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25mm 1.4 - Why I love this lens
- Thread starter DonSantos
- Start date
couchpotato
Well-known member
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- 16
I like the original image better. Great job. 
RoelHendrickx
Forum Pro
The original was good, but this B&W conversion is gorgeous.
For some reason, I always feel like photos with very shallow DOF work well in B&W.
I have the PL25mmF1.4 in the (bigger) FT version and love it.
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
For some reason, I always feel like photos with very shallow DOF work well in B&W.
I have the PL25mmF1.4 in the (bigger) FT version and love it.
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
TonyGamble
Senior Member
"For some reason, I always feel like photos with very shallow DOF work well in B&W."
Interesting.
My first reaction, when I saw the big colour version, was the none of it was in focus.
To me shallow DOF does not work unless at least one key part of the image hits you with its sharpness. Otherwise it just looks like a slightly soft shot - which at times is what the photographer wants anyway!
Not knocking the expression on the subject - just the interpretation.
Tony
Interesting.
My first reaction, when I saw the big colour version, was the none of it was in focus.
To me shallow DOF does not work unless at least one key part of the image hits you with its sharpness. Otherwise it just looks like a slightly soft shot - which at times is what the photographer wants anyway!
Not knocking the expression on the subject - just the interpretation.
Tony
highwave
Senior Member
I guess this lens lives up to its reputation
absolutely stunning photo in every respect.
If I could afford that lens I would have one. It's just simply out of my budget.
absolutely stunning photo in every respect.
If I could afford that lens I would have one. It's just simply out of my budget.
Hmm... My b&w would have been a bit gentler with the contrast and vignetting
Anyhow here is my conversion.
Anyhow here is my conversion.
This is my reaction when I 1st saw your image, sorry for changing the image's tone without your permission, hope you don't mind.
RoelHendrickx
Forum Pro
Always interesting to see variations.
Also variations in conversions.
Your B&W is indeed gentler, but I like how the more contrasty version "pops".
(But nevermind me: I am a fan of big contrast.)
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
Also variations in conversions.
Your B&W is indeed gentler, but I like how the more contrasty version "pops".
(But nevermind me: I am a fan of big contrast.)
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
Jonas B
Forum Pro
That is a great image. I don't say that often. Here it is about the expression and the moment you captured. But...
...no, the lens isn't super sharp wide open, the DOF isn't razor thin and the bokeh is not great. I would say "sharp", with a DOF corresponding to a FF camera with a 50/2.8 lens on it (offering shallow DOF at short distances only) and a varying rendering of the out of focus parts of the image, maybe you can sum it (the bokeh) up and say it is ordinary.
I know some will take that as me bashing the lens. Maybe I am. But, I have owned the 4/3 version since it was released until a year ago and then I have owned the micro version since it was released and since buying it it has been my most used lens and that with a great margin.
The bokeh can sometimes be quite busy depending on the relative distances between the focal plane and the back- or foreground. Sometimes you get these bright rings clearly visible in OOF highlights, the bokeh also suffers from quite some CA and the mechanical vignetting makes those odd highlight shapes towards the corners. In other situations the bokeh is great, just as with any lens. In your image all this can be seen (and B&W is often preferably) but it is not very bad here. The image itself is what I remember in this case. Well done!
What really makes the lens so nice to use it that it is "sharp" wide open and that over a larger part of the image than what we usually see from lenses this fast. That's a relief for us small sensor users as our cameras and lenses this way in many cases (but not all) can compete with larger and more expensive stuff.
If you are coming from the P&S or cell phone world, then of course the lens is all what you say it is. I wish they had worked more on the LoCA, kept the aperture ring from the 4/3 version and made the focusing ring more damped.
regards,
Jonas
RoelHendrickx
Forum Pro
Agree : the photo's main quality is in the moment and expression.
Sharpness is OK but not stellar.
That I can understand.
I have always thought of you as a "fast standard prime" kind of person.
Interesting that you also express some kind of preference for B&W in this kind of photo. Great minds think alike... ;-)
I am currently still enjoying the PL25mmF1.4 on my FT gear.
My focusing ring has developed some slack and I had to glue it stuck, but it gives the lens character (like a war wound...).
I also want to use it on µFT and am pretty sure I should just stick with my FT version and not bother getting the µFT version.
If I want to really spend more money on a fast 25mm for µFT, the Nokton looks tempting...
Your thoughts?
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
Jonas B
Forum Pro
Hi Roel,
Been there, done that.
If you are interested in the CV25 you should read the Lenstip review: http://www.lenstip.com/index.html?test=obiektywu&test_ob=276
Then you may read my comments on their review: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=37883040
Yes, I'm still stuck with fast primes and my setup is the Zuiko M. 12/2.0, the µPL25 and the Zuiko M. 45/1.8. They are all excellent in their different ways. I'm looking forward to the Zuiko M. 75/1.8.
Yes again, B&W often works better for me. Here is a recent image of E (from the Elisabeth monthly project) taken at an open air restaurant in Barcelona while we were waiting for the food:
Above: E-M5, µPL25 at f/1.8. The colours were were all over the place and instead of working with them I just made a B&W conversion. E thinks I made her face too dark and she is probably right. Now looking at it again I think I also should crop it a little at the bottom.
Here is a street shot:
Above: E-M5, µPL25 at f/2.8. The B&W lets us focus on the facial expressions rather than on the boy's skin problem.
And finally, a super sharp wide open image with great bokeh and razor thin dof:
Above: E-M5, µPL25, f/1.4. I actually removed some of the CA from the world Manfrotto, the rest of the image is more or less as from the camera.
Cheers,
Jonas
RoelHendrickx
Forum Pro
Thank you for those links. Read it (had read Lenstip already, but not your thoughts).
I also fear that the Nokton might be something that I enjoy very much for a while until the novelty of F0.95 wears off. I guess I'll just stick with the PL25F1.4, solid performer that it is.
When I go prime, I usually go ZD8FE, ZD25 and ZD50.
Sometimes I add Rokinon85, and even more sometimes ZD150.
And there have been times when I have just used one of those. Any one. For a whole day.
Nice natural portrait. The kind I like.Yes again, B&W often works better for me. Here is a recent image of E (from the Elisabeth monthly project) taken at an open air restaurant in Barcelona while we were waiting for the food:
E definitely must feel flattered, being the subject of such an ongoing work of devotion.
The face could be a bit brighter, yes, but not necessarily.
What I have found works quite well on women's faces is a bit of negative clarity (reduced clarity). Not too much. Not so much that we are entering Portrait Professional Barbie-plastic territory but just a tiny bit. Like ironing a linen shirt : the wrinkles are still there and should be (not like a cotton or silk shirt), but they are just less pronounced. Maybe E would like that. She would still be the same woman...
And ... Don't crop away from the bottom. The hint is excellent.
Agree. Totally.Here is a street shot:
Above: E-M5, µPL25 at f/2.8. The B&W lets us focus on the facial expressions rather than on the boy's skin problem.
--And finally, a super sharp wide open image with great bokeh and razor thin dof:
Above: E-M5, µPL25, f/1.4. I actually removed some of the CA from the world Manfrotto, the rest of the image is more or less as from the camera.
Cheers,
Jonas
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
Jonas B
Forum Pro
Yes, the Nokton is charming but unfortunately not very versatile, or perhaps it's better to say, not versatile enough for me.
The ZD25? Not the Panasonic?
Well, I'm flattered by the sheer fact she seem to be planning for the two of us to stay together as a couple. That may change any day but I'm happy as it is.
Thank you.
I'll experiment with the clarity slider. Sometimes I play with the effect in different Photoshop plug-ins to get similar results but if this works it's great!
regards,
Jonas
RoelHendrickx
Forum Pro
On a bright day the ZD25 does well.
It's a whole lot lighter. It fits the E-M5 very well too (with the adapter almost the same form factor as a classic 50mm lens).
Now of course the PL is better, but I don't always make room for it in my bag.
At night : of course!!
Seize the day.
--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images : http://www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html
MAubrey
Senior Member
This is undoubtedly true, but it shouldn't necessarily detract from the quality of the lens. If you know the lens well enough, then you'll be careful to avoid busy background with it.
Don's picture does rather well with that, in my opinion. The only real issue in the colour version is the spherical aberration, which the BW removes entirely.
--
--Mike
Jonas B
Forum Pro
Jonas B
Forum Pro
Hi Mike,
That is again true, and not true. We should all learn our gear and know the limits of it!
If a lens is described as a lens making for a totally lovely rendering of OOF backgrounds the photographer shouldn't need to pay a lot of attention to the "problem". Mediocre bokeh makes the lens less versatile and how can this not detract from the quality of the lens? OK, by now you understand it's me mainly; I have a problem with all the descriptions of lenses being super sharp, having lovely colours or buttery smooth bokeh when they in fact are good or average only.
(I think you mean chromatic, not spherical.)
Yes, it works well here. Sometimes it happens that the green areas (typical LoCA) turns into neutral blur, but well defined areas that blur, when converted to B&W. The OP has posted a lovely image.
regards,
Jonas
I like your conversion and the reason for the B&W and vignetting is that there is not much of color to look at and the highlights on the left is a bit of distracting. Low or high contrast is personal taste, well done!!Hmm... My b&w would have been a bit gentler with the contrast and vignetting
Anyhow here is my conversion.
farrukh
Senior Member
I like both the colour and b&w, though the latter seems a tad 'darker' perhaps too much contrast on the child's face? That, of I should adjust the brightness of my screen 
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