GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens

Dave Partington · July 27th, 2014, 01:21 PM

I'm about to purchase the GH4 primarily for 4K and 1080p slo-mo.

I rarely shoot photos other than on holiday, but I'm wondering how bad the 14-140 kit lens is as a walkabout lens? What about for (decent light) video?

It wouldn't be my only lens, the intention being to pick up the 7-14, 12-35 and 35-100 as we go, with perhaps the voightlander etc is needed but short term I'd be using an adapter with my Canon / Samyang EF glass.

So, is the 14-140 so bad it's not worth having (as a 10x) or do you find it useful from time to time, even for video?

Noa Put · July 27th, 2014, 04:26 PM

It's not a bad lens at all, it's just slow, great for any outdoor shots, below video I shot entirely with the 14-140. It depends on your needs, if you want to shoot in a candlelit venue at a wedding that this lens has no purpose, f3.5/5.6 is much too slow in such a case. On a GH4 you need minimum f2.8 when shooting in a dark venue.

William Hohauser · July 27th, 2014, 07:18 PM

The 14-140 lives on my GH3 unless I need something else. Everything Noa says is true however it is the most versatile lens in the Lumix arsenal. The two stop change in a zoom is problematic if you are perfectly exposed at 3.5 on wide and you zoom in and the lack of parfocal mechanics mean that you'll be refocusing right after a change in zoom. It is great outdoors and in well-lit interiors. If dramatic DOF is what you want, it is not the lens to use in wide shots. It is very good for run & gun documentary filming.

Noa Put · July 28th, 2014, 02:00 AM

When I said you need min f2.8 inside I meant the example I gave when you need to shoot in dark venues, like at weddings, in normal conditions when shooting indoors the lens is just fine inside like William said, it only becomes an issue when you start zooming in, in any other case it's a very versatile lens.

Dave Partington · July 28th, 2014, 02:28 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I completely understand the limitations indoors, and for weddings and general indoor events where I have no control over lighting then (for now) my fast Canon glass will cover it, on my C100 or 5D3, or maybe an adapter on the GH4.

I was thinking more outside, good daylight, vacations etc where I don't want to carry too much.

So, the message I'm hearing is yes it's worth getting as the do-all outdoor zoom then get the other glass / adapters as needed.

Alan Halfhill · August 1st, 2014, 07:04 PM

I am using this lens more and more. The IOS is better than the Lumix 35-100. I really like the range of the lens. Perfect for run and gun, plays, musicals, live acts, sports and travel. The newer lens is lighter and smaller.

This was shot with this lens.

Silverdale Whaling Days Fireworks. - FrugalFilmmakers.com

The GH4 does a Parade - FrugalFilmmakers.com

Noa Put · August 20th, 2014, 04:19 AM

I have been using the 14-140mm that came with my gh4 more the past weddings for outdoor reception shoots and am seeing the result as I start editing that footage, the OIS of that lens is surprisingly good, even handheld and totally zoomed in, it's also very sharp edge to edge, like most lumix lenses. Glad I got that lens as a combo with my gh4, was planning to get the body only but since it was 100 euro cheaper bundled decided to get them both, also because I didn't have a wide to longer tele lens yet. As long as you don't shoot indoor candlelit dinner parties it's a great allround lens.

Dave Partington · August 21st, 2014, 01:46 PM

ThanksNoa. I picked up the GH4 with the 14-140 and yes, it's a workable lens, though the 20 f1.7 I also picked up is clearly sharper ;) Going to pick up some more 'good' glass shortly.

Roger Martin · August 22nd, 2014, 08:34 AM

Baaad!
I got a cheap used f4 version for my cheap used 1st 4/3 camera, the GH3, and was glad to include it in the sale after I got my GH4.
The Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 are so superior that there is no looking back.

Dave Partington · August 22nd, 2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Martin

Baaad!
I got a cheap used f4 version for my cheap used 1st 4/3 camera, the GH3, and was glad to include it in the sale after I got my GH4.
The Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 are so superior that there is no looking back.

Those are certainly on my list, including the 7-14, Leica 25 & 45, and perhaps a voightlander 0.95 too.

Just need to offload this last 5D3 ;)

Scott Dupler · August 25th, 2014, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Halfhill

I am using this lens more and more. The IOS is better than the Lumix 35-100. I really like the range of the lens. Perfect for run and gun, plays, musicals, live acts, sports and travel. The newer lens is lighter and smaller.

This was shot with this lens.

Silverdale Whaling Days Fireworks. - FrugalFilmmakers.com

The GH4 does a Parade - FrugalFilmmakers.com

Someone else also mentioned this about the OIS being much better on the 14-140mm vs the 35-100mm. He basically said the 35-100mm works really well on sticks, but not handheld.

Sorta a tough decision now for me as to what to get next. I have a 12-35mm already.

Noa Put · August 25th, 2014, 02:32 PM

If you have the budget it's not a tough choice really, I would take the 35-100mm without much thought if I had to choose and if I could afford both, the 35-100 is a more versatile lens since it's much faster. The 14-140 is a nice lens but only good for outdoor shooting.

Scott Dupler · August 25th, 2014, 02:50 PM

Do you own or have you used a 35-100mm? Looking for more opinions on the OIS since most of my work is handheld.

Noa Put · August 25th, 2014, 03:04 PM

No, I do have the 12-35 and also the 14-140 lens, I wanted to get the 35-100 but I got the sony rx10 instead, about the same prize and an equally fast lens but with a camerabody attached to it :)

Roger Martin · August 25th, 2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dupler

Do you own or have you used a 35-100mm? Looking for more opinions on the OIS since most of my work is handheld.

I used my GH4 with the 35-100 to video the Ringling Bros Circus Saturday.
No place to set up a TriPod, I had to use it "Hand Held".
Only blurring I had was when I moved the camera to fast from one end of the Pavilian to the other,
and that was in low light.
My old 14-140 would not have worked near as well.

It was literally "the greatest show on earth" and I enjoyed the Video even more than the Event.

July 27th, 2014, 01:21 PM	#1
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	GH4 + 14-140 Kit Lens - How Bad? I'm about to purchase the GH4 primarily for 4K and 1080p slo-mo. I rarely shoot photos other than on holiday, but I'm wondering how bad the 14-140 kit lens is as a walkabout lens? What about for (decent light) video? It wouldn't be my only lens, the intention being to pick up the 7-14, 12-35 and 35-100 as we go, with perhaps the voightlander etc is needed but short term I'd be using an adapter with my Canon / Samyang EF glass. So, is the 14-140 so bad it's not worth having (as a 10x) or do you find it useful from time to time, even for video? __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production Last edited by Dave Partington; July 27th, 2014 at 02:04 PM.

July 27th, 2014, 04:26 PM	#2
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? It's not a bad lens at all, it's just slow, great for any outdoor shots, below video I shot entirely with the 14-140. It depends on your needs, if you want to shoot in a candlelit venue at a wedding that this lens has no purpose, f3.5/5.6 is much too slow in such a case. On a GH4 you need minimum f2.8 when shooting in a dark venue. The beach on Vimeo Last edited by Noa Put; July 28th, 2014 at 02:00 AM.

July 27th, 2014, 07:18 PM	#3
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? The 14-140 lives on my GH3 unless I need something else. Everything Noa says is true however it is the most versatile lens in the Lumix arsenal. The two stop change in a zoom is problematic if you are perfectly exposed at 3.5 on wide and you zoom in and the lack of parfocal mechanics mean that you'll be refocusing right after a change in zoom. It is great outdoors and in well-lit interiors. If dramatic DOF is what you want, it is not the lens to use in wide shots. It is very good for run & gun documentary filming. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

July 28th, 2014, 02:00 AM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? When I said you need min f2.8 inside I meant the example I gave when you need to shoot in dark venues, like at weddings, in normal conditions when shooting indoors the lens is just fine inside like William said, it only becomes an issue when you start zooming in, in any other case it's a very versatile lens.

July 28th, 2014, 02:28 AM	#5
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? Thanks for the replies. I completely understand the limitations indoors, and for weddings and general indoor events where I have no control over lighting then (for now) my fast Canon glass will cover it, on my C100 or 5D3, or maybe an adapter on the GH4. I was thinking more outside, good daylight, vacations etc where I don't want to carry too much. So, the message I'm hearing is yes it's worth getting as the do-all outdoor zoom then get the other glass / adapters as needed. __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production

August 1st, 2014, 07:04 PM	#6
Alan Halfhill Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 127	Re: GH4 + 14-140 Kit Lens - How Bad? I am using this lens more and more. The IOS is better than the Lumix 35-100. I really like the range of the lens. Perfect for run and gun, plays, musicals, live acts, sports and travel. The newer lens is lighter and smaller. This was shot with this lens. Silverdale Whaling Days Fireworks. - FrugalFilmmakers.com The GH4 does a Parade - FrugalFilmmakers.com __________________ Alan FrugalFilmmakers.com

August 20th, 2014, 04:19 AM	#7
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? I have been using the 14-140mm that came with my gh4 more the past weddings for outdoor reception shoots and am seeing the result as I start editing that footage, the OIS of that lens is surprisingly good, even handheld and totally zoomed in, it's also very sharp edge to edge, like most lumix lenses. Glad I got that lens as a combo with my gh4, was planning to get the body only but since it was 100 euro cheaper bundled decided to get them both, also because I didn't have a wide to longer tele lens yet. As long as you don't shoot indoor candlelit dinner parties it's a great allround lens.

August 21st, 2014, 01:46 PM	#8
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? ThanksNoa. I picked up the GH4 with the 14-140 and yes, it's a workable lens, though the 20 f1.7 I also picked up is clearly sharper ;) Going to pick up some more 'good' glass shortly. __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production

August 22nd, 2014, 08:34 AM	#9
Roger Martin Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Prunedale California Posts: 108	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? Baaad! I got a cheap used f4 version for my cheap used 1st 4/3 camera, the GH3, and was glad to include it in the sale after I got my GH4. The Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 are so superior that there is no looking back.

August 25th, 2014, 02:32 PM	#12
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? If you have the budget it's not a tough choice really, I would take the 35-100mm without much thought if I had to choose and if I could afford both, the 35-100 is a more versatile lens since it's much faster. The 14-140 is a nice lens but only good for outdoor shooting.

August 25th, 2014, 02:50 PM	#13
Scott Dupler Tourist Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 2	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? Do you own or have you used a 35-100mm? Looking for more opinions on the OIS since most of my work is handheld.

August 25th, 2014, 03:04 PM	#14
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: GH4 + 14-14- Kit Lens - How Bad? No, I do have the 12-35 and also the 14-140 lens, I wanted to get the 35-100 but I got the sony rx10 instead, about the same prize and an equally fast lens but with a camerabody attached to it :)