The PERFECT M43 Lens!!! AND -7- Reasons To Get One!!!

[@grantrobertdavies]

Hello - Firstly, thank you very much for watching my video, it’s very much appreciated… If you’re enjoying my content please consider leaving a comment below and liking the video as It’s very helpful to me and helps my video reach more like-minded people :) Also if you haven’t already be sure to follow me on Instagram for more regular daily content and updates. instagram.com/grantrobertdavies/ Many Thanks GRD

[@grantrobertdavies]

Sorry everyone - The music in the second photo reel is out of sync with my dialog as I had to change the original track as it got flagged :( Thanks again for all your support :)

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Very nice video. I bought my 20/1,7 in 2009. I have used it and still use it almost daily on my GF1. Will never sell it!

[@psysword]

I only shoot with Manual focus so this lens is a keeper on my GX-85. Best combo along with my Oly Pl-10 with the MF option on the 15 mm mft Leica. Best way to keep everything manual. Obviously for KZbin you will need an Auto lens.

[@rofferdal]

Just got into MFT, and got a Lumix GX7 for starters. I also got the 20mm f1.7, and a 14mm prime, too. I love the way these can isolate the subject against a blurry background and also take pictures in low light without the flash. I really like it, but especially indoors it may not be wide enough in some situations. It still is a great walkabout lens, and the size is just great.

[@commelair8971]

I owned this lens which is fantastic in term of size or image quality. Not that bad at background separation.But this anemic autofocus ruined the party. So, I return it and bought my trusty 15mm f1.7.

[@deanrobertnoble138]

Same as lots of people, bought this with my GX80 and was my main walkabout, always. I have the Olympus Em5 mkiii and the 20mm still is my main lens. For me, perfect size, perfect focal length and great image quality! It rocks!

[@Kampfstark]

Hello! I own a lot of analogue and digital cameras and over the years I've found that I'm mostly interested in small cameras with pancake lenses (fixed or interchangeable) and very good image quality. Long story short, my winner in the compact class (1-inch to 35mm sensors) is the Lumix 20mm f1.7. It is currently used on Olympus OMD and Olympus PEN. The Zuiko 20mm f1.4 might have slightly better features but I don't think it's the right value for money and it's not a flat lens. What do I want from Panasonic? A successor to the Lumix GM 5 with a folding screen in the GX 9 / GX80 variant. An improved viewfinder, stabilizer, SD card storage (not micro SD like the GX880), more battery capacity and the GH6's sensor. A screw-on handle and a clip-on flash ala Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II / III included in the scope of delivery. A Panasonic Lumix GM5 Mark2, more compact than the digital Olympus PEN F. OM Digital Solutions does not supply a PEN F Mark 2. From "my" point of view, such a Lumix GM 5 Mk2 with tiny lenses would be the best mobile photo device with many new customers and a strong competitor for Fuji APSC, Ricoh GR series or digital "Olympus" OM 5 and all others photo tools. The new little Lumix GM5 II is a delight for photographers who want to travel light. Even among street photographers who always want the most inconspicuous camera. Is Panasonic now focusing on FF? However, it is surprising (to me) that OM Digital Solutions does not include a noise reduction program with its cameras, in order to at least banish this topic from the discussion. No wonder mass consumers are switching to smartphones. Many amateur photographers will no longer want or be able to take the cost-intensive route to new full-frame cameras. And who wants to lug around medium format devices? And why can't the MFT management really convey the strengths of this system? In any case, the Lumix 20mm MFT is really fantastic. The viewer could not see the difference to the 40mm FF in my photo comparison test. In reality, the audience is interested in beautiful and interesting photos, and not in the photo tool necessary for this. :-) I find your KZbin post interesting and you come across as personable. And bottom line, it's a great advertisement for Lumix MFT. I look forward to more posts! Google helped from German to English. 😀 Good light and best regards from Germany

[@grantrobertdavies]

Thank you and thanks for sharing your thoughts and feedback :) Appreciate it :)

[@tablameister]

I love my P 20mm f1.7 (Mk I) lens. I sold off my PL 25mm f1.4 lens because I found I would reach for the 20mm. I love how compact it is.

[@salgado_fotos]

I think it is a magnificent lens. The new version has improved the construction materials, it is now mostly metallic, but the main improvement is the new coatings that improve its behavior in backlight situations, achieving a contrast with detail much higher than version I (for example That's why this second version is worth it over the original). And given its size, it is one of the most compatible lenses with the micro four thirds system. A 20mm (equivalent to a 40mm) is the closest proportion to human vision (proof of this are the numerous 40mm lenses designed by Leica in the past). The slow approach thing is more fame than reality, the sensation of slowness is given more by sound than by how long it actually takes (the problem is that it carries that fame due to sensations, without chronometer tests having been done), In my case it suited it with my Olympus EPL7, M5 MarkII and OM5, and if I compare it with the super fast AF of my 17mm 1.8 or 25mm 1.8... there is not that much difference...😅

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

I started M43 with the GF1, the 14-45mm/3.5-5.6, the 20mm/1.7 and the 14mm/2.5. The first two lenses where kind of the starting kit for a lot of Panasonic users. The 20mm/1.7 made the GF1 to the ideal small second camera I wanted as addition to my Nikon. It turned out to be the main camera for me and I dropped Nikon because they didn't developed into the direction I was looking for.

[@michaelj7069]

Same here. Exactly the same route with Nikon. I loved my 20mm on the GF1. I also had the Leica 25mm 1.4 whic I ended up using more after.

[@fot010]

It was my first prime (mark I) and I have been using it for years now. Bit slow AF for streetwork. I almost switched to the the Olympus 17mm. F1.8 but I did not. Supersmall. Body and lens in your pocket!

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Have had both, I’m going to say version 2 is slightly sharper and definitely has less darkening in the corners. Both were frustratingly slow focus on the G9. But on the OM5 it’s so much faster to focus it seems like an entirely different camera.

[@mousebean]

I haven’t taken this lens off my GX85 since I got it. You can’t beat the portability and simplicity

[@aussieoddsocks]

Great points Grant. Always a trade-off with a prime of this size in that some times it will be a little too narrow for a particular shot. But my feel so far with the 20mm is that it gives that sweet in between perspective of not to wide yet not to tight. Kind of in the goldilocks zone. If you are doing lots of shots of street art or tight alleyways/markets something like the Panasonic Leica 15mm is a better choice but much harder to come by for the same price. Will be interested in seeing what your images are like using this on the G85 (what I am running it on. Watching out for a GX85 or GX9 body to come up for a reasonable price so it can become my EDC camera.

[@chrisbaudeg3233]

That is why the mrk II was made. Claim that optics are the same, just no focus noise during video.

[@alanneilson6811]

it was the first lens I got with my first Lumix GF1 back in 2010. It is nice and compact Mk1as others have said it is a bit slow, hunts and noisy, I still use it a bit, But I prefer the 15mm which is not much bigger. I am sure you will enjoy.

[@g10col92]

12-60 f3.5 -5.6 with the 20mm f1.7 and the GX9 is a lovely combo for travel. Very lightweight exactly what micro four thirds should be.

[@philby1]

yes got one to use with my GX80/85. Really Like it on there. I also use it on the Olympus E-PL6 and it works nice on that as well. A lot say the focus is slow and yes it is slower than newer lenses but I haven't found it to be a problem with me so far. I do like the 40mm focal equivalent length. I remember having an old Agfa optima film camera (in fact I still have it buts its not been used for a long time) and that had a 40mm and I have always liked them since then. Also take a few steps back and its not too different to a 35mm and a few steps forward and its more like a 50mm.

[@roycaesarcoloscos9869]

Hello.. thanks for the video. I’m new to M4/3 system. Do you always shoot in raw? Or if you shoot jpegs, what profile do you usually use? Thanks.

[@grantrobertdavies]

RAW and Jpeg - I usually shoot in the natural profile ... It's all in my eBook :) grantrobertdavies.com/store

[@roycaesarcoloscos9869]

@@grantrobertdavies thank you!

[@eppietimisela7118]

Another nice video Grant. Do you have the Panasonic MFT 12-32mm F/3.5 your collection? This little tiny zoomlens is awsome.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Thanks - Yes - I have had it in the past :)

[@markielinhart]

A timely video Grant! One of these gems is winging its way to me from your part of the world - thank you Gumtree…✌️

[@grantrobertdavies]

Fantastic :)

[@markielinhart]

@@grantrobertdavies I’m pairing it with an eBay G100! And selling the G9…✌️

[@bdssoaz]

Ola Grant, I have exactly the same combo and i love it! Sold the sigma 30mm f1.4 (amazing lens but too heavy) and the Olympus 17mm f1.8 and got this 20mm f1.7, for me it replaced both the previous ones, because the focal length it's like a sweet spot between the other two. This lens is "glued" to my gx9 and it's the gear i carry on vacations and for some street photography. Some times i also carry the Olympus 45mm f1.8 (another gem imo) for some specific portraits. You can't go wrong with such a small and light package. Cheers from Portugal!

[@grantrobertdavies]

Awesome:)

[@jpsteiner2]

The 20mm is a great lens. The price is right. Works great for street-scape, city-scape for stills. It’s a little slow for capturing movement. I wish Panasonic would update it. It’s very versatile, thought it’s showing it’s age. I also use the M.Zuiko 17mm, but the 20mm hits a nice sweet spot.

[@lesw.1748]

Hi Grant, Informative video. I'm not sure that it is good idea to get 20mm 1.7 lens, if someone already owns 25mm 1.7 or 1.4, but it is personal opinion. The difference is too minimal for me. I would rather consider Leica 15mm 1.7 or Leica 9mm 1.7.

[@julianlucchesi6153]

I got rid of my Leica 15mm which is way too sharp and no character for me. I kept the 20mm v1 because the image quality is soo much better for street and portraits. I take a lot of shots on the move and it's hit rate is really high. Not a slow lens at all!

[@Thephotosnatcher_]

I own both. Mark 1 is sharper between f1.7 till f8. I would say Mark 2 is better to some degree with flare resistance. Other than that both are the same.

[@leondinger2723]

Love the 40mm-look. Natural like 50mm but way better inside (Partys...). GM5 with 20mm 1.7: 300gr!! And sometimes with the OM5 (normally with the 20mm 1.4 OM)

[@EricSnissaert]

Thanks Grant for your review on this lens, and I must confess, it's indeed a great lens. I use it on an Olympus camera though and it works perfect. The aperture of 1.7 makes it perfect for indoors photography, like an event.

[@TheRealMarxz]

Got this as the kit lens on my GF1 way back in the early days of MFT, of all the gear that's come and gone since this has stayed in my collection (along with the 14mm pancake that was the kit lens for my GF3) its literally the reason I got hooked on the MFT system, I had one image that I had someone absolutely insist I had taken on my 80mm lens on my medium format Mamiya 7... now that's crazy talk as that Mamiya an insanely sharp lens, but the 20mm 1.7 just has a great classic look to its images

[@artjohnson01]

All the reasons that you mentioned are why I bought the 15mm. Can’t justfy both.

[@eelco6587]

40mm eq is one of my favourite fixed focal lengths. I do have this lens. But somehow never use it. While it is very sharp and has excellent price/performance. Quite recently I bought the 20mm f1.4 for the weather sealing. Which I use quite often for street. I also use 40mm on my range finder. Maybe I have try the Panasonic 20mm again. 50mm is also not working very well for me too.

[@salgado_fotos]

For street photography I prefer the M.Zuiko 17mm 1.8 and the M.Zuiko 12mm 1.8 because we can switch to manual focus easily (remember manual Leica lenses)... I recommend that you try them.😋 Version II of the Lumix 20mm presents better coatings that allow it to offer a better image in backlight🙃

[@claytonyoung9012]

Nice I would be very interested in some film simulations for my GX8

[@nickgrebneff7137]

Cool video and certainly have me tempted to look into this. I have definitely found that my 25mm f1.4 is often too tight but I love how fast it is. Not sure that it makes sense to have both 20 and 25 in my kit even though both are fairly small. Also love the funky pre intro here and the hilarious insertion of Camera Conspiracies intro. 😁

[@grantrobertdavies]

Thanks man :)

[@facelessnameless4040]

I've already got the Pana/Leica 15 mm f/1,7 that I love very much and that is my main lense. Do you think it is worth buying the 20mm ?

[@grantrobertdavies]

If you can get one at a good price - Yeah!!! I'd like the 15mm myself...

[@WalfredoCirne]

Indeed an amazing lens!!

[@TheGreenEggFarm]

Nice video, Grant. I love the 20mm 1.7. The only bad thing is the slow and noisy auto focus. Despite thing is the best street and travel lens if you don't have the 15mm 1.7 Leica, of course, that is the best lens over all. The 25mm 1.8 is not good at all. I had it twice thinking that may be I got a bad copy the first time, but no. When I compare the 25mm to the 12-60 Leica at 25mm, the the 12-60 is much, much better in sharpness even in low light since the 12-60 has image stabilization.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Thanks :) Yes I’d like the 15mm 1.7 :)

[@TheRealMarxz]

@@grantrobertdavies I have both the 15mm 1.7 Leica and the 20mm 1.7 pancake love them both despite/because they are two lenses that are as different as they are similar. I'd say the 15mm images have, unsurprisingly , a very classic Leica Summilux look where as the 20mm has more of a mix of Pantax Takumar colour and Mamiya sharpness - but despite them being so close in focal length they almost need a different mindset when using them for street photography

[@timatwater8247]

I already have the 20 1.7, is it worthwhile having the 25 1.7 in addition? Almost redundant it seems to me. It's pretty inexpensive even new so maybe.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Why not if you can get one for under $100 bucks :) 2nd hand

[@timatwater8247]

@@grantrobertdavies ill keep looking, already saw one close to that. Good lens I think.

[@grantrobertdavies]

@@timatwater8247 yeah man :) just get one :) super fun lens

[@elfcounsul]

I bought a used one and I love it. $125.00

[@hubert12125]

Nice lens but I need something wider and 14mm 2.5 hit all boxes for me

[@gamingwithstand6886]

One of the reasons Fuji recipes are so big is that they can hook up their cameras to the computer and use the engine from from the camera to edit their raws and then they put the settings into their camera. Panasonic and OM should do this also.

[@colinbateman6091]

I have this lens too but just bought an OM System 20mm 1.4 out of curiosity 😄

[@grantrobertdavies]

let me know what you think of the 20mm f1.4?

[@natasaragih9970]

ooohh! definitely interested with some Jpeg recipes for Lumix. For years, I haven't really got a great result with Jpeg on my G85, hence always shooting RAW. But, definitely want to see your take on getting great JPEGs out of lumix cameras.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Awesome - Leave it with me :)

[@willgreig8912]

How do you find for moving subjects with no AFC

[@grantrobertdavies]

No the best - but ok

[@TecnologiacreativaMario]

it was my favorite lens once but one day I had a big big trouble focusing on video at night and now it stays in a drawer till that night and I have bought 15mm f1.7 Panaleica instead

[@mistergiovanni7183]

In the image at 12.38 cat on the wall I see a lot of barrel distortion and more on the left side. I don't know what happened there.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Cool, thanks - yeah, I'm not too sure? ... Do you have any work I can checkout of yours online? - Just to compare and give me some ideas on what you are talking about??? I'd love to see some of your photos since you have a keen eye :) Many thanks... Grant...

[@michaelliebergot1384]

I know that you are going for compactness, but with your comment on 20mm not quite giving you enough focal range then what do you think about the 20mm vs the Panny 9mm? If I had my choice for a lens in the same general focal range as the 20mm, then I'll take the PL 15mm every time instead. Yes more money, but oooooh the iq out of this lens is amazeballs.

[@grantrobertdavies]

It all come down to compactness and budget with this purchase :)

[@wnose]

My very first lens! Should have never sold it. =((((

[@ThinkRight1960]

I bought it, I love it - on my gx85

[@normstangl3499]

I have an Olympus E-M1.3 and various pros and primes. BUT I also have an original GF1 with the 20mm f1.7. The latter is my grab and go camera for Day to Day use. I have a small photo installation in a local Art Cafê and two of the shots in it featured this lens and camera combo. The GF1 and 20 mm lens still rocks in 2023 despite the fabulous Lumix 12 megapixel sensor…… or because of the fab sensor.

[@grantrobertdavies]

I’d like to get a GF1 :)

[@normstangl3499]

You definitely should in order to settle your g.a.s. But I can say that it's a worthy g.a.s. item. I love giving new life to old reliable and quality gear.

[@freddiecauseyii9419]

Definitely a great lens.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Yeah man :)

[@hellopsp180]

Equivalent to 40mm f/ 3.4 full frame view

[@josephschickler5192]

have to disagree with you. Found the 20mm pana too soft. defiantly compared to the OM 2omm or Pan 15mm.

[@fredlizarot2204]

Hi and the 15mm ? Thanks for tour vidéos

[@fredlizarot2204]

Sorry for

[@aiseurnae5976]

I prefer the 20mm to my 15mm and 25mm f1.4. The 20mm is sharper, has nicer colors and more punch. The focus is very slow in video but still I Iove to use it with my GH6 and GH5.

[@grantrobertdavies]

Yes Nice Colours :)

[@nyankhant191]

Hi Grant, thanks for this incredible review video of 20mm F1.7 II… Have you ever created the video for your favorite GX9 camera setting? I might not find it properly if you created before. Thx

[@grantrobertdavies]

Thanks :) No I have not really done a settings video? - What do you sorta mean by settings? :)

[@nyankhant191]

@@grantrobertdavies Hi, I mean your favorite/go-to setting for example travel photography(outdoor)or something like wedding/event photography(indoor) sort of stuff. 😊Thx

[@magnificoas388]

stuck on my gh5

[@Sansui1000A]

No. Is to slow

[@grantrobertdavies]

cool, thanks for your feedback… You’ve got this lens? Do you have any work online I can check out? I’d love to see some shots you’ve taken with the lens :) looking forward to seeing your work :)

[@daencer_media]

I got a GX85 and the 20mm 1.7 like 1 year now. Combined with some filters the best travel and street setup you can own imo 🫶🏼

[@grantrobertdavies]

Totally agree!

[@deanrobertnoble138]

Same as lots of people, bought this with my GX80 and was my main walkabout, always. I have the Olympus Em5 mkiii and the 20mm still is my main lens. For me, perfect size, perfect focal length and great image quality! It rocks!

[@elfcounsul]

Their 14mm is pretty good too. I use it more than my 20. The 14 focuses closer than the 20