One prime only, which one?

[Sam Bennett]

It might be stay on em1 for most of time, for low light, for indoor, for family and friend gathering, and etc.

My goto lens for this kind of situation is the Olympus 17mm f/1.8. The thing I like about it is that it's very compact (I can usually slip it in/out of a jacket pocket, even on the E-M1), the image quality is great, it's reasonably fast, good AF speed, etc. It's not always quite wide enough, but at the same time it has enough reach to not end up producing a lot of "wide" looking photos, so for me 17mm is a good sweet-spot.

That said, I typically bounce between the 17mm and the 45mm f/1.8 indoors which give dramatically different kinds of result due to the massive difference in focal length. This is a really great "starter kit" for new prime users.

 

[mb65]

It might be stay on em1 for most of time, for low light, for indoor, for family and friend gathering, and etc.

My goto lens for this kind of situation is the Olympus 17mm f/1.8. The thing I like about it is that it's very compact (I can usually slip it in/out of a jacket pocket, even on the E-M1), the image quality is great, it's reasonably fast, good AF speed, etc. It's not always quite wide enough, but at the same time it has enough reach to not end up producing a lot of "wide" looking photos, so for me 17mm is a good sweet-spot.

That said, I typically bounce between the 17mm and the 45mm f/1.8 indoors which give dramatically different kinds of result due to the massive difference in focal length. This is a really great "starter kit" for new prime users.

--
Sam Bennett
http://www.flickr.com/sambennett/

I fully agree

MB

 

[larsbc]

I have searched the forum and internet and read many posters, I am still undecided yet. Here is my situation: I have zuiko 12-60 + 50-200 swd, plus em1. I never used prime lens before, I was scared about the fixed focal length, and I might not really need one. However, I was recently allured by the prime and I want to buy (only) one prime. It might be stay on em1 for most of time, for low light, for indoor, for family and friend gathering, and etc.

I asked this question in Four Thirds forum, and people recommended oly 17mm and pana leica 15mm (thanks). I read about oly 25mm f1.8, pl 25mm f1.4 (I cannot afford the oly 25mm f1.2, and oly 12mm maybe too wide.)

I compared my old pictures, it seems I liked to use my lenses on either wide or tele side, focal lengths in between are far less used.

For indoors and photographing friends, I love using my PL 15/1.7. I highly recommend it.

I checked price online and local stores (Canada) and they are so expensive. They are also not cheap on eaby.ca as well. I am desperately in needing the input, advice, and suggestion from you, the experienced photographer, to help, and hopefully I can buy one during the holiday with a good deal.

I got my 15/1.7 when it was on sale (I'm in Canada as well). Have a look at this price history to see how low the price fluctuates:

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www.photoprice.ca

 

[tb06mar]

Thanks. That's great suggestion. Actually the using off camera flash is another field I am afraid of. It looks "too professional" and also it's hard to use. Definitely I will try it.

 

[addlightness]

If it's $400-$500, then 15/1.7 for sure

If it's $100-$200, then a used 14/2.5

For a one prime only, a WA is better, IMO. i.e. 14,15,17.

P.S. I have highly recommend the 15/1.7.

 

[Isola Verde]

I compared my old pictures, it seems I liked to use my lenses on either wide or tele side, focal lengths in between are far less used.

For very little money then, why not go where you've never been...

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www.photographyblog.com

Not exactly versatile, but surprisingly good at doing what your other lenses can't..

Olympus 9mm f/8 body-cap

A tiny "body-cap" lens, with a mild fish-eye view, that's loads of fun to use, bought some time back for just £44. For a review, see... ... www.photographyblog.com/reviews/olympus_9mm_f_8_fisheye_b...

www.flickr.com

Peter

 

[DavZell]

I agree with the idea of taping your existing lens to different focal lengths and see how you feel about them before buying.

I personally just got my first prime for two reasons: 1) a smallish lens to put on my new Pen-F (also works to reduce the size of my E-M1 of course), and 2) for better focusing in low light.

I picked the Oly 17mm because I liked the point of view it presented me. It was equal to the angle that I "see" with my eyes. I often shoot the extremes, as you do (typically 12 on the wide end). The 17mm seemed like the best balance to me.

Best wishes,

David

 

[doctordave]

For me, definitely the Lumix 15mm f1.7

It's a great lens.

 

[zucchiniboy]

Like many others here, when I shoot with a single prime, it's the PL 15mm f/1.7. It's on my camera probably 80-90% of the time. A fantastic lens, very versatile, and can also focus quite close (20cm) if you need it.

 

[jeffharris]

I agree with the idea of taping your existing lens to different focal lengths and see how you feel about them before buying.

I personally just got my first prime for two reasons: 1) a smallish lens to put on my new Pen-F (also works to reduce the size of my E-M1 of course), and 2) for better focusing in low light.

I picked the Oly 17mm because I liked the point of view it presented me. It was equal to the angle that I "see" with my eyes. I often shoot the extremes, as you do (typically 12 on the wide end). The 17mm seemed like the best balance to me.

Same here as far as seeing 35mm equivalent. I'm a big fan of 17-18mm.

Oddly, I'll often check my 12-40mm and find it set to that zone.

 

[kolobok32]

My general purpose walk around and indoors camera is Leica Q with its fixed 28mm F/1.7 lens. Prior to that, I was using my GX-1 with the 14mm F/2.5 for the same basic purposes. If I were trying to get something along those lines going today, I would likely be leaning toward the Panaleica 15mm F/1.7. It is a touch bigger than the pancake 14mm I have, but is faster and has beautiful rendering.

17mm Olympus is also a good choice and since I have it at work, I tried it extensively. As I expected it turned out that for general purpose use I really want something in the 28-30mm equivalent range. That is the same impression I got from using the 20mm Panaleica.

In the end, with m4/3 primes, I ended up with 14mm F/2.5 pancake for general use and 45mm F/1.8 for portraits and compact telephoto. I will probably add the 25mm F/1.2 to it at some point for low light/short portrait use. I am still hoping Olympus will make a kti with te E-M1 Mark II and 25mm F/1.2 at some point.

 

[MickeyVee]

Another vote for the PL 15 F1.7. Although my Oly Pro Zooms are really, really good, the 15mm is something really special. A great all rounder from landscape and architecture to indoor family/party shots. Take a look at the focal length you use the most and work around that. Let us know what you choose.

 

[cameron2]

I compared my old pictures, it seems I liked to use my lenses on either wide or tele side, focal lengths in between are far less used.

If you can find one used: Voigt 17.5mm f0.95 or Voit 10.5mm f0.95. Great lenses. Manual focus, but a ton of fun.

 

[bryanbrun]

I asked this question in Four Thirds forum, and people recommended oly 17mm and pana leica 15mm (thanks). I read about oly 25mm f1.8, pl 25mm f1.4 (I cannot afford the oly 25mm f1.2, and oly 12mm maybe too wide.)

The Olympus 25mm 1.8 (a very small lens) with the hood reversed on any of the small bodies that support electronic shutter is the only thing that I ever shoot with. Granted I don't shoot landscape. I shoot candid photos of my family.

People look at the Olympus 25mm with the hood reversed and they are like: what is that toy you have there? They don't understand what the hood is. Then you hold the camera at waste height and take pictures at social gatherings. Silently and stealthily.

You can't shoot the photos that I shoot with a DSLR or any of the larger m4/3 bodies. People won't stand there and allow those pictures to be naturally taken when the goofy camera guy is clicking away with his crazy obtrusive gadget.

Get the Olympus 25mm with the hood reversed.

 

[WhiteBeard]

I have searched the forum and internet and read many posters, I am still undecided yet. Here is my situation: I have zuiko 12-60 + 50-200 swd, plus em1. I never used prime lens before, I was scared about the fixed focal length, and I might not really need one. However, I was recently allured by the prime and I want to buy (only) one prime. It might be stay on em1 for most of time, for low light, for indoor, for family and friend gathering, and etc.

I asked this question in Four Thirds forum, and people recommended oly 17mm and pana leica 15mm (thanks). I read about oly 25mm f1.8, pl 25mm f1.4 (I cannot afford the oly 25mm f1.2, and oly 12mm maybe too wide.)

I compared my old pictures, it seems I liked to use my lenses on either wide or tele side, focal lengths in between are far less used.

I checked price online and local stores (Canada) and they are so expensive. They are also not cheap on eaby.ca as well. I am desperately in needing the input, advice, and suggestion from you, the experienced photographer, to help, and hopefully I can buy one during the holiday with a good deal.

Unfortunately, a good, large aperture prime lens tens to be on the expensive side - especially in Canada, I feel your pain - so your best bet is to sit tight and look around for deals on E-bay or Kijiji (which is where I got my perfect PL 25 for 400$ cdn).

Patience et longueur de temps...

 

[FrankS009]

I have not read all of the posts in this thread, but I do agree with those who suggest deciding what focal length you use most often before investing in a prime. Some people prefer one of 12, 14, 15, 20, and 25mm Some even walk around with 45mm lenses.

So decide partly based on what you shoot.

Having said that, the classic m4/3rds prime has been the Panasonic 20mm. It is small, light, sharp, and not too expensive. Some do not like its focusing speed, but in ordinary use I have never had a problem.

BJ Photo in Waterloo has reasonable prices if you are buying new.

F.

--
"We shoot the things that move us in ways that will move others." David duChemin

 

[FrankS009]

Where did you get yours on sale, if I may ask?

BJ in Waterloo is selling it for $750, and so is Henry's.

F.

 

[JDLaing50]

Any 35mm.

 

[larsbc]

Where did you get yours on sale, if I may ask?

BJ in Waterloo is selling it for $750, and so is Henry's.

I got mine from one of the Broadway Camera stores in the Vancouver area but when that sale was on, it was also on sale at The Camera Store and other places. I presume it was a Panasonic-backed sale.

 

[phil from seattle]

Interesting. I'm more of a zoom guy but am adding primes to my kit. I have on good authority an Oly 60mm macro is showing up soon and today I saw a too good to pass up deal on the Oly 17mm f1.8 so I will be trying something new soon.

On the subject of zooms. I love the fact that i can frame the shot by zooming. However, I do believe it makes me slightly lazy in that I don't have to seek out different points of view. I do force myself to move around and get different perspectives but it's very easy to fall into the "got it, move on" mindset. My best shots are often the 2nd or 3rd composition of the same subject.