I love this lens and it's a bargain for sure. I actually find that very few beginners shoot at this focal range and usually use the zoom kit lens that came with their Camaras and gives them the variations of range. I see many professional photographers using 50mm and 85mm primes.. and believe it's actually a more advanced technique considering these prime lens require using your feet and imagination to create compositions with a narrower field. I agree people should try it and challenge themselves.I believe there isn't any entry level focal ranges. These are just perspectives and story telling tools. Great video. Love the channel.
Thanks for the review Brian. I've just bought the Olympus 25mm 1.8 for my OM5. I'm having great fun with it and it's helping me get out of the lazy "let's just zoom in" habit that I've got into with my 12-100 F4. I'm getting some nice pics with the square format option - seems to suit this focal length. Love the channel - even from New Zealand..
Thanks for the kind words. I really do think the Olympus is the superior lens and we’re I buying it again I think it would be the one I’d go for. As I said, I bought it in my early M43 days. There is a large price difference though for the gains.
This is the first lens I bought for my GX80 after the kit lens. I really like it, there's something about its rendering that I truly love. I'd say I like it more than my Olympus 45 1.8, although the Olympus can give much more bokeh and it's sharper.
I just ordered a GX85 kit. I was looking for a faster lens for a narrow depth of field. I ordered this 25mm 1.7 lens. I’m still awaiting the delivery but you video convinced me that this was the right choice!
The nifty fifty was my first step into art from documentation photography. I’m surprised I still don’t have one on m43. Perhaps I should change that. Great review.
I'm almost embarrassed to say that this cheap lens is one of my "go to" choices for stills and videos on my G9 and G7. It's probably #2 after my PanaLeica 15mm lens. The Lumix 25mm is far from perfect, but it is a great focal length, f1.7, with decent optics, and of course, a great value. I don't know how much value there is in the fact, that I never worry about tossing it about, dropping it, or using it in unusual or risky situations. It continues to please me with the photos it delivers. Can't afford NOT to own the Lumix 25mm f1.7.
In the past, when I decided to take only the small telephoto zoom with me, it was usually a mistake. The "nifty 25" is the better choice. And you should always have both a real teleprime or telezoom or a (super)wide-angle in reserve.
I’d be interested on how you find the two. I did a video comparing my G9 with my EM1mk2 a little while ago and I use them both regularly. I’ll be honest with you, if you have these two cameras then this lens is not in the same league as the cameras. You may end up disappointed unless it’s being used as an occasional use “camera bag filler” lens. I’d be inclined to look to the Olympus f1.8 or the faster 25mm in the range. Again, let me know how you get on please
@@ThatMicro43Guy thanks for the info. I found a 25mm f 1.8 Zuiko on sale from an online retailer and I ordered it. I'll let you know how I think the cameras compare.
This is my very first prime and used it for the very first time on my first trip to UK, along with the Olympus 14-42mm EZ kit lens. I struggled a bit with the framing, specially in tight spots, but I came home with a lot of beautiful photos. I barely touched the kit zoom because the prime is just so much better, despite the need to be wider sometimes. I just got the Olympus 17mm f1.8 for my next travel. I'm sure it will be great on the trip itself but seeing the few test shots I'm kind of missing the magical feel I got from the 25mm. If there's one complaint I have about the Lumix 25mm f1.7 it's that the lens cap is annoyingly easy to remove. There were a couple of times that I dropped and almost lost it the first couple days. I ended up not using it completely the rest of the trip and I still got great photos.
Something I've observed when putting Lumix lenses onto Olympus backs is that the back wants to have the lens updated on that body, even it the lens firmware is up to date, so that the lens is put into the back's look-up table (firmware) so that it will then correct it properly. If the lens firmware has been updated on a Lumix back, it still may need updating on older Olympus backs to refresh the firmware there. The Olympus may be expecting older lens firmware version. &vv.
Sulantoblog did an extensive test and said it had a bit of focus breathing at F4. He said you can use manual mode and have constant preview on it solves that. Otherwise avoid the f4 and it will be avoided.
25mm 1.7 is indeed a very good lens. I would say small&cheap used MFT Body (like Lumix GM1) + this lens used is a perfect cheap beginner kit. For people with more ambition and better bodies 25 1.4mm is a better option. And 20mm 1.7 pancake is also quite cool option, very similar to 25 1.7 but a bit wider and smaller. (I do own 25mm 1.4, and 20mm 1.7 for couple of years now)
Just got this lens and looking forward to using it "in anger", as they say. I've owned "nifty 50's" from film cameras to various digital brands and formats so this one seems to me about par for the course. But that's a good par: generally high quality for price. Thanks, good video.
I've watched several of your videos and realized I hadn't subbed. Just did and thank you for this and other great content. I still want this lens for portraiture. I'm not a fan of overdone bokeh and this gives nice background rendering to photos.
Hello from Germany, Thanks for this wonderful review!!! Having now both the Panasonic 25 1.7 and the Olympus 25 1.8 I do not use the Panasonic ever. The olympus for me is so much better that it really justifies the price difference (used) for me. The olympus is much sharper at around F4. I found the focus breathing at my copy of the Panasonic is too much for me. The autofocus on the olympus is much faster and much more reliable. The Olympics is the smaller lens and it looks fantastic. Also the Olympus 'catches' more light. So even having only 1.8 the shutter speed is faster for the Olympus. So the light transmission is a bit better for the olympus. You can get the olympus used nowadays for 150€ and the Panasonic for around 110€. So if you can find the olympus at a good price i can highly recommend this little gem. But after all the difference is not huge and the most important thing is to go out and shoot. Hope that helps people decide. Greetings Jens
How does the lens hood attach? I do not have threads on the end of this lens. I also tried to see if there was a ring on the end of the lens. That piece does not move. The hood is the same size as the end of the lens.
It’s more than likely not the shutter speed causing the softness. Almost all lenses have a “sweet spot” area, usually around the centre apertures and their performance tails off as you get further away from that area. This is why you have multiple lenses of different types with special coatings etc to counter these issues which are caused by the way the lenses reflect and refract the light as it passes through the lens. These come at several costs, such as size, weight and manufacturing costs and ultimately retail costs. At the cheaper end there are more tolerances and inconsistencies in manufacture which mean that these are more chances of problems. However, even pro level lenses have these issues, just better controlled and less noticeable. I think that I managed to get a really good example but others report small focus and softness issues on this particular model. But for £149.00 that’s a risk I was willing to take. So the general answer is that your shutter speed is probably not the solution, shoot higher than f4 for sharpness or invest in a more expensive lens to get the sharpness.
Using 1/60sec or faster shutter speed should avoid camera shake. If your subject is moving, you may need a faster shutter speed than that to avoid motion blur.
I don’t see why not, although you might find it a bit too zoomed in those circumstances in which case try a 20 or 17 mm. easiest way to find out is use a zoom to get it right and then get the equivalent prime. The prime is going to give far better ability to work without adding extra lighting.
depends how far the subject needs to be and how wide the angle needs to be, if you need to capture several people sitting or just one person. Try also the Lumix 14mm and as the author said, the 20 mm.
I did a back to back test between this and the Olympus 25mm f1.8. On a lumix body it appears fine but on the Olympus it is considerably more slow to focus. Plus I did notice some focus breathing issues
There are many plastics in use these days and the one used in camera lenses is mostly polycarbonate. Plastic and ‘plastic fantastic’ sounds like a put down. I have one of these lenses and it’s overall great for someone on a budget, but I do like using my vintage Pentax lenses on a G3. Thanks for your vids mate✌️🇦🇺 #mftforeever
I just returned the olyimpus 45mm f1.8 ..didn't think it was worth £270 will stick to my old canon 1.4 FD glass.. MF but way better imo So I won't be buying any more Olympus or Lumix AF lenses
why would you spend £270.00 for the fantastic 45mm 1.8 when you can get it in excellent condition used from MPB for under £130.00. The 45mm 1.8 is one of the best lenses in the Olympus line up. I also have the canon 50mm 1,4 but the FL version which I love but sometimes in fast working conditions the 45mm 1.8 autofocus is a godsend.
@@darrendavis927 im not really an AF guy .. I spent £270 because that's how much a new one costs...and.. it gives me the chance to send it back if I don't like..which I didn't..but of course a 2nd hand one is better value..assuming its fully working..
Love my Lumix 25mm. With the options in the G9 with it's built in teleconverter and 2x-4x digital zoom it's extremely versatile.
Had this for a year. It's definitely my go-to all-rounder for my Panasonic G80.
I love this lens and it's a bargain for sure. I actually find that very few beginners shoot at this focal range and usually use the zoom kit lens that came with their Camaras and gives them the variations of range. I see many professional photographers using 50mm and 85mm primes.. and believe it's actually a more advanced technique considering these prime lens require using your feet and imagination to create compositions with a narrower field. I agree people should try it and challenge themselves.I believe there isn't any entry level focal ranges. These are just perspectives and story telling tools. Great video. Love the channel.
Thanks for the review Brian. I've just bought the Olympus 25mm 1.8 for my OM5. I'm having great fun with it and it's helping me get out of the lazy "let's just zoom in" habit that I've got into with my 12-100 F4. I'm getting some nice pics with the square format option - seems to suit this focal length. Love the channel - even from New Zealand..
Thanks for the kind words. I really do think the Olympus is the superior lens and we’re I buying it again I think it would be the one I’d go for. As I said, I bought it in my early M43 days. There is a large price difference though for the gains.
This is the first lens I bought for my GX80 after the kit lens. I really like it, there's something about its rendering that I truly love. I'd say I like it more than my Olympus 45 1.8, although the Olympus can give much more bokeh and it's sharper.
I just ordered a GX85 kit. I was looking for a faster lens for a narrow depth of field. I ordered this 25mm 1.7 lens. I’m still awaiting the delivery but you video convinced me that this was the right choice!
The nifty fifty was my first step into art from documentation photography. I’m surprised I still don’t have one on m43. Perhaps I should change that. Great review.
I'm almost embarrassed to say that this cheap lens is one of my "go to" choices for stills and videos on my G9 and G7. It's probably #2 after my PanaLeica 15mm lens. The Lumix 25mm is far from perfect, but it is a great focal length, f1.7, with decent optics, and of course, a great value. I don't know how much value there is in the fact, that I never worry about tossing it about, dropping it, or using it in unusual or risky situations. It continues to please me with the photos it delivers. Can't afford NOT to own the Lumix 25mm f1.7.
The Lumix G7 has no image stabilisation. Neither does this lens. Do you need a tripod to shoot with this one?
My favorite lens. Cheap, small, light, closer focusing than the Oly, good IQ. No focusing problem with my E-M1. Any CA is easily eliminated in post.
I have the "noisy" 20MM 1.7, I still love the quality of images and lightweight usefulness of the lens. I use it with all my M4/3's bodies.
Yikes
In the past, when I decided to take only the small telephoto zoom with me, it was usually a mistake. The "nifty 25" is the better choice. And you should always have both a real teleprime or telezoom or a (super)wide-angle in reserve.
I just bought a G9 to augment my Olympus EM1 Mk II. I'll check out this lens.
A real heavy upgrade!
I’d be interested on how you find the two. I did a video comparing my G9 with my EM1mk2 a little while ago and I use them both regularly.
I’ll be honest with you, if you have these two cameras then this lens is not in the same league as the cameras. You may end up disappointed unless it’s being used as an occasional use “camera bag filler” lens. I’d be inclined to look to the Olympus f1.8 or the faster 25mm in the range. Again, let me know how you get on please
@@ThatMicro43Guy thanks for the info. I found a 25mm f 1.8 Zuiko on sale from an online retailer and I ordered it.
I'll let you know how I think the cameras compare.
I totally agree. Thanks for sharing
thanks brian
Colonic irrigation. Brilliant.
This is my very first prime and used it for the very first time on my first trip to UK, along with the Olympus 14-42mm EZ kit lens. I struggled a bit with the framing, specially in tight spots, but I came home with a lot of beautiful photos. I barely touched the kit zoom because the prime is just so much better, despite the need to be wider sometimes.
I just got the Olympus 17mm f1.8 for my next travel. I'm sure it will be great on the trip itself but seeing the few test shots I'm kind of missing the magical feel I got from the 25mm.
If there's one complaint I have about the Lumix 25mm f1.7 it's that the lens cap is annoyingly easy to remove. There were a couple of times that I dropped and almost lost it the first couple days. I ended up not using it completely the rest of the trip and I still got great photos.
Nice review! I have this lens and I should use it more often than I do...
Something I've observed when putting Lumix lenses onto Olympus backs is that the back wants to have the lens updated on that body, even it the lens firmware is up to date, so that the lens is put into the back's look-up table (firmware) so that it will then correct it properly. If the lens firmware has been updated on a Lumix back, it still may need updating on older Olympus backs to refresh the firmware there. The Olympus may be expecting older lens firmware version. &vv.
Sulantoblog did an extensive test and said it had a bit of focus breathing at F4. He said you can use manual mode and have constant preview on it solves that. Otherwise avoid the f4 and it will be avoided.
25mm 1.7 is indeed a very good lens. I would say small&cheap used MFT Body (like Lumix GM1) + this lens used is a perfect cheap beginner kit. For people with more ambition and better bodies 25 1.4mm is a better option. And 20mm 1.7 pancake is also quite cool option, very similar to 25 1.7 but a bit wider and smaller. (I do own 25mm 1.4, and 20mm 1.7 for couple of years now)
Just got this lens and looking forward to using it "in anger", as they say. I've owned "nifty 50's" from film cameras to various digital brands and formats so this one seems to me about par for the course. But that's a good par: generally high quality for price.
Thanks, good video.
The 25mm on MFT is the equivalent of the old nifty fifty on 35mm film or FF. 👍👍
I have the 25mm over the last year or so. I enjoy it for film making than the still pictures .a small great one .
Great video thanks.
I've watched several of your videos and realized I hadn't subbed. Just did and thank you for this and other great content. I still want this lens for portraiture. I'm not a fan of overdone bokeh and this gives nice background rendering to photos.
Hello from Germany,
Thanks for this wonderful review!!!
Having now both the Panasonic 25 1.7 and the Olympus 25 1.8 I do not use the Panasonic ever. The olympus for me is so much better that it really justifies the price difference (used) for me. The olympus is much sharper at around F4. I found the focus breathing at my copy of the Panasonic is too much for me. The autofocus on the olympus is much faster and much more reliable. The Olympics is the smaller lens and it looks fantastic.
Also the Olympus 'catches' more light. So even having only 1.8 the shutter speed is faster for the Olympus. So the light transmission is a bit better for the olympus.
You can get the olympus used nowadays for 150€ and the Panasonic for around 110€. So if you can find the olympus at a good price i can highly recommend this little gem.
But after all the difference is not huge and the most important thing is to go out and shoot.
Hope that helps people decide.
Greetings
Jens
Since I got the 25 1.4 panaleica I can no longer use the 1.7. I think the Leica is one of the best lenses in the system
How does the lens hood attach? I do not have threads on the end of this lens. I also tried to see if there was a ring on the end of the lens. That piece does not move. The hood is the same size as the end of the lens.
There is a trim ring on the front of the lens when new. It twists off. I put mine in the box for safe keeping.
@@ToddBannor I’d forgotten about the trim ring even existing……mine will be in the same place as you keep yours lol
Whats the recommended shutterspeed for using a 25mm ? I get constant soft images under f4 with this lens. (no ibis on my camera).
It’s more than likely not the shutter speed causing the softness. Almost all lenses have a “sweet spot” area, usually around the centre apertures and their performance tails off as you get further away from that area. This is why you have multiple lenses of different types with special coatings etc to counter these issues which are caused by the way the lenses reflect and refract the light as it passes through the lens. These come at several costs, such as size, weight and manufacturing costs and ultimately retail costs.
At the cheaper end there are more tolerances and inconsistencies in manufacture which mean that these are more chances of problems. However, even pro level lenses have these issues, just better controlled and less noticeable. I think that I managed to get a really good example but others report small focus and softness issues on this particular model. But for £149.00 that’s a risk I was willing to take.
So the general answer is that your shutter speed is probably not the solution, shoot higher than f4 for sharpness or invest in a more expensive lens to get the sharpness.
Using 1/60sec or faster shutter speed should avoid camera shake. If your subject is moving, you may need a faster shutter speed than that to avoid motion blur.
Would this lens be usable for sit-down interviews? Or is another lens better?
I don’t see why not, although you might find it a bit too zoomed in those circumstances in which case try a 20 or 17 mm. easiest way to find out is use a zoom to get it right and then get the equivalent prime. The prime is going to give far better ability to work without adding extra lighting.
depends how far the subject needs to be and how wide the angle needs to be, if you need to capture several people sitting or just one person. Try also the Lumix 14mm and as the author said, the 20 mm.
I bought the lens last year, 2021
What is it like on an OMD EM1 II?
I did a back to back test between this and the Olympus 25mm f1.8. On a lumix body it appears fine but on the Olympus it is considerably more slow to focus. Plus I did notice some focus breathing issues
There are many plastics in use these days and the one used in camera lenses is mostly polycarbonate. Plastic and ‘plastic fantastic’ sounds like a put down. I have one of these lenses and it’s overall great for someone on a budget, but I do like using my vintage Pentax lenses on a G3. Thanks for your vids mate✌️🇦🇺 #mftforeever
Hello I'm from Cambodia 🇰🇭
Wow, hello Cambodia from me in the UK
@@ThatMicro43Guy Could you let me know your contact by social media as like fb account ?
I just returned the olyimpus 45mm f1.8 ..didn't think it was worth £270 will stick to my old canon 1.4 FD glass.. MF but way better imo
So I won't be buying any more Olympus or Lumix AF lenses
why would you spend £270.00 for the fantastic 45mm 1.8 when you can get it in excellent condition used from MPB for under £130.00.
The 45mm 1.8 is one of the best lenses in the Olympus line up. I also have the canon 50mm 1,4 but the FL version which I love but sometimes in fast working conditions the 45mm 1.8 autofocus is a godsend.
@@darrendavis927 im not really an AF guy .. I spent £270 because that's how much a new one costs...and.. it gives me the chance to send it back if I don't like..which I didn't..but of course a 2nd hand one is better value..assuming its fully working..
@@darrendavis927I paid £149 for mine brand new and it's well worth it at that price.
@@mikemorley2797 for an Olympus 45mm 1.8 ? 🤔 brand new ?? Nah..
@@mikemorley2797 I don't really find the AF very fast TBH ...reckon I'm quicker doing it manually