Leica 10-25 f1.7 / Long Term Review and Issues Ive found

You guys know I really really love this camera lens, the Leica 10-25 f1.7, but I’ve had this lens long enough to realize it isn’t perfect.
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/ rhettthompsonfilm

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Great video, Rhett! Killer stuff man!

[@kkyeung2050]

Subscribed because of this video. Keep it up!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Appreciate it! I try to make videos that no one else is making and I’ve always got interesting videos planned!

[@Filmmaker809]

Thanks for doing this video review Rhett because I wanted this lens and bought it on Ebay but the focus was damaged, so got refund. I would love you to do a part 2 and compare this lens with the Sigma 18-35mm lens.

[@jordiextremera]

Great video!!! I've been thinking about buying the 10-25 for a long time. My most used lens is the 12-35, but I find that it lacks more light, so I think maybe the 10-25 would be my new favorite lens... I don't know. Its high price makes me not want to rush. Greetings from Spain!

[@fansofER]

I love the 10-25/1.7 but it cannot throw focus/refocus while zooming. You also described this behavior in this video. The lens pauses focusing control while zooming (this is probably caused by the electronic anti-focus breathing system). This results in the focus “jumping” after a zoom that you noticed. This is my biggest gripe with the lens and I have learned to not try to refocus while zooming

[@85blueberry]

I have noticed this point also with buying this lens on my GH5 And G9. When I zoom without filming it keeps focus And when its filming And I zoom it it start to get compleet out of focus for 2sec. AF is also more out of focus than in focus On both camera’s. Do you recognize this same issue? My 12-60mm Leica is doing it much better in both points something I thought should be better in the 10-25mm. Please let me know what you experience is in this.

[@tojeemIV]

Thanks for the great video. Everyone else was too busy fangirling over the glass to mention any negatives. The first point on your list was enough to discourage me. Horrifying that a thousands-of-dollars Leica lens has a problem with literally falling apart, especially since I could only ever afford it second-hand.

[@MichaelSchagen]

Good to hear you nitpicking about this lens after actually using this lens instead of just doing the standard review tests. It helps to avoid those slight surprise disappointments that are bound to occur after spending such an amount of money on it.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Nothing here is a dealbreaker IMO but enough tiny issues can cause some serious buyers remorse over time so I wanted to make those things known!

[@clarkcooper6158]

@@RhettThompsonFilm Even the broken lens body is not a deal breaker? lol.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@clarkcooper6158 I guess that one depends on your situation right? I got the Lenz news it was under warranty and even now I’ve got insurance and so yes the land is worth it but if you’re in any kind of situation that doesn’t have one of those two options then I definitely would say that that could be a dealbreaker.

[@ikamultimedia]

Hi Rhett. I really appreciate your videos and reviews. That's why I want to ask you this question: I am creating my brand based on documentarys for KZbin and I am working with a GH4 and a meke 25mm f 2.8. On the way I realize I definitely need a good zoom lens to continue my work. So I could invest in a Lumix 12-35 2.8 but then I think that lens is not that great, so I am thinking in the Leica 10-25 which I think is the perfect zoom range for my work. But then I realized that the cost of that lense is almost the same than a Lumix S5 with the kit lens, that result being a similar zoom range. In one hand would be great to invest in this Leica so when I can afford a GH5 or even a GH6 would be a great combo. But in the other hand that S5 would also be great for it's characteristics and it's zoom great/cheap lense. So.... May I ask you for your opinion?

[@sutv6754]

Good stuff. Thanks

[@evenaicantfigurethisout]

did the new firmware update allowing linear (non-speed dependent) focusing do anything to the hard stops at either end as well? or does it still go past infinity?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I don’t have a camera that’s capable of the linear focus so I couldn’t say.

[@nightdonutstudio]

Are those small imperfections the result of focus priority on sharpness? I do not know. I just feel when you try to be the f1.7 zoom lens resolution record, you somehow will sacrifice on other aspects.

[@jdaponte66]

So I have the same lens as I had seen your video prior about the issue and mine finally came off still works but don’t feel it’s weather sealed Now.. I’m from Canada where did you get your repaired as i went through panasonic Canada which sent me to another repair store to tell me they can’t repair it.. hopefully you have a solution for me thanks and keep up the good work on your videos!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Hmmm I’m not sure about the situation in Canada. For me the warranty covered me and I’m pretty sure they replaced the whole lens instead of repairing (which seems like it could have been fairly simple) so I would keep looking into that since an official repair would be the most reliable. Sorry to hear you’ve had this issue!!

[@clarkcooper6158]

What was the repair process like? Did Panasonic cover it? Did you have to ship it away? Were you without it long? etc. Is this still a problem in new copies?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Sorry I’m just getting to this! It was pretty straight forward. I sent it in and they said they decided to just give me a new copy. This seemed like a problem with the first round of lenses but I haven’t heard about it since the early days, I talked to maybe 3-4 people who had the same experience but haven’t heard about it since, so maybe they fixed it.

[@jpattpol]

The fist one in shocking me. Is it easy to break like that???

[@AmazingKitchen]

Can I update the firmware for the Leica 10-25mm f1.7? If yes, can you share how it can be done. Thanks

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Not sure if they released new firmware, and if so I havent done it.

[@dannyly]

Sorry for commenting on an older video, but I just received this lens, and on my copy the autofocus is LOUD. the internal mics pick it up as well as the shotgun mics I use. Is this common?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I can definitely hear them but I think it takes quite a bit of listening very closely and I’ve never noticed them on internal mics. Go to the about tab on my channel and send me an email of the sounds and I can try to tell you if I think it’s normal but my first impression is that the auto focus should be extremely quiet on that lens.

[@dannyly]

@@RhettThompsonFilm kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6bSfYlqg6t0nZY I just recorded this video. Thanks for the response btw!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@dannyly interesting…I’ll compare this video to mine soon.

[@slows728]

Tried three copies, they all had loud CAF noise in video if you use 30/60fps with focus speed set to +5. If you use 0 speed and 24fps, noise is almost inaudible. Some reviewers (like Gordon Laing) mention the noise. It is definitely recorded by the internal mic.

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

4:20 isn’t the Panasonic 12-60mm parafocal ?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

More or less!

[@matthiasschluter3060]

My first leica 10-25 had a focus that did not make the Job good. No perfekt focus in long distance! The Second 10-25 after changing ...is perfect !

[@photogenic2010]

I must say, I went for Olympus Prime (25mm f1.2) instead and it was a GAME CHANGER ! The look + Convenience + Price + No Adapter needed + Reliability is surprisingly good. The DXO rating does NOT reflect the actual quality with its micro contrast! (Printed DXO specs is weighted towards full frame lenses on lab tests), You need to multiply printed M43 lens sharpness figures x2 to get actual quality outcomes. . GH5s / GH5 + Oly 25mm 1.2 is comparable to Canon RF at 3 times the price !

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

If I was starting over and all my lenses were like stolen or something I might just go with the full Olympus F1.2 set. I wish they could come up with something like a 10 mm though....

[@photogenic2010]

@@RhettThompsonFilm Yep, You can tell how good the images will come out just by looking at the oly's exterior design and finish

[@raksh9]

The Olympus f1.2 primes are the bomb. I have all three and they are in the bag for almost every shoot. The most useful function is the manual focus ring with hard stops, so if there's any difficulty acquiring focus, you can instantly go to manual focus and dial it in.

[@jackymo820]

i am very interested in the Olympus 25mm f1.2 too but the PL gives a more versatile range

[@photogenic2010]

@@jackymo820 I just bought that Oly 25 /1.2 after dreaming about it for 5 years.. and it is fantastic. I said: You only live twice.. and I use it mainly for portraits in the studio (with atistic lights) and the look is simply stunning. It's just as good without lights but indoor work is my main work.

[@theodoreivanov6257]

Like you say, no lens is perfect. I was prepared to consider the advantages of this one outweigh the inconveniences, but the ungluing of the rear part, that's a no-go. Do you know whether or believe that this has been fixed in the meantime ? Thanks.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I honestly haven’t heard of this being an issue for a while. The second copy I got has been going strong since this video was uploaded so I’m pretty much positive the vast majority of these lenses are good.

[@theodoreivanov6257]

@@RhettThompsonFilm OK. Thank you so much for such a detailed analysis. It really helps in making a reasoned purchase decision. This is a big and expensive piece of glass, quite unusual also in its specs.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@theodoreivanov6257 I really love the range and 10mm is a great wide angle which prevents me buying the 9mm, 12 and 25mm which when you compare those new prices it’s actually pretty impressive. Especially if you’re buying new you should have no issues and if you get it used make sure you can return if it seems a little loose! I’m going to a wedding now with my 10-25 and been using this thing weekly rain and shine for years now!

[@kennyadvocat]

25-50 f/1.7 a good lens to pair this?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

They are a perfect pair, if you can afford them. They aren’t super cheap.

[@kennyadvocat]

@@RhettThompsonFilm hehe just found your other videos on it now

[@aldolega]

I have never understood the insistence that the PL10-25 and Sigma 18-35 are so similar. The Sigma is only a ~25-26mm equivalent with the XL booster, even longer with the .71x boosters. To me at least, the difference between 20mm and 25mm is massive! Shooting indoors a 20mm will let you do a lot more. Sure, the Sigma is a smidge faster with the booster, but I don't think that's worth sacrificing AF.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think they are only compared because there’s nothing really like either of them, they just happen to be to closest thing to each other. I agree though the lack of wide angle on the sigma is a big downside to me but someone else might not care as much.

[@raksh9]

I use a Sigma 18-35 with Speedbooster XL, and while the focal length range is decent and the minimum aperture is useful, autofocus is hit and miss, which isn't helpful at all for stills.

[@professionalpotato4764]

I don't understand why modern lenses don't have real mechanical focus anymore. It is frustrating. And for the 10-25 that's marketed as a video oriented lens, 180 deg is the bare minimum. Sad to find out that it is not parfocal too

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

180 degrees is my sweet spot, and I do wish this was more like 90-180 degrees for sure. More than 180 is cumbersome for solo shooters though which is my main issue. Thankfully with the GH5mkii you can set the rotation to whatever you want!

[@cheeeeezewizzz]

That's weird, I've seen multiple tests that show it being parfocal

[@professionalpotato4764]

@curly dude Those people left AF on and it's correcting focus automatically. It is physically impossible to make a parfocal lens so small. Just look at the dzo zooms for example vs this.

[@A1Bokeh]

Man idk why but the lens only kinda intrigues me when it comes to photos

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

It takes great photos too!

[@glsracer]

I use this lens for photos primarily. I have never used it for paid video work. It's a great lens and while I think this should be about $1200 street price or should have gone out to 30 mm at $1700. My only real complaint is that I find the reach a bit short on the long end and 30 would have been preferred.

[@A1Bokeh]

@@glsracer very interesting input.

[@A1Bokeh]

@@glsracer why don't you use it for paid work

[@glsracer]

@@A1Bokeh mainly cause I haven't had the need/opportunity. I include fixed position video of wedding ceremonies in my package and no one has wanted more. I probably could use it for stationary video but the lens is too heavy for the GX85 or a6000 on the tripod I often use. It feels like it was made for the bigger bodies like my G9.

[@przybylskipawel]

Man, you are nitpicker! But you provide valuable insight. On one thing I cannot agree though. You cannot replace it with Sigma 18-35. Leica is simply SO MUCH wider. You need Sigma 18-35 AND Tokina 14-20 to truely replace this lens. But Tokina does not work that well with Viltrox speedboosters. So probably you need metabones ultra. And now Leica comes much cheaper. Also, did you really comapred Sigma + speedbooster vs Leica side-by-side on sharpness, contrast and chromatic aberration? Leica simply beats Sigma, not to mention Tokina. Of course you can use it with Sigma MC-11 on Sony a6600 but you loose so many functions with that.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I agree on all counts! The sigma does come close but will never touch the zoom range or widness of the Leica and that’s one of my favorite aspects. That being said, are you willing to pay 1000 bucks for that widness? Maybe some are maybe some arentZ

[@przybylskipawel]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I am willing and I have actually paid although I bought it used. I need that wideness because I shoot choirs in tight poorly lit spaces. Also zoom is essential to me and around 90 degrees rectilinear AoV lens is about as wide as you can get away with not stretching faces and silhouettes near the edges too much. I tried also to use Tokina, but it does not work good enough with viltrox. I will keep it however in case I decide to use it on Sony a6300 or Blackmagic 6K for even better lowlight.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@przybylskipawel I hear you. 10-25/20-50mm is much more useful to me than your standard 24-70 range most of the time. I can always get close and usually can’t get far enough back.

[@przybylskipawel]

@@RhettThompsonFilm Exactly

[@CZOV]

Gee Leica gave you a 1.8 zoom lens for under 2K and people aren't happy with it. The lens also doesn't fit anyone's arse, its too large for some, lol.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Couldn’t be more happy with it. Used it on 3 shoots just this week !

[@storytellingproductions9927]

Tell us how you really feel! Lol

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Always do!