Lenses for M43

alcelc wrote:

emzee wrote:

justgo99 wrote:

I must ask why you don't want to go for any of the f/2.8 pro lenses? They may cost more ($700+) but they are easily the most versatile, highest performing lenses, especially if you want to do more run-and-gun sort of video. Primes are fantastic, make no mistake, but the pro lenses do wide, they do short tele, they're fast and they're sharp, so it would make sense. They're also weathers sealed if that matters.

I would probably recommend that you steer clear of the superzooms such as the 14-140mm. They may be versatile, but their slow aperture combined with the middling ISO performance of m4/3 means that they won't be very good for low light at all.

The 12-32 is a cracker of a lens for its size, but it has no MF ring and if you were going for such a compact lens then you wouldn't be getting a GX8, a quite sizable camera. As a mid-level zoom, the kit 14-42mm will do a decent job if you want to save more money for primes.

Thanks. 14-140 is now ruled out as I read many issues with that lens. For standard zoom, I am trying to find whether 12-32mm or 14-42mm II or the 14-45mm is the right one. I am planning to use them for sometime and then upgrade to F2.8 zooms later (if needed). The price of these 3 zoom lenses are the same range, but not sure which one to pick. I may not need the 12mm wide end. Other than that is there any advantage to 12-32mm in terms of image quality?

Regards,

emzee

As many suggested, if going for the tiny design 12-32 & 35-100 would be great option. If looking for longer reach it seems that 45-150 is small and of good IQ, but a lot of real life samples from 45-175 PZ had proven its IQ. So 12-32 & 45-150/45-175 PZ would be a quite sufficient coverage for most general shooting (if fast speed not required).

Not under any intention to sell 14-140II at all. But just wish to say my finding on 14-140II. Upon my old school of thinking I original suspected the quality of any high power zoom but after bought it for my wife (she doesn't like change lens), I am deeply impressed. Regarding shutter shock suspicion on still, I had posted a few samples in this thread a while ago. I suppose for a non premium 10x zoom the images there from mechanical shutter should not be too unacceptable.

For the micro jittering on video, I could find nothing when shooting on GX7, GX1 and GF3.

Albert,

Thanks.

Interesting comments about 14-140mm II lens. Though I my main purpose was to use for some video as well as walkaround (for any critical needs, I will use prime lenses), the micro jittering complaints have caused me to rethink that approach (if I cannot use it for video, there is o point in getting it).

Regards,

emzee