GH4 the 14-140...

D

DBP

Well-known member
I know this isn't the sexiest lens. Doesn't produce the most eye popping image by any stretch...

But yesterday I had to do photos and video, run and gun documentary style for some pretty important and sensitive stuff. Luckily everything was very well lit, and MY GOD this lens was a life saver. First time using it, but for quickly snapping photos and video...yeah, made my life way easier.

Incredible range. It's the Mk1, so the OIS is quite solid, even on the long end.

I had my primes / gimbal and got the usual eye candy, but this lens was a life saver for making sure I got the essentials.
 
Agreed. The version one of the lens has surprisingly good OS. On the GH5S due to the dual native ISO one can shoot at f5.6 for the same overall visual quality of a prime at f2.2 on the GH5. That really does make the lens a gem. Thats faster than the f2.8 zooms on the GH5 and you have a huge range to work with for live events. It really is a solid combo. The GH5s can even be pushed a bit more to ISO 6400 with a bit more noticeable noise but no degradation of color. That really should make the lens usable in the majority of live event situations.

Optically the lens isn't bad either. Maybe not stunning but its still l solid looking lens that matches any other systems zoom lenses with this type of range.

Thought about getting rid of mine but really its such a joy to shoot with especially when traveling with the family on vacation. Nothing beats that zoom range and OS when traveling the world.

I bet it would be nice on the new Pocket 4k as well.
 
My complement of lenses for my GH5 and GH5S are the 12-60 used on the GH5 and the latest 14-140 on the GH5S also have the Olympus 12-50 power zoom that also works good on the GH5S and I can control with my Libec Lanc control much like a camcorder !!!
 
Ron Evans said:
My complement of lenses for my GH5 and GH5S are the 12-60 used on the GH5 and the latest 14-140 on the GH5S also have the Olympus 12-50 power zoom that also works good on the GH5S and I can control with my Libec Lanc control much like a camcorder !!!
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Ron, is this the Libec you use? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1344165-REG/libec_zc_lp_zoom_control_for_lanc_panasonic.html

I'm assuming the Olympus is not parfocal. When you zoom, how well does does your GH5 compensate for that? I'm about to start livestreaming again and having sold my actual video camera I'm looking for solutions without right away digging as deep into my pockets as I'd ideally like to.

I do have the Panasonic 45-175 power zoom. Not a great lens but good enough for streaming I think. Continuous autofocus on the GH5 holds focus very well until you start panning and then its only, most of the time. I'd appreciate your input on this as well as any best settings.

Thanks
 
Yes that is the Libec I use. I can use it in Sony mode on my NX5U or the Panasonic switch position on the GH5's. No it is not parfocal and so zooming in it will go out of focus. I tend not to zoom too much it is really an easy way of framing in UHD as I can always zoom in close in editing. I use touch focus to set most of the time just as I do with the other lenses. In good light it seems to do a reasonable job with face auto but for me I tend to be in manual and touch focus frequently when I zoom. Normal mode for me on all my cameras.
 
I would really like a 14-140 with power servo zoom and firmware update on the GH5 to have variable zoom control with ramp in and out !!! That would really remove the need for a camcorder. I know it would be as much as the camera. The Sony 28-135 for the FS7 is $2500.
 
Ron, thanks for your response. I'd already ordered the Libec before I posting here so good to know my guess was correct. I always shoot UHD and do punch in post as need be but of course for a livestream that won't work. I'll have to give touch focus some tests and see how that goes. And I agree 14-140 power zoom would be great although what with having the 45-175, if I get 12-50 I'll be okay.
 
I just shot all day yesterday on my old 14-140 and the range of possibilities and compositions with this lens, from wide to telephoto, is continually astonishing to me.

SB
 
Ron Evans said:
I would really like a 14-140 with power servo zoom and firmware update on the GH5 to have variable zoom control with ramp in and out !!! That would really remove the need for a camcorder. I know it would be as much as the camera. The Sony 28-135 for the FS7 is $2500.
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14-140mm changes focus very much when zooming. Power zoom would be pointless with this lens. GH5 and AF helps a little but nice looking zooming is almost impossible.
 
Yes I know but that is the case with lots of zooms unless they are very expensive or have interaction with the camera firmware to account for the change and make them effectively parfocal which I am sure is what happens for the DVX200. Hence my comment of firmware on the camera too. I was also suggesting a lens with this range that met the requirements not this actual lens. Hence the cost difference too. Touch focus is also fine as I use that a lot and on the GH5 is fast. Only continuous auto is a problem in just some situations. Actually it is not too different to most of my Sony camcorders !!! I am usually using 4 cameras so I am sure while it is out of focus I can use one of the others !!! Focusing at full tele and then coming back works quite well until I touch focus too.
 
I've had the Libec zoom control for a few days now, not too much time to work with it but I will say its something of a blunt instrument, a veritable sledge hammer of zoom controls. I didn't think it would feather in and out but tiered presets would have been nice, even if only a simple slow, medium and fast as opposed to its current very fast. No doubt practicing with it will help as it does respond accordingly to how much pressure you apply to the rocker. However if the rocker had more mechanical resistance that would help. As it is, its far too easy to engage at full speed. Also, if it at least engaged immediately it would be easier to know exactly when a zoom would start. Perhaps a different zoom lens than the one I have (Panasonic 45-175), that had a slower power zoom, would make this more acceptable. Whether the Panny 14-42 or the Olympus 12-50 are slower I don't know. Maybe somebody on here does. Not sure if I'll keep it.
 
Its not the Libec its the way the GH5 interfaces with the lens I think. I use the Libec both on my Sony camcorders and the GH5. On the Sony camcorder I get nice smooth variable control but not so with the Olympus lens on my GH5 or GH5S. I do not think that level of control is in the camera or lens. Would be nice to have a servo zoom lens and I would be happy to pay a premium for one that has variable speed control with a nice ramp start and stop. I have the camera menu set to slow as the best option I found as there is not variable setting so whatever the camera speed control is set at is what happens with the Libec. One speed as set my the camera menu as far as I can tell.
 
I think you're right about the GH5/lens interface. With or without the Libec, changing zoom speed settings in the camera makes no difference at all. I had a brief moment of hope when I realized that not having used the lens for some time, it needed a firmware upgrade. It was 2 versions behind but it made no difference at all. If you're going to offer an upgrade, do the upgrade, so the suppossed features actually work. Of course I am barking up the wrong tree to begin with. What I really need is a new video camera. As much as I would be tempted by a servo zoom lens for what it would cost I'd probably be better off putting that into a new camera. I'm also tempted by the Panasonic FZ 2500, the firmware of which, from what I've seen in tests, makes its lens effectively par focal. But really, thats the wrong tree as well.
 
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