Fast prime help

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

Oly 12 f2 for interiors

Voigtlander 17.5 f 0.95 for low light, but this is manual focus only.

i started with the 12 mm, but didn't like the close distance indoor portriats. This is where the 17.5 rules.

The 12 mm strengths (size, AF, sharpness stopped down) are complementary with the flaws of the voigtlander. Both lenses give excelent colors, micro contrast and overall rendering.

The 15 mm might be a good compromise, but i don't own this one.

Steven

I find the Voigtlander kind of heavy, and prefer auto-focus for indoor photos. (I photograph my elusive children.)

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

I think this is highly dependent on your preferred field of view.  Do you have kit zoom you can use with blue painters tape to "lock" the focal length into place so you simulate the fixed focal lengths?

If I had no other information to go on besides what you mentioned, I think I would have to go for the 17/1.8 as an all around lens.  I am interpreting your context for interiors as shooting indoors, rather than shooting interiors (architecturally).  If you actually need the lens for interior architecture shots, i would recommend a wider lens, such as a 12.

How do you like the 19mm FOV?  That is close.  For me, interiors, the 25 seems to be too tight.  I actually get by OK on the 20mm, but I would not recommend that lens with an E-P2.  I love it with my GX7, but the -4EV low light focus ability helps a lot with the 20mm.  Using the 20mm with my GH1 was painful at times in low light.

C Sean wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

Can you define 'for interiors and low light situations.' These faster primes come with diffierent focal lengths and therefor it's important to know what you shot indoor and outdoor in low light. Also which prime do you use more and what do you shot?

When I use the primes from Sigma it depends, though I usually use the 30mm or more often the 19mm for outdoor shots. Indoors I like to shoot people at gatherings, such as when we have some holidays, or trade shows such as the International Motorcycle Show, which I attend every year. I do not like to use flash much, though I have the FL-300R. I am leaning towards the 25mm f1.4 due to the speed advantage, just not sure it is the right focal length, which is why the 15mm and 17mm are interesting me...

Chas2 wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

I think this is highly dependent on your preferred field of view. Do you have kit zoom you can use with blue painters tape to "lock" the focal length into place so you simulate the fixed focal lengths?

If I had no other information to go on besides what you mentioned, I think I would have to go for the 17/1.8 as an all around lens. I am interpreting your context for interiors as shooting indoors, rather than shooting interiors (architecturally). If you actually need the lens for interior architecture shots, i would recommend a wider lens, such as a 12.

How do you like the 19mm FOV? That is close. For me, interiors, the 25 seems to be too tight. I actually get by OK on the 20mm, but I would not recommend that lens with an E-P2. I love it with my GX7, but the -4EV low light focus ability helps a lot with the 20mm. Using the 20mm with my GH1 was painful at times in low light.

I like the 19mm FOV, as it is one I use a lot. I am planning on using the prime on an E-P5, as I leave my E-P2 for my riding days and that will do it. And I have little interest in shooting interiors; you correctly assume I want to shoot indoors.

rponiarski wrote:

Chas2 wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

I think this is highly dependent on your preferred field of view. Do you have kit zoom you can use with blue painters tape to "lock" the focal length into place so you simulate the fixed focal lengths?

If I had no other information to go on besides what you mentioned, I think I would have to go for the 17/1.8 as an all around lens. I am interpreting your context for interiors as shooting indoors, rather than shooting interiors (architecturally). If you actually need the lens for interior architecture shots, i would recommend a wider lens, such as a 12.

How do you like the 19mm FOV? That is close. For me, interiors, the 25 seems to be too tight. I actually get by OK on the 20mm, but I would not recommend that lens with an E-P2. I love it with my GX7, but the -4EV low light focus ability helps a lot with the 20mm. Using the 20mm with my GH1 was painful at times in low light.

I like the 19mm FOV, as it is one I use a lot. I am planning on using the prime on an E-P5, as I leave my E-P2 for my riding days and that will do it. And I have little interest in shooting interiors; you correctly assume I want to shoot indoors.

Is the f2.8 on your favorite 19mm fast enough for most cases?  If yes and all you need/want is a wider lens, then Panasonic 14mm f2.5 might be a good option.  If you need a faster lens and would like to stay close to 19mm FOV, then 17mm f1.8.  Since 19mm FOV is your favorite, I suspect 25mm might be too tight.

If you want/need faster and wider, then 15mm or 12mm.

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

Until I gave them to my son, I had the 30mm and 60mm Sigmas. They are great as short telephotos and portrait lenses but can be a pain indoors. I personally have never been thrilled with the 50mm focal-length so I can't tell you about either 25mm.

I have the 17mm and the 12mm. I always used a 35mm for street shooting but now I've come to prefer the 12mm over the 17mm. Both lenses are great for street shooting. They both have the snapshot feature so with either lens, if you pull back the focus ring, prefocus to 3 meters, and set the aperture to f5.6 or f6,3, everything from about five feet to infinity will be in focus.

I don't have the 15mm f/1.7 but all the reviews and user comments are very positive. One thing I asked about was if the aperture ring and the AF/MF switch worked on Olympus bodies and several people who have the lens responded that they do not. Still it's right in the middle between the 12mm and 17mm and would make another great street lens.

rponiarski wrote:

Chas2 wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

I have the trio of Sigma primes (19mm, 30mm & 60mm), which I use quite often, but have been thinking of getting a faster prime lens for my E-P5 (they are fine for my E-P2 as that is used only in daylight). I have been thinking about the Olympus 25mm f1.8 or 17mm f1.8, or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 or 15mm f1.8. Pros and cons of each would be nice to hear. I tend to use my 12-32 Panasonic mostly for street shots, but would like something for interiors and lower light situations....

I think this is highly dependent on your preferred field of view. Do you have kit zoom you can use with blue painters tape to "lock" the focal length into place so you simulate the fixed focal lengths?

If I had no other information to go on besides what you mentioned, I think I would have to go for the 17/1.8 as an all around lens. I am interpreting your context for interiors as shooting indoors, rather than shooting interiors (architecturally). If you actually need the lens for interior architecture shots, i would recommend a wider lens, such as a 12.

How do you like the 19mm FOV? That is close. For me, interiors, the 25 seems to be too tight. I actually get by OK on the 20mm, but I would not recommend that lens with an E-P2. I love it with my GX7, but the -4EV low light focus ability helps a lot with the 20mm. Using the 20mm with my GH1 was painful at times in low light.

I like the 19mm FOV, as it is one I use a lot. I am planning on using the prime on an E-P5, as I leave my E-P2 for my riding days and that will do it. And I have little interest in shooting interiors; you correctly assume I want to shoot indoors.

Concentrate on the 17/1.8 or the 15/1.7 if you like the 19, but want a larger max aperture.  Good luck!

I have the 12mm, 25mm (Oly) and 45mm, and have tried the 17mm f1.8.  I didn't care for the rendering of the 17mm but if you want a faster lens and shot mostly with the 19mm Sigma, then go for the 17mm Oly.  I think it would be adequate for what you need.

Either way, as others have said, it depends on what you shoot.  I shoot a lot of portraits, so 25/45 is my go to combo.  Robin Wong's blog has a practical comparison of the 25mm f1.4 vs. f1.8, and either way you can't go wrong with either lens.

Johnny The Greek wrote:

I have the 12mm, 25mm (Oly) and 45mm, and have tried the 17mm f1.8. I didn't care for the rendering of the 17mm but if you want a faster lens and shot mostly with the 19mm Sigma, then go for the 17mm Oly. I think it would be adequate for what you need.

Either way, as others have said, it depends on what you shoot. I shoot a lot of portraits, so 25/45 is my go to combo. Robin Wong's blog has a practical comparison of the 25mm f1.4 vs. f1.8, and either way you can't go wrong with either lens.

Thanks for the tip on Robin Wong's comparison. May make my decision a bit easier...

I recently opted for the 17 MM F 1.8 from Oly.... it is a great compromise between a wide angle view and a "standard" vfirld of view and excells in the low light situations i soimetimes face in my travel photography. Recent trip to portugal and barcelona showed me the decision was valid.... Plus I can go manual with it with just a snap of the ring....

Ronald Rosenwald wrote:

I recently opted for the 17 MM F 1.8 from Oly.... it is a great compromise between a wide angle view and a "standard" vfirld of view and excells in the low light situations i soimetimes face in my travel photography. Recent trip to portugal and barcelona showed me the decision was valid.... Plus I can go manual with it with just a snap of the ring....

This looks more and more like the lens I will choose, though that Olympus 25mm is still in the running. May have to head to the store and try them both and see which I like better...

I'm very fond of my 15mm F1.7. It is sharp, has a nice field of view for indoor shots and is fast.

Eric Nepean wrote:

I'm very fond of my 15mm F1.7. It is sharp, has a nice field of view for indoor shots and is fast.

In this day and age, I suppose you can also point out that the 15mm FOV matches the ubiquitous smartphones Samsung Galaxy, iPhone 5 and 6 FOV (within a mm or two), so maybe the choice of a 15 mm focal length is not so crazy after all...it is a FOV that many are used to.

I did some available light shots with the Pana 2,5 14mm. I usually avoid WA lenses

shooting people indoors, I would gravitate towards the Olympus 17mm F1.8, or if you want something really small, the Panasonic 20mm F/1.7 I'd find the 25mm F/1.4 too narrow for my liking.

I own the Panasonic 20mm F/1.7 but that's because it came up cheaper and faster than I could find the Olympus 17mm F/1.7. The Panasonic pancake is fine on Olympus bodies.