Panasonic Leica DG Vario- Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 Lens

It’s well made, as heavy as a full frame 24-105 but is balanced well on the G9 especially with the battery grip. The clickless aperture is really useful and the manual focus clutch is excellent. It has no IS in the lens but the body IBS works fine.It is very fast at focusing and has no focus breathing that I could see. It is perfect for video and takes 77mm filters. For photography, it has replaced my primes 12/15/25 but I’ve kept the 20mm pancake for portability. It is expensive but in my opinion worth it especially for videographers

Highly recommended. Although it’s big and very expensive for MFT, it’s very capable too – and I got it with an RRP discount and winter cashback from Panasonic to soften the blow. In effect it replaces a multitude of lenses – but it still costs as much as all of them put together. What you’re paying for is the convenience of one wide-to-standard lens to rule them all, and remarkable sharpness. For me this has replaced a 7-14mm f/2.8 zoom 93% of my usable shots were 10mm+ anyway, a 17mm f/1.8 prime and a 25mm f/1.4 prime. But you could add almost any other sub 25mm MFT prime into that mix. The constant f/1.7 aperture and incredible sharpness even wide open beats all of my other lenses – even Olympus’ own sharp 12-40mm f/2.8. Reviews have said you’d have to go to an ... MoreHighly recommended. Although it’s big and very expensive for MFT, it’s very capable too – and I got it with an RRP discount and winter cashback from Panasonic to soften the blow. In effect it replaces a multitude of lenses – but it still costs as much as all of them put together. What you’re paying for is the convenience of one wide-to-standard lens to rule them all, and remarkable sharpness. For me this has replaced a 7-14mm f/2.8 zoom 93% of my usable shots were 10mm+ anyway, a 17mm f/1.8 prime and a 25mm f/1.4 prime. But you could add almost any other sub 25mm MFT prime into that mix. The constant f/1.7 aperture and incredible sharpness even wide open beats all of my other lenses – even Olympus’ own sharp 12-40mm f/2.8. Reviews have said you’d have to go to an Olympus f/1.2 Pro prime to equal or beat this, and I can believe it. Also, for me the DOF and bokeh doesn’t suffer much vs f/1.2 – in fact its slightly larger in-focus range is a little more forgiving in the real world.Speaking of focus, I don’t think there’s a faster or more reliable focusing lens in the entire MFT range, even on Olympus and certainly not a zoom. Shutter speed-wise, indoors at a constant ISO and aperture and at the same focal length as the prime it consistently gives a faster shutter speed on my EM-1 Mk2 than an Olympus f/1.8, despite the miniscule aperture difference, and the same shutter speed as my Panasonic f/1.4 – wondering if this might be because of the huge 77mm front element physically gathering more light.I also compared it to a colleague’s Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 with a Metabones 0.64 Speedbooster for MFT taking it to f/1.2. That’s a very popular web pro video combo. This Sigma combo gives a similar focal range of about 12-24mm in MFT terms, but vignettes very noticeably unusable without post processing at f/1.2 in the 12-15mm range. And although at f/1.2 the Sigma/Metabones gives a faster shutter speed vs this lens’ f/1.7, there’s not much in it and the PanaLeica has more.

A must have if you don’t want to carry multiple primes lens with you.

The Leica 10-25mm F1.7 is an awesome lens to have and shoot with. It’s a bit front heavy with my Panasonic Lumix G85 body but you will get use to it. Mostly a hybrid shooter myself which it’s a perfect lens for me. It’s very sharp. The price is high for the lens and it has no OSI which is a giving. Auto focus is great in photo mode but for video it’s still hunts but the focus breathing is minor. its has a focus clutch with hard stops but you can still turn the focus ring around and it has a click-less aperture ring. let’s hope Panasonic puts out a firmware to improve on it's video auto focus in the coming months/year.

Another Game Changing Lens

This lens is another game changer from Panasonic/Leica. The focal length of 25-50mm is perfect for general shooting to portraiture. The extremely close focusing distance can even make it double as a macro lens. At f/1.7 this lens is very fast and the shallow depth of field is great for those who need it. The bokeh is appealing to me though you may want to check the sample images to see if it appeals to you. It is extremely well built and quite large for a micro four thirds lens. It will balance better on a larger body like the G9 or GH6. I love the manual focus clutch with soft stops at each extreme. The aperture ring is a welcome feature and is click-less which is great for video. Optically, it is extremely sharp in the center at all apertures and the corners are ... MoreThis lens is another game changer from Panasonic/Leica. The focal length of 25-50mm is perfect for general shooting to portraiture. The extremely close focusing distance can even make it double as a macro lens. At f/1.7 this lens is very fast and the shallow depth of field is great for those who need it. The bokeh is appealing to me though you may want to check the sample images to see if it appeals to you. It is extremely well built and quite large for a micro four thirds lens. It will balance better on a larger body like the G9 or GH6. I love the manual focus clutch with soft stops at each extreme. The aperture ring is a welcome feature and is click-less which is great for video. Optically, it is extremely sharp in the center at all apertures and the corners are pretty sharp as well even wide open (but not tack sharp until you stop down to f2-2.8). This lens and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 make a perfect pair and are well matched optically. These lenses are unique to the micro four thirds system and make a compelling case for the system as a whole. This is a lens that will rarely leave my camera.

As Good as MFT Wide to Standard FL Gets

For an MFT lens, it’s big - like, HUGE. It’s superbly sharp (at all FL’s), it’s a crisp image, it’s responsive and, if its quality without compromise you’re after. buy this. Its Bokeh is beautiful and to anyone knowing simple photography techniques, it’s a gorgeous product. If you’re not too interested in the technicalities, set everything to Auto and take uncompromisingly good pictures whilst you snap worry free.It doesn’t feel THAT heavy (but it IS intimidating on first appearance: it handles well and is well balanced for such a behemoth!I would recommend it without hesitation and overall, it just demands 5 stars. Enjoy!

Best Lens I've attached to GH5/6

Shoot a lot of talking heads and this lens has been an upgrade. Love the heft and manual feel. Have used cinema lenses a few times but never bought any, didn't fit my needs but this thing does as it chimes so well electronically with the GH5 and 6

Better than Sigma alternatives

I have used or owned nearly every native m4/3 lens on the market. This is one of the best lenses made. I would probably rank the 42.5 slightly above it, but only because I prefer that focal length. The build and image quality both could not be better. I actually sold my equivalent Sigma 18-35 and metabones speedbooster to use this lens instead. This lens is that much better than that adapted setup. Its not as fast, but so much sharper and the color/light translations are much better. The lens is expensive. But compared to other native lenses in this focal range or the adapted Sigma, I will be able to work better and provide a better product with this. So it’s worth it.

Remote Control Servo Motors

I have been considering this lens for a long time. The release of the GH6 signaled a continuation of support for the M4/3 system. My problem with earlier panasonic zoom lenses (I own several) was the non-linear focus ring. The clutch on the focus lens of this lens means functional remote focus control along with zoom and iris control. So at last, I have an lens integrated to Panasonic electronics that I can use as a fully functional servo lens. I like the idea that a triple PDMOVIE system gives servo motor functions to any compatible lens. Meaning I pay once for lens gear motors and have servo control of any lens. I spent a great deal of time on cameras with integrated servo control a like handle controls of the lens.I look forward to the day when the GH6 sensor ... MoreI have been considering this lens for a long time. The release of the GH6 signaled a continuation of support for the M4/3 system. My problem with earlier panasonic zoom lenses (I own several) was the non-linear focus ring. The clutch on the focus lens of this lens means functional remote focus control along with zoom and iris control. So at last, I have an lens integrated to Panasonic electronics that I can use as a fully functional servo lens. I like the idea that a triple PDMOVIE system gives servo motor functions to any compatible lens. Meaning I pay once for lens gear motors and have servo control of any lens. I spent a great deal of time on cameras with integrated servo control a like handle controls of the lens.I look forward to the day when the GH6 sensor gets moved to the Panasonic Box camera. On that day my studio will get a long overdue upgrade.The attached photo shows a ceiling rail mount used for top down shots of what the talents hands are doing in How To productions. With total remote control of the lens and a remote Atomos recorder we have functional remote control of this rig on this mount or on a crane.

This is the reason to stay in M43.

Paired with the GH6, I was blown away by the color and contrast out of this lens. It reminds me of Fuji GFX 50S with adapted vintage Leica glass. This lens feels like a real Leica, but for $1800 rather than $6000! Combined with 10-25, this is the only pair of zooms that can double as photography and cine lenses. You might wonder why get this when you can get FF glass with larger equivalent aperture and less $$? Well, I've used sigma 24-70f2.8 before, it was blown out of the water by the 10-25, in terms of color, sharpness, contrast. The 10-25 and 25-50 are better than a lot of FF glass while cheaper.However I ended up return it because at 50mm there's a slight optical mis-alignment in the bokeh. I will definitely get it in the future when I visit the store in person.

Worth the Money

This is an expensive and big lens for MFT. It’s also spectacular in every way. The optical quality is excellent. Center Sharpness is exemplary. Corner sharpness is excellent. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled. Focus breathing is very well controlled.It is the MFT video lens for GH5 and GH5S owners.It happily sits on my GH5S 80% of the time. It features a click-less, smooth aperture ring. A pull down manual focus clutch that is a dream to use. Manual focus is smooth and easy to control.It replaces multiple primes in my bag. It has an amazingly versatile focal range from wide (but not ultra wide) 20mm (18 on the GH5S) and an awesome classic 50mm at the long end.Worth the money.