Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG SUMMILUX Lens, 15MM, F1.7 ASPH, Professional MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, H-X015K (USA Black)

It's too early to speak objectively about this lens, as I haven't had it long enough to use it beyond dinking around with it at home. And I hate reviews that have nothing to say based on nothing tangible. But...here goes, my own hypocricy in action. I love this lens and paid almost as much as the camera purchased at the same time and the intended user of it. This was based on the fact that my son-in-law owns the same lens, and the same camera, a Lumix GM1. Now I have both. I will refrain from commenting on the GM1, as, although I have exactly the same amount of knowledge and experience with it as the lens, which is to say, basically none, this is not a review of the camera, just the lens. More later on the camera. This lens presently finds itself on a Lumix G3. It doesn't show the same manual focusing assistance on that camera, but it probably isn't necessary. What I like about this lens is its construction, size, and feel. A lens is the other half of a camera, and although I have and have had a number of other compact cameras (Canon G9 and G10, Panasonic Lumix LX1, etc.) they have electronically controlled telescoping lens barrels and there is no interaction with those lenses other than what can be done from the camera. That is what I refer to as "remote control". I don't like remote control on some things, I like to have hands on, as in, my hands on it. I miss the days of film camera lenses (but not film, necessarily) where everything was made from machined aluminum. Even my Canon L lenses, as much as I love them, lack this feature. This lens satisfies like an old school lens, except I miss a mechanical focusing ability. It is rather focus by wire. But I have to say, that when installed on the GM1 and set on manual focus, I do like the focus peaking feature. As stated earlier, this doesn't work with all cameras (M4/3 mounts). But although this lens is focus by wire, it does exhibit a wee bit of dampening. The other big deal, in my opinion, is the manual aperture ring. Again, probably not necessary, but for us old timers, it means something, and gives us an ability to interact with the lens by actually touching and using it. Optically, I don't know, but it has Leica's name on it. I have and have had other Leica products and they are always good, if not sometimes prohibitively expensive for some. And on my M4/3 cameras, it is a 30 mm 1.7 lens. See what the closest Leica M lens is priced at, and this thing appears to be a real bargain. If it was any cheaper, they would be paying me to take it. For those small camera/point and shoot aficionados who don't get it, all I can say is, they don't get it. For those who actually like cameras more than phone cameras, I don't need to explain. There are camera people and there are non-camera people. For the camera people, this lens, and anything like it (Voigtlanders anyone?) is for them.

I’ve wanted to get a simple, wide, bright, fixed length lens for my LUMIX GH5 and this one is great! Having a autofocus-manual focus switch is great, and having iris maual-auto controls takes me back to 35mm manual film cameras. The lens is so physically small it looks kinda’ funny but produces sharp corner to corner images. What does not get stated in the lens’ description is that there are two sets of lens cap configurations that come with the lens. One is a simple 46mm outer ring with standard snap on cap, the other is a nice lens hood with a rubber cap that covers the end of the lens hood. I’m using the latter and really like the look and feel! The lens is equal to a 28mm lens in 35mm film cameras focal length, which isn’t fisheye wide, but super useful! I was going to buy “off brand” but glad I didn’t with this lens as it is excellent! Also comes with a little lens bag with drawstrings. At f1.7 wide open at night the stars look great in Timelapse. Happy with this lens!

Let's get a few things out of the way - First, the lens definitely feels great but you won't mistake it for an actual Leica M lens. Second, I believe it's the only lens that carries the Summilux name but is an f/1.7 rather than a f/1.4 so that's a bit... odd. Finally, with it being 15mm (a 30mm equivalent on a full frame camera) it's a bit too wide for portraiture or consistent shallow depth of field and this is before the mild barrel distortion comes into play. Having said that, this may be my favorite lens for my GH5 (or any micro four thirds camera). It's absolutely tiny that make me want to pick up a rangefinder Lumix just for a smaller package. The lens hood is metal and feels really sturdy. Then we get to the image quality - The sharpness and contrast is wonderful. The bokeh is creamy. And while I don't want to say it has the "Leica Look" there is just something that just feels right with the photos it takes. The photos I took are terribly boring but are taken wide open at f/1.7. If you go up half a stop the image becomes significantly sharper but I don't mind how it looks as is.

The Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 is sharp across the frame even wide open, has great color and contrast with creamy background blur. The close focusing ability provides surprisingly good opportunities for subject isolation. Though the specifications and test results for this lens are solid they don’t tell the whole story of why this is such a stellar lens. The Leica branded lenses including the PL 42.5 f/1.2, the PL 25mm f/1.4 and the PL 15mm f/1.7 do have unique color and blur characteristics. The MFT system has some great wide primes and zooms but the 15mm 1.7 has quickly become my favorite lens in this range.

Consider this lens if you need/want a wide angle 'fast' lens. Its widest apature is 1.7 which is better than most lens around. It does not zoom. It produces sharp, clean photos from my perspective. I use it in landscape and architectural photography. It will produce good bokeh as well, but you will need to be close to your subject for that to happen (very close). Simply a good lens to have in your 'kit' so far as I'm concerned. It comes with a hood and the front lens cap fits on it directly but doesn't work If you take the hood off.

Was not sent the made in Japan variant as advertised. Received the made in China variant.

If you own a micro four thirds camera, go get this lens. It's by far my favorite lens. The focal length is super versatile, fast lens great for indoor shooting and street photography. The only single downside, the aperture ring only works with Panasonic cameras. Olympus users are SOL Photos speak for themselves. Unedited. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

differently from the photos, I. received the actual product “made in china”.

la calidad del lente es muy buena, el bokhe que se obtiene igual el modo manual de apertura funciona sólo cuando pongo en modo manual M y apertura A mi cámara (g95) en los demás modos no funciona el aro del lente y se controla desde la cámara

On the product page, the seller proudly states that the lens is made in Japan. But it says made in China on the lens itself. Three year warranty? Forget it, one year will be enough for you. The lens was delivered with no visible flaws. We'll see how it shows itself in work.