New AF100 User Looking For a Starter Lens

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mattsnowboard

Member
I recently purchased the AF100 as I wanted a pro/prosumer camera and the price was unbeatable and just above the prosumers. Anyway, I've shot a lot on an HV40 with a Jag35 adapter before, so I have some ideas about lenses, but for the most part I could use some help.

I want to get a lens to get me started as I learn the camera so I can later decide what other lenses I'd use. I'm thinking a fast wide angle (probably fixed zoom) would be best for me to start with. I want to keep this first lens under $300, though I'm open to buying a used lens. I think I'd rather get a MFT lens which will support auto-focus, rather than an adapter right now for some other lens mounts. The following are a bunch of lenses I've seen that may be a good fit. Looking for any recommendations or help in selecting one.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Asp...1341425390&sr=8-4&keywords=panasonic+mft+lens

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14m...1341425390&sr=8-7&keywords=panasonic+mft+lens

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-19mm-F2-8-Micro-400963/dp/B007F7G6WW/ref=pd_sim_p_79

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-42mm-Aspherical-OIS-Interchangeable/dp/B0043VE28I/ref=pd_sim_p_50

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-H-F...341425390&sr=8-12&keywords=panasonic+mft+lens

I could just read the reviews, but most of them are talking about still cameras and I'm curious as to how these lenses will perform for video and how they work with this camera. I think I'm leaning toward the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 right now, but looking forward to any advice. Thanks!
 
IMO, best initial bang-per-buck is the Olympus 14-54 Mk2. It's a 4/3 lens, will require an adapter, not certain it will autofocus, has some noises when the focus and iris work, and altogether (used, with adapter) is a little higher than your stated price range, but it gives you a very useable focal length range with decent speed and good quality. I use a close relative (Leica 14-50/2.8-3.5) constantly for professional work.

The 14-140 is a very good, sharp lens with great range, great AF, good OIS, but is a little slow and might not be available, used, for near your target price. I'd recommend this second for simple versatility. If you shoot a lot of outdoor snow sports (as your name suggests), the slow speed won't matter and I'd quickly put this at the top of your list.

The 14-45 is OK. Not very fast, OK range, OK-to-middling quality.

The 14-42 is rather disappointing. Not great quality and not very fast.

I'd hesitate to suggest any prime as your first sole lens. It greatly limits what you can do with the camera. A wide-to-normal moderately fast zoom will give your camera great initial flexibility and the ability to truly see what focal lengths you'll use most often - then you can start planning on a set of primes of whatever inexpensive legacy flavor you like.
 
pany 25mm f1.4 - nice range 50mm on full frame, has autofocus but work different in each situation ..... when its a lot of light - i would say fast, when dark - slow, but will focus....... almost silent! lvery useful especially when it comes to hand held as its a small one!

oly 12mm F2.0 - AF - probably a great 1 but expansive....

anyway that cam is not for auto, - if u want auto better go with prosumer cam.....

keep in mind u ll not get any auto focus with 4/3-m4/3

used both and oly14-54 and pany/leica 14-50 - sold and happy! i personally found it unusable as its not constant iris even as a variable prime , because it will change the iris as soon as u zoom and u ll have to make changes in most of your exposure setting!

from what i have heard 14-45 is much better then 14-42. if u need IS its kind of the only cheap lens i think, has af i believe as well

i would look on ebay used SIGMAS 4/3 with adopter, - 30mm f1.4 (i like pany 25mm more), 18-50 constant f2.8 macro! - silent, love that one! 70-200 constant f2.8 macro - completely different animal - high class not like other 4/3 lenses i used, zoom internal - does not extend but u ll need rails to support!!

if u used jug35 dof adopter then u already have manual lenses.... u can use it here... just get adopter - also if u want to save money best way to go probably....

14-140 - sold it and happy, never got any good out of AF here...... but its maybe cause i used it only inside with not enough of light! still did terrible things to my footage...... so i gave up on all auto lenses and use manual focus

if u want shoulder support - TILTA is cheap, but very good - love it!
 
So if I just forget about AF, does that change the suggestions?

It looks like I can find the Olympus 14-54mm used for about half the price, but I need to find the 4/3 to MFT adapter still
Is this a decent adapter? http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-Olympus-Panasonic-AG-AF100/dp/B002TSWTAA/ref=pd_sim_e_25
The Olympus and Panasonic adapters cost over $100 so I'd hope to save a bit of money if it's all the same
And how bad are the noises with focusing?

While I may shoot some snowboarding, I'd like something that can also work indoors with less than ideal light, so a faster lens is preferable at least right now.
 
Be careful about the Olympus 14-54. While it is, without a doubt, optically a fine lens it was definitely not made for video-use. When zooming it starts to produce clicking noise as the aperture re-adjustes itself, resulting also in slight wobbles in exposure until zooming stops.

I still own a used one because I only do "work-zooms" usually I still like it because it's faster than the Lumix lenses and shortest focal distance is 22 centimeter. But it's practically impossible to use it for doc- or news-style work imho. I keep it because I also use it frequently on my GH2.

No AF with mine with the AG-AF 101, btw, don't know if this applies to all models of this lens.
 
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I found I rarely zoom while shooting with the camera/lenses I've worked with. In fact we mostly shot on the Canon kit lens that came with the Jag35. That and a wide angle lens I had borrowed a few times (can't remember exactly what it was right now).

Do the cheap adapters made by Fotodiox and sold on Amazon work okay?
 
Also, what would be better, the Olympic 14-54 f2.8-3.5 with its noise issues, or the cheaper Panasonic 14-45 f3.5-5.6?
I know that I just want something for now to start learning how to use the camera but I'm kind of stuck on these two. I like that the Olympic is faster (f2.8) but it seems like the Panasonic might be convenient to get with no adapter right from Amazon, though I'm not sure how well it would perform indoors with less-than-ideal lighting. And how does the quality of the image really compare between these two?
 
The Olympus 14-54 is nice, I use it many times... I have a olympus electronic adapter (MMF-2)
 
Aside from requiring shim adjustment (simple with a small flat screwdriver), they work fine.

The Oly is much nicer looking and faster, but significantly larger.
 
The 14-54 is the best Olympus/Panasonic lens for the price, but don't expect smooth auto exposure. The iris adjusts in noticeable chunks, and the focus remains manual. I've had one for a year and don't use it much, in fact I gave it to my wife for her Olympus Pen. I'm told that the 14-140 works well with auto, but I've never used one - it's too slow for most of what I do. There just isn't a single lens that fits all the needs, but I find that I often rely on an old Vivitar 28-85 that I picked up for $60. It's 2.8-3.5 and has a nice look for a cheap lens. Of course it's totally manual, but I prefer that.
 
I'd just get a few Nikon A.I.S. primes 28, 50, 105 for that money. A $300 lens that does what you want isn't out there. If that doesn't sound good, save up and get the 14-140, or 12-35 X.
 
Alright, last question:
So I've been borrowing a 28mm f2 for Canon FD mount and I can see that I'd definitely want something wider. I'm thinking that I'll go with either the Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 or the Sigma 14-50mm f2.8 4/3 lenses.

Now one thing I'm wondering is, how does the original Olympus Zuiko compare with the Zuiko II? Is is just a better AF (which I can live without)? I can get the first version at a much lower price even when I add the cost of the adapter, so I'm thinking unless it's drastically different it might make sense.
And is the Sigma really a lot quieter than the Olympus?

Also, how do those lenses work with focus/aperature/zoom? Like is it all manual on the lens itself? Or is there anything that is only electronic? Can I control anything electronically with an adapter (like I've yet to use the iris control wheel on the camera since I've only used a manual lens so far)? Do I need one of these Olympus brand adapters http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-26096...UTF8&colid=D82JO1W0Y6UC&coliid=I348IWFJ54X4VH (vs something cheap)?

Thanks for all of the advice so far.
 
For long shots, the new Lumix 45-175mm f4-5.6 motorized zoom works beautifully on the AF100. Both focus distance and focal length are displayed on the viewfinder and it has both manual and motorized zoom controls. AFC is completely silent and is reasonably quick without noticeable hunting. A rare feature that I appreciate is the fixed-length outer lens barrel. This makes it very convenient to use on 15mm rails with a matte box. With this lens, the AF100 works quite well as an outdoor, live-event camcorder, in situations where you don't need a wide-angle zoom.
 
I have both the Olympus 14-54 f2.8-3.5 and Panasonic 14-45 f3.5-5.6. I almost never use the Panasonic. The Olympus is far superior. I use the Panasonic only if I need to zoom while shooting, which is rare.
 
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