X Vario lenses
 

Anyone using the Lumix G X Vario zoom lenses?

Curious as to the actual power zoom function on these 2 lenses. Are they smooth? Do you see exposure shifts during zoom?

Thanks

E

Re: X Vario lenses
 

The 45-175 is a decent lens. The power zoom lever is small and not very subtle but the manual zoom works decently for small zooms. A full manual zoom requires a lot of turning and isn't very practical. The exposure doesn't shift noticeably in the few times I've used it with live zooms.

The 14-42 is a different matter. The exposure shifts suddenly with zooms making it near useless for live zooming. The lens does not have a manual option for zooms or focus. It can be useful if you are shooting interviews and want to zoom in or out between takes and not want to worry about the focus if you have the focus set already. I have one but haven't had a situation where I couldn't use the 14-140 or the 20mm to better effect.

All said, a decent semi-pro video camera is 1000% better at zooming than what you can get for a DSLR camera.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Agree totally with William relative to X 14-42. Live zoom is useless. I also see no advantage to this multi-coat lens, as flare is an even bigger issue due to no lens hood.

I highly recommend the Lumix 14-45, but not this GX 14-42.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Thanks, BIG disappointment. I don't need to zoom often but it would be nice to have the option. Jumpy exposure is a non starter. What was Pana thinking? The 14 42 sounds useless.

Is there another choice in a W/A power zoom? Perhaps from Oly?

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Ed - I'm looking at the Olympus 12-50 f3.5-6.3 EZ lens ($499 from or http://www.adorama.com/IOM1250MSBK.html). Power zoom and splash resistant. This is the lens I'll get with the GH3 (assuming it is weather sealed too ;)).

ephotozine sample video:
Sadly, Panasonic's constant aperture moisture-sealed lens and doesn't have a power zoom :(

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: X Vario lenses
 

The Oly 12-50 has some very positive user reviews for it's power zoom mechanism which more than I can say about the Panasonic zoom mechanism. Unfortunately it does not have OIS which is a hindrance for handheld video work. The very expensive Panasonic 12-35 has OIS but no power zoom. It's possible that the 12-35 has a smooth, easy to use manual zoom but I haven't seen mention of that yet. Many people feel that live zooming is bad so it doesn't get mentioned in reviews much for these cameras.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Thanks Bill, Oly looks like a much better option.
Any compatibility issues with a GH2?

Re: X Vario lenses
 

That is not an encouraging video. There's a lot of exposure change during the zoom. Unfortunately it's impossible to tell if the camera was in total manual or not.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

I think the camera was in auto exposure. as soon as the pan happens the exposure changes; before the zoom gets going. impossible to judge for sure...

Re: X Vario lenses
 

My opinion of the X zooms is they are a fancy option to win over the P&S crowd to interchangeable lenses. I handed my niece my GH1 and 14-140 to use and when she returned she said she had a hard time finding the zoom button! Neither of the Panny X zooms are exceptionally sharp lenses. They just go in and out at a touch of a button. I think that's all Panny had in mind.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Since someone asked about it, The 12-35 has constant iris, very very smooth manual focus, and is sharp as heck for a 3:1 zoom. It's also not ghastly huge and comparatively not as expensive as larger systems' equivalent lenses.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Who asked about the 12 -35?
I asked about powered zoom lenses for the GH2.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

It looks like the same exposure change in the 14-42 X zoom, I hope I am wrong about that.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Trying to be helpful to anyone reading this. The available power zooms had pretty much been discussed, and William H. and Bill B. brought up the 12-35 and mentioned that they didn't know how well the manual zoom functioned. I filled in that info as best I could, FWIW.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

And thank you for that.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

I have just bought the Panasonic Lumix X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power O.I.S. Yes, there is nirvana. I have been very excited about two new lenses from Panasonic. One of them has been introduced and it is just now becoming available in the US. It has not been left off of the camera. I have to say this is one of the best lenses for video there is for any platform.

Being a video guy who likes to take stills, this lens fills a big gap for me. I have wanted a F2.8, O.I.S. wide lens for shooting video. O.I.S. really combats the shakes and helps eliminate rolling shutter. Being a zoom is a plus, or should I say variable prime. I wanted that on my Canon but never really found it. I liked the EFS 17-55 F2.8 IS but it was large, heavy, not ruggedized or weather sealed. My search is over.

I have to say it has ben worth the wait. This lens will get a lot of use by me. Panasonic pulled out all the stops one this one. It is as good as we thought it might be. What more could you ask for? Some are saying the price is to high, but this is a “luxury” lens like the one from the other guys. Their’s is much bigger, heavier and expensive. What we got for that expense is a lens that bring MicroFourThirds into the big leagues with it professionalism.

I have done a video review of the lens.
No Need To Resist – The Panasonic Lumix X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH. » FrugalFilmmakers.com

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Even if you use this (or any other power zoom lens) on legs, how hard is it to zoom without moving the cam? I'm not familiar with how big the zoom buttons are. Can someone with non-petite fingers operate them without moving the camera?

D

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Alan, thank you for the review. The 12-35mm looks amazing for the type of work I do. Can I ask, did you add a vignette filter to the footage of your garden and backyard? It seems as if the corners are quite soft, and dark for that matter, so wondering if that's a characteristic of the lens or something that got added in post. Thanks!

Re: X Vario lenses
 

No. I think the vignette was caused by a cheap ND filter. The lens does have some vignetting on the wide end.

Here is another video with the lens. No ND.

Re: X Vario lenses
 

Aha, much better. Looking at the trees in the corners of the shots proves its all pretty crispy! Then again, I'm just going to add a vignette in post anyways.... :)