Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. Lens
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A must have lens!
This lens will strongly make you consider getting rid of your DSLR system and converting to Micro Four Thirds ( unless you are a pro). The advantages are weight reduction, smaller, size, color rendition, bokeh and overall sharpness are profound. Micro four thirds is the simply outstanding, After shooting with it, I am a believer especially when used together to a program like Apple's Aperture 3.14. I do not need any more for an first-rate final p... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Couldn't be happeir
Barely got the lens out of the box and on the camera before I knew this was a nice piece of equipment. I'm using this lens on a GH-1 and only wish I had it last year in Costa Rica! Superb optics, but you'd expect that from Leica.My only caveat is the slow focus under low light.I do like this partnership. I think my next purchase will be the 14-150mm (again Leica, worth every penny!)....
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Leica there is nothing to add.
Leica and Panasonic - these two names speak for itself. No alternative either yet with 2.8 fix lens on market today for micro 4/3 but if you are looking for a fast lens, quality photo and video on your micro 4/3 cameras and auto focus option you'll definitely get what you'll pay for (by the way the price just went up).
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing Lens!
This is very good glass! The image quality is excellent from edge to edge. It works very well with my Panasonich GH2.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great lens
I started using only prime lenses and this is one that I need for close/up and telephoto use. I have an olympus EP-2 and have been purchasing the Panasonic/Leica lenses because the lense quality is noticeably better. The zoom lenses seem to have a lot more barrel distortion with these halh frame camera's. I also shot with a 50D with some L zooms and the distrortion is not that noticable. I believe the price is reasonable and the output is exceptional. Olympus doesn not have anything that compares.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great lens!
As an entomologist who has been into macro photography for years, I was thrilled with this lens. It is tiny, tack-sharp, lovely smooth bokeh, fast focus, good stabilization (at longer focal distances), and weighs almost nothing. I now reach for this lens on my Panasonic GF1 for macro work, rather than pull out the Nikon D90 with 90 mm Nikkor macro. Only complaint is that the manual focus rate slows down dramatically at close focus (takes more rot... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very sharp lens with many uses
I got this lens for closeup work and potraiture. My experience with these two aspects has been limited so far, but I have taken enough shots to get a feel for things. The Macro setting in manual mode takes some getting used to. It requires taking a couple of steps to center in on your target, and that's where the main focus is - right in the center. While the final results are very pleasing, it's a lot easier to get good closeup shots with a manu... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Lens
The micro four-thirds system is still in it s infancy; as such, the lens selection isn't too large. In my opinion this is the best lens in the lineup, so far. Everything, from the optics to the barrel construction, make this lens a true Leica-Elmarit, and I have/do own Leica lenses and optics. I shoot many camera systems including a Nikon D3x, a Hasselblad H3D II, and large format including an 8x10 camera. I know lenses, and all else being equal,... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent results, high price.
Works great with a Panasonic GF1. Also works well with my telescope. It's pricy. It has a small internal rattle when you carry it around, but Panasonic says not to worry. Autofocus doesn't always work up close -- occasionally I have to manually focus to get it in the ballpark, then autofocus for fine tuning, which is better than my manual focus. Autofocus is fast.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Top-Notch Lens
I must preface my comments by saying that my review is based on less than a weeks use. This is good glass! The image quality is excellent from edge to edge. It works well on an Olympus E-PL1. My one con comment is that there seems to be no easy way to determine image size (1:1, 1:2, and the like)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Macro Lens
This lens is just a great addition to the Lumix Gh1. If you have this camera--you need this lens---also great for portraits. Rather expensive however
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Wow - Fantastic
Tack sharp and quick focus on my G2. This now lives on the camera as it produces spectacular results for macro and portrait and general photography. O.I.S. is great for general/portrait shooting but, as usual, not too effective with macro shooting. The only issue I've had is shooting macro when the focus slips off and focuses at infinity it is impossible to get it back without either pointing down at the ground or switching to manual. It would be... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent prime for macro and portrait
I was on the fence for the only Leica branded lens for the m4/3 system, but now that I own it I'm very glad I pulled the trigger. This is a fantastic lens for both macro and portrait. This is one of the only lenses that you'll find yourself shooting macro snapshots with. The very light weight and good image stabilization really lets you feel like you can pop off great super-close shots of things like food, toys and other things you come across in... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Micro Four Thirds addition
Very good auto focus makes handheld macro shooting a breeze. The image stabilization adds a bit of confidence too. Good working distance to macro subjects, yet it can do 1:1 image size. Way smaller than my Canon 100mm macro! Am still exploring the handheld capabilities, and expect even better results when using a tripod. Compact and lightweight, it's very well made. It has a disconcerting rattle of the IS component when not powered up. Lenshade is not deep enough and it doesn't reverse for storage.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Expensive but worth it
Wonderfully sharp, even wide open. Perfect portrait focal length. Nice lens hood included. Very happy with this lens - would give it 5 stars if only it were a bit less pricey.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I find myself using this lens a lot
There is a lot to like about the DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm/F2.8 lens. It is a small, light-weight lens that produces very high quality images. With this lens mounted on my Panasonic G1 camera body the combination feels very well balanced, which makes hand-held photography very pleasant. This lens has image stabilization which helps with hand-holding as well. The focus limit switch is very useful. It speeds up autofocus considerably in those situation... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Lens!
Perfect for macro and portrait and low light shots. Lightweight but also rugged in the best Leica tradition
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Everything that the last reviewer said
...plus it just *feels* good - solid and a little heavy. Optically, I can't find a way to fault it. Zero distortion, zero CA, reasonably fast, very high contrast. 10 / 10.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
WOW!
Can't stop shooting...flowers, food, jewelry, portraits, editorial/street, events...sharp, fast, crisp...typical Leica design quality...combo with GF1 feels like my old M3 'double stroke' only lighter with no stroke!! I hope Panasonic produces more prime models with this quality in the micro four-thirds format. Expensive, but worth it!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
