14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? at DVinfo.net

Graeme Hay · May 28th, 2011, 09:17 AM

I'm getting a GH2 for video work (replacing a D90) and I'm wondering if I should get it with the Kit Lens 14-140mm. I'm told its a good lens, but for me it seems very slow and I wondering if its worth the price (~$700 as a kit, vs $900 without).

My Expected Set-up of lenses will be Panny Pancake 20mm f1.7, 14-140mm?+ Nikon Lenses (Mainly 28-80, 80-200 f2.8 zoom glass + Primes at f1.2-1.8 range from 16mm to 58mm)

So I have the range mainly covered (14-20mm is a bit less so).
So my question to you guys is do you use the 14-140mm a lot in shooting because it fully functional with the camera or do you tend to leave it for better glass and manual controls?

Dan Carter · May 28th, 2011, 09:24 AM

Hello Graeme,

In my opinion and experience, the Lumix 14-140 is the better glass. Highly recommended.

Kevin McRoberts · May 28th, 2011, 11:00 AM

Yes.

Cons: it's slow and I'd prefer an aperture ring

In terms of picture quality (in the right lighting - daylight, well-lit indoors) and useful zoom range, there's nothing else close. The OIS is essential to anything hand-held... you can actually get useably stable video, handheld, at 140 w/ ETC on (effectively 728mm). Of course, USUALLY you'd want that sort of shot locked down, but you can get away with it in a pinch.

Even if all it had was the glass and OIS, it would still be worth it... but then it also does all that auto stuff if you want, as well.

Jeff Harper · May 28th, 2011, 11:40 AM

I sold mine. F/4.0 and above is too slow for indoor work, and that is where I shoot most of the time.

The lens will work for you, or not work for you, depending on what and where you shoot. I am a wedding videographer, I couldn't use it. I run two zooms, the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 and the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8. These both are excellent values, and produce great images indoors, which is what I need.

I also use the 20mm, the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 (great lens), the Canon FD 50mm F/1.4 and the Canon FD 135mm F/2.8. I had the excellent Canon 85mm F/1.2 but sold it for the Tamron zoom, which has proven to be a better choice for me.

F/4.0 is slow, by any standards, and no matter how high your ISO can go. If you watch Dan's videos, they are beautiful. He shoots with the 14-140 among others things.

But if you are an event shooter, there simply isn't time to tweak your camera to the point necessary to get a usable image indoors in low light, and if you shoot weddings, I just don't know.

Jeff Harper · May 28th, 2011, 12:02 PM

BTW, AFS focus functions work with the Sigmas I've listed.

Brian Luce · May 28th, 2011, 11:33 PM

If you plan to shoot indoors, this lens is not good. Too slow. I think it's way overpriced as well. Slow slow slow.

May 28th, 2011, 09:17 AM	#1
Graeme Hay Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? I'm getting a GH2 for video work (replacing a D90) and I'm wondering if I should get it with the Kit Lens 14-140mm. I'm told its a good lens, but for me it seems very slow and I wondering if its worth the price (~$700 as a kit, vs $900 without). My Expected Set-up of lenses will be Panny Pancake 20mm f1.7, 14-140mm?+ Nikon Lenses (Mainly 28-80, 80-200 f2.8 zoom glass + Primes at f1.2-1.8 range from 16mm to 58mm) So I have the range mainly covered (14-20mm is a bit less so). So my question to you guys is do you use the 14-140mm a lot in shooting because it fully functional with the camera or do you tend to leave it for better glass and manual controls? __________________ Independent Filmmaker in Canada's Capital

May 28th, 2011, 09:24 AM	#2
Dan Carter Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 366	Re: 14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? Hello Graeme, In my opinion and experience, the Lumix 14-140 is the better glass. Highly recommended. __________________ Dan Carter: HDC-TM700, DMC-GH2 and DMC-GH3, Sony RX100II and RX10, Final Cut Pro X http://www.vimeo.com/user582748

May 28th, 2011, 11:00 AM	#3
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: 14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? Yes. Cons: it's slow and I'd prefer an aperture ring In terms of picture quality (in the right lighting - daylight, well-lit indoors) and useful zoom range, there's nothing else close. The OIS is essential to anything hand-held... you can actually get useably stable video, handheld, at 140 w/ ETC on (effectively 728mm). Of course, USUALLY you'd want that sort of shot locked down, but you can get away with it in a pinch. Even if all it had was the glass and OIS, it would still be worth it... but then it also does all that auto stuff if you want, as well. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

May 28th, 2011, 11:40 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? I sold mine. F/4.0 and above is too slow for indoor work, and that is where I shoot most of the time. The lens will work for you, or not work for you, depending on what and where you shoot. I am a wedding videographer, I couldn't use it. I run two zooms, the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 and the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8. These both are excellent values, and produce great images indoors, which is what I need. I also use the 20mm, the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 (great lens), the Canon FD 50mm F/1.4 and the Canon FD 135mm F/2.8. I had the excellent Canon 85mm F/1.2 but sold it for the Tamron zoom, which has proven to be a better choice for me. F/4.0 is slow, by any standards, and no matter how high your ISO can go. If you watch Dan's videos, they are beautiful. He shoots with the 14-140 among others things. But if you are an event shooter, there simply isn't time to tweak your camera to the point necessary to get a usable image indoors in low light, and if you shoot weddings, I just don't know. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; May 28th, 2011 at 12:20 PM.

May 28th, 2011, 12:02 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: 14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? BTW, AFS focus functions work with the Sigmas I've listed. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 28th, 2011, 11:33 PM	#6
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Re: 14-140mm Panny for Video Work worth it? If you plan to shoot indoors, this lens is not good. Too slow. I think it's way overpriced as well. Slow slow slow.