Panasonic Leica 15mm F1.7 Prime Lens Review for GH6, GH5II, and GH5S

[@PeterGregg]

I love this lens, it's like what we call "comfort food". It isn't gonna win any prizes but it works and work very well! It's a must have lens to have with you. Love your video - your model is gorgeous, beautiful!! Big thumbs up 👍👍👍

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks, Peter! I hope you are doing well mate. I can't wait to see what you think of the Saramonic pack by the way. :)

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. That little 15mm is a gem and perfect for both photo and video.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It's a fun little lens. Your video on it was awesome, well done :)

[@mattisulanto]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thanks. That's an old video and now I could probably do it much better😀

[@photogenic2010]

I took this one lens around the world on my Gh5. the smallest, all rounder lens that's even used on serious drones. perfect mate for the Oly 25 f1.2. (you should do a review on the later too). very underrated.

[@salat]

I somehow ended up with the Pana-Leica 15mm f1.7 and the Lumix 14 mm f2.5 II ASPH - love both of them..

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Do you see much of a difference between the two?

[@salat]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Nah, there's not that much difference. The 14mm is really small, the 15mm is nice for manual focus. Both are a good fit for my GX880 and GX9. They look really small on my GH5 :)

[@clintjohnson5914]

I see this as much more of a stills lens--It's older and came out before Panasonic became so prominent in the video market (2016-2019). In fact I bought mine before I had settled on which MFT body I was going to buy. I was looking to replace and modernize the Leica rangefinder experience from film days and this was where I began. I feel like it evokes the same feel of the full Leica lenses,,especially in B&W. I would agree though,, the 12-35 2.8,,especially in the updated ver.II makes a much stronger video lens. I'm curious to see where the new 12-35 Leica takes us... Thanks for all the great examples!

[@joestrahl6980]

I have the P Leica 15 f1.7 that you reviewed. I use if mostly on my GX9 when I want to go light and photography is not the main goal. In that case I might have the Lumix 42.5 f1.7 with me and switch between the two and use foot zoom otherwise. I have also put it on my G80 a few times for video when I needed a wide bright prime which worked well with my use cases. While it would have been great if the AF was better, I find the biggest drawback the lack of weather resistence. But then again the GX9 does not have weather sealing either. Also, I don't have big hands but I almost always end up turning the aperture ring when mounting or removing the lens. I am largely satisfied and it scores high on a charm factor given size, design and that reassuring metal lens hood.

[@bpcs63]

I enjoy mine... its got a nice rendering to it, a little soft wide open but usable, and 15mm is quite useful for general purpose stuff... better than 17mm IMHO. Together with a slower general purpose zoom, it takes care of any low light needs. I've only used it for stills. BTW, your content, as always, is very well delivered and colour grading is superb.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks, so much for the kind words. I am really enjoying VLOG-L, it's been a fun grading experiment for me over the last few weeks. The Dynamic range with the GH5S makes it pretty easy :).

[@cameronkrause4712]

another good video. Clear, solid information without being over done! Thank you!

[@imagenatura]

Not many people have come to the same result as you with this lens. Most reviewers have said it's better than the Panasonic 14mm, Olympus 17mm (1.8), Panasonic 20mm. It was good to hear your opinion, especially on the AF. BTW, Panasonic is rumored to replace the 12-35 ii with a newer version this week. We'll see.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Oh nice! I hadn't heard that rumour. Thanks for the heads up. The 15mm is a great lens but the AF was way worse than the 12-35mm or 10-20mm (at least with my tests).

[@williamburkholder769]

Growing up with a Nikon FTn and 35mm f/2 Nikkor spoiled me. I found 35mm to be my favorite normal lens. The 15mm focal length is a bit wider, but still not wide enough to be "too wide" in most situations. I always had a 24mm and a 35mm, with no prime in between. I just upgraded my first generation 12-35mm to the version II of that range, and am considering the 15mm for added speed. I do about equal amounts of stills and video, so I'm also looking to upgrade my camera from a GH4 to a GH6. I may get the camera before the 15mm. I see the 15mm as a low light street photography and photojournalism lens, and not, primarily, a video lens. I'm not adverse to manual exposure and manual focus, since I grew up in the 1960s with Nikons and Canons. I've seen a ton of good work done with the 15mm Panasonic-Leica, so it's on my radar.

[@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials]

Thanks for this awesome video! Could you please make a review of the Panasonic 10-25mm f/1.7? Thanks so much!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thank you :) It's in the works already I'll have it done hopefully in the next few weeks.

[@MarkMclennon]

just bought a mint GX9 and plan to get this lens .

[@BarryMaskell]

9mm is now considered the sweet spot for vlogging

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

That's because it's new. I find it too warpy in the corners for any handheld use. I actually have a review coming up with 9mm soon so I'll see how it goes. I know that 18mm full frame is far too wide and warpy.

[@martinlennon4673]

I’m thinking of getting the 15mm for stills on my G9, I think the AF should be good enough ? Enjoyed the video 👍

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

For stills no problems at all. It’s just the video autofocus on the older bodies is a bit hit and miss.

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

Considering there is a rumour about a new Leica DG version of the 12-35 mm f2.8 lens, it might be better options for the travel lens soon.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

100% I can't wait to see what it's like when its released.

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy unfortunately the leaks suggests that the lens is optically exactly as before, just with a replacement Leica branding instead of the original "X" label. Close focusing seems to be the only upgrade. Rather disappointing...

[@ШотаГоголи]

I'm going to buy a Lumix S5, how would you approve of this decision? Will this lens do any good?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

The S5 is a great camera. I have a full multi-camera setup with them. This lens is for Micro Four Thirds, not the full frame system.

[@ШотаГоголи]

That's right, I'm still new to lumix, but I'm working on Panasonic AC90 and I'm going to continue on panasonic, more of the future

[@rajshekharkhandeparkar352]

Is there any manual lens in the range of 15 to 16mm for mft that would work with gh5 and g85?

[@stayfithabits]

Great video! I shoot weddings and have the 25 prime which I find great for low light. I really struggle with dance floor footage though as it's too close. Looking at the 15 at the moment

[@Chillnote]

Is this lens suitable for KZbin portrait videos in a small room?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

You can use it in a seated headshot situation, no problems at all. I used to use one for that exact purpose and it works fine. If you want a waste up shot, then you can move the camera forward more. I show you a comparison between the 15mm and 25mm in this video :)

[@Chillnote]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thank you so much! I also love your guitar channel

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[@Princeton_James]

Does anyone else have softness issues from 1.7-2.0? Not sure if I have an issue with my lens. It gets better after that.

[@gamedesign1]

Are you sure that the 15mm can be controlled by the new firmware with Focus Ring Control? Because it doesn't list that lens in the compatibility list. Compatible lenses: H-XA025, H-ES200, H-E08018, H-X1025, H-HSA12035, H-ES12060, H-FS12060, H-X2550, H-HSA35100, H-FSA45200, H-ES50200, H-FSA100300 and H-RS100400

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to double check.

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

Firmware Version 1.1 is supported now officially. :)

[@gamedesign1]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thats great :)

[@davidvictory9764]

I am struggling to get this or sigma 16mm for the gh5. Like the sigma seems more professional and faster and people say autofucs is much better if not, the best. I mainly wanna do vlogs/sitting down or day in a life videos. So 50 50 on vlogging while holding camera and setting it down. Lowlight is like number 1 for me Any help?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

The Sigma is heavy, but it's a great lens. This Panasonic is a great if you like smaller/lighter gear for MFT.

[@davidvictory9764]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy weight aside, do is everything else basicly identical you think? If you had to choose one which one would it be

[@yohai476]

You can review the Saramonic blink 500 pro x

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

I was sent that pack but it didn't work so I was unable to film a review. :(

[@robchiola8551]

How would this match with the Summilux 25-50mm F/1.7?

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

It should match great. I have the 10-25mm and it's a very similar look.

[@robchiola8551]

@@GeekyNerdyTechy Thanks! I use Wide on my gimbal for weddings and the price difference between the 15mm and 10-25 is huge so I may get the 15mm instead

[@pavelsedov9982]

Спасибо! но я не понял выводов