What’s the Best Lens for Micro Four Thirds?
Get Panasonic lenses for Micro Four Thirds at B&H Photo.
In my view, the best lens available today for the Micro Four Thirds format is the Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH; see my review of the Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH in Guide to Mirrorless.
The 42.5/1.2 is now being offered with a $100 instant savings through August 2nd.
Also on my “must have” list for M4/3 are the Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 Summilux.
The Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 DG Summilux shares the brilliance and sharpness characteristics—with a twist.
John L writes:
My 4-year-old yanked the cord between camera and computer when I was upgrading firmware to ver 1.1 for my Lumix/Leica Nocticron 42.5. I have an Olympus Pen E-P5 and used Olympus' Digital Camera Updater for the process. It gave me a due warning not to touch the camera (red stop signs at the rear screen) and this was all it took to trigger my daughters curiosity.
Now the lens is a paperweight. It produces no image and isn't even 'seen' by the camera. I have also tried it on a Lumix GM1 to no avail. I also tried to upgrade via the Lumix camera (download to formatted memory card), but the Lumix simply states that "lens was not attached properly".
The lens was sent to Panasonic for repair on May 31st and after 2 months it still hasn't been returned. Allegedly this is due to problems with Polish customs authorities (Panasonic has its European service department in Poland), but I have seen no documentation. I think this should serve as a warning to people considering buying these fully electronic lenses. Mishaps do actually happen, and in this case it has rendered my USD 2000 lens useless. Also, I'm really frustrated over Panasonic dragging it's feet.
DIGLLOYD: Years from now, Zeiss Zeiss ZF.2 lenses will still function fine. Proof of this is in using a ZF.2 with purely mechanical adapter on Canon, or a failed CPU chip on Nikon—the lens can still be used. As for service, we have it relatively good here in the USA.