What lens for the PEN-F?

Four suggestions:

• Olympus 17mm f/1.8 - the most stylish option to go with the most stylish body, but also great build, very good optics and small size. Perhaps the most iconic lens in the line-up as a PEN companion.
• Olympus 25mm f/1.8 - apart from the huge 75mm f/1.8, the sharpest of the f/1.8 lenses, very crisp and detailed rendering, images really pop.
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 C - a bit big, but fantastic optics and great rendering; in spite of the long-ish normal, a great all-around lens. My personal favourite - but maybe not that desirable for the PEN.
• Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 - beats the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 (by a hair, but visibly) when it comes to sharpness, but offers O.I.S. (not that you need that with the F) and can focus a lot closer; very versatile lens.

M.

 

Usually Vlog using zoom lens such Pana 12-35mm F2.8 or Oly 12-40mm F2.8. Hmmm like this one, he is using GX8 with 12-35mm F2.8



But if you want to stay in prime lens, either 12mm F2 or 17mm F1.8. I prefer 17mm F1.8 for price and performance.

 

"vlogging" is a vague use-case. What is your budget? What are your preferred equivalent focal lengths?

 

A small correction - the Panny is 42.5mm f/1.7 - but it is a great lens to be certain.

FWIW - the Panny 25mm f/1.7 is also a wonderful piece of glass and affordable too. I have not owned the Oly 25 f/1.8 so can not compare - but I really like the results I get from the Panny.

 

It's a great lens. No issues with mine on any those problems.

Showcase - Olympus 17mm f/1.8

Both these with the Pen-F and the 17/1.8:


Sunset Behind the Mill by Paul Kaye, on Flickr


Winter Sky & Mist by Paul Kaye, on Flickr

 

I also use the Panasonic 20 1.7. A bit slow to focus but the F is a body that screams for a pancake sometimes.

 

I had the 17mm 1.8 before and sold it a few years back. But when I bought the Pen-F, I picked up the 17 again to have a small walk around package. I like it enough, not in love with the combo right now.

-Joe

 

I love the 17mm f1.8 with my Pen-F. I got mine bundled with the camera body, and it instantly became my favourite lens. As MoonMind mention, it makes for a very stylish combo - especially with the metal lens hood attached.
My next favourite lens is the 45mm, and even though sometimes the 45mm is too long and the 17mm is too short, my 25mm is rarely ever used. It's all personal preference obviously, but there's something about the images from the 25mm that just doesn't do it me.

 

Can't say I've ever noticed any vignetting with mine (on the EM5 or EPL5) or any of the other issues you mentioned. For me, the lens is pretty sharp and I've been very happy with the results from it. I use it inside in low light (fantastic for family gatherings or hanging out with friends) and outside simply because it's so sharp and allows for nice DOF.

 

The P20 focuses plenty fast for most photos that I take. If you are trying to photograph a running toddler, then go for something else. For adults and other subjects that will stand still for a moment, the 20 is my go to lens for a small prime. The 17/1.8 is great too. The 20 is a little sharper and for me, the field of view is just right. The 25/1.8 is another great lens but just a little tight for me sometimes. The 42.5/1.7 is another very special lens but is not a good single solution prime unless all you want to do is portraits.

When looking for a single prime, I go back to recommending the 20mm.

PS: I have not tried any of the lenses for video so if Video is the main issue, then I would defer to those with that experience.

 

I plan on useing for light traveling gear so for me I went for the Olympus "trinity" 7-14f2.8 pro, 12-40f2.8 pro, 40-150f2.8 pro
I can't beleave how sharp their lenses are
THis coming from a Nikon D5 full frame user
Jeffcs

 

15mm PL an excellent alternative to the 17/1.8, assuming the wider field of view doesnt bother you.

Any of the 25mm's will be excellent.

It really depends on the focal length you think you'll use.

 

Just one final thought from me... if style and perceived quality is important to you (and if you're buying a Pen F then it probably is!), then it's worth adding that the plastic primes don't really show it off at its best. As well as my 25 and 45 work on the camera, they look cheap in comparison to the body. Maybe it's the contrast between the silver metal of the body and the black plastic, but either way the 12, 17 or 75 look so much better (in any colour).

 

Never seen those criticisms... sometimes the internet is not such a reliable source of information

There is an awful tendency for people to accentuate the negative in their tools

I have not noticed any of those characteristics in my use of the lens... though I actually never actively look for excuses like that to cover up my photographic inadequacies

The 17 was something I bought when flush with cash and thought it would be 'nice' to have ... 3 or 4 years on its still my goto lens for general photography... its maybe a little narrow for the vloging thing, but thats down to your shooting style

for me its sharp

PB250019 by kevinparis, on Flickr

has a pleasant look

P9130067 by kevinparis, on Flickr

and is versatile

P7210021 by kevinparis, on Flickr

more shots here

Olympus 17/1.8

K

 

You guys will probably think I'm nuts, but I really like the Olympus 17mm 2.8 Pancake. It's small, cheap and my copy is pretty sharp wide open!


161106_LA_Streets_FRIOLO_002 by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr


sony_shooter by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr


160814_Nisei_Parade_024 by Jonathan Friolo, on Flickr

 

1) I know you are nuts..!! ... I know what your day job is
2) Must dig out my 17/2.8... after all it was the flagship lens for the launch of the E-P1... we all went to the pana 20 very quickly.. maybe we missed something good. I was into throwing legacy lenses, particularly leica stuff on the e-p1 back then

cheers

K