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14mm F2.5 Panasonic lens and comparison with 20mm 1.7
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  • Correct, referring to GH1 firmware v1.2 as described on panny website here:
    http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/gh1.html
  • There is no official GH2 firmware 1.1, it is still 1.0 ...
  • I believe the camera firmware(v1.1), not the lens firmware determines the AF speed in this instance.
    Sorry, didn't make that distinction.
    I've not been successful yet in finding a camera v1.1 to test.
  • @JDN,
    Thank you, I will have to think about your suggestions as Nokton is not so cheap (my dream lens) ....
    @woody123
    The firmware on my 20mm 1.7 is 1.1 but still feels slow (not as fast as 14-45 mm) ...

    I will be buying a wide-angle converter x .7 in order to get it act as 14mm and have read
    that in some cases helps with auto focus, it gets faster ...
    The adapter I'm considering:
    Digital King DSW Pro 0.7x Wide Angle Lens 52mm at Amazon got top reviews and it weights only 65g,
    not much pressure on focusing barrel to 20mm 1.7, I think.
  • The 20mm f1.7 had faster AF prior to the v1.2 firmware.

    From Panny Website:

    2009/9/17
    Ver 1.2

    1. Improved Auto Focus performance for the subject in low contrast.
    2. Decreased the operation noise of Auto Focus in Motion Picture recording for H-H020 lens.
    (In order to minimize the operation noise of Auto Focus, the Auto Focus operation speed is reduced in Motion Picture recording.)


    Is it possible we can get the AF speed on the 20mm returned to prior levels?

    Vitaliy, Do you have old v1.1 Firmwares around to compare?

    Can't find an old v1.1 to download, not even archive has a valid copy:
    http://web.archive.org/web/20090627094447/http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/gh1.html
  • PL 25. AF. No OIS. $599. Nokton 25mm at $1199.
  • PS: Keep in mind there is a Leica branded panny 25 mm lens coming out this fall as well (I think...right?) it will probably only get down f1.4 but will have AF and (maybe OIS? -- or is that wishful thinking). Will be in the same price range as the voigtlander.
  • The 14mm is cheap (B&H online) and versatile (ETC turns it into a near 50 mm which is handy). Personally been very happy with it (I shoot B/C-cam / casting in TV) . The aperture difference (2.5 versus 4) is significant depending on what you shoot -- f2.5 will allow you to shoot at sunset at iso 160 and night at higher but still useable isos (same goes for indoors), while you can't get into pretty risky iso territory with f4. AF is fast, and more importantly if you're shooting with any onboard mic, silent.

    If you have time to compose your shots, looking towards drama as opposed to doc, yes, save up for the voiglander -- it is beautiful. If you like that look, but would use it only rarely, by a 50mm f1.4 cannon lens on ebay for $100 and an adaptor and be happy with that. For doc or just a lot of run and gun, AF is really a gift (and gives you a nice bit of security -- with shallow depth of field, you do have to put in a bit of time with every shot (eg pushing in the click wheel, turning past focus then back into focus) to make sure you are truly in focus -- you can get caught as the lcd of the gh2 is simply not up to par compared to other gh2 -- it's one big failing compared to other competitors IMO).

    Depending on your needs and style you may also want to consider the 7-14mm -- I vetoed it because I couldn't stick a uv filter on it, and since I shoot in sandy, wet and grimy locations, not having protection was a deal breaker. That said, once you get much beyond 14 mm in m43s you start to get some distortion in a lot of settings, which is unoticeable in stills but distracting in video.

    Anyway, for what it's worth, there my two cents. Hope it's helpful.
  • The voigtlander is phenomenal and worth every penny.
  • @Mimirsam
    Thank you,
    no i do not need more zoom at present time, for zoom may be later 100 - 300 mm would be great ...

    Than is better to save the money and buy Voigtländer 25mm 0.95 for "controlled" footage , actions ...
  • Sorry yeah more DOF
    personally I wasnt a big fan of the 14-140mm its not as good as its price suggest...unless you want zoom.
    I would keep the 14-42mm if you want stability as the 14mm has none and the aperture isnt a great deal more. AF is good enough on this.
    Ive been shooting a short film with wides (samyang 8mm,panny 14mm &14-42mm) and have given me decent results.
  • @Mimirsan
    Thank you.

    I'm thinking is it worth buying this or not ...
    As I own also kit lens 14-42 it has OIS (optical stabilizer) the only benefit i see on aperture ...
    So if I use it with hand stabilizer (i mean running, walking with steady cam etc ...), there is no OIS on 14mm pancake ...
    The 20mm i cant use cause of slow focus , action scenes requires a fast auto focus when running with steady cam , at same time 20mm is great for night shooting ...
    Should I forget 14mm pancake and save money for 14-140 HD version video optimized ?
  • You mean more (DOF), right?
  • AF is great on the 14mm...I use it more than the 20mm for out and about shooting ;-)
    Less DOF