal lengths go with Olympus, Panasonic or Voigtlander if you need super fast.
Useful comment, thanks Adam.
Shame about the price....great review as always, cheers!
Awesome video,Keep it up!
never thought you would review these, I've had a hard on for the 8.5 for a while and i was thinking of getting it for night sky shooting. There are some videos comparing it with the leica 15mm pana on the back streets of Kyoto. They look very similar in the dark ;)
Sad to hear the 8.5 didn't make the cut but sure glad to have your opinion David.
I tried the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 the other day, it was beautiful in daylight but was really hard to get the shots I wanted of dancers in the dark rooms.
I think the Voigtlanders have a lot to offer for the dancer scenario. I doubt there is enough DoF at f0.95 but stopped down to f2 it would be very sharp across the filed. I wish I could get hold of some of these lenses. But I'ma minnow!
An 'enthusiast' lens perhaps, built quality and manual operation are amazing. but the price tag says all. the problem for me is If i can get similar image quality for less, why spend more..
Once upon a time you'd assume a zoom could never have the image quality of a prime but those days are long gone. I understand the attractions of manual focus lens but there's no question that AF is faster and more accurate nowadays.
Hello David how are you? This is actually my second time watching this review. The more I think of it I don't know why a person would choose these lenses over a voigtlander considering the price. Hmmm
I'm ok, thanks! I agree with you entirely but I suppose in principle the more lenses available the better.
Dear David. I am a birder. I own GH5 and GX8 with 11-35 f/2.8 and 100-400mm. I want to get mid range zoom for bird in flight tracking shots. Would you get Pana 35-100 f/2.8 ii or Oly 40-140 f/2.8? Pana is smaller and has Dual IS2 where as Oly has may be sharper lens(?) and longer focal length. Which lens would you get as a birder
I'd go for the Olympus. The GH5 stabilization is good enough for any unstabilized lens and the GX8, while not as accomplished is plenty good enough for a medium zoom. Given the fascinating detail in birds' plumage, while the 12-35mm is no slouch, the 12-40 is an exceptionally sharp zoom and will make the most of it. It's a fair bit bigger, though, but still not big.
I own the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 and it is a great lens; very sharp with good detail. I use it on my Panasonic G80 and with the firmware update can implement the Dual IS feature which helps.
Yes, it's a great aspect of digital cameras, the ability to upgrade the firmware. I'm told the Dual IS is particularly effective with long lenses so it should suit the 35-100 perfectly.
Honest as usual. Thank you.
I always start off wanting to like things and I do like these lenses. But if I'm not honest, there's no point to the videoes. Thank you, Christopher.
Found a 12mm c mount for 160 I am debating getting it. It's okay if I need to stop down a little
how does the focus peaking focus assist work with the 8.5 lens? The Oly 12-40 f2.8 had a much clearer focus assist view enabling me to feel confident when using manual focus where as my older pana Leica 15 & 25mm lenses are hard to manual focus as they do not look very clear at all. They do actually take my best photos though.
The focus peaking works OK but I find it better to combine magnify and focus peaking. I do that with any lens under 25mm or so, actually.
a review nicely done again. thanks mate ;D
Thank you, Mr.P!
I found it much more fun use manual focus. Many pictures are out of focus but this just delete and try again.
Manual focus can be very fast but does take practise.
I heard the main selling point at least for the 8.5mm was the basically zero distortion while also being fast. What do you think does that make it worth it for some?
Not really when we have three zooms available covering this focal length with just as good image quality, one faster, one slower and one with a wider range but more expensive. I'm unwilling to be absolutist, though because there are too many photographic situations and scenarios that I don't know about or understand.. Somewhere there will a photographer or photographers who have been waiting for a lens just like this to appear.
Great lenses but I do agree the prices are a bit off. If I had a stack of money I didn't have use for I might consider them.
If you ever do have a stack of money, don't buy these - send it to me :-)
David Thorpe haha
Nice review. Cost is definitely a major negative for these lenses.
Thanks! Yes, I wonder if they'll bring the price down.
What kind of lenses should i use for video shooting in low light, for example video in restaurant.
Automatic lenses or with manual exposure/focus (prime lens)
What mm focal lenght should be ?
I use panasonic G6 body
When are you going to review the voigtlanders?
When I can get hold of one - it's not easy!
I actually have a set, and UK based if you'd be interested in linking up?
I'm going to France and will be away for a month, back in August. Can I contact you then?
David Thorpe Yes no problem.
Very insightful & entertaining review...thank you David!
Thanks!
lmao the ending
Thank you for being honest. I have the 7-14 f2.8 Oly and the 12-40 f2.8 and I just cant see the need for these. I also have the 17 1.8 and I love it! small size and focus clutch.
I have the 45mm 1.8 and the 75 1.8 and I would heap BIG praise on them if they would include the focus clutch ring. Its just weird that they put it on the 17mm but failed to include it on the 45 and 75. Now I want the 45 1.2!!!!!
I do wonder what sales of lenses like these would be. I can see Meike lenses selling well, for example, because they offer a genuine alternative to Olympus and Panasonic lenses and at a much lower price. Having said that, there will be photographers who find these Kowas exactly what they were looking for.
Great range of lenses you have there - I'm hoping to get my hands on some of the new Olympus lenses. What a great system Micro Four Thirds is - even a choice of f/1.2 short tele lenses!
Lovely trick at the end. :-) A question regarding manual focus: when I focus my Canon EOS manually, I can half-press the shutter and get a helpful beep and blink of a focus point when the AF system thinks something is in focus. This makes manual focus very easy to get "right". Is there a corresponding function in micro four thirds bodies, and if so, does it work with these lenses?
:-) - No, manual focus does not have confirmation of focus due to its working method. However, focus peaking and/ or VF magnification make manual focus a very certain business. Also, you can set the cameras to AF with manual focus, half press the shutter to find focus then just turn the focusing ring if you want to amend it.
David Thorpe Thank you for your response!
I currently own two EOS bodies and half a dozen lenses and other accessories worth far too much money for my amateurish needs, but I am tempted to trade it all in for a MFT system, especially after viewing a number of your reviews. I shoot wildlife, portraits, landscape, architecture and - my favorite - airplanes at air shows, and while I love my equipment and knows it intimately, especially my long "L" lenses are quite heavy and bulky (swing around carelessly and I could accidentally bludgeon someone to death with my 100-400...). So having something lighter and smaller to carry around would at least make my back, and probably my fellow plane spotters too, happy. :-)
Your thoughts on the bulk of DSLR equipment are the reason that I went over to Micro Four Thirds cameras. I'd be loath to influence anyone to do similar because there is an inevitable loss of image quality and the two genres are different with each having up and downsides.
My reasoning was that given that I'm not making 40 inch or more prints the extra IQ is academic and so in practise Micro Four Thirds IQ is no different from a full frame camera. What is different is the ease of carrying around and using an outfit. The modern EVFs are every bit as good as DSLR finders and the handling of the cameras is just as good. Basically, Micro Four Thirds Brought the fun back into photography for me and sounds like it would for you too.
Yes, I think so too. I will definitely go to my photo store and make some comparisons. I am not that concerned about image quality, from what I have seen they are more than adequate for my needs, it is more the inevitable differences in handling that might put me off (or on). I have shot with Canon EOS since 2001, and my fingers will be confused for a while if they won't find the buttons and wheels in familiar places. :-) Thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated!
I agree with your review. Why pay more and give up the native auto focus features when the image quality is not any better? They probably won't be around long unless they decide to lower the price.
it's been a month!!!!! We need another review!!!
I know, I know! I'm beavering away at the GH5 book and it is just so b***dy complicated. I have an 8-18mm Panasonic at the moment so that'll be next.
David Thorpe can't wait!!! But for real, take your time to deliver good stuff. No rush.
:-)
Exactly 100% agree on pricing
Not sure i agree with comments comparing manual vs auto for ease its all in training imp
But thats a bit off main topic
Im shooiting slr magic 10 f2 declicked mft bought mint for under 400$ as a comparison
I agree about the training. I trained on a camera that had no focusing screen or finder, just a wire frame . The standard lens was a 135mm f/4.5 with distance markings at 2, 3, 5 and 7 yards. Depth of field was zilch. A fuzzy pic got you torn apart by the 9 senior staff photographers. They regarded the focus screen on a Rolleiflex as being for big girl's blouses who didn't know their craft.
The fact remains, auto is more versatile, faster and more accurate. With Panasonic's cross hair focus point I can focus with absolute accuracy in twilight conditions, It's hard to argue with that.
David Thorpe ok
I highlight with fp a zone in focus
I shoot that area in focus always
If i use AF they work but, im sure when everything tracks focus is on, but as most of my shots r manual im not "easy point compose " like with MF, its more whats the camera brain trying to do with the aperture etc and while sharp in oly pro line up not actually better than nikor primes and slower nikors r most f2 with prime voigtlanders f1.4 1.7 and .95
Im more landscape than portrait etc. all that being said its wat u do with u gear more than what gear you do Imo
Again, your a champion to me and i really love your style.
Another variance is i like zooms but slower heavier ( vs primes) and ouch most good ones r more money than my oly 5-2
Cheers!!
Thinking of a ff Sony A series but must be ibis and again its costly!!!
When I started out in photography there were cameras that were definitely bad and not worth their money. That's all changed now and I can truly say that whether you buy a £5,000 DSLR or a £500 Micro Four Thirds or Sony or whatever, you will get great value for money. That's what competition does, I suppose but the downside is how and what to choose.
I am a new father of two gorgeous twin boys. Id like an all around camera to take great portraits of them and also be able to capture short "quality" vids of special moments. My budget $1k
I currently have a panasonic g85 and dont know if its the BEST bang for my money, any suggestion?
I can't think pf a better camera for the task than the G85. Fast focus, great video - I'd stick with that. In fact, at the moment if I were to have only one Micro Four Thirds camera a G85 it would be. Twin boys - it is hard enough to get one child to cooperate but two - I wish you luck! Sounds fun, I must say, photographing them playing and interacting
David Thorpe thank you for the dedicated time and effort. I will consider my search completed
You have a link for kowa 66 adapters I have some of those amazing medium format lenses but can't seem to find an adapter for Sony micro 4/3 anything
There's an eBay one here bre.is/D6wovXk5 but I can't speak for its quality for effectiveness.
@@DavidThorpeMFT thank you Nana I never saw this comment these people actually have a great reputation as far as I know I can't wait to try one stay safe
As a large format shooter I could easily live with manual focus. I shoot mainly landscape and architecture
Yes and it is surprising how easy it becomes with practise, isn't it? For large formats it is probably quicker, too, since you focus precisely where you want straight away, rather than the compose/focus/recompose sequence with auto.
I was quite excited about these lenses until you mentioned the price
Just picked up the 8.5 in new condition for 25 usd!
yeah right...an $800 lens for $25, must be knocked off....
@@no15minutecities nope it was a eBay seller that had no reserve on it, got lucky. I will say he had no other camera items listed so he probably didn’t know what he had
It is a shame there is no alternative to a split RF or microprism focusing aids in Mirrorless cameras. Center point magnification is to slow. Focus peaking is acceptable, but nowhere near as fast or accurate as the former two.
Yes, just impossible with an electronic viewfinder. Mind you, aftermarket microprism and laser cut screens used to cost a small fortune for the Nikon Fs. I find autofocus so utterly accurate now, especially with Panasonic's pinpoint AF that I only use manual focusing for macro, where the magnified view, 6x or so, is good for accurate focus.
anyone know where I can get these lens?
Rohit Rai i have the 12mm and 25mm t1.9 mint silver and black used once! Interested? Make me an offer
@@cdeltv8025 what is the price of 25mm t1.9 mint silver??
Do they need an adapter or are then mft mount? Thanks
No, no adapter needed. They fit directly.
Honestly I really wouldn’t buy them. I’ve used Kowa’s anamorphic lenses for 2 films and I can’t stand them. Sure they have “character” but they’re pretty soft, breathe dramatically and have ugly distortion unlike some anamorphics with more tasteful distortion.
Thanks for the input - very useful!
Grossly overpriced, especially the 25mm f1.8. I mean Jesus, I thought Olympus lenses were kind of overpriced but Kowa just took this overpricing business to a whole new level.