New to MFT and need lens advice

CJackJr wrote:

Hi all,

I've been an Olympus 43 owner for many years (see my gear list) and a member of the Olympus SLR forum (although I haven't posted for a while). I recently purchased a Panasonic GX7 with a Lumix G Vario 12-32 lens. I'm quite happy with it and now MUST add to my lens collection. Being new to MFT I have a few questions:

1. Is it worth getting a 43-MFT adapter to use my Oly FT lenses on the GX7? If so, any recommendations?

As others have said, many of the lenses will be slow to focus, as they are not optimized for CDAF.

1. Is there a benefit to sticking with Panasonic MFT glass on a Panasonic camera or do Oly (and other manufacturers) lenses work just fine?

The advantage to Panasonic lenses on that body is in the IS area.  Most Oly lenses do not have OIS, which is fine when you are using one of the Oly bodies, as starting with the EM5, they had the 5-axis IBIS, but on the GX7, the IBIS is definitely not of the same level as that on the Olys.  So, since most of the Panasonic lenses have OIS, they will be a better match for that body.

1. Even though I have the 12-32, I'm considering the 12-60 as my "walk-around" lens. (I have used the Oly 12-60 on my 43 gear and really liked its range.) Any thoughts on which 12-60?

Either the PL 12-60mm or the Panasonic 12-60.  The PL is faster, larger, and more expensive; the 12-60mm is going to give you IQ that is much more similar to the 12-32mm (which is a very good kit lens, but still a kit lens).  Your choice; depends on what you plan to use it for.

1. Lastly, I'd like something longer than the 12-60 to use occasionally for wildlife and candid photos of my grandkids playing. I've been looking at the Lumix 45-175. Any thoughts on that lens or anything else I should consider that is in that general price range?

You have to be a little careful with that lens, as it's prone to shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter with that body.  In general, using e-shutter is the way to go with the GX7, as Panasonic didn't modify its shutter design until the GX85 to minimize SS when using the mechanical shutter.  However, some lenses are more sensitive to it than others, and that particular one is a bit touchy in that area.

You might want to look at the Panasonic 45-150mm f4-5.6 (which has OIS), or the very good, and cheap, Oly 40-150mm f4-5.6.  The Oly is the rare bird that has excellent output even though it's a cheap and plastic-y lens, but again, it does not have OIS, so it might limit you a bit.  If you want to go to the other end of the spectrum, the PL 50-200mm f2.8-4 is just fantastic, but it's expensive.

I'll really appreciate any and all responses to even just one of my questions. I know from past experience that members of these forums have a wealth of valuable information and are more than willing to share advice/opinions. Thanks in advance.

Hope this helps!

-J