17mm f1.8 or Panasonic 20mm f1.7 for omd

[apex84]

Is there anyway I can insert a poll? It would be a nice way to see which of the 2 is more popular!

Anyway thanks everyone for the kind feedback! Keep them coming! I'm a noob and every since I got interested in photography I have been struck by the "buy buy buy" virus. I need to make better informed decisions LOL.

 

[NoS77]

The lenses I have are the 14mm 2.5, 17mm f2.8 and the 12-50mm. So as long as the panasonic 1.7mm are on par or faster I won't really know the difference right? Unless it is slower than the lenses I have then I might have a problem.
;p

All I can comment is that it's slower than the 12-50mm kit lens.

 

[apex84]

All I can comment is that it's slower than the 12-50mm kit lens.

damn...

 

[NoS77]

damn...

I tested it out in low light (fast food restaurant) though. YMMV.

 

[chongster]

Bro i am also quite new to this so maybe am missing something, but if you are takinf food and landscape, speed of auto focusing shouldnt really matter so long as it eventually ?
Or are you talking fast lens as in small f number?

actually 14 2.5 is good enough for most candle night dinners

I have also ordered 25mm 1.4 to shoot my kid at explorerkids!

 

[apex84]

Bro i am also quite new to this so maybe am missing something, but if you are takinf food and landscape, speed of auto focusing shouldnt really matter so long as it eventually ?
Or are you talking fast lens as in small f number?

actually 14 2.5 is good enough for most candle night dinners

I have also ordered 25mm 1.4 to shoot my kid at explorerkids!

I think I am suffering from abit of gearlust. Ok I guess I am looking for a fast lens for general everyday purpose, so trying to gather some opinions on what people thing between the 17 and the 20.
I don't have kids right now so I guess af is not that important for now but a fast lens is the key cos I don't like bumping up my iso too much. 14mm abit too wide for my liking =p
Explorerkids is that the one where they play with slides and plastic balls or the outwardbound camp type of obstacle course? :bsmilie:

 

[chongster]

Is the first type in downtown east and quite dark inside

Last weekend i shot my kid at one of those water play ground with the kit lens, finally found good use for the kit!

 

[apex84]

Is the first type in downtown east and quite dark inside

Last weekend i shot my kid at one of those water play ground with the kit lens, finally found good use for the kit!

Young kids these days have a lot of play area choices! 25mm out of my budget for now, would like to have it eventually.
That reminds me I've got to go try using it under the rain one of these days! ;p

 

[Blitzkriegh]

I have the 20mm and noticed the AF is slightly slower only on certain occasions... doesn't bother me much with my shooting style. I have kids and used that often. I also love it for food photography . with enough lighting, af speed is decent. the 20mm is superb given its sharpness it can produce.

With its price and portability, you won't go wrong unless you're very particular to Af speed. For normal everyday shooting, its good enough for me

On the other hand, the oly 17mm is in my radar though. its build and af speed are very good except the price.

 

[maldito]

Yes, 20mm is sharper but I failed to capture some important moments using this lens due to its slow AF. 17mm works well with me and the snap ring is a quick alternative if you want to do MF. I do it using focus peaking workaround with the EM5

 

[apex84]

I have the 20mm and noticed the AF is slightly slower only on certain occasions... doesn't bother me much with my shooting style. I have kids and used that often. I also love it for food photography . with enough lighting, af speed is decent. the 20mm is superb given its sharpness it can produce.

With its price and portability, you won't go wrong unless you're very particular to Af speed. For normal everyday shooting, its good enough for me

On the other hand, the oly 17mm is in my radar though. its build and af speed are very good except the price.

Yes, 20mm is sharper but I failed to capture some important moments using this lens due to its slow AF. 17mm works well with me and the snap ring is a quick alternative if you want to do MF. I do it using focus peaking workaround with the EM5

Got to agree with the both of you. I ordered a 20mm which arrived on tuesday, tested it out, while the images were sharp, there were occassions when AF took really long. It wasn't just in low light, i tried focusing on an object right in front of me and then at another one a few meters away from me, it just couldn't focus quick enough for me. Sold it off to a nice bro ystd and will probably go get the 17mm later in the day.

 

[Oly5050]

The lenses I have are the 14mm 2.5, 17mm f2.8 and the 12-50mm. So as long as the panasonic 1.7mm are on par or faster I won't really know the difference right? Unless it is slower than the lenses I have then I might have a problem.
;p

And it's slower than the 14 2.5

 

[apex84]

Why not get a used 20mmf1.7 shoot it. If it really does not suits your needs, sell off and get the 17mmf1.8. Won't loose to much $ if u take care of the lens.
I have used a 20mmf1.7 and 25mm f1.4. I seriously love the 20mm after trying a so called higher end lens like 25mm. Personal taste.

I used the 17mm2.8 before, and i do think it's still a great lens for the price. FOV betwen a 17mm and 20mm, I personally think not much. But a 25mm and a 20mm FOV seems obvious.

Of course some will "condemn" the 20mm is a wierd FOV.

Do you do a lot of street shooting? If so, go for the 17mm! There's a snap focus mode very useful for streets and thus even faster snapping. Else 20mm is a more versatile + pancake + sharper wide open. Stop down not a whole lot difference though. You did mention for food, in this aspect, 20mm is great. But still depends what's your preference, shooting style.

I tested it out in low light (fast food restaurant) though. YMMV.

My results didn't vary haha.

 

[apex84]

And it's slower than the 14 2.5

Got to agree with u in some situations significantly.

 

[jweak]

The 20 is v sharp n compact. But it hunts during af sometimes n if its too dark cannot even lock. I don't hv the 17 1.8 to try yet.

Totally agree. Thats why i went over to 17mm. But the 20mm is really sharp on a nice outdoor bright day. May try the 25mm. for more close up potrait

 

[maldito]

Don't get it wrong. I find the 17mm is sharp on center. The sides a bit front focusing. The 20mm just happens to be sharper

 

[Gulliver]

Totally agree. Thats why i went over to 17mm. But the 20mm is really sharp on a nice outdoor bright day. May try the 25mm. for more close up potrait

Sorry for the disappointment. I think the The 20mm is still sharper than the 25mm! I was a little disappointed too. But then, the focus motor is really good for the 25mm. It can constantly keep up with the change of focus. Normally, I would just use the 25mm for kids and 20mm for inanimated object.

 

[Avis05]

Which would you recommend for shooting children - 17 f2.8 or pana 20mm? I feel 17mm f1.8 and 25mm are still too ex for me. I am using Ep3 / OMD.

My apologies on side-trackking.

 

[Gulliver]

Which would you recommend for shooting children - 17 f2.8 or pana 20mm? I feel 17mm f1.8 and 25mm are still too ex for me. I am using Ep3 / OMD.

My apologies on side-trackking.

Given the choice, I would take 20mm. Never used 17mm before, but seen the comparison, it is not even comparable to the 14mm (from review). I have the 20mm since it was first introduced. And have been using it taking my growing up kids. Yes, the lens is slow. But not unusable and it is capable of stunning result.

 

[Oly5050]

Given the choice, I would take 20mm. Never used 17mm before, but seen the comparison, it is not even comparable to the 14mm (from review). I have the 20mm since it was first introduced. And have been using it taking my growing up kids. Yes, the lens is slow. But not unusable and it is capable of stunning result.

Agreed. The 17 2.8 is a hunter too. So u might as well get the 20mm.