Leicasonic 25mm F1.4

[headfonz]

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=24525648

the Leicasonic D 25mm F1.4 in action...sharp

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by headfonz http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=24525648 the Leicasonic D 25mm F1.4 in action...sharp

Should try the Sigma 30/1.4 for fourthirds. I've tried the Pany 25/1.4 and IMHO the improvement is marginal over the Sigma 30/1.4 especially when the 30/1.4 is stopped down to f1.8-2.0.

BTW the rear lens cap of the Pany is exactly the same as the Sigma's. Focusing motor is also Sigma's HSM too (ie. a little retarded). Personally I think the Pany isn't twice as good. I rather save the money and settle for the Sigma 30/1.4 (only $590 for grey and $680 for local set v. S$1.6k for the Pany).

[headfonz]

wow, its available in singapore? can share where you tested it and the price?

[Oly5050]

Wow..looks like a nice lens for me. hehe

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by headfonz wow, its available in singapore? can share where you tested it and the price?

You can't get it in SG as Panasonic SG don't seem to bring in anything. Got it through B&H (the very first lot) for US$799 + S/H. Shortly after being on the market there was a recall by Panasonic over some focusing issue with the L1 and B&H hasn't restocked since then.

Sold it off a few weeks later for a nice profit and now very happy with a used Sigma 30/1.4.

[wind30]

Originally Posted by VSonic06 Should try the Sigma 30/1.4 for fourthirds. I've tried the Pany 25/1.4 and IMHO the improvement is marginal over the Sigma 30/1.4 especially when the 30/1.4 is stopped down to f1.8-2.0. BTW the rear lens cap of the Pany is exactly the same as the Sigma's. Focusing motor is also Sigma's HSM too (ie. a little retarded). Personally I think the Pany isn't twice as good. I rather save the money and settle for the Sigma 30/1.4 (only $590 for grey and $680 for local set v. S$1.6k for the Pany).

ya lah. I see the picture linked at the dpreview, how you tell if it is sharp at that size?

Anyway I have the sigma f1.4 and after calibration, it is pretty sharp at the CENTER even at f1.4. But the edges are not so good. But at f1.4 who looks at the edges...

It is so good that I really cannot justify spending double on a similar len.....

[microcosm]

Glad to know that my "mis purchase" turned out to be a good thing... so I am keeping the "paperweight" and maybe sending it in for calibration when I have time... so the Panny turned out to be $1.6k... that is no good. But then, one has to pay for the "L-lens" for 4/3 cameras...

Anyone interested in the 25mm can PM me, I will bring in one from Taiwan for you if you are interested. Cheers.

[headfonz]

should be S$1.2k before shipping...funny that the 'L lens' of 4/3s is manufactured by a company with only experience in producing 1 dslr 'kit' lens.

[wind30]

the thing about the 30mm f1.4 is that I don't really like the focal length.....

For my trip I bought my 11-22mm 30mm and 40-150mm and E330 + E510. I used the 11-22mm on my E330 and for the E510 I was thinking of alternating between the 30mm and 40-150mm.... but in the end, the 40-150mm was used like 90% of the time.

The 30mm is really only useful when the light is very low in the evening/night time when you need the f1.4. Even then, focusing that thing in low light is tough.

For shallow DOF, I really much prefer shooting the 40-150mm at like 90+ mm. Somehow the FOV of 30mm sigma doesn't appeal to me.

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by wind30 ya lah. I see the picture linked at the dpreview, how you tell if it is sharp at that size? Anyway I have the sigma f1.4 and after calibration, it is pretty sharp at the CENTER even at f1.4. But the edges are not so good. But at f1.4 who looks at the edges... It is so good that I really cannot justify spending double on a similar len.....

The Pany 25 images are all sized down so all you can see is a picture that has 'apparent sharpness' due to the shallow DOF (sharp center, OOF background). Corner sharpness isn't great on the 25/1.4 at wide apertures either.

Aren't you glad you bought the Sigma 30?

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by headfonz should be S$1.2k before shipping...funny that the 'L lens' of 4/3s is manufactured by a company with only experience in producing 1 dslr 'kit' lens.

B&H was selling for $799 when they had stock... I doubt it'll be US$799 anymore when they restock. Places that have it are selling for around US$1k now, so thats about $1.6k like micro mentioned.

I'd rather get a Sigma 30 than the "Sigcasonic 25/1.4" (Leica branding, Sigma manufacturing, Panasonic packaging ) and save the money for the next body upgrade.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by headfonz should be S$1.2k before shipping...funny that the 'L lens' of 4/3s is manufactured by a company with only experience in producing 1 dslr 'kit' lens.

Actually, Leica has lots of DSLR experience. Their R9 is both film and digital in one body... that was breakthrough technology when it was released. Imagine making a camera and lens system to work both mediums. That is no small feat... something that is only done in Medium Format. I just don't like how they still want to retain the "L Lens" prices even though the quality is not anywhere close to their throughbred "L Lenses". Sigh... they will not sell that many as the price is not attractive. Instead, one would rather invest in the better built ZD.

Originally Posted by VSonic06 B&H was selling for $799 when they had stock... I doubt it'll be US$799 anymore when they restock. Places that have it are selling for around US$1k now, so thats about $1.6k like micro mentioned. I'd rather get a Sigma 30 than the "Sigcasonic 25/1.4" (Leica branding, Sigma manufacturing, Panasonic packaging ) and save the money for the next body upgrade.

I agree with you on this one. I would save to buy more Oly stuff instead.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by microcosm Actually, Leica has lots of DSLR experience.

yeah i know Leica does have dslr experience...but the 4/3 Leica lenses so far are panasonic makes with a Leica badge, unlike the R9 + digital back which is purebred Leica.

i have no doubt on the QC by Leica at panasonic's plant, but should it command such premium pricing? if optical quality is really not that much different from the Sigma 30mm, then will many here pay S$800 more for the venus engine + mega ois + a red badge?

[VSonic06]

Theres no OIS on the 25/1.4. It comes with a red dot (ZDs also have!) and "LEICA D SUMMILUX" in front so your subject KNOWS you're taking their photo using a LEICA lens.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by headfonz yeah i know Leica does have dslr experience...but the 4/3 Leica lenses so far are panasonic makes with a Leica badge, unlike the R9 + digital back which is purebred Leica. i have no doubt on the QC by Leica at panasonic's plant, but should it command such premium pricing? if optical quality is really not that much different from the Sigma 30mm, then will many here pay S$800 more for the venus engine + mega ois + a red badge?

Originally Posted by VSonic06 Theres no OIS on the 25/1.4. It comes with a red dot (ZDs also have!) and "LEICA D SUMMILUX" in front so your subject KNOWS you're taking their photo using a LEICA lens.

Precisely. This is why I am now very hesitant to pay for the 4/3 "Leica" lenses. I would rather use a Leica adapter for 4/3 cameras and buy their manual lenses, despite having to lose all electronic controls, which is not important to me. More importantly is having good glass... but the thing is, this is not for work, as going all manual slows me down sometimes for photojournalistic work. Bummer isn't it?

Thankfully, ZD lenses rocks!

[Zwitter]

Just some observations after looking at those photos..
The circular highlights of the summilux bokeh is much better than the sigma 30mm. It's smoother and more even.
There are some 'inner rings' in the circular highlights of 30mm. The aperture blades of 30mm don't rotate perfectly(try using dof preview with your 30mms and check if yours rotates perfectly) so if you stop down a little, you'll notice that the bokeh take on an imperfect octagon shape.
The bokeh of 25mm is much thinner and less distracting than the 30mm's (which can be quite thick at times). I'm not sure about you guys but I like the edges of the bokeh from 25mm compared to the soft-edged ZD 50mm bokeh.
Worth the price difference if you're a bokeh connoiseur

[VSonic06]

Personally I feel the "L" (for Leicasonic ) lenses are somewhat overrated and overpriced, but maybe thats because most ZD / 4/3 lenses are already very good.

[NMSS_2]

Dont think nowadays most people can really tell a difference of a photo that was taken either from a very good lens or a cheap lousy lens.

either way, i am sticking with zuiko for their cheaper priced lenses as there are no big comparative difference between the cheaper Leica lenses (still X, if you asked me).

But why leica still drools for me:
1) sharp edge to edge
2) sharp wide open
3) lower macro-contrast (distinct leica feature)
4) creamier/smooth bokeh (depends on the lens whether front or background type)
5) solid feel of the lens (with F-stop included???)
6) the famous red dot!

[tao]

I wanted to buy the Leica 25mm F1.4 from the States (been considering it for months) until I realised that it costs more than both my Zuiko 50mm F2.0 and Sigma 30mm F1.4 combined!

Anyway, I sent my already sharp copy of the Sigma 30mm for calibration. Top class service, in which the technician actually delivered it to my place after he borrowed my E-500 to test the lens as the only E-300 body he had was dead.

Now, it is actually sharper! Even more pleased with the clarity of images it gives now at F1.4.

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by NMSS_2 solid feel of the lens (with F-stop included???)

Actually the Sigma 30 feels more solid than the Pana 25/1.4 which is all plastic like the 14-50. The aperture ring does not work on Olympus bodies.