I want a wide lens for landscape + city/architecture

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 ... :-)
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.
Well the Sigma is a $250 lens, the zoom is a $1000 - 1250 lens ... bigger etc... however, that doesn't really matter, I have seen lots of great portraits taken with the Sigma... so.....
 
For close up Architecture a shift lens is handy but I don't think that there is one directly made for M4/3. Maybe Samyang have a MF lens that will mount on M4/3 without spending the earth?

Nope - anything but M4/3 - not wide enough for your purpose either

 
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For close up Architecture a shift lens is handy but I don't think that there is one directly made for M4/3. Maybe Samyang have a MF lens that will mount on M4/3 without spending the earth?
There is the Photex 50mm f/2 tilt/shift for Micro Four Thirds. AND IT IS NOT A ZOOM!
 
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I don't have the 12-35, but I'm sure it's a very good zoom lens, and it's near the top of my list of potential future lenses, though quite a ways off. For me, it would replace the 14-42 v.II that I own. I don't have the 14-140 and doubt I will get one of those.

It seems to me that the 12-35 considerably overlaps with the lenses you do already have. You have the 20 and 25 when you need fast and sharp, and the 14-140 when you want zoom convenience (missing only 12 and 13mm).

Since you want a wider lens for landscape and city architecture, either the 7-14 or the 9-18 would make more sense to me. An ultrawide really opens up a lot of possibilities that you just don't have now, and both cover the 12-13 range you'd gain with the 12-35.

I have the 7-14 and like it a lot with my GX7. I chose that one over the 9-18 because it's a bit wider, reputedly a bit sharper, and constant f/4. However, the 9-18 might make a more sensible walk-about lens in a city with its 18mm long end, and it's cheaper, lighter, and takes filters on the front.

I'm sure the 12mm f/2 lens is very nice, but it's always seemed overly expensive to me, given that many give it somewhat lukewarm marks for IQ. If I'm going to pay that much for a prime, I want it to have the quality of the 75. Given the modest difference between f/2 and f/2.8, I'd take the 12-35 over the 12.
 
I don't have the 12-35, but I'm sure it's a very good zoom lens, and it's near the top of my list of potential future lenses, though quite a ways off. For me, it would replace the 14-42 v.II that I own. I don't have the 14-140 and doubt I will get one of those.

It seems to me that the 12-35 considerably overlaps with the lenses you do already have. You have the 20 and 25 when you need fast and sharp, and the 14-140 when you want zoom convenience (missing only 12 and 13mm).

Since you want a wider lens for landscape and city architecture, either the 7-14 or the 9-18 would make more sense to me. An ultrawide really opens up a lot of possibilities that you just don't have now, and both cover the 12-13 range you'd gain with the 12-35.

I have the 7-14 and like it a lot with my GX7. I chose that one over the 9-18 because it's a bit wider, reputedly a bit sharper, and constant f/4. However, the 9-18 might make a more sensible walk-about lens in a city with its 18mm long end, and it's cheaper, lighter, and takes filters on the front.

I'm sure the 12mm f/2 lens is very nice, but it's always seemed overly expensive to me, given that many give it somewhat lukewarm marks for IQ. If I'm going to pay that much for a prime, I want it to have the quality of the 75. Given the modest difference between f/2 and f/2.8, I'd take the 12-35 over the 12.
 
For close up Architecture a shift lens is handy but I don't think that there is one directly made for M4/3. Maybe Samyang have a MF lens that will mount on M4/3 without spending the earth?
There is the Photex 50mm f/2 tilt/shift for Micro Four Thirds. AND IT IS NOT A ZOOM!
50mm is a 100mm telephoto in M4/3 parlance, so essentially pointless for architectural shooting… unless it's the property next door. ;-)
 
I don't know why you're ruling out the Olympus 12-40/2.8 (because it's Olympus and you're on Panasonic) but not the Olympus 12/2?

Most tests have shown that the 12-40 is a bit better at the wide end than the 12-35, while the 12-35 is a bit better at the long end. If landscape is your primary use then the 12-40 may be the better choice. I think you said you have a GX7 (?) so the lack of OIS shouldn't be a huge factor.
 
For close up Architecture a shift lens is handy but I don't think that there is one directly made for M4/3. Maybe Samyang have a MF lens that will mount on M4/3 without spending the earth?
There is the Photex 50mm f/2 tilt/shift for Micro Four Thirds. AND IT IS NOT A ZOOM!
50mm is a 100mm telephoto in M4/3 parlance, so essentially pointless for architectural shooting… unless it's the property next door. ;-)
... or that nice pad up on the hill ...
 

This company sells a tilt shift adapter for micro four thirds.

I think the best lens would be a four thirds lens.

I'm not sure though ...
 
For a prime, I bet on Panasonic-Leica 15mm f1.7. Seem a interesting lens for landscape and architecture, in place of the 12mm/2.
 
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.
 
I have it on my E-M5 and love it. Great, versatile, good IQ, compact. It is the lens I usually start out with when taking my camera. However, when I look at my favourite shots, many of them are not taken with this lens. For landscapes and architecture, most of my favourites are taken with the 9-18mm. For portraits the Oly 45mm or Pana 25mm. Close ups some tele or macro lens. So, my conclusion: the 12-35 is a great allrounder, but it does not replace the rest of my bag of lenses. Not even close.
 
For a prime, I bet on Panasonic-Leica 15mm f1.7. Seem a interesting lens for landscape and architecture, in place of the 12mm/2.
I will monitor this lens, I love the PanaLeica 25 f/1.4, so this one sounds interesting, will wait for availability and reviews...
 
If you want a subject then pick a 30mm+, but if you want to suck everything in and give someone brain freeze without a main subject then 28mm or less. This is just my perspective on how I shoot and not a be all statement.

I think you should just trash the whole variable zoom feelings. If you are serious about landscape and architect then you should use any variable wide zoom to test what you like. If you're already established as that specialized photographer then you wouldn't be asking these questions. So to really find out what you love I would go with any of the zooms mentioned or carry multiple primes.

Me? I just am not a big fan of zooms with a few exceptions. I believe the only zoom I now own is the old 35-100 f2 and kit lenses. After you figure it out then I guess your path would be self-explanatory.

I also have a collection of junk too because I like to involve myself in many things. And since I know I am not a fan of zooms I didn't get a wide zoom one yet; however, if I find that I shoot landscape less then I might get a zoom and not purchase so many primes. This way if I don't do it often I am also not technically wasting money with another crazy collection.

GL! :)
 
I have it on my E-M5 and love it. Great, versatile, good IQ, compact. It is the lens I usually start out with when taking my camera. However, when I look at my favourite shots, many of them are not taken with this lens. For landscapes and architecture, most of my favourites are taken with the 9-18mm. For portraits the Oly 45mm or Pana 25mm. Close ups some tele or macro lens. So, my conclusion: the 12-35 is a great allrounder, but it does not replace the rest of my bag of lenses. Not even close.
 
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.
 
12-40 trounces the 12-35 ... I've used both.
 
I wonder what that reviewer did to male the 12/f2.0 perform SO poorly?

These are hand held snaps with an EM-5 - I see NO fall off, though might be measured. I'll add a few more 'test' pics next week.
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Part of this reversal of reality will stem from the fact that no IBIS is available the Pana bodies, so the Zuiko is not stabilised, but the Pana will be.
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It also looks like it is not FOCUSSED properly - (and hardly a lens fault).

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If there's interest, I will DO this test on an EM-1 as I have access to both lenses any time.

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SLRGEAR also shows the the ZUIKO smashes the 7-14 for sharpness at every comparable aperture. The Zuiko is sharper over MOST of the frame than the 7-14 is wide open.
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That's f2 vs f4 - not bad for a lens that is 2 stops (or 400% ) as fast.
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SLRGEAR also say:
"The 12mm ƒ/2 is an excellently sharp lens. Wide open at ƒ/2, there's just a hint of corner softness, and stopping down to ƒ/2.8 reduces that almost completely. Tack-sharp results are available from ƒ/4 all the way to ƒ/11"
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That matches my experience. Now I have a few lenses with the manual focus ring, I am no longer caught out, but it used to.

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Interesting to see what the Zuiko 7-14 2.8 can manage - THAT might make me sell the 12mm, the Panny has no change of that.
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If the Panny 42.5 were a grand, I'd seriously consider one of those, but I see it as 60% overpriced and customers are very happy with what the 45mm can do (so far). How do I know? They BUY!
 

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