Panasonic H-H014 Lumix G 14mm, f/2.5 Aspherical Lens for Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount Systems

2011-11-06T19:00:00

For what it is – a very small, sharp, fast lens for an affordable price – it's great. The build-quality is also note-worthy. It's the perfect complement to a G series or Pen camera when you're going for portability. And its speed and focal length are great for street photography.But let's not get carried away. I find I'm having to stop down at least 3 or so stops before the aberration and fringing are tolerable. I'm not a street shooter generally, so this lens will basically be my discrete, all-purpose travel lens. However, the new M43 Summilux is on an entirely different scale of quality. If you're looking for your primary M43 lens, spend a little more and get the Summilux, which has vastly superior IQ with much finer, smoother manual focusing controls. However, this little 14mm is a great complement for it's portability, and ultra-fast autofocus, and sharpness (when stopped-down).I'm trying to hold-out buying the Olympus 12mm until we know for sure whether Panasonic and Leica will introduce a wide-angle to round-out the family with a wide-angle complement to the Summilux and Macro-Elmarit. However, whether I end up getting that or the Oly 12mm, I'll definitely be keeping this little guy for its portability and discretion.One last thing. It's lame when lenses don't ship with hoods, but it's also common for lenses at this price point so I don't blame Panasonic. But you will see much better results with this lens if you pick-up a $20 metal hood for it off [@].

drinkonlyscotch

2011-09-03T21:00:00

The lens is used for outdoor landscape, urban grab shots, and indoor groups/social events w/o flash. Unbelievably small and compact, easy to use with polarizer (unlike many m4/3 lenses), and razor-sharp under all circumstances. Results are indistinguishable in 11 x 14 prints from Nikon D80 w/Nikon prime WA lenses.

ROBERT G.

2011-01-11T19:00:00

With the wide angle 14mm along with the 20mm it almost completes a system. All the is now missing is a fast 40 to 50mm lens for portraits.

DENNIS M.