Looking for a good quality, multi-purpose, cost effective zoom lens for Lumix GF1 - am trying to decide between Lumix 14-45mm and 45-150mm.....ideas?
173411
If it were me, and if I I had to choose between them - I'd begin with the 14-45mm that you can still get new from Japan if you look around and get it for a reasonable price when they pop us from certain sellers. IMHO the 14-45 is a MUCH sharper lens than the 14-42. There is usually one or two 14-45 available "used" as an Amazon Warehouse deal, but I've found them to be new item returns in excellent condition and have had good really luck when I've ordered "used" from Amazon Warehouse on these lenses (especially when ordering micro 4/3 vs. taking a chance on a used Canon or Nikon lens).
173412
The two really aren't directly comparable. The 14-45 is a wide angle to short telephoto, what's called a normal zoom. That means it covers a range of focal lengths that mimic normal human vision. The 45-150 is a telephoto zoom that continues on from the 14-45, giving a magnified view as with binoculars. I only own the 14-45 and I can tell you it is a great lens. I actually own two of the 14-42 versions and the 14-45 is much sharper than either. Can't tell you about the 45-150 but I own the 45-200 and it's also a fine lens.
173413
Between these two I would recommend the 14-45 for general purpose use. Micro 4/3 cameras like your GF1 have a 2x crop factor... Which means the 14-45 will be a 35mm equivalent of 28-90. The 45-150=90-300mm. So you will have more opportunities to get good photos with the 14-45, which is also a sharper lens.
173414
It depends on what you need it for. The 14-45 lens is one of the sharpest I own. It is a great walk around lens since it's focal range is very versatile. I also have the 45-150 which I use for when I need the extended range. If you're looking to get a lens to take shots of different things in different situations, get the 14-45. Take note that the 14-42 is a different lens. Not as Sharp as this one is.
173415
If it were me, and if I I had to choose between them - I'd begin with the 14-45mm that you can still get new from Japan if you look around and get it for a reasonable price when they pop us from certain sellers. IMHO the 14-45 is a MUCH sharper lens than the 14-42. There is usually one or two 14-45 available "used" as an Amazon Warehouse deal, but I've found them to be new item returns in excellent condition and have had good really luck when I've ordered "used" from Amazon Warehouse on these lenses (especially when ordering micro 4/3 vs. taking a chance on a used Canon or Nikon lens). If it were me, and if I I had to choose between them - I'd begin with the 14-45mm that you can still get new from Japan if you look around and get it for a reasonable price when they pop us from certain sellers. IMHO the 14-45 is a MUCH sharper lens than the 14-42. There is usually one or two 14-45 available "used" as an Amazon Warehouse deal, but I've found them to be new item returns in excellent condition and have had good really luck when I've ordered "used" from Amazon Warehouse on these lenses (especially when ordering micro 4/3 vs. taking a chance on a used Canon... » Read More If it were me, and if I I had to choose between them - I'd begin with the 14-45mm that you can still get new from Japan if you look around and get it for a reasonable price when they pop us from certain sellers. IMHO the 14-45 is a MUCH sharper lens than the 14-42. There is usually one or two 14-45 available "used" as an Amazon Warehouse deal, but I've found them to be new item returns in excellent condition and have had good really luck when I've ordered "used" from Amazon Warehouse on these lenses (especially when ordering micro 4/3 vs. taking a chance on a used Canon or Nikon lens). « Show Less
173416
I have both and use the 14/45 more for scenery. If I am after wildlife or at sporting events I use the 45/150.
173417
This lenses for different tasks.14-45 (28-90 in 36mm equivalent) is a good everyday lens. I use it as a standard lens for every day shooting.45 - 150 (90-300 in 36mm equivalent) - this is a telephoto lens.
173418
Hi, I was faced with the same dilemma last year. I chose 14-45. It is a sharp lens with good auto focus and stabilization. I use it mainly as a travel lens and photograph historical monuments.Prakash
173419
I have Lumix DH3 ; I am using with it 14-45mm lens much more often than 45-200mm. I agree with others that 14-45 is a great lens, sharper than newer 14-42.
2197786
I'm a bit of a lens snob too, being a contax shooter. I bought the Lumix fz50 for my wife and it arrived yesterday, and let me tell you, it is fantastic; best digital camera I've ever held. We considered the nikon d80, but my wife preferred the LCD preview on the Lumix, and although it is easy to use, the manual options are versatile. FZ50 is not lighter than the nikon, but on the other hand, it has a 420mm Leica lens, so it does the job of two lenses. The price is incredibly low, I think because once you get out of the 300 dollar range, people think they need skip over to a DSLR. They're wrong! Lumix provides all you need with a Leica lens.
1585359
I meant lens baby composer with tilt. Got it at Adorama. Then I bought an open box gh1 with the 14-140 lens for $899.00 Will then probably turn around and sell the camera and the 14-45 lens. Great deal for a great lens.
1849073
A fantastic prime lens. Super crisp even in the corners. Depends upon how big of a group and what the perspective is. I would typically use a longer lens for most wedding group shots. Something like 35mm prime or the 16-35mm L2.8. I think the 14mm is a killer lens, but probably not the lens that i would use for group shots usually.
1771107
Thank you for the information. Especially I decided to purchase 50D with a 28-135mm IS because of the reason you told. It is very attractive offer. Previously, I had thought to purchase a 28-105mm, so the overlapping would be at minimum w/ 100-300mm.IS lenses are unfortunately over my budget. May be later, I can think about them.I think my Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens can be enough For wide angle focal lengths.Thank you again for your suggestions,Merry christmas and happy new year,GO
1111391
Dragoneer makes some really good points, particularly about go slow an buy quality. Master one lens before getting another. Personally, I think this is the best lens to start with due to its quality and versatility. Once you have a taken a lot of shots, you can determine from how you shoot what the next lens should be (if you even need another). If you find yourself in a lot situations where you wish the could go wider, get a 10-24mm zoom; if you find you're cropping a lot of shots when zoomed all the way in, get the 70-300 (if you have the 18-140, don't get anything that only goes to 200 unless you want to drop some $$ on something faster). This a lens you can keep on your camera and be ready for almost anything. With a wide zoom, mid prime and telephoto zoom, you'll have the ranges covered, but will likely be changing lens a lot. If you want another lens for a DX format camera - the 35mm 1.8 is fantastic and an extreme bargain - super-sharp, great for low-light and terrific for experimenting with shallow depth of field. If I could only keep 2 of my lenses, it would be this one and the 35mm.
597329
Sounds good! I'm buying my first digital camera for my daughter and her family. I've locked in on the t1i and 15-85. I really like my 24-105 lens and think that the 15-85 should be a great match for the camera.
2152800
Great，I use the sigma 30mm f2.8 lens, it's just approximate 1 pound. I bought it cost $449 with 18-55 and sigma 30mm lens is 120 dollar~
949130
The GM1 is excellent for its size and paired with a fast tele-zoom should deliver adequate results. The auto-focus is pretty good, in good light it should do fine. If you're planning on shooting a lot of low light sports/action (and it doesn't look like you will) I'd look elsewhere.
721913
Go with this one:Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S./H-HS12035 - International Version (No Warranty)Really hard to get your hands on one but if you do, you're in luck! Great lens for the camera.
1580339
I would recommend to you Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 and even more Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 Leica DG Summilux - I use both for more than 5 years and they are excellent, sharp and fast. Nowadays, more fast lenses are coming but I don't have them so can't recommend.
194777
I use this on a Panasonic Lumix GH1 4/3. I bought it because I got a good deal and it was considerably less than a comparable lumix zoom. The only disadvantage is that I don't get the built in stabilization that I would with a lumix lens, but auto focus and exposure still work. I am very pleased with the lens. It takes nice photos and the videos are outstanding.
156326
Can't believe nobody took this on yet. I don't have all of these lenses below, but This list should get you started. FA 50mm 1.4 All purpose, fast, handy lens of good quality and respectable optical performance without paying too much: FA Limited 77mm f/1.8 Possibly a bit longer in the focal length than you would want permanently attached, but this is regarded as one of the best in-production lenses for the platform. FA* (Star) 85mm f/1.4 Impossible to find for a reasonable price anywhere, but this is also widely regarded as one of the best lenses ever made for the platform. FA Limited 43mm f/1.9 Hard to find for a reasonable price, a lot of folks swear by these lenses in the same vein as the 77mm. Not-so-much-sleeper primes include the FA 40mm and 70mm limited pancake lenses. They stop down to f/2.8 and have fast a/f and good image quality. If I were on a budget, it'd be between the 40mm and the 50mm. The 77mm is an eventual acquisition you pick up after some time.
301036
If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in your shot when using the flash. If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in... » Read More If you're going backpacking, I imagine you want something light and maybe autofocus? The Panasonic 14-140mm covers a great range and is great for outdoors when the sun is shining, but it's kinda bulky. For night photography, it's not the best. If you plan on using it during the day, then that would be the most versatile. If you want to keep it smaller, you're best bet is a kit lens, like the 14-42mm. It's cheap, relatively small and takes fantastic photos in broad daylight. Again, it's a turd in the dark and the flash on the GX7 is a joke. You'll get the shadow of just about any lens in your shot when using the flash. « Show Less
160270
I'm not a G series owner "yet", but I think there are very few real choices for lenses. The 45-200 is the most likely choice for telephoto. And the 20mm/f1.7 "pancake" for indoors/low light. I'd think the lense you have is probably the better overall for average use, especially if the EZ zoom feature works as well as in the FZ series. I would think you could reach @150mm at 5EZ. The EZ zoom feature is supposed to be able to double the focal length, bringing the 14-45 (28-90) to 28-90 (56-180). And it is "free". Unless you need the long reach of the 45-200mm (90-400mm), which I can't do without, why spend the money?
923246
I too have the 45-175. Keep an eye out prices vary all the time. If you see a 'great deal' (especially used) GRAB IT. That is true for all items on Amazon. Now, you have three lenses and you must have a kit lens with your G5? If you have a bare G5 then none of these is my best advice, you will not like how 45mm (effectively 90mm) is not nearly 'wide' enough for close up shots... So, assuming you have a 14-42 and this is your SECOND lens you have price and age to decide. lowest cost (and low weight) is the newest 45-150 (2012). Best overall range, in my biased opinion, is the 45-175 (2011) Significantly older and middle of the three pricewise (and much heavier and larger) is the 45-200 (2008). Really, like someone else said, just keep checking (sometimes the price will change significantly during a day), I got my 45-175 for 192 and change last June. Best of luck!
1359913
If you look at DC Resource's review of 2009, you'll see that the 14-140 lens was the "Kit Lens" for the GH1 when it came out. See this link: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_gh1-review