Thinking of something narrower: Panasonic 42.5 F/1.7, Olympus 45mm F/1.8 or Sigma 30mm F/2.8

Jacques Cornell wrote:

neil holmes wrote:

Hithertoo wrote:

I'm thinking about getting a narrower prime, for closer crop photos. I have the Olympus 12mm F/2 and Panasonic 20mm F/1.7. 30mm is a little different to 20mm and will give me 60mm instead of 40mm, the other options are the 42.5mm and 45mm which are just about the same at around 85 to 90mm, or there abouts. The Sigma is the cheapest option.

I've discounted the Olympus 60mm and 75mm options as they're really too long for indoor use, I've tested it out with my 14-42 at 30mm and 40-150 at 45mm, I can't really decide. I've got a slightly obscure normal lens at 40mm so I could go with a 60mm or an 85mm or 90mm option. I really can't decide, the Sigma option is very cheap, and I like a slightly wider lens, but it just might not do it for me.

Don't discount the Canon EF 40 2.8 STM with Kipon AF adapter.

No AF-C but in that regard it is just like an 20 1.7 on a GX7.

But not at all like the Oly 45 or Pan 42.5 - the lenses Hithertoo is asking about.

Actually, I used to own the 45 1.8 and I think I MUCH prefer the Canon 40 2.8 STM on my GX7.

The adapter will cost twice as much as the lens but together is still not THAT expensive and the lens is VERY sharp at 2.8 and makes a nice portrait lens on M4/3

The Pan/Oly lenses also are very sharp wide open while also being 1.5 stops brighter. No compelling reason for this combo unless...

Yes they are but I think the 40 may well be sharper.

I think while still being useful on both FF and APSC cameras.

...you also have Canon cameras...

Well actually ...no, I don't.

I DID have a Canon 7d but I have had many Canon lenses before I got the 7D ....I use them on my Sony E mount and GX7.

The Kipon adapter with this lens is now quite useful with firmware 2.5 as there was a distortion issue that has gone and AF (AFS) is quite fast ....at least with a GX7.

...which Hitherto's gear list shows is not the case.

The Canon/Kipon combo is bigger, heavier, more expensive, and lacks C-AF. Is there some other reason to consider it?

Yes, it lacks AF-C.....I said that but it is no different in that regard than the native 20 1.7 on a GX7.

The 40 2.8 is very cheap......if you ONLY get it with the 40 2.8 it might not make a lot of sense but the combination is still actually pretty good value I think (the Canon 40 2.8 is I think the best value lens going in any system)....it is also still fairly small even with the adapter.

If you get other EF Canon lenses then the value is even greater.

It is not for everyone but I really do think that Canon lenses on M4/3 with the kipon adapter really CAN be a viable alternative (since the 2.5 version firmware.