Who is this for? Leica 10-25mm f1.7 for Photos, Videos, and Film-making

So Panasonic and Leica have released their top end, most professional lens to date, but which professionals is it for? Lets take a look at the best usees for the Leica 10-25mm f1.7.
Support the channel, it really helps a lot
/ rhettthompsonfilm
If this video helped you, please consider buying through my amazon links at no extra cost to you.
Leica 10-25 amzn.to/2Qo7XzE
Chapter Times
0:00 Intro
0:45 Photography
2:50 Videography
5:48 Cinematography
8:56 Wrap up and Conclusions
What I shoot my videos on affiliate links.
GH5 amzn.to/3hIEkVC
Leica 10-25 amzn.to/2Qo7XzE
Sony Zv1 amzn.to/2QtXcMo
Falcon Eyes F7 LED Light amzn.to/2Ek478v
Falcon Eyes Soft light amzn.to/34BIESU

[@przybylskipawel]

Sorry, but this is a myth about field curvature of this lens. This is property that cannot be assessed on landscape. Maybe on a building but most often on testboard. And this lens has marginal curvature.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Paweł Przybylski I think you’re right. It’s maybe not perfect but it’s only mildly worse than other lenses. Youll 100% never notice it in video and rarely even in the highest megapixel stills

[@SamuelRush]

Loving your content! Thanks for another great upload

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Appreciate it man! I’m doing my best

[@jordanblackman7484]

Looking forward to that autofocus video you mentioned working on!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Jordan Blackman one day I’m gonna actually make it!

[@overnightdelivery]

It's for people that don't want to use 10 different prime lenses of varying minimum apertures and focal lengths anymore. Very useful for things like Wedding Photography. Many non-pros and non-video users are interested in this lens as well but it's too expensive for most people. It's big but not obscenely so. Good videos man. ;)

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Bob Jones there also isn’t a 10mm prime anywhere out there for MFT except the Voigtlander 10.5mm. I do really love this for group photos and you could just about get away with it for portraits at 25mm. I’m still the guy who was shocked it was less than 2 grand so it was a no brainer for me! Still if you don’t do this for a living it’s pretty hard to justify for a causal user.

[@PatrickBorel]

Hey, I enjoyed your video and your thoughts. Interesting that you mention the autofocus: this is the only lens with which I 'd use continuous autofocus with my G9 for video. There must be something about the software and maybe the wide aperture, but the poor DFD focus of panasonics becomes acceptable with this lens. It is not pumping the focus, it shifts smoother and just doesn't look wrong. Given the very useful focal range and this characteristic with panasonic bodies I can only recommend it for video. Of course it works just as well with olympus phase detect AF. My main concern with this lens is dictated by physics: its size. For mft pretty hefty.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I dont know why this lens seems to perform so well, whats even more puzzling is how bad Gerald Undones results were, with it being worse than an adapted sigma 18-35 which I couldnt believe! In general though this serves me just fine as long as there arent any christmas lights in the shot.

[@onthemove301]

I never noticed an optical problem with my copy, but sold it because it was too large for hiking and travel photography, and I also had the Sony A7R3 with the 16-35mm 2.8 for landscape. I now use the Lumix/Leica 8-18m for hiking/travel, which is half the weight of the 10-25. But I do regret selling, The 10-25 is a good lens, though it's probably more appealing to videographers. IQ is not far behind the Sony, and really only apparent to pixel peepers.

[@kimsax627]

I have both the Leica 25mm 1.4 and 1.7 primes. The 10-25 now replaces them. As for sets, I basically now just use the 10-25 and a 35-100. I know they're different but "close enough".

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

The 10-25 is the reason I never picked up the 25mm 1.4/1.7 the Leica 8-18 or leica 12mm 1.4. They're just too similar and are only slightly faster/better in some ways.

[@Ivan333]

Nice review thnx!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Thanks for watching!

[@BrentODell]

Fortunately, there now IS a set, this and the 25-50! It's on my wishlist

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Have you seen my review? I think it’s the most detailed online

[@BrentODell]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I'll watch it now! Keep up the great work

[@bandofbros8112]

I have this lens for travel and landscape photography/videography. Best lens ever!!! Especially when working with a gimbal, no more changing lenses and rebalancing. I do get the paranoia of it getting stolen, but would have that with any of my gear 🙈

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

BandOfBros True! If you’ve got a gimbal strong enough to balance this monster, you can absolutely zoom in and out with it and be generally fine.

[@MyBMAN69]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I just purchased the DJI RSC2 gimbal to use with my G9, thinking that I might have to purchase the PL 12-60 f2.8-4(which is on DJI's lens compatibility list). But I already own the PL 10-25 f1.7(not on the list) and I'm happy to say that that camera/lens combo set up with the gimbal was a success with my first test run from inside my home. Even though the PL 10-25 is quite large, it's weight is surprisingly light, in my opinion.

[@endless_universe2023]

may I ask your impression on autofocus vibrations / issues in 4K with your copy? I was testing one that was shaking badly in that mode

[@ForteAgency]

Thank you for the REAL info, so tired of everyone selling crap lenses like they are the secret or badass for the price, this definitely sold me on NOT getting it. I didn't see anything that ended it for my 18-35 sigma 1.8 so Ill save $1800 and stick to what I got.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

It’s no doubt a great lens and this seems to be a very rare issue but I think the idea of sticking with what you’ve got already is a good one as a general rule.

[@Filmmaker809]

I have the Sigma 18-35 and love it, but the only thing I would say the 10-25mm has over it is that its weather sealed and the sigma is not.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

@@Filmmaker809 the Leica has weather sealing, better af, goes wider, has a better zoom ring, has a larger zoom range in total and a few other minute differences but for most people the 18-35 is probably a better option and the 10-25 is probably best only for those who reeeally need it.

[@martafinkelstein]

Thanks for this detailed breakdown! So considering it’s size and weight, would you say it’s too cumbersome for vlogging?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Likely haha depends on the camera a bit though. Maybe the 9mm would be better?

[@finnillson4808]

I don’t understand all the hate with this lens. It’s another (great) option in the extensive MFT ecosystem. I think people are a little bit to short sighted. Imagine this lens on a future GH6 with better autofocus, with ex-teleconverter available in 4K instead of maxing out at 1080p. Suddenly this one lens becomes a useable 10-85 for 4K video. If they release a 25-50 f1.7 or f2 sister lens then you now have a 10-100 range in native f1.7 in two lenses (20-200 FF focal range) and an extended range of 10-140 with ex-teleconverter. That is an amazingly flexible setup in two lenses and in my opinion a easier setup to work with than a speedboosted sigma 18-35 and 50-100 f1.8 combo. The great thing is MFT is so flexible. Adapt FF glass. Shoot true 4/3 anamorphic in 6K (today!), perhaps 8K anamorphic in a GH6, use adapted FF glass or native 1.2 primes to get that shallow DoF, take your pick of world class telephoto lenses that you don’t need to mortgage your house to buy, its all there and all possible!

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Jesse 100% agree man. Panasonic really needs to make that tele version though! It’s the only type of lens in the whole MFT lineup that doesn’t have an extended ecosystem. Leica 2.8-4 zooms, lumix 2.8 zooms, lumix 1.7 primes, Leica primes, olpumpys and Olympus pro zooms and primes all have wide mid and tele options. Where’s our 25-50 or 40-80 or whatever it ends up being?

[@A1Bokeh]

From what I've seen so far it seems for video vintage and manual lens just tend to have a better look for video from my experience maybe its just me 🤷‍♂️

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Yeah vintage all the way for any creative thing or something you want to do to envoke some kind of emotion. It’s more for corporate wedding type stuff where that ultra sharp ultra contrast look is valued. Sometimes I do put on a diffusion filter for a old school look. That’s why I like the Voigts cuz they look vintage wile open and modern stopped down.

[@slows728]

Thank for this review, however I had this lens and I don't agree about the comparison with the 25mm 1.7. The 10-25mm is way better than the Lumix 25mm 1.7, the bokeh is better and the image has a Pop/3D look thanks to its high contrast and highlights/shadows rendering, a bit like "true" Leica lenses. However, I returned this 10-25mm mainly because of the autofocus noise in video using AFC. Only a few reviewers mention this issue and I think it's really a deal breaker.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

See I’ve never used it! I’m sure it is better but probably not to justify the price difference if all you cared about was 25mm, you know? It really does have some amazing character for a zoom that’s very pleasing.

[@endless_universe2023]

I've been testing this lens in the shop and when was almost about to buy it, put it into 4K video with AFC. The body was shaking quite severely while autofocusing. I am almost sure that's very uncomfortable to work with. I was wondering if it was a bad apple, but you just confirmed my fears. Maybe it's a batch of "bad" lenses, who knows. By the way, in FHD there was no issue.

[@slows728]

@@endless_universe2023 We bought the lens again in a different shop for my wife and the new lens has not this issue. We also have the 24-70mm PRO and our first sample was very soft and decentered, we bought it again after several months and again the new lens is flawless, very sharp even at 70mm ... So I think there is some issue with the PANA QC, maybe because of the COVID.

[@JJ-iu1zq]

I watch all your video about 10-25, you provide some perspective for me with great logic. But I am still struggling between this and 17pro+DG25. I own 8-18, and 1025 seem can replace all for the lens I mention here. I shoot photo only, may I ask what would be your advice?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I’m so obsessed with lens sets I would encourage you to get the Olympus pro 17mm and 25mm or the Leica 15mm and the Leica 25mm, that being said many people don’t value matching sets as much as I do. For photos I think primes make more sense in general but like I talk about in my video comparing all the MFT primes to the 10-25, it’s super hard to get as wide as the Leica 10-25 with prime lenses. The closes I’ve found was the Leica 12mm and 25mm 1.4 lenses and the difference between 10 and 12mm could be more important for some people that others.

[@JJ-iu1zq]

@@RhettThompsonFilm Thanks for your reply. It does make more sense to use prime for photography and each of them does the best of their own. Also seem more fun to use more lens instead of one. I have 818 can cover the wide angle, but not 1.7. The only wide prime lens I can think of is Laowa 7.5 F2 which I don"t have it. It have a good name of it's sharpness, but it should not as good as 1025 or other Olympus and panasonic wide lens, also it is manual focus

[@mitchcaluori]

Hey if I was filming strictly music videos and covers for my online socials (indoor setting)… would you recommend the 10mm-25mm or 25mm-50mm? I love the natural compression the 25-50 has but I’m worried it will be too zoomed in… thoughts?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I just had someone ask me this haha that’s weird. Yea the compression of the 25-50 is nice but honestly the versatility of the 10-25 just can’t be beat. Maybe check out the Lumix 42.5 1.7 prime for close up shots in the meantime?

[@codyclark2471]

hey great videos, I have 12-35mm f2.8 mkii i,m mostly doing family vide,s bdays ,lots of indoor stuffand find the f2.8 too slow...i,m also working on a documentary and thinking of trading in 12-35 for 10 25...thoughts ? i have the 25,, f1,7 and the 42.5 as ell but none are suiting my wife angle needs ,was also considering sigma 16mm f1.4 any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

You’re a lot like me. I think selling the 12-35 and 25mm will be a good start toward buying the 10-25. It’s really like having a bunch of prime lenses all in one. I can’t recommend it enough if you can afford it and I love 10mm as a wide angle.

[@chrisklugh]

I shoot video but not sold on this lens. Sure its nice. Sure I might have one some day. But I already have the Sigma 12-35. As nice of a lens the 10-25 is, its not 'complete' without a 25-50. And for the price, were getting into FF lens. So all in all, I would like the lens, but not motivated to pay for it. Or put another way, if I get a second body and want to pair it up, I'd probably lean on getting another Sigma.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

I think I’m just one of those guys that prefers it to the sigma. I use AF sometimes so that’s nice, and the other features like the aperture and weather sealing, just seal the deal for me. I really find I love the zoom range of the 10-25 more useful than the sigma or the Leica 12-35.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Also, please! Panasonic make us that 25-50!!!

[@chrisklugh]

@@RhettThompsonFilm I'm not an AF fan myself. Even on the Canon/Sonys, if I see any hunting, and it does, it bothers me. I much prefer to set it manually with an the app and stay stationary. But I do agree, the weather sealing is nice. But that's the only thing its got the Sigma doesn't. 20mm doesn't mean much to me as I don't vlog with that, or when I have, I have the Laowa 7.5. I like the wide when I'm run and gunning with no control. Easier to crop in post then lose the shot entirely. But generally I think shots look best between 50-100mm whenever I can control it. So this lens does not do that for me. But neither does the Sigma. I would not mind seeing an Art vs of Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8. But even as is, its cheaper and would cover an effective 24-71mm range. Not the fastest lens, but one more sutied to my uses that would be faster then the Pany 12-35mm. Lens debates... lol There's no end as there is no end all lens. Right tool for the job which makes most lens the right tool for the right person.

[@AlexanderHaibel]

Is that a slider at 4:15 ?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Nope just a sneaky digital zoom!

[@ArnFilmmaker]

How is the autofocus with this combo?

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Not bad but having used the S5 the GH5 mkii and that would be better

[@ArnFilmmaker]

Thanks man

[@caselaviolette]

Can this handle 5.7k ProRes or raw footage??

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Haven’t done raw but seem to be keeping up with Prores! Corners aren’t the sharpest thing of all time wide open but that never has been noticeable outside a test chart for me

[@caselaviolette]

@@RhettThompsonFilm thanks man! If you try out the raw let me know!

[@amfre]

Man - focus on your example footage and during this video is lost all he time. I am confused because I saw autofocus tests with GH6 and there it was awesome, like 8/10 if we can assume that Sony/Canon is 10/10. However, it is probably case of combining this lens with GH6. I heard about problem with extremely loud autofocus motors in this lens, have you experienced that? S oloud, that can interfer your audio.

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

This was two years ago, so it was probably the GH5 original doing the auto focusing. I don’t find the motors to be that loud though but I have heard that, and they are occasionally audible but have never been heard in the files I record.