Panasonic 15mm and other lenses with aperture rings

Buy it!!! You know you "need" it...

 

I have the same set up as shown here, and absolutely love it. If I had to keep just one camera and lens, the choice would be simple, the GM5 coupled with the PL15.
Having an aperture ring is so natural and I can see the setting without the need to raise the camera, or look at the LCD. But there is some room for improvement: in my mind the lens is crying out for a manual focus ring similar like the olympus 1.7/f1.8, and a depth of field scale. The camera itself would greatly benefit from a dedicated dial for shutter speed and exposure compensation. Who needs the PASM and AFC/S as dedicated dials, how often do you need to change these? I'd make them menu options and use the real estate more creatively. Do that Panasonic and I would make the purchase.

 

Don't feel bad, I remember reading a thread where some people were complaining that it was inaccurate... so for at least some, its a purely cosmetic thing. But I do have something I'd like clarified... will using the AF/MF switch on the lens save zone focus settings even if the camera is turned off?

 

If Panasonic had an appetite for such a lens, one wold hope they would learn from the mistake of their competitor and produce a more accurate dual mode lens.

Regarding your query, have you tried it?

Edit: Sorry, thought I was responding to the op. I'll try later and advise.

 

Also, the Voigtlander lenses for m43 are all old school with aperture dials, mechanical focus rings, distance scale as well as having no AF to speak of. Without a doubt, the best feeling native lenses for m43. But again, you do lose AF ability.

 

The answer to aperture rings and non-modal controls is: Fuji.

 

What about the Voigtlander 17.5 f0.95, it looks a lovely lens. Apart from manual focus, the only downside for stills photographers is the click-less aperture ring.

 

thing about voiglander lens, they built like a tank and it's rock heavy on a GM body   last time i play with it, the balance doesn't feel right

 

The aperture ring can be set to click or be silent...

 

I like aperture rings too - why can't Oly support the concept too? Really annoying that this feature isn't part of the standard. I can't believe it would be hard to do.

 

The 15mm is just great... I love it. It´s my all time with me set - together with the GM5...

 

can i ask, if you would consider cv manual focus only lenses, why you limit yourself to 'native' m4/3? there is some gorgeous rf glass out there that balances much better on small m4/3 cameras! and you get distance scales for hyperfocal shooting.

 

The 17.5mm is roughly the same size as the Olympus 12-40 but ~ 50% heavier. The 25mm is slightly smaller. They are very nice lenses, but my O17 gets used more because of size for my everyday lens.