Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1,4 Asph. [H-X012]

[Mistral75]

Essai du Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1,4 Asph. sur Panasonic DMC-GX80, Olympus E-PL1 et Olympus O-MD E-M5 Mark II par Maciej Latałło pour LensTip.com :

Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1.4 ASPH review - LensTip.com

Leur exemplaire était malheureusement décentré .

Points forts :

- fût solide et en métal
- très bonne qualité d'image au centre
- qualité de l'image appréciable sur les bords (en considérant la moyenne des mesures)
- aberration chromatique latérale négligeable
- diminution rapide du vignetage en diaphragmant
- autofocus silencieux, rapide et efficace.

Points faibles :

- nette différence de piqué entre les côtés gauche et droit
- des problèmes d'aberration chromatique longitudinale
- coma préoccupante en partie droite du champ
- distorsion élevée pour les fichiers RAW,
- la performance en contre-jour aurait pu être meilleure.

It would be difficult not to examine the results of the tested lens in the context of its price. Like almost everything with the word "Leica" in their name the lens is expensive – currently you have to pay for it as much as $1,300. Compare that to the price tag of the Fujinon XF 16 mm f/1.4R WR, a lens which provides the same angle of view on the bigger APS-C sensor, which is less than $1,000. For a similar amount of money you can buy the full frame Sigma A 24 mm f/1.4 DG HSM. Even the Canon EF 24 mm f/1.4L II USM is slightly cheaper than the Panaleica, tested here. Only Nikon demands more for their Nikkor AF-S 24 mm f/1.4G ED; with a price tag of $2,000 it is the most expensive of all the lenses described in this test.

It's worth emphasizing the fact that full frame 1.4/24 lenses are not only more difficult to design but also, unlike the Panasonic, their optics is responsible for distortion correction without any help from camera's software. In that light even if the results of the Panasonic were outstanding in every category it still should be criticized for its exorbitant price.

Meanwhile the cons list, ending our test, is quite long. The slip-up concerning the uneven sharpness spread is another example, after our binoculars' endurance test in which Leica products didn't exactly distinguish themselves, that quality control problems can concern even the most renowned companies on the market. Still it's possible that this time the scolding should go to Panasonic as I suppose that company is responsible for the quality control of products released under the joint name of Leica Panasonic.

[alexz]

Je m'interroge également sur l'intérêt de cette optique qui sera utilisée majoritairement vers f5,6...

Une focale fixe à 1.300 € moins piquée qu'un zoom 12-100 f4 , au centre comme sur les bords  

[tribulum]

1300 euros pour une optique décentrée ça fait mal au bas du dos. Ils n'ont peut-être pas eu de chance avec cet exemplaire, mais ça reste de mauvaise augure (formule optique propice à la loterie). Un 12mm ouvrant à 2 ou 2,8 et bon des la pleine ouverture suffirait amplement. Le rapport Q/P du 12 Oly ne fait pas trop envie non plus.

[Mistral75]

Tiens, le Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1,4 Asph. aurait lui aussi été conçu par Sigma.

12mm F1.4 for m4/3 from SIGMA | An image on a sensor | So-net blog

La formule optique du Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1,4 Asph.

[Mistral75]

Le premier exemple du brevet Sigma 2017-167327. Les surfaces asphériques décrites dans le texte correspondent aussi. C'est bien la même formule.

On apprend au passage que l'objectif st un 12 mm f/1,45.

[Mistral75]

Mise à jouir en version 1.1 du logiciel embarqué du Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 12 mm f/1,4 Asph. :

https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/x012.html

• It is possible to control AF operation by pressing the shutter button halfway, or by pressing the AF-ON button, when [200.00p] is set in high frame rate video mode.
     
• [Focus Ring Control] is available by this firmware update. (in case of the usage of Camera with this function)
     
• Improved AF performance in FPS 24p mode (24.00p/23.98p).
  
  
  
  
  • Compatible products as of March 1st, 2022 : DC-GH6/DC-GH5M2

[Nikojorj]

Un essai sur PhotographyLife :
https://photographylife.com/reviews/panasonic-leica-summilux-12mm-f-1-4-asph

Verdict

Reasons to buy:
    Very wide f/1.4 maximum aperture
    Extremely sharp, even with an opened aperture
    9-bladed diaphragm creates soft and pleasant bokeh
    Makes shooting in low light easy
    Overall very high quality glass with great optical performance
    Very well-built with a weather-resistant design

Reasons not to buy:
    High price
    Relatively bulky for micro four thirds
    Moderate vignetting and chromatic aberration
    Is a 12mm the right focal length for you?

The bottom line with the Panasonic Leica 12mm f/1.4 is that you are paying extra for half a stop or so of light with superb sharpness at 12mm. Anybody considering this lens must ask themselves if that extra light is worth it, and if a focal length of 12mm is exactly what they are looking for. If their answer is yes, then this lens is without a doubt exactly what they need, and it's worth the high price. This lens is extremely bright, sharp, and well-built.

Une photo de ciel étoilé en 2000px de large montre une coma bien visible à PO, et une autre avec le soleil dans le champ montre une belle étoile de diffraction sans aucune image fantôme ni flare évident.