Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 prime lens

<p>I'm thinking of picking up a Lumix G 20/1.7 prime to use on my G1 body. I have a G1 to use with my manual focus Canon FD lenses, but thought it would be good to get a fast normal AF prime to use on the body as well. I use fast FD and EF normal and short telephoto primes (35/1.4, 50/1.2, and 85/1.2) alot for indoor, available light portraiture (as well as for general outdoor use) on my full frame FD and EOS bodies, and thought that the 20/1.7 would serve similar purposes on my G1 (since on a 2x crop body, its effective focal length would be 40mm).</p>

<p>So my questions are, what is your experience with the 20/1.7, and would it be a suitable lens to used for my intended applications? I am aware that the high ISO capability of the G1 doesn't come near that of my EOS 5D II.</p>

<p>The Lumix G 20/1.7 prime performs well for the purpose you describe. The lens is sharp. Wide open there is quite a bit of vignetting which decreases as the aperture increases. All things being equal, the DOF is about double the DOF in the 135 film format. The bokeh is acceptable. The AF is very reliable. The G1 is very convenient to carry with the 20/1.7.</p>

<p>If you feel a angle-of-view is suitable for your available light work, you will enjoy owning the 20/1.7.</p>

 

<p>I bought my G1/zoom kit a little more than a year ago with eyes on then announced 20/1.7. I bought my 20/1.7 on the day it was released and it has been virtually glued on G1 since then. With the movable AF point of G1, the lens should be fun to use for portraiture, too. It's a wonderful all-round lens.</p>

<p>I'm about to order one myself. The 20/1.7 is small and light, fast, and produces very nice results based on the tests I've done with it (two friends bought it with a GF1, I've had the pleasure of testing it for myself :-). It fits beautifully on the G1. <br /><br /> Only thing I'm annoyed about is that Panasonic doesn't offer a proper lens hood for it, but there's a nice one offered by Ebay seller "heavystar" that fits perfectly (I recommended it to my friend who bought it so I've used with this hood fitted.) Here's the URL: <br /><br /> <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Metal-46mm-Standard-Screw-in-Lens-Hood-E46_W0QQitemZ360213656109QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLens_Accessories?hash=item53de68322d#ht_500wt_1021" target="new1">cgi.ebay.com/New-Metal-46mm...</a> <br /><br /> It does fit the lens perfectly and is only $10 so not much to complain about. I believe a 52mm snap-on lens cap fits the hood too.</p>

<p>The hood for 20/1.7 I really want is the one like the dedicated hood for Ai-P Nikkor 45/2.8. I think that's the perfect design for this type of lens.</p>

<p>Ach, that's like the one Olympus offers for the ZD 25/2.8 (wrong thread size) and Pentax offers for their 40/2.8 Ltd (again wrong thread size). </p>

<p>But I never like those kinds of hoods. One of the functions of a hood I want is to protect the lens from my fingers, and those "mini hoods" just don't do that particularly well. Gimme a nice, deep, standard lens hood anyday. ;-)</p>

<p>Er...not really. The hood I meant looks like a barnacle or a dome, like the one for Cosina Ultron 40/2.0 (again, wrong thread size!). That should protect the lens against your (or my) fingers. :)</p>

<p>I plan to get the pancake for my G1 ASAP. From everything I've read, it's a great little lens, and practically makes your G1 into a pocketable camera (if you have some larger pockets of course)! :o)</p>

<p>The G1 with 20 on it fits into the pocket of my usual jacket or vest, the lens hood makes it a bit tight though. I normally have my camera in a small bag or another anyway.</p>

<p>I USE IT ON MY E-P1 AND IT IS WONDERFUL. HAVEN'T CHANGED BACK TO THE 14-42 IN TWO WEEKS.</p>

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<p>I USE IT ON MY E-P1</p>

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<p>When you do, does the EP1 correct the CA and distortion in camera just like a m4/3 camera from Pan would?</p>

<p>just got it last week it is an awesome lens, get it.<br>

I'd say Canon L quality (aside from the sensor LOL).</p>

<p>Great walkaround lens</p>