I voted no, but not because of cost - this is a lens for event (and maybe street?) photographers, if that is what you do, this lens 100% makes sense (and being a photographer of events usually involves money, which would pay for the lens so cost wouldn't be an issue). Since I'm not an event or street photographer, there is no need for fast and wide, with landscapes I'm content with just wide lenses! The 35-100mm on the other hand, well, it'll be giving my pentax da* 50-135mm a run for its money.

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G5 | D600 | K20d | K-01 | K100d
Tilt/Ap control/fixed K and F adapters
Gear | Galleries

Have it om preorder fr.o.m. Amazon.co.uk.

I've only got the one body (ha!), so my decision is harder...I adore the PL25, but would love a bit of give when it comes to focal length. The f2.8 concerns me though...losing a lot of DOF.

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Olympus OM-D E-M5
Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm F2.8
Panasonic Leica Summilux 25mm F1.4
Panasonic Lumix 45-175mm F4-5.6

Will probably give the 12-35 the skip for the time being to be considered at a later date, but will almost certainly get the 35-100.

The general idea is to have 1 or maybe even both in time for a 4 week snowboard trip to Japan mid-January. The 2 weather sealed zooms and either the P20 or PL25 with the EM5 body looks like becoming my general hunting/fishing/snowboarding and tourism kit.

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Joe


...my stuff is on flickr

Yeah, the 25mm is my favorite lens by far. And the main reason for buying this as well. If the quality is anything like the reviewers and Panasonic claims it will be worth the investment. Except for my family and work there is nothing that have given me so much joy the last six months as the 25mm. So I see it as an investment in my well being :)

Another one waiting for the 35-100 here. Dying for fast longer zoom.

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The best shot you take is with the camera that you have with you.

I am very lucky to have the 12, 25, and 45mm primes which are all fantastic lenses. However I do tend to be lazy by keeping the 25mm on my camera most of the time.

My brother is going to Japan this autumn: depending on reviews and user thoughts I'm thinking he could get me a 12-35 for versatility and I can keep the 25mm when I want a wide aperture/smaller size.

I won't miss a stop on the wide angle lens and haven't made much use of the 45mm.... decisions.

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Olympus E-PM1, 12mm f2.0 & 45mm f1.8. Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

Availability in the US is likely to be a lot later than next week - or am I wrong?

But its not for the cost, its because of the review showing it to be softer than the 12-50 at F8.
I could use a weathersealed high quality zoom for hiking, but ill wait for more test to see if i buy it , or wait for an oly one, or buy the 12-60 + adapter.

I'd love to but I'm going to stick with the 12/20/45mm combo for now. I like having the extra light for more challenging scenes.