Oly 17mm F2.8 worth after Pana 20mm F1.7 purchase?

[George Paulides]

A number of EP-1 users obviously have "upgraded" to the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. If you already have a Olympus 17mm F2.8 do you still use it or do you plan to get rid of it?

I can buy a EP-1 dual lens kit (14-42mm/17mm/OVF) or I can opt for a EP-1 w/ 14-42mm and use the $ difference to partially fund the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. Which way would you go?

 

[Steven Wandy]

Probably not worth it. I had the 17mm and "upgraded" to the 20mm.

To me it is a better lens (IQ wise) - significantly better, probably not. Certainly a bit less CA (though hard to tell as the Oly cameras don't correct for it on either lens), obviously faster, AF about the same on the EP1.

I do miss the fact that the 17mm is a bit wider, but I also have the 14-42 and the 4/3 version of the 14-54 for when I want/need wider anyways.
I sold the 17mm a while back and got back most of what I paid, so no regrets.
Steve

 

[George Paulides]

So when you say not worth it are you referring to the Oly 17mm?

 

[aroundomaha]

I have the 17mm kit and have been pleasantly surprised by the 17mm. The reason I'm considering the 20mm is purely to get the extra stop of light. Other than that I prefer the 17mm focal length. Just wide enough to be flexible and hits the sweet spot of overall versatility.

Unless you need the low light capabilities, the 17mm will save you money over the 20mm. If you primarily shoot in good light I doubt you'd see the advantage.

A number of EP-1 users obviously have "upgraded" to the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. If you already have a Olympus 17mm F2.8 do you still use it or do you plan to get rid of it?

I can buy a EP-1 dual lens kit (14-42mm/17mm/OVF) or I can opt for a EP-1 w/ 14-42mm and use the $ difference to partially fund the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. Which way would you go?

--
Aroundomaha
http://www.aroundomaha.com/
http://aroundomaha.smugmug.com/EP1

 

[ohmydentist]

I had both, both produces identically quality photos (to my untrained eyes ^^), but f/1.7 will give you 3 times faster shutter speed than f/2.8 when you need.

When you shoot video with tracking AF, Pany lens produces substantially less AF noise than the Oly.

I can't possibly think of any reason why one should own both.

--
^ ^

Just Shoot !

 

[roblarosa]

If you already have one of either the 17mm or 20mm, I wouldn't get the other.

If you don't have either, I'd get the 20mm.

 

[Aex]

A number of EP-1 users obviously have "upgraded" to the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. If you already have a Olympus 17mm F2.8 do you still use it or do you plan to get rid of it?

I can buy a EP-1 dual lens kit (14-42mm/17mm/OVF) or I can opt for a EP-1 w/ 14-42mm and use the $ difference to partially fund the Panasonic 20mm F1.7. Which way would you go?

If I were you, I would definitely, without a doubt, absolutely take the 14-42mm kit and save the rest for the 20mm f1.7.

I have tried the 17mm f2.8, it's worse than the 14-42mm zoom lens (that's a compliment to the zoom lens and a big wag of the finger for the 17mm). You have a compact zoom lens that is wider than the 17mm and though slightly slower (half a stop is not really that much) but greater optical quality.

And then you have the 20mm for low-light, close up, portrait (-ish), basically any situation that you needs large aperture. The 40mm equivalent focal length is almost legendary among range-finder users (at least that's what I heard ). It's about tele enough to be not to wide, and wide enough to be not too tele. IMO, it's "perfect".

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My flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/testdasi/

 

[Steven Wandy]

So when you say not worth it are you referring to the Oly 17mm?

Yes - if you have the Pana 20mm I don't feel the slightly wider FOV of the 17mm is worth the purchase. I would think that one of the kit zooms which go to 14mm (28mm equivalent).
Steve

 

[George Paulides]

Thanks all - I ordered the Panasonic 20mm and when for the EP-1 kit with the 14-42mm.