The Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 Pancake Lens. A Versatile Prime Lens for Micro Four Thirds.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 pancake lens is a versatile lens for Panasonic or Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras. This lens is fast, sharp and compact. A great lens for anyone shooting M4/3.
Amazon link to a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 II (current version): amzn.to/49sXn15
Great lens! One of my faves.
Me too! Thanks for watching and commenting!
The update (called the Mark ii) was actually introduced as long ago as 2013, and uses not only the same optical formula as the original, but the same slow AF motor and mechanics. I do not know whether they made changes to the coatings or not, but the tests I've read seem not to imply any difference in flare or colour performance.
I am a really big fan of this lens. Its combination of optical sharpness, high speed and compactness define for me what the format exists for. I find it utterly bizarre that Panasonic went to the trouble of making cosmetic changes without redesigning the AF system, but even with its slightly less than instantaneous AF, the lens is an absolute winner. You are right to highlight it.
I did not realize the update was that long ago! Maybe they should take another crack at it! Thank you for watching!
Hi Don, do you encounter an ISO banding problem when use this lens with Olympus body? Try shoot it with Olympus bodies on ISO above 6400, because I have that problem when shooting it with Olympus bodies (in my case, i shot it with EP-5).
@awansunset I have not experienced any banding issues with this lens and my EP5.
I just ordered mine for my gx9 :) mkii version - Nice review Don :)
Beautiful pics, thank you.
Thank you for watching!
I have just bought one these gems and your images make me very glad I did Don. Particularly the bnw ones. Thanks ✌️🇦🇺
Thank you for your kind words and thanks for mlm watching too!
This is a great lens! I shot almost my entire feature film Do No Harm, using this lens on my Panasonic GH2. Thanks for giving love to this great lens! It’s also very tough, I still have it today and use it all the time. I bought it in 2012!
@@donjohnsmusic3116 it will always be a favorite of mine.
@@dongummphotography me, it's also great for night scapes! Did I spell that right?
I bought this lens with the Lumix GX7 when it launched. It's just incredible - especially for the price. Would be super neat on one of the smaller Lumix like the GH series or GX80.
Thank you for watching! I really like it on the EP5. I would think the GX80 would be a nice match.
I bought the 20mm (v. 1) about 7 years ago as a pancake replacement for the Olympus 17mm 2.8 which was, shall we say, unsatisfactory for me. The 20 was a strange focal length to me, but it was fast and had a reputation for being very sharp. I shot it for two weeks on a tourist trip to the UK on a Panasonic GM5, and just loved it. I was sold. I now have two copies. Yes, the AF is slow (which doesn't bother me as a stills-only shooter), and yes, it's noisy (wouldn't recommend for video), but just such a great compact lens for use on small cameras.
The 20mm is one of my favorites. Thanks for watching and commenting!
The sharpest lens for Micro Four Thirds? Lol.
Is a great lens, but far from being "the sharpest". The OMDS 20mm 1.4 is sharper - lots sharper. The sharpest lenses in the system are probably the 75mm f1.8, the 300mm f4 and the Olympus Pro f1.2 primes.
I own the 20mm f1.7 and is a fantastic little lens, I love it. But it doesn't come close in performance to my 25mm f1.2. Panasonic failed to update the auto focus on version 2, on some Olympus bodies with the 16MP Sony sensor the 20mm causes banding (E-M5).
Optically, it's good enough while focus is good enough while being super small. That is the value proposition. No need to over-sell that.
It’s true. -> The Lumix 20mm 1.7 is the sharpest lens. For normal folks. !!
We bought into the M43 world because it’s small, lightweight, and fun again.
Are you a “PRO”.? The need to own a big front element, is like owning a huge truck. 🤣
I have the Olympus 25mm F 1.8 lens and its certainly is a nice lens. Sounds like this is a close equivalent. BTW, Konica made a 40mm Hexanon f 1.8 film camera pancake lens. I have used it on my EM10 mark II and it takes stunning images. However, on a MFT camera if believe the focal length would be equivalent to 80mm.
Thank you for watching! I have heard the Konica is also a great performer. As an 80mm equivalent focal length lens it should make a nice portrait lens!
I have version 1 of this lens (the same as yours, with the silver ring near the lens mount), which I bought in 2012 to use with my E-PL2. These days I use it on my OM-D E-M1 Mk II. I find the image quality to be excellent and the compact size is great. I like the perspective (angle of view) of a 40mm equivalent lens. Things I don't like about this lens are the slow, noisy AF and the vignetting at wider apertures. I understand that version 2 of this lens has the same problems, although it is constructed with more metal (I think version 1 is all plastic). Hopefully Panasonic will introduce a version 3 that at least speeds up and quiets down the AF.
Thanks for watching! The AF noise is an issue if you shoot video. I don't use this lens for video so not really an issue for me but I get your point. I haven't had much issue with vignetting at wide apertures but I may just not have noticed.
The Mk1 version is better and cheaper than the Mk2 Don, according to DPR Reviews. I have used this len,s in "tight" spot,s like museum,s and found it outstanding, the bright aperture a godsend compared to zoom,s,(allway,s a compromise). Would like to see a comparison with the Oly 12mm to 40 mm Pro, @ 20 mm. Probably very similar ex Oly slower aperture, matter,s in some location,s.
Thanks for watching! It would be an interesting comparison as I have read glowing reviews on the 12 to 40. I bet it would be hard to see a difference in image quality but the slower aperture would be a thing if you needed the speed.
@@dongummphotography Yes Don, the 12 to 40 is the best on the market, was a kit len,s with EM1 can you believe!!
Very nice video. The mk I is my most used lens since 2009.
Thank you for watching! Same for me. I use this lens probably more than any other.
I had this lens on the original GF and plan to buy it again for my recently purchased GX9
It's a great performer. Love this lens! Thanks for watching g and commenting!
I'm going to get that Lumix 20mm, as your video has convinced me. I like your channel and appreciate your common sense approach to photography. I love my Panny, Oly and Fuji gear, and all are great quality. (PS: Just bought a mint E-P1.)
Thank you! I believe you will like the 20mm. Have fun with the EP1!
I suppose 12mm f2, 45mm f1.8 from olympus and 20mm 1.7 from panasonic covers most areas and use cases well for an Olympus pen ep5. How does this compare with 25 f1.8 from Olympus though? The 25mm is also quite a well regarded lens.
I understand the the 25 is also a great lens. The only difference really just being the angle of view.
How does it compare to the “Olympus” 20 mm?
Thanks for watching! As I understand it, the 20mm f1.4 Olympus lens is a great performer and being newer, will have faster, more silent autofocus, although it is not nearly as compact and undoubtedly, more expensive. If you need the faster maximum aperture, AF speed and silence then the Olympus version may be the better choice, just be prepared to spend more money for it. Image quality wise, the Olympus is also a stellar performer and while I have not used this lens, I doubt you would be unhappy with the optical performance from either lens.
Definitely. Hardly compact! Cost? Ouch! Pro grade, definitely. Auto focus? Amazing. It has its place but I do agree with you 100 percent.
40mm-ish is my favorite street walking lens. For my APC-S Fujifilm X-E2 shoots, I use the Fujinon 27mm pancake (40.5), for my Full Frame Legacy Lens Sony A7II shoots I use the Konica 40mm f1.8 pancake, and for the Micro 4/3 system I’m presently in the process of getting into with an Olympus P-E3 (in the Mail) with a mint version 1 copy of this Lumix 20mm lens I just ordered..... partially thanks to your review..... Thanks 😊
Thanks for watching!
I was considering that model but the focus motor is atrocious, especially paired with a contrast based AF. Ended up with 25mm f1.8. It's XXI century after all.
Thank you for watching! The 25mm f1.8 is certainly more than modern in that regard.
I just recently found your channel as a m4/3 shooter coming from,FfF. The Lumix 20 mm f 1.7 with the Em 5 II (both used) was my first m4/3 combo. It floored me because I never expected to get so much quality out of such a micro four loser combination.
Thre lens is indeed pin sharp and the only flaw I could find is that it is a slow to focus.
Thanks for watching! When I took up M43 I was amazed at the quality possible! Being an old Leica RF shooter I love the size and portability too!
in total agreement, been using it, besides olympus 45 f1.8, while i was a kid photographer LOL
Thanks for watching! I understand the 45mm f1.8 is a great lens too!
Hi Don. I have this lens coupled to me Oly EPL8 which I find to be a great combination as an EDC.
Thanks for watching! Sounds like a great, compact setup that can produce pro quality images!
Back in the 35mm film days, I always felt that a 35mm wide angle lens was closer to how my eyes see the world. The 20mm is about 2 to 3mm higher to what I feel is "normal", but sounds like it's close enough to give a good field of view and the F1.7 would help in Low Light.
I agree! Thanks for watching!
I just bought this lens on ebay - I was tossing up between this and a 17mm lens and after seeing your video am glad I bought it. Great video cheers
Thanks for watching! The 20mm f1.7 is a great lens! Hope you enjoy it.
Don, what program are you making your picture slide show/music sections with? Just found your channel and love your take on M43!
My videos are created using Shotcut. It has the ability to create slide shows. You can also add audio tracks as well. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@dongummphotography Thank you for the great informative videos! I just got in to taking photos and decided on M43 because I wanted a smaller kit to carry in my saddlebags during the summer. I know I’m late to the game, but I like the smaller cameras and equipment. I’ll never shoot professionally and just hope I can hone my skills enough for friends and family to enjoy. I have a E-M10 MKiv and a couple of kit lens along with a 25mm prime. I agree with your video that the kit lens are just fine for general photography and with a few added primes (non-pro models) I think I will have all I need. Have a great week!
@@Skinbom sounds like a great kit that should serve you well!
I am thinking about getting this lens to replace my current Panasonic 14mm 2.5 and 25mm 1.7 combo that I have used for a couple of years with my E-PL8.
I recently added both the Panasonic 30mm Macro (which seems to do okay as a general use lens too) and Olympus 45mm 1.8. I think I will have less use of my 25mm with my 30mm being close in focal length and 45mm being good for portraits. The 20mm seems like a nice middle ground since I do not really need the wide angle of the 14mm most of the time.
Any advice? I am getting to having too many lenses to fit into my small bag. I can only take either the 25mm or 30mm, not both, to fit in with my 14mm and 45mm.
Either the 20mm f1.7 or the Olympus 17mm f1.8 would be a good choice. The 20mm will be more affordable, but both are great lenses
@@dongummphotography Thank you for responding!
I got the Panasonic 30mm macro from Amazon Warehouse for a bit over half price of new, so I could not pass it up. It is working great, and it feels premium with a metal body.
I do not see many videos on this one, so it might be worth a look!
I have had this lens since 2009. I rarely use it because of the terrible focal length. I prefer the Oly 17mm f1.8 and Lumix 25. 20mm is neither long enough, or wide enough and I find this compromise focal length frustrating.
Thanks for watching! I guess it's not for everyone.
Just the opposite ! I had both lenses on an FF camera (35 and 50mm) and for me too often was the 50 too long and the 35 too short, and I wished I had something in between. Same human beings... so many differences :))
@@chrisroblin3320 Similar with old manual focus Nikkors. The 28mm was popular with many but for me it was too much a compromise focal length and I much preferred 35 and 24. To me 35 is the perfect normal, and 24 is a just right wide. But then I have never found any focal length as "too wide" so long as it is rectilinear.
Great video! Keep up the good work :D
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I love your photography!!!!
Thank you! Thanks for watching too!