THIS IS STILL A RUMOR!!! But I am damn excited about it. I'd pay $1000 for a lens like this, it's the perfect solution to run and gun, weddings, etc. I am actually surprised it's taken this long to release a fast Lumix zoom like this. For those of us who can't afford the fast Olympus Zuiko f2 zooms, this will be a welcome addition to our lens lineup!

43 Rumors | Blog | (FT3) Ho Ho Ho! Panasonic announcement on May 21 ??? (http://www.43rumors.com/ft3-ho-ho-ho-panasonic-announcement-on-may-21/)

Fingers crossed!
Angelo

Thanks for sharing Angelo. I would strongly prefer F/2.0, but the cost would undoubtedly be much higher.

I'm anxious to read reviews. This is important stuff, so glad you posted Angelo.

Looking more forward to the 35-100/2.8. The PanaLeica 14-50 does just fine for now, but that upper zoom range is woefully underserved.

Agreed. I'm looking for a used Oly 50-200 f2.8-3.5 for 4/3 for that very reason. Really need a faster zoom at the long end. But, with this news, I'll wait to see if the 35-100/2.8 "X" lens is anywhere close to release.

IT IS OUT. Panasonic just announced the Panasonic Lumix Vario GX 12-35 mm f / 2.8 ASPH with OIS for $999.00. Here is my take on it: This changes Everything » FrugalFilmmakers.com (http://frugalfilmmakers.com/2012/05/20/this-changes-everything/)

I think this lens has finally made me want to upgrade from my GH1 to a GH2. I was thinking of holding off but not anymore. I'm already putting my Panasonic HMC-40 up for sale to buy a GH2 and the 12mm to 35mm f2.8 lens.

The coolest thing I am considering about this lens is using the crop mode with it which will basically give me a 57mm to 168mm f2.8 zoom lens. I may be able to get rid of my 45mm to 200mm and forget about buying the 14mm to 140mm lens. In terms of zooms with the crop mode I should be covered for most situations. Does this sound about right? Since I don't have a GH2 yet and only a GH1 I don't know exactly what to expect from the crop mode. I know the basics of what it does but in practice I have not used it yet. Does this 12mm to 35mm lens sound like a good option for crop mode since it is so wide to begin with?

I like having a second or backup camera so I will keep my GH1 for now even though I'm really starting to feel some of it's limitations.

It seems I may have been mistaken about the crop mode factor. I was using x4.8 instead of x2.6. It turns out in crode mode the lens would only be 32mm to 91mm. Still not bad for a tele zoom and I still think I will do it. I could always get the 35mm to 100mm f2.8 when that finally comes out. That would be 91mm to 260mm also at f2.8. Both those lenses would basically eliminate every other lens I have other then my wide primes.

Still having a lens that can give me a usable 12mm to 91mm at a constant f2.8 with only having to switch on crop mode is not bad even with the price.

Not a rumor indeed. We are awaiting our first lens. It has been back ordered.

http://www.omegabroadcast.com/fmp/omega-detail.php?-manuRecID=firstpage&-recid=3038

Not any more they are in stock at Newegg! was just there at 7:00pm this evening, they wer selling for $1,247.00, they also have the GH3 in stock limiting 2 per customer for $1,299.00

Southerndude

Check out B & H. The 12-35 & 35-100 2.8 are in stock.

That is a great lens. We have one in our rentals department.

GH3 camera bodies are back in stock again:

Omega - Online Store - DMC-GH3 (http://www.omegabroadcast.com/fmp/omega-detail.php?-manuRecID=firstpage&-recid=3037)

I bought my GH3 with the 12-35 and the 35-100, and they are amazing, indeed. The AF is super fast with either lens--I haven't missed a shot yet after a week of shooting with it. 2.8 is plenty fast. Totally love the digital zoom feature, 2x or 4x, which is awesome for sports/wildlife/extreme closeups. I've bought and sold all the GH's but this one is a keeper.