Should I keep the 25mm f1.7

NoosaPete · Sep 21, 2016

When I purchased my GX85 a few weeks ago I received a free 25mm f1.7 lens. Since then it has remained in the box unused as I have been getting used to the 12-32mm and am generally pleased with the results.

As the 25mm will not give me any range that I can not get from the 12-32mm I am tempted to sell it and use the money to go towards a different lens. I know that I could attach the lens and try it out but if so I would not be able to sell it as new and unused.

My question, especially to those of you who have used both these lenses, is whether you think that the 25mm is worth hanging on to. If it is not going to give me any advantage over the 12-32mm at 25mm then I can't see that it is - do you?

dv312 · Sep 21, 2016

1) it'd give you nice shallow DOF for close up portraits/objects

2) Allows you to shoot under low light without cranking up the ISO

Saying so I don't use this focal often so sold it

I use the 15mm more

arrr · Sep 21, 2016

Do you not shoot portraits of any kind or desire short depth of field? The 25mm f1.7 isn't an outstanding portrait lens but I think it's a good one when you figure the price and size. LOL, I got mine for free too and I think it's pretty darn awesome for that price.

If you don't shoot portraits or low-light then ditch it. Put the money toward a nice telephoto lens.

Here are a few candid portraits using the 25mm f1.7. I find myself wanting something more exotic at times but I'm ok with the output from this cheapy so I'm wondering if I'd needlessly be throwing money around.

grcolts · Sep 21, 2016

I like that lens and use it regularly. Images taken with it have a nice color to them.

I like primes over zooms for the most part though.

MikeGre · Sep 21, 2016

I have the same predicament but don't think it is worth the hassle after time, effort, and ebay fees etc. given the cost of lens. I have a 12-40mm pro and 17mm 1.8 oly prime so my zoom range is covered. It seems overlap to carry both so I have left it behind a lot.

Michael M Fliegel · Sep 21, 2016

I bought it for its speed. I use the Sigma 60 for portraits.

El Jeffe · Sep 21, 2016

I say keep it. It's great wide open and light as a feather. I enjoy using mine on the GX85 in the L Mono profile.

DLBlack · Sep 21, 2016

Keep it for those times you need a after lens for either low-light or shallow DOF.

NoosaPete · Sep 21, 2016

arrr said:
Do you not shoot portraits of any kind or desire short depth of field? The 25mm f1.7 isn't an outstanding portrait lens but I think it's a good one when you figure the price and size. LOL, I got mine for free too and I think it's pretty darn awesome for that price.

If you don't shoot portraits or low-light then ditch it. Put the money toward a nice telephoto lens.

Well I rarely shoot portraits so you may be right.

arrr said:
Here are a few candid portraits using the 25mm f1.7. I find myself wanting something more exotic at times but I'm ok with the output from this cheapy so I'm wondering if I'd needlessly be throwing money around.

Great photos. If I was a portrait taker these would sell me on the 25mm F1.7.

arrr said:

LMNCT · Sep 21, 2016

The 25 1.7 has more light gathering ability than the 12-32 so if you plan to do any shots inside or in a place with lower light, the 25 might have some value to you. It is not an expensive lens so selling it would not bring much cash. Probably better to hang onto it.

NoosaPete · Sep 21, 2016

LMNCT said:
The 25 1.7 has more light gathering ability than the 12-32 so if you plan to do any shots inside or in a place with lower light, the 25 might have some value to you. It is not an expensive lens so selling it would not bring much cash. Probably better to hang onto it.

Mm, this seems to be the general thought.

Cheers

007peter · Sep 21, 2016

Michael M Fliegel said:
I bought it for its speed. I use the Sigma 60 for portraits.

Hey Michael, can you post a full image comparisons of yr 25/1.7 vs 60/2.8 portrait (with blurry bokeh). I have 25/1.7, but considering Sigma 60.

Also do you own any Telephoto Zoom, how often do you use yr Sigma 60 vs Telephoto Zoom?

arrr · Sep 22, 2016

NoosaPete said:
arrr said:

Here are a few candid portraits using the 25mm f1.7. I find myself wanting something more exotic at times but I'm ok with the output from this cheapy so I'm wondering if I'd needlessly be throwing money around.

Click to expand...

Great photos. If I was a portrait taker these would sell me on the 25mm F1.7.

Thank you. I sharpened the faces a bit too much in these versions. I was mucking around trying to get the output to look a little more like that $1200 Olympus 25mm f1.2.

arrr · Sep 22, 2016

007peter said:
Michael M Fliegel said:

I bought it for its speed. I use the Sigma 60 for portraits.

Click to expand...

Hey Michael, can you post a full image comparisons of yr 25/1.7 vs 60/2.8 portrait (with blurry bokeh). I have 25/1.7, but considering Sigma 60.

Also do you own any Telephoto Zoom, how often do you use yr Sigma 60 vs Telephoto Zoom?

Here are a few samples from the Sigma 60mm f2.8... I really like it for headshots and half body. The 25mm f1.7 is good for half and I feel is better for full body shots. Sorry I don't have a direct comps.

Brick wall about 1 foot away on the right hand side.

Here is a full body shot with the 25mm f1.7.

Dark corners added in post.

Michael M Fliegel · Sep 22, 2016

I agree. I find the 25 to be too short for head shots and use it in low light. My 60 gets much more use. I have and enjoy the 35-100 F4-5.6 but willl someday own the 35-100 2.8 for events. Speed costs money!

wine540 · Sep 22, 2016

NoosaPete said:
When I purchased my GX85 a few weeks ago I received a free 25mm f1.7 lens. Since then it has remained in the box unused as I have been getting used to the 12-32mm and am generally pleased with the results.

As the 25mm will not give me any range that I can not get from the 12-32mm I am tempted to sell it and use the money to go towards a different lens. I know that I could attach the lens and try it out but if so I would not be able to sell it as new and unused.

My question, especially to those of you who have used both these lenses, is whether you think that the 25mm is worth hanging on to. If it is not going to give me any advantage over the 12-32mm at 25mm then I can't see that it is - do you?

I am responding to you without reading the other posts. I have both lenses. I like the 12-32- it is light weight and pretty sharp. The zoom range is a bit limited. Since I use the lens on the EM-1 and GX8 as a holdover from when I had a Pany GH5 I don't know that the compact size makes much difference and I mostly use the Pany f2.8 12-35 which is in a totally different class with regard to speed, IQ and contrast. I bought the Pany 25 f1.7 to use for panoramas with the camera mount vertically. I tried it out for general shooting just to see what it was like...OMG! - sharp, fast, awesome IQ and contrast...just what you'd expect from a premium prime lens. It boils down to what you need and how you are going to use the lens. There are those on these forums that think it is a good idea to own a "nifty fifty" (equivalent) , but resources are limited and for your needs you might put the money to better use (...like the new Olympus 12-100 f4.....)

wine540 · Sep 22, 2016

wine540 said:
NoosaPete said:

When I purchased my GX85 a few weeks ago I received a free 25mm f1.7 lens. Since then it has remained in the box unused as I have been getting used to the 12-32mm and am generally pleased with the results.

As the 25mm will not give me any range that I can not get from the 12-32mm I am tempted to sell it and use the money to go towards a different lens. I know that I could attach the lens and try it out but if so I would not be able to sell it as new and unused.

My question, especially to those of you who have used both these lenses, is whether you think that the 25mm is worth hanging on to. If it is not going to give me any advantage over the 12-32mm at 25mm then I can't see that it is - do you?

Click to expand...

I am responding to you without reading the other posts. I have both lenses. I like the 12-32- it is light weight and pretty sharp. The zoom range is a bit limited. Since I use the lens on the EM-1 and GX8 as a holdover from when I had a Pany GH5 I don't know that the compact size makes much difference and I mostly use the Pany f2.8 12-35 which is in a totally different class with regard to speed, IQ and contrast. I bought the Pany 25 f1.7 to use for panoramas with the camera mount vertically. I tried it out for general shooting just to see what it was like...OMG! - sharp, fast, awesome IQ and contrast...just what you'd expect from a premium prime lens. It boils down to what you need and how you are going to use the lens. There are those on these forums that think it is a good idea to own a "nifty fifty" (equivalent) , but resources are limited and for your needs you might put the money to better use (...like the new Olympus 12-100 f4.....)

NoosaPete · Sep 22, 2016

wine540 said:
NoosaPete said:

When I purchased my GX85 a few weeks ago I received a free 25mm f1.7 lens. Since then it has remained in the box unused as I have been getting used to the 12-32mm and am generally pleased with the results.

As the 25mm will not give me any range that I can not get from the 12-32mm I am tempted to sell it and use the money to go towards a different lens. I know that I could attach the lens and try it out but if so I would not be able to sell it as new and unused.

My question, especially to those of you who have used both these lenses, is whether you think that the 25mm is worth hanging on to. If it is not going to give me any advantage over the 12-32mm at 25mm then I can't see that it is - do you?

Click to expand...

I am responding to you without reading the other posts. I have both lenses. I like the 12-32- it is light weight and pretty sharp. The zoom range is a bit limited. Since I use the lens on the EM-1 and GX8 as a holdover from when I had a Pany GH5 I don't know that the compact size makes much difference and I mostly use the Pany f2.8 12-35 which is in a totally different class with regard to speed, IQ and contrast. I bought the Pany 25 f1.7 to use for panoramas with the camera mount vertically. I tried it out for general shooting just to see what it was like...OMG! - sharp, fast, awesome IQ and contrast...just what you'd expect from a premium prime lens. It boils down to what you need and how you are going to use the lens. There are those on these forums that think it is a good idea to own a "nifty fifty" (equivalent) , but resources are limited and for your needs you might put the money to better use (...like the new Olympus 12-100 f4.....)

wine540 said:
--
Dan W

Thanks Dan

I tried the 25mm last night and was pleased with the sharpness. It was also surprisingly good in low light as shown below. Looks like a keeper.

Peter

Sundown on the Noosa River

RSSrsvp · Sep 22, 2016

MikeGre said:
I have the same predicament but don't think it is worth the hassle after time, effort, and ebay fees etc. given the cost of lens. I have a 12-40mm pro and 17mm 1.8 oly prime so my zoom range is covered. It seems overlap to carry both so I have left it behind a lot

I own both and I rarely carry my 17mm with me during the daytime but I always leave the 12-40 Pro home at night. They both serve a purpose. ;-)

Tim Reidy Productions · Sep 22, 2016

they both have their different uses.

Should I keep the 25mm f1.7

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