Panasonic Leica 9mm f1.7 DG Summilux!! I bought one! - RED35 REVIEW

[@artistjoh]

I love how MFT users can mix and match lenses from Olympus and Panasonic. I love both my Olympus and Panasonic lenses on my Lumix G9.

[@scottfineshriber5051]

I think Panasonic has come up with a novel lens I never thought of. A high-quality super wide with a fast aperture and very close focusing. It’s a lens I didn’t know I wanted until now. 😂👏👏👏

[@hishis1]

Thanks!

[@Red35Photography]

Thank you!

[@ryantang8146]

This lens is great. I have been using it for a month here in Macau for landscape and astrophotography. The results are amazing.

[@neildeakin4454]

Can I ask how you overcome having no manual focus when using for astrophotography?

[@ryantang8146]

@@neildeakin4454 You can manual focus with this lens

[@robinwong]

I definitely want one. God knows when this will be available for sale in Malaysia. Maybe in the year 2789.

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks Robin for watching. Yes, I've been waiting for an ultra wide prime for a long time, despite I already have Laowa 7.5 and 9mm, but they are both manual focus and maximum of f2. This new lens is great in almost every level, AF and weather sealed, also a f1.7! Just that horrible infinity ring is something I still hate.

[@robinwong]

@@Red35Photography I WANT ONE NOWWW

[@JohnJohn-lc6uz]

I already pre ordered this lens. Hopefully it will arrive soon. I will use it on backpacking trips with my GX9 and Leica 15 mm 1.7 as well as street photography. A light combo !

[@Red35Photography]

Enjoy your lens when it arrives!

[@SailInFinland]

With you here all the way, had since the summer and really nice and versatile!

[@MLee-vcrr]

Great review, thanks for pointing out the build quality right off. I really wish Panasonic would have kept the same design aesthetics as the other M4/3 Leica lenses( 1.4 aperture, manual ring, metal housing etc...). I would have been willing to pay a little more for these features. I won't buy this lens even though I already own most of the other primes. However, Panasonic got it right with the focal length and image quality.

[@hackerockmedia]

As always, great review!!! Just a side note about the wire focus ring on the Panasonic lenses, with the new GH5M2, GH6 and I think also on the G9, with firmware updates, you can configure the focus ring linear or no-linear, and if you choose linear, you can customize the turn degrees... but not hard stops, that's true. With these lenses: - Panasonic Leica SUMMILUX 12mm f1.4 - Panasonic Leica SUMMILUX 15mm f1.7 - Panasonic Leica DG SUMMILUX 25 mm, F1.4 ASPH - Panasonic Leica DG NOCTICRON 42,5 mm, f1.2 - Panasonic Leica DG MACRO ELMARIT 45 mm f2.8 - Panasonic Leica DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm/F2.8-4.0 ASPH - Panasonic Leica DG Vario-SUMMILUX 10-25 mm, F1.7 ASPH - Panasonic Leica DG Vario-elmarit 50-200 Mm/f2.8-4.0 - Panasonic Leica DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400MM F4.0-6.3 - Panasonic 25mm f1.7 - Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 Mk.II - Panasonic LUMIX G 12-60MM F3.5-5.6 ASPH. O.I.S. I guess also with this fantastic 9mm lens... I don't want to look like a Panasonic fan boy or Olympus hater... in fact I'm interested to switch from my GH5 MkII to an OM System OM-1... but the price 😅

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

Yes, H-X09 supports linear focus ring control on the compatible bodies. I guess every new Panasonic lens will have it. Olympus users are left in the cold, the same way Panasonic cameras can't use all features on some Olympus lenses. This lack of compatibility standardisation will always bug the m43 system.

[@tlling4041]

OM System should make a firmware update for 8mm pro len to defish in video mode too

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

defish in post

[@whipsnadepoacher]

I saw Robin had one and was dribbling when talking about it. Then I listened to you. Now I want one!

[@DGriffGallery]

Thanks a lot Jimmy for this really helpful review. After it coming close in your recent awards and your detailed thoughts here I decided to pull the trigger on ordering one. Need a more compact faster and lighter option than the MZ 9-18 for video as I almost never zoom beyond 9mil when filming. Also it’s IQ looks like it’ll do nicely for stills too. I’ll probably also ditch the MZ 8-25 as I’m using a set of primes these days for just about everything, so with ultra wide taken care of I don’t need the weight and bulk of that f4 zoom either. Once I’ve sold off those two I’ll be well in profit overall 😊👍🏻

[@Prashant.Khapane]

I will be keen on your thoughts Mr. Gallery!

[@DGriffGallery]

@@Prashant.Khapane It's an excellent lens. Everything Jimmy said was spot on. It's used for all of the footage in my two most recent videos and another will be up soon. I have also used it for stills; in particular on a commercial interior shoot where it produced very high quality work with which my client was very happy. So it now lives in my camera bag and I haven't left home without since I acquired it. 😊👍

[@Prashant.Khapane]

@@DGriffGallery Thanks. Always appreciate your insights.

[@evanmcknight2566]

HI Jimmy thanks for the review. Santa came early and dropped off one of these lenses. I'm amazed how light it is and the build seems very good for a plastic lens. Looking forward to testing it out more when vacation starts in a few days.

[@caullla]

Worth mentioning, g9 has a linear focus ring mode, where you even can select an angle. I'm not sure about other lumix camera

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

Linear focus control is available in the GH5M2 and GH6.

[@25palex]

Woooow. What a great lens. Just bought the 15mm f1.7

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks Alex, the 15mm 1.7 is a cracking lens, love my 17mm 1.8 Oly lens too.

[@davebellamy4867]

13:22 It makes you wonder about modern lens design. The old and tiny and gorgeous 21mm f/3.5 Zuiko OM syatem lens from the 1970s has virtually no distortion if I recall correctly.

[@MrJapanforce]

great video. as usual. Yes, this lens is the BEST. (for ultrawide lovers )

[@vic_the_roman]

This lens definitely peaked my interest a few months ago. Great review!

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks for watching!

[@MayhemJack]

*piqued

[@DynamixWarePro]

I have already pre-ordered it when it was announced. I am looking forward to getting mine and using it with my GH6 for mostly videos and astrophotography and also on my GH5. I often needed a slightly wider angle than my Olympus 12-40mm could give me and couldn't afford the Panasonic 10-25mm and this looks perfect, especially being a slightly wider prime and being as sharp as it is.

[@DynamixWarePro]

@Levmotion I think its supposed to be released at the end of July but I am not sure why some people can get one already while others like myself have to wait. I Pre ordered mine from Wex in the UK and they said "first come first served" so hopefully not long to wait.

[@50procentnibanan]

Nice video. And what about Coma? Would you recommend this lens also for astrophotography?

[@Jake12399]

I'm searching your channel for your audio workflow. You sound amazing.

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks, I did make a video on this before.

[@sybarix]

Thanks for the great review. Just one point: At 11:00, you mention the bokeh quality with respect to the 7 aperture blades. However, the image is shot wide open. Would be good to also see the bokeh/sunstar performance when stopped down, since that's when the aperture blade design actually comes into play.

[@MrSpiff9]

I hear you , Jimmy! I ordered mine from B&H, and hoping they start shipping soon. I've been wanting a 10mm f/1.4 M Zuiko Pro for years, which I fear will never show up. All the best sir!

[@MrSpiff9]

@Levmotion I think you're right, seems like another case of small production and high demand.

[@elriceddy]

Incredible review, detailed and informative, thank you!!! gorgeous lens....

[@oldscribe6153]

Terrific evaluation.

[@thebrowns1017]

You were lucky to be able to buy it. I've had mine on backorder for weeks. Hopefully, stock may now be available.

[@RyougiVector]

Panasonic said that this lens was available for pre-order until July 24 in the States. Seems like Europe and Britain already has it in stores, not sure if other areas of the world also have a July 24 pre-order period.

[@ImpManiac]

Great review, Jimmy. 🙂 This lens is definitely on my wish list. Should pair nicely with my Lumix G9 body. Thank you! 😎 Paul (from your London photo walk) 😎

[@tkarlmann]

I don't understand the preference for the Panasonic lens over the Olympus 8mm fisheye (the Oly used with & without rect. correction). No, having JPEG only on the Correction does not impede my workflow. I also don't care about using this focal length for video -- I do Weddings. Am I missing something? You had light falloff at f1.7; but I didn't recall any falloff on the Oly 8mm wide open. I don't have either, yet. I think you like this lens for the blogging you do; I do not blog. I also use the fisheye, albeit very sparingly. If I've missed something, please fill me in. Thanks.

[@pauldaniels921]

Another great e view, Thankyou👍👍 How though does this lense compare with the Oly 9-18. Weather sealing is not a consideration for me. Looking though for a wide lense for my new(ish😂) Pen f👍👍

[@harryniedecken5321]

Thanks for the review. I really like the rectilinear aspect. I usually use manual focus and aperture so that part has held me back.

[@tablameister]

Thanks for the review. Puzzling why it is a Leica/Summilux branded lens without the features, such as manual focus, of the other Leica/Summilux lenses. Still, the price point is excellent and the size and weight make it easy to take it with you for almost any occasion. I am going to sell my Oly 8mm and get this lens instead.

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

The Olympus fisheye really can't be compared to this rectilinear 9 mm.

[@Centauri27]

Great review as usual, Jimmy. You should've also mentioned the excellent Laowa 10mm f/2, which I bought last year. Gorgeous metal construction and so tiny! Only downside is that it's MF, but at least there's some electrical connections for aperture & lens identification.

[@mahmomahmic9603]

These are two different lenses. You would buy Laowa for artistic stuff and Lumix for semi artistic and practical uses. Lumix is wider, faster, weather resistant and has auto focus. so perfect for stuff like vlogging and traveling. On the other hand Laowa getting really popular for film making where AF is not important, but visuals are. Cheers!

[@davebellamy4867]

13:21... IMMEDIATELY, all the fancy digital stuff notwithstanding, my eye was drawn to the gorgeous old black OM1 or OM2 in the far left of the screen.😊🤗😍

[@henryw2527]

besides the obvious with autofocus and the different focal lengths, what are you thoughts on this 9mm vs the laowa 7.5mm?

[@uweengbertz]

exactly what I need to know, too

[@godsinbox]

for what use? for astro, the coma is only on the largest stars, and only bad in top left corner, but doesnt improve with stopping down (the stars loose their wings, but not their tadpole tails). it would be better for astigmatism than the laowa. starry sky AF is handy, works 85% of the time with OM-1

[@RobTimmer]

... apart from astro and video, would you ditch the Laowa 7.5 ?

[@AdamKinder1986uk]

I've just got this lens the other day and I have got a Olympus em5 mark iii coming in a couple of days

[@SAMLAOSHI]

Hello, have you tried it with Olympus em5 m3 body? I have the same camera. Does it have warpy corners? Or stabilisation is working nice during recording videos?

[@AdamKinder1986uk]

@@SAMLAOSHI I only use it for photography and have never used it for video so I couldn't tell you about the warpy corners..

[@SAMLAOSHI]

@@AdamKinder1986uk thank you for answering anyway)

[@michaellin8947]

Given the raw distortion, it just means OM digital can just apply a profile for the 8mm f2 fisheye to make it a normal lens. I hope they do that.

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

They do that on Olympus bodies in photo mode. Feature not supported on Panasonic cameras. You can probably correct most fisheye distortion in post.

[@MikeC2K10]

I just bought this lens and although I agree it is very sharp corner to corner, I can see quite a bit of purple fringing at the edges if there is a high contrast scene, like tree branches against an overcast sky, or reflective windows and the window frame. It doesn't diminish significantly until f/8. It's more prominent than the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5 purple fringe. My 7-14mm f/2.8 doesn't show any fringe at all. I wonder if my copy is perhaps defective?

[@JanAnton]

bro, two years later we still wait for the wide PRO lens from Olympus :)

[@VictorReynolds]

Great review! May consider purchasing.

[@yhp143feelingshot]

Thanks

[@zhengricky5446]

congrats, rich Jimmy, you finally get one

[@xmeda]

Looks like nice travell wide lens for night cityscapes.. I have Sigma 8-16 and DA12-24/4 for my Pentax, but this might be cute for EM5III :)

[@fruitstick78]

Looks like a great lens but my laowa 7.5 fits all my needs right now 😊

[@samokham]

Hello. Thank you for a review. I am in to astrophotography and landscape photography, so it could be a nice lens for the task. But unfortunately some m43 lenses struggles with sunstars. For me this is very important. Maybe could you test this part to. Thank you.

[@valdiskrebs566]

Nice Review! This lens works wonderfully with your OM-1... but how about older Olympus bodies such as Pen-F and EM1? 🤔

[@Red35Photography]

It will work too, I have used it on PEN-F, E-M5 II and III and EP-L8

[@valdiskrebs566]

@@Red35Photography Cool, thanks ... super fit for the Pen-F!

[@ktyauhk2]

I was wonder if this fit my pen ep-7😀, going out to buy one now

[@valdiskrebs566]

@@ktyauhk2 how do you like your ep-7? Wish they were available in North America.

[@dayeah765caoni3]

I’m getting one this thxgiving!

[@RobShootPhotos]

I had a curiosity on that lens. Nice review! I also was curious about reviewers who like to leave their rear elements exposed just to show the lens. I guess do what you want to at home but you should never expose your rear element in public. 😂

[@davidblack2632]

This lens is on my short list! Great review. Makes me want the lens even more. How is the flare control??

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks. Flare is inline with anything in M43 at the moment, I don't see it worst than anything I've seen. Though sunstar could be better, but that's it.

[@RetroBusker]

cn u to a conparrision on the 12mm vs this 9mm vs 7.5mm ... for video... the edge distortion worp on th 7.5 looks annoying on the footage i seen on youtube... how is it on 9mm ????

[@pablofria22]

good review, but I'm undecided whether to pay for this leica 9mm or the laowa 7.5, for my lumix G9. Help?

[@0636106038]

I'm interested too, did u choosed ?

[@howardchud9097]

Nice symmetry shots.

[@Vaptomwen]

I Definitely need a 7mm OM lens, when going wide always want wider

[@ksasat]

Great review, I wished that you included video samples without distortion camera correction. I'm interested in this lens but don't use panasonic camera.

[@prestonowens4594]

Hey Jimmy, could I get some suggestions? I got the OM 20mm f1.4, and the Olympus 45mm f1.8. I’m looking for a wider lens. Do you think the 9mm Pany would complement these two lenses? Do you have other suggestions? Thanks for your time. I’m not a pro photographer, but I’d like to start doing some more serious travel photos. For now I can only afford to hike through the nearby forests and nature reserves though. Any advice?

[@guykerr8111]

Perchance, did you try it with OM1 and Starry AF??

[@GONZOFAM7]

Will the star focus on an OM workout this lens?

[@Red35Photography]

Yes :)

[@GONZOFAM7]

@Red35Photography sold!!

[@jasongreene8062]

I'm afraid you'll never see this comment/question so far down on the list, but I want to get a wide lens without breaking the bank. Will non-olympus lenses work with Starry-AF? A long time ago I think I read no, but I can't find anything to back that up, nothing official. I have the EM1 Mark III. And love the precision of Starry-AF plus I don't know how to focus on stars without it, lol. Thanks for all you do!!

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks Jason for watching. I do try to read all the comments when I have time. And I do right now :) Anyway, budget is always important in photography, but a specialty lens like this rarely comes as affordable, but this lens, for what it is, actually is on the 'cheap' side. Other options are actually more expensive than this one, especially if you are looking at AF lens.

[@godsinbox]

starry sky AF works on this lens

[@jasongreene8062]

@@godsinbox awesome thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question I appreciate it!! Tíme to go shopping :)

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Jimmy -- great review -- thank you for taking the time to go over so many aspects of the lens. One question -- I have a Panasonic G85 (I know, getting a little old now!) -- but for my photography and occasional "home movie" it works great (love adapting vintage lenses to it) -- so with this new lens, how would my camera know to correct for the true distortion of the lens?

[@Red35Photography]

I suspect that all Panasonic cameras should automatically correct this lens (providing you update to the latest firmware). I wouldn't worry too much, as they can be easily correct by softwares later even if you camera doesn't support in-camera correction for this lens.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@Red35Photography -- Unfortunately Panasonic seems to forget about their cameras and firmware updates after about a year. I was about to say that I had not seen a G85 firmware update in a few years -- but I just checked and there is one from April, 2022! That *might* have a profile for this lens in it -- I'll update my camera this weekend. I know that I can always reduce the distortion in post -- but if the camera does it, as you said, then it looks much better while shooting (VF or rear screen).... Thanks!

[@Prashant.Khapane]

Thanks for sharing this. I wonder how good it is is for astro shoot. Have you tried it? Also, what is that nifty wireless microphone?

[@KairuinKorea]

The only sad thing is, with a 1.7 aperture, it probably isn't worth picking up if you already have the 10 - 25mm 1.7. for just one single mm difference (2 at full frame lol) you're probably better just sticking with your 10-25 zoom. am I wrong?

[@Red35Photography]

No wrong, but you have to consider a few things, there are lenses that covers the same focal length, and also aperture like you mentioned, but this is a prime, like other prime lenses on the market. They are usually smaller by comparison and for those who needs a smaller and lighter package, then this will be a better choice (or additional choice, like I do). I could have used my 7-14mm 2.8 for blogging, but it's too heavy and big. This lens provides me a much better handling in that regards. 10-25mm 1.7 is a great lens, but it's huge and heavy that's not great for certain scenarios.

[@KairuinKorea]

@@Red35Photography Now that is a very fair point. If you didn't mind changing your lens inbetween shooting vlog style footage and B-roll etc. Great point. I'm saving up for a big boy camera and atm use my Pocket 2 set up for vlogging. But I have a feeling that even when I get my big camera, I would continue vlogging on the Pocket 2 for convenience and just shoot all the B-roll or everything else on the GH6 when I get it. We'll see if I change my mind. Thanks for the response c:

[@little_storm_2885]

​how is it now? For vlog do you use pocket 2 or this lens? @@KairuinKorea

[@TienTran-bi1jv]

This one and the laowa 10mm f2. Which one do you think better

[@protestagain]

Well, that's the lens I've been waiting for. I have many lenses, but of course also the Pana-Leica 15/1.7. The lens I use mostly, but I miss an ultrawide for m43. Somewhat slow to purchase any of those good alternatives, but the Pana-Leica 9/1.7 should be the right one for me.

[@macg33zr]

Thanks for the review of this lens Jimmy. This looks like a nice lens for wild field astrophotography. Do you think it will work with the Starry Sky AF on the OM-1? I always enjoy your videos, all the best Bill.

[@Red35Photography]

Hi Bill, thanks. Yes, it works with Starry Sky AF.

[@TheNaught1]

Hi Jimmy! Great review, and thanks yet again for helping inform on mft uwa lenses! Can you comment on your experience with flare or purple aberrations on this lens? I've seen some interesting sample images on Olympus/OMDS bodies where there are some unexpected purple artifacts with strong light sources in or just outside the frame. If you do have a Panasonic body, maybe it would make for a helpful comparison video? Totally agree that OMDS should make something comparable, maybe even with wider fov?

[@shiouming]

I just watched another photographer's video, in which he encountered pretty serious chromatic aberration issue even with small aperture. Otherwise it's something almost perfect for my need. I hope that's just a manufacturing deviation on small number of units 🤔

[@catalinrusu999]

Is this lens distorsioning the subject, for example, I want to take photos of individuals training at the gym, workouts So I'm pretty close to the subjects

[@llugdar]

Hi Jimmy! Quick one, world is ending and you have to choose only one lens between Panasonic 9mm and Laowa 6mm… which one you choose? 🧐 THANK YOU in advance as usual 🙌🏻

[@michaelyerdon6556]

where did you buy it. I only see it pre-sale

[@JimiCanRead]

Would love one of these but beyond my budget currently

[@ivanmarquez6809]

Great video, I have a question, if you had to buy an ultra wide angle, which would you buy, the panasonic or the laowa? I had in mind to get the laowa but I don't know if the panasonic would be a better option. Thank you

[@EODnamvet]

I enjoy all of your reviews and this one in particular. I listened carefully to everything you said because no other reviewer used an Olympus body. I did not hear you say that there are no problems using this lens with an Olympus body. So, is there anything about using this lens with an Olympus body we should know before throwing $500 at Panasonic for it?

[@nicoxg]

Hey! Thank you for your review! I struggle to find a clear answer on forums, but could you tell me whether this lens sounds noisy in S-AF with the OM-1 specifically? I've had two copies of this lens so far, and both were (mechanically) noisy when acquiring focus, especially in S-AF (less so, but still, in C-AF). Most users/reviewers state it's completely silent, but they seem to use Panasonic bodies, so I'm keen to know your experience, if I may. Thanks for your time, all the best!

[@edjefferson9175]

I do not agree with your comment that plastic construction does not equal "premium quality". Yesterday I bought a Voigtlander 10.5mm f/0.95. The image is crap at all apertures. I invented a word for it: Crapeture. The worst by far M4/3 lens I have ever owned. Very dissapointing. But it's made of metal so it's premium? Returning the premium metal dud tomorrow.

[@8thom00]

Hi Jimmy, I was waiting for your review indeed. Would you consider replacing the PL 8-18mm with this 9mm f/1.7? I do love the build and flexibility of the zoom, but obviously this lens attracts me greatly for it being faster (and as a counter-argument to flexibility, well, we could say that there's a creative benefit in framing images through a prime :) ). I'd love to hear your wise words. Thanks, and good to see your excellent videos as usual.

[@spanksen]

Thx Jimmy. Is this lens also good for Sunstars?

[@Red35Photography]

Good question, it's ok, but not the best sunstars in my opinion. There's another lens that's better, that I am testing now.

[@spanksen]

@@Red35Photography oh that’s interesting

[@winniduesseldorf]

Great reviev - thank you - but one more question: Is it able to cover a total 90 degree horizontal angle of view ? Example: The camera is positioned in an 45 half angle in a corner of a room , hall or cross gangway. Do you see the left and the right wall ? I call it the 90 degree challenge

[@eurion]

I find the bokeh on the Laowa 9mm more pleasing than that of the Pana Leica.

[@kennyjunn2007]

Thank you for your informative review. I shoot with an EM1 M2 and am considering purchasing this lens after watching your review. I had severe purple flaring when using the older Panasonic 7-14 f4 on my Olympus bodies. Have you experienced anything like this on your Olympus body while using the Panasonic 9mm F1. 7? Thanks again.

[@georggibel8124]

Yes, I confirm this lens shows strong purple sort of "flares" / aberrations when there is a strong light source in the frame, especially when the light source is towards the left or right edge of the frame, so not even pointing the camera directly into it. This applies to my OM-1 cam as well as also my Pana GX-8, on which I checked for comparison. Most reviewers are not forthcoming with this issue, unfortunately. And, you cannot fix these flares / aberrations in post processing, they are that bad. Btw. I own this lens and have used it, so this is hands-on experience.

[@allansmith6445]

It sounds great - my question is, never having used anything wider than my 12-40 f2.8, is it wide enough for landscape/architecture/interiors, or would I be better off with the Olympus 8-25 - wider but slower. I love the size and the fact it takes screw-in filters. Keep up the good work, Jimmy.

[@WMedl]

You have to try it yourself!

[@tdunster2011]

The 8-25 is a fantastic lens you would never regret buying one. The f4 won't be an issue for the tasks you describe as IBIS will allow you to simply use a longer shutter speed to keep the ISO low. besides that, most of your shots will be at F4 to F8 anyway. If you want to shoot concert footage in low light or anything involving movement then you might need to look elsewhere. I'd only choose the 9mm Pan if budget was an issue - but considering a lens is good for 10 years or more the cost differences are very small over the lenses lifetime.

[@tizio54]

Very interesting lens, thanks for the review Jimmy. I was wondering how this lens compares to the Olympus 8mm F1.8 fisheye, with fisheye correction turned on. I already own this 8mm lens, so I'm wondering if it's worth also getting the 9mm Panasonic. In other words, what is the added value of the Panasonic lens, besides smaller size and accepting screw-in filters? Is it optically much better in the corners?

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

The corners are pretty bad, not significantly better than the Oly Pro 7-14 or PanaLeica 8-18. This 9 mm is designed to be petite not optically good. The best wide angle for the format is that humongous 10-25 mm. 10 mm is not as wide, but the design shows what goes into a quality lens; size and weight.

[@tizio54]

@@GrenlandUnderVann thanks for your insight. Do you know how it compares to the Olympus 8-25mm F4?

[@GrenlandUnderVann]

@@tizio54 For this the only sensible comparission is to compare both lenses a f4.0 and the wide end, i.e. 8 and 9 mm. Also keep in mind that the 9 mm lens is two and a half stop brighter... Anyways at f4.0 the 9 mm is significantly sharper in the center of the image, while the corners are basically identical. So it's not that the 9 mm is a "bad lens" per see, just that the resolution uniformity is much more pronounced. The 8-25 f4 is basically evenly soft all over the image. 😛 Also ultra wide angles are difficult to maintain uniformity. The 9 mm is not worse in the corners than the Oly PRO 7-14 f2.8 (which I use a lot) or the Pana Leica 8-18. So I was a bit hash above I guess. (Also to obtain the max resolution from the humonguos 10-25 mm you need to step it down to f4.0.) To sum it up; lenses are basically a compromise of weight/size/quality/price. Looking to much on imperfect specs from the real world is perhaps not the best approach. Unless you can get primes from ARRI. 😛

[@davemaric4057]

Great lens. Anyone try it for Astro? Wondering about any coma issues etc.

[@godsinbox]

the coma is only on the largest stars, and only bad in top left corner, but doesnt improve with stopping down (the stars loose their wings, but not their tadpole tails). it would be better for astigmatism than the laowa. starry sky AF is handy, works 85% of the time with OM-1

[@davemaric4057]

@@godsinbox many thanks for the info.

[@DJColinCook]

Great, non-nonsense review - thanks for that! I have the Laowa 7.5 F2 and wonder if the Leica 9mm is worth buying? I'm not overly bothered about autofocus and all the nice stuff - what is the difference in quality? And - do you miss that extra 1.5mm wideness?

[@Red35Photography]

They are different in many way. Optically, I would say that PL 9mm is sharper at any given aperture setting, not much but noticeable. Laowa has much improved distortion control (optically) and really bad in PL 9mm, which requires post editing correction or compatible cameras to correct. You do see that 1.5mm wideness though, and if you are interested in extreme wide angle lens, stay tuned, something else is coming this month.

[@colinscamping3408]

@@Red35Photography thank you, and you have now piqued my curiosity

[@tizio54]

@@Red35Photography What about the Olympus 8mm F1.8 fisheye, with fisheye correction that makes it a distortion-free ultra-wide angle lens?

[@DamianBrown]

I was thinking about buying one but I'm holding out for the 18mm for my S5 but Panasonic are taking their sweet time... Hnmm maybe I should just get this one. Looks like a bargain

[@george.k47]

Impressive Review!

[@Red35Photography]

Thanks!

[@davidbruns6640]

I have been back to your videos in late 2020/early 2021 on the Laowa 10mm f2.0, and your comments (and images) on sharpness, vignetting and flare seem about equaly favourable for that lens and this one. And a comparison is what many of us have been waiting for. In Australia the RRPs are $769 for the Laowa, $749 for the Panasonic, so that doesn't help the decision - yes autofocus is worth something, but I value the compactness (and cooler looks?) of the Laowa as well. I suppose the fact that you didn't buy the Laowa 10mm and that you did buy the Panasonic enables us to draw our own conclusion. But can you confirm that you rate the Panasonic ahead of the Laowa? If so is that because of image quality or other features?

[@raytbrown2]

Wasn't he talking about the Laowa 7.5mm and not the 10mm - at least in *this* video? But you make a very good point regarding all 3 lenses, just saying.

[@davidbruns6640]

@@raytbrown2 I couldn't access your link, but I was talking about videos in Dec '20 (10mm alone) and Mar '21 (10mm compared with 7.5mm)

[@Red35Photography]

Cheers David. There are couple of things here. Laowa 10mm f2 is an auto lens, means electronically controlled aperture. At time of testing, I did find it a little noisy and also every so often crashed in video mode (not in stills of course). And I love to use wide lenses for both stills and videos, so I rated Panasonic over Laowa because it's fully compatible in that regards. Optical performance is also better, despite the distortion I mentioned in the video, but in most cases, the auto correction works wonder in any Olympus cameras (OM-1 needs manually select the profile correction in LR classic), and video is auto by default and baked into the camera.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Wonderful review on this lens! I just picked one up, and notice that I hear the autofocus pretty audibly when I half press on the shutter. Do you notice this on yours? Or should I be concerned that this is a defect on mine?

[@Dungor89]

How is this lens with olympus body? How about autofocus in video?

[@hasangokhansenturk2703]

the lack of this 9mm lens is night manuel focusing... Very difficult.

[@keithholland4322]

Thanks for making this video! I really haven't seen many videos featuring it on KZbin. Could you please take some pictures of dogs with this lens? I have the Pana/Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens which I sometimes use for pet photography. I love to stick an ultra wide angle lens in the dog's face to make it look really big and cartoonish, but I'm curious about how this lens would work for that. I have a feeling that the brighter aperture would make it possible to blur out the backgrounds a little, especially when getting fairly close to the subject, which might look really cool at Christmas time, but I'm wondering just how close I would have to get to my subject and just how far away from my subject the background would have to be to get that effect. I can actually get distant light sources to form little bokeh balls with my 8-18mm lens at f/2.8 if they're hundreds of meters away, but I'm hoping this lens would do better. I guess it could be useful for wide angle shots of dogs in low light, even if there was no bokeh. Just having an extra stop and a half of light would allow me to photograph dogs with a cityscape in the background, for instance, but a bit of bokeh would make it a little easier to justify such an expenditure. I am also curious about whether the OM-1's animal subject detection works as well on this lens as it does on Olympus lenses.

[@Red35Photography]

I don't have any pet so probably can't help you. But I did take some kids close up, which is in the video, there you can see subject isolation and also the 'cartoonish' distortion that you like.

[@keithholland4322]

@@Red35Photography Yes, I noticed that. I think it would probably be really good for that. I'm sure if you go to a nearby dog park, someone people will be happy to let you photograph their dogs and you might pick up some clients that way if they like your work!

[@frankwieczorek5112]

Hi, how does it compare now with the Laowa 10mm f2 or the 9mm f2. 8

[@Marshcreekmini]

Bought in London? There is hope that I'll get mine in the States before I leave for Germany in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed!

[@symzg5995]

One question, if you have the 15mm f1.7, would you "upgrade" to this lens???

[@overnightdelivery]

Well if you don't have any lenses wider than 15mm. A definite yes. You'd still want a normal focal length for all around use like a 17 or 20mm though.

[@VardanYan-xt6ye]

How many stops of a difference between this lens and Laowa 9mm f2.8?

[@Red35Photography]

It's about 1.5 stop, f2 to f2.8 is one stop and two stop from f1.4. This is f1.7 so kind of in between.

[@martindemanable]

good review! Seems like a mft all star already. I would like to use this on my original blackmagic pocket as my 27 equiv option (yes 3x cropfactor). But I am kind of wary of the uncorrected image not being corrected on that camera.. Still have the laowa 7.5mm though :D

[@mitchellwnorowski6747]

Planning to oair it with my new wow for the $ camera, my OM-5

[@Red35Photography]

Wonderful combo!

[@neildeakin4454]

Mulling over this v Laowa 7.5mm f2. A real shame the Panasonic has no manual focus.

[@drekt]

if om is going to have a equivalent, it is going to cost more.

[@Red35Photography]

I don't think you would be far off. But consider that if OM releases a similar lens with PRO specs, they will release it as a PRO lens, like others, will have metal body other premium features, it will of course cost more.

[@SteveLiddle]

A good review, never considered using a non olympus lens with the em1 mark 2, using a 12-100 and looking at lens below 12 and well above 100 for different stuff, software wise I use dxo that has lens profiles to tweak the end result with batch processing. Have seen fish eye photos and would probably not need that sort of effect, but this gives ideas...

[@michaelatlas8072]

I've used several PanaLeica & Panasonic lenses on Olympus cameras over the years. All the auto distortion corrections work the same as Olympus lenses. You only lose out on in-camera purple fringing correction.

[@san-chil]

How does this compare with the 12mm olympus f2.0 ?

[@AndrewDaddy]

Does the smooth aperture transitions work on the om-1? It works on lumix bodies. But Olympus lenses do hard stops when changing apertures in video mode on the g9 I had. I wish they would update pro lenses to have smooth iris transitions

[@johncarder819]

You mentioned that the AF works "quite well" with your Olympus OM-1. Does it work with the OMD EM-1 MkII? Does that camera body support the in-camera distortion correction?

[@Red35Photography]

Yes, everything is auto in any Olympus camera too, not just the OM-1.

[@marinanotebaart]

@@Red35Photography I have a E-M10 mark II will the distortion correction work on this camera too?

[@Red35Photography]

@@marinanotebaart yes it will work