Note: I don't own an OM-D. But I do own a 25mm Summilux 1.4 and I love it.
If you are shooting micro four thirds, and you have a preference for "normal" focal lengths you'll find this lens to be an absolute treasure. After I shot with this lens I gleefully sold my Panasonic 20mm 1.7 to a friend and haven't had even a glimmer of remorse. The images below
are from a casual afternoon out and around with the 25mm Panasonic/Leica 1.4 Summilux attached to the front of a Panasonic G3. Set (as the Photo Gods intended) to shoot in a square format.... I think the images are also a testament to the G3. Which is adorable.
There's no question the Leica 25mm is a gem, but the 20mm plus a smaller EPL1 makes a nice "poor man's Fuji X100", which in turn is a "poor man's Leica X1", which in turn is a "poor man's M9". See what Leica does? It turns everyone into a poor man.
ReplyDeletePS your post is untitled, though that may be by design.
Excellent ! I had a good laugh at that.
DeleteSeriously, having had both though, I also sold the 20 within hours after trying the 25, and never looked back. That Summilux is expensive, no pancake (rather ugly to be honest), but it lives on my camera 90% of the time, and is the sole reason I haven't ran back to FF yet...
I'm sure this isn't coming as news to you, but the original Pana-Leica 25 1.4 is also a stellar performer. Lots of character and simply beautiful images. Your writing is pretty close to influencing me to switch out my E-3/5 for an E-M5.
ReplyDeleteVery timely. I do own an OM-D and was just debating this afternoon about upgrading from the 20 to 25. I'm leaning towards yes...
ReplyDeleteDo yourself a favor... Get it !
DeleteHere are some MTF numbers:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/05/wide-angle-micro-43-imatest-results
Thomas,
DeleteI've seen that as well, and was equally surprised as Roger who performed those tests. The interactive blur graphs over at SLRgear.com say something else - at f=2.8, the PannyLeica is far better than for instance the 20mm, and by f=4.0, it's one of the nicest graphs I've ever seen.
My wife has the 20mm, and we both like it a lot. But I'd love to see the performance of the 25mm in direct comparison.
Now there's an idea: Sell the Lumix 20mm to buy the 25mm Summilux.
ReplyDeleteI have been shopping around for a good used Leica 25mm, but although I can find tons of used Panasonic 20mms (I bought mine used), the 25 is as rare as chicken's teeth---at least in Tokyo. That must mean something. The situation is becoming so dire that I am considering splurging for a new one and if I can unload the 20mm at a good price, I may just do so.
I am beginning to feel the same way about this lens. It is finding it's way on the Omd more often than not.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong. I thought the 20mm Panasonic was a really good performer. It's just too short for me.
ReplyDeleteWell how tall does a lens have to be to get your attention?;-}
Delete43 degree diagonal imaging angle or better..
DeleteI have the FourThirds SLR version of the Summilux 25/1.4 ASPH. When I was shooting with the Panasonic G1, it was one of my favorite lenses on that camera ... Now that I have only the E-1 in FourThirds, it is one of only two lenses I have kept. As good as the Panasonic 20/1.7 is, it was never up to the quality of the Summilux and I'd trundle about with the much much larger and heavier SLR lens on the camera the majority of the time.
ReplyDeleteIf the Micro-FourThirds version of this lens is anything like the FourThirds, I'd sell anything else I had to fund buying it. You just can't go wrong with a Summilux lens on any camera.
I have had no trouble keeping both. Kirk's rave led me to buy the 25mm and I love it. Line for line, ounce for ounce it is probably the best 4/3 lens I own, But the 20mm is a sweetie and is just enough different in coverage that I use it a lot. I have the tiny, basic, GF3 and, with the 20mm on it it is my favorite walk around camera for casual walks. The 25mm is so good that I usually have a monopod attached to my G3 to bring out every scintilla of it's performance. We are living during an embarrassment of photographic riches.
ReplyDeleteAt its price, and nearly inconsequential size and weight, the Lumix 20mm is a great addition to my GH2 hiking outfit. For me, it finds a good balance between price, performance, and utility - helpful to my irremediable affliction for photographing plants. My first real use of it was a couple of days ago here in the foggy woods of the Mendocino Coast, where its light-gathering ability, as well as close focus ability, was well-used. http://tonymindling.blogspot.com/2012/05/hike-no-15-waterfall-trail-zen-walking.html
ReplyDeleteOne complaint, though, is that despite its large aperture, it fails to autofocus in moderate to dim light at distances closer that a couple of feet. Perhaps there is a firmware upgrade needed.
Another complaint is the 47mm filter size - why the heck not keep the same 52mm filter size as the 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses?
Admit it, you're weakening. That second GH2 didn't satisfy like you'd hoped, and the OM-D Continues to beckon with its siren song. :)
ReplyDeleteA friend had a great big honking dead Nikkormat that he didn't know what to do with. I told him to buy one of those $50 Spiratone 400 mm lenses for it and keep them by the front door in case of burglars.