G9 Wide Angle Lens

Hi,

I currently have two lenses: Lumix 25mm (50mm equiv) and Lumix 45-150mm (90-300mm) equiv.

I'm looking for a wide angle lens under 400$, I'm considering one of the following:

1. Lumix 14mm F/2.5 II
2. Lumix 12-32mm F/3.5-5.6
3. Samyang 12mm F/2.0 (dpreview page)
4. Rokinon 12mm F/2.0 (dpreview page)

The purpose of this lens would be mostly for indoor shots were the 50mm (equiv) isn't wide enough.

My current thoughts are:

• From photos I managed to find on flickr it seems that the Samyang and Rokinon could give me better quality (better low light performance, better bokeh, sharper)
• In general I prefer prime lenses
• I think the 14mm won't be wide enough
• The Lumix 14mm seems a bit hard to find and I'm not sure if it was discontinued or not
• The Lumix lenses are really small and lightweight
• If I understand correctly the Samyang and Rokinon lenses are MF, not sure how problematic that is

I think my top priority is the image quality.

I would appreciate any help to decide on a lens (or if there are any other options that I missed).

Thanks in advance,
David.

Samyang and Rokinon are the same thing.

Panny 14/2.5 is discontinued but you can still find a few copies here and there.

Sounds like what you need is a standard zoom though really. You can probably find used copies of the Panny 12-35 mark I for your top end price. Or you could get a dekitted 12-60 which is pretty good at the wide end for $250 or so.

There is an Laowa 7.5mm F/2.0 which is very good acording to the reviews.

It costs arround 500$.

It worth to consider it because is very wide.

Manual focus is not problematic for an wide lens. Is very easy...

Samyang = Rokinon

Like someone else suggested, a Panasonic 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is the obvious choice although the Pana-Leica version is even better if your budget allows.

the 14 is the easiest to use of this lot

you should be able to find this lens.

it is the classic 28mm fov

If you were able to afford the G9, I'd say save up the extra $150 over your stated budget to buy the Panasonic 15mm f/1.7, now selling for $547 at B&H.  It is a much better lens than the 14mm, fast enough for indoor use, IMO wide enough for most indoor use, it has DFD Autofocus with your camera, and it is much smaller and lighter than the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm.

There's a reason why pretty much everyone who owns the 15 raves about it.  It's a great little lens.

If you look into 12 (28mm eq AOV of FF), I might suggest the 12~35 f/2.8 be better. I found 12~32 is good (especially for its cost and size) uber good lighting, it lightweights under non ideal lighting condition.

14 prime is good on cost and size, IQ not bad, but more restrictive. Its IQ is not outstanding among other consumer grade zooms (because most of them are so good).

For the ultimate wide angle solution, look for 7~14 f/4, small, cost comes down a lot nowadays, sharp across the frame wide open, not too large and heavy as its f/2.8 not brothers...

Laowa 7.5 f/2... it is worth the extra 100

https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-7-5mm-f2/

The Samy/Rok 12mm F2 is a cracking lens, very sharp, even at F2 - It is also very easy to use, don't be put off by the manual focus, clearly many on here are way too pampered with fast AF as a crutch.  Once you have your focus nailed for a scenario [which takes merely seconds!] every shot from there on in similar situation will be in focus, it's not that hard.  It is also not a fly-by-wire lens, but a true MF lens, very precise and the throw is pretty short, making it a cinch to switch between distances when needed.

If this was an AF lens it would cost double the amount, crazy! It is certainly not twice as hard to use once you get the hang of it.