Why Buy The Lumix 14mm F2.5 Pancake Lens

[@Raftiano]

Just got this lens in 2024 the 1st version. I'm soo excited. Thank u for helping me make the decision ❤

[@SirMo]

This is one of my favorite travel lenses. When I just want something simple and super compact. It's all I take. And I've never been disappointed with the images I bring home.

[@stevenjburnell8435]

I've just bought it on your recommendation - thanks for the tip - now we'll wait & see when it arrives.

[@littlejimmyboro]

Nice one, Brian. Just got myself a GX8 which came with a 12-60 and 25mm and wanted something like this for street and travel. Your video prompted me to click buy on a 14mm f2.5.

[@petepictures]

They are lovely, small, fast focus and sharp.

[@DivisionStreetDrums]

I love your takes on all things mft and your enthusiasm. Thank you

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Thank you for watching

[@AMaupin2]

I'm new to the MFT world--just purchased a new-to-me Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2 with the 14 - 42mm kit lens--fun little camera! I really wanted it to be a pocket street shooter and found a good price on a used Lumix 14mm mark 2, yesterday. Can't wait for it to come in. Thanks for the review on the lens and the suggestions to avoid distortions. Happy to have discovered your channel!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Welcome to the format and the community. Great little pocket setup with will surprise you with the quality of the results I’m sure

[@garycasey7986]

Just watched this video as I was contemplating buying a 14mm Lumix via ebay to add to my GX80 kit. The 12-32mm and the 14mm will make a very compact kit. Now bought! 😄

[@tablameister]

I have the Panasonic Leica 15mm f1.7 which is fairly small and takes superb photos but I still picked up the 14mm f2.5 as it is very compact and perfectly suits the GM-1.

[@motorradmike]

Thanks!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Many thanks for the support Michael

[@jackq1926]

I have a 20mm f1.7 which I like a lot but I always find myself swapping it out for the 14mm for a wider perspective and to be honest if I had to choose to keep only one then it would be the 14mm

[@tsbrownie]

Thank you for this. I'm looking for a prime, but would like one faster. Most of mine are f5.6 or higher.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

If you want faster than this at a similar focal length I’d go for the 15mm f1.7 from Lumix. Brilliant lens

[@tsbrownie]

@@ThatMicro43Guy OK. Thank you for that.

[@GrahamSGott]

I've just ordered a used one of these - then I found this video. I'm glad I made the right decision! Good review thanks - have subscribed...

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Thank you. I was actually using mine on my GX8 yesterday in Manchester. Still happy with it.

[@copleyvalleyguy]

I bought one recently second hand just over £100 it's a great little lens on my gx7. I love it as part of my collection. So you're correct really good review. Cheers

[@JensMHA]

I have the same model of it, came along with a GF2 as the back lens cap for about £70, so cant really fault that buy, even though I am more fond of the GF1s. I have had a blast shooting a string of older Lumix models, both M43 and small sensors throughout this summer and autumn, but now the that the dark times are upon us, I will charge the GX9 and the G9 and bask in the stabilisation and sensor upgrades, along with fast(ish) primes and the F:2.8 zooms. :-)

[@smkunder1]

Been enjoying your videos, I have just purchased an EM1 ll, to experiment with M43, I am trying to do this on a budget. I still have my FF kit, so we will see what happens.

[@NOTJustANomad]

@@smkunder1 hi! So what happened? :)

[@bricsuc]

This was the "kit" lens that came with my GF3, which was my first MFT camera 10 years ago. That was an absurdly small combination; you could easily just put it in a jacket pocket. At the time, I wanted something that could be "more spontaneous" than my DSLR. In retrospect, I think I got lucky, because I got a really nice prime lens with a body that, although hardly "full-featured," did what I wanted it to, and served as an "entry drug" into MFT.

[@shogoth]

I have this lens, it's so small it's ridiculous! The optical quality and f-stop are decent, great lens for street photography!

[@rascalhusky8129]

Interesting and very educational. I have this lens and I have found it perfect for my lumix gf5 and travel . Not expensive at all , it's a pancake lens.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I am looking for a small lens for my Pen F. I have the 25mm 1.8 on it and very happy with it. Except I would like something a little wider. But at the same time it needs to produce a good image. I will be stopping down to F4 for added depth of field street shooting anyway so the Max F2.8 is just fine. Maybe this little lens is it. Just not sure yet about the IQ yet.

[@StewartPalmshore]

Great review. I just ordered one after hearing this. I agree. The small size makes this lens desirable.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

I'm using mine most days now. Still enjoying it. I actually own the review lens now. I bought a mk2 version but it rolled out of my camera bag and into the harbour at Seahouses in Northumberland (don't ask). That's called an extreme weather sealing test lol. So I bought this lens off my friend Gerry who loaned me it for the review.

[@Ukuleleal]

@@ThatMicro43Guy Oh no! That's bad luck. Sorry too hear that. Did you find much difference between the mark 1 and the Mark 2? I plan to get one of these for my GX80.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@Ukuleleal just aesthetically. Although the mk2 does work better with the IS on my GX8 in video mode. Unless you are handholding for video work though I don’t find it a problem. The wide angle makes it easy to get clean shots at low speeds

[@TheophilusCarlos]

Thanks for the review. You've pretty much answered all of my questions about this lens including mk i vs mk ii. You've gained a subscriber :)

[@AndySnap]

The 14mm is a great & tiny lens, it was the first extra lens I bought after I had got a G1 with 14-45mm lens. Effectively weightless, on a GX9 makes for a really compact set up. For me, this is the essence of MFT...very high quality and very capable kit in the smallest size and weight. I used a step-up ring as a very low profile 'lens hood', and now use a 'vented' lens hood (about £2.50 from AliExpress) which is better to keep my fingers out of frame! I obviously have the grey barrel mk1 lens, but I do like the mkii black finish with Leica-style typography.

[@Leptospirosi]

I think the version II has just a updated electronic for Depth of defocussing. Not that it means much in such a small and light optic.

[@nwpgunner]

The generic lens hood probably isn't included because it would have to be in an odd shape to prevent it showing in the wide angle shot

[@artemorbid]

very well done review!!! looks like a great lens

[@alexaina81]

My pocket combo for everyday use consists in a GM5 with its 12-32 mm plus the pancake 20:1.7, perfect mid choice between the 17 and the 25 mm that I always hesitate to choose. Unfortunately the 20 mm is larger than the camera :)) So this tiny 14 mm could be a nice replacement even if much more wider and less luminous... Grrr, always this Gear Acquisition Syndrom! Thanks for this video : always a pleasure to hear you 👍

[@JensMHA]

Should work a treat, I use my 14 on the GM1 and it is a perfect fit.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Very nice video of a very underrated lens / Ulf

[@jeffslade1892]

Skylight and UV filters made some sense with film as it was a little UV sensitive. With digital we're just blocking a little bit of the light out. For protection, why do I mislay lens caps? The 14 is one I don't have. I do have the 20, 45 and 75. If I want 14 I do have the G X 12-35 f/2.8 but that is big. It is a bit slow for low light, dusk and sunset, it is a landscape lens, close up vlog, or estate agent interior (they use phones now). We can tripod but we don't always want the slow shutter. I do not consider the 20 wide but standard. The 20 lacks a hood too but a Leica type screw-on hood fits. Would such a hood obscure the 14?

[@trandinhtruong]

What gear did you use for this video, The skin tone looks very nice

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Lumix G9 & Olympus 17mm f1.8

[@trandinhtruong]

@@ThatMicro43Guy Thank you so much For the information I may do the same The skin tone is very nice

[@AndrewSowerby]

This lens has a very good reputation. From the sample images I've seen, I think it's more than sharp enough for me, but the rendering seems to be where it really shines. Images look punchy and it looks like there's plenty of microcontrast. Your sample images and review are pretty convincing... I think I might just be buying one myself. I can see it being just the ticket for street photography and landscapes (although I'm one of those strange people who likes to use tele lenses for landscapes ;)

[@kontraen]

The Goto lens on my GX9 :)

[@jasongomez5344]

As my 12-32mm kit lens covers this focal length, I've never planned to buy this lens. The 20mm f/1.7 seems to make more sense to me.

[@Kukimuncher]

What's the difference between the v1 and v2 aside from cosmetics

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Weather sealing on the mk2 and improved OIS which integrates better into the Dual IS on lumix cameras

[@Kukimuncher]

@@ThatMicro43Guy thanks for replying so fast. Your review was great!

[@Yoko.Kurama]

Have you used the Olympus 14-42 ez ? It's about the same size as this lens

[@carsuncovereduk]

Would this help me with focus hunting on the G7 - and what about jitters i.e stabilisation? 14-44 misbehaving in low /small spaces

[@englishsecrets]

I know the 20mm is usually the one to go for when it comes to photography while as the 14mm is better for video. But overall which do you think is better?

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

For day to day shooting probably the 20mm, not for quality but for angle of view. I’ve never tested the 20mm properly although I have shot with it. I tend to use the only 17mm 1.8 as my day to day lens

[@Leptospirosi]

What do you think about the behaviour of this lens on Olympus body? Did CA or distortion bother you?

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

I find it fine on both my Olympus bodies. The IS is handled solely by the camera and CA/distortion is handles by the cameras built in profile as the firmware does seem to contain profiles for the Lumix lenses as far as I can ascertain. The only noticeable distortion I’d that of a wide angle lens which would be the same on any 14mm

[@Leptospirosi]

@@ThatMicro43Guy probably things have changed a lot: when I bought my EM5mkll in 2015 I bought a 15mm 1.7 which was also fairly new. The CA and the distortion was so bad that I ended trading the lens for a 17 1.8. I guess with recent firmware they may have addressed most of the issues.

[@bonjour88-x7u]

adding a cheap 5$ x0.75 ultrawide noBrandName adapter makes it even better 12mm lens !

[@jamesbrazier8987]

These lenses are so cheap it would almost be rude not to buy one. I got my MK I version from eBay for £60 and couldn't believe my luck! Many people question if it's not better to use a kit zoom such as the Panasonic 12-32mm, and I can see that. However I find the IQ is just great, and you've summed it up, this lens is much more fun to use! Nice review of an underrated lens, keep up the good work.

[@simonatterbury]

I know this is a 2 year old video but hadn't watched before and was just looking at this lens to use on smaller Olympus bodies. It was that, the 20mm F1.7 or the Olympus 17mm F2.8. I already have the 17mm F1.8 but need a true pancake lens for a pocket sized carry camera.. Anyway looks like you've sold me on it and will be my next purchase at MPB.

[@garybrown9719]

How is the auto focus on Olympus cameras

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Not lightning fast compared to some Olympus primes but still pretty quick and accurate. Probably still faster than most of the canon camera and lens combinations I used to use.

[@garybrown9719]

@@ThatMicro43Guy thanks Will continues autofocus work on a Olympus em1

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@garybrown9719 it should do as the focusing is done on the sensor not the lens.

[@TheJcGlobal]

14mm so in the camera view have 28mm ?

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Yes, it’s equivalent to a 28mm field of view on a full frame (35mm)

[@imagenatura]

Regret not having this lens today. Sold mine.

[@BigSmokeGTA6]

Creep thumbnail

[@regularnimnule9715]

I LOVE this lens on my PEN.

[@haoyusun222]

Hi, really wondering is there difference between version 1 and 2? I care about the autofocus especially, thank you!!!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Not much, the optics are supposed to be better although I never noticed it. Certainly nothing on the AF speed although the AF on the Mk2 integrates better with the IBIS on cameras such as my GX8

[@haoyusun222]

Thank you so much sỉr!@@ThatMicro43Guy