My Favorite Micro Four Thirds Lens: A Must-have!

[@chipmiddleton1439]

If I could only have one lens, it would be the Panasonic/Leica 15mm. Simply beautiful.

[@datalaforge]

Same! If they end up making a good g100 replacement I will buy it with the Leica 15mm.

[@BrentODell]

I'm thinking about picking one up, but it's not weather sealed, is it? I feel like last time I looked at it that was my hesitation.

[@Democratiser]

@@BrentODellI much prefer weather sealed cameras but with MFT many of the lenses are not sealed unfortunately. So I find myself with a mix of a couple of zooms (14-140mm II and Oly 12-40mm f2.8) which are the EDC on a G9 and then a bunch of primes (PL 15 and 25, Oly f1.8 17, 25, 45, 75) which are not sealed which I swap in as needed. I’m hoping for a sealed GX9 Mark II to be released sometime. The GX9 is t sealed but the GX8 was. The new S9 isn’t so I’m not confident a new GX9II (if it ever arrives) will be sealed. If it is however then LUMIX really should release a sealed version of the 15mm as they did with the PL 25 f1.4.

[@BrentODell]

@@Democratiser yeah, I'd love to see a compact, weather resistant body and a new, sealed 15mm

[@bastian.michel]

Best of all

[@nolannatashaTV]

I also just picked up the 35-100 finally. Excited about it.

[@madsciencefilms]

It’s a fantastic lens!

[@imagenatura]

My favorite lens in terms of over-all package is the 17mm f/1.8. Small with features and nice output. I have two of them!

[@madsciencefilms]

Two!? Love it 😂.

[@DavidL5star]

I have just made the move to micro 4/3 with Olympus. I have a range of lenses up to the 150-400 f4.5 which is just awesome. After having Nikon full frame I can say I’m happy with the change.

[@imagenatura]

@@madsciencefilms Yes 2, because I have one sitting on my GH2 for streaming and the other is for casual shooting. 🙂

[@tynova4672]

I pretty much just use old adapted Soviet lenses for M4/3, they give the look I like and the price is right. Industar, Jupiter and Helios are king for me.

[@madsciencefilms]

Love the Russian lenses. Good shout

[@HarrySatchelWhatsThatSmell]

Great vid. What's the lav mic your using? It sounds nice.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks Harry. DJI mics - love’ em!

[@DuniaKita19]

the best for me : lumix 7-14mm f4, lumix 12-60mm f2.8, zuiko 17mm f1.8, zuiko 45mm f1.8, zuiko 70-300mm f4-5.6 I bought everything second hand in an online shop.. nice price to performance and lightttt...

[@madsciencefilms]

Great set of lenses!! Thanks for sharing.

[@jcmt8178]

Do you have any issues using them cross-platform? Like lumix zoom lenses on Olympus bodies?

[@godzuks]

I would love to try the 35-100 for video, will have to save up..its a bit on the expensive side

[@madsciencefilms]

It is, but well worth it.

[@philippedugout2278]

My Key lenses on micro 43 are the 12 100 olympus pro which is great, paires with the 7 14mm pro for wide angle, for portraits the 25 is good but the 45mm f1.8 is really sharp.

[@madsciencefilms]

Great set of lenses!

[@laddrob]

Thanks. FYI I had both the P-Leica 12-60 2.8-4 lens and the Lumix 12-60 3.5-5.6. I tested both and to my surprise the Lumix was slightly sharper. It is also lighter. So I sold the Pan-Leica version. I also have the 35-100 2.8 which is great. Another lens I llike a lot is the Olympus 12-40 2.8 - it is incredibly sharp

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks for sharing

[@locohombreau]

I appreciate your coffee montage

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks!

[@luzr6613]

My God lens is the ZD 150mm f/2... adapted on MFT. Were i only allowed one lens for my cameras (and all my glass is good) this would be the one i'd keep. Try one if you can find one.

[@madsciencefilms]

Awesome. I’ll keep an eye out!

[@Rush-Media]

Great rundown of m43 lenses, thanks for sharing. The 25mm 1.7 was one of my first lenses and it was so impressive for the price! My favourites for corporate work are the 10-25 and 25-50 1.7 leica's but that 35-100 has me intrigued (insane range!). For filmmaking I love to use the voigtlander primes, but they have their quirks.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks mate. Those lenses are seriously good and expensive haha! Yeah the 25mm is a solid lens and I need to show it more love tbh. Thanks for your comment 👍🏻

[@RobertSagan-p9f]

All worthy lenses…my fav 5 are: -Oly 40-150 f2.8 (my most used) - Oly 12-40 f2.8 (close second) - Oly 12-100 f4. Travel master - Pan/Lecia 8-18 f2.8-4. It’s wide and more importantly, created really pleasing, magical, images. - Oly 75mm f1.8. Don’t use it much, but when I do WOW. All it them, including ones not listed, quality and fun. Cheers 😊

[@RobertSagan-p9f]

PS just added the 150-600 last week. A unique and incredible lens. Almost completely upgraded from its Sigma roots (new focus motors, elements, coatings, weather sealing, synch IS, smoother action) extremely fun to use.

[@Studiotek]

Your most used lens is tele? You film a lot of far away stuff I guess?

[@RobertSagan-p9f]

@ main uses are mostly stills of action: sports, animals or dance (inside). Also videos of dance (inside). 8-18 / 12-40 for inside video or in dance studio stills. 40-150 for sports, wildlife (w 1.4 TC) and dance pics in Auditorium … flattering compression and fast enough at 2.8 (I’ll use the 75 f1.8 in the aud when I’m moving).

[@RobertSagan-p9f]

@ mostly stills. Yes, distant. Even my video often uses (short) tele (from middle of large auditorium) or long for wildlife.

[@GaborBerta01]

Having most of the lenses you mentioned, and in agreement with your choices, the lenses I love the most are: Lumix 14mm f/2.5 incredibly tiny, almost like a body cap lens Lumix 20mm f/1.7 a great lens but I especially like "the little wider than 50mm" look. My second most loved lens. Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 a fantastic sharp lens not just for portraits but also as a semi-macro lens because of the close focusing distance Olympus 75mm f/1.8 it is expensive, heavy by m4/3 standards (even the sun shade is made of metal), but has a fabulous image quality that probably in itself justifies having a m4/3 system. My number one loved lens.

[@madsciencefilms]

Would love to have the 75mm!! Thanks for your comment.

[@permghattaura7101]

Hello Any views in 20mm pancake lens. Seems to have mixed reviews regarding slow autofocus however drawn to the size and focal length.... All options welcome.

[@madsciencefilms]

I’ve never owned this lens as I have the 17mm f1.8. I’ve heard good things about it though.

[@clintjohnson5914]

Excellent choice!! Great lens with astonishing quality-- Every time think I need full frame I shoot with this lens and the 12-60 Leica and the urge vanishes!!-- Lots of good choices here!

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks for your comment! Absolutely agree.

[@teknolem7426]

I have a Leica 35-100 2.8 and it's really amazing. I have seen any videos on it. Or my other lens too. The Leica 12-35 f2.8 ver3

[@timothykieper]

I have the 12-60 and the 45-200. Covers every focal length I need. Just, not very fast?

[@laddrob]

Yes I think the Lumix 45-200 4=5.6 is an underrated lens! (now discontinued I think)

[@Democratiser]

As you say at the outset, there are plenty of micro 4/3 lenses to choose from. I think you were one of the main influencers who led me to micro 4/3 in the first place. I’m totally happy with my lenses which now include none you mentioned 🤣! It demonstrates the diversity and versatility of the system. I currently have a G9 together with a 14-140mm as well as the PL 15mm f1.7 and 25mm F1.4, and a 10mm MF Pergear fixed F5.6. I recently bought the Olympus 75-300 mm vII. These are all amazing for travel. My favourite lens however remains my Canon 70-200mm f2.8L. The bokeh and colours are just divine. …However, late last week I spotted a bundle of six Olympus lenses up for auction which I impulsively bid for… and won at a cost of about £100 each lens all up. They are the 17mm, 45mm F1.8, 75mm F1.8, 12-40mm f2.8 and 40-150mm. So I guess I’m ’all in’ MFT now! I’m planning to sell a few though. They haven’t even arrived yet…

[@madsciencefilms]

So pleased we were able to influence you in the ‘right’ direction 😁😂. Great set of lenses and well done on the auction deal - what a bargain!!!

[@Democratiser]

@@madsciencefilms update: ok so the new (used) lenses have arrived and I’ve been able to take some for a spin: mainly the 75mm and 12-40mm. Both are outstanding. I think the 12-40mm will replace the 14-140mm as the EDC but maybe not as a travel EDC. They all have lens covers and are in mint condition which is excellent. The 75mm just adds options to one’s shooting in terms of light and bokeh which is rare on MFT without one of the f1.2 lenses. It is a perfect upper body and outdoors portrait option, provided you have the room to step back as required to manage the 150mm equivalent focal length. I’m interested to test the Oly 17mm f1.8 vs the PL 15mm. I note it is an all time favourite of your and many others. Yet some (Robin Wong) have issues with the IQ. Robin can’t pinpoint the reason but says it is potentially due to electronic corrections making it a flatter image, but he is not sure. I personally love the PL 15mm and 25mm. They have that unique Leica character. So it might be the 17mm that I end up parting with, but given the regards you and others have for the little lens, I won’t rush to conclusions. Cheers.

[@edelmarobenza]

The Panasonic 12-35 V2 is a classic "all rounder" if I'm in a pinch. Oly 40-150mm f2.8 for sports. I'm growing in my set of meike cine t2 1 lenses for portraits and filmmaking (10mm, 16mm, 35mm, and 50mm). The meike offer the compactness and premium feel with beautiful image quality.

[@LeBironzilla]

agree or not agree with you, that not important. Yours opinion are valid. I love using old 43 on micro fourthing, and I fount them really usefull and offering something that the m43 do not have in is line up. I think that the standard zoom lens were better made event if they focus les quick on the fourthids body. It more than workable on the good olympus body. So i will take the old 12 to 60 or the 14-54 Mkii over a news solution. I have the 14-35 F2 and this lens is increadible. I will consider the 12-45mm F4 for the new m43 option, but there no bad option for standard zoom lens in the m43 and the 43 format, that just crazy. I was suprise with the sigma, but that a really good option for the price. I never bought the 45mm or the 55 because I have the old 50mm zuiko ED . And Franckly I looking for one of those lens OR the (42,5)45mm 1.4 or 1.2. But I do have the 75mm 1.8 and I think that lens is a good replacement for the 35-100mm F2.8. It this lens is too short inmy opninion

[@IsawUupThere]

If I had to pick a favorite it would be the DJI 15mm f1.7, which I'm now trying to switch out for the PL version because the DJI has some quirks with the G9M2. I'm not sure how much of it is the lens, and how much is the focal length. I bought it because I noticed 90% of my images with the 12-60 were around that range, and I appreciate the extra light. I can't get myself to sell the 100-300II. It was a big reason why I got into MFT, and it has been a great travel companion. It is getting neglected hard since I found an insane deal on the 200mm f2.8 with the 1.4TC though. That lens is incredible, but it is 2,5x the weight of the 100-300. 😓

[@madsciencefilms]

Yeah I love my 100-300 II and it was also one of the main reasons I switched from Sony to M43. I have been tempted to switch it out for the 100-400 Panasonic, but I’m not sure 🤔.

[@kwchalky02]

Can't believe you got rid of the 14-140, my most used lens. Interested to know why you got rid of that one rather than the 12-60. I had both but never used the 12-60 because the 14-140 was just as good and has that brilliant 10x zoom in a size and weight that was almost identical. (Maybe your 14-140 was the non weather sealed version?)

[@madsciencefilms]

Yep! I know it was a very versatile lens. I’m considering the weather sealed version of the lens going forward. Will see. Thanks for your comment.

[@jimsmith1930]

Its hard for me not to use the 14-140 covers just about everything

[@brianross1505]

You describe the 35-100 as having internal focusing, surely you mean internal zoom. It's my favourite too.

[@madsciencefilms]

Yes! Exactly that. 😂

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

Clearly he did. Probably is not using a script much like myself for my own videos. It happens.

[@Studiotek]

Either way, he's not wrong. Back in the day (and some of the cheap 7/TTArtisans lenses) lenses used to extend and retract externally when you focus. Nowadays, most lenses do that all internally. One of my favorite ultra-cheap lenses (35mm 7Artisans 1.4 - $65) does not have internal focusing and moves back and forth when I focus. Of course, I really can only use it for still photography and not video, because of the focus breathing.

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

I am surprised that no one puts the Leica 15mm 2.5 with the aperture ring on it on their lists. Something wrong with that lens?

[@madsciencefilms]

Not at all. I have the Olympus 17mm so no need for that focal length.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Very good video and thoughts. I would never sell my 20/1,7 or the Jupiter 3 from 1951.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks!! And thanks for your comment.

[@slopoke2007petey]

How is the Panasonic 16-35 2.8 not on you list

[@madsciencefilms]

12-35 f2.8 is a lens I don’t own…yet 😉

[@slopoke2007petey]

@ yes 12-35 it’s a nice lens if you’re interested I will sell it

[@BrentODell]

Unnecessary or not, I like coffee and I like montages, so... Also, unless I'm mistaken, both the 16mm and 56mm Sigma lenses ARE weather sealed, only the 30mm isn't.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks!! I believe you’re correct. Thanks for the correction.

[@Horschti135]

Great video! For future montages you should make sure the audio is balanced. Right now the intro and music were way too loud compared to your voice during the rest of the video.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks for your input!

[@JanPippel]

I usually carry a 12-40 Pro ll f2.8 Olympus lens on my GX8, on trips i carry a second lens…a Panasonic 45-200 Mk ll f3.5-5.6 for long range shots. That’s pretty much it. I own 3 primes to…a TT Artisan 17mm f1.4, a Laowa 50mm macro and a 9mm f1.7 from Panasonic…but I don’t edc them. Sold the 25mm Panasonic f1.7 after not using it for around 2 years…i guess i‘m much more a 35mm then a 50mm guy, don’t like the focal length.

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks for your comment. I’m also finding myself using the 17mm and 56mm more often than my 25mm. Time to sell? 🤔 I worry I might regret it 😂

[@JanPippel]

@@madsciencefilms it's cheap...if u need one u can buy it any time again

[@ianforber]

Do you not find the Oly 12-40 too big? I have it on a Oly EM-5mkii but it’s size has put me off entirely

[@JanPippel]

@@ianforber yeah the 12-60mm Leica is way smaller and lighter. Got the Oly used, like new, for under 500€...thats around 50%, i don't ask about the size/weight. The image quality is great and i love the focus clutch.

[@willermax]

Oi Mate, the montage might have been unnecessary - like you said - but I still do appreciate the effort and nice colors in the montage-

[@madsciencefilms]

Thanks mate!