I have the same issue, I have the lens back ordered at B&H for two months now. I wasn't charged for it but I would be getting it for only $50 since it was an extra discount with the G7. I will be very pissed if they cancel the order. The price drop on the lens what persuaded me to purchase the lens and the camera from them. Cheap move from them. I am sure there were just too many orders for the lens at the $100 price or less and they didn't want to honor those prices.
Just got this message from B&H. What a rip off. They had my money for over 1.5 months.
"Thank you for your interest in the following item: Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens (B&H # PA2517)
You are receiving this message because you asked to be notified when this item becomes available. We regret to inform you that this item has unfortunately been discontinued. Please check back on our website for similar or possible replacement items.
We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
B&H has removed this lens from their website. A few days ago it said "not available from B&H Photo" with estimated delivery date gone.
I have had one on back order since Dec. B&H says they are expecting a shipment in March. I use mainly zooms but ordered the 25mm for low light situations. If it doesn't work out I guess I could sell it at least for what I paid.
For the price, the 25mm f/1.7 is a very sharp prime and performs quite consistently through the apertures. As could be expected, it isn’t quite as sharp at its fastest aperture of f/1.7 as it is at f/2.8 or f/4 but it is still very acceptable. In the sample image below of a horse’s eye shot at f/1.7, for example, you can clearly see all the individual lashes.
http://www.mirrorlessons.com/2016/01/22/panasonic-lumix-25mm-f1-7-review/
jpeg straight from camera https://flic.kr/p/D2eJjH
It’s a good thing that sharpness is pretty good at f/1.7 because it doesn’t seem to improve too much upon stopping down. A slight increase in sharpness can be seen at f/2.8 and f/4 and this yields predominantly even sharpness across the frame, with some minor softening in the corners.
http://admiringlight.com/blog/review-panasonic-lumix-g-25mm-f1-7/
I am a bit jealous because we cannot have that low price in Europe.
Yep, got mine at BHphoto for $50 when I bought the G7, but of course it has to be back ordered till March. Just Awesome. Was going to sell the kit lens and use the 25mm instead.
Looks like the $150 rebate has been extended to Dec 19, 2015. Still $99 at BHphoto and Kenmore Cameras ( Washington State) but back ordered. In stock at some Canadian camera stores like Henrys (Toronto)
Comparative reviews with the Oly 25mm are pretty good for the Panasonic...I think if you use Panasonic bodies then the Pana 25mm might be the one to get, DFD seems to be pretty good for continuous AF tracking (if you care!)
http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/lenses/m4-3/panasonic-lumix-25mm-f-1.7-asph.-lens http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/lenses/m4-3/olympus-m.zuiko-digital-25mm-f-1.8
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-g-25mm-f-1-7-asph-lens-review-28432 https://www.ephotozine.com/article/olympus-m-zuiko-25mm-f-1-8-ed-premium-lens-review-24512
Almost as sharp as the kit lens!
Panasonic may didn’t expect such a large number of orders. And according to BHphoto new orders will now ship in March 2016 only
May be they got some managers from Samsung using some sharing program?
Update: $150 rebate ends Dec 5th 2015. BHPhoto: backordered to March 2016! Price is back up to $249 at Adorama.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1182677-REG/panasonic_h_h025k_25mm_f_1_7_lens_for.html
DXOMark results
Centre sharpness is best at f/2.8-f/11, while the edges are acceptably sharp from f/4 to f/8.
The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH is a very good standard lens at a very affordable price, making it a must-have purchase if you don't already have a 50mm equivalent lens in your kit-bag.
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_g_25mm_f1_7_asph_review/
yeah you will love it, I love mine even tho I paid $200 I got $100 store credit because they dropped the price, Im now waiting for the Davis and Sanford tripod to get here that I only paid $70 for ! :) adorama is great.
Just bought it last week and now waiting for it to arrive today. At $100 it seems like an absolute steal!
I have the 20 1.7, but I think I'll probably sell it. The pancake form factor is nice, but the AF is painfully slow. For stills it is usually serviceable with probably a .5 sec lock time, but for video, it just constantly hunts if there is any movement in the scene. I'm looking forward to the faster AF performance from the 25.
I have a 28mm F2.8 Rokkor lens that I throw on a Metabones Speedbooster for a 20mm F2.0, so if I need a wider shot than the 25, I can just use that.
Man, I can't wait to try the 25 out though.
Just got this lens, auto-focus is very fast!
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