Now and then, great things come in little bundles — is the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II one of those great things? The lens could be a modest 2.2 inches long, but you’d be shocked at what the Smaller scale Four Thirds optic is able to pack into that little estimate.
As one of a few co-branded Panasonic Leica lenses for the Miniaturized scale Four Thirds framework, the 25mm f1.4 II is amazingly affordable. The address is, does it convey the proper adjust between specialized enormity and character for that cost?
Table of Contents
- The Big Picture
1.1 Pros
1.2 Cons - Gear Used
- Innovations
- Ergonomics
- Build Quality
- Focusing
- Ease of Use
- Image Quality
8.1 Bokeh
8.2 Color Version - Lens Character
- Sharpness
- Extra Image Samples
11.1 Unedited
11.2 Edited - Who Should Buy It?
- Tech Specs
THE Big PICTURE
The Panasonic 25mm f1.4 II could be a little lens with enormous identity. The focal point employments a metal barrel with Leica-style lettering, additionally tidy and weather-sealing. The little lens is modestly quick with centering on moving subjects. And, woah, does this lens have a few identity on a sunny day. The lens captures a few exquisite flare, furthermore the colors are truly pleasant, as well.
But there are two fundamental things that keep me from giving the 25mm f1.4 II a five-star rating. The primary is the chromatic abnormality. It’s decently noteworthy and troublesome to alter out. The moment is the cleanser bubble bokeh. I do not intellect this as much as I do the purple fringing, but I know numerous photographers could be bothered by it.
I’m giving the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II four out of five stars.
Pros
- Compact design
- Metal, weather-sealed construct
- Sharp, but not as well sharp
- Wonderful flare and colors
- Decent autofocus speed
- Reasonably priced
CONS
- Noteworthy chromatic variation
- Cleanser bubble bokeh
Gear Used
I tried the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II with the Panasonic G9 II. Both the camera and lens were a transitory advance from Panasonic for survey purposes.
Innovations
The Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II is a compact, shinning prime lens. The little estimate and metal weather-sealed construct blended with the sharp picture quality is what this lens has going for it. There’s no earth-shattering tech stowing away interior; but instep, it’s the blend of quality and portability.
ERGONOMICS
Littler than a can of pop, the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II as it were takes up a 2.2-inch spot in a camera pack. The metal barrel includes a bit of weight, but at almost half a pound, this can be one optic that I could wear all day long.
The little measure of the lens implies there’s truly no visit to allow here. There’s a manual center ring on the lens, and that’s it. There are no other controls on the lens, in spite of the fact that it does take on the classic Leica lettering and see.
The lens acknowledges little 46mm circular channels at the front. It does not transport with a hood.
Build QUALITY
The Leica within the title isn’t fair for enrichment. The lens has a metallic barrel, which gives it a decent feeling within the hands. A few pieces, in spite of the fact that, feel a bit more lightweight.
The lens is fixed against clean and dampness. I gave the lens a great sprinkle and didn’t encounter any antagonistic impacts. I didn’t spot any tidy or flotsam and jetsam on the sensor after testing the weather-sealing either.
FOCUSING
I tried this lens on the Panasonic G9 II, which is Panasonic’s best Miniaturized scale Four Thirds body so far. But, the camera body itself has a few autofocus battles that have made lens test a bit challenging. The shorter central length on the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.7 II, in any case, makes a difference boost execution a bit. I was able to promptly take representations with this clever fifty comparable, counting representations of an dynamic pooch.
With activity, the lens does drop a couple of outlines. Shooting a canine running straight towards the camera, for example, the center bolted onto the tail rather than the confront a few times. But as this lens did a bit way better than others that I tested with the G9 II, I believe the autofocus engines within the lens are up to most tasks.
EASE OF Use
The Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.7 II could be a mount-and-shoot lens. Photographers won’t require a client manual to urge begun with this lens, as there’s fair one control on the barrel itself. I would have adored to have a committed gap dial, but the plan truly couldn’t be easier.
The lens needs picture stabilization. The in-body frameworks on most Smaller scale Four Thirds bodies are adequate for this focal length without a moment framework in the lens. But it’s not as prepared for tripod-free long exposures as pairings with stabilization in both the optic and the camera.
Picture QUALITY
The Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.7 may be little, but it’s a small firecracker full of dazzling character. Coordinated toward the sun, this focal point makes marvelous goodness, with delicate lens flares and curves of color. The optic too finds that sweet spot between sharp and as well sharp. Tragically, in spite of the fact that, there’s a part of purple bordering in high-contrast zones with this lens.
BOKEH
The edit calculate makes this focal point proportionate to a 50mm f2.8. There are plenty of openings to make delicate backgrounds here. Yes, there are brighter choices out there but don’t abhor on the Micro Four Thirds framework. Getting in near to the subject makes a few pleasant show.
Points of light are rendered circular at the center, but cat-eye towards the edges. Whereas the bokeh is decent, the lens does render a few cleanser bubble surface to those bokeh balls.
COLOR Rendition
Panasonic sits towards the best in my book for color, and this 25mm focal point works well with Panasonic’s color profiles. I was able to urge pleasant emotional differentiating colors, or gentler tones by exchanging color profiles. The lens didn’t skew the colors as well distant.
In any case, the lens doesn’t do enough to play down chromatic abnormality. Purple fringing may be a critical issue around high-contrast subjects, which you’ll see within the tree branches on the picture underneath. That’s a genuine disgrace since the lens flare coming from this lens is exquisite.
Lens CHARACTER
Coordinate this lens towards the sun and get ready for a few enchantment. The Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 II makes delicate, cloudy sun flares. Sometimes, I could also get curves of light over the outline, indeed when the sun wasn’t specifically in the picture. There’s a part of fun potential working with flare here.
Exterior of that lens flare, the remaining character is aiming to come from those colors. There’s small vignetting, and as a 50mm comparable, lines are kept beautiful straight.
SHARPNESS
This lens hits that sweet spot — it’s sharp but not to the point where each single pore is rendered. Subjects were sharp both at the center and when put towards the edge as well.