Summary

The author enthusiastically endorses the Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, detailing its appeal and performance.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses a strong preference for the Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 lens, which they recently purchased after much anticipation. They find the lens's focal length ideal for their needs, noting its versatility and the joy of its close focusing capability, which surpasses initial expectations. The lens's aesthetic appeal, including its attractive lens hood, is also highlighted. The author appreciates the lens's fast and silent autofocus, especially when paired with their current E-P1 camera, and looks forward to even better performance with a future Olympus PEN-F. The article concludes with the author's assertion that the lens is without compromise, offering a perfect balance of features, including a wide aperture, close focusing, and a focal length that suits their shooting style.

Opinions

The author loves the lens, considering it possibly the best they have ever owned.
The 15mm focal length (30mm equivalent on full-frame) is described as the author's new favourite, offering a perfect balance between width and subject isolation.
The lens's ability to focus as close as 10 cm, rather than the 20 cm initially read in a review, is a pleasant surprise and a significant advantage for the author.
The lens is praised for its fast and silent autofocus, which is particularly appreciated when using it with the E-P1 camera.
The lens's physical appearance, including its sexy lens hood, is highly regarded, with the author emphasizing the importance of a lens looking good.
The author recommends this lens to other Micro Four Thirds users, provided they can afford it, and suggests that there are no areas of compromise with this lens.

A Luscious Leica Lens In London

This actually might be the best lens I’ve ever owned…

This is not a lens review. I do not care about chromatic aberration, and I am not overly bothered about distortion. Neither will I lose sleep over a loss of sharpness in the corners. All that matters to me is, do I love the lens? If so, why? If not, why not?

Spoiler: I love this lens. Here’s why.

I scraped my pennies together and decided to buy the incredible Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7.

It was a toss up between this and a Fujifilm X20.

It was a close call, but the lens won.

Looks like I’m sticking with Micro Four Thirds, then.

My long term plan is to save up even more pennies and eventually buy a used Olympus PEN-F. What a momentous occasion that will be.

For now, however, the Leica 15mm (and I enjoy calling it a Leica, rather than a Panasonic) sits contentedly on my E-P1, and they’re both having a great time.

To celebrate, I’d to share some photos with you from a recent day trip to London, as well as telling you some things I enjoy about this lens.

It hits my focal-length sweet spot.

A 15mm lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera is equivalent to a 30mm lens on a full-frame camera.

I used to think that my favourite focal length was 50mm (full frame).

Then I purchased a Panasonic 20mm (40mm equivalent), and loved it.

But now, hello, 30mm. Just a little wider.

Nope, it’s not that wide, really. But it’s a lot wider than 50mm, and I’m really enjoying it.

It focuses close (enough).

I read a review and was informed that it could focus as close as 20 cm. I was reasonably happy with this.

However when I attached the lens to my camera and shoved it up close to an object, I realised the review was wrong.

It’s not 20 cm.

It’s TEN. I guess my research wasn’t thorough enough.

But I’m not complaining, because, Happy Days! A lens that can focus on something only 10 cm away is a winner in my book.

Couple that with a bright 1.7 aperture and we’re practically in lens heaven.

This definitely isn’t a macro lens, but 10 cm is incredibly acceptable.

The above photo is a coffee (koffee) cup from Omotesando. I’ve been wanting to visit this coffee shop for years, and finally made it. The boy and I had to walk about ten minutes from the tube station to get there.

It’s the kind of coffee shop where proper cool people go. I even saw someone with a real Leica camera. *Gasp!*

The Japanese barista was wearing a lab coat, like making my coffee was some kind of scientific experiment. (Photo by me)

Test tubes of coffee beans. (Photo by me)

It focuses quickly and silently.

Say goodbye to rattly focus and unsubtle noisy photography.

This lens is a ninja.

Plus, it’s super fast. And this is with the E-P1.

Can you imagine how fast it’s going to focus when it eventually meets the PEN-F?

Lightning fast probably isn’t an exaggeration.

It has a sexy lens hood.

Not only does this lens create incredible images, it also looks amazing.

It’s tiny.

But it came with a lens hood.

And with the hood attached, it is very handsome indeed.

I like a lens that looks good.

There’s no excuse for an ugly lens, really.

If you own a Micro Four Thirds camera, this lens is a must-buy, if you can afford it.

This is all quite unexpected, really. First of all, having had enough money to buy this lens in the first place, but secondly, enjoying it as much as I am.

I wrote in my sub-heading that it might be the best lens I’ve ever owned.

The reason I write this is because I can’t find any area of compromise in it. Usually a lens does a couple of things extremely well and I have to live with a couple of things it doesn’t do well.

For example, a lens might focus closely but the focal length is too narrow. Or it might be a wide angle lens but the aperture isn’t large enough for my liking.

This lens is the perfect focal length for me. It focuses closely. It has a large aperture. It’s fast, silent and very attractive.

Oh, and, it says ‘Leica’ on the front. Ha!

Whatever. It’s a beaut.

Snap it up if you can.