Is my PanaLeica 15mm f/1.7 a bad copy?

chaserk · Mar 30, 2022

I recently bought a used PanaLeica 15mm f/1.7, and I'm trying to figure out if my lens is a bad copy. In the first photo I noticed some fringing of the buildings in the background. And in the other photos everything seemed to be quite soft much more noticeable at 100% crop, at least compared to my 42.5mm f/1.7.

15mm f/1.7 1/8000

15mm f/1.7 1/1000. Focused on the 4.

15mm f/4 1/160 ISO 800. Do the buildings seem like they are not sharp enough?

15mm f4 1/250 ISO 200.

mkaresh · Mar 31, 2022

I see that you used fast shutter speeds, but still I must wonder if part of the problem isn't that you're pairing it with a GM1, so no IS and an old sensor. I have a GM5 but don't often use it with the PL15 because the results tend to be much better with my Olympus bodies. To really tell you might have to get a second PL15 and compare them.

Here are shots taken with my PL15 handheld, but with an E-M1 ii.