Leica lenses and the GH1

[digi2ap]

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Having recently bought a Panasonic GH1, I'm interested in hearing the views of those who use Leica lenses with micro four thirds cameras. I already have a Digilux 2 so, with the D2 28-90 lens, it makes sense to me to consider Leica prime lenses for the GH1. From your experience, which lens would you advise I consider or would you instead advise that I select from those lenses (Panasonic/Leica) specifically designed for micro four thirds?

 

Thanks in advance.

[digi2ap]

I've re-phrased this discussion to be about Leica lenses and micro four thirds - hopefully a bit more appealing. Surely someone has tried a combination or two?

[Digitom]

Interesting review is also on youtube:

 

And if I did, I would use the Electronic viewfinder. Sure the camera/lens combi is a good "Budget" solution, and the lenses can be used later, because sure one will come to M8 or 9 one day...

[Bo_Lorentzen]

I have just been playing with the new 35lux on my girlfriends GH2, it is kind of fun, but there is nothing awesome about it, it is a manual lens used on a EFV camera, it is very hard to focus and disorienting to use enlarged center focus while trying to compose a image. Some of my impressions and a DOF animation from the lens can be found on by blog at BoPhoto.com: GH2 with leica 35LUX v2 - Isolating the subject

 

The other thing is that the G1 have about 1/4 the real estate of the full frame m9, so the pixel density would equal a 40megapix m9 (maybe m10), it is safe to say the m43 kit lenses are quite good and render probably as sharply as leica lenses on that sensor, the only real advantage would be shallow dof and the "look" of how the lens render.

 

If you have a hankering for M primes, you may want to take a long hard look at a well used M8 first.

 

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[digi2ap]

Thanks both for your views. Bo, I do think you've simplified the situation for me and I will likely go for the Panasonic/Leica 20mm 1.7 lens as a first foray.

[pico]

The Panasonic G1 is my only digital still camera, and I've used Leica M lenses on it, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm Summilux. Of course they are long for the small format so that only the center of the M lens are used, and the output is as good as it can get. Manual focusing with magnification turned on is tricky.

 

I am working now with a Nokton 25mm F 0/.95 lens, which is manual, of course, and it is a challenge to focus it. The 20mm lens is a good idea. Good luck, and enjoy!

[coup de foudre]

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Thanks both for your views. Bo, I do think you've simplified the situation for me and I will likely go for the Panasonic/Leica 20mm 1.7 lens as a first foray.

 

i think that's a really good decision!

 

my boyfriend has an E-P1 and was always stealing my Leica lenses (set here).

 

ever since i bought him the 20/1.7, he hasn't asked me once!

 

that lens is really sweet and i am more and more impressed with it all the time, especially in indoor low-light situations (dinner parties, etc.). AF is speedy and there isn't the close-focusing limit you have with the M lenses... now he sometimes gets shot that i can't with my M

[shard]

Thanks both for your views. Bo, I do think you've simplified the situation for me and I will likely go for the Panasonic/Leica 20mm 1.7 lens as a first foray.

 

I think you mean the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7? It does not have Leica anywhere on it.

 

Now a really good lens for m43 is the Panasonic/Leica 25mm (effectively 50mm) f/1.4 Summilux. You will need the Panasonic 43 to M43 adapter and the lens is quite a monster in size. BUT you do get an autofocus Summilux for about 1K and yes autofocus works with the adapter.

 

If you are into manual focus lenses, the Voightlander 25mm f/0.95 with native m43 lens should be considered.

 

For me, because of the crop factor or X2, anything more than 75mm gets a little hard to focus with manual focus assist, every little movement jerks it all over the place and gives me a headache. Also note that the 21mm and 24mm Summilux will not work with M43 adapters, at least according to Panasonic and Leica.

[digi2ap]

Now a really good lens for m43 is the Panasonic/Leica 25mm (effectively 50mm) f/1.4 Summilux. You will need the Panasonic 43 to M43 adapter and the lens is quite a monster in size. BUT you do get an autofocus Summilux for about 1K and yes autofocus works with the adapter.

 

.....Thanks and your comment made me remember that I'd seen this rumor suggesting a new version of the lens as a micro four thirds pancake. It's not long to wait and see. In the meantime any more views of using the GH1/micro four thirds camera with Leica lenses would be welcome.

[shard]

Now a really good lens for m43 is the Panasonic/Leica 25mm (effectively 50mm) f/1.4 Summilux. You will need the Panasonic 43 to M43 adapter and the lens is quite a monster in size. BUT you do get an autofocus Summilux for about 1K and yes autofocus works with the adapter.

 

.....Thanks and your comment made me remember that I'd seen this rumor suggesting a new version of the lens as a micro four thirds pancake. It's not long to wait and see. In the meantime any more views of using the GH1/micro four thirds camera with Leica lenses would be welcome.

 

The rumor I read is that Panasonic will release a new lens that compares very well with the Panasonic/Leica 25mm but it will not carry the Leica branding.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

That rumor seems reasonable, Panasonic already have the 25mm 1.4 in 43 format, the lens could be reboxed to be m43 and would be a very big reason for some people to enter the m43 from Panasonic.

 

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