Lumix G Vario 14-140mm

[Downunderwild]

I'm sure there are some threads on issues with these lens, please let me know where I can found the users honest opinions.
I'm thinking of purchasing these lenses, so I have a lens that communicates with the camera.
Is there is some problems that I should be aware, or better lens, please let me know or point me on the direction of current threads on this subject.

[TomLenham]

It's a horrible lens imho, slow and soft, but like most people I own one and find myself using it a lot. It's the only real "1 lens" option if you're needing to change shot sizes a lot without time to switch lenses. I use primes for set up shots, but in a live or R&G situation, it does the job well enough.

[GanEdenVideo]

I'm sure there are some threads on issues with these lens, please let me know where I can found the users honest opinions.
I'm thinking of purchasing these lenses, so I have a lens that communicates with the camera.
Is there is some problems that I should be aware, or better lens, please let me know or point me on the direction of current threads on this subject.

I like it mate, its not a perfect lens but a good all rounder for general shooting. Never to be compared with a $2K + serious lens of course. Good for those who havent got deep pockets like some here. ;)

[David W. Jones]

The 14-140 is the only native M4/3 lens I own.
I generally keep mine mounted to a hacked GH1 for when I need image stabilized handheld shots.

[Barry_Green]

It's a horrible lens imho, slow and soft

Soft? I've heard it called many things, but never soft! Have you compared it against other lenses? I compared it against a $28,000 Arri Alura and found that on an AF100, they were equally sharp.

It's a decent lens, it's slow and it temporarily loses focus while you zoom. Other than that, it's pretty much the most versatile all-in-one lens there is for this camera. It's designed to mate well with the camera, the camera can control autofocus and automatic iris with this lens, and there's barrel distortion correction and chromatic aberration compensation built into the body which results in overall better-looking images.

If I had it to do over again, I might get the two Lumix X lenses (14-45 and 45-175) instead of the 14-140, but then again, maybe not; having one all-purpose do-it-all lens is pretty convenient.

When the new Lumix X 12-35 and 35-100 come out, those will (likely) be the main lenses for AF100 users. But those could be months or a year away or more. Until then, I think the 14-140 remains a decent choice, lacking really only in its slow aperture.

[Ed Kishel]

With enough light it's a great lens. sharp enough for me- stabilized, good zoom range, respectable autofocus speed. And it was free

[ErikTande]

Soft? I've heard it called many things, but never soft!

Yeah, that line confused me too. Slow? Yeah. But it's razor sharp. And if you're shooting outside during the day, it's an amazing lens. Autofocus, stabilized, really wide and a great zoom.

[Greg Smith]

Barry echoes my experience exactly. "A" for sharpness, zoom range and camera integration (auto iris, focus, readouts in viewfinder, OIS), "C" for the slow aperture, "D" for mechanical performance (non-constant aperture, focus changes while zooming, no servo zoom, stepped iris). It's a very mixed bag of a lens but makes decent pictures in good light, and the zoom range makes it versatile. And it was free with my camera, got me started being able to make images right out of the box, which is not to be sneezed at as far as first impressions go. I wouldn't give it up to anything else currently on the market, although if they made a f/2.8 version with an ENG style variable speed servo I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.

- Greg

[Downunderwild]

Thanks everyone for all the help and valuable opinions, just one more thing, would the Pana Vario Elmar -14-150mm be a better performer or is just glass pricing??

[phde99]

Barry echoes my experience exactly. "A" for sharpness, zoom range and camera integration (auto iris, focus, readouts in viewfinder, OIS), "C" for the slow aperture, "D" for mechanical performance (non-constant aperture, focus changes while zooming, no servo zoom, stepped iris). It's a very mixed bag of a lens but makes decent pictures in good light, and the zoom range makes it versatile. And it was free with my camera, got me started being able to make images right out of the box, which is not to be sneezed at as far as first impressions go. I wouldn't give it up to anything else currently on the market, although if they made a f/2.8 version with an ENG style variable speed servo I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.

- Greg

I completely agree with what Greg said here. And I would also love a f/2.8 aperture and a servo zoom!