Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens
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believe all the hype
for the better part of the last three years I have salivated over this lens and red no less than 50 reviews about it and watched no less than three or four dozen YouTube videos about it as well. Finally ironed enough to pull the trigger. I had bought the voigtlander lens first because it was slightly Cheaper by a few hundred dollars. Although that is a great lens I knew that I would need this lens for some of my photography needs where auto focus... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Glass - at a price
Optically this is a truly wonderful lens. If you are looking for a very fast 85mm equivalent lens for your m43 body that also has autofocus, this lens will not let you down - even at f/1.2 it is razor sharp in the center and quite sharp even to the corners. There is a hint of LoCA in some of the out of focus elements at f/1.2, but surprisingly little (I don't know if my E-M1 is doing in-camera processing on those aberrations even on RAW files or ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I wish I had this on Nikon FX
The MFT platform is what it is, a limited platform when it comes to DOF because of the sensor size. The 40-45 mm range on MFT is effectively littered with good-to-excellent lenses, not so much when you go wider or longer, so the competition is stiff.In its own right, this is a fantastic lens in any way. It is sharp, clean, no onion rings in the bokeh, colors are great, the manual focus action is smooth, the AF is reasonably good, I guess the OIS ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Awesome Lens
Given its high price I did expect this lens to be great so my expectations was high. Knowing the m43 sensor size I wanted a lens that does decent DOF so I went for F1.2. Some backgrounds - I am new to the m43 format, my other cameras are Nikon D700 (full frame) and Fuji X100S (APS-C). Sample pictures are taken using Panasonic GM1. The lens itself is well constructed, feel solid and heavy, but since all fast lenses are made of tons of glasses so I... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Superb lens. Worth every Shekel.
Great lens.. NO! Fantastic lens! Fast in focus and light gathering, gorgeous bokeh, and SHARP! However the shade being metal is plain AWFUL, particularly when you have new age plastics that will absorb shock and are more resilient. The metal transmits damage when placing down or accidentally hitting a wall or door frame. Furthermore, the lack of bayonet mount, wobble (easy to lose) and glue sweat is awful. A good target for engineering a shade is... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Superb
I use this lens on the GH4 predominantly as a walk-around travel camera. I cannot say enough good things about this lens...it's tack-sharp, and even wide-open it produces crisp images without significant CA. I enjoy using it wide-open to obtain the shallow depth of field effect...in a micro-four thirds-size sensor, to get this kind of shallow DOF is stunningly impressive.It's not light, but what you lose in weight, you gain in speed and optical q... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Lens
Finally the micro-4/3 line is starting to fill with fast aperture lenses. This is the fastest lens in this focal length category that has autofocus. In addition, it come with optical image stabilization - a plus when using it Panasonic cameras. The bokeh on this lens is very nice and is equivalent to an 85mm f/2.4 lens from the depth-of-field perspective. What I have found, in 35mm FF imaging, is that the fast 1.4+ aperture 85mm portrait lenses a... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The best Lens on my GH4 for stills and videos
PROS: Highest resolving lens on my GH4 the micro contrast creates amazing 3D pop effects in portrait shots. This lens is amazingly good at f/1.2 I used to own the Voigtlander 42.5mm f/0.95 lens but I found I had to stop it down to f/2.8 or even f/4 to get edge to edge sharpness. What is the point of a f/0.95 lens which is only useful @ f/2.8? I have sold my Voigtlander sice purchasing the Noctricon. The greatest thing about the Noctricon is the c... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Incredible optics
The sharpness (at F1.2), color, contrast, build quality, stabilization, the "Leica look" - it's all there. I was skeptical when I mounted this thing on my GH5 - but no pixel peeper can deny the quality in the RAW files this lens can make. It's stunning. It turns ordinary subjects into art. And don't get me started on the bokeh. How this thing makes a tack sharp sliver of a focal plane at F1.2 melt away into a blissful and oh so pleasing smooth cl... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Leica Nocticron
After a year of my thinking about it, B&H had a couple hundred bucks off sale, so I bought one. I come from decades of great Nikon gear, so appreciate a nice sharp image. Other objective technical reviewers have said this lens is among the best of any brand, and my subjective opinion concurs. The focal length is a sweet-spot for portraits, gardens, family dogs and kids, and many other applications. Bokeh is just what you want, and the 1.2 aperture offers new opportunities in non-flash low light. Yes, it costs a few extra bucks, but if quality is important to you, get one.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Don't miss this one!
I bought the 42.5 Nocticron for low light portrait shooting on my em1. Notwithstanding the well documented balky autofocus problems with the em1 in low light, I recently shot close-up people pictures at f1.2, ISO 12,800 at an Independence Day celebration in the Dominican Republic with truly outstanding results. In regular light, of course, there are no autofocus problems and the lens is as sharp as advertised, while the bokeh is creamy. A beautiful lens which looks and feels terrific on an em1. Many people comment on what a great looking rig it is. Glad I picked it up.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
One of the best lens
After a lots of research finally I decide to buy this lens and it worth. First of all B&H provide me awesome customer service and answer my all question regarding this product and I cant stop myself to choose 1 day delivery. Lens is extra awesome, fully metal body and the image quality yes sharp, true color, awesome low light performance and bokeh OMG this lens is bokeh king. I choose this lens for both portrait and video as a B roll lens. Yes, one of best lens that I have. Expensive but worth every penny.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A Comparison
Rented both this lens and the Voigtlander 42.5 0.95...liked AF and handling of the Lumix but in the end the Voigtlander was the winner...All of us 4/3 owners relish that full frame look of extreme beautiful bokeh..the lumix comes close but the Voigtlander matches and exceeds the 1.8 full frame look...of couse this lens has manual focus but would buy this lens over and over again (that is how good it is)..But if you want to come close the Lumix is definitely no slouch...
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great lens
I travel a lot, and I like to pack light. I ended up with only 3 lenses that I take with me, and this being the one of the 3, and also this is the one I use the most. It is not the lightest of the micro 4/3 but the image quality is great. It is a very fast lens, and you can shoot with low iso, and without flash in low light. I am using it with GH4. The lens can be even used as a macro lens, though the minimal focus distance is around 0.5m
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Stunning photographs.
This lens is worth the price. It is large for an m43 lens, but it pulls you into a whole new realm of wonderful with what it can do. I cannot praise the image quality enough. I also own the Olympus 75mm f1.8 which is a great lens. This one though is just different, it's artistic in a way that other lenses aren't. Wonderful for low light shooting. It did a fantastic job photographing an indoor Nickel Creek concert.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Expensive and worth it.
I have had it for a short time but so far I am extremely impressed with its performance. Using it on my GH3 for video, I find that it does a fantastic job of pulling focus for me. This is the sharpest MFT lens I own now. I really want Leica and Panasonic to make some wider lenses that work as well as this. I don't mind that it's a little heavy. I am willing to carry it because it just looks so great.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The sharpest lens I have ever owned.
I had many cameras Canons, Nikons with all the pro lenses within the past 40 years, but I have not seen anything so perfect and razor sharp with incredible details, from the very edge to edge and corner to corner. This lens just blew me away, no words can describe the fantastic quality of workmanship and performance of this lens. Expensive: Yes But believe me it is worth every penny of it.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Yes I will buy this product again.
Honestly one of the best lens I ever owned / used. You may be hesitant with the price but the 1.2 f.stop really saves you in low lighting situations. The separation between your backdrop and focus subject is amazing. I do not recommend using this lens on a light mobile tripod for video because if the F-stop is completely open you will see the slightest jitters if tripod is not sturdy.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Elite lens
I use the Leica DG Nocticron for stills and video. It's incredibly sharp, focuses fast, has effective image stabilization, creates creamy background blur and produces great color and contrast. This is an elite lens and it stacks up well against elite lenses in any format. The MFT system has some great lenses in this focal range but nothing else has the unique look this lens produces.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
One of my favorites!
A real workhorse in my productions. It rarely comes off the GH4 body. Great bokeh and a nice focal length of around 90mm on the GH4 in 4K mode. Super sharp between f2.2 and f8. Nice and creamy at f1.2 -f2. It does fringe in high contrast areas if wide open, but doesn't seem to be too distracting in video mode and it is fixable in post with stills quite easily. Solid metal build too.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Love the clarity of this lens
I primarily use my M4/3 camera for vacation trips but this lens may force me to use it more for portraits. The focus is quick and precise with fantastic bokeh. I am used to using a full frame camera for my portraits but decided to see how this lens did with one of my poses. It is sharp and made the weeds behind them blend into a beautiful background. I highly recommend this lens.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Definitely the Best
This is a great lens that will give you excellent results. Undoubtedly the best that m4/3 currently has to offer. If the cost is not an issue, this is the lens that every m4/3 user needs to have. Great for portraits. Autofocus is fast. It is a little heavy and large for what is supposed to be a compact system but if you're buying this lens, it isn't for the size but the results.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Worth every dollar
This is an incredibly sharp, fast focusing lens definitely giving you at least 3 stops with the optical image stabilization built into this lens. Hesitated to spend the dollars, but absolutely no regrets. Excellent f/1.2 when needed for low light situations, great portrait lens and everything else you want to photograph in the 95mm (35mm equivalent) photo range.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Love it!
I recently switched from Canon to the micro four thirds system, and this was my first prime for my new GX-8. Photos with this combo have all been stunning. It's an extraordinarily fast lens, and the colors just pop. Yes, the lens is heavier and pricier than many lenses in this system. But wow, what a difference it makes. Highly recommended.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
