GH3 Strange Panasonic 12-35mm shakiness -- possible lemon? Any others see this?

Folks,

Those of you who own a 12-35mm lens with the jitter problem should report it. I'd argue that even if you are satisfied with the lens otherwise.

There's no particular reason that Panasonic would electively fix the issue on their own if it doesn't appear to affect in-warranty users. And let's not assume that people who make these decisions are monitoring DVXUser.

How to report that samples of the Panasonic H-HS12035 LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH X Series Lens can suffer from image shakiness on a tripod, even with image stabilization turned off:

(United States)

FORUM:
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/H-HS12035?support

EMAIL:
http://shop.panasonic.com/ecom/support/contact-us?t=email

PHONE:
Product Support and Technical Assistance
1-800-211-PANA (7262)
Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST
Sat-Sun 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST
 
I also strongly suggest that you 'Like' the Panasonic GH3 facebook page as it will contain the transcript of a conversation with Panasonic in about 10 days.
Please be sure to update your latest Wishes & Gripes here , there and everywhere.
Let's call it an 'End User Uprising'
Enough being used as Guinea Pigs for beta products.
 
I was able to re-produce it with my copy as well. Just tested on the GH2.

Just a hint for others who want to do own tests:
By using the ETC largening factors in addition to the 35mm setting of the lense I can see the jitter or movement already while recording.
 
Hello -- this is from Amin, I'm posting this on his behalf.

Anyone who is experiencing this issue, please:
-Email me: amin at mu-43 dot com
-Use subject line: Panasonic 12-35 video issue
-Indicate your name and whether you're willing to be contacted by Panasonic directly by phone and/or email about this issue.
If you're willing to be contacted, I will forward those emails to my contact at Panasonic.
-Amin
 
I was contacted by Panasonic US and I sent a few additional sample videos to illustrate the problem. I can't say whether or not the issue will be resolved soon, but I can at least report that Panasonic Japan is able to replicate the jitter at their facilities, and that they are currently investigating it. Not much we can do but sit tight and wait. Thanks Amin for setting up the direct contact.
 
I now have a line on to Panasonic and listed the following Gripes & Wishes. Please feel free to add/subract or modify the list. I expect a conversation with a rep from the development team in a few days.
1) GRIPE> Stop screen info from disappearing inVideo Mode.Logic> There is little value in a LumixLink WiFi functionality if it does not allow the user to view the action in Live View mode.
2)WISH> Focus Peaking. I am aware that Panasonic Techical responded that the current Venus engine does not allow this functionality.
3)WISH> Zebras. Garden variety camcorders have this important feature, a GH3 caliber hybrid should too
4)WISH> pro picture profiles for video. Optimized for flattest reasonable 8 bit profile
5)GRIPE/WISH>Panasonic official bit-rate improvement on All-I modes. HQ mode warning for certain cards. 150mb/s bitrate. Let the codec breath for pro users. Lots of warnings but make it standard.
6)GRIPE>A lock on the media card door
7)GRIPE>A lock of User Interface Buttons that are too closely situated near camera body grip points.
8) BIG GRIPE>Elimination of micro shaking in the 12-35 f2.8 Lumix zoom even when IS is off and the camera is on a tripod pointed downwards.NOTE: This glitch eliminates the 12-25 Lumix lens for Semi-professional customers. We need a detailed explanation of what is causing this phenomenon and whether it's unique to this particular lens or a characteristic of the core lens design/software control of this lens line.
9) Method for disabling AGC in audio menu

 
From Amin:

"I've forwarded a bunch of emails from users all over the world to my Panasonic US contact who has either replied directly to the user or forwarded their email to the corresponding Panasonic contact in their specific country. At this point, he tells me that they don't need me to forward any more emails. They have enough information to go on, including having the lens from affected user(s) in hand to analyze. So please no more emails to me about this issue. I will update this thread and at Mu-43 if/when I have more info, which hopefully will be soon. John, if you wouldn't mind, please copy this message to the other sites so people know that I don't need to get more emails about this. Thanks in advance."
 
Zephyrnoid said:
I now have a line on to Panasonic and listed the following Gripes & Wishes. Please feel free to add/subract or modify the list. I expect a conversation with a rep from the development team in a few days.
1) GRIPE> Stop screen info from disappearing inVideo Mode.Logic> There is little value in a LumixLink WiFi functionality if it does not allow the user to view the action in Live View mode.
2)WISH> Focus Peaking. I am aware that Panasonic Techical responded that the current Venus engine does not allow this functionality.
3)WISH> Zebras. Garden variety camcorders have this important feature, a GH3 caliber hybrid should too
4)WISH> pro picture profiles for video. Optimized for flattest reasonable 8 bit profile
5)GRIPE/WISH>Panasonic official bit-rate improvement on All-I modes. HQ mode warning for certain cards. 150mb/s bitrate. Let the codec breath for pro users. Lots of warnings but make it standard.
6)GRIPE>A lock on the media card door
7)GRIPE>A lock of User Interface Buttons that are too closely situated near camera body grip points.
8) BIG GRIPE>Elimination of micro shaking in the 12-35 f2.8 Lumix zoom even when IS is off and the camera is on a tripod pointed downwards.NOTE: This glitch eliminates the 12-25 Lumix lens for Semi-professional customers. We need a detailed explanation of what is causing this phenomenon and whether it's unique to this particular lens or a characteristic of the core lens design/software control of this lens line.
9) Method for disabling AGC in audio menu
Click to expand...

yep, this is definitely for you: http://www.personal-view.com/talks/...ssimists-club-aka-dont-cry-for-me-argentina-2
 
Addressed my Panasonic dealer again concerning the micro shaking issue, still no word from Panasonic
 
jbklynnyc said:
I encountered a major problem with my Panasonic 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH X lens. When mounted on my GH3 and placed on a tripod, even with Power Image Stabilization OFF, the image frequently shimmers. There's a lateral movement in the image. This happens more frequently when the camera is angled downward.
Click to expand...

Panasonic just released a firmware update for this lens:

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/hs12035.html

That's v1.2 for lens H-HS12035, released 14-May-2013. Description says "Improved the stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) in Motion Picture recording."

The question then is ----- does this fix your problem? Inquiring minds want to know!
 
I just upgraded the firmware. I never looked or saw a problem before. Hope it solves any issues people were having.
 
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