Upgrade or not Panasonic 14-42II new version

I currently have the #1 version of this lens. Everyone that I have spoke with that has the 2 version says it is definitely worth the upgrade. I have seen them on ebay for about $125.

Is it worth selling mine and upgrading? Thanks!

I have version II & really like this lens. It's small, light with good IQ. Although version II is supposed to be a little better I wouldn't bother. Put that money towards something else or feel free to send it to me. I wouldn't complain.

I do find the zoom on mine to be "jerky". It is impossible to use it for video.

New version is pretty small and doesn't extend more than 5mm... I sold mine to someone who was unhappy with his 14-42 PZ and he said the 14-42 II was noticeably sharper (apparently the PZ often suffered from shutter shock on his GX1), take it FWIW. I think I bought my GM1 from the same eBay seller who's got these up for $125 (a+<bunch of random #s> ?).

Glick1 wrote:

I do find the zoom on mine to be "jerky". It is impossible to use it for video.

That can vary a lot tho. I've handled two or three 14-42 II, one was as smooth as my mother's 12-35*, one was close, and a third had a slight hitch at the extremes.

*I actually bought that 12-35 for her and I returned the first one I bought because it wasn't anywhere near smooth and even made a scraping rubber noise as it turned.

Point is, QC roulette will have a role in this. Split kit 14-42 II will have a plastic mount btw, which I think is fine for such a small lens but it'll bother some. Retail boxed ones have a metal mount.

I had the Version I and version II. The version II is sharper and smaller which is nice but the sigma 30mm is sharper than both the I & II and is about the same price as the upgrade. personally I'd keep the version I and then add the sigma 30mm.

That's an excellent Idea!

The 30mm is equal to 60mm for a 35mm equivalent????

Glick1 wrote:

I currently have the #1 version of this lens. Everyone that I have spoke with that has the 2 version says it is definitely worth the upgrade. I have seen them on ebay for about $125.

Is it worth selling mine and upgrading? Thanks!

I too have both versions.   I started with v.1 on a G5: loved the body but found I had to do a lot of pp to get good images.  Bit the bullet, did the upgrade, much, much happier.

Dave

Dave, Thanks for the comparison. Did you keep both??

They dont bring much on ebay, somewhere around $100.

thanks again!

Thanks for all your replies. I have just ordered the II. What do you think my kit I lens will fetch on Ebay, or is it worth keeping? For what though??

Glick1 wrote:

I currently have the #1 version of this lens. Everyone that I have spoke with that has the 2 version says it is definitely worth the upgrade. I have seen them on ebay for about $125.

Is it worth selling mine and upgrading? Thanks!

I personally don't like Panny 14-42 MI at all due to the extremely poor handling of its zoom ring which is not good in video.

However, among the 3 kit zooms, 14-45, 14-42 PZ and 14-42 MII, they were very close indeed although 14-45 is a bit better and 14-42PZ is coming close (but good for zooming in video). From other members' fit back, 14-42 MII could be if not better, be Par to 14-45. Therefore, simply 14-42 MI would be close to 14-45 or 14-42 MII but never be very far behind.

Whether it would be advisable to write off the value of your original lens and spend extra $125 on a slightly better IQ lens without any grain in any direction (speed, smaller, or coverage!)? No. I would rather invest your budget into something else for a better value.

I purchase the 14-42 II from a seller on ebay in Japan. Shipping was amazingly fast and I received it yesterday.

I took approx 50 shots with each lens ( the 1 and 2 versions). Same subject matter and same light conditions. Also 10 minutes of video. All with my G5 body.

I compared all shots and video and have come to the conclusion that the II lens is indeed sharper.

It is totally superior in every way except the the I seems to be the slightest amount brighter.

For all of you considering the switch I would say hesitate no longer. The 14-42 II is a vastly superior lens and is a keeper in my opinion.The amount of detail this lens pulls in is amazing.

For $130 it is a real bargain.

Just thought I would relay the results.