I like native Panasonic m43 lenses... or rather, I like the idea of them. Small, sharp lenses that react well with the GH# lineup and can pack and handle efficiently.
However, I don't think I'll ever buy another. This was glaringly illustrated by a pair of recent gear fumbling experiences... they happen to us all, but some gear bounces back easier than others.
CASE #1: The PANASONIC: This March, I dropped my old reliable Lumix 12-35/2.8 onto a carpeted corporate concrete floor from a height of about two feet. It incurred a small dent on the back edge of the metal housing. Moreover, focus began to get wonky; it lost the ability to adust/maintain focus while zooming. Autofocus would sometimes just... not, at all. I frequently had to detach and re-attach the lens for the camera to recognize it.
Within less than a week, the lens was done. The focus simply did not function in any way on the camera... it was locked at a very close focus, and that was that.
I dutifully contacted Panasonic and sent the lens off for evaluation and repair. It took them about a week and half to contact me (by phone, they didn't leave a message the first time). I would be charged ~$75 for the evaluation. OK, whatever, I needed my lens repaired.
It took them about two more weeks to contact me again. Their repair estimate was in excess of $1000, including
- Evaluation and estimate
- REPLACEMENT of the entire lens with a refurbished unit, with NO WARRANTY
- Shipment of the lens back to me
...so well over of the cost of a newer-model retail lens (with a warranty). Not quite a deal. I took it as a loss, ate the eval and shipping costs and contacted insurance. Minus deductible, I could probably pick up a used 12-35 after a bit of looking... but I haven't yet, and probably won't... because....
CASE #2: The SIGMA: Two weekends ago, I was in a huge general personal and work rush. I returned from a job, combat-unloaded the car, and rushed off with my hair on fire for some relaxing family time. It wasn't until five days later that I was prepping for another job and noticed I couldn't find my Sigma 18-35/1.8 Art lens, which I'd be needing. Not in the car, not in my gear pile, not in any case... I even contacted the previous job's client and location to check if I'd left it, and I had not.
Resigned, I picked a different lens to stand in for that job, hopped in the car, and backed out of the driveway... and that was when there was a telltale, suspect, nauseating "b-thump" from the front tire.
The lens, in its stock Sigma case, had fallen out of my car... and found its way UNDER THE TIRE. And I drove over it. With my CAR.
Another lens mishap in six months. Great. Just peachy.
I opened up the lens case, and found the lens hood in pieces, and....... and....... um.................. WHAT?
No other visible damage. My aftermarket lens gear had a slight ding from getting pressed into the gravel. There was some condensation from it having sat out in the rain for a weekend. No moisture in the lens. No problems in the glass.
I took it along, and wound up USING the lens on my job that day. Zoom was perfect, image was good and sharp, as usual. The focus mechanism had some slightly increased stiffness. What the hell tank factory did they build this thing in????
Figured I should sontact Sigma to find out how much of a chore checking out that focus issue would be... they'd receive the lens and assess it for no charge, and if it was irreparable, would replace with a refurbished unit at a significant discount.
Quite the contrast and outcome for two ~$900 lenses.
So I think I'm done with Panasonic "professional" lenses. For even money, I can have lenses that can take the occasional careless punch, and can actually be repaired. My budgets aren't huge, and while I got a good seven years out of the 12-35, that's still a rather expensive "consumable."
Meanwhile... after working the lens focus back and forth a little bit, I don't even think I need to send my Sigma in for service... but I will in a few weeks anyway for peace of mind, which the lens has already delivered in abundance.
However, I don't think I'll ever buy another. This was glaringly illustrated by a pair of recent gear fumbling experiences... they happen to us all, but some gear bounces back easier than others.
CASE #1: The PANASONIC: This March, I dropped my old reliable Lumix 12-35/2.8 onto a carpeted corporate concrete floor from a height of about two feet. It incurred a small dent on the back edge of the metal housing. Moreover, focus began to get wonky; it lost the ability to adust/maintain focus while zooming. Autofocus would sometimes just... not, at all. I frequently had to detach and re-attach the lens for the camera to recognize it.
Within less than a week, the lens was done. The focus simply did not function in any way on the camera... it was locked at a very close focus, and that was that.
I dutifully contacted Panasonic and sent the lens off for evaluation and repair. It took them about a week and half to contact me (by phone, they didn't leave a message the first time). I would be charged ~$75 for the evaluation. OK, whatever, I needed my lens repaired.
It took them about two more weeks to contact me again. Their repair estimate was in excess of $1000, including
- Evaluation and estimate
- REPLACEMENT of the entire lens with a refurbished unit, with NO WARRANTY
- Shipment of the lens back to me
...so well over of the cost of a newer-model retail lens (with a warranty). Not quite a deal. I took it as a loss, ate the eval and shipping costs and contacted insurance. Minus deductible, I could probably pick up a used 12-35 after a bit of looking... but I haven't yet, and probably won't... because....
CASE #2: The SIGMA: Two weekends ago, I was in a huge general personal and work rush. I returned from a job, combat-unloaded the car, and rushed off with my hair on fire for some relaxing family time. It wasn't until five days later that I was prepping for another job and noticed I couldn't find my Sigma 18-35/1.8 Art lens, which I'd be needing. Not in the car, not in my gear pile, not in any case... I even contacted the previous job's client and location to check if I'd left it, and I had not.
Resigned, I picked a different lens to stand in for that job, hopped in the car, and backed out of the driveway... and that was when there was a telltale, suspect, nauseating "b-thump" from the front tire.
The lens, in its stock Sigma case, had fallen out of my car... and found its way UNDER THE TIRE. And I drove over it. With my CAR.
Another lens mishap in six months. Great. Just peachy.
I opened up the lens case, and found the lens hood in pieces, and....... and....... um.................. WHAT?
No other visible damage. My aftermarket lens gear had a slight ding from getting pressed into the gravel. There was some condensation from it having sat out in the rain for a weekend. No moisture in the lens. No problems in the glass.
I took it along, and wound up USING the lens on my job that day. Zoom was perfect, image was good and sharp, as usual. The focus mechanism had some slightly increased stiffness. What the hell tank factory did they build this thing in????
Figured I should sontact Sigma to find out how much of a chore checking out that focus issue would be... they'd receive the lens and assess it for no charge, and if it was irreparable, would replace with a refurbished unit at a significant discount.
Quite the contrast and outcome for two ~$900 lenses.
So I think I'm done with Panasonic "professional" lenses. For even money, I can have lenses that can take the occasional careless punch, and can actually be repaired. My budgets aren't huge, and while I got a good seven years out of the 12-35, that's still a rather expensive "consumable."
Meanwhile... after working the lens focus back and forth a little bit, I don't even think I need to send my Sigma in for service... but I will in a few weeks anyway for peace of mind, which the lens has already delivered in abundance.
