Which cheap prime for general use in lowlight?

Hi guys,

I recently purchased an EM-10 with the 14-42 IIR kit lens. I also have a few of my father's old OM lenses which are really fun to use: 50mm f1.4 50mm 3.5 macro, 28mm 3.5 and a 75-150 f4.

I'm quite happy with the lenses and the camera and I feel that what I really need is to practice and study to improve my skills.

However, I feel that I don't have a decent lens that can handle lowlight: the 50 f1.4 feels too long for me indoors and the kit lens and 28mm f3.5 are too slow.

Since I got my birthday coming in I'd like to buy a cheap prime that I can use in lowlight (mostly indoors). It's going to be a long time til I get another lens. What would you recommend?

I'm from Argentina and lenses are really expensive here, 500 us dollars for a used panasonic 20mm f1.7 so you can get an idea. Luckily, a relative of mine will travel to the US in august so he can get it for me.

Budget is around Us$250, I don't want to buy used because he won't be able to test the lens and time is tight because he'll only be there for a week.

So far I have seen 3 lenses:

• A refurbished olympus 25mm f1.8 (I've been reading the forum and haven't seen anyone having problems with refurbished products from olympus) 
• Panasonic 25mm f.17 (Wouldn't be writing the post if it was still Us$99)
• Panasonic 20mm f1.7

I've been testing with the kit lens and 25mm seems a bit tight though I'm sure I could get used to it. The 20mm I like for being small and it seems to me the focal length would work better indoors but I'm a bit concerned about the AF speed and banding issues I've read about here.

So what do you guys think? Are these fine choices? would you recommend anything else?

Thanks!

I've used the 20mm f1.7 for some time now on both EM10 mk1 and EM10 mk2 and experienced no banding issues. Focus is reasonably fast just not as fast as some. I think you would be very happy with that option. There is the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 for a similar price if that focal length suits you better. The Sigma 19mm f2.8 is a lower budget option worth considering as it has had some quite good reviews. Also the Olympus 17mm f2.8 although this does not seem to be particularly well regarded.

the 25 mm 1.7 works fine and fast so I would recommend that one.

I don't think you will go wrong with any of these  three.

There are 2 choices for the used one if you want to purchase from ebay. Of course, you may need to pay more for shipping. Also, i'm not sure if there will be any custom fee.

1. The Panasonic 14mm f2.5 mk1. around $150 used
2. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 mk1 around $230 used

The 14mm AF is very fast and the 20mm AF is one of the slowest. However, the 20mm may provide better IQ too.