Specs
Good deal - Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 Lumix G Aspherical Lens for Micro 4/3 System - with Bundle for $148
EU deal at 142 EUR
New firmware v1.1
Improved focusing stability when using the Lens Position Resume function.
http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/h025.html
Of course sample variation exists. But is it bad enough to affect lens reviews? Can it make a bad lens look good or a good lens look bad? After this test I honestly doubt that. Sample variation can be measured, but only in extreme cases it is visible in real life shooting. My conclusion is therefore, that it is perfectly fine to use just one copy of a lens for a review.
Very good and affordable lens. Used it few times and just love it.
Sharpness is exceptional. The Lumix 25mm ƒ/1.7 provides sharp images straight out of the gate at ƒ/1.7, and while stopping down technically provides statistically sharper images, you'd have to peep pretty closely to see any kind of practical difference.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/lenses/panasonic/25mm-f1.7-asph-lumix-g/review/
Promising lens. And for $99...
Solid – it is perhaps one word that fits the tested Panasonic 1.7/25 the best. There are no fireworks but also no slip-ups. In many categories you see good or at least decent results; add to that a very sensible price and you get a lens even more worth recommending than the more expensive and a tad slower Olympus 1.8/25
http://www.lenstip.com/468.1-Lens_review-Panasonic_Lumix_G_25_mm_f_1.7_ASPH._Introduction.html
Unfortunately, Panasonic has advised us that they will be unable to honor the sale price of 99.99 and since we are unable to provide the item at the sale price we had to cancel the order.
This seems like thing contradicting with law. As it is not your problems that retailer somehow have changed terms from manufacturer and now want to pass them to you declaring lens "not available".
I got this response after I complained from B&H.
"Thank you for your order and this feedback. We regret your dissatisfaction. Panasonic has advised their authorized retailers not to expect any deliveries of this lens for months, if ever. In a dpreview forum I found this comment:
"we have just learned from Panasonic this morning that they will not be honoring the instant savings at this point, forcing us to cancel all the orders at that price." ---from a Unique Photo rep.
We regret circumstances beyond our control have created this unfortunate situation. The combination of the lens’ unavailability and Panasonic’s reversal of their assurances regarding the price forced retailers’ hands. At http://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-and-camcorders/lumix-camera-lenses/H-H025K.html Panasonic says, “This item is currently not available,” with no indication of when, if ever, it will again be available."
and
"I apologize for the situation and need to cancel the order. Unfortunately, Panasonic has advised us that they will be unable to honor the sale price of 99.99 and since we are unable to provide the item at the sale price we had to cancel the order. As well, being that the sale was in conjunction with Panasonic the savings can’t be passed onto an alternate item. We are sorry for the wait and inconvenience that has been caused."
So BH collected interest on a zillion dollars of backordered lenses. THEY don't hate our Freedom, they hate our Customer Service !
My order was just cancelled after ordering in December.
I contacted B&H and was informed that they canceled my order. My money was refunded to my Paypal account about an hour latter.
It seems that the price in US is too low to cover the production cost of the lens. I found no single camera store in the Netherlands that would sale the lens bellow 199 Euro. Even at that price, the existence of this lens has made 20mm f1.7 price second hand price around 150-170 Euro. That crazy because Panasonic seems has a lot of "overstock" of this lens at 299-329 Euro price new! How they can sale new 20mm f1.7 if 25mm f1.7 which is HD capable is very competitive in price.
Phew, very grateful mine has already arrived! :-D
Paid 1.5 month ago but no message yet
Edit: Its actually 10weeks already. I got twice email "not yet" but now there is no sign of my order on their page. Paid by Paypal on 24 Nov.
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