Poll - get a 7-14mm for my G7, or upgrade to G85?

I have a G7.  For about $800 I could get the Pana 7-14mm f/4, and old but good lens that would give me a wide angle range I don't have now.  Or, for $900 I could update to a G85 - which was reviewed here as "the camera the G7 should have been" - much less shutter shock (although, I only have a few examples of shutter shock), in camera focus stacking (the G7 doens't have that), weather sealed.

I shoot raw with the G7 and probably would still shoot raw with a G85.  I like the G7 just fine. ...   I am conflicted.  Opinions please?

JosephScha wrote:

I have a G7. For about $800 I could get the Pana 7-14mm f/4, and old but good lens that would give me a wide angle range I don't have now. Or, for $900 I could update to a G85 - which was reviewed here as "the camera the G7 should have been" - much less shutter shock (although, I only have a few examples of shutter shock), in camera focus stacking (the G7 doens't have that), weather sealed.

I shoot raw with the G7 and probably would still shoot raw with a G85. I like the G7 just fine. ... I am conflicted. Opinions please?

If you dont know what to do, best may be to save the money and enjoy your present gear.

If you are sure you will like what a UWA lens can deliver, go for the 7-14: you will enjoy exploring a new kind of photography, which may increase your creativity and photographic opportunities, whereas a newer body wont really change your shooting experience.

I have G7; it is a very good camera whith a very nice handling and ergonomy, close to my Pentax K3 DSLR in a lighter body, fast and responsive AF thanks to DFD technology, post focus and 4K burst.

Of course, as only Panasonic zoom and long lenses have OIS, IBIS would be nice.

I have grown used to IBIS with Pentax, which is still my main system. But I dont believe IBIS alone is worth a $800 upgrade.

On the one hand, the G7 is a nice camera (I owned one briefly before the GX8 came out), BUT the G85 is significantly better. It has 5-axis IBIS and is Dual-IS2 capable, which could really help stabilize images with your longer lenses in particular. It is also weather resistant, as I think your 100-300 v.II is. The essentially SS-proof G85 would avoid any SS problems you may have with your 14-140 lens (somewhat prone to SS) on the G7. All in all, the G85 is a significant upgrade from the G7.

On the other hand, you say you are happy with the G7. That's enough for me to vote for you to spend your money on the 7-14, which is a terrific lens and really opens up more photographic opportunities. Buy the lens, then wait for the price on the G85 to drop, perhaps when a future G95 is announced. Bodies come and go, but good lenses stick around.

I have the 7-14mm, also the Samyang 7.5mm, both great lenses. I’ve had them a while and there are now other options. You might consider the 7Artisans UWA, a much cheaper way to gain that new perspective.

The G80/85 is a significant step up from the G7 in the way it feels, handles and sounds. In truth though, weather sealing apart and incamera stacking, it does not add anything major.

Many examples of 7-14 mm and 7.5mm FE here https://www.flickr.com/photos/dieselgolfer/albums/72157646076479907

I recently upgraded to G85 from GX7 .... I'm very happy I did. Overall a wonderful camera.

I had the 7-14 but sold it, because of serious flare problems ... (If wanting a wide angle I'd save for the 8-18.)

What til do? Only you know, as you know!

I clicked the 7-14mm option because it's a fantastic lens.

But if you'd added another option 'get both' I'd have clicked that.

We have a g7 and g85. The g85’s better but it doesn’t take better pictures. Always go for the glass!

You can also buy the lens for much less used. For example from KEH.

Greg

Thank you all, the response is clear: bodies come and go, glass stays.

It may sound odd, but I appreciate the clear input.

As long as you are still happy with G7 (i.e., still within a usable life to you), why not get 7-14 since replacing G7 by G85 won't give you the AoV you wish to use.

Tomorrow, might be G9 would be discounted to US$900, or a G95 be launched with more new features at an attractive price, you can still have a chance to upgrade. But then, 7-14 is already with you...

I will pick G85 only if G7 cannot serve your purpose already.

Understandable. Buying cameras is fun but lenses make the difference. I spent Easter weekend usIng a g7 and the a g2 with the 35-100 2.8. Back to back, the G2 feels a relic. Like, why even bother keeping it?

But, looking at the pictures, they all look great!

However, the g85 vs g7, almost no difference in operation. The g7 is really good. I’d keep shooting it.

If you don't know what to buy - it doesn't matter which - you are bound to make the wrong choice, and wished you'd bought the other one. Then you will...

Mike

Cameras come and go. Both of the 7-14 options are stellar.

i didn't vote because well depents on what you are missing out now.

- once in a wile need more angle? use panorama in portrait. i decided to do that.

- want to go out and shoot wide scenes or in narrow places? get the 7-14 or 8-18.

i did skip the g7 and waited (didn't know what i wanted and was affraid the investment did't paid out. in pleasure i mean.) but the g80 was that packed and full of improvements over the g7 that i turned from wanted 1" bridge to m43.

in between solution: buy the g80 and get a 7mm loawa prime instead of uaw zoom.

you gain new shutter mechanism, weatherproof body, dual IS2, DFD?(G7 has that to i believe.) touchscreen, more 4k solutions like focusstacking in 4k and rw2.bracketing.

and maybe some more things i can't recal which are not available in the G7.

But does the G80 in A-mode vs G7 in A-mode a better job? it should be because its newer. 🙂

- if you buy the g80 you can keep the g7 as second/backup body.

- if you buy a lens, in the future wil be a oppertunity to buy second hand a g80. or viseversa.

you see there are lots more roads to Rome. 😀

only you can get al ducks in a row for this decision.

(if it was me having a g7 il wil waiting to skip one upgrade and see what the "G90" wil bring and decide then if i buy the G80 or the new one. ( then the sellingprice is reduced by the new G90.)

74.5% of people who answered said "get the wide angle lens".  Less than 15% said upgrade the body first.  The third answer was about 10% ....

I have a feeling very few polls are that clear.

And for the person who pointed out that there are many paths to achieving both, I thank you.  I think (happily) that I should be able to buy new equipment, the major issue that make me limit spending is avoiding ire from my spouse.  I need to convince her!

Aberaeron wrote:

JosephScha wrote:

74.5% of people who answered said "get the wide angle lens". Less than 15% said upgrade the body first. The third answer was about 10% ....

I have a feeling very few polls are that clear.

And for the person who pointed out that there are many paths to achieving both, I thank you. I think (happily) that I should be able to buy new equipment, the major issue that make me limit spending is avoiding ire from my spouse. I need to convince her!

Mine usually wants new curtains or the kitchen painted as compensation.

your spous is very friendly, mine wanted a new kitchen ánd new curtains....😀