X Vario lenses at DVinfo.net

Ed Kukla · August 12th, 2012, 05:12 PM

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

William Hohauser · August 12th, 2012, 06:45 PM

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.

Dan Carter · August 12th, 2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Kukla

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

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.

Ed Kukla · August 12th, 2012, 08:26 PM

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?

Bill Bruner · August 13th, 2012, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Kukla

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

Ed - I'm looking at the Olympus 12-50 f3.5-6.3 EZ lens ($499 from

Amazon

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

costs a lot more money

and doesn't have a power zoom :(

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

William Hohauser · August 13th, 2012, 04:20 AM

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.

Ed Kukla · August 13th, 2012, 04:27 AM

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

William Hohauser · August 13th, 2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Bruner

ephotozine sample video: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Video with 12-50mm Power Zoom - YouTube

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.

Ed Kukla · August 13th, 2012, 04:19 PM

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...

Chip Thome · August 13th, 2012, 09:02 PM

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.

Kevin McRoberts · August 14th, 2012, 03:33 AM

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.

Ed Kukla · August 14th, 2012, 04:14 AM

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

William Hohauser · August 14th, 2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Kukla

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...

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

Kevin McRoberts · August 14th, 2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Kukla

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

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.

William Hohauser · August 14th, 2012, 09:29 PM

And thank you for that.

August 12th, 2012, 05:12 PM	#1
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	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

August 12th, 2012, 06:45 PM	#2
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	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. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

August 12th, 2012, 08:26 PM	#4
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	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?

August 13th, 2012, 04:20 AM	#6
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	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. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

August 13th, 2012, 04:27 AM	#7
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	Re: X Vario lenses Thanks Bill, Oly looks like a much better option. Any compatibility issues with a GH2?

August 13th, 2012, 04:19 PM	#9
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	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...

August 13th, 2012, 09:02 PM	#10
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	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.

August 14th, 2012, 03:33 AM	#11
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	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. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

August 14th, 2012, 04:14 AM	#12
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	Re: X Vario lenses Who asked about the 12 -35? I asked about powered zoom lenses for the GH2.

August 14th, 2012, 09:29 PM	#15
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: X Vario lenses And thank you for that. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation