Panasonic 12-32 kit lens

[Jere Landis]

[No message]

 

[Jere Landis]

Well I messed that up. I just wanted to ask, how many use and enjoy the little 12-32 lens by Panasonic. I just bought one and am curious as to If it was a wise choice. I've read some positive reviews, but more appreciate reports from actual people who use the lens on a regular basis.

 

[Coaster95]

I sold my Olympus 14-42EZ in and bought a Panasonic 12-32 and I must say that I do prefer it. I never really got on with the electronic zoom mechanism of the Olympus and the wider angle of 12mm is very useful. It's also pretty sharp right across its range. It's incredibly light and some will say a bit flimsy but I don't knock my gear around much. In decent light if I want a small, unobtrusive, versatile lens this is the one I go for.

Hope you enjoy your purchase.

 

[jalywol]

It's high enough quality that I don't feel constrained by it when I have it on my GM5 and want to go very portable. Definitely one of the best kit lenses Panasonic has produced.

-J

 

[Brian Chichester]

When I first got it, my reaction to the strange 3-tier telescopic action was that it didn't seem like a proper lens. But having used it for about 12 months I can overlook that, because the results are excellent, it's really small and light, and the zoom range is very practical. I love it, particularly for travel and vacation.

 

[gary0319]

Great little lens. Resides almost permanently on my Pen F

 

[murtonjim]

A little gem of a lens that I have been using since acquiring my GX80 early January. I like the 14-42 that has served me well for nearly three years, but the 12 mm setting is useful.

 

[43Shooter]

I've mostly been happy with it. The zoom ring on mine came loose. I was able to successfully glue it back on. I seem to remember reports of this happening to others as well. Also, I bought a retractable lens cover for the lens and I've been happy with it's operation. I can't seem to remember who the manufacturer is.

Finally, here's another similar thread:

Does anyone have the Panasonic 12-32? How is it?

Thanks in advance for replying. I can get it here in Japan new or used (they are holding their value very well and the price difference between new and used is only $20). They have good reviews and I would like to hear some user opinions. I have an em10, Olympus 25mm 1.8, and Panasonic 14mm...

www.dpreview.com

 

[norman shearer]

In some respects it is a great lens. Small, light, fast AF, sharp across the frame. Very good performance for the price.

Only criticism is lack of manual focus ring and manual/auto IOS switch or manual/AF switch. Also it can flare up quite a bit when shooting towards the sun. Build quality is a bit iffy too.

I prefer 14-42mm MK2 and 14-45mm lenses though but do miss that 12mm..

 

[ahaslett]

Well I messed that up. I just wanted to ask, how many use and enjoy the little 12-32 lens by Panasonic. I just bought one and am curious as to If it was a wise choice. I've read some positive reviews, but more appreciate reports from actual people who use the lens on a regular basis.

On a cost, size and weight basis it gives the 12-40 a real beating. On IQ it's noticeably slightly softer across the frame. However it is still good enough for most walkabout shooting.

I'm picky too, my usual landscape kit would be an A7R with a TSE II 24mm.

It and the 35-100 are the perfect small kit for a GM1.

Andrew

 

[Hen3ry]

It is my default lens on the GX7. Sharp across the frame throughout the zoom range. The 32mm top end is a little less than I would like, but using the Ex-Tele 1.4x setting in the camera, I can get an 8MPX shot that is pin sharp in an A3/Tabloid size print and approximates to 45mm.

With the GX7 there can be some shutter shock but with electronic shutter it is fine, and with the GX80/85, G80/85, and GM1/5, the new shutters mean SS is gone forever.

There is some barrel distortion at the wide end but if you run it through PTLens (stand alone of plug in) in PP, it deals with it automatically. NOTE: ALL the lenses I have used suffer to a greater or lesser extent from distortion, ncluding such top performers as the Lumix 12-35, and PTLens fixes that autoamtically in all of them (in addition to having perspective and CA tools).







--
Geoffrey Heard
Down and out in Rabaul in the South Pacific
http://rabaulpng.com/we-are-all-traveling-throug/i-waited-51-years-for-tavur.html

 

[richj20]

I purchased mine to use on a second camera for scenics in the areas where I would be photographing wildlife with another camera/lens.

I became disappointed in its resolution of foliage at a distance, so, opted for the 12-35 mm.

However, I've kept the 12-32 mm because it is a nice general purpose lens, and so light and discreet to use when out around town.

- Richard

 

[lahsrah]

I'd say more than 50% of my photos on my flickr are taken with this lens. If not more.

 

[Hope1943]

Great little lens - a real gem.

Peace.

John

 

[Ben Herrmann]

...as a result, wound up with two of 'em. For the most part, it's a very sharp optic - almost clinical at times. But like most scenarios involving lenses (especially kit lenses), keep in mind that copy-to-copy variations in IQ do exist.

But I've got to add here that a newer lens has impressed me even more and that's the Panny Lumix 12-60 f3.5-5.6 IS. You can pick one up new (usually separated from the kit) for $275 or better on eBay. I have two of those also (one on my E-M5 and the other on the GH-3) and I've got to tell you, it is one lens that has really impressed me - in particular, when you consider the low price vs performance ratio. So that's another lens you should consider.

--
Semper Fidelis...
Ben Herrmann
US Marine Corps (Retired)
North Carolina, USA

 

[rashid7]

excellent for any size kit lens... let alone for one so small! (-:

 

[Spacedebree]

Im thinking of getting either the *new* 12-32 f2.8 or go with a used 12-40 2.8 PRO in a very nice condition. Which one do you suggest me to get? Right now I only use the 12-60 3.5-5.6 kitlens from Panasonic, and my Olympus 25mm. I really want more light in, and therefore I've been looking at the above lenses. I do like to have a wide 12mm in one end, so the 30-100 is not in my test, even though it should be good.

All best!

 

[Marty4650]

It just might be the best normal zoom lens for M4/3 that sells for under $500.

And it goes beautifully with the smaller M4/3 bodies.

 

[Boss of Sony]

Well I messed that up. I just wanted to ask, how many use and enjoy the little 12-32 lens by Panasonic. I just bought one and am curious as to If it was a wise choice. I've read some positive reviews, but more appreciate reports from actual people who use the lens on a regular basis.

It's OK for general photography, but it's horrible for landscapes/foliage at 12mm in less than ideal lighting conditions. Colours are muted and there is a dull, soft look to the images when it's cloudy.

 

[mentos77]

I checked the resolution rating compared to the 12-60mm kit lens on Photozone and it is certainly lower. The 12-60mm seems similar to the 12-35mm. Might have to try it alongside the 12-32mm as I like to video big green landscapes.