GX-1 addict - Page 3

nianys · #21 July 29th, 2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhupinder2002

I am afraid to say if you have Panny 20 mm 1.7 then u won't anything major in terms of IQ . PL25 mm 1.4 excels in AF , lowlight and with nice BOKEH but do u we need Bokeh all the time?The biggest disadvantage is the size which seems cumbersome and I had PL25 1.4 for few months and Now I own 20 mm 1.7 again .
Cheers
Bhupinder

The 20 size is an advantage indeed, however you are the first, and only, user that I heard of who didn't dump the 20 for good after trying the 25. The 25 gives better perspective for portraits (no noticeable facial distorsion like the 20 is guilty of), much better colors, depth, contrast and MUCH faster AF. There will be exceptions, probably if you're more into urban than portrait, but a vast majority of people will not justify keeping the 20 once they've tried the 25. I might be biased though, the PL has an addictive power over me, lol.

Al. · #22 July 29th, 2012, 04:15 AM

I believe the GX1 is a modern classic, I had my doughts at first because the EM5 was introduced a few days after I bought it, but not now. My only gripe was the the price of the VF2 , but got a good price for the VF1 on ebay.

But with the VF2 and 20mm, a little gem

nianys · #23 July 29th, 2012, 05:38 AM

Opinions do vary, which is great. To me the 25 has a magical appeal in both focal length and IQ, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I had the 45, acknowledged it's a cracking lens... and almost never shot it due to liking the 25's output better. Sold it, and to be honest, I don't miss it. I miss the idea of having it at hand, but that's gear lust, not photographic need. If I had kept it, it'd be still sleeping in the drawer where it spent most of its short life with me..
Now, as a real dedicated portrait lens, I'd rather have a fast long telephoto. I ordered a Cannon FD 135/2.5, and can't wait to try it. BUt I still believe the 25 will remain my mostly used lens.

addieleman · #24 July 29th, 2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nianys

... a vast majority of people will not justify keeping the 20 once they've tried the 25.

There are those people, like me, who never even tried a PL 25, though I don't know how many we are

. I never got on with the perspective of 25mm just like in the 35mm film I didn't like working with a 50mm. The 20mm perspective just feels very natural to me.

Iansky · #25 July 29th, 2012, 05:58 AM

When I want to travel light, this is my favourite combo - I replaced my much loved and well used GF1 with the GX1 at the end of last year and have no regrets, it is a better camera in all senses for me and the IQ improvements do mean that I now have confidence in using the Auto Iso function.

I also replaced my 20mm with the 25mm and even though it is a bigger & heavier lens, it is amazing and has the advantage of handling AFC - something the 20mm could not.

The LVF2 is also in a different world and is bright, clear with no ghosting - lovely.

This is my current favourite combo:

nianys · #26 July 29th, 2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iansky

When I want to travel light, this is my favourite combo - I replaced my much loved and well used GF1 with the GX1 at the end of last year and have no regrets, it is a better camera in all senses for me and the IQ improvements do mean that I now have confidence in using the Auto Iso function.

I also replaced my 20mm with the 25mm and even though it is a bigger & heavier lens, it is amazing and has the advantage of handling AFC - something the 20mm could not.

I totally agree with your observations. Regarding the LVF2 I'm not all that comfortable with it, but in very bright light it comes handy. I suppose the more I use it, the more I'll get used to it. I turned mine's brightness down 2 notches as it was scorching my eyeballs and not matching the LCD's exposure. Still a bit rough on the eye, but now faithfully renders live exposure. I wonder how similar the G3 VF is ?

Bhupinder2002 · #27 July 29th, 2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nianys

The 20 size is an advantage indeed, however you are the first, and only, user that I heard of who didn't dump the 20 for good after trying the 25. The 25 gives better perspective for portraits (no noticeable facial distorsion like the 20 is guilty of), much better colors, depth, contrast and MUCH faster AF. There will be exceptions, probably if you're more into urban than portrait, but a vast majority of people will not justify keeping the 20 once they've tried the 25. I might be biased though, the PL has an addictive power over me, lol.

I think its because of the name Leica , for portraits I have Oly 45 mm 1.8 which is another lens which u should consider .I am not the only one who dumped PL25 for Panny 20 mm 1.7 , anyhow its just personal preference and that doesn't make PL25 mm 1.4 a villain lens .
Cheers
Bhupinder

nianys · #28 July 29th, 2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhupinder2002

I think its because of the name Leica , for portraits I have Oly 45 mm 1.8 which is another lens which u should consider .I am not the only one who dumped PL25 for Panny 20 mm 1.7 , anyhow its just personal preference and that doesn't make PL25 mm 1.4 a villain lens .
Cheers
Bhupinder

I did have the 45, which is a great lens... but not (to MY taste) as good as the 25. Maybe I got an exceptionally good copy of the PL, I dunno, but mine is really oustanding, especially in color reproduction and micro contrast, as good as it was the 45 couldn't touch it, I wasn't using it so it got sold. Might buy again in the future, unless I get better at MF and chose a fast legacy prime instead.

noohoggin1 · #29 July 29th, 2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nianys

The 20 size is an advantage indeed, however you are the first, and only, user that I heard of who didn't dump the 20 for good after trying the 25. The 25 gives better perspective for portraits (no noticeable facial distorsion like the 20 is guilty of), much better colors, depth, contrast and MUCH faster AF. There will be exceptions, probably if you're more into urban than portrait, but a vast majority of people will not justify keeping the 20 once they've tried the 25. I might be biased though, the PL has an addictive power over me, lol.

I see what Bhupinder means, but when I eventually get the PL25mm, I plan on keeping both that and the 20mm. Different advantages, and different tools for different situations. :) Plus, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a lens addict/collector! ;) Thanks to both of you for your input.

dcassat · #30 July 29th, 2012, 02:07 PM

I've been thinking this may be a better place for you.

Welcome, I enjoy your perspective and photography.