What is the best ultra wide angle lens for MFT?

[ChristopherIQ]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Bassam Guy]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

I have the 9mm and really like it. Small, sharp, fast, weather sealed, and lightweight. IDK anything about the 7-14 2.8 but if I had it and not the 9mm, it would less often find space in my bag.

 

[TheRealYeats]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

I don't have one, but the Oly 8-25mm f/4 PRO seems to generally be considered the best all-around UWA due to its focal range, sharpness, flare resistance, WR, and close-focusing,

I own the Panny 7-14/4 and like it a bunch. Cheap, small, sharp (all relatively, of course). It does suffer from flare and aberrations in certain circumstances. But there is something about its rendering that seems particularly premium to me. Can't quite put my finger on it, though.

There are plenty of UWA options in the m4/3 world, and I know there are folks who have multiple UWA lenses to get just the right "look", or just for fun.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

My top recommendation is the 8-25 for optical excellence and flexibility. Takes filters and has very useful snap MF. There are brighter and smaller options of course.

Have both the 11-22 and 7-14 E-series lenses and the 8-25 is the best among them.

The 9/1.7 and OM fisheye 8/1.8 look like excellent fast prime options, especially if interested in astro. The 8 can be defished in-camera.

Happy shopping,

Rick

 

[jalywol]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

There's a bit of a size difference....

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

If you are using an EP7, a smaller lens might make more sense. Of course if you need a fast lens, then that does limit those choices a bit more.

I had the Panasonic 9mm. Very sharp, nice lens. I was not fond of its color rendition, and I ended up with the OM 9-18mm f4-5.6, which I suspect is not quite as sharp, but which I like a lot more overall. (You may be able to get some good deals on the OM, as they had price drop on them about a year ago, so used prices should still be very good).

Since you are used to a zoom, would you find the prime a bit limiting? That would be a concern of mine, also.

There's also the Panasonic 7-14mm f4, and their 8-18mm f/2.8-4 (which is only 315g)...

Lots of options.

-J

 

[the bluesman]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

I have the 9mm f1.7 and it's a fantastic little wide angle, fast and sharp and just a beaut Lens

I also have the Olympus 7-14mm and have always loved that lens, got the newer 8-25mm and I can't fault that lens either, a lot more versatile than the 7-14mm with the ability to put filters on and the focal range is more useful

They all have a use in my kit and nice to have the choice but if I could only have one it would be the 8-25mm, then again the 9mm, just buy all 3

 

[ChristopherIQ]

Thanks all -

Bassam Guy: Sounds like there is a case for both.

TheRealYeats: 8-25/f4 has a good reputation, you like the Panny 7-14.

Skeeterbytes: Vote is 8-25/f4

Jalywol: I'm okay with size difference - you like the 9-18 over the P. 9mm. I'm okay with both zooms and primes.

The Bluesman: You have a handful, favor the 8-25, your vote is all three.

Seems like the 8-25/4 is the popular pick.

Any votes for Laowa or Voigtlander?

---- Chris

 

[Art_P]

I have owned the m.Z 9-18 longer than my first m43 body. I think the old 4/3 9-18 was slightly better corrected, but the m43 version is wonderfully compact.
Bought the 8-25 for it's extended range, so much more flexible than 9-18, but definitely chunkier. If I want wide I pick up that one first. The little zoom still comes in handy if I just want a wider option that I can stick in a pocket 'just in case'

I know when the PL 7-14 came out, there was a lot of talk about purple blobs if used on an Olympus body, but could be corrected by adding a yellow filter at the back of the lens. Does this still affect OMS bodies?

The old 4/3 7-14 was extremely well corrected optically (straight lines at 7mm!) while the m43 version is corrected in software.

Of course, if you want really wide, there are several inexpensive MF fisheye lenses.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Sigma made quite a few DC (aps-c) lenses in EF mount that can be focal reduced for use on M4/3 bodies and pick up an extra stop's worth of light in the process.

So if absolute lens size is not a bother there is the full rectilinear Sima DC 8-16/4.5-5.6 lens in EF mount.

Focal reduced it will put its full aps-c image circle on the 4/3 sensor (nary a light ray is lost).

Now the interested user has an AF-S 5.6-11.2/3.0-4.0 rectilinear lens on their M4/3 body.

One little issue that might cast a shadow on the party is that the lens has a fixed petal hood that will vignette as wide in 4:3 format. Easily fixed - just set your camera to its native-made aps-c format of 3:2 and there is no vignette.

This lens has been around for years and I suppose - like all other Sigma DC lenses in EF mount will only be around in new condition if there are stocks left.

 

[wateroftyne]

The Laowa 6mm, all day long. It's an absolute monster.

 

[Jonrow]

I agree with what's been said here, about the 8-25 lens ....I really like it! Fairly chunky, but quite easy on my em1 mk III. A few years ago I bought a 7 Artisans 7.5 (on a whim) - it's been OK - I probably haven't used it as much as I should -but being "fisheye" it probably doesn't suit my particular requirements?

 

[mmartel]

Every single time I see photos from @wateroftyne I get gas for that 6mm. Such great photos!

I have the PL 9mm f1.7 and I need a weather sealed UWA for dusty trails and canyons and wet caves and grand cathedrals. It's a good lens. I like it. I have photos I like quite a bit from it.

And yet I need this 6mm Laowa so bad whenever I see @wateroftyne photos. That lens has sone pixie dust in it.

Must hide the credit card ... Again...

--
"Gentlemen, it has been a privilege playing with you tonight." - Titanic musician before their final song

 

[JakeJY]

Don't know what lens you already have, but if you have a 12-32mm, getting a DW-6 (and a thread adapter) can be a very good inexpensive alternative that maintains compactness and fits easily in the bag (and you get to still use the 12-32mm when you don't need an ultra-wide).

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3710447

 

[the bluesman]

The Laowa 6mm, all day long. It's an absolute monster.

WOW, great wide angle shots, love them all

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

Sigma made quite a few DC (aps-c) lenses in EF mount that can be focal reduced for use on M4/3 bodies and pick up an extra stop's worth of light in the process.

So if absolute lens size is not a bother there is the full rectilinear Sima DC 8-16/4.5-5.6 lens in EF mount.

Focal reduced it will put its full aps-c image circle on the 4/3 sensor (nary a light ray is lost).

Now the interested user has an AF-S 5.6-11.2/3.0-4.0 rectilinear lens on their M4/3 body.

More enticing to me than my current Sigma dc 10-20mm on my Viltrox x0.71 approx 7-14mm although in 4:3 it vignettes at 7mm (14mm), fine at 8mm (16mm).

8-16/4.5-5.6 Sigma approx 107mm tall x 75mm wide closed, 555g.

10-20/4.5-5.6 Sigma approx 85mm tall x 81mm wide closed, 520g.

For the offering of more wide esp architectural interiors I can fo sho cope with just 22mm longer 30g heavier. Reckon trade in my Sigma 10-20 sometime.

One little issue that might cast a shadow on the party is that the lens has a fixed petal hood that will vignette as wide in 4:3 format. Easily fixed - just set your camera to its native-made aps-c format of 3:2 and there is no vignette.

This lens has been around for years and I suppose - like all other Sigma DC lenses in EF mount will only be around in new condition if there are stocks left.

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

Perhaps not the best, there's also an issue with its build which a dpr forum member resolved, I can't recall what the issue is

8mm slr magic f/4.0, compact, manual focusing.

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.

 

[alan scott]

In the past I've had the Panasonic 7-14 which i liked very much, swapped that for the 8-18 which I loved (a beautiful lens and it took filters!). However on checking how I use this I found I mostly used it at the wide end and that I preferred my 12mm zooms (12-35, 12-100).

In other words too much overlap. I decided to part ex for the 9mm.

I really like this lens: small, light, fast & close focusing. Easy to slip in the bag just in case I want to go wider than 12mm. I also have the 6mm Iowa if I need wider still which very rare tbh as I prefer to go pano.

 

[SonyX]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

For me, a wide-angle lens is interesting at the wide end of the zoom range. In this regard, the 7-14/4 offers a good combination of price (used), angle of view, and image quality.
I often use it without correction to capture a slightly larger angle of view (at the expense of corner sharpness and distortion)

















The 8-25/4 has more advantages, if money is no object: the ability to use filters directly, weather sealing, zoom range and is more suitable for OM/Olympus cameras.

--
Alex

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[Guy Parsons]

In my 4/3 days the 11-22mm was my favourite, good for up close and personal situations and very handy as a travel lens.

Move forward a few years and now the Panasonic 8-18mm is my usual carry-around lens. When I want wider I change to my Laowa 6mm. It has auto aperture and the lens does talk to the body, it is a manual focus lens so slows me down a bit (which is a good thing). Focus confirmation is by the magnifier function at 14x.

Just a random grab shot .....

 

[windmillgolfer]

Any thoughts on the Panasonic-Leica 9mm/1.7 vs Olympus 7-14mm/2.8?

On Four-Thirds, my 11-22mm/2.8-3.5 is perpetually used at 11mm.... don't have anything for MFT yet (Olympus EP7).

Cheers,

Chris

You are spoiled for choice. At UWA focal lengths 1mm makes quite a difference, the ultimate being a Fisheye. The Laowa 6mm Zero D is as wide as it goes, no AF but you do get the EXIF and aperture control. The Panasonic 8-18mm is a good weatherealed option. The Oly 8mm coupled with a body supporting in camera defishing gives 5.5/7 and 9mm.

The Panasonic 9mm, I do not have because it’s not wide enough for me.

Don’t have the Oly 8-25mm but it would give more flexibility and should reduce lens swapping.

See my flick for albums by lens.