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I want a wide lens for landscape + city/architecture

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Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson

Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson

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I'm thinking about the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 - I would appreciate to hear from owners and to see some shots. Are you happy with this lens, general handling etc... (I have the GX7 so I don't want the Olympus 12-24, though it is undoubtedly great..)

What I like about the 12-35 is the versatility (landscape, architecture, environmental portraits, etc...)

The Pana 7-14 and Oly 9-18 are too wide for my tastes, maybe later...

Then it's the Olympus 12 f/2... that's a lens that interests me...

Any thoughts, advice, ideas?

As you can see from my gear list I have the GX7, the Panasonic 20 f/17 ll, the Panasonic Leica 25 f/1.4 and the Panasonic 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 ll.
 
Fredrik Glckner said:
You could consider the New 12-32mm lens. It is almost as good as the 12-35mm lens at 12mm, and much smaller. Some tests I made here:

http://m43photo.blogspot.fi/2014/03/comparison-12mm.html

http://m43photo.blogspot.fi/2014/03/comparison-30mm.html

The 12-35mm lens is indeed better, but does the difference matter to you? I'm using the 12-32mm lens now, unless I absolutely need the f/2.8.
Click to expand...
Thank you for answering, I did have the 12-32, I did like it but I sold it.

I'm something of a lens snob - it's sad to say - i.e. I have a problem with variable aperture lenses... I bought the 14-140, so my next lens has to have a fixed aperture through all the range ....

so, I'm really thinking about the Panasonic 12-35 - and would love to hear from owners.... !
 
I don't understand how the 12mm is fine, but the 7-14mm and 9-18mm are too wide, even though they both cover 12mm and then some. I would think the wider would certainly give you more options and possibly more interesting shots specifically for landscape/architecture.
 
MikeyLNG said:
I don't understand how the 12mm is fine, but the 7-14mm and 9-18mm are too wide, even though they both cover 12mm and then some. I would think the wider would certainly give you more options and possibly more interesting shots specifically for landscape/architecture.
Click to expand...
You are right in what you are saying, but I also want to shoot environmental portraits, so I'm looking at the 12-35...

I may be wrong, so yeah, maybe I should look at the 7-14 or the 9-18? I'm willing to learn and listen to advice....
 
MikeyLNG said:
I don't understand how the 12mm is fine, but the 7-14mm and 9-18mm are too wide, even though they both cover 12mm and then some. I would think the wider would certainly give you more options and possibly more interesting shots specifically for landscape/architecture.
Click to expand...
Another factor, I live in Iceland, it's very dark here from long parts of the year, so it's important that to have fast lenses... the 12-35 has a f/2.8 aperture, the Oly 12 is a f/2 ... I like that... 7-14 is a f/4 and the Oly f/4-5.6... I already have one slow lens, the 14-140, I really can't 'afford' to have another...

--
best regards
from Iceland
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63197442@N08/
 
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Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I'm thinking about the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 - I would appreciate to hear from owners and to see some shots. Are you happy with this lens, general handling etc... (I have the GX7 so I don't want the Olympus 12-24, though it is undoubtedly great..)

What I like about the 12-35 is the versatility (landscape, architecture, environmental portraits, etc...)

The Pana 7-14 and Oly 9-18 are too wide for my tastes, maybe later...

Then it's the Olympus 12 f/2... that's a lens that interests me...

Any thoughts, advice, ideas?

As you can see from my gear list I have the GX7, the Panasonic 20 f/17 ll, the Panasonic Leica 25 f/1.4 and the Panasonic 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 ll.
Click to expand...
 
Gravi said:
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I'm thinking about the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 - I would appreciate to hear from owners and to see some shots. Are you happy with this lens, general handling etc... (I have the GX7 so I don't want the Olympus 12-24, though it is undoubtedly great..)

What I like about the 12-35 is the versatility (landscape, architecture, environmental portraits, etc...)

The Pana 7-14 and Oly 9-18 are too wide for my tastes, maybe later...

Then it's the Olympus 12 f/2... that's a lens that interests me...

Any thoughts, advice, ideas?

As you can see from my gear list I have the GX7, the Panasonic 20 f/17 ll, the Panasonic Leica 25 f/1.4 and the Panasonic 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 ll.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
MikeyLNG said:
I don't understand how the 12mm is fine, but the 7-14mm and 9-18mm are too wide, even though they both cover 12mm and then some. I would think the wider would certainly give you more options and possibly more interesting shots specifically for landscape/architecture.
Click to expand...
You are right in what you are saying, but I also want to shoot environmental portraits, so I'm looking at the 12-35...
Click to expand...
The 12-35mm is an excellent lens for environmental portraits and you just can't go wrong with it.

OTOH, if you buy the 12-35mm f/2.8, then the, you'll not have much of use for the 12mm f/2.0 unless you really need this extra stop for low light scenes.
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I may be wrong, so yeah, maybe I should look at the 7-14 or the 9-18? I'm willing to learn and listen to advice....
Click to expand...
You should. The 9-18 is a great lens for landscape / architecture work and I never leave home without it.

Moti
 
Have you considdered waiting for the new P/L 15mm f1.7? The early samples show wonderful sharpness, minimal (for its focal length) distortion, and you then have that f1.7 aperture for low noise interior shots.
 
Fredrik Glckner said:
Since you must have a fixed max aperture, something I think is hard to understand, I think the choice is clear: the 7-14mm lens.

http://m43photo.blogspot.com/2012/06/lumix-g-7-14mm-f4-ultra-wide-angle-lens.html
Click to expand...
I have a complex regarding this - I admit that freely - probably because zoom lenses used to be bad...

I'm willing to be persuaded to change my mind ... If someone proves to me/tells me that variable aperture is ok... then I'll change my mind...

all of us have some irrational ideas, I'm willing to admit mine ... and try to change :-)
 
al_in_philly said:
Have you considdered waiting for the new P/L 15mm f1.7? The early samples show wonderful sharpness, minimal (for its focal length) distortion, and you then have that f1.7 aperture for low noise interior shots.
Click to expand...
 
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
Another factor, I live in Iceland, it's very dark here from long parts of the year, so it's important that to have fast lenses... the 12-35 has a f/2.8 aperture, the Oly 12 is a f/2 ... I like that... 7-14 is a f/4 and the Oly f/4-5.6... I already have one slow lens, the 14-140, I really can't 'afford' to have another...
Click to expand...
Iceland is beautiful and true that part of the year can be quite low in light but I can think of places which are much worse than Iceland in this respect.

The one stop difference between the 12mm and the 12-35mm isn't going to do much of a difference here. A tripod or a monopod, costing a fraction of the price than the 12mm will be much more helpful, also for your other lenses. I know, I know, you don't like tripods... ;-)



ice22.jpg


Moti

--
http://www.musicalpix.com (under construction)
 
Fredrik Glckner said:
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I may be wrong, so yeah, maybe I should look at the 7-14 or the 9-18? I'm willing to learn and listen to advice....
Click to expand...
Since you must have a fixed max aperture, something I think is hard to understand, I think the choice is clear: the 7-14mm lens.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! The 7-14mm is the way to go. I rarely have problems with it's f4-ness. ;-)

I use it for my interior architectural and design work. The 7mm end is great for shooting interiors. It takes a bit of practice to learn to work with it, but results can be fantastic. A monopod or leaning against things works great if I don't have a tripod or there isn't space for one… that can be a real problem for small New York City apartments!

It also makes an excellent and extremely flexible travel lens. Street shooting, too.
 
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I have a complex regarding this - I admit that freely - probably because zoom lenses used to be bad...
Click to expand...
Why spend the effort to change? You could get the new Samyang 10mm f/2.8: No zoom, no variable max aperture, no AF, manual aperture ring. No in-camera software distortion correction. What can go wrong?

http://m43photo.blogspot.com/
 
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jeffharris said:
Fredrik Glckner said:
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I may be wrong, so yeah, maybe I should look at the 7-14 or the 9-18? I'm willing to learn and listen to advice....
Click to expand...
Since you must have a fixed max aperture, something I think is hard to understand, I think the choice is clear: the 7-14mm lens.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! The 7-14mm is the way to go. I rarely have problems with it's f4-ness. ;-)

I use it for my interior architectural and design work. The 7mm end is great for shooting interiors. It takes a bit of practice to learn to work with it, but results can be fantastic. A monopod or leaning against things works great if I don't have a tripod or there isn't space for one… that can be a real problem for small New York City apartments!

It also makes an excellent and extremely flexible travel lens. Street shooting, too.
Click to expand...
I think this is good advice... a lens that will complement my other lenses... thank you guys ...

In other news, just ordered the Sigma 60 f/2.8 - $250 including shipping / eBay ... that should take care of the portrait range ... :-)
 
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
jeffharris said:
Fredrik Glckner said:
Gunnlaugur Gudmundsson said:
I may be wrong, so yeah, maybe I should look at the 7-14 or the 9-18? I'm willing to learn and listen to advice....
Click to expand...
Since you must have a fixed max aperture, something I think is hard to understand, I think the choice is clear: the 7-14mm lens.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! The 7-14mm is the way to go. I rarely have problems with it's f4-ness. ;-)

I use it for my interior architectural and design work. The 7mm end is great for shooting interiors. It takes a bit of practice to learn to work with it, but results can be fantastic. A monopod or leaning against things works great if I don't have a tripod or there isn't space for one… that can be a real problem for small New York City apartments!

It also makes an excellent and extremely flexible travel lens. Street shooting, too.
Click to expand...
I think this is good advice... a lens that will complement my other lenses... thank you guys ...

In other news, just ordered the Sigma 60 f/2.8 - $250 including shipping / eBay ... that should take care of the portrait range ... :-)
Click to expand...
Yes, the Sigma 60mm lens is a good one. Comparison with the 35-100mm ZOOM here:

http://m43photo.blogspot.com/2014/03/comparison-60mm.html

Strangely, it looks like the ZOOM lens is the better one, but I could be wrong.
 
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