Video AF with 20mm 1.7?

random78 wrote:

Willing wrote:

random78 wrote:

ApertureAcolyte wrote:

random78 wrote:

Hi Guys,

I am wondering how well does 20mm 1.7 AF works with latest Olympus bodies such as E-PM2, E-PL5 and E-M5 (Not considering the E-M1) - specially AF in video mode. When I had the GH1 + 20mm 1.7 a few years, I found it to be adequate for stills but lacking for video. Back in the days I heard good things about GH2 + 20mm 1.7, but never tried it myself. Now I have been away from m43 world for a while and wondering how are things with current bodies. The alternative is to go for something like Olympus 17mm 1.8, but I prefer the size, focal length and price of the 20mm so if it plays well for video with current bodies then I would prefer to go for it. Hope someone could help me with this.

S-AF, C-AF or Face detect?

Lets say C-AF and Face Detect. At the very least I would want it to transition the AF smoothly and surely when I move the camera from one part of the scene to another. With the GH1, when it changed the focus it was fairly slow and more importantly hunted back and forth which was noticeable in the video. If it could also keep a face in focus with face detect, that would be great.

I just tested my 20mm with my E-M5 and Lumix G5 and the results were G5 C-AF a little faster and smoother than the E-M5. G5 takes about 0.5 sec to C-AF (from 1 spot to another spot) while E-M5 takes about 1 sec to finish the AF. The 17mm sells for $399 where 20mm should cost about the same?!

Willing

Thanks, thats useful information! Looks like Panasonic bodies tend to handle this lens better. Do you have experience with the 17mm 1.8 by any chance?

You are right that 20mm 1.7 ver II currently sells for the same price new as the 17mm. However in the used market, the older 20mm 1.7 can be found for cheaper. I see $250 as a typical price. And even more importantly the smaller size of 20mm is a plus.

I've never used the 17mm but it should work better or AF faster than the 20mm, you need to decide which one to buy.