Check out the Camo-Wear on the Kai-ster. He’s gone Hollywood on us. LOL!..and the shear size of those beer mugs!!!
I find Kai entertaining and he actually loves a product that I cherish..that rarely happens. Funny vid.
That’s a standard issue Maß (1l). In Bavaria it doesn’t really get smaller unless you have Weizen (0.5l).
But they were in cologne at photokina and the Kölsch is normally served in 0.2l glasses, so not the typical local beer they had…
I’ve rarely seen Maß in Bavaria outside the fests (like Oktoberfest). The rest of the year they use normal German beer glass, the 0.5L one. The Maß and the special beer are reserved for the fests. (In some pubs you can still buy beer in Maß – but it still would be the normal Weizen, not the special one, which is brewed exclusively for Oktoberfest.)
And the Kölsch you would not see even in Cologne, unless you go into the special traditional pub. (But I gather tourist guides wouldn’t list normal pubs at all. I personally try to avoid the tourist ridden places.) But then, Kölsch is not sold in “volumes”, it is sold in “lengths” – like one “meter Kölsch” 😉 (OK kidding, Kölsch is sold glass by glass too.)
The Maß is the typical size for a beer in the Hofbräuhaus and in a large number of Biergarten. It is served open air when ever the weather allows it.
Weird. I visit friends in Bavaria (Munich, Rosenheim, couple villages around it) 2-3 times a year for the last 10 years, and not once I was served bier in a Maß (if I haven’t asked for that). Only during the fests bier is served by default in the Maß.
so is that glass about the size of a US quart?
The big size just looks better in the video. It’s also a statement to heavy dslr weight lifting photographers. 😉
Why Kai review the 15mm instead of the 42.5mm lens ?
Why he keep saying nobody watching , of course I’m watching .
Now let’s move on to 42.5mm F1.2 review .
Long time overdue .
Agree. I have to think he has to have a favorable review for it. Even Steve Huff bought one and he is a big time purist that typically will not buy or review anything from Panasonic and if does he will show fantastic photos like from the LX100 but totally rag on it like it was not worth his time even to look at it Go figure Just hoping the 42.5 f1.2 will come down a bit in price at $800-900 I will be first in line to get one. Just an awesome lens Hope Panasonic will come out with more F1.2 lenses as FF requires large glass and that means larger bodies to support it therefore no f2.8 zooms for Sony A7
I am not a fan of Huff..he shoots so many selfies you think he would have bought the E-PL7 to simplify his shooting style! :-0…and he can be a bit snobberic….That being said..he is very knowledgeable about cameras and knows what he is talking about and his main gripe with the LX100 is that it missed focus too much even when it confirmed it..that couple with lame IS and a HIGH price…eh…there are a lot of cameras out there…….but what does a P&S camera have to do with a lens review for and ILC camera????? You are sounding like a Panny Fanbois..if you like one thing Panny…you have to like all things Panny….?????
I own the 15mm….but I would not own one of their camera bodies. I only shoot stills and for me the other guy makes a better weapon…
Now..if I could just get that aperture ring to work on my M1…DAMN…LOL!
I do own the LX100 but very disappointed it does not have Touch LCD and Tilt etc – but you determine if I am a Panny fan boy –
I own the Sony A7, A6000, NEX7,NEX5n,RX100,Sony HX50v, Fuji X100,X100s,X20 – Olympus OMD-Em5 and Em1 and Stylus 1 – Canon G7X, Panasonic GX7,GX1,GM1,LX100 – So I do own more Sony’s 🙂
and yes I do also have Nikon DSLR’s –
So I have a mixed bag of gear – and no I am not a brand name snob –
and not a Panny fan boy – I buy what I think is practical for me –
Yes Steve has lots of experience and I do like his reviews – I have not experienced the same issue on my LX100 –
The Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 (24-80) costs $999 – the LX100 with a 24-75mm F1.8-2.8 costs $897 lens and body with 4K recording and faster lens – so I am not sure why folks are saying the LX100 is so expensive – Steve has no issues paying twice as much for Hassiblad Lunar which is a RX100 🙂 – it has a wooden grip and the logo –
why you said that,you want only thing panny make everything of lens
(shared to all m4/3) support all body to olympus ,dawn!!!
if i am cam company such as canon,nikon or sony that make all accessories by myself then i don’t need others company shared market of all accessories
that like oly/panny ,why panny make lens with large CA on olympus body ,why not support aperture ring on EM,
what things that oly support panny, no IS in tele lens,bit large CA on Panny body,
yeah ,that real world,real business world,
and if you are oly company ,you talk disagree that i do,
you make all thing are conflict on my cams why must i support you cams?
really Guy,if not ,take your cannabis in your room continue ,
i do not interrupt .
Haha. Funny but true review. Anybody who wants it probably bought it already. I certainly did. And what a great lens it is. Certainly my favorite wide angle for the MFT.
One part of it is wrong, and it’s easily proven: There is at least one person who wants it but didn’t buy it yet – me!
Why not? Because after having made the entry into Micro Four Thirds with two bodies, one of them the E-M1, two lenses, a battery grip and a 4/3 adapter a few months ago, my budget is used up and will be for some time to come. If it had been possible, I might well have added the 15mm Lumix lens, too.
Then again, I would be even happier if there was a good, fast, AF-capable 17mm lens around, better than the M.Zuiko, preferably f/1.4…
Like the aperture ring but wonder why as the aperture control resides within the camera body, it has to send to that and then back to the lens. Aperture ring delete would leave more room for fingers on the focus ring, the lens is tiny.
How does it compare to the Leica DG Summilux 25/F1.4 I wonder?
The aperture ring has position “A” which leaves the control to the body and then f1.7 .. f16.0, within which the lens controls the Aperture.
It also only works when the camera is in in a mode where the user controls aperture.
One thing that I don’t like about any gadget/gear review is about repeating the specs and then leaving out the user experience. Meaning exactly that how does it work in reality, how does handling go, is there problems or something in design that is good or bad. Thats why the reviews should be there, that reviewer has few days exclusive usage experience from the product so the product in use can be found out.
Like with Panasonic lenses, the zoom objectives problem is that when you unmount it, the zoom easily zooms out, that isn’t nice when you want to place objective away.
Or differences like the focus/zoom ring works other direction etc.
Or that aperture control/focus ring is too close to body etc.
Or then mention something like that Olympus 17mm f/1.8 doesn’t come with lenshood, sure it sounds bad, but try to get that lens flare, you don’t need the lens hood because light sources would flare or lights would start ghosting. Only reason to get the lens hood is to protect the front lens, but you don’t really even need that because the 17mm f/1.8 is so small and its front lens is so tiny as well that if you get something to it, you get it regardless having lens hood or not. A true small size objective for that focal length doesn’t need bulkier lens hood.
No, you made the mistake believing that I made a mistake.
I didn’t mean that review, I meant all reviews overall.
Like the car show Top Gears is about making interesting reviews and tests, with funny style but not just spitting out specs, but getting to really show the handling and features of the very special vehicles you can buy, and normal ones.
That is entertainment for geeks, like us, all about.
What DTR is about, is trying to do entertainment but just spitting the specs out while doing normal avarage review.
Example, when someone does a weatherproof camera and objective, Kai spatters little water over it from water bottle.
While good reviewer would wait to get to most radical weather to test it out, and if there isn’t a rainy day, then its gone on comparable environment to test it like car washing machine.
Geeks are interested what kind things is out there, what you can do with all kind a fancy gear.
Kai is spot on – it´s a not bad lens that´s somehow uninteresting. Why didn´t Panasonic make it a true 1.4 lens? It would be bigger and more expensive but not so half assed and boring. And what´s with the focal length? Why 30mm? Why not 35mm? For me it was always a little bit too wide…
🙂
If you switch back and forth between 15mm and 17mm, you can tell the subtle difference. At least to me, it didn’t feel quite the same, but never enough for me to say that one felt better suited. Just different. Likely the same can be said with with 14mm vs 15mm.
Once on the field, shooting, I simply cannot understand why it would bother anyone. I mean, we don’t shoot FoV, we shoot what we see, what we frame. ; when I want UwA, I want UwA, never specifically 8.5mm (for instance)
You´re right, sorry – sometimes I tend to be a little retarded.
We all do 😉
With regards to 1.4 vs 1.7 in reality how often do you notice or need that extra half stop? Maybe you can get your shutter speed down from 1/30s to 1/45s.
At the minumum focal distance the narrowness of the DOF is about the same . The difference between 1.4 and 1.7 is .04″ (.34″ vs .28″) at a more realistic focal distance of about 6′ it is the difference between 2′ 6.55″ vs 2′ 1.37″. Keep in mind that with a wide angle lens unless you are silly close, more of the scene is in focus.
I think that the best way to think about this lens is it is more like a 28mm wide angle lens than a street photography 35mm lens. It is one of those, shoot it wide open and still basically everything is in focus lenses. Unless you are very very close you don’t really need to worry about focusing and so you can shoot from the hip.
Kai is spot on in regards to how so many look at Panasonic. It just does not cut it with the snobs and the Purists. For example if Panasonic made a duplicate of the Fuji X100t but better it would not get as good reviews as the Fuji would Similar to when Charlie Chaplin for fun entered a Charlie Chaplin competition. He ended in 3rd spot. 🙂 That is how people are
I have Fuji, Olympus, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Panasonic cameras and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. But nice to see Kai give credit to what many snobs consider junk or not worth looking at – he should know as he has access to anything available in the camera market
You sir are correct. It’s that snobbish, “elitist” attitude that will ruin M43. And the fact is, if it wasn’t for Panasonic, there wouldn’t be no M43!
It’s sad when a camera like the GX7, had all the bells and whistles the Majority of the posters here wanted in a M43 camera, yet many refused to make a purchase SIMPLY because it said “LUMIX” and not “OLYMPUS” on the front.
Sony had it easier because they brought Minolta. Panasonic went the longer route. Hopefully one day, Panasonic will get the respect they deservedly should have got long ago.
You just agreed with the resident troll. He is being sarcastic. Thought someone should tell you. I know if I had a buger in my nose, I would want you to tell me.
ALLCAPS is a troll because he criticizes Olympus?
That’s some thin reasoning.
PanaFanboisMuch?
AllCraps is just an idiot all the way around.
Sometimes ALLCAPS says some idiotic things, but doesn’t everyone?
Here he makes some valid points.
But the easiest thing to do when you disagree is to shout TROLL.
That’s rather trollish in my book.
Did I say that or did you just assume it? I own both brands. Allcaps has been coming here for as long as I can remember to stir crap. His favorite thing to do is make fun of small sensors and go on about full frame. Now you are educated. I doubt he owns any m43 camera Jeff.
That’s also the reason that Canikon get so many sales. History and buying ‘what you know’.
I’ve been using Olympus for 35 years and so, unless there’s something that Panasonic offered that I really wanted and wasn’t available with Olympus, I would normally choose Olympus.
I did buy a Panasonic G3 when Olympus didn’t offer any m43 cameras with built in viewfinders and also own the 20mm lens as it is a focal length I like.
I liked the G3 but could never fathom the logic behind the menu system as it was so different to the familiar (to me) Olympus system. Again it is what you’re used to.
People like myself don’t hate Panasonic and respect what they have done, but given a choice tend to stick with the brand that we know and that has performed well for us over the years.
Perhaps if I was interested in video I would have switched to Panasonic (and learned their menu system) but as Olympus offer what I need with the E-M5 and E-M1 I’ve no intention of buying a Panasonic m43 camera.
I am considering buying the Panasonic Lx100 as (currently) Olympus offer no equivalent.
It’s a realky nice lens for sure, but came along after i already owned a 20mm pancake a 25mm f1.4 leica.
Hard to justify buying a lens that is so similar in field of view though i’d love to have it.
The Four Thirds focal length numbers sometimes deceive. In the 35mm film/”full-frame” world, nobody would think that a 30mm wide-angle was similar in field of view to a 40mm lens, or even a 50mm standard prime. The one traditional lens it would be similar to is the 28mm wide-angle.
the 15mm on M3/rds is a 30mm lens..the 20 is a 40mm lens. If I take two steps forward or backward i can achieve similar images. I just can’t buy every lens I wants ( I used to when I had FU $) but I can’t so the 15mm is a “maybe someday lens”. I own the 20mm, 25mm, Oly 45mm, Oly 12mm plus about 50 other lenses that get adapted so I’m good 🙂
I prefer the short and to the point Kai reviews too. The others are very creative and I’m sure justify his salary but can be interminable.
I had the pana 20mm and the Oly 17.5mm. None match this 15mm. I would sell both to get this. This is as good as Kai said. And we know how much hate Kai has for m43.
I just sold the 14mm to replace it with this lens, but the local shop got a second hand Voigtlander Nokton 17.5, f0.95, and it was about the same price as the 15mm new, so the 15 will have to wait a few more months. It is on my list, though to round out my primes.
I liked this short review rather than the longer clowning around reviews. As others have said, Kai is spot on with his views on Panasonic. I had enough trouble getting respect from my photo buddies when I had Olympus cameras (and I had a long history with Olympus). They simply stopped listening to me when I switched to Panasonic. I gave up recommending m4/3 to my friends, and simply started suggesting Fuji – even though I’m sticking with m4/3. My migration to Panasonic wasn’t premeditated, I just noticed that somehow I ended up with almost all Panny lenses. Switching to the GX7 was fantastic – it felt much more photography oriented than the E-M5. Anyway – I like Panasonic’s products and could care less what others think. Can’t wait for the GM5 to drop down in price, to replace my GF5. An yes – I also already bought the 15mm, and love it – but as others, I would have preferred a larger 1.4 version.
I went with Panasonic cameras because the shooting experience is much simpler and direct, even though I shoot mostly manual lenses in M mode. Constant Preview was an absolute revelation. They could change the name to Chimp-no-mo! 😉
Totally understand what you are saying. I use primarily shoot m43 because of its portability and good enough iq. I can’t convince many of my friends either. Then I show them my photos and some actually buy m43 gears as their second system.
I also shoot leica m and used to own Sony a7 and nikon d600. The weight just doesn’t justify.
I never understood the concept of brand enmity, even when it showed up in fights between advocates of completely different systems. I understand it even less when it is fought out between Olympus fans and Panasonic fans, who, if they activated their brains and started to think, would realize that either of both companies (with regard to their photographic divisions) would be much less than it is if the respectively other didn’t exist, too.
I think Kai perfectly described the strange stigma many people seem to have with Panasonic Lumix products. It’s too bad really, because having used many different brands, I am consistently impressed by Panasonic’s enthusiast level products. Both the GX1 and GX7 were highly enjoyable cameras that for whatever reason people tended to ignore. The same thing seems to be happening with the GM5, which is a total tragedy, because it’s is seriously one of the best and most genuinely useful cameras that I’ve ever used. Since owning the GM5, every other camera I own has been sitting idle. Regarding lenses, the 15/1.7, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, and 42.5/1.2 are not just capable lenses, but honestly some of the finest lenses currently made. I put a high premium on the way a lens renders; I look for lenses that draw as naturally and effortless as possible, and these Panasonic primes are among the best I’ve ever seen.
I know what you are saying. My friends disregard me as a photographer because I use pana gears.
I am also waiting for the gm5 to come down in prices (love the new scroll wheel) but may actually pick up the gf7 instead because of the flip screen. The flip screen is actually more useful when shooting in bright sun/snow and allow waist level shooting.
Can’t say that they are shallow. They are not educated with m43. The market has been promoting FF as the all you can be gear. Unfortunately, m43 hasn’t been aggressively promoted as professional gear.
71 Responses
Check out the Camo-Wear on the Kai-ster. He’s gone Hollywood on us. LOL!..and the shear size of those beer mugs!!!
I find Kai entertaining and he actually loves a product that I cherish..that rarely happens. Funny vid.
Pretty sure those were common or garden british pint mugs 😀
Is a British pint bigger than a US pint? Those things a HUGE, LOL!
That’s a standard issue Maß (1l). In Bavaria it doesn’t really get smaller unless you have Weizen (0.5l).
But they were in cologne at photokina and the Kölsch is normally served in 0.2l glasses, so not the typical local beer they had…
I’ve rarely seen Maß in Bavaria outside the fests (like Oktoberfest). The rest of the year they use normal German beer glass, the 0.5L one. The Maß and the special beer are reserved for the fests. (In some pubs you can still buy beer in Maß – but it still would be the normal Weizen, not the special one, which is brewed exclusively for Oktoberfest.)
And the Kölsch you would not see even in Cologne, unless you go into the special traditional pub. (But I gather tourist guides wouldn’t list normal pubs at all. I personally try to avoid the tourist ridden places.) But then, Kölsch is not sold in “volumes”, it is sold in “lengths” – like one “meter Kölsch” 😉 (OK kidding, Kölsch is sold glass by glass too.)
The Maß is the typical size for a beer in the Hofbräuhaus and in a large number of Biergarten. It is served open air when ever the weather allows it.
Weird. I visit friends in Bavaria (Munich, Rosenheim, couple villages around it) 2-3 times a year for the last 10 years, and not once I was served bier in a Maß (if I haven’t asked for that). Only during the fests bier is served by default in the Maß.
so is that glass about the size of a US quart?
The big size just looks better in the video. It’s also a statement to heavy dslr weight lifting photographers. 😉
I haven’t watched it.
I watched it!
Why Kai review the 15mm instead of the 42.5mm lens ?
Why he keep saying nobody watching , of course I’m watching .
Now let’s move on to 42.5mm F1.2 review .
Long time overdue .
He is waiting for Organic Sensor to review the Nocti! 🙂
Agree. I have to think he has to have a favorable review for it. Even Steve Huff bought one and he is a big time purist that typically will not buy or review anything from Panasonic and if does he will show fantastic photos like from the LX100 but totally rag on it like it was not worth his time even to look at it Go figure Just hoping the 42.5 f1.2 will come down a bit in price at $800-900 I will be first in line to get one. Just an awesome lens Hope Panasonic will come out with more F1.2 lenses as FF requires large glass and that means larger bodies to support it therefore no f2.8 zooms for Sony A7
I am not a fan of Huff..he shoots so many selfies you think he would have bought the E-PL7 to simplify his shooting style! :-0…and he can be a bit snobberic….That being said..he is very knowledgeable about cameras and knows what he is talking about and his main gripe with the LX100 is that it missed focus too much even when it confirmed it..that couple with lame IS and a HIGH price…eh…there are a lot of cameras out there…….but what does a P&S camera have to do with a lens review for and ILC camera????? You are sounding like a Panny Fanbois..if you like one thing Panny…you have to like all things Panny….?????
I own the 15mm….but I would not own one of their camera bodies. I only shoot stills and for me the other guy makes a better weapon…
Now..if I could just get that aperture ring to work on my M1…DAMN…LOL!
I do own the LX100 but very disappointed it does not have Touch LCD and Tilt etc – but you determine if I am a Panny fan boy –
I own the Sony A7, A6000, NEX7,NEX5n,RX100,Sony HX50v, Fuji X100,X100s,X20 – Olympus OMD-Em5 and Em1 and Stylus 1 – Canon G7X, Panasonic GX7,GX1,GM1,LX100 – So I do own more Sony’s 🙂
and yes I do also have Nikon DSLR’s –
So I have a mixed bag of gear – and no I am not a brand name snob –
and not a Panny fan boy – I buy what I think is practical for me –
Yes Steve has lots of experience and I do like his reviews – I have not experienced the same issue on my LX100 –
The Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 (24-80) costs $999 – the LX100 with a 24-75mm F1.8-2.8 costs $897 lens and body with 4K recording and faster lens – so I am not sure why folks are saying the LX100 is so expensive – Steve has no issues paying twice as much for Hassiblad Lunar which is a RX100 🙂 – it has a wooden grip and the logo –
Inventory wasn’t necessary. It must be REALLY confusing when you leave the house to shoot… um..show me some art?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z5fhhIzI2_8 Most of those images taken with GX7
why you said that,you want only thing panny make everything of lens
(shared to all m4/3) support all body to olympus ,dawn!!!
if i am cam company such as canon,nikon or sony that make all accessories by myself then i don’t need others company shared market of all accessories
that like oly/panny ,why panny make lens with large CA on olympus body ,why not support aperture ring on EM,
what things that oly support panny, no IS in tele lens,bit large CA on Panny body,
yeah ,that real world,real business world,
and if you are oly company ,you talk disagree that i do,
you make all thing are conflict on my cams why must i support you cams?
really Guy,if not ,take your cannabis in your room continue ,
i do not interrupt .
Huh? What did he say??????
???
and you are oly fanboy !!!
Haha. Funny but true review. Anybody who wants it probably bought it already. I certainly did. And what a great lens it is. Certainly my favorite wide angle for the MFT.
One part of it is wrong, and it’s easily proven: There is at least one person who wants it but didn’t buy it yet – me!
Why not? Because after having made the entry into Micro Four Thirds with two bodies, one of them the E-M1, two lenses, a battery grip and a 4/3 adapter a few months ago, my budget is used up and will be for some time to come. If it had been possible, I might well have added the 15mm Lumix lens, too.
Then again, I would be even happier if there was a good, fast, AF-capable 17mm lens around, better than the M.Zuiko, preferably f/1.4…
The 17mm is better than people say it is. Also, there have been several discounts on the 15mm. I certainly think the full price is a bit ridiculous.
Like the aperture ring but wonder why as the aperture control resides within the camera body, it has to send to that and then back to the lens. Aperture ring delete would leave more room for fingers on the focus ring, the lens is tiny.
How does it compare to the Leica DG Summilux 25/F1.4 I wonder?
The aperture ring has position “A” which leaves the control to the body and then f1.7 .. f16.0, within which the lens controls the Aperture.
It also only works when the camera is in in a mode where the user controls aperture.
One thing that I don’t like about any gadget/gear review is about repeating the specs and then leaving out the user experience. Meaning exactly that how does it work in reality, how does handling go, is there problems or something in design that is good or bad. Thats why the reviews should be there, that reviewer has few days exclusive usage experience from the product so the product in use can be found out.
Like with Panasonic lenses, the zoom objectives problem is that when you unmount it, the zoom easily zooms out, that isn’t nice when you want to place objective away.
Or differences like the focus/zoom ring works other direction etc.
Or that aperture control/focus ring is too close to body etc.
Or then mention something like that Olympus 17mm f/1.8 doesn’t come with lenshood, sure it sounds bad, but try to get that lens flare, you don’t need the lens hood because light sources would flare or lights would start ghosting. Only reason to get the lens hood is to protect the front lens, but you don’t really even need that because the 17mm f/1.8 is so small and its front lens is so tiny as well that if you get something to it, you get it regardless having lens hood or not. A true small size objective for that focal length doesn’t need bulkier lens hood.
you made the mistake of thinking this was a serious review.
It’s carnival….entertainment for photo geeks…like us….nothing more.
No, you made the mistake believing that I made a mistake.
I didn’t mean that review, I meant all reviews overall.
Like the car show Top Gears is about making interesting reviews and tests, with funny style but not just spitting out specs, but getting to really show the handling and features of the very special vehicles you can buy, and normal ones.
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDoRmT0iRic
That is entertainment for geeks, like us, all about.
What DTR is about, is trying to do entertainment but just spitting the specs out while doing normal avarage review.
Example, when someone does a weatherproof camera and objective, Kai spatters little water over it from water bottle.
While good reviewer would wait to get to most radical weather to test it out, and if there isn’t a rainy day, then its gone on comparable environment to test it like car washing machine.
Geeks are interested what kind things is out there, what you can do with all kind a fancy gear.
Kai is spot on – it´s a not bad lens that´s somehow uninteresting. Why didn´t Panasonic make it a true 1.4 lens? It would be bigger and more expensive but not so half assed and boring. And what´s with the focal length? Why 30mm? Why not 35mm? For me it was always a little bit too wide…
I beg to differ. Became my default almost overnight.
I said – “for me”.
He said – “I beg to differ”
🙂
If you switch back and forth between 15mm and 17mm, you can tell the subtle difference. At least to me, it didn’t feel quite the same, but never enough for me to say that one felt better suited. Just different. Likely the same can be said with with 14mm vs 15mm.
Once on the field, shooting, I simply cannot understand why it would bother anyone. I mean, we don’t shoot FoV, we shoot what we see, what we frame. ; when I want UwA, I want UwA, never specifically 8.5mm (for instance)
You´re right, sorry – sometimes I tend to be a little retarded.
We all do 😉
With regards to 1.4 vs 1.7 in reality how often do you notice or need that extra half stop? Maybe you can get your shutter speed down from 1/30s to 1/45s.
At the minumum focal distance the narrowness of the DOF is about the same . The difference between 1.4 and 1.7 is .04″ (.34″ vs .28″) at a more realistic focal distance of about 6′ it is the difference between 2′ 6.55″ vs 2′ 1.37″. Keep in mind that with a wide angle lens unless you are silly close, more of the scene is in focus.
I think that the best way to think about this lens is it is more like a 28mm wide angle lens than a street photography 35mm lens. It is one of those, shoot it wide open and still basically everything is in focus lenses. Unless you are very very close you don’t really need to worry about focusing and so you can shoot from the hip.
You gotta love Kai. He may be blunt, but he’s right. He called out the reasons and he’s spot on. It’s a Panasonic.
If m43 was my primary system, I would pair this with a GX7 for my street photography.
I wonder about flare and ghosts, our “expert” reviewers never talk about them.
Kai is spot on in regards to how so many look at Panasonic. It just does not cut it with the snobs and the Purists. For example if Panasonic made a duplicate of the Fuji X100t but better it would not get as good reviews as the Fuji would Similar to when Charlie Chaplin for fun entered a Charlie Chaplin competition. He ended in 3rd spot. 🙂 That is how people are
I have Fuji, Olympus, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Panasonic cameras and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. But nice to see Kai give credit to what many snobs consider junk or not worth looking at – he should know as he has access to anything available in the camera market
You sir are correct. It’s that snobbish, “elitist” attitude that will ruin M43. And the fact is, if it wasn’t for Panasonic, there wouldn’t be no M43!
It’s sad when a camera like the GX7, had all the bells and whistles the Majority of the posters here wanted in a M43 camera, yet many refused to make a purchase SIMPLY because it said “LUMIX” and not “OLYMPUS” on the front.
Sony had it easier because they brought Minolta. Panasonic went the longer route. Hopefully one day, Panasonic will get the respect they deservedly should have got long ago.
Totally agree –
You just agreed with the resident troll. He is being sarcastic. Thought someone should tell you. I know if I had a buger in my nose, I would want you to tell me.
ALLCAPS is a troll because he criticizes Olympus?
That’s some thin reasoning.
PanaFanboisMuch?
AllCraps is just an idiot all the way around.
Sometimes ALLCAPS says some idiotic things, but doesn’t everyone?
Here he makes some valid points.
But the easiest thing to do when you disagree is to shout TROLL.
That’s rather trollish in my book.
Did I say that or did you just assume it? I own both brands. Allcaps has been coming here for as long as I can remember to stir crap. His favorite thing to do is make fun of small sensors and go on about full frame. Now you are educated. I doubt he owns any m43 camera Jeff.
That’s also the reason that Canikon get so many sales. History and buying ‘what you know’.
I’ve been using Olympus for 35 years and so, unless there’s something that Panasonic offered that I really wanted and wasn’t available with Olympus, I would normally choose Olympus.
I did buy a Panasonic G3 when Olympus didn’t offer any m43 cameras with built in viewfinders and also own the 20mm lens as it is a focal length I like.
I liked the G3 but could never fathom the logic behind the menu system as it was so different to the familiar (to me) Olympus system. Again it is what you’re used to.
People like myself don’t hate Panasonic and respect what they have done, but given a choice tend to stick with the brand that we know and that has performed well for us over the years.
Perhaps if I was interested in video I would have switched to Panasonic (and learned their menu system) but as Olympus offer what I need with the E-M5 and E-M1 I’ve no intention of buying a Panasonic m43 camera.
I am considering buying the Panasonic Lx100 as (currently) Olympus offer no equivalent.
It’s a realky nice lens for sure, but came along after i already owned a 20mm pancake a 25mm f1.4 leica.
Hard to justify buying a lens that is so similar in field of view though i’d love to have it.
The Four Thirds focal length numbers sometimes deceive. In the 35mm film/”full-frame” world, nobody would think that a 30mm wide-angle was similar in field of view to a 40mm lens, or even a 50mm standard prime. The one traditional lens it would be similar to is the 28mm wide-angle.
the 15mm on M3/rds is a 30mm lens..the 20 is a 40mm lens. If I take two steps forward or backward i can achieve similar images. I just can’t buy every lens I wants ( I used to when I had FU $) but I can’t so the 15mm is a “maybe someday lens”. I own the 20mm, 25mm, Oly 45mm, Oly 12mm plus about 50 other lenses that get adapted so I’m good 🙂
I prefer the short and to the point Kai reviews too. The others are very creative and I’m sure justify his salary but can be interminable.
I had the pana 20mm and the Oly 17.5mm. None match this 15mm. I would sell both to get this. This is as good as Kai said. And we know how much hate Kai has for m43.
No need to justify it, just buy it if you want one.
I have a 14mm, 17.5mm, 20mm and Voigty 25mm. They all serve different purposes.
AF for casual shooting. Manual for the real deal.
The 20mm is nice in IQ but not so fast in AF. The 25mm f1.4 is really super nice and not that expensive so a must own for a m43 owner
…but the 15mm is silent and violent…just like the ones you have after you have eaten some beans.
15mm is still a bit too spendy. The 25mm is easily found for $400 making it a solid deal for a great lens.
I just sold the 14mm to replace it with this lens, but the local shop got a second hand Voigtlander Nokton 17.5, f0.95, and it was about the same price as the 15mm new, so the 15 will have to wait a few more months. It is on my list, though to round out my primes.
That’s a great deal on the Nokton – would have done the same.
Damn great deal on the 17.5mm! Lucky bastard.
I LOVE that lens!
I liked this short review rather than the longer clowning around reviews. As others have said, Kai is spot on with his views on Panasonic. I had enough trouble getting respect from my photo buddies when I had Olympus cameras (and I had a long history with Olympus). They simply stopped listening to me when I switched to Panasonic. I gave up recommending m4/3 to my friends, and simply started suggesting Fuji – even though I’m sticking with m4/3. My migration to Panasonic wasn’t premeditated, I just noticed that somehow I ended up with almost all Panny lenses. Switching to the GX7 was fantastic – it felt much more photography oriented than the E-M5. Anyway – I like Panasonic’s products and could care less what others think. Can’t wait for the GM5 to drop down in price, to replace my GF5. An yes – I also already bought the 15mm, and love it – but as others, I would have preferred a larger 1.4 version.
I went with Panasonic cameras because the shooting experience is much simpler and direct, even though I shoot mostly manual lenses in M mode. Constant Preview was an absolute revelation. They could change the name to Chimp-no-mo! 😉
Totally understand what you are saying. I use primarily shoot m43 because of its portability and good enough iq. I can’t convince many of my friends either. Then I show them my photos and some actually buy m43 gears as their second system.
I also shoot leica m and used to own Sony a7 and nikon d600. The weight just doesn’t justify.
I never understood the concept of brand enmity, even when it showed up in fights between advocates of completely different systems. I understand it even less when it is fought out between Olympus fans and Panasonic fans, who, if they activated their brains and started to think, would realize that either of both companies (with regard to their photographic divisions) would be much less than it is if the respectively other didn’t exist, too.
I think Kai perfectly described the strange stigma many people seem to have with Panasonic Lumix products. It’s too bad really, because having used many different brands, I am consistently impressed by Panasonic’s enthusiast level products. Both the GX1 and GX7 were highly enjoyable cameras that for whatever reason people tended to ignore. The same thing seems to be happening with the GM5, which is a total tragedy, because it’s is seriously one of the best and most genuinely useful cameras that I’ve ever used. Since owning the GM5, every other camera I own has been sitting idle. Regarding lenses, the 15/1.7, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, and 42.5/1.2 are not just capable lenses, but honestly some of the finest lenses currently made. I put a high premium on the way a lens renders; I look for lenses that draw as naturally and effortless as possible, and these Panasonic primes are among the best I’ve ever seen.
I know what you are saying. My friends disregard me as a photographer because I use pana gears.
I am also waiting for the gm5 to come down in prices (love the new scroll wheel) but may actually pick up the gf7 instead because of the flip screen. The flip screen is actually more useful when shooting in bright sun/snow and allow waist level shooting.
Your friends sound pretty shallow…
Can’t say that they are shallow. They are not educated with m43. The market has been promoting FF as the all you can be gear. Unfortunately, m43 hasn’t been aggressively promoted as professional gear.
The GM5 is a no-dials-camera, which makes it a toy. In Europe, it sells at twice the price of a basic Nikon or Canon. I wonder why nobody buys it…
Fits the lenshood on the PL 25mm 1.4?
Does aperture ring works with any Oly cameras? E-M5?