jrethorst Posted December 10, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since Leica introduced the Digilux 3, they have released maybe three 4/3 lenses in addition to the kit lens. But the 45mm f2 macro, originally slated to be released as 4/3, was just released as micro 4/3. I looked around the 4/3 sites, but did not see whether Leica plans to re-release its 4/3 lenses like the 25mm 1.4 and 14-150 zoom in micro 4/3 mount. I would not want to use adaptors if I went with micro 4/3, and I've heard very good things about the 25mm and 14-150. Has anyone heard about re-releases? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 10, 2009 Posted December 10, 2009 Hi jrethorst, Take a look here 4/3 and micro 4/3 Leica lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
laptoprob Posted December 10, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2009 Has anyone heard about re-releases? No. Only the 45 macro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted December 10, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2009 Since Leica introduced the Digilux 3, they have released maybe three 4/3 lenses in addition to the kit lens. But the 45mm f2 macro, originally slated to be released as 4/3, was just released as micro 4/3. Except that it's f/2.8 and not f/2. I looked around the 4/3 sites, but did not see whether Leica plans to re-release its 4/3 lenses like the 25mm 1.4 and 14-150 zoom in micro 4/3 mount. I would not want to use adaptors if I went with micro 4/3, and I've heard very good things about the 25mm and 14-150. Has anyone heard about re-releases? I don't have an answer to this. Just wanted to note that it's not Leica making the decisions. These are Panasonic lenses where Panasonic is allowed to use the Leica brand because the lenses meet certain quality standards set by Leica. So, whether there'll be other "Leica" lenses for MicroFourThirds depends on Panasonic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted December 11, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 11, 2009 Would be nice, I find the micro 4:3 format very interesting, particularly interested to see the next generation of viewfinders. Aside from that, Oly and pansonic have released some rather good lenses already. seeing the size of the 25 1.7 pancake (which did not overwhelm the reviews so far) compared to the 25 1.4 leica lens... it is a huge difference. Personally I use the E3 professionally and figure there will probably continue to be a fullsize E camera for a while yet.. so sticking to my old lenses. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrethorst Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted December 11, 2009 Except that it's f/2.8 and not f/2. Aha. Right you are. The original product announcement (see illustration) was for a 2.0. The very interesting Lumix 20mm 1.7 m4/3 lens suggests that larger apertures aren't more difficult for m4/3 than for 4/3. I wonder why they did that, and whether this portends a change in the highly-reviewed 4/3 25mm Summilux, if that's re-released. I don't have an answer to this. Just wanted to note that it's not Leica making the decisions. These are Panasonic lenses where Panasonic is allowed to use the Leica brand because the lenses meet certain quality standards set by Leica. So, whether there'll be other "Leica" lenses for MicroFourThirds depends on Panasonic. I don't know myself, but the substantial amount of discussion on several forums suggests that although the Leica-branded lenses on the smaller Lumix P&S cameras may be Lumix design to Leica standards, the Digilux 2 lens is a Leica design, and that has something to do with the exceptional IQ and Leica signature of its photos. That's a 2004 design in any case, and things may have changed. A lot of people like that 4/3 Summilux for its IQ, though this point: seeing the size of the 25 1.7 pancake (which did not overwhelm the reviews so far) compared to the 25 1.4 leica lens... it is a huge difference is well-taken. The reviews by dpReview and PhotoReview of the 1.7 are good though. I understand the Oly EP2 has a nice, high-res viewfinder, plus in-body OIS, in a small, rangefinder-like package. I hope to see several lenses by Leica (or at least with the Leica image signature, or 'look' to them) for m4/3. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/106270-43-and-micro-43-leica-lenses/?do=findComment&comment=1147724'>More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted December 11, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 11, 2009 the Digilux 2 lens is a Leica design, and that has something to do with the exceptional IQ and Leica signature of its photos Yes, I've heard and read several times that Leica reps said the Digilux 2 as well as its lens were basically designed in Solms. It seems that was an exception, though. I think everything else from Panasonic with the "Leica" badge is designed in Japan, maybe with a little help from Solms. But don't take my word for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrethorst Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted December 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just saw on the Olympus site that their 4/3 -- m4/3 adaptor supports full functionality, including autofocus. I hadn't known that. So I'm thinking of the Oly E-P2, with a very high resolution electronic viewfinder, plus the Leicasonic 14-150 (28-300 equiv.) zoom, and either the Oly 20mm 1.7 or Leicasonic 25mm 1.4 as a prime. Think I'll wait and see what other Leica lenses are released for m4/3 first. The lenses I like plus a small Oly SLR, like the E-620, would work too. Optical viewfinders are nice, to be sure. IMO the SLR design is over, though: too big, heavy, noisy, clunky. That Oly E-P2 sure looks nice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrethorst Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted December 14, 2009 either the Oly 20mm 1.7 or Leicasonic 25mm 1.4 as a prime. Oops. That's a Lumix 20mm 1.7. Oly's prime is a 17mm 2.8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted December 14, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 14, 2009 I just saw on the Olympus site that their 4/3 -- m4/3 adaptor supports full functionality, including autofocus. I hadn't known that. For all FourThirds lenses and all MicroFourThirds cameras? I'm asking because there's a compatibility list on Panasonic's website and I seem to recall that some lenses won't have autofocus, at least not on the G1/GH1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrethorst Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted December 15, 2009 For all FourThirds lenses and all MicroFourThirds cameras? I'm asking because there's a compatibility list on Panasonic's website and I seem to recall that some lenses won't have autofocus, at least not on the G1/GH1. You're correct. I see that Panasonic bodies won't have autofocus. The Oly e-p2 will, but it will be slow, not a good thing for autofocus to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted December 15, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 15, 2009 You're correct. I see that Panasonic bodies won't have autofocus. The Oly e-p2 will, but it will be slow, not a good thing for autofocus to be. If you look at the Olympus website and there at the FourThirds adapter MMF-1 it says that AF shooting using Live View is only possible with lenses featuring contrast AF compatibility. This article seems to imply that there are only seven FourThirds lenses offering this feature. I'd check twice before buying an expensive lens to attach to a camera it wasn't designed for... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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