Legacy fast prime - or alternative ?

photophile wrote:

Thank you all for your input. Both the Olympus 45mm f1.8 and the Panasonic 25mm f1.7 fall well within my budget. I think the focal length of the Panasonic would be more suited to my needs. I checked an online compatibility table - and according to the information, there are no compatibility issues with using the Panasonic lens on the EPL-6. Just to be sure - I take it that I will have full use of Aperture priority still ?

There's no shortage of legacy lens options on all the usual online retail sites - and yes, there is a marked difference in price between the Zuiko 50mm f1.4 and the f1.8.

If it helps - I already have a 4/3 to m4/3 adapter as well as an OM to 4/3 adapter. So if there are still any 4/3 fast primes out there (any manufacturer), I'd be interested.

Size, weight & speed of auto-focus are not big concerns - just access to a wider apertures for low light work - something that would give me a couple of stops of advantage so that I don't have to crank the ISO setting to "desperate."

The Olympus 25mm 1.8 should be in your price range as well, and it's a bit smaller than the Panasonic 25mm 1.7. The Panasonic, and all the Olympus M43 primes mentioned so far, are native M43rds lenses and will provide full functionality including aperture and AF.

I would look for used lenses on eBay as well, you can find the 45mm 1.8 for $200-250 or so, and the Olympus 25mm 1.8 for $250-275. Looks like the Panasonic 25mm 1.7 goes for about $250 new, or $200 used if you can find one (it just came out so there aren't very many on the market).