Notice: Undefined variable: splityear in /var/www/vhosts/fredmiranda.com/httpdocs/forum/viewtopic.php on line 99
Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread - Leica & Alternative Gear - Photography - FM Forums

fredmiranda.com

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1 2 3 4

6 … 254 255 end

Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

AdaptedLenses
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.5 #1 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

@Wilbus Thanks!

I have the PL 15mm. I'm thinking about the Oly 25/1.8 or PL 25/1.4. Any other recommendations? Don't care for zooms much, so primes are more interesting. Maybe one of the 45's or 17's? I like the PL 15mm but could try others around that too.

Sep 02, 2017 at 01:53 PM

Wilbus
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #2 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Depends on your budget really!

I LOVE my PL 25/1.4. I would only trade it for the Olympus 25/1.2 (which I am thinking about) but don't think the Oly has got quite the same rendering as the PL.

Also, the Oly 75/1.8 is amongst the highest regarded lenses on the market but some find it to be of an odd range with a field of view similar to 150mm on 36x24mm sensor.

If you have the 15, which is also a lens I am thinking about, I wouldn't bother with any of the 17mm's. The Oly 45 F1.8 is great, sharp and well controlled and cheap for what you get. The Panasonic 42,5m/1.7 is also very good according to tests although quite as much bang for the buck as the Olympus.

If you are looking at the creme de la creme it's without a doubt the PL 42,5/1.2 and the Olympus 25/1.2.

I haven't heard a single negative thing about the PL 42,5/1.2 part from it not being weather sealed, this is also the reason I have waited (and I have the Oly 45/1.8).

Olympus will release a 45/1.2 in the coming year most likely (guessing 2018) and I am quite sure it will be in their PRO range of lenses which means weather sealed so it might be worth waiting for it. My guess is it will be, like all other Olympus lenses, very sharp and well controlled with a more neutral rendering compared to the PL 42,5/1.2. The rendering of the PL lenses is what makes them great IMO so it might still be a tough choice.

According to fairly certain rumors Olympus will also release three new high end primes all with an F1.2 aperture. 12mm, 17mm and 45mm as well as one unknown zoom.

So if you care to wait, I'd wait and see. Otherwise I'd go for the PL 42,5/1.2 if funds allow or the Oly 75/1.8 if funds allow and that range might be good for you.

As for wide angles, there is still no real wide wide angle prime, the widest being 12mm. You can also find 10,5mm from Voigtlander (manual focus only) with a large aperture of 0,95. Other then that it's the Olympus 8/1.8 Fisheye but that's a different lens together.

As far as all the Panasonic Leica lenses, you really can't go wrong with either of them if the field of view suits you.

Sep 02, 2017 at 02:26 PM

AdaptedLenses
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.5 #3 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Well I was on the fence, so guess I'll pick up that PL 25... Gee, THANKS!!!

I'd think about a 45, but I don't use that FL too often, same of a 75, excellent though it might be.

I think the f/1.2 are more than I'd put into this system, and I don't really need ultra thin DoF, and have an A7II for when I do. As often as not I'll stop down a little for sharpness and a little shape to the background anyway so the PL lenses wide open or 1 stop down work pretty well for how I shoot.

Thanks again.

Sep 02, 2017 at 02:36 PM

Wilbus
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #4 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Sounds like a great plan, pleasure to help

My PL 25 is excellent from wide open and stopped down it gets even better. I often shoot it wide open just for the pure fun of it. No need to think about stopping it down due to sharpness, only if one wants more depth of field. I think you will love it, it's also lighter then the 1.2 version.

Sep 02, 2017 at 03:17 PM

Kater1807
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #5 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

"V"

MikeReif 2017

Sep 03, 2017 at 04:22 AM

bobbytan
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #6 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

You will never really get ultra-thin DOF - that's the beauty/advantage of m43. f1.2 DOF is very useable as it's really equivalent to f2 DOF in FF terms. With the Canon 85/1.2 lens that I had, I never shot at f1.2 simply because (a) the DOF is way too thin, and (b) I could not get it to focus accurately. Don't have such problems with f1.2 in m43. I almost always shoot at f1.2 with my Nocticron.

Mathieu18 wrote:
Well I was on the fence, so guess I'll pick up that PL 25... Gee, THANKS!!!

I'd think about a 45, but I don't use that FL too often, same of a 75, excellent though it might be.

I think the f/1.2 are more than I'd put into this system, and I don't really need ultra thin DoF, and have an A7II for when I do. As often as not I'll stop down a little for sharpness and a little shape to the background anyway so the PL lenses wide open or 1 stop down work pretty well for how I...Show more →

Sep 03, 2017 at 08:02 AM

k-h.a.w
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #7 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

F/2 or f/2.4?

Sep 03, 2017 at 08:18 AM

bobbytan
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #8 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Whatever .... 2 stops more DOF than FF.

k-h.a.w wrote:
F/2 or f/2.4?

Sep 03, 2017 at 08:26 AM

AdaptedLenses
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.5 #9 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Agreed, but point being I'm not going to shell out for f/1.2 lenses in M4/3 world. I have an A7II and some nice glass, plus a Techart Pro. If I want thin DoF the Nikon Ai-S 50/1.2 on the TAP is pretty stellar. M4/3 is more about fun and convenience to me.

bobbytan wrote:
You will never really get ultra-thin DOF - that's the beauty/advantage of m43. f1.2 DOF is very useable as it's really equivalent to f2 DOF in FF terms. With the Canon 85/1.2 lens that I had, I never shot at f1.2 simply because (a) the DOF is way too thin, and (b) I could not get it to focus accurately. Don't have such problems with f1.2 in m43. I almost always shoot at f1.2 with my Nocticron.

Sep 03, 2017 at 10:50 AM

millsart
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #10 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Biggest difference I found between the 25/1.2 and the 25/1.4 wasn't so much rendering, as both are very nice, or even DoF, though the 25/1.2 does have a smoother 'bokeh' quality, which may or may not be to ones taste, its smooth and neutral for lack of better term. Biggest difference was really AF speed

On the EM1.2, the 25/1.2 focuses instantly and silently, the 25/1.4 is slower, and makes some noise. Setting flicker reduction to "off" greatly reduces the "rattlesnake" effect though.

The 25/1.4 is an old lens, its not known for its speed. Its a lovely imaging tool though, has a great size, an annoying hood you can't reverse, and a far cheaper price tag, especially second hand.

The 25/12 is optically as good as it gets, fast and silent to focus, super well made, and also comes with a fair size/weight/cost premium.

I couldn't pick one favorite so ended up keeping them both, as I used them for different shooting needs, and on different cameras. I liked the 25/1.2 on my EM1.2 and the 25/1.4 on the GX8, though the 25/1.4 also worked fine on the EM1.2. On the GX8 the 25/1.2 felt too big and heavy.

If you really like the 25mm focal length, the 25/1.2 is a great lens. If your just an occasional 25mm shooter, then you'll probably find its too much cost for limited use, and the trade-offs of weight/size. Perhaps invest into a different focal length that will get more use, like the 17/1.2 if your more of a 35mm equiv. shooter.

Certainly no shortage of options these days for MFT on the basis of size/weight, focal lengths, speed, budget, you name it.

Sep 03, 2017 at 11:07 AM

millsart
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #11 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

You can shoot at lower shutter speeds and/or lower ISO, and paired with the amazing IBIS, and AF ability it opens up quite a world of shooting.

Sure your Nikon 50/1.2 on the FF can get shallower DoF (if that is important to you) but how "fun" is it to shoot ?

I'd rather give up a little DoF (I'm honestly not a fan of ultra shallow DoF anyways, because to me it all too often looks like the subject is standing in front of a green screen) and have the ability to handhold my camera, in low light, touch the screen to focus on my subject's eye, and still get a crisp, in focus shoot, at ISO400 and a shutter speed of 1 second.

Again, I'm not a shallow DoF junkie, but I certainly found fast glass on m43 really expanding the shooting envelope of the system, and to me, that brings the fun and enjoyment of the hobby.

I've owned Nikon DSLR's, A7Rii, you name it, fastest and most expensive lenses made, and while some of them were truly exceptional, like the Nikon 105mm f1.4, they weren't that fun, because the operating range was fairly limited. Focusing the 105/1.4 was tricky as I missed a ton of shots with any slight movement, not to mention needing to keep the shutter speed surprisingly high due to no IBIS.

Sure I could produce an image of just an eyeball in focus, so its was a good tool, but it never really felt "fun" as you really had to work at getting the best results. Nothing wrong with working hard mind you, but with m43, the fun, to me, comes from being able to near effortlessly produce results that would of been far more challenging with other systems, if not impossible.

Sep 03, 2017 at 11:17 AM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #12 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Lumix GX8, 12-35mm lens

Sep 03, 2017 at 11:54 AM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #13 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Lumix GX8, 12-35mm lens

Sep 03, 2017 at 11:56 AM

bobbytan
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #14 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Yes, the f1.2 lenses are expensive but, to me, they are the most fun m43 lenses to use. The DOF at f1.2 is just right for selective focusing work; the lens and AF speed is amazing; and you get the best bokeh and backround blur with these lenses. Sure, if m43 is not your sole/only system these lenses may not be a good or practical investment for you and I can perfectly understand that.

Mathieu18 wrote:
Agreed, but point being I'm not going to shell out for f/1.2 lenses in M4/3 world. I have an A7II and some nice glass, plus a Techart Pro. If I want thin DoF the Nikon Ai-S 50/1.2 on the TAP is pretty stellar. M4/3 is more about fun and convenience to me.

Sep 03, 2017 at 12:18 PM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #15 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Lumix GX8, 12-35mm lens

Sep 03, 2017 at 02:05 PM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #16 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Lumix GX8, 60mm macro lens

Sep 03, 2017 at 02:06 PM

Wilbus
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #17 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Mathieu18 wrote:
Agreed, but point being I'm not going to shell out for f/1.2 lenses in M4/3 world. I have an A7II and some nice glass, plus a Techart Pro. If I want thin DoF the Nikon Ai-S 50/1.2 on the TAP is pretty stellar. M4/3 is more about fun and convenience to me.

Not saying you should go with F1.2 lenses on m43, I totally understand if you have another system as well BUT the Nikon Ai-S 50mm F1.2 can't be compared to any of the F1.2 m43 offerings. (I have the Nikon 50mm F1.2 Ai-s).

The Nikon is Good at F2 and great beyond that. At F1.2 it's dreamy and characteristic, which is really just a friendly way of saying it's down right optically poor

Now I use it at F1.2 and it can give good results, even in sharpness OK but it really lacks everything in terms of quality at F1.2. Usually not sharp, often depending on distance to subject. Low contrast, dreamy and hazy in highlight areas, lots of CA. Basically every optical flaw a lens can have. Though it does have gorgeous bokeh

The m43 offerings are great from F1.2 and very well corrected for most optical things, not only sharpness.

Sep 04, 2017 at 05:11 AM

Wilbus
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #18 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

@pr4photos Great set! Like the first one especially!

Nikon 50mm Ai-s F1.2 @ F1.2 on an E-M1

Sharpened quite a bit in Capture One Pro

First one slightly cropped and second one is a 100% crop of the sharpest place in the photo, meaning that that is actually the focus point. I missed the eye slightly but there really is no real sharpness anywhere anyway, not even at the sharpest place of the fur in the ear.

Still I enjoy the lens but would gladly change it for the PL 42,5 F1.2 or I am quite sure, the new Olympus 45 F1.2.

Sep 04, 2017 at 06:02 AM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #19 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Thanks @Wilbus

Sep 04, 2017 at 06:49 AM

pr4photos
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.5 #20 · Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

Lumix GX8, 7-14mm lens

Sep 04, 2017 at 06:50 AM

1 2 3 4 5 6 … 254 255 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 254 255 end

Micro Four-Thirds Image Thread

You are not logged in. Login or Register