14-45mm firmware update improves video performance on GH1

[commanderspike]

I was under the impression that the 14-45mm does not have a continous iris and doesn't operate in auto focus mode on the GH1.

Seems this (http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index.html) firmware goes someway to making the aperture quieter and it mentions over at DPReview that the lens operates in auto focus mode during video recording.

So what advantages does the very expensive continous iris 14-140mm gives us post 14-45mm firmware update?

Is it as near as makes no difference?

Becuase that lens is one heck of an expensive attachment compared to the 14-45mm G1 lens I already have :)

If I sold the 14-140mm that would make the GH1 even more of a bargain!!! :) :)

[AdrianF]

This might signal that the 14-45 will be the kit lens for a lower price GH1, maybe, possibly.
I'm a little confused on the AF issue, as I thought this was listed as working on Panasonics site??

[commanderspike]

GH1 with 14-45 is already listed as a kit on some Japanese online retailers, release date mid June.

My main question is has anybody tried this combination, is it a large sacrifice in video terms? No continuous iris...

[joe 1008]

Go with the 14-140 lens! It is horribly slow but in every other aspect perfect for the GH1 video mode. Pros like Kholi and Philip Bloom praise it. At the beginning it will cover 90% of your needs, only in extreme low light you will run into limitations. IMO for what I know it's worth every cent it costs.
It's no only about manual controls, i'ts about the whole functionality of the GH1 + lens package that convinced me to go with the Panasonic for now. And the 14-140 lens is an important part of that functionality.

[commanderspike]

I receive my Japanese GH1 on Friday, so will be doing some comparisons between video shot with both lenses.

I will keep the 14-140mm for sure and agree with what you and other pros say but it will be interesting to see just how the much cheaper patched 14-45 stacks up against it, and in what ways the 14-140mm is better in reality.