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Lumix 20mm f1.7 vs Lumix 20mm f1.7 II

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Kakamal

Kakamal

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Hi everyone, this is my first post. Already follow this forum for a long time but decided to join the discussion as I can't find the info regarding my problems. I have both Lumix 20mm f1.7 and 25mm f1.7 which I used with my GX85. I like the 20mm lens more for its size and sharpness but the problem is, I only have AFS and MF available with my 20mm lens, AFF and AFC all grayed out. It doesn't happen with my 25mm lens though.

So, can anyone with the new Lumix 20mm f1.7II can confirm whether all focus mode are available?. Also if it focus any faster than the old ones?. If so, I would like to trade it for a new one.

Thank you in advance.
 
Solution
B
It is a "feature" or flaw of both versions of the 20mm lens (NOT a defect in your particular copy of the lens). AFC is simply not available.

I've never checked for AFF, but if that is not available on the original, I'm pretty sure it is not available on the mk II.

The original 20mm was one of the first lenses I acquired. Later I got a mkII as part of a camera/lens bundle deal. I compared them and couldn't see that the newer one was any better, so I sold it and kept the original, which I still have. If I were you, I wouldn't go to the expense of "upgrading" to the mkII.

--
Brent
It sounds like a defect. The two 20/1.7 versions are essentially the same, with a different cosmetic treatment and maybe a multicoating change? Focus behavior should be identical--slow, but should work in all modes.

Have you cleaned the contacts and checked for damage? Is the lens completely mounted, with the release lock in place?

Good luck!

Rick
 
It is a "feature" or flaw of both versions of the 20mm lens (NOT a defect in your particular copy of the lens). AFC is simply not available.

I've never checked for AFF, but if that is not available on the original, I'm pretty sure it is not available on the mk II.

The original 20mm was one of the first lenses I acquired. Later I got a mkII as part of a camera/lens bundle deal. I compared them and couldn't see that the newer one was any better, so I sold it and kept the original, which I still have. If I were you, I wouldn't go to the expense of "upgrading" to the mkII.

--
Brent
 
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Solution
Skeeterbytes said:
It sounds like a defect. The two 20/1.7 versions are essentially the same, with a different cosmetic treatment and maybe a multicoating change? Focus behavior should be identical--slow, but should work in all modes.
Click to expand...
It isn't a defect. Neither version of the 20/1.7 has ever supported AFC. I'm not familiar with AFF but since it's a close cousin of AFC it would make sense if it too was unsupported.
 
Kakamal said:
So, can anyone with the new Lumix 20mm f1.7II can confirm whether all focus mode are available?. Also if it focus any faster than the old ones?. If so, I would like to trade it for a new one.
Click to expand...
The other focus modes are not available with the II. You can only use AFS (of MF). It's supposed to be to do with the way the lens focuses, which as you've discovered is not fast. I doubt it's faster than the old one, I have heard that it's faster on some newer Panasonic bodies (like your GX85), so that maybe as good as it gets.

My version II just focussed from 6" to 6' in 0.6s.
 
Both 1.7/20 lenses have old fashion screw drive motor ( instead of stepping motor)

By this very reason the lens is so compact, but slow moving and noisy. This may explain to you why this lens does not work for focus tracking (slow) and video (noise)
 
Skeeterbytes said:
To follow up, the Mki 20/1.7 does C-AF and MF on an Oly body, same as any other system lens. On my GM5 (only Panny body) it does AFS and MF, ignores AFC.

You know what you must do. :-)
Click to expand...
Oh come on, I've just bought the camera with 2 lenses like few days ago :-O
 
Well thanks everyone for sharing such useful info, I appreciate that a lot. Since there's like no improvements for the new lens, I think I better stick with my old lens.
 
Kakamal said:
Well thanks everyone for sharing such useful info, I appreciate that a lot. Since there's like no improvements for the new lens, I think I better stick with my old lens.
Click to expand...
Some say that possibly improved lens coatings and reworked plastic housing around the front element may reduce flare with the mkII lens. But in terms of AF or AFC, no improvements.
 
Kakamal said:
Hi everyone, this is my first post. Already follow this forum for a long time but decided to join the discussion as I can't find the info regarding my problems. I have both Lumix 20mm f1.7 and 25mm f1.7 which I used with my GX85. I like the 20mm lens more for its size and sharpness but the problem is, I only have AFS and MF available with my 20mm lens, AFF and AFC all grayed out. It doesn't happen with my 25mm lens though.

So, can anyone with the new Lumix 20mm f1.7II can confirm whether all focus mode are available?. Also if it focus any faster than the old ones?. If so, I would like to trade it for a new one.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
From what I understand from the Lumix website is, the version II lenses were made to keep up with the demands of faster AF, and other demands for the dfd stabilization, and video features of the new Lumix cameras like GH5, G9 and GH5s. And their future 4/3 cameras.
 
Kakamal said:
Well thanks everyone for sharing such useful info, I appreciate that a lot. Since there's like no improvements for the new lens, I think I better stick with my old lens.
Click to expand...
Yes stick with what you have
 
ToxicTabasco said:
Kakamal said:
Hi everyone, this is my first post. Already follow this forum for a long time but decided to join the discussion as I can't find the info regarding my problems. I have both Lumix 20mm f1.7 and 25mm f1.7 which I used with my GX85. I like the 20mm lens more for its size and sharpness but the problem is, I only have AFS and MF available with my 20mm lens, AFF and AFC all grayed out. It doesn't happen with my 25mm lens though.

So, can anyone with the new Lumix 20mm f1.7II can confirm whether all focus mode are available?. Also if it focus any faster than the old ones?. If so, I would like to trade it for a new one.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
From what I understand from the Lumix website is, the version II lenses were made to keep up with the demands of faster AF, and other demands for the dfd stabilization, and video features of the new Lumix cameras like GH5, G9 and GH5s. And their future 4/3 cameras.
Click to expand...
Except for the old external focus 20 mm!

The Mk II 20 mm was introduced in June 2013 and caused a small stir until people found out it was a cosmetic change but same optical formula and external focus mechanism.

For comparison this was the same summer the G6 and GX7 were introduced. The GH3 was still a top line camera with the GH4 not yet introduced.
 
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