SLR Magic 8mm f/4 quick review

[Rich Hochron]

Hi - I wanted to share a quick review of the new SLR Magic 8mm f/4 lens that I was recently able to try out. Having mostly shot with native auto focus lenses on both the Olympus EM-1 and Panasonic GX85 it took just a few minutes to get used to manually focusing the lens. I'll say I was quite impressed with what you can squeeze in the frame and decided to take the lens for a spin around around the West Side of Manhattan and to the Intrepid Sea and Air Museum.

Physical Characteristics: The lens is very well built, and tiny. The combination with the Panasonic GX85 makes for an extremely light weight and capable combination. Focusing the lens is pretty simple using the magnified view and the focus ring is smooth. The Aperture and front elements rotate with the lens as you focus, which is not optimal. Aperture selection is smooth with no clicks and covers the range from f/4 to f/16 with markings at f/4, f/5.6, F/8 and F/16. I'd say that adjusting the aperture is a bit tight, but thankfully, you have great DOF pretty much at any of the settings.

Overall I was impressed with the value this lens offers and I'm happy to purchase one for some unique angles as well as tight interior spaces. I hope you like the sample photos that I have included below. All Photos are edited to taste in Lightroom with minimal changes.

Here are some samples shot up close:


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/1600 sec, f/4, ISO 200


SLR Magic 8mm f/5.6 on Panasonic GX85 1/2000 sec, f/4, ISO 20



And in Bright Light with no Filter


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Look How much you can squeeze into the frame. This is inside a Submarine!


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/120 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/30 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/20 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/15 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Two images below were shot with just a slight adjustment to the aperture. You can see that even at f/5.6 there is plenty of DOF.


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/250 sec, f/16, ISO 200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/40 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200


SLR Magic 8mm f/4 on Panasonic GX85 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

 

[KirillQPR]

Thanks for the many full-size samples.

Frame edges on landscape shots look pretty poor.

I understand this lens was designed primarily for video?

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Rich

Well done. I also reviewed the same little lens a a little while ago. I came to quite like it but I am afraid that the general reaction was muted.

 

[Albert Valentino]

Thanks for posting. The FL is ideal for these type of shots. Seems the edges, especially wide open, are a bit soft but I think the main target market is video which makes it very acceptable, especially at this size and price point.