Bought a Panasonic 14-42PZ - AGAIN!

Drove myself crazy wondering if the FZ1000 could replace my entire MFT kit. Then the LX100 came along, add that to the FZ1000 for a camera marriage made in heaven, no?

I guess not because I just bought a used Panasonic 14-42PZ to stick on my GX7. It came attached to GF3 that I might convert to IR so the entire exercise should temporarily curb my gear lust. I owned this lens before, it is mediocre but it was really useful and I've always regretted selling it. With this on my GX7 and the 20mm in my pocket, I'll be very comfortable leaving the bag at home.

Maybe the bridge and compact offerings will eventually win me over but just not yet. Though I'd love to see 4k video on my GX7 or its successor!

There won't be any cool points for being spotted using that old PZ but hey, it has its place. Anyone else like using that very ordinary lens?

Paul

I bought a display model clearance GF3 with this lens.  Not crazy about the GF3 but I love the PZ lens and use it all the time on my GH3 and GH1.  The WIFI remote control zoom is excellent using my Smartphone app as well.

It's a small and pretty good combination. I only take the big gun (Oly 12-40 f/2.8) when I want to take pictures at an event. But for casual photography the 14-42X is small and really good.

I got my GH2 with a 14-42 lens... I'm not sure if it's the same model (mine doesn't have the IS switch on it), but I've been really happy with it. it isn't the very fastest lens, the construction isn't the most "pro" seeming (with a plastic lens mount) and I'm sure that it isn't rated as sharp as higher end zooms.yet it seem to work quite well for me and I've gotten some shots that seem quite sharp to me. it's one of those bargains.... Now I just need to pick up a used copy of that 50-150 thing that's also supposed to be a lot of bang for the buck. I wont't sue it as much as the 14-42 as that wide-to-mid-tele is more what I like to shoot with.

Thanks guys, nice to know I'm not alone! And I forgot to mention that I got a genuine Panasonic leather case with the GF3 & 14-42PZ. Never had one of those before, it's pretty good!

I'd really love a GX1 sized body, with 4k video, that might really be heaven!

Paul

I really wanted one, it was part of what originally attracted me to M4/3 (along with the 20/1.7)... Ended up with the 12-32 instead because of the wider coverage and manual zoom ring, it can be more expensive tho. Most enthusiasts probably couldn't give two flips about these collapsible zooms but they definitely broaden the appeal of the system IMO.

First--lest this get lost in the rest of the message--if you like it great, I'm happy for you and look forward to seeing lots of great pics taken with it.

But to answer your question: no, I had it, hated it, and if I wanted to (re-)buy a pancake zoom it would be third on my list behind the Panny 12-32mm and Oly 14-42mmEZ.

Some lens are more or less susceptible to it, at least amongst the zooms... It'd be impossible to pin down blame without testing multiple copies across different bodies and then comparing it with some other lens tho.b Certain bodies have more forceful shutters than others too...