GH2 Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm - anyone used it yet?

[HotConductor]

I need a new zoom lens and was thinking about grabbing one of the X series. I am completely baffled by the new 45-175. It can EASILY be found for almost HALF the cost of the 14-140. Why so cheap for what seems like a very decent lens from what I've seen?

 

[Thomas Smet]

Because going ultra wide on the wide end in a zoom is actually much harder to do then starting out at 45mm.

I have also been curious as to what people think of the lens when it comes to video. I have seen a lot of reviews dealing with photos but video was always an after thought. The motorized zoom is a bit interesting and one of the few areas lacking with DSLR shooting as opposed to traditional video cameras. I currently have a 45mm to 200mm and find it to be a great lens for video. I can actually do a half way decent live zoom with it if I am very careful but it is still far from perfect. I keep going back and forth of selling my 45mm to 200mm and getting the x lens 45mm to 175mm. Yeah the lens is slow but so is my current lens so nothing that could really be considered a negative at this point. I mostly use it a good lighting anyway and even when I did have to use it indoors in moderate lighting I found an iso of 640 on my GH1 still held up well. I am going to buy a GH2 this week and thought perhaps sell the GH1 with the 45mm to 200mm as well as the 14mm to 42mm and get both of the X lenses for the GH2.

 

[HotConductor]

I just bought the 45-175 X today. Arrives Friday and I have a fun project to use it on.. Will report back. It was an inexpensive gamble..