Ianscreations
Well-known member
I need a FAST pancake lens for the GH3. Does anyone have a favorite? I'm leaning towards the SLR Magic 12mm/1.6
GH3 Favorite "pancake" lens for GH2/3?
- Thread starter Ianscreations
- Start date
d1rockwild
Well-known member
That isn't a pancake lens. The 14mm has faster AF but at f/2.5, while the 20mm has pretty slow AF (in photos and video) but at f/1.7. What are you shooting? I assume your budget is at least $500 if you're considering the 12mm f/1.6.
Sam Mallery
Well-known member
Well that's an easy question! The Lumix 20mm f/1.7.
Ianscreations
Well-known member
Thanks...I should have clarified. I put "pancake" in quotes b/c I really meant any wide lens under the 20mm range. I have the 25mm 1.4 and want something a little wider but similarly fast.
d1rockwild
Well-known member
Ah! np. Depends on what you're shooting. I had the 12mm last year, only to find out the 14mm pancake fit my needs a lot better. Unfortunately, I was getting away from production shooting and into event work so that's why the 14mm won out. Still not sure if when you say "fast" you mean aperture or AF speed. Not sure if you're aware btw, the 12mm is a manual-focus lens only.
Alán Ortiz
Active member
Well I own the SLR Magic 12, panasonic 14 and panasonic 20 - I can tell you that I wouldn't sell one for the other - each one has its use.
BUT - more specifically in the wide range the 14mm is an underrated lens - its tiny, light as a feather, and extremely fast on the GH2 and even faster on the GH3. In fact - it is currently one of my favorite lenses on the GH3 because the lens is contrasty but creates pleasing color and images using the "natural" color profile on the GH3.
Also - I've noticed that I'll grab the SLR 12mm when I want to capture video and the 14mm when I want to do some street photography. YMMV.
BUT - more specifically in the wide range the 14mm is an underrated lens - its tiny, light as a feather, and extremely fast on the GH2 and even faster on the GH3. In fact - it is currently one of my favorite lenses on the GH3 because the lens is contrasty but creates pleasing color and images using the "natural" color profile on the GH3.
Also - I've noticed that I'll grab the SLR 12mm when I want to capture video and the 14mm when I want to do some street photography. YMMV.
Ianscreations
Well-known member
Thanks for the further clarification!
I really need fast as in aperature..not AF. I am okay with MF.
Ianscreations
Well-known member
Alán Ortiz
Active member
Well I ALSO own the voigtlander 25mm F0.95 - which is in a league of its own and is the best "low-light" lens that I have but that is roughly $850-$1000 dollars. I break it down like this (and this is for my own personal uses - others will disagree):
Cinema Lens (For video capture):
Voigtlander 25mm F0.95
SLR Magic 12mm F1.6
Photo Lens (fast street photo lenses with AutoFocus)
Panny 20mm F1.7
Panny 14mm F2.5
To further confuse you I will say that if I could only get one for now that it would probably be the panny 20mm - it is "fast enough" for my uses on the GH3 - and has been serving me well all the way back to the GF1. The focal length is neither wide nor portrait which is more useful than you would think.
My girlfriend and I are always fighting over the 20mm when we go street shooting in DC (she has the OMD).
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Ianscreations
Well-known member
Anyone use the Olympus 17mm 1.8? Seems like a good one...I think I will be choosing this or the SLR Magic
Ianscreations
Well-known member
Anyone use the flight lander 17mm? Really pricey and only mf, but really bright
dregenthal
Veteran
Yes, I do (if you mean the Voigtlander 17.5mm), selective aperture control and creamy shots.
It's on the same level as the 25mm but wider . . . I'd recommend one or the other for you GH or AF100.
I'm selling mine in the marketplace (they're the same but different enough to where I really don't need both).
It's on the same level as the 25mm but wider . . . I'd recommend one or the other for you GH or AF100.
I'm selling mine in the marketplace (they're the same but different enough to where I really don't need both).
Ianscreations
Well-known member
What is the widest and fastest prime available for the GH3? I have the 12-35 2.8, but I'm looking for something at least this wide but faster.
The best wide lens hands down is the Tokina 11-16mm
They have it in different mounts, from EF to PL.
Also price range $500-$3000+
I would use the Tokina 11-16mm Duclos Mod for the very best wide angle lens under $5k
http://www.ducloslenses.com/products/duclos-11-16mm
That lens is as sharp as a prime with the benefit of a zoom, truly amazing and honestly one of my favorite lenses I have ever used.......
Now I own the 14mm Panasonic and 12mm Slr Magic. The Panasonic is a sharp lens but real small and personally I will be selling it soon. Not really a lens designed for my kind of work. The Slr Magic is a beautiful lens that is not as sharp but gives off a very nice image with character. You must close the lens though past f/2.8 to avoid flares as anything faster will cause a crazy amount of flares which you may or may not like. Other than that I love the Slr Magic 12mm lens, just need to know how to use it.
There is also a 12mm f/2 Olympus lens that is great as well.
Overall though if I could only have one wide angle lens it would be the Tokina 11-16mm, duclos mod or not. Just buy the nikon version with an aperture adapter and you're good. Honestly I love that the Tokina is a Zoom lens from 11-16mm and does all internal zooming as the barrel of the lens is solid. F/2.8 is not that fast, but a wide angle lets in more light and you can easily bump your iso to 800 and get some really great shots!
They have it in different mounts, from EF to PL.
Also price range $500-$3000+
I would use the Tokina 11-16mm Duclos Mod for the very best wide angle lens under $5k
http://www.ducloslenses.com/products/duclos-11-16mm
That lens is as sharp as a prime with the benefit of a zoom, truly amazing and honestly one of my favorite lenses I have ever used.......
Now I own the 14mm Panasonic and 12mm Slr Magic. The Panasonic is a sharp lens but real small and personally I will be selling it soon. Not really a lens designed for my kind of work. The Slr Magic is a beautiful lens that is not as sharp but gives off a very nice image with character. You must close the lens though past f/2.8 to avoid flares as anything faster will cause a crazy amount of flares which you may or may not like. Other than that I love the Slr Magic 12mm lens, just need to know how to use it.
There is also a 12mm f/2 Olympus lens that is great as well.
Overall though if I could only have one wide angle lens it would be the Tokina 11-16mm, duclos mod or not. Just buy the nikon version with an aperture adapter and you're good. Honestly I love that the Tokina is a Zoom lens from 11-16mm and does all internal zooming as the barrel of the lens is solid. F/2.8 is not that fast, but a wide angle lets in more light and you can easily bump your iso to 800 and get some really great shots!
Ianscreations
Well-known member
'
This lens is nice! Never heard of it. I actually need somethng faster though. I am using it for a lot of indoor low-light footage. I have the 25 1.4 and LOVE it , but I want something wind (hopefully nearly as fast). I am leaning towards the SLR Magic.
Slr Magic at anything faster than f/2.8 will flare, I mean even a simple light bulb will create the most unique flare patter you've ever seen. If you want a close to perfect lens at a fast aperture then it would be the Olympus 12mm
Ianscreations
Well-known member
I see that lens is f2.0. Is that going to be much of an improvement over my 12-35 f2.8?
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
One full f stop faster, and from reports and comments I've read it is very sharp even wide open with no extra flare and decent contrast. I may need to start saving nickels for one...
...Lotsa nickels!
...But worth it!