Author Topic: Ep-1 with Leica D 25/1.4? (Read 4603 times)

Rurouni · « **on:** July 21, 2009, 07:29:05 AM »

Has anyone tried out this combi yet?

I know its kinda large compared to the EP-1 but how's the performance AF wise and IQ wise?

The 4/3s system in generally is really tempting due to the high quality lenses available for reasonable prices.

Jeremias · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:54:59 PM »

I have the 25mm f/1.4, but haven't tried it on the E-P1... I don't have the adapter.

I use it on my E-620 and the IQ is incredible as is the bokeh at f/1.4! The AF is ok, not as smooth as new lenses, but for me it works since I generally shoot inanimate things. My guess the IQ probably compares to the E-P1 on the E-620, don't know about the AF though. I'm still not sure about getting the 43rds to m43rds adapter yet... I wish it were black!

Rurouni · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2009, 02:30:21 AM »

Hi Jeremias,

Thanks for the inputs on the lens, I've been browsing the net for images and its really very sharp even wide open, I'm seriously considering it or the Sigma 30/1.4. By the way, how does the PanLeica 25/1.4 focus with your Oly body while in liveview mode? Is it very sluggish?

Some people tell me that it focuses pretty fast with it and some say slow so I'm not too sure who to believe heh. If you do get the adaptor, I read on the forums that the Panasonic 4/3 to m4/3 adaptor is much cheaper than the equivalent Oly one.

And silver body with black lens is v nice!

Jeremias · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2009, 05:43:46 AM »

I was considering the Sigma as well when I was getting it, but it doesn't seem to be a sharp... people seem to be really divided about it, they either love it or say it is a piece of junk.

The 25mm f/1.4 works pretty well in liveview... there is a little lag due to the mirror popping back down and then back up, but not too bad... remember I don't shoot too many moving subjects, so it doesn't bother me. The one thing that irks me about the lens is that it doesn't focus very closely and when using liveview, if it is too close, it pops the mirror down and refocuses and then takes the picture, which takes a few seconds! Other than that it is an amazing lens, especially wide open.

Rurouni · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2009, 07:30:18 AM »

Hmm maybe you should try it with the adapter? I think even though its a big lens, the CD-AF on the EP-1 would be more user friendly since there is no mirror. You should probably try it in a camera shop though because the Olympus adapter is pretty pricey.. Ard USD150 for one! But it should give you full electronic coupling.

I'm doing my research now, I don't mind paying more (actually its 2x the price of the Sigma) if it has average AF. Otherwise I will get a Voigtlander adapter and invest more on their manual lenses.

Jeremias · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2009, 12:51:57 PM »

I really like the e-p1 for the size and the lens would ruin that for me, so I can't decide if I will ever get the adapter. I agree with you on the af speed... w/o a mirror it should be a lot better. I have the OM to m43rds adapter and love it!

edch · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:09:28 PM »

When I attached the Panny/Leica 25mm f/1.4 to E-P1, I noticed some "Z Z" sound from the lens. The sound was similar to the noise recorded on video when C-AF was in action. At first, I thought that the AF was hunting. Then I found that the aperture was closing and then fully opened. The noise would be gone if the shutter was half pressed.

I heard that there was a bug needed to be fixed by firmware upgrading.

Federico Alberto · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2009, 04:03:02 AM »

Night Gear

It worked perfectly for me last Saturday. I was even able to shoot video (discreetly of course). The sharpness is simply amazing. Here's the one shot I've shared so far in my flickr gallery:

First, Last, Everything... - Gloria Gaynor performs a Barry White duo with her singing partner. (Taken at Santo Domingo's Hard Rock Cafe, 1 August 2009).

Olympus E-P1
Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH
MMF-1 FourThirds/Micro FourThirds adaptor
Aperture Priority Mode
f/1.4
ISO 1600
25mm
1/125
Metering: Matrix
White Balance: Auto
Hand-held monopod
No Photoshop
No HDR
No flash

e_dawg · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:49:47 AM »

Looks good, Federico... Was that shot cropped at all?

Also, looking at the EXIF data, wondering if it might be good to shoot at f/1.4 and say 1/80 sec for shots like those so you can lower the ISO to 1000? I'm just thinking how to minimize noise and optimize image quality... (not that the E-P1 is bad at 1600 ISO or anything)

Federico Alberto · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:19:23 PM »

Yes, I did crop a little bit of the top and the left to eliminate unwanted distractions from a badly set-up scenario.

Of course you're right about improving IQ with lower ISO levels. In fact, I have many an excellent shot at ISO 400.

But remember: these performers are moving all the time. If you want to really freeze them in action in aperture priority mode, without flash, and at the widest aperture possible (f/1.4, in this case), then the ISO level that resulted in a shutter speed of 1/125 was ISO 1600.

e_dawg · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2009, 06:49:13 AM »

Yes, good point about subject motion. I thought 1/80 would be a good enough speed for most subjects, but probably not if they are moving quickly. I like to use 1/100 sec at weddings if I have enough light, but I'll drop down to 1/60 sec or even 1/40 sec if it's really dark (taking my chances with motion blur for my subjects).

terencet · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:46:26 PM »

Quote from: Federico Alberto on August 04, 2009, 04:03:02 AM

It worked perfectly for me last Saturday. I was even able to shoot video (discreetly of course). The sharpness is simply amazing. Here's the one shot I've shared so far in my flickr gallery:

Gloria Gaynor sings a Barry White duo with her singing partner. (Taken at Santo Domingo's Hard Rock Cafe, 1 August 2009).

Olympus E-P1
Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH
MMF-1 FourThirds/Micro FourThirds adaptor
Aperture Priority Mode
f/1.4
ISO 1600
25mm
1/125
Metering: Matrix
White Balance: Auto
Hand-held monopod
No Photoshop
No HDR
No flash

WOW, Thats great! does this lens auto focus on the E-P1?

zentrum · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2009, 11:41:51 PM »

I'm answering for him - but yes, it does autofocus. All fourthirds and microfourthirds lenses will. Question for Frederico - is it a little unwealdy at that size? Or does it still have a 'smallish' feel?

Federico Alberto · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2009, 09:32:41 AM »

Quote from: zentrum on August 05, 2009, 11:41:51 PM

I'm answering for him - but yes, it does autofocus. All fourthirds and microfourthirds lenses will. Question for Frederico - is it a little unwealdy at that size? Or does it still have a 'smallish' feel?

It feels OK for me. It helps, of course, to use the hand grip. Specially if you want to shoot some video.

pkloo · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2009, 05:32:51 PM »

awesome..........photo

voyager · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2009, 05:54:55 PM »

That is a nice photo!

fallenleafs · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2009, 07:30:41 PM »

I realize this is a bit of an older post but I use the Pen with P/L 25mm 1.4 and wanted to share a couple of photos taken with this combo. These are taken in available light at F1.4.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2009, 06:58:59 AM »

what a great lens ,it seems quite sharp wide open ,i wish they would make a 25 1.4 for the m4\3 mount it could be 1\3 the size and weight

the necessary image circle is so much smaller for the ep-1 im sure some astounding lenses will be available in ther coming years

look at the size of the pentax110 24 2.8 which is actually the size of a bottle cap, its image circle is roughly correct for m4\3 , and imagine it about 2 stops faster it would probably be the size of one of the smaller voigtlander lenses

Author Topic: Ep-1 with Leica D 25/1.4? (Read 4603 times)

Rurouni

Jeremias

Rurouni

Jeremias

Rurouni

Jeremias

terencet

Related Topics

Find Something?

Recent Topics

Recent Gallery