Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 review -compact quality
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.พ. 2019
- My review of the Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 asph. for Micro 4/3 cameras. This lens is a very nice general purpose lens suitable for travel, environmental portraits, landscapes etc.
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I use this lense with Lumix GX85. I love this combo
Recently bought a used 15/1.7 and am very happy with it. The sharpness is great, and I like how close it can focus. At close focus, and wide open, you can achieve quite a nice out of focus blur, so there is bokeh to be had if you want it. Also finding use for it as an architectural lens. Enjoying taking it out with me as the only lens. I use it with the G9.
Thanks for your comment.
Great review. Really enjoy your videos and the wonderful amount of information you provide simple and succinct!
Thanks!
I love this focal length, as you say it is standard but on the wide side so by using my feet I can easily include more or less of the background information included with my subjects (family). I can't do this with my 25mm PL or my 42.5mm Panasonic lenses. I think from 12 to 17 is an ideal people with background lens and I like the 15mm (30mm equivalent) perspective very much, I don't wish it were any other focal length.
This lens took a long time to be appreciated. It was once available priced at 280 pounds which was when I bought it. It absolutely shines with Leica magic, giving the best colours and punch imaginable. I have used it for video and photography. Its so useful.
It is a great little lens.
Super lens...crisp and sharp...Very nice for the street and landscape as well. Well matched for my G9! Thank you for your suggestions, testing, and helpful hints.
Thanks!
I just received my Leica 15mm lens. I love it! It's color reproduction is a beautiful warm tone. Thanks for the review, Matti.
This is my first Leica lens, ever. After 52 years in photography you would think I would have bought a Leica lens before now.
Thank you!
Great review, Matti! Lord, it looked cold that day 😂
Just bought this beautiful lens. Love it!
Good choice!
Yes, I also use such a lens, and I think it's a fantastic, general optics. I liked the erupting laughter on the depth of field. :)
Sometimes you can't help laughing, when you make videos😀 Thanks for your comment.
I use it on my Pen-F and I love it.
Excellent video. 👏🏽👏🏽👍
I have the DJI vercion, which is a clone of this, I use it with a GM1 that I always carry in my pocket. It seems much more practical than the kit lens because it has a focus ring and a diaphragm, as well as being brighter. This allows me to use the camera in aperture priority much more easily whit out going the screen to make aperture changes, something that is impractical and difficult when there is a lot of sun.
Thanks!
Thank you for another excellent video!
Thank you too!
Using the 15mm on the G85 when in video using stabilisation ends up being around 35mm FFEquiv - I think thats why they adopted the 30mm (15mm MFT) size
The walking shots looks fantastic and sharp. Great job.
Thank you.
This lens does need an update though: sharper corners, weather sealing, slightly bigger size so you can move manual focus more easily, keep the aperture ring and the AF/MF switch, F1.4.
Beautifull video and simply explicate.
I have watched a lot , and i think
a soon as possibile i will buy this compact lens.
As just tested the lens, i’ll tell you my opinion.
Thanks, and can't wait to hear your opinion.
I was into photography before zooms were any good or even existed. Then most folks used just a "normal" (50-58mm) in 35 film terms. The majority of the enthusiast would have a 28mm, 50mm, 135mm combo in their camera bag. Those into birds or whatever added a 200mm or 400mm. People like me (a minority) had just a 35mm and a 100mm avoiding the size and weight to cause me leaving the camera bag at home. I almost never felt my lens combo was limiting for me. The "almost" would have been on the wide end. A 30mm (like m43 15mm at hand) would have covered this shortcoming. This lens will be my next one!
Thanks for sharing. That little 15mm is a nice lens and I'm sure you'll like it.
Excellent review … thanks 👍
Thanks for watching!
Great review!
Thank you.
My love for this lens is so big that i bought a GX9 for it. Since then it hasn't been off the body and i take it everywhere.
Thanks for sharing. It is a very nice lens.
Thanks, I was going to use it with the GX9. Looks like a winner for street work.
Thank you for the very well produced review. Which one would you prefer, this Leica 15mm f/1.7 of the sigma 16mm f/1.4? I think both are great but I would like to know your opinion. Thanks!
I have not tried the Sigma, so I can't say how it performs. However, the Leica is much smaller. So, if you want small, I think the Leica is your choice.
I had chosen this lens over Sigma 16mm 1.4 because of its size. The image quality was fantastic.
No regret.
It's a great lens is a compact format.
H Matti, just watched this. I bought my lens yesterday. Yes it is sharp...... but not so much better than my 20/1.7. However, the micro-contrast (and the contrast generally) for BW is simply amazing!!!
Thanks for sharing. The 20mm is very sharp😀 Glad to hear you like the 15mm though.
For sure. In bright, well lit places it is hard to see any difference. But the 15mm is awesome when the contrast is low or you use BW. Helsinki in dark, misty weather is perfect for it.
@@markorchard2272 were you debating ever to get that or the sigma 16?
@@davidvictory9764 I never considered the Sigma. And I do not regret it! The 15mm is totally superb!
@@markorchard2272 thanks, I will try it out. The 2 things that I heard people say is that the autofocus is much worse as it's hunting alot and double pulling when locking, as the sigma is like the best autofocus on mft. And the 1.4 compared idk if it'd a deal breaker or not.
I have the same lens, love it but I was wondering what you think of the Sigma 16mm? It has weather sealing and a big focus ring...
I haven't tried the Sigma and can't say anything, but it certainly looks like a good lens.
Very nice review video !!!
Thank you!
i got a ttartisans 17 1.4 manual instead as mainly I shoot photos and dont need autofocus (if I do i hava a 12-32). its 140usd vs 450usd for the 15
The colors on this beat my full frame Sony A7 and Fujifilm X70, The LECIA Colors are the Best!
HA ! take that sony!
Nice review. I spottted Peter in there. This lens or the Sigma 16mm f1.4? I know someone else asked this, but since you have reviewed a Sigma 16mm since then...
Thanks! I'd say optically they are about the same, what comes to sharpness etc. The Leica is a lot smaller and not quite as fast as the Sigma, but the Sigma is more affordable. I guess it comes down to the size in the end. I prefer the small Leica, but you might not care about the size at all.
Hi Matti, another great video of yours which I saved a while back. Now I've finally decided to buy a new lens for my G9 and I'm stuck on what to get. Looking at one of the 25mm's, the 20mm, Sigma 30mm or 16mm or this one! Want to use it for travel and hopefully some street photography. Can you or any of the viewers give me a recommendation?
I think you just have to decide which angle of view you like. If you have a zoom lens, go back to your photo archive and see which focal length you used the most or which gave you the best photos.
@@mattisulanto Thanks for the tip
Would you please let us know what Camera & Lens combination you took this video with? It's a beauty! Great Work.
My friend Peter Forsgård used his Olympus, but I don't remember any more which model he had.
Hello! Thanks for the review! I want such a lens for my camera. I would like to ask which camera and which lens did you use to shoot this video?
Thanks. I'm sorry, but I don't remember any more which camera and lens I used for this video, because it's already three years old. It was probably the Lumix G9.
@@mattisulanto OK, thanks!)
Would you choose this lens as your first Prime lens moving up from the kit lens on the Panasonic GX85 or would you go for the 25mm lens?
I would choose the 15mm because I like that angle of view a lot, but it's just me. I'm sure many would take the Lumix 25mm, because it's more affordable and some like that angle of view.
@@mattisulanto I think the Leica 15mm looks a perfect match with the GX85 and I feel its angle of view would be very useful as a general purpose lens.
Отличное видео! У меня этот объектив с G 80.
Thank you.
Great review. Was the actual review video shot on this lens or something else?
Thanks. The video was shot on another camera and lens, but I can't remember any more which camera it was. I have too many😅
I also have the G9 with the silver PanaLeica 15mm! What's the name of that leather hand strap?
That strap is a one off made by my daughter. However, I may have a similar design for sale in the future.
@@mattisulanto Your daughter is very skilled! Looks great.
@@cory9437 Thanks!
I have the Lumix Leica Summilux 25mm F1.4, I was looking forward to a 17.5mm Summilux (at F1.4). I am sure this is a Summicron (F1.7/F1.8). The lens itself is good bad but Summilux? It should be F1.4 at least. It would also provide some isolation as it would be similar to an F2.8 on the OM-A system...
The difference between F1.4 and 1.7 is about half a stop, which is virtually impossible to distinguish even in side by side comparison.
@@mattisulanto Matti, you are right, it's going to be hardly noticeable, even f1.2 would be a slight difference. I stand corrected. At some point, I will add this to my general shooting setup. With EM-10 Mk 1, it will make it a pocket camera...
would you choose this or sigma 16mm for vlogs and sitting down youtube videos. just youtube in general but travel too
The Leica is much smaller than the Sigma, so if that is important, then it would be the Leica. If the size doesn't matter, pick the one you like.
@@mattisulanto yeah it doesn't matter, do you think in a gym environment, or filming at night there would be any difference between the 2?
@@davidvictory9764 I don't think there would be any significant difference. If you are using a Panasonic camera body, the Leica AF works better for video. However, Panasonic video AF is not very good anyway, except for the GH6.
@@mattisulanto ok I will go with the leica then as I can't find the sigma anywhere thx
Not a lot to say about the bokeh?!? Hm i think its easy to realise bokeh with this objective, and it is very very nice. Can you tell me some m43 objektive with the best bokeh please?
Of course, every lens has some kind of bokeh. I have two videos where I compare the bokeh of some Lumix lenses. Here is one of them, please take a look: th-cam.com/video/2_XRKDAvi3c/w-d-xo.html
Hello! Please tell me, is the DJI 15mm 1.7 lens very different from the Leica 15mm 1.7?
I don't know, I have no experience with the DJI lens.
@@mattisulanto It would be interesting to see a comparison of these lenses)
@@nomimidzu8984 Why not, but I don't have the lenses😀
lovely lens, but feel that the lumix 20mm would be a better general lens given that you can use it for portraits more easily. thanks.
Thanks for you comment.
Depends how much space you have. I've shot in some cramped conditions where that extra fov would have been helpful. For example indoors this lens will give you a few more options. You can always step closer but not always back
I used it an is amazingly sharp but the focal length was always too short or too long for my tastes: I much prefer a 24 or a 35 equivalent.
I know what you are saying. There are so many lenses out there that are amazing, but wrong focal length.
I want this lens ;-)
If you one day get it, you won't be disappointed.
Hello Matti! My girlfriend owns a G9 and is experiencing some trouble with this 15mm Summilux lens. On astrophotography and sunset shots we can notice visible, ugly circular patterns showing up. Could this be related to lens correction inside the G9? The pattern is almost peacock eye shaped and seems to appear only with this lens so far :-/ Any input is welcome :-)
I'm sorry to hear you have problems with your Lumix gear. However, I'm afraid I can't help, because I have not seen such pattern. It could be light reflecting inside of the camera, but it could be something else too.
I got that lens new, with my Pana GM1 for about € 500 in a bundle.
A incredible camera and lens. No I also has the GM5, and both of the zooms for those cameras. The 12-32 and 35-100, and the Pana/Leica 45/2.8. Thats my travel equipment, but I prefer the primes.
try the ttartisan 17 1.4 manual. it gives you that high quality manual experience like a 35 f2 on full frame
@@giannagiavelli5098 I have a funny little thing. A Zuiko 21/2.0 for Olympus OM, and Metabones Speedbooster for that too m43. That combo also gives me a 15 mm, and 1.4, and I prefer a 28mm angel of view.
There is always a solution.
@@protestagain yes agreed i use a speedbooster with a nikkor 24mm ais lens. its great to shoot with! makes it a 36mm and feels so solid. brilliant focusing. I just did a trip trying to get by with the 12-32 and in the end its lack of manual controls led me away from it. pics were fair to good.
@@giannagiavelli5098 I was just watching a video of Kai W testing the latest Ricoh GR camera. One with 40mm, and compared it to one with 28mm. He did not agree with himself, so he now walks around with at least two cameras. The nice thing about the m43 is first and foremost the 4/3 format, and that you change the optics. I can carry a 20mm, a 28mm and an 85mm. Do I need anything more, and all in small and light packaging.
@@protestagain yep. I've been loving the manual TT artisans 17 1.4 cause when i take photos I want manual anyways I only use autofocus for video. So the 12-32 is my video lens. Before I would carry a nikkor 24 2.8 with a speeder and thats another nice to shoot with 35mm equiv feels great. But damn its heavy! so the TT has freed up that weight with nearly as pleasant as an experience I just wish they would chip their damn lenses! the newer 17mm is chipped I belive but a 1.8? not quite as sexy as the TT. Because low light shooting even for video using manual is a big plus and that 12-32 cannot do it.
Well this is a year late comment....I bought a demo model and so far it looks good enough for me....I use it on a olympus camera so the mileage may vary to Panasonic users ..the glass looks sharp
Thanks! Good to hear you like your new lens.
I sold my 15mm 1.7 as although it takes lovely images the focal length was too quirky for me . I now have a 20mm f1.7 which offers equal image quality and a much better allround focal length
What about the AF? Is it that bad in low light as everyone says? Thank you.
@@brouk.kabelak AF motor on 20mm lens is quite slow indeed, regardless of camera body. But even a with a faster, stepping AF motor, LUMIX G 42.5mm ƒ/1.7 ASPH POWER OIS struggled nail focus in low light, last time I tried it on a brand new GX85. Could be the latter’s DfD AF woes - but as a rule of thumb, lens autofocus speed is largely limited by motor speed. Hit rate and accuracy tend to depend more on AF system and mode used in camera body.
Dear Fotofriend,
I total agree on the Quality of this lens. I am using Olympus OM-D Mark II and it works very good.
Best regards from Germany Klaus
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately it doesn't work perfectly together with Olympus cameras. With my E-M10ii the focus ring doesn't work and the C-AF is slow and unprecise.
Nevertheless the optical performance of this lens is great.
Unfortunately MFT standard is not 100% cross compatible between manufacturers.
Thanks
Welcome.
it´s a nice lense. But i decided to buy the Sigma 16 mm 1,4. It is better and cheaper. And i tested the 15mm F1. 7 and the Sigma
I'm happy you found a lens that you like. However, the better depends on what you are looking for. If you want a small lens, then the Sigma is not the better lens😀 I found no meaningful difference between the Leica and Sigma, but the Sigma sure is more affordable.
@@mattisulanto I hoped I can encourage you to make a comparison between the lenses . Would be great. The sigma has its downsides thats clear. But a big lens has advantages. It´s stupid I know. But with my G70 an the 15mm 1.7 I have been ask why I have suche a tiny Toy cam. Nowadays I put the Sigma on and say "this is not a toy" and " lens before body" and the discussion is over. Because this is something also the stupid ones understand .
@@dabaum5721 I'll definitely consider that in the future.
Are you sure there's not much background blur on this lens? You're losing my confidence in you.
It's about physics, not my opinion, really.