GH3 Alternatives to the Panny 35-100

D

droid

Member
Hey all. I am looking for alternatives to the Panny 35-100 2.8. It must be a 2.8 or higher lens, higher as in larger. I really need a lens that also takes good pics. I would go with a Fujinon/Canon B4 lens because of the zoom and the aperture, but its not very good for pics. I really need something with auto focus also. I don't really see any options. Are there some that I don't know about? Hopefully. By alternative I mean a bit cheaper around $1000 or less. I currently have the Panny 12-35. Thanks!!

Droid
 
I really don't think there are any alternatives right now. The closest lens would be the new Olympus 40mm-150 f/2.8, but it does not have OIS and will likely be a lot more expensive. ( I'm expecting this will be a $2K lens )

There are a few new Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 lenses on eBay that are priced at $1,030.
 
TheDingo said:
I really don't think there are any alternatives right now. The closest lens would be the new Olympus 40mm-150 f/2.8, but it does not have OIS and will likely be a lot more expensive. ( I'm expecting this will be a $2K lens )

There are a few new Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 lenses on eBay that are priced at $1,030.
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Yea I saw a few of the thousand-ish Panny 35-100's. Just like this one http://www.digitalrev.com/product/panasonic-lumix-g-x-vario/MTAwMTUxNg_A_A from Digitalrev. Aren't they all from China? Is there a difference. In condition, and/or warranty etc.
 
droid said:
Yea I saw a few of the thousand-ish Panny 35-100's. Just like this one http://www.digitalrev.com/product/panasonic-lumix-g-x-vario/MTAwMTUxNg_A_A from Digitalrev. Aren't they all from China?
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Most of the ones I've spotted are from Japan, and I suspect that the warranty may be Japanese, which would mean shipping it back to Japan for free warranty repairs. ( otherwise you have to pay for local repairs )

You might want to try contacting one of the more reputable eBay stores to see if it's possible to get an international warranty for this lens, even if it's through a third party.

I've bought several pricey items from Japan over the past few years, with the knowledge that I would end up paying for local repairs if I didn't want to ship the item back. So far nothing has gone wrong with my gear, and the warranty is over now, so I would have to pay no matter what.
 
I have to say, Digital Rev has been a good place for me to buy stuff that I can't find over here
in the states...they seem to get stock before B&H and other big video stores over here, sometimes.
I have had great experiences with them.
 
I would think there's plenty of alternatives, some are cheaper, some more expensive - I did a lot of research and really for the money and features, the 35-100 is pretty good, I would DEFINITELY not go anywhere near the canon/fujinon ENG lenses on a GH3, they are a pain, and frankly don't work very well.
 
Yea I think i am going with the 35-100 from digitalrev at $1100. Digitalrev also has a local warranty program. So no shipping back to Japan or Hong Kong.
 
Right now i'm using a Canon FD 35-105 f3.5, for video i just really love the ways of manual focus and zoom ring move on old lenses and waiting to some kind of speed booster for Canon FD lenses on M4/3.
 
xenogears said:
Right now i'm using a Canon FD 35-105 f3.5, for video i just really love the ways of manual focus and zoom ring move on old lenses and waiting to some kind of speed booster for Canon FD lenses on M4/3.
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+1 on a Speed Booster for Canon FD
 
Speaking of SpeedBooster, I've been using the earlier Sigma non-OS 50-150/2.8 with the Nikon SB, yielding an effective 35-105/2 lens. Non-extending smooth zoom with repeatable internal focusing. Of course it's an all-manual affair, and image falls apart a bit when shooting into bright light, but in most situations it's a treat to work with.
 
For both stills and video, the 35-100 2.8 cant be beat. Most of the reputable Ebay sellers from Hong Kong will pay for the return shipping to Hong Kong should you have a warranty issue. I've bought most of my DSLR equipment from there and the service is fantastic.
 
I use a ciecio7 4:3 adapter for my 50mm Canon FD 1.4 but it doesn't work with my Canon FD 35-105 (fits fine but can't change f stops). Other than the speed booster can you recommend a 4:3 adapter for the 35-105 Canon FD. Thanks.
 
If you buy 2nd hand they can be had for slightly over $900, the OIS is really useful for handheld or critical focus at tele end without all the shakes. The AF can be used on some tracking shots (I use it to record my dog running around, works surprising well)
 
I REALLY want to get the 35-100, but there's one thing that kind of erks me...why does it end at 100mm? I've got the 45-200mm right now, and it's ehhhh. The ONLY reason I like it is because of it's reach. There's times where I absolutely NEED the 200mm, more so with photos than with video, but still. Why would Panasonic cut in half the focal length? It's supposed to be a Panny replacement for the 70-200L, why would they cut the length in half? Okay, yes, maybe the sensor is now 2X instead of the APS-C 1.6X, but even the 70-200L when put on an APS-C body becomes roughly a 112- 320mm. I could understand if they DID have a full-frame lineup of cameras, but all of their cameras that will use this lens have atleast a 1.5x crop. How could they miss this?

The fact that this $1000+/- lens only gets to 100mm baffles me. If I do get the 35-100mm, what other lenses could I rely on after 100mm?

And DONT even get me started on WHY Panasonic would come out with a GH3 battery grip with an offset tripod hole. Like, WHY? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING
 
AM Films said:
I REALLY want to get the 35-100, but there's one thing that kind of erks me...why does it end at 100mm?
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Because a high performance 35-200mm f/2.8 lens would cost 4 times as much. ( there is no market for a $5,000+ Lumix lens )

AM Films said:
It's supposed to be a Panny replacement for the 70-200L, why would they cut the length in half?
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The Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 IS the equivalent of a Canon or Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. ( in terms of FOV, F-Stop, Sharpness )

Micro 4/3 cameras use a 2x crop sensor relative to Full Frame 35mm cameras like the Canon 5D Mk3 or Nikon D800.

AM Films said:
If I do get the 35-100mm, what other lenses could I rely on after 100mm?
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Panasonic make a very good 100-300mm f/4.0 - f/5.6 lens, and some day might make a faster lens if you're willing to pay $3,000+.

AM Films said:
And DONT even get me started on WHY Panasonic would come out with a GH3 battery grip with an offset tripod hole
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This is just bad design. I've thought of having a custom tripod plate made to fix this issue.
 
Dont know what you need it for, for video interviews/great photos you could get the Olympus 75mm 1.8 - then when needing the extra zoom get the Panasonic 100-300mm f/4.0 - f/5.6
 
PegLeg Media said:
Dont know what you need it for, for video interviews/great photos you could get the Olympus 75mm 1.8
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The problem with having only the Olympus 75mm for interviews, is that often you have to shoot in a small spaces where there may only be 6 feet between you and your subject. This is where the 35mm focal length comes in. And then there are times when you have to shoot in a large and very busy space, where you want to use the full 100mm focal length to remove as much of the background as possible.
 
mcbob said:
Speaking of SpeedBooster, I've been using the earlier Sigma non-OS 50-150/2.8 with the Nikon SB, yielding an effective 35-105/2 lens. Non-extending smooth zoom with repeatable internal focusing. Of course it's an all-manual affair, and image falls apart a bit when shooting into bright light, but in most situations it's a treat to work with.
Click to expand...

Would you be willing to post a link to some footage from this combo? I just purchased the 18-35, have a SB on the way, and am looking to compliment the set up with a longer lens as well.
 
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