Improving the handling of the Panasonic 14-42 v1

I have been thinking of buying the legendary Panasonic 14-45mm for years now. I actually ordered it (used, for $180) from Amazon a few days ago, but I had serious second thoughts and decided to cancel the order today. I already have the 14-42mm that came with my GH2. I know the image quality is not as good, but after re-visiting some old threads, it seems like it's close enough to not warrant the upgrade. I also gave up on the 12-32mm, since it apparently exhibits shutter shock at 32mm under certain conditions, and my GH2 does not have an electronic shutter option. So I'd rather try to save the money for the 15mm f1.7 - maybe it will come down closer to $500 in October.

Now, one of the main reasons that I wanted the 14-45mm for was smooth zoom action. The 14-42 is very jerky, and it's a problem when shooting video (although motorized zoom would be ideal). I was wondering if there was a way to approach the smoothness of the 45-150mm by lubricating the outside of the zoom cylinder with a little WD40 to help it glide better. Is there any risk at all of the lubricant getting into the optical elements? I realize that it's not a weather sealed lens, but lubricants do adhere to the surface they are applied on, so I'm hoping that it wouldn't start spreading on the inside.

My idea is to spray some WD40 (I also have some gel grease around as an alternate, and that won't run at all under normal temperatures) on a napkin and rub it on the zoom barrel to form a thin film.

Has anyone else tried something similar? Is there a chance of screwing this up and destroying the lens?

I won't do it, but a good excuse to replace in case going wrong.

agentul wrote:

Now, one of the main reasons that I wanted the 14-45mm for was smooth zoom action. The 14-42 is very jerky, and it's a problem when shooting video (although motorized zoom would be ideal). I was wondering if there was a way to approach the smoothness of the 45-150mm by lubricating the outside of the zoom cylinder with a little WD40 to help it glide better. Is there any risk at all of the lubricant getting into the optical elements? I realize that it's not a weather sealed lens, but lubricants do adhere to the surface they are applied on, so I'm hoping that it wouldn't start spreading on the inside.

My idea is to spray some WD40 (I also have some gel grease around as an alternate, and that won't run at all under normal temperatures) on a napkin and rub it on the zoom barrel to form a thin film.

Has anyone else tried something similar? Is there a chance of screwing this up and destroying the lens?

After you "repair" the old lens, just get a 14-42mm II. You'll need it.

You seem to have a lot of problems with Panasonic products...never quite good enough and "plasticky".  I have never had a problem with a sticky lens barrel or parts falling off...or being repulsed by the "plasticky" feeling.  Part of the M4/3 production ethic is to keep equipment as light as possible. That is difficult to do if you build your lens barrels out of metal.  Probably Leitz/Leica would be closer to your ideal of quality.  However, I tend to grade lenses according to what comes out of them and I also tend to take very good care of my equipment.  If you handle a lens with sticky fingers, it will tend to pick up that property.

jeffharris wrote:

After you "repair" the old lens, just get a 14-42mm II. You'll need it.

nope, already debated this years ago in another thread. i'd rather have the 14-45mm if i were to get a replacement. of course, if there's a miraculous sale on the 12-35 f2.8, i could be persuaded to reconsider.

i've decided to just leave it alone and not mess around with it. i have a history of "repairing" things.

Have you tried the power zoom 14-42?  I replaced the kit 1442 on my G5 with the PZ, and love not only the smooth zoom but the compact size, especially when closed.  On the G5 the front slide lever controls zoom so super easy shooting and video zoom.  Even better is the internal zoom on the PZ45-175.

I can see part of your problem.  The lens (and lens cap) appear to be quite dirty.  Dirt can raise all sorts of problems.

dontfret wrote:

Have you tried the power zoom 14-42? I replaced the kit 1442 on my G5 with the PZ, and love not only the smooth zoom but the compact size, especially when closed. On the G5 the front slide lever controls zoom so super easy shooting and video zoom. Even better is the internal zoom on the PZ45-175.

Aside from shutter shock issues on SOME M4/3 cameras, like my GX1, the PZ has lower image quality than the 14-42mm II kit lens. It's also only compact when the camera is OFF. Once you turn on the camera, it extends to the same size as the standard 14-42mm lens. For what it is, the PZ 14-42mm is overpriced.

I had one for several weeks and wasn't pleased with it, so returned it and got a 14-42mm II.

agentul wrote:

dontfret wrote:

Have you tried the power zoom 14-42? I replaced the kit 1442 on my G5 with the PZ, and love not only the smooth zoom but the compact size, especially when closed. On the G5 the front slide lever controls zoom so super easy shooting and video zoom.

isn't that plagued by shutter shock, though? i saw some bad reviews on the internet.

No, even its really there, it would be either a matter of the intention of those posters, technique of user or worst scenario, sample variation. At least my 14-42 PZ worked fine on GX1 (the most suspected combo), G1, GF3 and GX7. Being an average skillful user should be OK. Post any sample to demonstrate SS is meaninlgless, able to prove no SS is valuable.

Look at Oly's equivalent power zoom pancake, there were also similar complains occasionally but at the same time a lot of happy users.

However, in terms of IQ, unlike 14-45, I don't think you would see any different from 14-42 M1 except for the build quality, size and that poor zoom ring. It is a reason for me never take it out from box since selling it would give me <US$40 ....

the idea is very good, though, but i don't film so much as to justify a dedicated video lens. i would rather spend the money on something that works very well for stills.

Even better is the internal zoom on the PZ45-175.

too long a FL for my usual video needs, and i already have the 45-150 anyway.

Vesku wrote:

LMNCT wrote:

I can see part of your problem. The lens (and lens cap) appear to be quite dirty. Dirt can raise all sorts of problems.

What problems? My lenses has always clean optical surfaces. I dont think that fingerprints in lens barrel causes any issues. Do you use gloves with your camera?

That lens was sticky at day one out of the box. And the second one was sticky too after replaced by warranty after one year of use.

Panasonic are not the only ones to suffer. Late last year I bought a new Nikon 18-55 VR Mk2 for my Nikon D40.

This is a collapsible lens which saves a bit of space but not much else. The zoom action was appalling - stiff, jerky, useless. It was replaced with a normal 18-55VR - now all gone following complete move to m43.

Debating now to replace 14-42Mk1 with either 14-45 or 14-42Mk2, so if anyone has any real life experience of this conundrum I'd be grateful. The 14-42 Mk2 seems to offer a minimum focus distance of 20cm at 14 to 20mm which I would find very useful.

I had a troublesome 50-200mm and I read elsewhere that a little bit of silicon grease on the barrel would sort it, and it did. There will undoubtedly be some people on here wetting themselves in horror at the thought but I've done it and it olved the problem and never caused any other issues. I've kept the tube and would have no problem doing it again on any other lens that was a bit tight and sticky.