You can now preorder the Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 lens for $599 at Adorama (Click here).
There are unboxing pictures and full size image samples at omuser.com. On picture on top you can see the image comparison with the older [shoplink 16340 ebay]Four Thirds version[/shoplink]. The tester said the af is fast but not as HD fast. Motor sound is quiet, but still noticeable if you pay attention. One huge pro is incredible details even in low light.
Here are the direct links to the pictures (Click on thumbnails)
98 Responses
Fantastic! Looks like a winner 🙂
Clearly 🙂 This is the lens that will make the m43 system hugely popular amongst photographers…
That remains to be seen.
However, $600 is a good bit lower than most of us expected, not bad.
Tempting. But for me the priority has to be:
1. 12/2.0 (have nothing wider than 14 now)
2. 45/1.8 (have the Nokton 40/1.4 but want AF)
3. 25/1.4 (have the 20/1.7)
I wish I could afford all of them…
Aha! I was not going to buy one at 900, but at 600 it looks very tempting.
Wonder what the $ price is gonna be…
like you Agent00soul :
1. 12/2.0 (about 600€)
2. 45/1.8 (about 250€)
3. 25/1.4 (have the 20/1.7) (about 480€)
…. so impatient !!
LOOKS IMPRESSIVE!!! So does the price…and if that is the intro price…it will only drop.
Now…I think Panasonic needs to bundle this lens with a new pro/rangefinder body with an improved sensor. Can you say WINNER? 🙂
>LOOKS IMPRESSIVE!!! So does the price…and if that is the intro price…it will only drop.
It may drop, just how many years from now? 🙂
Premium lens should have superfast, silent AF (yes, even large aperture lenses). Slightly disappointing there.
digi…let’s think positive! The Panasonic 100-300mm was introduce well less than a year ago at about $600. You can now pick it up for about $521.00 at B&H and $532.00 on Amazon. The price dropped in months..not years.
The price always drops..and if it is bundled there will be savings also!!!!
Who cares if the focus is a “little” slower..it beats messin with a manual focus Voigtlander (that is much larger) for $1200 that I can’t find to buy?~?~ 🙂
Euro or dollars?
Crap! Do I preorder or wait to see if it comes as a kit with the pro body. 🙂
I have a GF1 with 20mm, f/1.7…but I would definitely buy this bundled with a pro body. No doubt!
The images look great and so does the bokeh…so the Leica branding DOES mean something, I guess.
(THANK ADMIN. FOR GETTING THIS INFO TO US SO QUICKLY!!!!!!!)
Pre-ordered! Great price!
Admin should credit Mu-43.com for finding the omuser unboxing. Web etiquette 101.
Agreed 100%! Let’s work together guys! There’s enough news to share, and give credit.
Hi Oli!
I didn’t find that on MU-43.com. An asian reader sent me the link yesterday! Problem was that website have been hacked.
Of course I credit the website when I find the news there!
Well I can back up what admin said there. I was the one who provided the link to Omuser, since I regonized the text I wrote, as you may noticed several gramma errors. Cooperation is nice, but don’t start bu accusing others, you could’ve simply sent a mail to admin and asked whether he used your source or not.
Thanks Jesper for coming buy and confirming that I am a honest person! I even recieved an email before yours! But you wrote the better text 🙂
So Oly portrait lens should be ~$500?! 🙂
Is it me, or is this the first semi-reasonably priced m4/3 lens from Panasonic?
It’s not you 😉
Hopefully this will set a precedent for other future lenses. If the quality is as good as expected it will be hard to price any future lenses (esoecially primes) higher than $600. Great news!
Wow, looks impressive! This lens combined with the upcoming E-P3 with faster AF and IS would be a great low-light, walk-around kit.
I have the 20mm f1.7, but if this 25mm’s AF is faster and just as sharp wide-open I would probably trade it for this new baby.
Wonder how close it focuses?
30 cm
Bastards! The 4/3 version has a 38cm focusing distance 🙁
Minimum Focus 0.30m (0.98 ft)
Maximum magnification 0.11x
(Specs on dpreview: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1106/11061305panasonicleica25mm.asp#specs)
That’s great news. Perhaps a touch high when compared to full frame 50mm/1.4’s, but I was expecting a much higher Leica tax.
How is that Panasonic can produce and ship their new 25mm lens to the states, but the 20mm is still no where to be found….
This is looking better and better…
…but…
…
…does it have the…
…
…
…”leica glow”? 😉
Edit: love the square hood btw…so “leica” hahaha
for 599.- usd it will sell like hotcakes, kudos to pana
Looks great! I am sure to get it.
Some people are longing for more fast primes. I’d like to have a 35mm equiv., which is 17 or 18mm on FourThirds. Oly 17mm pancake is not good enough. 35mm in 35mm-film term is very important indeed!
The bokeh the lens produces is spectacular! Wow I’m loving it! Guess I’ll put off the purchase of the 20mm until I can find a better priced one as people will rush to buy the summilux 😉
As I said before, m4/3 needs five top quality primes to become a complete system: 12, 17, 25, 50 and 90mm.
The Summilux is the first lens to fit the bill, so here’s one box checked. It’s no small thing: This is a top, top offering with a compelling price that should satisfy any photographer.
Well it looks like we will have the 12,17,25,50 combo very soon. The only disappointing one might be the 17mm – its a shame Olympus didnt make a sharper 17mm lens. Who knows perhaps they might do a higher grade version – but I doubt that very much.
The current Olympus 17 doesn’t count. The system needs a decent one.
I use it a lot! 🙂
I am happy that competitions from Sony and Samung keep Panny and Oly honest on pricing! XD
yeah.,.you can hear them complaining already…”whah…I can’t store the hood on the lens…whah!”
I love it. 🙂 I have the 45mm P/L 2.8 macro and I love it.
The hood looks identical the the 45mm prime so nice way to differentiate the Leica models for m43.
And agree, I like the hood as well…
Hey, nice! That’s better pricing than what I expected for sure based on the Four Thirds version.
I still think it’s high, but if this is the launch price, it should become more reasonable after a while. Nice move Panasonic!
ok, it looks great on the gf1, now I want one!
That’s a deal for ,… Actualy great deal. Considering i purchased the old FT 25 1.4 last year it cost almost twice as much 1049$ + the adapter FT to m4/3 150$ and shipping fee after pursuing for three months,.. But still it realy satisfies me and i’m happy after seing the result and comparing with my Nikon and Zeiss. It is the sharpest Glass I ever used @ wide open F1.4.
Hopefully the new glass which is much cheaper can match the old FT.
One thing for sure the new one is much more smaller , lighter, shorter, no need adapter (must be more faster AF ). what more excuse do I need to resist this lens,.. Thanks admin
Well, that means around 600 € then if I am not mistaken.
Yeah, they’ll probably screw us (as usual) with a 599 euro pricetag.
600 USD = 415 euro, with 20% VAT would result in an “honest” retail price of 499 euro. At which price I would actually consider buying it (the 20mm f/1.7 is 330 euro retail, I find 50% markup for 0.5 stop extra and “Leica” not unreasonable).
Cost of doing business in Europe is higher than in the US. Also, we probably have higher import duties on lenses manufactured in Japan than the Americans do.
We wanted it, and now we’ve got it! 😉
I think the importance of this lens cannot be overrated: it is the first time that one can get a high end fast normal lens without either having to drop 1k+ on the lens itself (35/1.4 on APS-C or PL 25/1.4 for four thirds) or 2k+ on a body (FF DSLR or Leica M).
I think this is due to the fact that a 25mm is much more reasonable to build (and price) for the short flange back distance of the micro four thirds mount. Building a reasonably priced, fast normal lens for a small-sensor DSLR (APS-C, FT) is almost impossible due to the relatively large flange back distance of SLRs. This situation really frustrated me for years, now it is finally solved!
Some while ago an Olympus manager said in an interview (don’t remember who and where) that four thirds was about small telephoto lenses, whereas micro four thirds was about small wide angle lenses. Very true! Bring on the wide angle primes!
… and make that 50-200/2.8-3.5 focus fast on MFT bodies! 😉
I thought 20mm was the “normal” lens for m43. I think the word normal is based on the perspective it creates. I am also under the impression that true normal lenses are less expensive to make. This may be why there a number of fast “normal” for larger sensors at less expensive prices… and why a fast 25mm lens for m43 may be more expensive than it’s APS-C counterparts.
I don’t claim to be an expert by any means… but this is what I’ve gleaned in forums. I’d be interested if anyone has any additions or corrections.
A normal lens is indeed defined by the angle of view it provides (approx. 53 degrees), and the angle of view depends on the ratio of the sensor size (e.g. the diagonal) to focal length of the lens. For a normal lens, the focal length is approximately equal to the diagonal of the film/sensor.
Focal distances longer than the focal distance of the normal lens are considered telephoto lenses, and focal distances shorter than that of the normal lens are considered wide angle lenses. So the Pana 20/1.7 is a slight wide angle lens.
Another fact is that it is difficult (bulky and costly lenses) to build a lens whose focal length is smaller than the flange back distance (distance between the sensor plane and the mounting flange) of the mount.
This means for the normal lenses of the different systems:
full frame DSLR: flange back distance approx. 45mm, normal lens 50mm, 50>45 => easy to build
APS-C DSLR: flange back distance approx. 45mm, normal lens 35mm, 35 hard to build
FT DSLR: flange back distance approx. 39mm, normal lens 25mm, 25 hard to build
MFT: flange back distance approx. 20mm, normal lens 25mm, 25>20 => easy to build
After the introduction of digital cameras, this caused the completely absurd situation that one could no longer get a relatively cheap normal lens and a cheap body to achieve maximum image quality, like it was possible with film. Of course, one could (and still can) shoot film! 😉
Finally, we have a reasonably priced (lens hop so!) normal lens that mounts on reasonably priced bodies.
I think this lens will attract some people to Micro 4/3. Its a reasonably priced lens with the Leica name plate, that is nice and compact and has AF. No adapters needed.
It brings something different to the Micro 4/3 system – people can say they have a “Leica” lens in their system. I am using some marketing arguments here which most of us who read these forums dont normally like!
Anyway I think its good. Now for the Zuiko lenses soon and then all we need is for Oly to bring out a higher model with an EVF … one day.
+1
The Leica name connected with M4/3 got my attention when looking for a camera system.
I’ve had a pair of Leica binoculars for years, love and swear by them!
This lens is a great addition to the M4/3 lens line up. It’s the standard 35mm (equiv) prime lens focal length.
I’m glad the price isn’t too crazy, either.
A cat picture! Someone from dpreview must have taken it! 😉
Mr Reee
Are you thinking about getting the Leica 25mm? What are you going to do about the Voigtlander 25mm – is it on order or do you have it already?
Does anyone know if the focusing is silent?
it’s got a motor, so maybe like the 20mm?
Time to start saving!
this picture are amazing, but which camera was used to shot them? GF1?
they do not have exif data, and are marked as private on flickr…
while the author claims the to be just jpg out of the camera.
GF1!
Thanks for all your work Admin.
Got any nice Olympus rumors just to improve this day more?
Nice no…AMAZING!!!!
Coming soon. Lemme give me some time to work on it 😉
AAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
AAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
So in short. I am getting tons of Olympus rumors. Today I will give you the camera names and main differences. Than I will post about the three “revlutions” from Oly. With revoltuion I mean stuff Olympus did finally RIGHT!
Excellent!
The only thing I could think of that would be AMAZING would be if the E-P3 actually had an EVF – or alternatively if there is another high spec EVF model coming out on top of the Mini, E-PL3 and E-P3. Come on give us a hint.
No buitlin evf yet. But coming fo sure later…
Thom Hogan says the Oly stuff is boring and ncremental. I hope you are rit, and he is wrong, but Olys track record says Thom is more likely to be right. We shall see…
I already talked with thom. He is partially right. But he doesn’t know what I know 🙂
The only porblem I have now is to double check what I got. Some sources always can make “mistakes”. And it’s so hard to get info form them!
I have only one major doubt. That’s why I am waiting to post it. It’s about the sensor…
so far you promised too much admin.
The news you gave us (confusing tilt-screen strategy) were not that amazing 😉
But I hope there will be something amazing in your pipeline 😉
Yes, there is at leas ONE amazing and UNEXPECTED important features. And the lenses are very good More on that as soon as I can post that!
I’m not so sure about that, he claims it was the shot with the new G3 color profile, not sure what that means, probably with the G3? In that case a preproduction unit?
Okay, the new lens is nice, and eventually I’ll probably want to buy it. But as I already have the 20/1.7, I need a 50/1.4 (or similar) more than I need a 25/1.4. I hope someone is working on that!
it’s coming from Oly …Ranger!
the 4/3 version had that wow factor on the images it produced. i’d say the same goes for the m4/3. great job!
Yes it has a wow factor. But I am keeping my voigtlaender 😉
Me too, admin.
50mm 1.4 and 12mm 2.0
An I will go crazy nuts and bankrupt the moment you have a FT5 on that.
50mm 1.4 and 12mm 2.0
An I will go crazy nuts and bankrupt the moment you have a FT5 on that.
+1 for 50mm 1.4 🙂
I’m waiting for olympus news… 🙂
I think the rumors is Oly 50/1.8, no? But if it’s not a macro, then I’m not sure I could give up my 50/2.0 macro.
Well I was harsh on the lens yesterday because I didn’t think it was up to the rumored $1000+, but for $599 I just preordered one as well. Hopefully they can actually get it out in a decent time frame.
Well, you can post the rest 😉
I really want one for my graduation gift…
I have a question!
Does the price of this lens ($599) drop as time goes on?
or is this price the special deal? (Because $599 is cheaper than the rumors posted yesterday)
thank you!
Price will not drop for a long time!
Interestingly, a lot of photo equipment has been going UP in price after release. I’m pre-ordering.
Way to go Panasonic. This is exactly what we needed and is a boon to the entire format.
Admin, please post info soon on the Olympus lens. I need to decide which one I am going to buy!
Does this mean that $599 is a special deal?
Those image samples are spectacular and what a pleasant bokeh. Even the design of lens hood indicates something special.
Huge size reduction, same (or even better) image quality and better price (compared to FT 25mm version). The MFT is becoming a strong system since now.
Cheers ;).
I have used the older 4/3 25mm f/1.4 lens since it was introduced, on both 4/3 and m4/3 cameras. If this new lens is anything like its big brother, it will be well worth the money.
I just ordered the $499 GF2 from B&H with the 14-42 lens for my fiance as a wedding present for her.
Would you guys suggest this lens or the Panny 20mm as a future upgrade for a compact prime to complement the 14-42?
we need a good comparison between voigtlander and leice 25mm at f/1.4
this is key!
I just spent $1200 for a Fuji X100, should’ve waited to get a G3 plus this len.
I’ve pre-ordered at Adorama and got a confirmation from them at the $599 price. However, it seems odd to me that no other retailer in the US is listing the 25/1.4 yet like Amazon or B&H, etc.
This price was so unexpected that I couldn’t resist the urge to pre-order but now I’m getting worried that maybe Adorama made a mistake with this price (hoping not!). Someone posted at DPR that Adorama has now stopped taking pre-orders which also (if true) makes me wonder whether this unexpectedly low price was some kind web programmer’s mistake or something.
I remember Amazon fouling up an ad for a Canon lens some time ago (three years?) and those who placed orders at the wrong price were told that they couldn’t have it at that price because it posted in error.
As I know the lens probably will available in August.
pre-ordered and I got email from Adorama.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
Unfortunately, one or more of the items in your order 9545019 are not in stock, see details below.
We’ll ship your order as soon as possible. If you want to cancel your order, please let us know.
Typical marketing tactics.
Statement some days ago: The leica 25 f1.4 will be priced around 1000$, or even 800$.
Reaction some days ago: So expensive, WTF!.
New statement: Just 600$.
Expected reaction. Well, finally it is not as expensive as we thought.
Reaction if the price of 600$ would have been announced from begining: Expensive.
It is the typical “protocol” to announce bad news, first to say a very very bad thing and then just say that it will be bad, but not that bad, the people feels relieved.