Has anyone experience using the panasonic f4.5-.5.6 45-200m four thirds lens with the GH1/2 for video please, feedback welcome.

I own it. Best value so far. Quiet AF and great stabilizer. Sharp, cheap but not too fast. Otherwise strong in every category. Focus by wire.

Thanks Brian thats nice to hear as i have now ordered one, i dont know what focus by wire is though.

Thanks Brian thats nice to hear as i have now ordered one, i dont know what focus by wire is though.It means that there is no mechanical focus ring on the lens & that moving the ring "talks' to the camera which actually controls focus with the electronic AF motor.

The 45-200 is very nice lent ,sample clip i made few days ago
Panasonic GH2 on Vimeo

Brian, so focus by wire means when I am in autofocus, and have subject in focus, I can then switch to manual focus mode, and focus is left at where it was left at in auto. I don't have to start manually adjusting the focus ...unless I want to...is that right? The opposite is true with the 14-140mm and I hate that.

Brian, so focus by wire means when I am in autofocus, and have subject in focus, I can then switch to manual focus mode, and focus is left at where it was left at in auto. I don't have to start manually adjusting the focus ...unless I want to...is that right? The opposite is true with the 14-140mm and I hate that.

Jeff, I'm not sure if that is the precise definition of Focus By Wire, either way, yes, if you lock in AF and then switch to manual focus, it will stay sharp.

Also, once you're rolling in MF, the focus assist won't work, although simple mechanical focus continues though no stop on these fly by wire jobs.

Last, the AF on this modestly price lens is much quieter and faster than my 4/3rds Oly 14-55mm, which costs a lot more money. The Panny also has OIS -- the Oly doesn't, though the Oly is much faster and sharper and better optically.

Tested my 14-200 now and it seems VG, the trouble i find with my long nature shots is any wind seems to show up as shake with my tripod especialy using E-T-C , my tripod is fairly heavy but not like the huge things the pro tv people use.

Tested my 14-200 now and it seems VG, the trouble i find with my long nature shots is any wind seems to show up as shake with my tripod especialy using E-T-C , my tripod is fairly heavy but not like the huge things the pro tv people use.
14-200 or 45-200?
Which tripod do you use?