SLRgear (Click here) posted the full Panasonic Leica Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2 lens review and writes:
All in all, the Panasonic 42.5mm ƒ/1.2 ASPH POWER OIS Leica DG NOCTICRON is a phenomenal lens; one of the best we’ve ever tested. It’s definitely not your everyday pocket prime (the $1,600 price tag can attest to that) but I can definitely see this being the go-to lens for wedding, portrait and studio shooters, as well as concert photographers who need a fast-focusing, artistic lens with excellent bokeh and low-light capabilities all while producing stunningly sharp photos.
You can also see more image samples at Photographyblog and at at Sulanto Blog.
In USA the lens can be preordered at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). In UK at Wexphotographic (Click here)
62 Responses
They have a much different take on the light falloff than what we read earlier. Looks promising.
Most (if not all) superwide lenses exhibit vignetting when wide open….I know that if you are spending a whopping $1600 on a lens you expect that not to be the case…but unfortunately…it is. 🙁
Indeed that is the case. However, I was reffering to SLRgear noting a .75 ev vignette vs 2.22 ev from lenstip. Huge difference. Maybe I’ve overlooked something?
prob all extreme fast lenses vignet like this, Did you never shot with the Canon 85L f/1.2? Wonderful lens.
Phenomenally expensive
LOL! 😀
+++…hope in drops in price in about a year or so…I have spent that on FF lenses…but I just cannot justify that amount of money for an MFT lens.
I’m not sure why it’s OK to spend more on a FF lens and not a mFT lens. Seems to me the quality of the results dictates how much the lens is worth, not how many ounces of glass and metal are in it. The smaller size of the mFT lens is just icing on the cake, ofter smaller (and therefore more precise) costs more.
@Willy
+1 unfortunately people seem to think they are buying fruit, not lenses.
FF lenses can be adapted to other systems, making it more valuable.
Look…I love my MFT Kit..don’t get me wrong…I spent $2000 on a Canon 85mm f/1.2…to use for Low DOF images…ok…..The lens is twice the size of the Nocti…it has the electrical intact acts etched into the glass (impressive design)…the DOF is way lower than the Nocti…and when I make a capture on my 5dIII….let’s face it…the file blows away my MFT files…If the Nocti lens comes down to maybe $1200 I think it mask sense for this micro system..not $1600.
…and I will bet ya, NEITHER Sherman or Willy are laying out the $1600 for the lens?!?! 🙂
That should have been electrical contacts etched into the glass…damn spell check on my iPad!!!!! LOL!
I would rather say if you want to spent 2000 for the 85L (which is indeed awesome as i have used it myself) then its obvious you would not mind spending 1600 for this Nocticron, unless you see the MFT as a system not worthy to pay a premium price for a premium lens.It’s a bit unfair to say the Canon blows away the Nocticron, which you prob base on its DOF rendering.Because it would also be unfair to say that my 4×5 Kodak Aero Ektar would blow away the Canon just based on the DOF.
I did not say that the Canon 85l blows away the Nocticron….that is certainly unknown and difficult to compare…what I did say was that the “file captures from my FF camera blow away the file captures from my MFT camera…by their shear size and DR.
Be interesting to see how many early adopters buy at that price.
The Olympus 45mm 1.8 is an amazing and light weight lens. I just can’t see myself doing that much better with that extra stop.
Especially as the camera bodies are getting better every year regarding low light sensitivity. The Panasonic/Leica 25mm 1.4 is a great lens — highly recommend it even with the new Olympus lens coming but at least that’s in the $500 range. I don’t understand why this lens should be any more expensive than say the Olympus 75mm 1.8 which is an awesome lens.
yes …build qualify of 25mm f 1.4 is enough
I agree with everything…two reasons I think that the Nocti is more expensive than the Olympus 75mm(great lens!)…The Oly has 10 elements…the Nocti has 13 elements…and then Panasonic has to pay a premium for the Leica name…..so that is why I think it costs so much more…I expect the DOF to be considerably shallower on the Nocti than the Oly 45 f/1.8…
Would love to see a shoot out of the Nocti, the Oly 45mm and the Voigtlander 45mm f/.95….has anyone seen a posting like that anywhere?
> I expect the DOF to be considerably shallower on the Nocti than the Oly 45 f/1.8…
43mm at f1.2 distance 3 meters: DOF = 0.17 meter
45mm at f1.8 distance 3 meters: DOF = 0.23 meter
$1300 for 6 centimeters of DOF? I admire Noctiron quality, but thanks, no!
Sorry, but you’re just confusing DOF with background blurring:
Let me show you the difference in background blurring of these 2 lenses:
http://howmuchblur.com/#compare-2x-45mm-f1.8-and-2x-42mm-f1.2-on-a-3m-wide-subject
Nice url, thanks!
Yes, blurring will be different, but not so much, check samples on lentip.com:
http://pliki.optyczne.pl/pan42/epl1/pan42_foto23.JPG
http://pliki.optyczne.pl/oly45/oly45_fot05.jpg
Gino, I dont think we can expect on any format to get a spectacular difference in just about one stop.The difference depends also on the “defects” in optics which can give very nice effects at native aperture value.If you know how to make use of it in a photo setting, then the Nocticron will shine I am sure. I suggest not to look to much at dof tables just for the sake of shallow dof(it is more needed to see what will be within dof range when needed).
+1
Yeh…we are not really comparing Apples to apples….the 75mm focal length is just a whole different place than a 42.5 lens.
Leica quality control will also demand every lens is checked before it goes out and this greatly effects the cost. Normally only a couple of lenses are checked from a batch. This is what use to push up the cost of the Minolta built Leica lenses compared to the same lens with the Minolta brand name on it.
As far as a shootout between the 42.5mm lenses and the 45mm, it’s a great idea. It won’t come from SLRGear, since they seem loathe to test ANY of the native M4/3 Voigtländers. I looked and couldn’t find any.
This is an interesting review.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Leica_DG_Nocticron_42-5mm_f1-2_H-NS043E/
My guess is this lens, after all the testing is done, will be THE best in the m43 line-up. That being said, for my needs, it’s just too expensive. 99% of the shooting I do will not benefit by having this lens vs my Oly 45. Not to mention 1/5 of the price and 1/5 of the size even!
I know there is A LOT more to a lens than an f-stop number, but for the vast majority of people’s needs 2/3 of a stop is really not that much. Soon enough it will mean even less, as the sensors continue to improve.
Cameralabs compared both , the Leica is much sharper at all apertures!
I like the word , SLR branded it .
A phenomenal lens .
Another formidable combination with my GX7 looks on the card .
We need a 50% discount on the price tag, it is way over priced
Nice lens, shame about the price. I’ll pass but be envious of anyone who buys one!
yeah give us even more options for more shallower dof including autofocus beside the voigtländer (only manual focusing) lenses 0,95 …
And 2.4 or 1.9 dov in terms of ff/35mm equiv……should be more than enough for us m4/3 users
stop moaning about the price
lens cost money if you dont like that then sad one
if there is some thing out there better and cheaper then go and buy it
it would be nice if you could get them for free but you cant
i would pay a lot more then that for a good MFT supertelephoto but thats just me
Trusted Olympus rep told me that a 300mm f4.0 is on is way end 2014 early 2015… I will buy that 42.5 at 1600 $ i don’t care !
i hope your right but ´i am not holding my breath
end of this year announcement means 2017 in shops
+1
As time goes by, the lower my GAS 🙂
The price is too high for my use: I sometimes use MZuiko45mm for portraits and also for street photography and the more I think about it the more I realize that I don’t need this lens.
Its performance looks great, but I prefer to borrow a Hassie from a friend if I need to shoot in a studio.
I think you and I are on the same boat, lol. I do not use the 45mm as much as I would like, but when I do I get awesome results. The more I think about it, considering how much it costed me, I think that is my best lens (I own the 14/2.5, the 17/1.8, and the 25/1.4 also).
If the optical quality of their new 25/1.8 will be as good as the 45mm’s I might consider selling the PanaLeica and get one for the size/weight alone!
How do you like the 17mm/1.8? Usually it’s reviewed as less sharp than the 20mm/1.7, for example?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcosartoriphoto/10522485794/sizes/o/in/photostream/
17mm f1.8 had earlier bad reviews and then the latter, more positive, could not “erase” its bad judgement.
It’s a good lens, the only downside is its price, maybe, but I love it.
To be quite honest, I have never used the 20/1.7 from Panasonic. However, I can tell you that my experience with it has been great so far. It is sharp enough for my needs, plus (for me at least) the snap focus feature has been fun (I practiced a lot zone focusing with it, it just works). The autofocus on it is blazing fast as well (I think it is the fastest one I have seen on my EM-5).
This is a sample pic of mine:
http://500px.com/photo/53309048
I plan to use it even more this year as one of my resolutions is to master another focal length (I use 25mm a lot) and practice zone focusing.
I dont see is as which lens is better than the other, for me they are both equally good (telling from the photos I see from the Panny over the Internet), I think it all boils down to how well you know your tools and how you use them. I have some great snaps from the old 17/2.8 (in my opinion, of course) and that lens have garbage reviews…here are a sample pics from the OLD 17/2.8 (very old, when I was still learning so dont me too hard on me, lol):
http://500px.com/photo/49144778
http://500px.com/photo/49151920
http://500px.com/photo/49149184
Best regards.
To be quite honest, I have never used the 20/1.7 from Panasonic. However, I can tell you that my experience with it has been great so far. It is sharp enough for my needs, plus (for me at least) the snap focus feature has been fun (I practiced a lot zone focusing with it, it just works). The auto-focus on it is very fast as well (I think it is the fastest one I have seen on my EM-5).
This is a sample pic of mine:
http://500px.com/photo/53309048
I plan to use it even more this year as one of my resolutions is to master another focal length (I use 25mm a lot) and practice zone focusing.
I don’t see is as which lens is better than the other, for me they are both equally good (telling from the photos I see from the Panny over the Internet), I think it all boils down to how well you know your tools and how you use them. I have some great snaps from the old 17/2.8 (in my opinion, of course) and that lens have bad reviews…here are a sample pics from the OLD 17/2.8 (very old and when I was still learning so don’t me too hard on me):
http://500px.com/photo/49144778
http://500px.com/photo/49151920
http://500px.com/photo/49149184
Best regards.
I replied, sorry it has not shown but for some reason my comment needs moderation. Maybe cause I posted links and/or it was more than three sentences?
Very nice shot!
It seems that that most people who actually own and use the 17mm 1.8 love it. I certainly do.
Those who bash or leave it out of their list of ‘good lenses’ often mention the fact that they do not own it. They spend more time reading reviews than creating photographs.
It easily competes with the X100 lens for sharpness and detail, and the autofocus is blazing fast. The rendering looks very similar to other m.zuiko lenses like the 45mm 1.8
Hopefully the new 25mm 1.8 delivers the same look at a good price!
Yeah, the 17 1.8 gets a bad rap. I find myself leaving the PL25 at home, especially with the smaller m43 bodies. The size and performance is excellent, and that snap to manual focus is awesome. I wish they would make this a feature on all their lenses. But, all of these companies always hold back signature features thinking it will force people to move to the high end. I think a smart and bold move would be to include snap to manual focus in all of their lenses, no matter what level, with maybe the exception of the basic kit zoom. Not to mention 5-axis is in every camera body. Let the build quality and other specs sell themselves beyond that.
I own the 17/1.8, 20/1.7 and 25/1.4.
The 17/1.8 has wonderful rendering but will not win any sharpness contests. The 20/1.7 has even better rendering and is razor sharp. A must have on micro four thirds especially due to its tiny size.
The 17/1.8 is a joke at $500. I paid $600 for my full frame Zeiss 35/2.8 which wipes the floor with all the above mentioned lenses and is as small as the 17/1.8.
It’s way too expensive. Fine if it it’s gives you $1500 of performance, but actually you are paying like $500 for the Leica name. This is jewellery. The bokeh is not that good. Cats eyes all around the frame instead of round light circles. It’s design too compromised by size consideration.
With all the nitpicking that goes on in these forums, I’m so surprised that very few people are complaining about the catseye bokeh, and I haven’t seen it mentioned in any review either. Due to that fact alone, I would never buy this lens.
The funny thing is that once you stop down to f1.8 the catseye goes away and you get the nice desirable circular highlights. But I’m pretty sure we’re all aware of a certain 45mm f1.8 that costs a whole boatload less, has lovely circular highlights, and fits in a shirt pocket….
Admin just sold me to Fuji, so I can skip this lens now and go with the way cheaper Fuji alternative. Thanks!
Why the griping about the price?
A lens of comparable quality, the Canon 85mm ƒ/1.2L II which has equivalent field of view and the same light gathering ability, sells for $2200 and weighs 2.3 pounds. And it isn’t stabilized.
Calling this lens called “phenomenally expensive” demonstrates a lack of perspective.
yes, yours 😀
This is a special case lens, similar to the manual focus voigtlanders, etc. it is not a lens that needs to sell in large quantities.
Instead of complaining about the price of this lens, shouldn’t we all just be happy that there are two prime lens options in this focal length, one budget and one premium? (three if you count the 45mm macro)
It could be worse, like the Nikon 1 system which charges $999 for a protrait prime, or Fuji who charge either $600 for a portrait length macro or $999 for the portrait prime.
Bunch of whingers.
+1
Four lenses. Two premium, one moderate, one budget.
Don’t forget the PL45mm macro or the Voigtländer 42.5mm.
Anyone knows the shipping date?
Here’s a group for those who are on Flickr and can add their images taken with the Panasonic Nocticron…. I WANT THIS LENS!!!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/2226647@N25/
Suck on that Full Frame! It constantly annoys me how forum measurebators think sensor size is the only measure of IQ, which is total BS – optical quality matters at least as much, and here 4/3rds wins, especially relative to size and weight You need to stop down all those bright FF lenses before you get decent performance, but 4/3rds lenses work well wide open – voila!, sensor size ‘advantage’ gone.
Those are some phenomenal curves… My first reaction was there must be some mistake. Too bad it’s outside my budget/usage; it should bring people some bragging rights.
Check out Cameralabs.com, the new Leica performs much better than the Oly 45mm/1.8; they provide a nice comparison!
Phenomenal lens indeed! Panasonic did a great job on this lens. One more gem to the m4/3 system which makes it more attractive than ever.
Everybody talks about how phenomenal this lens is.
As an ex-4/3 user, all of this is a gigantic deja vu. A few years back everybody talked about how phenomenal the Olympus f/2.0 zoom lenses were. And yet, because they were very heavy and very expensive and only covered the small 4/3 sensor, the whole DSLR line was a gigantic flop and if it wasn’t for small m4/3 cameras Olympus wouldn’t even be in the photography business anymore.
Olympus has now realized that having a smaller sensor you need to drive home other advantages of the system – mainly size. I hope they keep up their super small f/1.8 prime lens lineup and don’t resort to producing prime lenses weighing half a kilogram just because
Hm… for me it is so convenient to have a small camera with a fast small prime that fits into my jacket’s pocket. But I like the fact, that there are also big and heavy lenses available like the upcoming 40-150 to do a different style of shooting.
A few years back the sensors weren’t that good, though the lenses were. But now the 4/3 sensors are good enough in 99% of cases and they keep improving. So I am very happy with the system.
I could have archived the same if I bought a dslr and a small second cam with a fixed lens like the Sony RX1. But that would have cost 5 times as much.