Panasonic 14mm 2.5, how about it.

I just bought the 14mm 2.5, had been thinking about it for a long while. How many of you out there have and enjoy that lens. Tell me about you experiences with it and how well you like, also what type of photography you use it for.

Jere Landis wrote:

I just bought the 14mm 2.5, had been thinking about it for a long while. How many of you out there have and enjoy that lens. Tell me about you experiences with it and how well you like, also what type of photography you use it for.

For your reference, just a couple of recent threads, featuring almost solely the 14mm 2.5. Is a great, fast and tiny lens. I love it.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55070474
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55086788

I have the more expensive 12mm F/2 lens, so I see no need for the 14mm. It's a great place to start though if you're starting out.

Surely there are more users of this lens out there, I'd like to hear more about it from everyday users. I hope I can find a use for it.

I have the lens and probably do not use it as much as I should.  Usually, I use the 20mm.  Whenever I use the 14mm, I am always pleased by the colors and the sharpness.  It is a wonderful walk around lens.  In fact, when I get up from the computer, I am going to put it on my GM1 and use it tomorrow and if I like the results (which I probably will), I am going to leave it on the camera for an extended period of time.

Hal

I use it as a walkaround lens. It's a good match with the E-PM2, and you can just leave that combo hanging from your neck while you're wandering about. I really like the 14 for landscapes and also for street scenes at night.

Not bad for landscapes. It earns its keep by being small.

I am embarrassed to say so, but I have this lens, and hardly use it. Video for parties occasionally, but that is about it. I have no issues with the lens IQ wise.

I use the 20 mostly, but if I have to go wide, I used the 9-18. I had visions of the this classic kit, 14, 20 and 45, all small lenses on the GX1, and it never really worked out. Now I mostly use my GX7 and 20. If I need wide, I use the 12-32 because it is about the same size as the 20, and is easy to carry around. Given the choice of carrying one lump in your pocket or small bag, the 12-32 wins out over the 14. It was a bad purchase on my part, but at least it was cheap (relatively)! I got one of those new lenses that was split from a kit on eBay.

I got it used here in Japan for 150 dollars and like it very much- makes me want to buy the 20 as well but I have the oly 25

I have it, like it, and do use it, but it struggles for time on my camera compared to the 25mm f/1.4. Not because of IQ (the 14 is great) but because most of my photography demands a narrower field of view. When I shoot wide, I need to be sure I can avoid cluttered backgrounds, which I don't like in my own images. That means I get very selective about when I can use it.

Jere Landis wrote:

Surely there are more users of this lens out there, I'd like to hear more about it from everyday users. I hope I can find a use for it.

The general consensus seems to be what I assumed, people have bought it at some point, but it doesn't seem to be a regular hit with everyone who owns it. The shots above tell me what I suspected, it's a bit wide, but not enough wide for a wide angle, but at the same time not narrow enough for normal shots. The aperture of F/2.5 makes it not as compelling as some of the faster primes also, all be it that it is cheaper.

If money wasn't the issue I'd hesitate to recommend the 14mm over the 12mm, for the budget conscious its sharp enough and kind of fast, but that seems to be its major caveat.

Jere Landis wrote:

I just bought the 14mm 2.5, had been thinking about it for a long while. How many of you out there have and enjoy that lens. Tell me about you experiences with it and how well you like, also what type of photography you use it for.

I have it and the 20mm , though I use the 20mm more the 14mm is a  good performer , its wider angle works well in smaller locations { pubs , restaurants , house parties and so on}. It has fast AF , good results and its small size goes well with the smaller mFT cameras.

Jere Landis wrote:

I just bought the 14mm 2.5, had been thinking about it for a long while. How many of you out there have and enjoy that lens. Tell me about you experiences with it and how well you like, also what type of photography you use it for.

I like it.

It's small and light, fast focus and the price was right.

I think the maximum aperture could have been a bit larger (f2.0 ?)
But hey, at the size and price point it's still more than a stop faster than the kit zoom.

There's the corner CA issue on older Oly bodies but it works fine on my GX1.

And lastly it's one of the all-time classic "equivalent" wide angle focal lengths.

rd

I have the 14/2.5 I thought about the 15/1.7 and other options, but for size and price, it's a nice lens. The output is good. Maybe even great. Not spectacular, but quite lovely. Close focusing, reasonably fast. Contrast is good, as are colors.

I use it for kids, family and social. Some travel. And just for goofing around. It's the only wide angle lens (aside from the RX100 compact) I own.

Tell me about you experiences with it and how well you like, also what type of photography you use it for.

What I like about the 14mm Lens is that it is lightweight & a good field of view, so I don't have problems with the GX7+14mm on a selfie-stick. I have other m43 lens (12-35mm F2.8, PL-25mm, Nocticron, Oly 45mm. Oly 75mm) but these other lenses weigh a lot more.

GaryG

M43 Dude wrote:

Jere Landis wrote:

Surely there are more users of this lens out there, I'd like to hear more about it from everyday users. I hope I can find a use for it.

The general consensus seems to be what I assumed, people have bought it at some point, but it doesn't seem to be a regular hit with everyone who owns it. The shots above tell me what I suspected, it's a bit wide, but not enough wide for a wide angle, but at the same time not narrow enough for normal shots. The aperture of F/2.5 makes it not as compelling as some of the faster primes also, all be it that it is cheaper.

If money wasn't the issue I'd hesitate to recommend the 14mm over the 12mm, for the budget conscious its sharp enough and kind of fast, but that seems to be its major caveat.

Well, the 28mm f2.8 lens was universally ubiquitous on the film systems.
ALL the manufacturers had one in their lineups and all the aftermarket lensmakers offered them.

Having said that, though, I also have a 24mm SMC of which I really like the FOV.
I'd say they are both equally useful FLs.

rd