Best ONE lens for Pany GF1

[Franka T.L.]

I would want to state the 20mm/1.7 for its general coverage, and fast speed, but the lack of OIS feature really cripple it somewhat ( if allowed only 1 lens ) the zoom is way too big and slow for its own worth.

If Panasonic would made a say 18mm or 21mm/2.0 OIS , I am sure it would not be as compact as the 20, but it would made the proper one.

--

• Franka -

 

[burnymeister]

I owned the 20mm and don't really understand the gushing over it. Sure it's fast and sharp and fairly small (was bigger than the 17mm which surprised me) but it's a 40mm equiv. lens! This may be OK for indoor portraits (although hardly long enough) but IMHO it's a very boring focal length for just about anything else!

For the stated use of general photography, including a lot of outdoor and even mountaineering I would have to suggest the 14-140 simply because it's the best glass for the $$$ right now in m4/3 except maybe the 7-14mm which is also a fantastic zoom.

I don't like the way the 14-140 balances on the GF1 and really wish they made a 12-60mm with the same quality as the 14-140 but so far, they haven't.
--
Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/
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[mpgxsvcd]

The 20mm Pancake is the only m4/3s lens I use on a regular basis. However, the Nikon 50mm F1.8 Pancake is probably my favorite lens. It can be difficult to shoot close up with it but not impossible. It is perfect for most everything outdoors though.

--
GF1 & ZS3 Sample movies
http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgxsvcd#play/uploads

 

[compositor20]

thid one developed with lightroom beta 3 and the 20mm at f4 and olympus e-p1

click 2 times in the photo and tell me if this isnt enough sharp for most of you

 

[Dennis]

That's why I would choose the 14-45 for the GF1 if I was allowed only one lens. The 20 f1.7 is not as versatile and the 14-140 is big (which reduces the size & weight benefit of traveling with a m4/3). Is this thinking reasonable?

Not to me, the moment you attach a zoom lens onto the GF1 you throw out most of its portability. I just about always have the 20mm F1.7 lens attached to my GF1 because that keeps it compact and that's my reason for having it. By putting the 14-45mm lens on the GF1 it's no longer that compact and won't fit in a pocket so as it must go in a shoulder bag it's lost its main benefit.

I agree. The OP has now asked for best 1 and 2 -lens kits. I think he's trying hard to get someone to agree that the zoom is a good purchase. Personally, if I were to buy the GF1, I'd buy the 20/1.7 and then either the 45/2.8 or some old 50mm prime or a lensbaby or something else for occasional portraiture (something to stick in another pocket).

The zoom kills the portability benefit of the GF1 (I'd rather a G1 if using the zoom) and it's speed makes it less flexible IMO. I'm more likely to find myself limited by the speed of a zoom (less so if f/2.8) than the fixed FL or a normal prime.

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

 

[Steven Wandy]

First if you have a GF1 you want to have lenses that are stabilized (OIS). So, since Oly put stabilization in the body of the camera, their lenses aren't usually the first choice for Panasonic users.

Ah! And it is not the other way around. Interesting! I guess this will give Pany an advantage with revenue from lens sales (because, unless IS is irrelevant, Pany lenses potentially works better on Oly body as compared to Oly lenses on Pany body).

Then again the 20mm is not stabilized, but for a lens that small (and fast) you probably won't miss the IS unless you are shooting in pretty dim conditions.

The Oly 14-42 optically is beaten by the equivalent Panasonic lens. It also focuses slower than the 14-45. The benefits of the Oly lens are size (it collapses) better macro performance.

Probably true, but how much it is "optically beaten" is questionable. For me - if I did not care about the IS in the lens (I have the EP2) I would prefer the fact that the Oly version collapses which makes it much more compact.

The other Oly lens currently available is the 17mm f2.8. Again, optically the Panny 20mm beats it and the Panny is two stops faster. For some people the field of view with the 20mm is more versatile than the 17mm.

Having had the Oly 17mm and having sold it to get the Pana 20mm this I would completely agree with. While the Oly is nowhere as bad as some would make you think, the Pana is just much better. Though at times I do miss the wider FOV of the Oly lens.

Sounds like Pany lenses are generally "better" choices even if you are an Oly Pen user.

Again, not necessarily. And aside from the two comparisons above, Oly has no comparable m4/3 lenses yet.

About your initial question about a single lens, I would go with the Pana 20mm. I spent a long weekend in Florida with family (and some sightseeing) and only took the EP2 and the Pana 20mm. Never really missed having something wider or longer. ( http://www.pbase.com/swandy/florida_2010 )

Though if I was going on an extended vacation, I would probably want a wider range of focal lengths.

If I was looking for two lenses, then probably the 20mm and the 14-150 would be my choice.
Steve

 

[TrapperJohn]

Why would you have just one lens?

I mean, this is a replaceable lens system. The whole point is to have more than one lens, otherwise you'd probably just get a high end P&S.

If I was to have only one, it would be the general purpose zoom, Panny 14-45 or Oly 14-42. Maybe the Panny 14-140 or Oly 14-150, if I could afford the former, or the latter's IQ proves to be halfway decent.

As it is, I also have the PL25 1.4 and ZD 50 F2 from my 4/3 bag, soon to add a Leica 90 F2.

 

[Jeanadriane]

Why would you have just one lens? The whole point is to have more than one lens, otherwise you'd probably just get a high end P&S.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, my dear TrapperJohn! The IQ of even the best P&S is way below GF1+20mm. And if you consider the X1 a P&S, then IQ may be superior but functionality / responsiveness seems to be a problem. No, there are some very good reasons to have a µ4/3 body with only one lens, the excellent 20mm: IQ, functionality and portability. Happy camper here, yes indeed.

 

[bosjohn]

Why would you have just one lens?

I mean, this is a replaceable lens system. The whole point is to have more than one lens, otherwise you'd probably just get a high end P&S.

If I was to have only one, it would be the general purpose zoom, Panny 14-45 or Oly 14-42. Maybe the Panny 14-140 or Oly 14-150, if I could afford the former, or the latter's IQ proves to be halfway decent.

As it is, I also have the PL25 1.4 and ZD 50 F2 from my 4/3 bag, soon to add a Leica 90 F2.

It would depend on why you want or have a gf1. If your gf1 is your stand alone system camera then yes you would want at least the 20 and the kit lens but I suspect most buyers of this camera wanted a second compact camera to carry around when traveling or walking or in all kinds of situations where photography isnt necessarily the major reason for their being out and about. As has been mentioned mounting a zoom makes the camera big enough that the g1 would have been a sensible choice. But you say you can mount some small primes with adapters but then your carrying around more stuff and now your compact camera is compact with a bag of lenses. I think I would start out with the 20 and after mastering it I would like maybe a 10 and depend on crop to get a 40 or so. An extra lens in the pocket is not too bad. But also changing a lens is a pain in the well you know. So if I were the proud owner of a gf1 I would stick with the 20 till I run into enough situations were I really need something else and then have a better idea of what I might need.
--
bosjohn aka John Shick [email protected]

 

[dhw63]

I don't even HAVE my m4/3 body yet, but I KNOW the lenses I'll have with it are Panny's 20mm f1.7 + 14-140mm f4.0-5.8.

Hello? Leica glass? I am WAY sold (Panasonic FZ7 acolyte + Leicasonic 25mm f1.4 devotee). Love light? Then once you've gone Leipanasonica, you can NEVER go back...
--
snork14000

 

[Umnak]

Thanks for creating this thread and thanks to all of you who have responded. I bought my Gf1 with the 20mm and use that wonderful lens 90% of the time. I've been pondering a second micro 4/3 lens and this had made me realize I already have the second lens; one of the 3 old school Zuiko OM lenses that I've been using for the past four months. Of those three (28mm f3.5, 50mm f1.4 and 28-48mm f4) I'd have to go with the 28-48mm for versatility and the 50mm for the ability to capture images in the dim light of Southeast Alaska. So, perhaps you all have saved me $700-$800. Oh, wait, maybe I could use the 14mm when it arrives.

This with the 28-48mm at f5.6

 

[frank2001]

I really like the Collapsible Olympus 14-42mm.

It makes a much more compact camera and, with the AF, firmware update focuses as fast as the Panasonic kit lens
--
Frank in Atlanta

 

[Janne303]

Would be nice with a 12-140....

 

[Trevor G]

I think the Pany 14-45 mm. kit lens is the best choice. What is your opinion?

You are right.

Now get out and start shooting.

--
Cheers

Trevor G

http://www.computerwyse.com

 

[Namtarn]

I am reporting back. Just bought a GF1 with the 20 mm f/1.7 kit lens yesterday. It cost me the official authorized dealer price of US$ 1,030 for this set.

Pany offers two kit lens choices, 20 mm f/1.7 and 14-45 f/3.5. But only the 20 mm f/1.7 option is offered by the authorized distributor in Thailand

Am very excited about it. My next purchase will probably be either the Pany 14-45 or 14-140.

Again, thanks so much for all the helps.

Cheers,

--
Namtarn
Panasonic TZ7
Panasonic GF1 with Pany 20 f/1.7
Nikon D90
Nikkor: 18-105 VR DX, 10-24 DX, 35 f/1.8 DX, 70-300 VR

 

[Jeanadriane]

Great choice, Namtarn!
Best of luck to you in your new photographic journey, and enjoy!!!

I am reporting back. Just bought a GF1 with the 20 mm f/1.7 kit lens yesterday. It cost me the official authorized dealer price of US$ 1,030 for this set.

Pany offers two kit lens choices, 20 mm f/1.7 and 14-45 f/3.5. But only the 20 mm f/1.7 option is offered by the authorized distributor in Thailand

Am very excited about it. My next purchase will probably be either the Pany 14-45 or 14-140.

Again, thanks so much for all the helps.

Cheers,

--
Namtarn
Panasonic TZ7
Panasonic GF1 with Pany 20 f/1.7
Nikon D90
Nikkor: 18-105 VR DX, 10-24 DX, 35 f/1.8 DX, 70-300 VR

 

[Al Patterson]

I'd get the GF-1 and the Canon FD adapter. Then I would have a number of lens choices to use.

For just one lens, I'd probably go with the 14 to 140. All zooms have some compromises designed into them, but at least I'd have all ranges covered.

--
Al Patterson

 

[Al Patterson]

Better glass available, but all expensive and primes. The 40mm Summicron-C would make a great portrait lens on these cameras though.

--
Al Patterson

 

[Diane B]

Enjoy it. I keep the 20 on my GF1 almost all the time. In fact, just bought the Panasonic leather cover (1/2 plus the lens cover) because I carry it so often in my handbag and was getting tired of it in a wrap). I like the 14-45 also--its a nice second lens in that 'standard' zoom range--and sometimes I carry it also (or the 45 f/2. ). The GF1 with 20 alone is very flexible.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1