Fast lens for Olympus EPL-2 - in UK

johniniom · Oct 7, 2011

I've got an Olympus E-PL2 with the kit zoom and a recently acquired 45-175 which is good ;-)

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) and also to keep it on the camera while I am out and about as a kind of travel camera.

I don't want to spend too much, but the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 looks like good value. and has good reviews.

What do you think?

Wellington100 · Oct 7, 2011

johniniom said:
I've got an Olympus E-PL2 with the kit zoom and a recently acquired 45-175 which is good ;-)

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) and also to keep it on the camera while I am out and about as a kind of travel camera.

I don't want to spend too much, but the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 looks like good value. and has good reviews.

What do you think?

the 20mm is the best bang for the buck I reckon, it has no direct competition

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adech · Oct 7, 2011

This is a good video lens for low light photography

http://vimeo.com/30165718

johniniom · Oct 7, 2011

Thanks, I am wondering about the Olympus 45mm now.. both look good

jeffharris · Oct 7, 2011

johniniom said:
Thanks, I am wondering about the Olympus 45mm now.. both look good

45mm might be a bit long for a general purpose lens. You can't go wrong with the 20mm!
Why not get both the 20mm and 45mm? ;-)

There's also the Leica 25mm, but that's more expensive, but the compactness of the 20mm is one of it's biggest selling points,especially on a small body like an EPLx.

johniniom · Oct 7, 2011

jeffharris said:
johniniom said:

Thanks, I am wondering about the Olympus 45mm now.. both look good

Click to expand...

45mm might be a bit long for a general purpose lens. You can't go wrong with the 20mm!
Why not get both? ;-)

Arggh was hoping someone wouldn't suggest get both.
I think I'll order the 20mm

Roberto Angelo · Oct 7, 2011

Just got into m4/3. So no authority. I was fairly happy with the kit lens of the e-pl1 though I found myself using my Pentax Takumar 50/1.4 more often -- after getting the VF-2. Then I got a used 20/1.7 and now I have a tough choice to make. It is a great lens. I was a little suspicious of the universal praise it receives (just my contrary nature) but it's one of those lenses that gives back what you see, if not a bit more.

Ulfric M Douglas · Oct 7, 2011

johniniom said:
I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) ...

The 20mm might be a bit too wide for the dancing pictures, and there the 45mm would be more ideal ... and much much faster focusing.

Out and about I use the 17mm F2.8 as for me it takes superb 'tourist snaps' and is much cheaper than the 20mm with a wider focal length.

If my boy decides to do dancing when he's older I'll get the 45mm in an instant, not the 20mm which has its fans ... but it can't be great for that.
Sharp at F1.8, instant focus on the new bodies, just the job.

johniniom · Oct 7, 2011

Ulfric M Douglas said:
johniniom said:

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) ...

Click to expand...

The 20mm might be a bit too wide for the dancing pictures, and there the 45mm would be more ideal ... and much much faster focusing.

Out and about I use the 17mm F2.8 as for me it takes superb 'tourist snaps' and is much cheaper than the 20mm with a wider focal length.

If my boy decides to do dancing when he's older I'll get the 45mm in an instant, not the 20mm which has its fans ... but it can't be great for that.
Sharp at F1.8, instant focus on the new bodies, just the job.

Hmm thanks for that, Ive got a 14-42 and a 45-175 so I could use either of those in the well lit dance halls; its really something for low light I was looking for... I was thinking that the 20mm might be more flexible but now not so sure..

tedolf · Oct 7, 2011

johniniom said:
I've got an Olympus E-PL2 with the kit zoom and a recently acquired 45-175 which is good ;-)

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) and also to keep it on the camera while I am out and about as a kind of travel camera.

I don't want to spend too much, but the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 looks like good value. and has good reviews.

What do you think?

I think that a fast 40-55mm lens would cost about $19.00-$50.00 USD and would work fine.

Maximus Decimus Tedolphus

johniniom · Oct 7, 2011

tedolf said:
johniniom said:

I've got an Olympus E-PL2 with the kit zoom and a recently acquired 45-175 which is good ;-)

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) and also to keep it on the camera while I am out and about as a kind of travel camera.

I don't want to spend too much, but the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 looks like good value. and has good reviews.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

I think that a fast 40-55mm lens would cost about $19.00-$50.00 USD and would work fine.

Maximus Decimus Tedolphus

Thanks for your comments - I don't have a VF-2 with my camera, won't I need to use one to take advantage of a manual focus lens? I am not sure I wan't to use a EVF at this stage, although this might change.

jeffharris · Oct 7, 2011

johniniom said:
Ulfric M Douglas said:

johniniom said:

I am looking for a fast lens for indoor shots (mainly kids, they also go ballroom dancing) ...

Click to expand...

The 20mm might be a bit too wide for the dancing pictures, and there the 45mm would be more ideal ... and much much faster focusing.

Click to expand...

Hmm thanks for that, Ive got a 14-42 and a 45-175 so I could use either of those in the well lit dance halls; its really something for low light I was looking for... I was thinking that the 20mm might be more flexible but now not so sure...

Just get the 20mm. You won't regret it. It's a fantastic low-light, low-profile lens. It's great for social situations or places where a bigger lens would be noticed, like museums, etc..

If you need more reach, use one of your zooms, bump the ISO a bit and shoot RAW.

The camera and the amount of light have the most impact on focus speed. The 20mm has very fast focus on a GH2.

Ulfric M Douglas · Oct 8, 2011

johniniom said:
Ulfric M Douglas said:

... 45mm ...
Sharp at F1.8, instant focus on the new bodies, just the job.

Click to expand...

johniniom said:
Hmm thanks for that, Ive got a 14-42 and a 45-175 so I could use either of those in the well lit dance halls; its really something for low light I was looking for...

There is a world of difference between F5.6 and F1.8,
and a world of difference between 20mm and 45mm.

I have niether of the preferred lenses from this thread but would take my trusty manual-focus 45mm and get good pictures at F1.7 and F2, however I have both a Lumix G1 and a VF-2 for my e-pL1.

You definitely have options.

First thing to do would be have a look at the photos you've already taken and see what focal length they are commonly at : that'll tell you what lens would suit your framing.

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Fast lens for Olympus EPL-2 - in UK

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