Panasonic 25mm f1.7 or Sigma 60mm f2.8 for street portraits?

M_digicapt · Jan 31, 2019

Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits. I want to be able to blur the background well… I’m buying used and the budget is around $125.

So far I’ve read that the Sigma is really sharp and has nice out of focus rendering and that the AF is not the fastest. And, that the Panasonic has focusing problems with some cameras.

Can someone who has tried both this lenses lens share their pros and cons?

Thanks

jwilliams · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits. I want to be able to blur the background well… I’m buying used and the budget is around $125.

So far I’ve read that the Sigma is really sharp and has nice out of focus rendering and that the AF is not the fastest. And, that the Panasonic has focusing problems with some cameras.

Can someone who has tried both this lenses lens share their pros and cons?

Thanks

Sigma is one of the best lenses in all of m43. Zero focusing issues, not sure where you heard that. Really no comparisons here as they are very different FLs. If wanting a 25 I would get an Oly 25 1.8 instead.

007peter · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits.

You just answer your own question. I had Panasonic 25/1.7, it is NOT tight. If you want TIGHT H.S., your choice is rather obvious isn't it?

addlightness · Jan 31, 2019

What about something in-between. Olympus outlet has a 45/1.8 for $173. Otherwise, I strongly recommend Sigma's 60/2.8. I have one and it's sharper than my 45/1.8.

thinkinginimages · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits. I want to be able to blur the background well… I’m buying used and the budget is around $125.

So far I’ve read that the Sigma is really sharp and has nice out of focus rendering and that the AF is not the fastest. And, that the Panasonic has focusing problems with some cameras.

Can someone who has tried both this lenses lens share their pros and cons?

Thanks

I have to generalize a little since I only toyed with the Sigma, but don't own it. (Nice lens!)

"Tight" is a bit subjective. You'd have to get in a bit closer with the 25mm for a head and shoulders shot. Then again, a 60mm might be a little long, more studio. Maybe the Sigma 30mm?

Something to consider: neither lens has image stabilization built in. So, if that's an important factor to you it would have to be a camera body with stabilization built in. On the other hand, it's hardly an issue with he 25mm unless you're in low light. The 60mm with it's extra magnification?

I go back to film days so image stabilization was science fiction. We did just fine.

MikeF15 · Jan 31, 2019

I have the 25 1.7 and the 42.5 1.7,. Both perform well but the 42.5 is more af a “head and shoulders portrait” lens than the 25.

Again, both are great and can be used for portraits but it’ll be easier to isolate subjects with the 42.5

good luck

Tim Reidy Productions · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits. I want to be able to blur the background well… I’m buying used and the budget is around $125.

tight frame would make the 60mm

M_digicapt said:
So far I’ve read that the Sigma is really sharp and has nice out of focus rendering and that the AF is not the fastest. And, that the Panasonic has focusing problems with some cameras.

Can someone who has tried both this lenses lens share their pros and cons?

the 60mm is a special lens that is great to shoot folks with, I shot volleyball with this lens and did not find it lacking if focusing in that tough condition.

the 25mm is a workhorse lens, that works well but is not special in rendering subjects, it is fast and good for focus. this one is better for torso or more shots.

for portraits choose sigma 60mm

for street photgraphy the 25 is the winner here as the sigma has too much telephoto for many styles.

Millsner · Jan 31, 2019

Based on your stated criteria, the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 is the way to go. The Lumix 25mm f/1.7 is a decent lens, but isn't ideal for tight portraiture.

Also consider the Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 and Olympus 45mm f/1.8, if you can find deals on them within your budget. They'll both give more depth of field control than the Sigma, and the Lumix even has OIS. Many also find the shorter focal length a bit easier to deal with.

Doom Scythe · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Hi, I’m looking for a lens for quick mostly tight (head and shoulders) street portraits. I want to be able to blur the background well… I’m buying used and the budget is around $125.

So far I’ve read that the Sigma is really sharp and has nice out of focus rendering and that the AF is not the fastest. And, that the Panasonic has focusing problems with some cameras.

Can someone who has tried both this lenses lens share their pros and cons?

Thanks

As many other posters have mentioned, 60mm is the one to go if you want tight head and shoulder for street photography. Either that, or Oly 45mm f1.8, but it may be just a little pricier.

Donald B · Jan 31, 2019

for head and shoulders the sigma cant be beat , 25 mm for head shots shows to much distortion.

Don

M_digicapt · Jan 31, 2019

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I fully understand the difference in FL between the lenses. I don't mind the facial distortion so I can make the 25mm work. What I'm interested in finding out are the little quirks of the lenses. And, how well they would work for quick portraits where I ask strangers if they would like to pose and only have a minutes to take the photo.

That's why asked about AF and out of focus rendering...

The 25mm f1.7 would be more flexible, but the feedback so far points to the 60mm f2.8 being a better lens.

Thanks again for the help.

Doom Scythe · Jan 31, 2019

M_digicapt said:
Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I fully understand the difference in FL between the lenses. I don't mind the facial distortion so I can make the 25mm work. What I'm interested in finding out are the little quirks of the lenses. And, how well they would work for quick portraits where I ask strangers if they would like to pose and only have a minutes to take the photo.

That's why asked about AF and out of focus rendering...

The 25mm f1.7 would be more flexible, but the feedback so far points to the 60mm f2.8 being a better lens.

Thanks again for the help.

The response are overwhelmingly for the 60mm because of the way you ask your question by mentioning the priority on the head and shoulder shots. I don't have the 60mm, but for the Pana 25mm f1.7, autofocus is a non issue for a EM5 Mark 2. It almost always locks on, even in low light. Surprisingly, it focuses better than my Oly 45mm f1.8.

M_digicapt · Jan 31, 2019

Doom Scythe said:
M_digicapt said:

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

I fully understand the difference in FL between the lenses. I don't mind the facial distortion so I can make the 25mm work. What I'm interested in finding out are the little quirks of the lenses. And, how well they would work for quick portraits where I ask strangers if they would like to pose and only have a minutes to take the photo.

That's why asked about AF and out of focus rendering...

The 25mm f1.7 would be more flexible, but the feedback so far points to the 60mm f2.8 being a better lens.

Thanks again for the help.

Click to expand...

The response are overwhelmingly for the 60mm because of the way you ask your question by mentioning the priority on the head and shoulder shots. I don't have the 60mm, but for the Pana 25mm f1.7, autofocus is a non issue for a EM5 Mark 2. It almost always locks on, even in low light. Surprisingly, it focuses better than my Oly 45mm f1.8.

That's true, should have phrased my question in a better manner...

Tim Reidy said that the 60mm's rendition is better...

In any case it seems that either lens would be a good option.

Thanks

timo · Jan 31, 2019

The Sigma is a terrific lens. No internal stabilisation though - you have to rely on in-body stabilisation if that is what you want. In practice I have rarely found that a problem.

Sometimes I have found the FL just a little bit long for comfort, and put one of my ancient Pentax 50mm 1.4s onto an adaptor, and that works wonderfully too - with the aid of focus peaking.

M_digicapt · Jan 31, 2019

timo said:
The Sigma is a terrific lens. No internal stabilisation though - you have to rely on in-body stabilisation if that is what you want. In practice I have rarely found that a problem.

Sometimes I have found the FL just a little bit long for comfort, and put one of my ancient Pentax 50mm 1.4s onto an adaptor, and that works wonderfully too - with the aid of focus peaking.

I have several old portraits lenses too.... For this type of portrait I'm considering using AF.

Have you found using the sigma much quicker than the Pentax manual lens for portraits?

Thanks

timo · Feb 1, 2019

M_digicapt said:
timo said:

The Sigma is a terrific lens. No internal stabilisation though - you have to rely on in-body stabilisation if that is what you want. In practice I have rarely found that a problem.

Sometimes I have found the FL just a little bit long for comfort, and put one of my ancient Pentax 50mm 1.4s onto an adaptor, and that works wonderfully too - with the aid of focus peaking.

Click to expand...

I have several old portraits lenses too.... For this type of portrait I'm considering using AF.

Have you found using the sigma much quicker than the Pentax manual lens for portraits?

Thanks

No - AF is sure to be quicker, so the Sigma would be more suitable for 'hit and run' photography. Much easier to be anonymous, avoiding interaction with the subject. But sometimes a slower, more considered approach produces better results.

Jouko · Feb 1, 2019

All suggested lenses (25, 42, 45 and 60) can do the job. But the longer the lens, the further you need to be - or the shorter the closer. I think the Pana 35-100mm F2.8 lens would be ideal for you, but maybe it's too expensive?

Cheers!

Jouko
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Adielle · Feb 1, 2019

Panasonic 30mm f/2.8

Sharp, from corner to corner

Low geometric distortion which in most cases has no noticeable effect, so you can disable software correction and gain sharpness.

Fast focusing, regardless of macro capability

Minimal CA even in the toughest conditions. In-lab tests don't even begin to portray just how good it is. It's a huge deal.

No flare problems, also a big deal.

Flat focus plane, not curved, which is great for regular shots as much as it is for macro. A big advantage for buildings.

Silkiest out-of-focus rendering in MFT. Amazing.

in-lens stabilization / Dual-IS support

Good natural-looking focal length with subjects in corners looking significantly less stretched than with 25mm,

M_digicapt · Feb 1, 2019

timo said:
M_digicapt said:

timo said:

The Sigma is a terrific lens. No internal stabilisation though - you have to rely on in-body stabilisation if that is what you want. In practice I have rarely found that a problem.

Sometimes I have found the FL just a little bit long for comfort, and put one of my ancient Pentax 50mm 1.4s onto an adaptor, and that works wonderfully too - with the aid of focus peaking.

Click to expand...

I have several old portraits lenses too.... For this type of portrait I'm considering using AF.

Have you found using the sigma much quicker than the Pentax manual lens for portraits?

Thanks

Click to expand...

No - AF is sure to be quicker, so the Sigma would be more suitable for 'hit and run' photography. Much easier to be anonymous, avoiding interaction with the subject. But sometimes a slower, more considered approach produces better results.

For this project I’m asking people’s permission, the problem has been that they are usually in a hurry and don’t stand still and that is part of the challenge. The other part is finding a spot and best light fast. Using the focally reduced 50mm f1.8 takes a bit more time.

Thanks

M_digicapt · Feb 1, 2019

Adielle said:
Panasonic 30mm f/2.8

Sharp, from corner to corner

Low geometric distortion which in most cases has no noticeable effect, so you can disable software correction and gain sharpness.

Fast focusing, regardless of macro capability

Minimal CA even in the toughest conditions. In-lab tests don't even begin to portray just how good it is. It's a huge deal.

No flare problems, also a big deal.

Flat focus plane, not curved, which is great for regular shots as much as it is for macro. A big advantage for buildings.

Silkiest out-of-focus rendering in MFT. Amazing.

in-lens stabilization / Dual-IS support

Good natural-looking focal length with subjects in corners looking significantly less stretched than with 25mm,

During 2017's Black Friday this lens sold for $100, I think. Almost bought it. Probably too slow for what I have in mind, but interesting nonetheless...

Thanks for the feedback.

Panasonic 25mm f1.7 or Sigma 60mm f2.8 for street portraits?

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