Using the Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 for Street Photography

Street Photography with the Lumix Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4
I love a good prime lens, but there's no taking away from the versatility of a zoom. Today I take my Lumix Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 and the GH5 for a spin in some gorgeous morning light.
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#leica #lumix12-60mm #streetphotography #GH5 #pov

[@Aleksilausti]

Nice video. There are also the f/1.7 zooms to consider for low light, although they are rather large.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah that 10-25 f1.7 is a beast of a lens!

[@kcphotogeek6207]

A lot of KZbinrs pooped on that lens due to the variable aperture but like you I prefer the extra reach to the Lumix 12-35 or Oly 12-40. Like you said especially of MFT you’re not going to use a zoom at night, I mostly shoot between f5.6 to f8 during the day so the variable aperture doesn’t bother me. For the quality it can be had for a steal on the secondhand market, a very underrated lens. I got mine with the GH5 but paired with my GX80 it comes into its own for street

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I had considered both the 12-35 and Oly 12-40 and both seem to be excellent lenses, but that extra bit on the long end is where I shoot mostly for street and the wider end is ideal for landscape and video stuff and I shoot practically everything between f4 and f8 anyway, even video so this made the most sense. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@conwaygritty73]

I've been using this lens and the Lumix 12-35mm 2.8. The lieca really is remarkably sharp throughout the range. Such a great grab a single lens and go tool. I could see it staying on someone's camera most of the time .

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah it’s been on the GH5 pretty much since I got it. It’s such a useful range that I can see it becoming my go-to for daytime shooting 🖖

[@mudgie069]

The 12-60 Leica is a lovely lens. I prefer the Olympus 12-40mm as that's the only zoom I've used to rival primes in purse sharpness and micro contrast. However, the 12-60 is still a winner. It's a perfect focal length for most things and f2.8-4 is fast enough for most things. In saying that I am considering selling my Leica 12-60 and getting the Olympus 12-100 f/4 pro which from everything I've read is as good as any other pro lens from Olympus and Panasonic and the extra range makes it ideal for me and my needs, just more expensive. Nice video as always and enjoy the lens :)

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

That 12-100 was another I’d looked at since I already have the 100-300 lumix, but for video I leaned towards the 12-60 to get that dual stabilisation. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@gregfeeler6910]

Due to an untreated case of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) I have the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 PRO, the Panasonic 12-60mm f3.5-5.6, the Panasonic-Leica 12-60 f2.8 (the lens of this video) and recently, the Olympus 12-100 f4.0 PRO. I ended up with all of these because none completely satisfies me, and the Panasonic 12-60,, 3.5-5.6 is for sale as it was replaced by the Leica version. The Oly 12-40mm f2.8 PRO is an amazing lens, with exceptional IQ, and is fast for a zoom - but it doesn't go long enough for me to be a "one lens" solution for a casual photo walk or travel. However, it is the best of these for low light. The Panasonic 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 and the Leica f2.8-4.0 version have a more useful to me focal length in a lens about the same size as the Oly 12-40 f2.8 PRO. I got the 3.5-5.6 version inexpensively as part of a gear purchase but once I decided I wanted that FL in a daily lens I wanted the better weather sealing, build quality, and optical quality of the Leica version. That one makes excellent images, and I would have to pixel peep to tell any difference between it and the Oly 12-40 f2.8, at least through 40mm. That extra reach has gotten me a number of photos I wouldn't have gotten with a 40mm lens, or I would have had to crop more. Then came a great deal on a used Olympus 12-100mm f4.0 PRO, which is an even more comprehensive focal length for a one-lens solution. However, even as an f4.0 lens that extra FL makes it significantly longer and heavier than the other two lenses. It has IS Sync with Olympus/OM System bodies which has me allowed to shoot hand held 50MP high res images of tethered hot air balloons at night. I don't notice the lack of IS Sync with the Leica 12-60 as my Oly bodies IBIS can more than handle that maximum focal length. But, I'm still not of one mind about these lenses. Which one I take (and which other lens I take, if any) all depends on what I expect to photograph. The Oly 12-40mm is great for low light, although the Leica with f4.0 at the long end is still usable. Both are much less noticeable for street photography, or just to keep your bag small, than the Oly 12-100, and sometimes that's important. It is noticeably bigger and heavier, but the additional MFT 40mm is prized by me as I like to stand off a bit for a lot of my shooting. As a test, I just purchased a Think Thank holster bag just the right size to hold my OM-1 with the 12-100, and extra battery or two, cleaning supplies, and memory cards. It's a super small kit and I'm taking it every time I leave the house to make myself use the 12-100 enough to figure out how and when the extra reach and IS makes up for the size, weight, and slightly slower max aperture. So far, I like it a lot.

[@SYNCOMicrophones]

Thanks so much for your sharing😆!Your video is absolutely amazing!😁😁

[@paulcookphotography]

Great video mate! I remember a while back you did some street photography with a wide angle... I remember thinking that I liked the look of that because you know I like a good look around and I can see more of the cityscape with the wide angles. But I definitely like street photography a little more zoomed in, so this seems like a fantastic lens for it as well as landscapes! Really enjoyed it mate. Hope you are doing well, have a great rest of the week!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah wide angle street isn’t my favourite unless it’s specifically to get in architecture or something, but having the option to quickly bounce in and out is nice. I was in the North Yorkshire Moors a couple of days ago with this shooting some stuff for the other channel and it was pretty much the only lens I needed, definitely a solid purchase I think. Take it easy, mate and thanks for watching🖖

[@Bigfarmer8]

I have the Olympus 12-60 f2.8-f4 fourthirds lens that I use a lot with my Olympus E-300. It is probably way less sharp than the Leica version but as you said it is a very versatile range and very useful on the street. Loved the light and shadows in your photos!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Thanks very much. I think I should definitely get into town more in the morning. I definitely enjoyed having that zoom range for street🖖

[@luzr6613]

That's a great lens that made real waves for its optical quality throughout the range when it was released. I also have an E-300 which i bought new in 2006. Such a quirky (and kinda awkward) camera - i love it and will always keep it. I only use it in the summer because 1. it really needs light, and 2. i'd be really upset if it got wet and died. Have a good one!

[@Bigfarmer8]

@@luzr6613 Thank you. I fully agree. I compare the E-300 with shooting with ISO 200 film. You can use it for most situations, but it loves light 😁

[@Mraz75]

Like the reasons you explain about the lens.

[@zygmuntkezele]

It's currently also my lens I tend to use when I don't want to bring some other lenses with me. I had no intention to buy it, I thought more about a wide angel prime but got it for a good price with my new G9 II.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Oooh, the G9ii looks awesome, what a great combo🖖

[@grantrobertdavies]

Great video mate :) Yes fantastic lens - I use mine on my GH5ii most of the time and it always delivers the goods - both video AND Stills :) Great Video again and great photos…

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Thanks very much, mate. I’m just watching your latest video. That’s a great bargain you got there, on average here they’re about 3x that price. Thanks for watching mate🖖

[@grantrobertdavies]

No worries mate - Yes it was a risk purchasing it off Gumtree LoL hopefully it stands the test of time :) @@DavidFlowerOfficial

[@luzr6613]

Lots to like, Flower Power. Great time of day with light and contrast. Great lens, too. On 4/3 i shoot the 12-60 2.8-4 Oly ED SWD (and the 14-54 2.8-3.5 II), and these are also fine glass that can be adapted to M4/3. I like to frame my shots properly - especially on a comparatively small sensor - and that's a great virtue of zooms, along with the abilities to be a 1: little less 'in your face', and 2: getting a moment without having to close a sometimes impossible distance in the time available. Surely, we love our primes too, but not when they limit the shots we can get. Really enjoyed watching your shadow bobbing along - sorry, but it reminded me of something out of a Gary Larson cartoon! Have a great day, man, and i'm looking forward to your next vid already. All the best from the swamp.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah the zoom was a welcomed change of pace. Not having to swap lenses to go wider since I mostly shoot with the 45mm and don’t do the whole ‘get in peoples chops at 28mm’ thing, was nice. Being 6’1 and looking like a Warcraft troll means I cast quite the shadow when the sun is low, glad you approved 😂 Thanks for watching, Swampy. Have a good one, mate🖖

[@luzr6613]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial That was a really good video, fyi - i'm not actually an 'expert', but i am a hyper-critical amateur. It all came together really nicely - this including the light and (lurching) shadows. Amongst your best, my friend. Viva! (as we used to say back when y'all were Europeans). Good night.

[@luzr6613]

Just had a thought as i was lurching down the road.... That's all. Oh yeah... talking of crap lenses that are somehow handy, and that you can adapt to M4/3: Oly Digi (4/3)18-180 f3.5 - f6.3. Redeeming features are that it's small, cheap, and not as bad as the (few) reviews seem to think. Mine lives on my EDC notebook camera. Just a really useful thing for hoovering up ideas and stuff. Like i said - just a thought.🙂

[@andydean9479]

My favoured zoom is the Olympus 12-40, it gives a weather sealed option with the GX8, otherwise it's my Lumix 20mm and 15mm primes that get the gig :)

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I considered the 12-40 aswell as the lumix 12-35, but I wanted that extra reach so the 12-60 won🖖😁

[@dingoeatswolf3663]

Yep, that 12-40 oly is the go to when I’m travelling. Weather sealed and constant f2.8 aperture. Having said that, I did have the cheaper Lumix 12-60 which I loved and I do miss that extra 20mm. Considered picking up a used Leica version just to have for such occasions, but heck, how many lenses can one have…when I already have too many? 😂

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Wait, there’s such a thing as too many lenses? Oh man…..😂

[@dingoeatswolf3663]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial I’ve been diagnosed as having too much ‘gas’…gear acquisition syndrome. Fortunately I’ve limited myself to one system, but unfortunately in that m4/3 system there are a trillion lenses to taste 😁

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I’m in full denial of my lens addiction and happy to stay that way😂

[@TheStreetNomad]

I feel like with your em1 and gh5 you should considering picking up some of the oly pro lenses, their 25mm 1.2 is supposedly bordering on perfection, also that 20mm 1.4pro for street is itching at me but I can’t justify the price right now and I’ve already got the lumix 20 1.7. Also the 17 and 45 pro lenses are no slouches either

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

A 25 is something I’d consider, but since I usually shoot at the longer end, the 17 and 20mm lenses probably wouldn’t see any use. I am very tempted to upgrade the 45mm f1.8 though, that’s definitely more my speed 👍

[@GrumpyTim]

I really should get myself a Micro 4/3 zoom - I had one once but I gave it away in favour of primes, but it would be really handy from time to time, it's just not at the top of the list of things to buy!!!! Yours does the job nicely in the video.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I think this will be pretty much stuck on the GH5 now. Covers me for pretty much everything I need in terms of video, especially since it has that relatively close focusing distance. I still have a love of primes, but when you want to simplify your kit, a lens like this is a winner👍

[@user-qe6wi7zg6s]

G9mk2에 어울리는 길거리렌즈 고민중이였는데 정말 많은 도움이 됬습니다. 감사합니다.😃

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

This lens has since become my most used lens for street and general photography and having the dual sync IS on the gh5 is fantastic. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@janhenkins]

Hmm, the GH5 and the DG 12-60! We're properly posh in this video! :-) I have the "non-posh" 12-60 on order for two reasons - (1) it's the cheapest weather-sealed lens I can find that's within the Goldilocks Zone (12-50mm MFT / 24-100mm FF), and (2) I'm cheap. I would have liked the Leica DG you have, but I cannot justify it's cost using it with my GX1 and G80 bodies. And if I want sharpness, like you I have a gaggle of vintage M42 and the odd M39/L39 lenses (Jupiter 8 and Industar 26/61). Lovely video mate, really enjoyable. I like your other channel too!

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Well I have to get all fancy from time to time, right?😂 My youngest decided he likes the EM10 mkii so I’ve given him that and the cheap 14-42 zoom I was using, so I needed a replacement for video and decided this was it. I should give the old primes a run out since I’ve not used them much on the MFT cameras. Thanks for watching 🖖

[@reachingalltounderstandlife]

what is your POV video setup?

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

I use the insta360 one Rs. I usually shoot in Post mode, 4k 24p Opengate with the standard picture profile🖖

[@michaelbrown5371]

Blimey Dave, looks like the good people of Hull were having a Sunday lie in 😂 I think there's room for primes and zooms, but to be fair my 24-105 seems to be permanently on my camera! Good video btw 👍

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Yeah I have to admit, never seeing you changing your lens does make me a bit jealous lol Despite the lack of people it was actually quite nice. We should get back to our Tuesday morning walks now the summer is ending, the light was 👍

[@michaelbrown5371]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial yeah I could do with a walk soon, haven't shot for a while. So much for definitely shooting twice a week 😂 football and a gig though so not all bad 👍

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

@michaelbrown5371 Aye, give us a shout when you get time mate, we’ll sort something out 👍

[@Brettski777]

Thanks for keeping it real mate.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Thanks for watching🖖

[@deejayiwan7]

Excellent

[@darrenkynoch6255]

Do you reckon this would work just as well, with my oly em1 mkii David.

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Absolutely. I use it all the time with the EM1 mkii. The only difference is on a lumix body you get the dual stabilisation, but I’ve never even noticed it missing on the Oly because the ibis is so good anyway 🖖

[@darrenkynoch6255]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial thank you 🙏

[@darrenkynoch6255]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial might have to sell my oly 12-40 2.8 and purchase this. Love that extra 20mm

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

@darrenkynoch6255 The Oly 12-40 is a beast of a lens, but that extra reach was the main reason I went for this one. Sure you lose a stop of light at the tele end but I’ve never found that to be a problem 🖖

[@darrenkynoch6255]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial thank you mate 👌

[@Massey_Fferguson]

what was the cost of the lens

[@DavidFlowerOfficial]

Brand new I think it’s around £800, but I’m a big fan of buying used so I got mine from mpb in like new condition for just under £450👍

[@Massey_Fferguson]

@@DavidFlowerOfficial yeah used sites are good