Compact lens choices for E-PM2

zuikowesty wrote:

baxters wrote:

Small lenses that worked well on my EPM1 were the 7.5mm fisheye, 9-18mm zoom, 14mm f2.5, 17mm f1.8, 20mm f1.8 and 45mm f1.8.

I've never used the Sigma 19, 30, or 60, but they aren't too big.

The WA 9-18 zoom is a good travel lens in the daytime. I don't know if it's worth putting $350 into the EZ 14-42 or Panasonic 12-32 just to be able to slip the rig into a pocket, not if one is carrying a bag or purse anyway.

I agree about spending $350 just for compact size with no IQ gain. The Sigmas don't appear too compact for their FL, I assume since they are APS-C designs.

I guess I can add the Oly 17/1.8 and 25/1.8 as they are both smaller than the kit lens.

How does the Lumix 14-42 PZ fare? It seems fairly sharp in tests, but how well/fast does it focus. Used ones are around $200.

I've heard the 14-42 PZ is prone to shutter shock/double image issues across much of the useful shutter speed range, and that there's not much one can do about it. Panasonic never bothered to fix the lens and released the 12-32 as its de facto replacement instead.

If you're looking strictly for pancakes, I think you've got them all. There's also a 25mm f2.8 4/3 pancake, but it would require an adapter to m4/3, and I have no idea how fast the focusing is.

I recently replaced the Panasonic 14-42 with a Panny 14-42 II on my GF's GF3. Haven't done any real shooting with it yet, but it's much smaller and lighter than the original lens and feels significantly less chintzy than the Oly 14-42 IIR. For $160 it's not so bad.

The 14mm f2.5 is a great grab and go lens - I steal it from my GF whenever I can because it turns my E-PM2 into something nice and svelte. My only other 14mm option right now is my Oly 14-54 II, which is a monster of a 4/3 lens.

Another option that should be hitting the market in the next couple of months is the Leica 15mm f1.7 - maybe half an inch deeper than the 14mm, but gives you an extra stop to play with. That's the lens I'm waiting for...