[Leica] M Lenses on GF-1

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

$1100 sounds like a lot of money, but considering the angle of view, 
the file quality and the quite small size it's a very good value. No, 
it has no red dot, but the dot stands for build quality, tradition 
and the assurance of having something top class as well as optical 
performance. The Panasonic seems to have the optical performance, and 
the build quality, while largely of plastic seems first rate for that 
material and the zoom and focus rings are smooth and predictable. 
Centering seems excellent in all Panasonic lenses and that is usually 
one area where manufacturers try to save money. Not here. Nothing 
seems to have been compromised that would reduce optical quality.

The only other lens with similar specs, the Nikon 14-24, is f/2.8, is 
a _lot_ bigger and heavier, has a shorter range, costs a lot more and 
has more distortion while otherwise performing at about the same 
level. Producing a full frame lens does cost more, but the factor is 
not known (by anyone outside of the factory). The Panasonic seems 
excellent value in comparison to the Nikon, unless someone's 
perception of value is reduced substantially by the fact that it's 
'only' a m4/3 lens. Canon especially, and all other manufacturers 
except Nikon should have a wide angle zoom that works as well at any 
price.




At 4:54 PM -0400 4/15/10, David Rodgers wrote:
>Jeffery:
>
>>>...the Panasonic 7-14...it seems like a fantastic lens.<<
>
>At $1,100 and f4 and lacking a red dot -- not to mention only covering a
>Four Thirds chip -- it had better be
>
>I'm very tempted, and I don't want to be. :-)
>
>Dave R
>

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