PanasonicLUMIX G Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 Aspherical Lens for Micro Four Thirds

Love the perspective but swapped for 10-25 instead

Some context: I got back into photography about 2 years ago after a 30 year break. I had a once in a lifetime safari planned for fall 2024. The Panasonic H-X09 Wide Angle was my first serious prime lens purchase. I had images in my head of vast landscapes of the Serengeti from a hot air ballon ride and starscapes shot in the cool nights. [aside: most tours don’t let you out at night because things will eat you so I don’t recommend trying]. I loved the compact size of the H-X09 and the perspective it provided. Though it does feel inexpensive in materials and build, it took nice shots. At the time I was in “Camp OM-Systems”, now I am firmly in “Camp Lumix”, so I paired the 9mm lens with my OM1-M2. First, I found the pictures softer than I expected (which I guess happens when you compress a big image (ie wide angle) into a small space. Next, I noticed purple fringes around many of my photos. Once you see them, you can’t unsee them. I saw them in nearly every photo. The rumor mills state this happens with this lens on OM bodies, but not on Lumix bodies (which I did not have at the time) and that the Lumix bodies somehow know to compensate for this aberration. I also understand this is “easy” to fix in post production software, but I rarely do post production, and I did not want to spend hours and hours “fixing” purple haze and random starbursts. Eventually, I returned the lens. I still appreciate the 9mm and maybe I’ll come back to it now that I am “Camp Lumix”. Instead, I purchased the H-X1025 for my safari. I do recommend this lens overall, for the perspective it provides and compact size and value. However, if you are using it with an OM body you might have excessive purple fringe to deal with.