GH5 Lumix 12-35 vs Leica 12-60

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filmguy123

Veteran
Why would you ever choose the Lumix 12-35 over the Leica 12-60?

I understand both have Dual IS? And Leica is variable aperture, but I am assuming not until after around 35mm once it hits the extended range?

And the Leica would seem to have better IQ and character?
 
For starters the 12-60 is for all intents and purposes a f/4.0 lens (only the widest range is actually f/2.8).
 
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For me, the range of the 12-60 would trump the half-stop light loss by 35mm, as I find myself too often too short with the 12-35. The 12-60 seems great walk-around lens.

But for the video work I do I'll probably end up with the 35-100/2.8-II on the handheld GH5 B-cam for orchestral close shots. Now using ancient 50/1.4, 85/1.8 and 135/3.5 Nikkors since the great IBIS...but I dream of AF and no lens changes fumbles in the dark!
 
Oh, I didn't realize it dropped off in that regard. I see for the Lecia that:

12-25mm its f/2.8
25-40mm its f/3.5
40mm+ its f/4

So all else equal, that's +1 for the Lumix...

How about the overall lens character and image rendition on the Leica VS the Lumix?
 
Just got my GH5 along with the Leica 12-60 and I really like the lens. It is incredibly small and light (coming from Canon), well build, nice zoom and focus rings, absolutely noiseless, good AF, Dual IS is fantastic and the image quality seems to be nice, too. The focal length is great for a walk around lens, especially when you count in the extra tele conversion, which is 1.4x in 4K-Mode and turns the 60mm into 84mm without any visible loss of image quality. Outdoors I use it as a constant F4 or 5.6 with a variable ND-filter, indoors I can use it at 12mm with F2.8 and also have the ability to jump to 17mm with the extra tele conversion. For lowlight I am thinking about adding a wide-angle prime to my kit, something like the 12 1.4 or 15 1.7.
 
I just ordered the 35-100mm f/2.8 mark 2 and I may want to get another lens, I am doubting between:

Panasonic 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0
I like this lens because of its range. Very handy when you want to go out with just one lens.

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8
I had the mark 1 before and I know this is a really fine lens with great color renditions. Fits well with the 35-100mm but for a single lens it is rather limited.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8
With the speedbooster you can get a nice 13-25mm lens and with the 1.4 magnification option you can cover the full range of the 12-35mm Panasonic. Disadvantage is it does not work with dual IS.

Any feedback on what to get?
 
From what I am reading here, 12-35, unless the character of the Leica is that much better (which no one has commented on).

I don't think 12-35 is that limited when a lens swap only takes moments to the 35-100. I have a hard time working with lenses that change my aperture on me as I zoom, and so constant aperture is a big deal.

Also for the M43 format I feel speed is very important. That extra stop makes a big difference in light and DOF and that's important on this small sensor size.

But, how is the character of the image on the Leica vs the Lumix? And do you need the extra reach in the same lens frequently? Would you still use the 35-100 much? Do you prefer 35-60mm at f/2.8 over f/4.0? Are you in scenarios where the 10 second lens swap is untenable and the slower 35-60 range is worth the tradeoff?
 
filmguy123 said:
But, how is the character of the image on the Leica vs the Lumix? And do you need the extra reach in the same lens frequently? Would you still use the 35-100 much? Do you prefer 35-60mm at f/2.8 over f/4.0? Are you in scenarios where the 10 second lens swap is untenable and the slower 35-60 range is worth the tradeoff?
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Yes that is a big question for me. Anyone know of comparisons between them for overlapping ranges?

I will definitely use the 35-100, that is the perfect range for people, 12-35mm I find too short for that but it is also not very wide.
I do a lot of shots with the Tokina f/2.8 11-16mm with the speedbooster which turns it into an 8-11mm f/2.0 lens.
 
Cary Knoop said:
I just ordered the 35-100mm f/2.8 mark 2 and I may want to get another lens, I am doubting between:

Panasonic 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0
I like this lens because of its range. Very handy when you want to go out with just one lens.

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8
I had the mark 1 before and I know this is a really fine lens with great color renditions. Fits well with the 35-100mm but for a single lens it is rather limited.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8
With the speedbooster you can get a nice 13-25mm lens and with the 1.4 magnification option you can cover the full range of the 12-35mm Panasonic. Disadvantage is it does not work with dual IS.

Any feedback on what to get?
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Seems like it all comes down to your need for speed: nothing can match the 18-35/1.8 Sigma's two stop light gain over the 12-35, but it's at the considerable cost of a relatively huge 2lb+ lens/SB combo, and a very restricted reach. I already have the 12-35, and plan to order the 35-100. But if in your situation I'd get the extra reach of the P_L 12-60, with only a half-stop loss at 35mm - a minimal price on the low-light video end, but a really great utility lens, which the Sima definitely isn't.
 
Bought the Leica 12-60 as an afterthought...because of the electronic focus pull feature on the GH5...the lens turned out to be a real pleasure and surprise...for an all metal housing it's impossibly light...I also have the 25mm Leica 1.4...the Panny 20mm and the old 14-140...I can't speak for the 12-35, but there is optically no comparison between the Leicas and the Panny's...the only thing in common is they are light...optically the Leica is a Leica....The Leica falls off immediately aperture wise as you start zooming...I don't so irrelevant to me...so that's something to consider...for my purposes the 2.8 works for interiors and the extra reach I need for outdoors...the Leica also has a filter thread which was important to me...and lastly, but for me perhaps most importantly...Panny Leica is about to release the same lens in a 8-18 2.8-4.0...it's already out in some country's ....still preorder at B&H...but with these 2 lenses and I'm thinking Olympus 75mm 1.8, you have a featherlight shooting package for under $3000 for the glass!...a killer combo with the GH5...
 
fboonzaier, so you would say the optical quality and aesthetic of the leica is hands down better than the lumix? This was a main question for me. I'd love to see any comparisons if possible (I can see samples of both lenses online, but that can vary so much as the content and creator are different). Seeing similar content in same user hands to compare would be super helpful.
 
I received the 35-100mm and it does not disappoint, it has a similar color/contrast rendition as the 12-35mm mark 1.
Wonderful lens and super snappy zoom.

Here is a small test made with the 35-100m lens in Mission Dolores Park, San Francisco, interspersed with the Tokina 11-16mm with a speed booster ultra.
I tried to correct it a bit in post but the color/contrast rendition of the Tokina is far behind the Panasonic, not to speak of the softness and ca of the lens.


Content is currently blocked in the USA and should be available shortly as the music (public domain) is currently incorrectly content-id-ed and has been disputed.
 
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The 12-35/2.8, & 35-100/2.8, are my workhorse lenses when using m4/3. Been thinking of adding a 12-60mm as a backup in case one of the workhorses goes down, but typically I'd choose to work with the faster f/2.8 lenses.

Currently I own the PanaLeica 12/1.4, 15/1.7, 25/1.4, 42.5/1.2, & 45/2.8 Macro. They're all fine lenses, especially the 12/1.4, & 42.5/1.2, but believe they're really just Panasonic lenses with Leica branding attached, which I'm totally fine with.

Leica and Panasonic became strategic partners in 1997. “For the Leica certification, we had to work very hard to achieve lenses that had high performance, high resolution, minimum aberrations, and pleasing bokeh effects that were soft and smooth. Leica’s tradition of best performance at wide apertures continues here, along with great resolution, smooth bokehs and smooth skin textures.”

http://www.fdtimes.com/2016/01/09/panasonic-lens-factory-tour/
 
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filmguy123 said:
fboonzaier, so you would say the optical quality and aesthetic of the leica is hands down better than the lumix? This was a main question for me. I'd love to see any comparisons if possible (I can see samples of both lenses online, but that can vary so much as the content and creator are different). Seeing similar content in same user hands to compare would be super helpful.
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I can't give you a comparison between the 12-60 Leica and the Panny 12-35..I don't own the 12-35..like you, I looked at footage online and when the 12-60 became available, bought the Leica...I own very few Native lenses and bought this for use with the Focus transition feature on the GH5, which I just received yesterday....I already own the 25 Leica 1.4 and the 20mm Panny 1.7...I can say I personally prefer the look of the Leica 25 to the 20 Panny, though the latter is excellent (came on a camera I bought for my daughter)...the choice is really subjective...and I don't zoom lenses...ever....so the 2.8 constant is irrelevant for me...and now that the 8-18 is available, I'm very happy with my choice...I'll get that too, to match with the 12-60...lastly the 60 end reach of the Leica was also instrumental in my choice over the 12-35 and for me trumped the f2.8 on the Panny or for that matter choosing the Olympus 12-40...as I already own a Sigma 18-35, I know that sometimes that extra reach is much needed for me...this does not help you in your choice, but it explains my thinking and needs with the 12-60...
Edit:...I moved to Quito from the US...everything I buy now, is brought in for me...if you've not bought yet, and depending on your location, I would suggest a visit to a shop where you can try both...the just released 8-18 Leica makes a compelling argument for the 12-60, as you would land up with an amazing set of lenses for $2100.
 
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joe12south said:
I wouldn't let Dual IS impact your decision too much. It doesn't add much above what IBIS alone accomplishes.
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The GH5 seems to do just fine without the Dual IS....used on legacy lenses I personally do not see a lot of difference...I really think it's a choice between the longer reach or the constant 2.8...
 
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