Finally! Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 Review

[@davidp158]

Thanks for the in-depth review. I currently shoot video with the S1H and Lumix S 24-70, and various adapted Canon, Sigma and Rokinon glass. As I shoot primarily video, the video-centric features of the S 1.8 lenses is appealing. The S 24-70 is a bit heavy for extended gimbal work, so I'm leaning towards investing in the 35 and 50 1.8 lenses. 24mm on FF for video is a bit too wide at times, so I'm thinking the 35 and 50 are better options initially. The linear focus and similar size/weight is a BIG help when shooting video and gimbal work.

[@danpete2325]

I have watched all the s35 1.8 reviews on KZbin. Your one is the only one that is trustworthy. All the other "reviews" are just advertising and reading specs and not mention any downside at all. Thanks I will get one as soon as it arrives here.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you very much Dan!

[@HGQjazz]

I'm buying it! I held off on the 50 and 24, knowing 35mm could do that work. I'm glad I did! 20-60, 35, 85 is my kit!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Haha I now wish I held off buying the 24

[@TheRealRichardWong]

But I feel I would probably still buy the 35 anyway

[@mcronfpv8736]

I think 18 - 35 - 85 + kit 20-60 would be a very usefull set for video and photo. I hope the 18mm is coming out soon !!

[@NikolaosTsarmpopoulos]

Thanks for the review. I love the Lumix S 24mm f1.8 for both indoor and outdoor, especially for low light, as it allows for the "whole picture" (the context) to be included in the frame. Then, I use the S 50mm f1.8 for portrait photos, or to focus the attention on the subject. The 35mm would be kind of a luxurious middle ground for a hobbyist like myself (I'm not buying it). Similarly, I don't think I'd be interested in the 85mm lens. I appreciate the perspective it offers but, again, I don't think I would often swap lenses, from the 50mm to a 85m. For versatility and convenience, though, the Lumix S 20-60mm kit lens is a winner and the 70-300mm appears to make sense, too.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey Nikolaos I agree the 20-60 kit lens is a winner! I use that a lot! 70-300 is great too but I don't have as part of my kit

[@briansotodo]

Finally one video that doesn't seem to be an ad from panasonic. Thank you!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey Brian, glad you enjoyed it :) I always try to create fair review that talks about pros and cons of each product.

[@danpete2325]

Yes agree. When a review not mention anything negative, you know it's not even a review

[@thewalkingvloggingman7152]

@@danpete2325 Then you should be pissed off about the Sony and Canon reviews then.

[@stephenkane741]

Would love to see a side by side with sigma dg dn 1.4

[@mike.k]

Me too!!!

[@tedsouart2085]

Same. It's difficult to chose between them.

[@izzieb]

The one we've all been waiting for!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes!!! are you ordering one Izzie?

[@izzieb]

@@TheRealRichardWong Pre-ordered after watching your review!

[@andrewcampbell3184]

Me too. Just pressed the order button!

[@fellowcitizen]

Thanks Richie, it renders nicely here as well as in the promo vignettes. Great to have a full set option like this.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Fellow Citizen.

[@atmospherelight]

Would love to see a video on this lens testing thoroughly about just the autofocus on various scenarios and different sensitivity settings.

[@jayforcinema]

Thank you for the review. Your summary and inputs were both very helpful! I got my S1 with the 24-105 kit lens. I rarely need shallow DOF at 24 mm, so the kit lens is adequate for 24 mm (and 105 mm) lengths. I recently obtained both the 50 and 85 mm 1.8 lenses, and will probably get the 35 mm next year. Originally I was using the Canon 35 f/2, 50 f/1.8 STM and 85 f/1.8 with the Sigma EF-L, but the experience is much much better with native glass. I'd suggest the 50 if you have the 24, of course. It's closer and yet good enough for gimbal work and portraits, also cheaper

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. i will most likely get a 50mm soon!

[@EdRobles1]

I just purchased the S5 with the kit 20-60mm and the 35 1.8 lens. When it comes to the choice of a 24 or 35, I prefer to walk around with the 35 and punch in with the APSC mode for an additional 53mm focal. I'll include people in my photographs and prefer the lower facial distortion that the 35 offers, and the APSC 53mm punch in makes for good walk around portraits.

[@usahotnews2874]

it is pleasure to see next amazing review. interesting to see comparison this one and sigma 35 1.4 dg dg with same filter thread BTW ;)

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching my friend! Will see if i can do a comparison with the Sigma!

[@RavivanLeeuwen]

Thanks for reviewing this lens, Richard! I currently own the 24-105mm f/4 and the 50mm f/1.8. Would you recommend for me the 85mm f/1.8 or this lens, the 35mm f/1.8? Or should I save for the 16-35 f/4.0. Any advice would be appreciated 🙂 Thnx!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hey Ravi, the three lenses you mentioned are completely different, so this is really a hard question for me to answer. What is your favourite focal length? what is the lens you feel you are missing at the moment? what do you shoot the most ? pick the lens that is most suitable to you. :)

[@rigtigflink]

Hi Richard - great review .. I ordered the lens to compliment my s85 to shoot portraits now the models can be seen in a scenerie :-D

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Enjoy your s35! 35+85 is a killer combo

[@flippe555]

Thanks for the thorough review. I currently have the sigma 24mm f2 and the ttartisan manual focus 50mm 1.4 and 90mm 1.25 lenses, and have come to the conclusion I definitely need a general purpose AF lens so looking at this one. Compared to the 50mm which would you prefer to keep on your camera for a daytrip for example?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

My favorite focal length is 35mm. Having said that, there are occasions I picked the 50mm instead of 35mm. It really depends on if I m bringing another lens (and what lens), if I am really bored of the 35mm at that time, and also the place I visit as some places would benefit more from a wider angle and some a longer lens

[@andrewcampbell3184]

Excellent balanced review as always. I will preorder it! It looks great 👍

[@TheRealRichardWong]

thanks for watching Andrew!!

[@olesbadio1496]

Thanks for the great review. I'm interested in your opinion, will the sigma 35/1.2 be worse in terms of color? Because, despite the much higher light power and good sharpness, it is the sigma optics in conditions of dimming that the color of the skin tones seems to lose more saturation than the optics of Panasonic, Canon, Nikon.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Sorry i haven't done any side by side test so can't really answer your question

[@olesbadio1496]

Thanks

[@ParsclickTV]

Thank you. Do you have a review video for lumix s 16-35mm lense?

[@mamchristian]

How is this lens compared with the Sigma 35 f/2.0?

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Right now I have the 50mm and 35mm f1.8 to go with these I have the 24-105mm f4 and the 16-35mm f4. For longer focal lengths I use canon L 70-200 f2.8 and 300mm f4 with the MC-21. So I’m pretty set but would be interested in a 16mm f1.8 if they bring that out. Thanks for another great review Richard! Always interesting info !!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you for watching! There is a wide angle Lumix S f/1.8 coming out soon! it will be a 18mm f/1.8 not 16mm f/1.8 though

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

@@TheRealRichardWong thank you …. Will keep an eye out for your review….Cheers!

[@st8ofplay171]

I gave up waiting for this lens and got the Sigma 35 f1.4 DG DN when it came out. I'm really happy with it, but I'd prefer the size and weight of the Panasonic. I'll probably stick with what I've got, but there is always something else to tempt me isn't there?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hahaha exactly. I have tonnes of reviews scheduled for the next 3 months, and a lot of them are really really not wallet friendly

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Great video Richard, thanks for sharing! Between 24mm and 35mm there's an huge gap...maybe you should buy the 35mm f1.8 :D In my case, I'm not going to buy this lens...I've waited for too long for a native 35mm and I needed one for work. So I decided to buy the Zeiss Classic ZF 35mm F2 to adapt it on my Lumix S cameras...an incredible 35mm lens!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haaha thanks Luca Bono! I just need more people to give me a reason (excuse) to buy the 35!

[@Jaymino_]

Hi Richard, I have been following your videos on Panasonic and M mount gears. This is another great review! I would like to ask about the Panasonic S5. Would you prefer a 35mm & 85mm combo or just a 50mm (to do it all) with the S5? I know this is a subjective question, but love to hear your thoughts.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi Jonnchooi Thank you very much :) yeah i think it's really subjective. To be honest if you ask me the same question every year i would most likely give you a different answer. 50mm is a great one lens choice, but if i'm happy to carry 2 lenses i would go for 35 + 85

[@Jaymino_]

@@TheRealRichardWong hi Richard, appreciate your reply! I agree, I tend to float between diff FLs from time to time as well. Recently I took a plunge on the 35mm 7artisans pancake that you reviewed on the Nikon, for my S5 camera. The raw photos need some work especially dehazing to get the contrast back. But I like that by limiting myself on the fixed aperture, I get to focus on the subject, composition and the other important aspects of photography. Thanks again Richard do take care, and enjoy what you do. God bless.

[@syrompicturez2917]

Fantastic Review and very informative

[@mohamedeltaleb]

I definitely will grab one 😎… great review as always ✌🏻

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you Mohamed! You are fast!

[@A1Bokeh]

RICH! I am back lol so I got the 35. I am digging it bro! I like how it renders images I just used it at a client shoot and a youtube video as well. I just got the 85. I am curious about the 24 now!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

haha awesome ALi! I use 24mm for all the recently KZbin video when i shoot with the S5.

[@A1Bokeh]

@@TheRealRichardWong but you weren't really into the 35 right?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

oh i LOVE 35mm!! It's just i bought a 24mm now so not getting the 35mm ... yet at least!

[@ainnelrosirrosias3338]

Is the autofocus of 35mm same as 24mm? Or u 24mm is beter? Im also stuck between these 2 dont know wha to buy

[@artemiopatino1646]

I'm more excited about the 18mm 1.8 that was announced.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Is it for astro it landscape or something else Artemio?

[@artemiopatino1646]

@@TheRealRichardWong mostly landscapes I have the 24mm but want something a little wider.

[@MichealSeaghdha]

The colour rendition is beautiful, but I think you are justified in your dissatisfaction with the distortion aspect. This is becoming a familiar pattern with mid-range mirrorless lenses in general, although Fuji is bucking the trend slightly in this respect. I see a noticeable difference between the angles of view from 24mm to 28mm and so 35mm (for me anyway) is quite a significant change. But I sense your disappointment after such eager anticipation and so perhaps the best thing to do is wait a while and think about whether you ought to buy. Thanks for the helpful video.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi Michael, thanks for watching! To be honest, for the photos and videos I shoot, distortion doesn't bother me too much. It's really more i feel 24mm / 35mm is a bit too close but let's see!! All my youtube videos (the one shot in my little studio anyway) are shot with the S 24mm 1.8 lens, if i get the 35mm lens, i might switch to that instead to reduce the distortion a bit.

[@KwasnikPictures]

Looks awesome! 💥💥💥

[@TheRealRichardWong]

And my favourite focal length!!

[@kentmemories]

24 for landscape and vlog and indoor event, 35 for street and travel, 50 is similar purpose to 35 plus portrait.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Are you asking me to get the 35mm Kent ;)

[@kentmemories]

@@TheRealRichardWong Lens is a decade long asset, why not.

[@jshanni2066]

Excellent as always, Richard. My absolute initial impression is that I'd be more likely to buy the Sigma F/2 In 35mm.

[@aiseurnae5976]

Because of the size ? I have the Sigma f2, very nice lens, but the AF is bad in video. I wanted to sell it for this new Lumix but I love the size of this Sigma.

[@jshanni2066]

@@aiseurnae5976 because of the aperture ring and because initial impressions are that i prefer the look of the 35/2 rendering, but of course it's too early to tell.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@JShanni if you do video work, the Lumix would be better choice especially on a Lumix body. But for stills only, the Sigma is pretty attractive too and I love aperture ring.

[@jshanni2066]

@@TheRealRichardWong yeah, video doesn't matter much to me, mainly stills. Still weighing up S5 vs Z5 so no rush to make a decision anyway.

[@OutingJournal]

Compare with Sigma 35mm F2

[@JanSur]

Thank you, the best review of all!!

[@TheRealRichardWong]

THANK YOU! :)

[@tobygolus9175]

Great video! Shame about the distortion but I still am going to buy it when I can.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks for watching Toby! I think you'll enjoy the 35 1.8 :)

[@magnusgotander3954]

Agree about your thaughts and it has to do with the price. They want to sell .... simple as that. The flare is the moost important issue and they really got it there and if you want better you have the Leica/Leitz approved lenses. Thats their compromise.

[@EricLouisYoung]

you should never have distortion correction enabled when doing your corner sharpness tests

[@sashachen8274]

Hi Richard, do you have a review on Sigma 35mm DG DN f1.4 vs Lumix 35mm f1.8? I'm holding back my decision for quite a while couldn't make a decision which to get. I'd made too any impulsive mistakes in the past and kind of weary on decision making without more information. ... or should I put it this way: which of these do you prefer, the Sigma or Lumix? Thank you Richard.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hi Sasha, no sorry didn't get a chance to test the Sigma 35 1.4 DGDN so i can't answer your question.

[@EdRobles1]

I bought the 35mm thinking that I can use it on the S5 in photo apsc mode as well. But It looks like there is no photo APSC mode, only video is that right? I thought it had the same full frame to APS-C feature as the Sonys.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hi Eddie, no sorry it doesn't have apsc mode for photos. You will have to crop it yourself in post instead. It would be good feature when used with apsc lenses I guess!

[@johnvillalovos]

Curious how this compares to the Nikon 35mm f/1.8. I'm one of those strange people who has both a Nikon Z camera and a Lumix S camera. I guess I should watch your review on the Nikon 35mm f/1.8, assuming you made one 😊

[@OstyleProductions]

I was wondering the same. I own a Z and S

[@TheRealRichardWong]

hey John, actually i didn't do the review of thee Nikon Z 35 1.8 (I did review the Viltrox AF 35 1.8Z) Why does owning both Z and Lumix S strange :P

[@johnvillalovos]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks! Okay maybe not that strange then 😊

[@mamchristian]

Which one do you prefer for which type of work and why?

[@EricLouisYoung]

I can't wait for panny to drop the s1h mark II. if it has PDAF I go ALL IN on panasonic. if they go dfd again, I sell all panasonic gear.

[@marcoblondus3204]

I hope that panasonic bring the phase system af, too.

[@mannypvd2296]

I want this lens!!

[@A1Bokeh]

I've watched this video a few times and decided to pick this lens up! I have the 50 and liked the performance and look of the images so I pulled the trigger on this lens. Also I feel like everyone has sigma lenses so I think this will provide a different look. Slightly vintage like

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks ALi bro! you'll love it i believe

[@A1Bokeh]

Rich my bro. 35 is one of my favorites too. I think I like 34 better 😅 Think ill pick up the 24 and the 50. And get a 35 1.2

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh Ali sounds like you are going to have a lot more lenses than me very soon

[@A1Bokeh]

@@TheRealRichardWong 🤣 naaAa man you got everything. Killin it

[@ambarphotography4931]

Can you please show me Lumix S 35mm f1.8 campare with Sigma L mount 35mm f1.4 . This 2 lenses comparison with on lumix S5 ii New Body . I really want to this Compare can you pleasen do it

[@rickkoloian4179]

Another fair minded, thorough review & I'd like to make a request related to post processing? Could you download a trial version of DxO Photolab & compare lens/camera profiles with LR, esp for MFT? Thanks,

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Hey Rick, what should of comparison you want to see? if one does better job in correction I assume?

[@rickkoloian4179]

@@TheRealRichardWong Yes some reviewers have spoken highly of PL & referred to it as best post software for MFT. Matti Sulanto--when he was Lumix Ambassador--even said G9 images looked like they came from S1R after basic processing from DxO. Although the comment was an aside & not part of a PL & LR comparison.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

@@rickkoloian4179 hi Rick ok thanks for the info. I will write it down but can't promise when i can do that as I have a backlog of reviews that I really need to work on first! But I will definitely see if I can do some comparison when I have a chance :)

[@rickkoloian4179]

@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks Richard

[@JonackFilm]

I will buy this lens soon :)

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Enjoy it Paul!

[@vicibox]

I applaud your honesty in your review, its as rare as hens teeth on KZbin. I have been waiting for this lens for my L mount kit since it was announced, must be more than a year ago. However, I dont tolerate software correction and neither should anybody else; its disgraceful. If they could make excellent well corrected lenses with the technology in the middle of the last century then there is no excuse not to now. My Nikkor 35mm f2D used with a L mount adapter knocks this lens into the dust. AND why is it so big and how dare they call it compact, its bloated, its the same size as a 85mm f1.8!!! This was the reason I dumped Nikon, the G lenses are soft corrected, and switched to Panasonic 5yrs ago and now they are all doing it. Its cheap nasty cost cutting to increase profit and they can only get away with it because photographers are stupid enough to buy this rubbish. If people said no we wont buy this, they would accept they couldnt get away with it and make proper corrected optics. Your excellent demonstration showed very clearly that software correction is only papering over the cracks; it is ghastly. I have now switched to Sony, who also use correction but I can buy good corrected lenses from 3rd party suppliers like Samyang and Tamron. This lens was the final straw, there is no way I could put something like this on my Leica T, which was the plan, adding to the kit before buying a full frame Panasonic body to complement my GX9 kit. Now I will consolidate on Sony and sell everything else. Panasonic used to be one of the good guys; they have dropped their pants - winks

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thanks Vici! But to be fair, most of the new Tamron lenses I tested recently for Sony are also quite rely on software correction. Even some of the primes are heavily corrected

[@vicibox]

@@TheRealRichardWong I know but there are some with few aberrations. It has taken me 5yrs to put together my Sony kit by trial and sale, I almost gave up when I tested the 28mm f2 with horrendous barrel distortion. But this year I found the new Sony 28-60 Tamron 28-200 (only the wide end poor) and the Samyang 24mm f1.8 astronomy which is fantastic. All my primes are well corrected and low glass. It can be done. Couldn't do it for nikon so switched after 30yrs. Love my a7ii ;-)

[@ainnelrosirrosias3338]

Will s1 have same autofocus with latest firmware with this lens as the s5?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Yes

[@sprocketslip4564]

When will more S Pro Lenses come out ?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

You can checkout their roadmap, i see there is a "Large aperture wide zoom" which could be a S Pro?

[@gearslip8325]

@@TheRealRichardWong ok. Thanks. I’ll have to look into that. Reason is , I am trying to collect all S Pros 😅

[@marc2670]

@@TheRealRichardWong I hope the large aperture wide zoom will include an OIS, that would be perfect, less IBIS wobble.

[@ryszardzokowski812]

When this lens will be available on sell in Europe?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Sorry i'm not sure.

[@AzulGrana77]

In my opinion, the Lumix 35mm is a good lens for photography. But, for videos, autofocus is too slow or I received a defective lens.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh How was it defective?

[@McMurphy13]

the lens makes a quiet noise, is that normal?

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Is it from the lens? or the camera's IBIS system? The autofocus noise should be quite small.

[@jtes1442]

Would like to see a comparison with the Sigma 35 F2! Nice review.

[@trinimedia19]

I would want a 20mm F1.8 and a 140mm F1.8 and then it would be complete.

[@TheRealRichardWong]

there is a 18 f/1.8 coming soon. I would love to see a 135 1.8!

[@sdhute]

I picked up the sigma 35mm thinking I should have got the Linux instead

[@TheRealRichardWong]

I don't think there is anything "wrong" with the Sigma 35mm. Comparing it with the lumix, i think they are both very good, it's just there are pros and cons for each one in different areas

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Couple of tests I’ve seen like from dpreview it’s substantially softer than the sigma 2.0

[@-ls3n97]

棒

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Thank you

[@carriagel8773]

35 + 85

[@CO8848_2]

Make sigma work with autofocus, please. I am buying the GM on my Sony E mount lenses and here I am not even going to buy the sigma 1.4 because they work better on the E mount than L mount.

[@leesanghong80]

ak16a

[@deepavetrichelvan2942]

Your blur trasition effect ... No good

[@TheRealRichardWong]

Oh thanks for the feedback, can you please explain a bit more about why it's no good so I can improve