Which of these lenses would you go for?

[jascination]

So I have just bought a Japanese GH2 w/ 14-42mm kit lens.

I've got a friend over in Taiwan who has found a place selling the 14-140mm Lumix lens for ~AU$320. They also sell the 20mm f/1.7 for ~$380.


I could feasibly only afford one, maybe 2 lenses. I'm using this for video production and the OCCASIONAL photography, but mainly film.

My options are:

1. Buy the 14-140mm and sell the 14-42mm.
2. Buy the 20mm and sell the 14-42mm.
3. Buy nothing and keep the 14-42mm.


Is the 14-140mm really that much better than the 14-42mm? Is it any sharper/better aperture, etc? Or is the only benefit the focal range?

 

[GrahamH]

Well overall the 14-140 has a worse aperture range (f4.0-5.8) than the 14-42 (f3.5-5.6), although at 42mm it may be marginally better.

Having just sold my 14-42 this week, I can tell you that 'like new' copies are mostly selling for between $160 and $170 in the U.S..

Edit: Just checked the currency conversion. Assuming you are in the US and can get it shipped here cheaply without Customs, right now you could buy that $320AUS 14-140 and if you don't like it resell it on EBay for at least a $250US profit. Just a thought....

 

[Black_Ste]

I haven't used 14-42.

If I were you, I would take 14-140 in place of 14-42, if only one lens is in contention and you don't loss a lot on selling 14-42. With 14-140 you get a slightly slower lens than 14-42, but rest everything is better with 14-140. If you are into video, it further strengthens the case for 14-140.

The 20mm is excellent, but if it is the only lens in my kitty, I will feel severely restricted even with the excellent sharpness, low light abilities and small form factor.