Panasonic announces 10-25mm f/1.7 lens with clickless aperture ring for MFT system

This looks fantastic and I am really happy to see Panasonic pursuing better zoom lenses. I'd love to see them work on a 14-42.5 or something with Dual IS, constant aperture, around f/2 and a revised Leica 25mm f/1.2. The lens system for m43 really is becoming impressive. The next big mountain for m43 really is fast, constant aperture zooms like this.

That said, I got excited about this and then realized it's basically a slower and slightly wider version of a using a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 with speed booster, which will net approx. f/1.2 constant with 12-25 (24-40 FF equiv) field of view on M43. So that makes this less exciting, EXCEPT, that's it is great for having Dual IS and small footprint for certain gigs.
 
So basically it's the same range as my Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 with Metabones Speedbooster, except the Speedbooster makes the Sigma faster. It might be a little wider than the Sigma, and will probably cost less than Sigma + Speedbooster, but other than that I don't see a reason to get one.

EDIT: I see now that I took too long writing my post. You beat me to it.
 
I think this lens is very promising. I don't regularly need f/1.2 and this Panasonic lens looks solid. Will need to see and hear about real-world examples and experiences, but this 10-25 is interesting.

I say that as a guy who owns a Sigma 18-35 and uses it on my C300. But I'm looking for a camera for a difficult verite-style film that will require a low profile. So I'm thinking of getting a GH5, GH5S, or one of a few other cameras. There's a place for this lens; waiting to see if that place is a few inches in front of me...
 
It seems that Panasonic noticed the popularity of the sigma 18-35 + speedbooster and decided to run with the idea. Despite being slightly slower, some advantages would be possibly better AF, possible Dual IS, and slightly wider angle.
 
The Panasonic is a 2.5x zoom versus 1.9x on the Sigma. That’s a big difference.

And at f/1.7, that’s super bright, and with an f/3.4 full-frame equivalent DOF. I think that’s pretty impressive.

Will it be parfocal? Will it be optically solid or rely on digital correction? If it’s more along the lines of Olympus’s pro lens line and less like the plastic Lumix zooms, I’d say it’s a must-buy.
 
Dual IS and being small are huge things. Plus the auto focus will be usable.

The Sigma 18-35 and speedbooster is heavier then the GH5 itself.
 
hoju said:
Will it be optically solid or rely on digital correction?
Click to expand...

This. If it forces the digital sharpening/corrections like other native electronic glass, the sigma will be faster and better IQ.

sgttom said:
Dual IS and being small are huge things. Plus the auto focus will be usable.

The Sigma 18-35 and speedbooster is heavier then the GH5 itself.
Click to expand...

This is a big thing, depending on use/needs. But the Sigma will remain the lowlight beast.

Dual IS at this focal range actually isn't THAT helpful over IBIS though. IBIS does fantastic. Also, this lens isn't confirmed to have OIS, so no news on that front yet anyway.

Will take a wait and see approach to this lens with IQ, OIS, and the actual weight once confirmed.
 
There is a lot more to lenses than just the specs. Let’s wait and actually see how this new lens looks. The Sigma is a significant option but Leica glass is also very sexy and we buy lenses because of character and not just because of the aperture printed in the specs.

There are also those that love having a pure native m43 lens and as long as this isn’t priced insane I think it could be a significant alternative to the Sigma.

Plus wide angle comes at a premium. Yes people would pay a crap load more to have 10mm f1.7 vs 12mm f1.2 just to have that extra reach that is usually very difficult to get on m43 at a decent speed. Event video shooters for example shooting groups of people in tight spaces will love this lens passionately. For example dancing at a wedding. 10-25 range at f1.7 is basically a set of prime replacement for the entire night and wider than most other lens choices which means not so claustrophobic when close to people.
 
If it requires putting one (or two) of my kids up for sale on Ebay to purchase this lens, so be it. :shocked:

My biggest frustration with using the GH series cameras for motion work has been the incongruency of the system. The GH camera bodys are DSLR video powerhouses, often class leading and otherwise heavy hitters. Contrast the camera bodies with a hit and miss collection of lenses. Some good to great still lenses, but nothing that really nails the features for motion use. It never made sense to me. Panasonic seemed to have one foot in and one out regarding video on M43's.

While I shoot primarily with a camcorder body, lately I've started to integrate my GH4/GH5 cameras for day to day corporate work (I use it for stills also). However, the lens situation was driving me (nuts) to go the Sigma 18-35/ SB route... reluctantly. Wow, what a difference a day makes.

- fast, sub f2.0 zoom lens- check
- clickless aperture- check
- full benefits of native M43 mount glass-check
- zoom range saves me from buying the 8-18 2.8-4 for really wide stuff- check
- covers useful range for motion work- check
- f1.7 + 10mm = great for night time lapse work- check

Personally, I'm very happy with this announcement. I'd be ecstatic if this lenses focal length extended to 60mm. I'd even trade some speed for it- if it was f2.0, it would still be nice. I'd really like an all purpose zoom lens for general production on GH bodies. The 25mm long end, is a little short of the ideal.

Oh well, I'm still really stoked.
 
The press release says, "click-less aperture ring" but I don't see anything about the focus ring.

There's a copy of the press release in this article, but with no mention of focus that I see.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/92488...ing-a-10-25mm-f1-7-lens-for-micro-four-thirds

Maybe something's mentioned somewhere in the 41-min video of Panasonic's Photokina press conference (covering all announcements, esp FF, and not just this cool lens). I haven't watched this, though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuxXBRLaqyw

So does anyone know about the focus ring?
 
Oops, I totally misread the question as regarding the aperture ring. I agree with stoneinapond's assessment, although it seems like Panasonic is thinking about this lens very differently by including a clickless aperture ring. If they are really going for the video market they may go all the way and make it not focus by wire (which essentially requires it to have no focus stops), but I think it's more likely that they will keep it focus by wire.
 
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