Wide Zoom Advice for Lumix G9

Over the course of the last few years, I've gone from a Lumix G7 to the G9 and haven't looked back. My primary uses are for safari wildlife photography (Insta @chipal03) and portraits (@portraitsbychip).

I own the following lenses:

Lumix 14-42
Lumix X 45-175
PL Summilux 25mm II f1.4
PL Nocticron 42.5 f1.2
PL Vario-Elmar 100-400

I'm in love with the results I get using Panasonic Leica glass.

On safari, it's less than ideal to continue swapping lenses. I'll most likely pick up a second G9 body to replace the G7.

With this in mind, I'm looking for recommendations on a second zoom that would cover the wider angles. The Lumix 14-140 is the ideal range, however, I'm looking for something of higher quality.

Naturally the PL 50-200 comes to mind, however it doesn't cover the wider angles. I'm not opposed to Oly lenses, I just don't have experience with them and am a bit skewed, feature/benefit-wise, towards staying in the Panasonic family.

And go!

I love the 12-100 Oly pro on my G9.

My copy of 14~140 (f/3.5ish mk-I) has IQ very close to 12~35 f/2.8 on overlapping focal length of similar f/stop. It is only slower only. Not good enough?

Weight, cost, IQ, range of zoom coverage making 14~140 quite outstanding from its class.

If you are carrying two bodies, then the Olympus 12-100 f4 would pair well with the Panasonic 100-400 giving you a very wide focal length option with no gaps.

As others mentioned, the only higher end wide zoom with that much range is the Olympus 12-100 f/4. On the Panasonic side there's the PL 12-60 f/2.8-4.

Not a whole lot of lenses with the range of the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 and higher end.

Has to be the 8-18 if you want a wide angle PL zoom. If you want something less wide with more range you can't go wrong with the Olympus 12-100

I have both of these and they work perfectly on my G9.

chipal wrote:

Over the course of the last few years, I've gone from a Lumix G7 to the G9 and haven't looked back. My primary uses are for safari wildlife photography (Insta @chipal03) and portraits (@portraitsbychip).

Yup, G6,7,80 then G9 for me. The G80 is still good, I have two, and a significant upgrade from the G7. Getting another G9 does have the advantage of sharing batteries.

I own the following lenses:

Lumix 14-42
Lumix X 45-175
PL Summilux 25mm II f1.4
PL Nocticron 42.5 f1.2
PL Vario-Elmar 100-400

I'm in love with the results I get using Panasonic Leica glass.

On safari, it's less than ideal to continue swapping lenses. I'll most likely pick up a second G9 body to replace the G7.

With this in mind, I'm looking for recommendations on a second zoom that would cover the wider angles. The Lumix 14-140 is the ideal range, however, I'm looking for something of higher quality.

I have the 14-140mm and it does pair well with the 100-400mm. I recently bought the Oly 12-40mm f2.8 and a few days later, tempted by a good price, a PL 12-60mm f2.8-f4. The Oly has superb build quality and the f2.8, love it, but the extra 20mm x2 on the PL makes it more useful for everyday use and it focuses quite close, plus dual IS. Although the PL has very good build quality, the Oly is much better. 12mm v 14mm make quite a difference. So, for everyday pairing, I’d recommend the PL 12-60mm.

PL 12-60mm images https://www.flickr.com/photos/dieselgolfer/albums/72157719683385681

I have the PL 8-18mm, so much wider but more for architecture or, at 8mm and f2.8, for occasional Astro work.

Naturally the PL 50-200 comes to mind, however it doesn't cover the wider angles. I'm not opposed to Oly lenses, I just don't have experience with them and am a bit skewed, feature/benefit-wise, towards staying in the Panasonic family.

Yes, I desire the 50-200mm, because the 100mm of 100-400mm can be way too long, but it is rather pricey, especially with a 1.4x and 2x convertors. I usually have the 14-140mm on a G80, which works fine for wildlife. I do have 45-175mm PZ lens too and intend to try carrying it, instead of the 14-140mm, to see it the 45mm end is wide enough for wildlife. I could carry a third body, the second GG80, with 14-140mm or 12-60mm, but past experience is that three bodies is one too many.

And go!

Olympus options are the 12-100mm f4, a great lens by all accounts but you’re at f4 and no dual IS.  UWA 8-25mm f4, a lens that would suit architecture and city walkabout but, at f4, not suited to Astro.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of those praising the Oly 12-100.  Fabulous lens, works great on my G9 or my GX8.  You don't get Dual IS, but the lens OIS works very well.  I sold my 14-140 to get the 12-100 and I'm very happy I did.  I think I paid $900 for a pristine used copy that came with a couple high-end filters.

For ultra-wide, the 8-18 is also excellent.