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Sell Leica 14-50mm f2.8 and 25mm Zuiko Pancake to buy Leica 25mm f1.4 ?

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desiderata

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I have the Panny L1 which came with the Leica 14-50mm f2.8 lens. I also have the Olympus 25mm pancake. Now I,m thinking of selling both these lenses to get the money together to buy the Leica 25mm f1.4. I am very happy with both these lenses but...the thoughts about that Leica 25mm f 1.4 dont want to let go of me.
Questions:

Am I being foolish? Should I stick to what I have? Will that Leica 25mm f1.4 outperform the 2 lenses I have in a big way as far as IQ goes?
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Regards
Des
--
'I am not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.'
 
If it would be the only lens you are left with, then that might be a bit restricting (depending on what you like to photograph of course). I'd be tempted in your position to try and hang on to the zoom at least? The 25/1.4 is very nice, but it's kind of a one-trick pony. You're paying for the 1.4 and bokeh.

It's also a biggish lens, especially with the hood. I think personally I'd find it restrictive on its own.

Alistair
--
http://www.al-pasha.com/./gallery2/main.php

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twonker/
 
If you don't use the range of the 14-50, sure. The 1.4 will run circles around the f/2.8 unless you don't keep it on the body related size/wgt of the 25. I guess it comes down to if exlusive use of a prime lens fits YOUR style. If so, you probably can't go wrong with the 25 1.4. Before coming to Oly (well, between my 1st E-1 and then my 2nd E-1), I strayed to Nikon-land. Had a few different bodies but the work horse for me with the D40 + Sigma 30 1.4....I liked the combo, but a prime fits my style.

--
Ken
 
Hi,

I only have the pancake but I'd definitely consider swapping it for the f1.4. If I'd have the 14-50 as well, I wouldn't know. Depends on your needs. The f1.4 is probably the best in IQ, but only a prime could be too restricting. On the other hand, my previous camera was a Zorki (Leica ii clone from 1955) with a 50/f2 Summitar lens and I didn't mind having just that one lens on it, as it always gave me brilliant results.

Maybe you should try to borrow it for a day and see how you like it.

Peter.

--
gallery at http://picasaweb.google.com/peterleyssens
 
If you do it, and I would but I shoot at night a lot so needed the 25/1.4, then I'd suggest getting a 14-42 as well then at least. They can be had relatively cheap and 25 is not 14 by a lot. If I only had to have one lens it would be the 25 but I'd complain a little...
--
C&C always welcome.
Reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnarayan/
 
desiderata said:
Questions:
Am I being foolish? Should I stick to what I have? Will that Leica
25mm f1.4 outperform the 2 lenses I have in a big way as far as IQ
goes?
Click to expand...
If you want/need the huge aperture, yes. As far as IQ goes, no. See what I mean here:



Both pics shot at the same aperture (wide open for 14-50mm). These are 100% crops.
desiderata said:
What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Click to expand...
Sell the 14-50mm and 25mm pancake and get 14-150mm and 25mm Lux =).

--
Equipment in the profile.
 
Fred,

I also bought the L1 Kit (as you know:-).

I'm very happy with the PanaLeica 14-50mm/2.8-3.5, it outperforms my Zuiko 14-54mm.

I have the PanaLaica 25mm/1.4, too. A very nice lens, and at similar apertures it is at least on par with both of these mentioned lenses.

What I like most with the PanaLeicas is the slightly less contrasty but more colorful rendition of the image.

Your choice is a tough one - the PanaLeica 25mm is clunky and expensive. If you don't need the range, a prime is fine and you should go for it. Unless the charm of being small of the pancake overrules...

Best,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
I posted this a while ago, hope it helps:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=27765970

For the record, I like the 25mm zuiko on the L1, size wise they work well together, but if I had to choose I'd go with the Leica for the extra apertures and less distortion though I wish the lens was smaller.

I also got rid of the 14-50mm lens (was expecting to get the 14-150 but didn't). It's not a problem for me because I have other bodies and zoom lenses to use.
--
Olympus E-3 and E-420, Panasonic DMC-L1

Leica 25mm. Zuiko 25mm pancake, 50mm, 14-42mm, 12-60mm, 50-200mm, and 8mm fisheye. FL-36R and FL-50R Flashes. HLD-4 Grip.
Canon PowerShot TX1
Ricoh GR-D
Sony DSC-V3
 
Having owned a Leica 25 for a few months now, I find that it does two things very well - controls DOF, and does very well in low light. Focuses fast, and very quiet.

Okay, and it has that extra IQ that the better ZD glass has. Not a great deal more than an equivalent zoom, but it's definitely there.

Ah, go ahead. It's probably the finest 25mm lens made today.
 
I own both the 25 f1.4 and the 12-60. Which I use depends on the situation.

If out on a nature hike, it would be the 12-60 along with the 50-200 to let me crop the scene for maximum effect.

If I am in the city or at a social event, it is definitily the 25 f1.4. I get better isolation and I find the fixed FL forces me to be more creative with my compositions.

--
DaveJC
 
Sorry if it's a little OT but I was wondering how much you would get in case you sell it. The Leica 25/1.4 costs quite a lot here, about 750€ on eBay.

I've never seen the 14-50 being sold in camera stores, neither the 14-150. However I did notice the price for the L1 plus this lens is worth about 1000€ here. Does the lens count for the half?
 
Well, it's listed in a couple of internet shops for way over 1000 EUR. In one (completed) eBay sale it went for about 400 EUR. I think that's the range for that lens.

The L1 + 14-50mm/2.8-3.5 kit was fine two years ago. Now it's an (obsolete) 7.5 MP retro body with a (not obsolete at all) lens.

Best,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
Jonathan,

actually, I like its size/weight on the E3. But it is clunky compared to the pancake, isn't it:-))

Best,

Claus.

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 
I have the 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 and recently bought the 25mm f1.4. Although the latter is wonderful, there's no way I'd ever have sold my 14-50mm to get it. This lens is the finest standard zoom I have ever used. Best of all, I can use it on my E1 and get an image-stabilised combination.

The IQ of the 14-50mm is in a class of its own, and its exceptional versatility make it my most used lens. Incidentally, I find the Leica/Panasonic Lens image stabilisation works more effectively than Oly's sensor stabiliser - I have an E510, as well as the E1 and Digilux 3.

Unless you're able to get by with just a single focal length, I'd stick with the 14-50mm. Incidentally, contrary to an earlier post with pictures, I find the 25mm f1.4 very sharp at full aperture. There's a slight but noticeable improvement at f2, and after that I can only notice depth of field increasing. The 14-50mm seems to be sharp at all apertures and focal lengths - it's an absolute cracker!

J M Hughes
 
Fred alias Desiderata, if you really want to sell the 14-50 then yess some spare parts are missing indeed, I agree with James M Hughes in his comment and afther all you make already some beautiful mages with this standard lens, did you.

Kind regards,
Lodi
 
camerahawk said:
Fred alias Desiderata, if you really want to sell the 14-50 then yess
some spare parts are missing indeed, I agree with James M Hughes in
his comment and afther all you make already some beautiful mages with
this standard lens, did you.

Kind regards,
Lodi
Click to expand...
James and Lodi and all the rest of you kind folks out there...thanks for your response and input. Your combined insights have made it possible for me to collect my senses and to make a decision. I will be keeping this fine 14-50mm Panaleica lens and the pancake.
Regards
Des
'I am not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.'
 
I'm not about advising people to sell this lens or get another but I can tell you that 90% of my images have been made using the Summilux 25mm since I purchased it when it came on the market.

It has two huge disadvantages. Firstly its quite heavy, it weighs nearly 1lb. Secondly when you mount it's lens hood it looks aggressive. Twice I've been happily taking shots with the lens hood reversed without problems. Then when I mounted the lens hood I've been challenged by security guards.

The results from this lens are very nice. It produces fine images wide open at 1.4, and at f 2.0 the quality is superb. I've used the Summilux with both E-400 bodies and also the E-3. With the lighter body I found it easier to hold the lens and let the camera look after itself. The E-3 is a more balanced unit when coupled to the Summilux and I have no fear that the lens' weight might in some way damage the lens mount.

If you decide to buy the Summilux and find yourself challenged by security guards you may find this post useful.

http://pebblesfromparadise.com/?p=908

With warm regards,

Stephen
 
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