I can't decide between the Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II and the Panasonic Leica 14-50 f/2.8-3.5. They panny has OIS and from the reviews I have read, it looks like the AF may be better one the Olympus. I can get either one for around the same price. I will be using it on GH2 body mostly for video. Or should I just go ahead and get the $1000 Panasonic 12-35mm which does have that jitter issue.
Which zoom lens?
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Fortinbras
Member
The fixed 2.8 is a great advantage and the Panasonic is an amazing lens.
I own and use both the Leica 14-50 and the Panny 12-35.
Zoom and focus smoothness is a wash. Image quality is also a wash. Leica gets an edge with its aperture ring (it's electronic and steppy just like using the wheel on the body, but nice to have it on the lens barrel). Panny gets an edge with slightly better OIS.
Both lenses don't maintain a constant aperture through a zoom. Both lenses will click as aperture adjusts over a zoom range.
12-35 is more closely parfocal... it will lose focus briefly on snap zooms but electronically refocus. 14-50 is only "nearly" parfocal.
If autofocus is of any significant importance to you, get the 12-35. None of the 4/3 zooms' AF operate with anything approaching speed.
If you aren't comfortable with the thought of minor lens repair, you may wish to avoid the Leica 14-50; 3 screws inside the zoom mechanism can loosen and cause the zoom to lock at 22mm. It's an easy one-time fix with a little purple locktite, but if you aren't comfortable with doing lens repairs, it will make you very very mad if/when it happens.
If compact size is important to you, get the 12-35.
The vital advantage of the Leica 14-50 over the 12-35 is its range. There are far too many times I really need that extra 15mm on the long end... that's its primary saving grace in my kit, really.
As to the Oly 14-54, I thought it was very much like the 14-50 but with a little rougher zoom, a very slightly softer image, and no OIS or aperture ring. Exceptionally good value lens, though.
Zoom and focus smoothness is a wash. Image quality is also a wash. Leica gets an edge with its aperture ring (it's electronic and steppy just like using the wheel on the body, but nice to have it on the lens barrel). Panny gets an edge with slightly better OIS.
Both lenses don't maintain a constant aperture through a zoom. Both lenses will click as aperture adjusts over a zoom range.
12-35 is more closely parfocal... it will lose focus briefly on snap zooms but electronically refocus. 14-50 is only "nearly" parfocal.
If autofocus is of any significant importance to you, get the 12-35. None of the 4/3 zooms' AF operate with anything approaching speed.
If you aren't comfortable with the thought of minor lens repair, you may wish to avoid the Leica 14-50; 3 screws inside the zoom mechanism can loosen and cause the zoom to lock at 22mm. It's an easy one-time fix with a little purple locktite, but if you aren't comfortable with doing lens repairs, it will make you very very mad if/when it happens.
If compact size is important to you, get the 12-35.
The vital advantage of the Leica 14-50 over the 12-35 is its range. There are far too many times I really need that extra 15mm on the long end... that's its primary saving grace in my kit, really.
As to the Oly 14-54, I thought it was very much like the 14-50 but with a little rougher zoom, a very slightly softer image, and no OIS or aperture ring. Exceptionally good value lens, though.
This will be my second camera for wedding ceremonies with my primary being a HMC150. It will be mostly unmanned. Should I leave it in manual and therefor AF wouldnt be an issue? Or do you think continous AF is best (with the bride walking down the isle) and therefor making 12-35 the best option.
unmanned?
Then it's best as your master wide. No way in heck I'd leave AF on. OIS is also pointless in this application, IMO.
I'd lean towards an inexpensive set of fast legacy primes, but fully understand you don't always know how close/far you'll get to set the tripod and just having one variable lens makes life simple n' sweet.
Oly 14-54, 4/3 Sigma 18-50/2.8, or Tamron 17-50/2.8 (Nikon mount, non-VC) all the way. Should get you shooting for under $400. Tokina 11-16/2.8 (Nikon) if you want a little sharper, wider lens.
Then it's best as your master wide. No way in heck I'd leave AF on. OIS is also pointless in this application, IMO.
I'd lean towards an inexpensive set of fast legacy primes, but fully understand you don't always know how close/far you'll get to set the tripod and just having one variable lens makes life simple n' sweet.
Oly 14-54, 4/3 Sigma 18-50/2.8, or Tamron 17-50/2.8 (Nikon mount, non-VC) all the way. Should get you shooting for under $400. Tokina 11-16/2.8 (Nikon) if you want a little sharper, wider lens.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
If it is a lock down you may want to consider the 35-100 for more range. If you are in the back of a church with the lock down camera even 50mm isn't going to do much for you and you will be stuck with a shot of the B/G not exactly wide and not tight either. Fine for some shots but I wouldn't want to be stuck with it as my only option. For lock downs you may want to consider using three cameras if you are by yourself. Two in the back one tight and one wide as a safety or cut away.