The current Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4
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Another source confirmed that Olympus will launch a new 25mm f/1.8 lens. The source said the lens is solidly built and focuses fast on the new OMD camera. Yes, both, the new OMD and that lens will be announced in January.
The lens will be cheaper and smaller than the Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4.
I am working to get some Panasonic rumors too. The Nocticron should finaly be released at CP+ but I am not sure if the GH 4K camera will come now or in April at the Las Vegas NAB show…
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
182 Responses
If priced right, as 45mm I’d say, that Zuiko will be a hot seller in the system. I already own the PanaLeica so I don’t need it.
Panasonic f1.4 had no (AF) competitors, so those that really wanted a 50mm FOV lens had no choice.
Now there will be a less expensive alternative.
Admin, does any of your sources know anything about Nocticron price?
At $600, the PL25 is not terribly expensive for one of the finest m43 lens out there in the wild.
In my opinion, the m.zuiko 25 will have to bring something more to the equation than a couple hundred bucks in saving to establish itself as a solid alternative. I expect much smaller size to be its main selling pitch.
Perhaps a pancake.
If this lens is $300 in a year’s time, and weighs about 100 grams, I will buy it.
I don’t want to buy the Panasonic 25mm because its too expensive for the little use it would get, and its too large/heavy, and due to the rattlesnake issue on my E-M5.
To each his own 😉
That rattlesnake issue however: please cut the bull, thats big time nit picking. I’ve heard louder lenses and louder shutters.
I have to agree, the 25mm is the most used lens on my EM5 currently (we’ll see if my new 12-40mm steals that honor) and I’ve never noticed the rattlesnaking in actual shooting. The only times I notice it are in a silent room while purposely pointing at light sources… in other words, when intentionally causing it.
Jules – that rattlesnaking is not bull. I’ve tried buying the 25 3 different times and each time the rattlesnaking was so loud and so continuous on my EM-5 that I simply could not use it. I use the O12, O45, and P45-175 and of those 3 only the O45 exhibits any rattlesnaking – and even that is rare and quiet.
STOP WITH THE EXAGGERATING!!
Sure, it rattles, but it’s not loud at all.. What, you have Dog hearing? It rattles on my GX1/GX7 but if you’re shooting stills, does it matter? NO. It doesn’t even register when shooting video!
It’s much quieter than the 20mm as well. You are clearly reaching.
If you’re not getting it because it’s a Panasonic, just say so. Saying it’s loud and rattles is a JOKE. I have it on my camera right now and started laughing. You fanboys are really pathetic. It’s just like they mentioned on other forums as y’all being called “Rabid Fanboys”.
Just put it side by side with my Canon 6D/40mm, and the 40mm is Louder. I would make a short Youtube video, but I won’t stoop to the Stupidity of the 25mm “rattling” problem.
I am amazed to say that I agree with you on this one, lol.
The world is amazed!
No it doesn’t rattlesnake at all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnVuYfVYUsU
I’m a still photographer working on movie set and i use the GX7 ( on electronic shutter ) with the Pl 25mm and the rattle noise does not bother me at all neither the sound man ! So Come on !
Consider the transition of Olympus’ 17mm lens to an f/1.8 lens and think the same for the 25mm from the similar Four-Thirds 25mm lens to a micro Four-Thirds f/1.8 version.
If you like the 17mm f/1.8, you’ll probably like the 25mm f/1.8.
I am confident that Olympus will come up with something that makes sense.
An other battle they could pick against the PL25 is the focus distance. I can testify that there are occasions I whish I could have focused closer. Making it a 1:2 barrel ought not to be too big.
+10
With the Olympus fixation on retro styling, it’s surprising it took them so long to introduce a classic 50mm f1.8 (equiv) kit lens. Plus the fact that it’s an extremely useful and versatile focal length. All my SLRs had them.
If it’s on the same level of image quality as the 45mm, it should be an excellent addition to the system, especially for those who can’t or won’t pony-up for any of the other 25mm lenses and don’t want or need a faster lens.
I am on your same boat. I love the 50mm FOV and I had no choice but to buy the PanaLeica one. I love it, use it a lot…if this new one gives better performance then I will consider it, if the difference in size is significant, then I am sold 🙂
I wonder when Pana will release the 15mm/1.7 PanaLeica one…I think I can replace my 14mm/17mm combo and I will only carry three lenses with me at all times instead of four.
Admin, I know you must have a lot on your place, but do you have any info on this lens I mentioned last?
Best regards!
Rafael
Nocticron or the new 15mm price???
Indeed, that is the real question. I wanted to wait a little bit to learn more about this lens but in the end I went for the Summilux. The 15mm however, seems like it is worth waiting a bit longer for 🙂
The Nocticron is a WHOLE different animal than the 25mm f/1.4 Summilux. I own the 25mm and definitely want the Nocti and the 15mm (if the IQ is at the level we are expecting)…I will most liklely sell off my 14mm f/2.5, Panny, 17mm f/1.8 Oly and 45mm f/1.8 Oly if these 2 lens are are up to snuff!
+10 for the 42.5mm Nocticron and 15mm! The 15mm looks very interesting.
Admin, is there any word on the release date?
plus 1
Wow, that is a lens that I will consider. My dirt-cheap Sigma 19 mm f/2.8 has more or less stayed permanently on the camera since I bought it, and this new Olympus lens could be a potential upgrade if it has fast enough autofocus.
I felt the change in FOV, upgrading from 1.7/20 to PL25. I don’t regret one bit, as it literally became my default lens.
That said, a more seamless upgrade would be m.zuiko 1.8/17 or panasonic 1.7/20. Both are much smaller and has good IQ. If AF speed on older bodies is an issue, go for the Olympus. Otherwise, for me its a coin toss between the two.
Same here with my 19mm. It’s Leica-sharpness + IBIS has killed all the focals nearby, and so the 30mm.
Many don’t know what they missed…
I don’t need focus clutches/DoF markings. I don’t care if it’s plastic. Just give it good glass and a good price like the Oly 45 😀
Wow. What a useless.. PanaLeica 25mm 1.4 was already a winner and now Oly wants to bring out another lens that is slower in the same 50mm equiv??? Really don’t understand. Why don’t they work on their incredibly lackluster 17mm 1.8 so we finally get a well priced, sharp at 1.8 35mm equiv prime? Would be even better if they brought out a 28mm equiv at 1.4… Olympus sometimes jeez.
Steven, as far as Olympus president said, they won’t go faster than f1.8. Like it or not.
It makes a lot of sense (to me) for Olympus to make a cheaper competitor to Panasonic 25mm: the latter has been in stores for years, the quality of the lens is good. If Olympus want to sell its 25mm, it has to be cheaper and good enough to attract people who still don’t own a similar focal lenght lens.
I only wonder why it took so long.
+1: I wonder too why it took so long!
Plus, it’ll be smaller than the existing Panaleica.
If it’s smaller or at least equal than the Panny 20/1.7, it will replace said lens which is too slow to focus.
Moreover people don’t understand yet that fast lenses are generally not high-resolving lenses? Simpletons 🙂
Well, depends on the lens, and certainly if you stop it down, fast (&typically expensive) lenses have incredible IQ.
Well, according to Imatest (Cicala) most fast primes must be stopped down to 2.8 to reach a decent resolution.
So what do you buy them for? For bragging?
By comparison Olympus set a limit to f/2 first, then to 1.8, because they have max resolution from the start.
I hope this thing is built just like the 17. Please please please let there be snap to manual focus. I love that feature. (wish I had it on my 45, my favorite lens) As for me, I don’t know what all the complaints are about with the 17. I get nice sharp images with it. It’s nice an unobtrusive on the camera also. I also have the PL25. I like it, but it is a bit large on the smaller bodies. Not quite as “pocketable” as the 17. Actually, it’s not pocketable at all……. I find myself reaching for the 17 more than the 25 lately. And maybe it’s just me, but the autofocus feels a bit slow on the PL25, compared to the 17 and 45. Maybe it’s just me. If they build it exactly the same as the 17, I would probably dump the PL25. I don’t need 2/3 stops more. Funny how even 1.8 is SO slow now. Oh that’s right is like an f16 equivalent on a FF, right? LOL
Marco, what if the Olympus 25mm is $500.00? Will it be a value then? Absolutely Not.
And what if it costs $129?
And what if you smoke crack?
If you think Olympus is going to make a 25mm for that price, let’s have a meet up, after the price is announced, so that I may laugh in person.
Since neither of us have any idea beyond the 25/1.8, we also don’t know the price mrallcrap.
But if as people seem to suspect its going to be a kit option for the E-M10, a kit price like that doesn’t seem far fetched, with a $300ish price when bought separately.
We don’t even know if Olympus intend to make it kit lens quality or anything beyond. I would not cross that fine line between suspecting a price and taking it for granted.
Personally, I suspect that the bogus consensus on 2000 USD for the PL42.5 is off the mark. But I don’t take my own word for granted 😀
ALLCAPS: personally I would be interested only if it is prices next to 45mm f1.8. Let’s say less than 400 dollars and sadly 400 euros. Plus it has to be smaller than PanaLeica version, and be weather sealed.
Only if it fulfills these 3 aspects I will THINK about buying it.
In my opinion 500 dollars is expensive, compared to PanaLeica: people would easily choose the faster lens (without looking at resolution charts) and Oly would sell it only in kit with new Em-50.
A logic move would be to sell it for 400 dollars max. As I said, 350 dollars would be a nice price for a lot of people.
+10
$400 seems reasonable, though I doubt it would be weather-sealed for that price.
I get your argument in the sense that M43 is still lacking some important FLs (fast wide zooms, fast tele zooms) but a 1.8 nifty fifty is a bread and butter item that should not be missing from any system.
Oly will still make their own 25 because other similar lenses do not completely fulfill the criteria of:
– fast AF (PL25 and the Sigmas are almost there, but not quite. Let’s not even talk about the 20/1.7)
– relatively cheap (at least here in my country where even used 20/1.7’s cost $300)
– reasonable aperture (1.8 is a sweet spot)
Oly has a very high chance of fulfilling all of these with the rumored 50/1.8. If it costs $200-$300 I would buy it.
The 17 f/1.8 is actually a pretty good lens. It got a bad rap in some early reviews, but the photos are great.
Oly 17mm 1.8 lens is a fine lens. Yes its not stellar but it takes great photos and certainly is not “incredibly lackluster”. So do yourself a favor and go shoot some photos rather than complaining about non existing issues.
Are you sure you don’t have a bad copy of the 17mm 1.8? I find it to be a very nice lens. Not quite as good as my pana 25 1.4, but it takes great pictures and is a pleasure to use on the GH3.
Tom, the ‘problem’ is that you look at real-world results instead of test results 🙂
Olympus, please give me a fixed Ultra Wide Angle solid pro lens. It is a m43 Holy Grail for me. Why you double lenses already available?
Because they want to sell THEIR version. Is it so hard to understand? When you buy a Panasonic lens, Olympus does not have any income at all.
Bad thing is there is no image stabilisation for the panasonic 25 , i guess many lumix users would buy a cheaper 25mm rather then the panaleica since it doesnt matter (especially for video users, where stabilisation really shines.)Maybe panasonic will make a new lens design, who knows 😛
Then buy the GX7 or E-M5 or E-M1. Now you have your IBIS. Problem solved.
Having both Olympus and Panasonic lenses is a good thing, as more competition is *good*! Gives us choices between them, on price/speed/quality/etc
I would love a non-fisheye ultrawide prime.
you want 5-10mm f3.0 if they can do it 😉
oh yes, something like a 3.5/10mm or 4.0/7mm. That’s what is needed, not another 25mm lens.
If anyone makes 7mm f2.8 and I’ll buy it in a heartbeat!
The 7mm end of the 7-14mm is my go-to lens for shooting interiors. At f2.8, a 7mm would be killer!
optical corrected of just fish eye?
i dont like distortions
If people don’t say fisheye, they usually mean a rectilinear design.
Fisheye? Definitely NOT another fisheye!
There are already how many of those novelty lenses in the system? Is it 4 or 5… if you count the Bower/Rokinon/Samyang separately.
I lost count.
Well they are all the exact same lens so no, they don’t count separately. We have 3, the Panasonic 8mm, Samyang/Bower/blablahblah 7.5mm, and the 4/3 Olympus 8mm.
I just got a 7-14 for a killer deal (loving it so far) but if someone released a 7mm f2.8 I would sell the 7-14 immediately.
I can see why you might sell the 7-14mm if there were a 7mm f2.8.
I’d keep my 7-14mm, because it’s so flexible. It’s a great travel lens.
I agree, 7-14mm is a sweet travel lens.
+1
On Amazon they are separate. Just like all kit/colour versions of the EM5 are separate and all versions of each Pany colour/version are different. So they must be separate versions.
Amazon dictates the way we all count things. Don’t they?
plus 1 again.
Rectilinear.
You guys asking for a rectilinear lens do realize, that wide angle lenses can be either rectilinear or represent area correctly?
You simply can not have both for mathematical reasons. So, by asking for straight lines, you are asking for distortion of your subjects, i.e. people.
Yes a 7 could complement my oly 9-18 quite nicely.
+1 for 8mm or 7mm
+1 for a 7 or 8 mm lens… pancake , of course 🙂
7mm f2.8 seems reasonable? As there are already 14mm f/2.8 for FF
Yes, a 9 or 10 mm prime is needed. I’m not holding my breath. They didn’t make one for 4/3 either.
Sounds like this could pair nicely with the GM1.
don’t forget this Olympus 25/1.8 will be an pancake.
..and how do u know that? Are you admin’s source?
check olds news rumors43…
Seems like a waste of resources to me. Olympus and Panasonic should work closer together when it comes to lenses. There is a lot of redundancy in the system.
Personally, I own the old 4/3 version of the Panaleica. While slow and noisy to focus (and bloody heavy too), I’m satisfied with it. It certainly possesses the Leica character and the transition from sharpness to blur is unusually lovely.
but not everyone wants to pay the premium price asked for the Panny/Leica lens.
Is it a premium price? The Four-Thirds version is over US$1000, though the lens takes a 62mm filter, rather than a 46mm filter.
That is relative to the individual, there are many who would say it is at £5-600.
I’d pay £5 for a premium lens.
I would pay US$1
Time to sell the Pana 20mm/1.7 and complete the 12-25-45 Olympus prime collection.
Not that i don’t like the Panasonic, it’s a fantastic lens, but the AF speed is so slow. Can’t understand why Panasonic didn’t fix that with v2.
Probably because the 20mm focuses well with newer Panasonic bodies. I’ve never had much of an issue using it with my GH2,GX1 or GX7. But, the really should have addressed the focus speed issues on Olympus bodies if they went to the effort of reworking it. That was a dumb-ass move.
The ‘slow AF’ reputation it has is exaggerated, but for some things its AF is certainly a limitation, and that simply has to do with it having to move the entire optical assembly. There is no ‘magic’ on Panasonic cameras that prevents this.
I didn’t actually measure it and no longer have the 20/1.7, but on my G2 its AF certainly wasn’t faster then on my E-M5, but it was a bit faster then on my E-P1.
I agree about the slow focus issue. I’ve never had a problem with it.
But, it would have been great if Panasonic had improved AF speed with the 20mm II…
… If for no other reason so that we wouldn’t EVER have to hear complaints about it again!
😉
There is no simple fix, except redesigning the lens completely.
Very good lens for the smaller cameras in m43 system,, will be perfect for gx1, epl5, gm1 exc
Keep in mind that although you do not get shallow DOF, you do benefit when using internal flash indoor with a fast prime, quick and aqurate foucos, and better image quality then kit lens are also very welcome,,this lens if priced right and sharp wide open,will be another great addition to the current cheapers primes like sigma and pancakes.
Excellent, more choice is always better. In the OM days there was a good f1.8 and a very good f1.4. Not everyone has the need or the money to buy the very good lens.
@Steven, why would we need a 28mm equivalent f1.4 lens? I think most people would be better served with a f2.8 that is cheap, well corrected and razor sharp wide open. A step up from the Panasonic 14mm but without a hefty price tag.
You can get a de-kitted 14mm on eBay for about $175. I’d hardly call that expensive.
That’s what I did when putting together a compact GX1 kit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-PANASONIC-LUMIX-G-14mm-F2-5-F-2-5-ASPH-LENS-Fixed-focus-lens-Black-Color-/120971585483?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item1c2a77e7cb
This was long overdue. It (almost) completes a nice Olympus prime lens series: 12-17-25-45-75 (a 9-10mm is still missing!)
Please make it good (like 45mm) and cheap (200 Eur, 250 max) and small (pancake). With these properties it would be different enough from the Pana-Leica 25/1.4, which is fairly large and expensive (almost 500Eur).
A cheaper 25mm would be very welcome as its an allround FL. The Lumix is an excellent lens, but not everyone can or wants to spend the money for it.
And a smaller normal prime would also be very nice.
Totally agree and I’m in that boat.
600$ is too expensive for me for a 50mm equivalent lens, as I’m not a frequent user of that FL. But a 200-300$ will be tempting. If it’s sharp like the 45 mm it’ll sell like hotcakes.
It would be nice is Olympus, Panasonic, Anyone made a fast ultra wide non fish eye prime e.g. 7mm.
While I appreciate the 25/f1.8 may be smaller (and possibly faster to focus) than the 25/f1.4 it’s still a 25mm. Come on Olympus/Panasonic, do something different!
it’s time to announced a 14mmF1.8 at the 2014
14-17-25-45 cheap premium group
I will buy it if it’s priced similar to the 45mm 1.8 with similar IQ.
Can’t put up with the banding and slow AF with my 20mm + OMD anymore. The 12mm f2 is a bit pricey for me. Might pickup a 14mm 2.5.
Boring. What a waste.
With superb 25/1.4, there is no need and no room for Oly 25/1.8. Why don’t 25/1.0?
+1.
DOF from F1.8 on m4/3 is so thick. Such needless lens indeed.
there is a difference between being realistic and dreaming, Anyway if you are into shallow dof, you can still go the Voigtlaender route like an f/0.95, just forget AF ever existed and take your time for focusing. But back to the dreaming: I admit a f/1.0 25mm AF would be cool 🙂
There’s also the SLR Magic 25mm f0.95 for a lot less than the Voigtländer 25mm.
Choices are good for the system!
That Slr 25mm is indeed interesting, I ddi not know it was cheaper then the Voigtlaender. And its a T 0.95 (for the freaks)
with the same argument you use:
What a waste of money, I don’t need the extra speed and size of the Panasonic 25mm why they made it? If they could do a smaller cheaper lens, like the one I need…
Just because YOU don’t need it, there are other people with other needs in the market. 😉
Looking forward to this lens… what great setup options: oly 12/17/25/45/75 or Panasonic 15/25/42.5 and that’s only the fast lenses. Just choose by your preference- but don’t condemn the lenses that aren’t fit you, because there are other people with other needs as well 😉
+100
The system is far stronger and more flexible if there are a range of lenses at various price points. 25/50mm is a classic focal length. The Oly 25mm should be a good starter lens for a lot of people who may be getting their first interchangeable lens camera. A good, inexpensive 50mm (equiv) is exactly the sort of lens the system needs. I’d like to see something like a 12mm f2.8mm at a reasonable price, too and for the same reason.
Although, I was showing my nephew my GH2 with Voigtländer 25mm and the first question he asked: How does it zoom? 😉
I’ve got a kit of manual classic length lenses, but by no means would I think or expect any one else to want something like that.
+1
”
@Henry
Boring. What a waste.
With superb 25/1.4, there is no need and no room for Oly 25/1.8. Why don’t 25/1.0?
”
Absolute agree! Nobody wants it.
“Absolute agree! Nobody wants it.”
Yet there are lots of people who are excited about this to-be-announced 25mm lens. Can’t you read or are you just too egoistic?
+1
There are many other focal lengths that need to be filled.
Simply step up to a bigger sensor and buy a cheap 35mm or 50 1.8 with autofocus but don’t complain about the downside of M43 on normal focal lengths.
50mm equivs are great. If it’s weather sealed it’d be a must have on the OMDs.
Yawn…Let me know if we have Oly or Pana 25/1.0.
Never, from Olympus. From Panasonic not this year for sure. You can sleep for a year then. 🙂
Never say never Marco, Olympus said before that f/2.0 was the limit. Appearently because of the FT philosophy back then. Now maybe because they dont want the optics getting too big, or just a matter of stubborness.Who will know..
Nice a 50mm F3.6……
No, it would be like a 50mm f/2.6 (2x crop means it has double the DoF)
f was never and never will be measure for DOF. It’s only one of parameters that influences DOF.
If it is not weather-sealed, has lightning-fast AF and below $350 at the same time, it does not make any sense.
They’d better make UWA f/2-f/2.8 weather-sealed pro zoom. And collapsible 11-70 f/2.8-4 weather-sealed travel zoom.
You really think Olympus is interested in using a premium Panasonic product as their new kit lens? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this will probably come out about the same time as the new OMD . . .
Huh? Which Panasonic lens Olympus uses as their kit?
Well that’s what I’m saying. If Olympus wants a 25 as a kit option they’re going to have to make one.
This is the lens I have been waiting for! Thankyou Olympus! As long as its as sharp wide open as my Nikon 1 10-30mm. Because the Oly kitzoom (RII) is an absolute joke, its so freaking horrible when it comes to sharpness that want to cry everytime I see the photos Ive taken with it.
Your kit zoom is probably broken (decentered or something). It tests very well.
Yes, it happens. I have a Nex setup in addition to my m43 setup, and the 17mm 2.8 on that is so ridiculously bad that it is a faulty one for sure. That particular lens was known for having variable quality batches which I only found out after buying from a place that did not accept returns…Wouldn’t surprise me if they simply sold the bad ones there.. This has made me gunshy in buying refurb lenses..
Great news! Oly extends the 1.8 series with best image quality and low price. It started with 45/1.8, the 17,5/1.8 a bit pricey and not that great (but OK) image quality. Let´s hope for this 25mm to be right.
Some scream over larger aperture: That also means high price, heavy, big and lower image quality. There are already several options available if you like that. (or get an FF or MF camera for shallow DOF!
HUH?
The Oly 75mm is one of the best lenses available, regardless of system or sensor size.
As for the faster m4/3 lenses, like the Panasonic 25mm f1.4, or any of the three f0.95 Voigtländers, you’re clearly delusional, because they’re among the best M4/3 lenses available.
With that nonsense he’s spewing and with such blind fanboyism, maybe he should change his name to “Pre K”.
I think lens rentals said the Oly 75mm was as good as the best lenses (the realy REALY expencive ones) made by Canikon…
I think he meant the 17mm f/1.8 but wrote it as 17.5: not the 75mm.
The Panasonic/Leica 25mm is not that expensive in the Netherlands. I paid € 499.
How much would the Olympus 25mm f1.8 be?
The 12mm f2.0 costs € 619, the € 17mm f1.8 costs € 549, the 45mm f1.8 costs € 249.
FF 50mm F1.8’s go for around $100-$150… So under $200 would be a sweet spot for this lens and would also help keep kit pricing under control.
You can’t compare those old design cheap 50mm lenses with a new released lens. the Nikon version of the nifty fight it’s the 35f1.8, and it’s priced close 200euro. So I think a good starting price would be just under 300euro/dollar, and after a year the street price will be around 250euro. If they go the premium way of the 12/17/75, I think it will be hard to justify the price vs the really good Panasonic 1.4.
If the new 25mm is a different focal length twin of the 45mm it will be a huge success & I will buy one the day it’s available.
It could be good option if:
1) price (& build quality) similar to 45/1.8
2) IQ as good as 45/1.8
3) size smaller or similar to 45/1.8
There is place for such lens. If it will be like 17/1.8 (expensive, very good build quality and not stellar IQ) then 25/1.4 from Panaleica will be bette choice.
There is still place for 25mm faster then Panaleica 25/1.4, with AF of course.
There is no sense to make direct (but slower) competition for Panalecia 25/1.4.
New 25 have to be cheaper and slower, or faster.
There is a lot good competition in mirrorless world, and FF mirrorless with price similar to EM-1.
GM-1 direction is better for micro43 – small bodies, small lenses. 12-40/2.8 and planned 40-150/2.8 are too big. Oly, there is time for GM-1 from Oly (maybe compatibility with Google Glasses used as EVF) and small lenses (like 45/1.8 or 20/1.7).
Is it too much to ask for weather sealing?
I would like the MF selector ring as on the 12mm and 17mm. Weather sealing is not that important to me.
when Panalympus release an uwa prime like 10mm or under and a teleprime 150 or more ?
I would like to see a super sharp 9mm prime but the 9-18mm is still a good lens.
I really dont like zooms, i have 12, 25, 45 and 75 (and 7.5 also).
The 12mm is so sharp, i dream a lens more wider with same performances.
There are a lot of people entering the system right now, so for them both the new 25mm and the new OM-D at a convenient price make a lot of sense.
I am much more curious about the PL15mm. Any news Admin about the date?
Now we also have the excitement about how soon they break after introduction 🙂
This is the key – there is no cheap “nifty-fifty” normal lens for the system. This is usually the lens recommended for any system after the body/kit lens purchase.
I have the Panasonic 20 and 25.
25 – lovely rendering, focus, low-light 1.4 aperture, my favourite and most used lens by far – although almost too large/heavy for jacket pocketing.
20 – great size, fun lens, and nice rendering too. I like the field of view better, but I miss a lot of shots due to slow/hunting focus on my e-pm2/e-m5 – especially of anything moving, like children.
I don’t know if I would ever sell the 25 as some of my best pictures have come from that lens… I am going to trial the 17 to possibly replace the 20. I would also trial the new 25/1.8 if it is cheap and small enough.
I’m waiting for Leica Nocticron 17.5mm/1.2 (I know it likes a dream since they just announce 15mm/1.8… sigI’m waiting for Leica Nocticron 17.5mm/1.2 (I know it likes a dream since they just announce 15mm/1.8… sigh)h)
I’ll be interested if it is beter than the Sigma 2.8 30mm. Don’t mind that the Sigma is 2.8. That’s fast enough for the pictures I take and with price between Sigma and Oly 45mm.
Panasonic should revamp the 25mm F1.4 and 45mm F2.8 with new metal finish and probably an aperture ring in order to compete with the “premium-finished” Olympus lenses these days… Plastic was okay, but now the game has changed a bit…
yet another short focal length lens that is all ready there
why not some thing thats not there like a long or medeum fast telephoto
While it’s nice that Olympus would make some money with their own 25mm version, I already own the Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, so no sale here. What I would really like is an Olympus 10mm f/2 for a reasonable price (like $399). Lately I have added a Canon EOS M with the very sharp EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 zoom (that is available in Canada) to my bag. This is a great combination outdoors and both the camera body and lens cost $175 less than the Olympus 12mm alone! I hope Olympus doesn’t get a big head with the OMD EM-1 success and works hard to keep their hardware in the advanced amatuer price range and not go “all pro” with their prices.
I hope they go the cheap route. The system still needs a decent cheap fast prime. When every SLR system basically has a $100 fast fifty available, it is tough to swallow that the cheapest fast primes for m4/3 are around $400. For those just starting off in the system, its a pretty big added expense.
I hope it’s plastic bodied, relatively small and $300.
I agree, something at the same price and quality as a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX would be perfect.
The more $200ish and under lenses the better! Got to cater to all the ends of the market, not just the expensive high end.
In my opinion the pl 25 1.4 is absolutly overrated. Perhaps I own a bad copy but I find this lens less sharp than the 20 1.7 and for my taste is big and heavy I prefer so far the size wheight render and resolution of my 17 1.8 and 12 2.0 from oly so if the new oly is in the same league of the others oly primes probably I will sell it and say definitivly goodbay to PL. Two years ago I sold my pl 45 2.8 and change it for the oly 45 and dont regret at all.
i got the 20mm, it’s a nice lens but i prefer 50mm than 40mm..
SIGH…
I don’t get this system and Olympus.. So they’re going to make a 25mm lens, because obviously, Panasonic is making a selling a bunch of them. I guess they’re tired of seeing all their cameras on flickr and the like, sporting the Panasonic 20mm and 25mm lenses.
So lets make a cheaper one.
My guess it will be cheaply made, yet the savings won’t reach the consumer. And of course, many fanboys will toss quality to the side, just because it says “Olympus” on the lens.
This is fail on so many levels, it’s not even funny. Why not just make a lens and fill the gap?
I will laugh if this lens is priced around $500.00, which is my retail price guess.
Having no cheap fifty IS a gap, a glaring one if you ask me… The most popular prime for most systems, and m4/3 still doesn’t have one.
only makes sense if priced the same as the 45mm… be nice if Oly did the 17mm 25mm and 45mm all F1.8 and all priced at £300 each… that would work… sell the set for £800!
Allcaps: looks like you never owned a film SLR. The 50 mm FL (=25 mm in mft) has been an absolute standard for a very long time. SLR manufacturers each made an f1.4, 1.8, sometimes a 2.8 compact, all at the same FL. The reason for that still exists today… So we could choose. Why on earth should we be limited to one lens at each FL?
Well Obviously, you have no idea of what you’re talking about. I have a AE-1 program with a 50mm 1.8, that might as well be glued to the body, as I never take it off, unless I want to put it on my M43 camera for fun.
Another thing Shep, what’s the purpose of making another 25mm lens, if the price is around $100.00 less than the P/L 25mm? If Olympus won’t sell it at around $200/$250.00, then what’s the point? Because we all know they wont!
it will be $100.00 less than the P/L 25mm and the OlyFanboy won’t complain, they’ll buy a lesser product, because it says Olympus. It will be cheaply built, and not worth the price.
Just like the Oly17… fanboys would rather have a slightly faster lens and pay more than the 20mm… hahahaha!
I honestly wouldn’t buy it even if it was $200.00, so….
My friend after reading what you have wrote the only fanboy here is you.
Cheers
because Olympus-designed 25mm lens will fit Olympus camera better. Pancake is also easier to carry than the fake Leica 25mm lens.
You are insignificant to Olympus anyway.
Barring deep pocket, nobody gets into that hobby and starts right away to buy expensive lenses. Entry level 25mm extremely makes sense, even if its bound to be snubbed on forum talk backs.
recently break my bank and bought pana 25 1.4. Personaly dont need new lens but need more free time to go out and make some shots
i want 5mm start range can they do that such 5-10mm ,7-14mm still the same.
Admin…
Any news as to any specs on the new Oly camera… Cheifly needing Oly 5 axis IS with 50/60/30/25p video at any usable bitrate… as soon as that comes to market (don’t care weather its PEN/EM1/EM5, etc. format just waiting for usable video framerates and that IS to marry up!…
Cuz i’m happy with photo IQ being left at EM5 IQ… VF nice but not critical (to me). But oh it needs some video frame rate updates!
Don’t expect any video improvements from Olympus, they don’t care.
This new camera will basically be an EM5 with all of the EM1 software goodies, wi-fi, colour creator etc.
It has the same sensor as the EM5 which means no Phase detect autofocus.
There will not be any great new features.
Don’t forget 24p too, Olympus needs that too.
What on earth are you going to use 24p for? Only cinima uses that format (soon to be replaced with 48p)… and cinima only used that frame rate to save film stock! Why would anyone besides a wannabe use 24p? when broadcast on PAL or NTSC it becomes crap… when on a PC monitor set at 60hz it becomes not as good as 30p or 60p!
Why o Why do people want 24p???
This should be priced like the FF 50/1.8 lenses. About $200. Then they can make it a kit lens for the new, cheap M10. They’ll also sell a lot for people who have something like a PM2 and don’t want to shell out $500 for a lens on a $400 camera.
It may have it’s place, but I am disappointed that so many introductions are in the range between 14-50mm. Admittedly, that’s where most of the sales are, but for me, the system remains incomplete without a fast far wide angle prime (e.g. 10mm) and a fast telephoto (150mm, 300mm). A shift is missing, too.
+1.
But they will sell a 25/1.8 1000x more than a $2000+ 300/4 and still 50x more than an $900 10/2.8.
It’s about time Olympus gets a nifty fifty for their Pen/OMD line! Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Zuiko, Yashica, Contax, even Leica makes/made a slower and less expensive 50mm budget prime. No system is complete without one. I have the PL 25/1.4 but don’t carry it around so much because of its size. I will be buying this lens the first day it is offered. I think you can see just by the number of comments on this post that there IS and interest in this lens.
I seem to agree with my friends using NEX. M4\3 has lots of lenses, but probably 50% of them are great (20/1.7, 25/1.4, 45/1.8, 45/2.8, 75/1.8, 12-35/2.8, 35-100/2.8) the rest of them are needless (i.e 25/1.8) or plastic crap (i.e 12-40/2.8).
50% of all m43 lenses is still a large number. Plus, I’m doubtful that proportion is any different with NEX lenses (though it’s improving).
1.8/25 is not out yet, not tested and there is not even a prototype to be seen in the wild and yet you can tell us that its useless? Hardly compelling to anyone already having PL25, I can understand, but I cannot agree.
As for calling the 2.8/12-40 plastic crap, I won’t comment on a lens I never tried…
How is it that Olympus doesn’t already have HCB’s favorite focal length?
If it pairs with the EM10, I’d imagine that it will be weather sealed, a trend I’m hoping Olympus follows for all of its new glass.
I’d love to see this lens use the manual focus clutch, and hopefully, with more distance markings than previous releases.
And hopefully, no 12-40 style mount mysteries.
Here’s hoping Panasonic makes a 25mm 1.8 the size of the 20mm pancake.. for $299.00.
That would be awesome..
just buy the 20mm instead, what would be the reason to hope for a lumix 25mm in pancake?
Certainly.
Plus with the upcoming 15mm, Panasonic would have 30mm, 40mm and 50mm equivalents.
The whole point with the M4/3 system is that we’ve been lucky enough not to have too many lens duplications between P, O and the third-party lens producers, the plethora of 14-42mm and moderate zoom lenses notwithstanding, of course. In that regard, a Panasonic 25mm f1.8 would make even less sense.
But when there is a rumor about Olympus possibly introducing such a thing its reason for you to crap all over it. You really should consider changing your nick to mrfancrap, its much more accurate.
What is happening? After stupidly and infuriatingly not making a DSLR but a hybrid for a ridiculous price, what are now Oly trying to do? Beat Leica in IQ terms? LOL! The most ridiculous thing is that the 25mm Leica is not only the greatest product of m43b, it also has a very very decent price. So, what are Oly doing? Well, they simply … do not know. And not for the first time.
My friend you are obsesed with brands. Leica in only the name actually. But if you are enought stupid to pay 3 times the cost of a lens or a cam only for a name is just your problem not mine.
Cheers
Plus that it’s a lens designed by Sigma, built by Panasonic and Leica only contributed it’s name to this lens…
He just gets infuriated by the thought of something that doesn’t meet his immediate needs.
When did Leica design lens for M4/3?? Actually the PanaLeica lens isn’t even close to the best M4/3 lens. The best is Olympus 75mm 1.8f.
Another stupid Panny fanboy.
The reasons for making a 25/1.8 are obvious, valid, and have been listed in various posts here: oly want to sell their own standard focal, not somebody else’s, it’s missing in their line-up, it will be cheaper and lighter than the pl25, and (maybe this is a novel thought here) oly themselves will be able to make optimize AF speed on oly bodies.
Will it be as cheap as a nifty fifty? No, m43 sensors have high pixel density, the production numbers are not the same as for DSLRs, and fast CAF needs more expensive drive motors.
Will it suit everybody’s needs? Of course not. No reason to get upset.
I’m looking forward to this lens.
(but I’m hoping much more for a UW and super telephoto prime later)
Sebastian: best synopsis and comment of the entire thread. Admin: time to lock this thread and move on.
Before marketing a new lens shouldn’t Olympus sort out distribution problems with the last lens, the 12-40/2.8. Availability in Europe is virtually nil. Amazon UK, Spain, France, and Italy are not even listing it, whilst Amazon Germany have it on pre-order with no promised availability date. Meanwhile, Hong Kong eBayers have “bulk pack” supplies readily available.
What’s going on Olympus – this is how rumors start
I’d be very happy if it’s optically on par with Pana 25mm or 20mm and be smaller and lighter than Oly 17mm f1.8. I’ve been waiting for a good Oly 25mm lens since the 4/3 days!
Olympus lenses seem to be a mixed bag for price and quality, and the 25mm has to hit exactly the right spot to be a classic like the P-L 25mm.
Olympus’ other classic FL, the 17mm is expensive.and is less sharp than any of the Panasonic primes. If that is the model followed, people will stay away in droves.
But Olympus needs a kit lens that will make the new M10 attractive, so we might get something else with that in mind. Whether it will be a good purchase on its own remains to be seen.
I would like a 7.5mm rectilinear prime which is half of the the P-L 15mm FL, and would go well with the P-L 25mm and the Sigma 60.