Question 1

I'm big into the swing dance scene. Indoors, fast action, tight-quarters, and not-great lighting. I have a Lumix G6. Good lens choice? Suggestions?

Accepted Answer

I love this and the other Panasonic f1.7 lenses, but for the difficult conditions you describe, you might consider a (used?)  f1.4 24mm full-frame lens with a speed-boosting adapter for M43. This combination can vary from pricey to cheap. The top of the line would be $1700 for a used Canon EF 24mmf1.4L with a Metabones 0.64x adapter that preserves autofocus and other electronic functions. $400 less for a Used Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Canon EF mount. Cut another $400 for a Viltrox Canon EF auto adapter. If you are skilled at manual focusing in dim light and relying on the great depth of field of wide lenses, a quite serviceable option under $500 total would be a manual Nikon F-mount 24mm f1.4 from such as Samyang or Rokinon with a Viltrox manual speed-boosting adapter. I get good results using a Viltrox adapter and my beloved old Nikon glass with various Panasonic m43 bodies. The angle of view would not be quite as wide and the speed boost would be somewhat less with the Viltrox adapter than with the Metabones. If the angle of view isn't vital, put a 60-year-old Nikon f1.4 50mm on a Viltrox adapter for under $150. I just photographed well-behaved kids opening Xmas gifts in average room light at f1.7 and would not want to be in dimmer light with people moving faster. Doing the math, f1.4/0.71 speed boost = f1.0. f1.7 needs 1.7x1.7=2.89 times as much light as f1.0, which is a difference of 1.5 stops. The adapters work with ALL of my old Nikon glass, so my treasured 30-some-year-old 200mm f4 Micro-Nikkor Becomes a 300mm f2.8 equivalent (Crop factor 2 x 0.71 speed boost x 200mm) with the Viltrox adapter, and is a 400mmf4 equivalent with a glassless adapter, and the butterflies and other bugs don't even know I am there unless I make sudden large movements or cast a shadow on them.

Question 2

Is the aperture ring smooth or has steps when you turn it?

Accepted Answer

Steps.  Clicks.  It also only works with Panasonic u4/3 cameras AFAIK, the Olympus cameras don't support it.

Question 3

Will this lens work on a GH4?

Accepted Answer

I think it will work on any micro four thirds camera. I have used it on another Panasonic mirrorless camera.

Question 4

Will the AF/MF feature on this lens work with the Olympus OM D E-M5 II?

Accepted Answer

The auto focus works brilliantly. I use it on an em1.  The only drawback to an Olympus camera vs a Panasonic is the manual  aperture ring.  It is not active on an Oly. Until Oly update firmware, the lens performs just like an Oly lens, you set aperture in the camera.

Panasonic Lumix G Leica Dg Summilux Lens, 15Mm, F1.7 Asph, Professional Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds, H X015 Usa Black

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