Leica DG Summilux 25mm lens

[hexhome]

I have bought a GH4 on advice from several members. I am considering a 25mm (standard) lens. I want a fairly wide shot but need to be around 50 metres away for noise reasons.
Any experience of this one?

 

[eskil23]

The focal length for a "normal" lens is about 21-22 mm for the micro four thirds system (focal length equals sensor diagonal), so 25 mm is somewhat tighter. That said, one usually want a wider lens than a normal for aerial photography, but that depends on what you want to shoot. I would prefer something like 12-16 mm. Longer focal lengths are more sensitive to vibrations.

Regarding the quality of the Panasonic/Leica DG 25/1,4 ASPH Summilux. Well. It's a Leica. If they ever made a bad lens, I've never heard about it.

 

[hexhome]

Thanks, yes it is slightly tight for standard. I will be filming horses which is why I would like to give myself some distance. The camera shake issue is one of the reasons I was hoping to hear of any experience using longer lenses on multicopters. The only disadvantage of the Leica I can see is that it only goes down to f16, however I can't really see D of F being a huge issue.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[jfro]

It's a f1.4. How low do you want to go? I have one, but haven't flown it. If I get some air time in the next few days, I'll put it on and give it a go to see how stable it is. Can't promise anything, but maybe the weather will break around here one of these days.

 

[eskil23]

Another option is the Olympus 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko Digital. It's about 1/3 the cost and 1/2 the weight of the Summilux. Same focal length, but the aperture only goes to f/2.8.

 

[hexhome]

Another option is the Olympus 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko Digital. It's about 1/3 the cost and 1/2 the weight of the Summilux. Same focal length, but the aperture only goes to f/2.8.

Good call, thanks. f22 as well! On to it. Cheers.

 

[hexhome]

It's a f1.4. How low do you want to go? I have one, but haven't flown it. If I get some air time in the next few days, I'll put it on and give it a go to see how stable it is. Can't promise anything, but maybe the weather will break around here one of these days.

f22, I need a large D of F. Be interested in your findings.

 

[hexhome]

Another option is the Olympus 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko Digital. It's about 1/3 the cost and 1/2 the weight of the Summilux. Same focal length, but the aperture only goes to f/2.8.

Ah, manual focus only, still worth a look though!

 

[eskil23]

If you are going to shoot at f/22 you don't need autofocus. Everything from ten feet to infinity will be within the DoF. However, diffraction will take it's toll on sharpness.

 

[hexhome]

True, those pesky circles of confusion I've bought the Summilux as, a, Couldn't find an Olympus for sale and b, It gets dark in Northumberland this time of year
Will let you know how I get on.

 

[wizprod]

Dont go to f/22, you'll get diffraction and thus loss of sharpness and contrast. Buy a suitable ND filter instead. Or buy a cheap zoom lens instead, as the performance of the 25 mm will be comparable to that at f/22

 

[hexhome]

I don't think that it will be an issue, the Leica only goes down to f16 anyway. With the crop factor of the sensor, I am expecting adequate D of F at that.

 

[hexhome]

Weather has allowed me one 10 minute flight with the 25mm lens. It certainly highlights any movement! The Movi 10 has only had a very basic setup so early days, but I can see that a longer focal length presents challenges.