[ Discuss ] - Panasonic X series : 12-35mm f2.8

[rhema83]

Would you call this bokeh "nervous"?

I don't know why but I took this at f/2.8

I wonder if I'm breaking the rules here for posting so many photos here. Will post those taken by GH2 later

It is indeed quite "nervous" or "busy", whatever you may call it. However 24-70mm f/2.8 equivalent lenses aren't known for creamy bokeh. They are utility lenses for general use. Buyers of these lenses tend to value sharpness and low distortion. If smooth bokeh is a requirement, you'd be better off with a prime (especially macro) lens.

To me, this 12-35 lens is a winner. And nice photos of Gardens, by the way!

 

[phtgrphy]

Just want to chip in. Have the om-d with the 12-35. Also a 5d2 with 24-70. Guess which system is staying in my cabinets these days? I hardly use my full frame. I find the size and weight trade off for the full frame is just not worth it for general walkabouts. I only take out the big guns during more important events.

 

[microcosm]

It is indeed quite "nervous" or "busy", whatever you may call it. However 24-70mm f/2.8 equivalent lenses aren't known for creamy bokeh. They are utility lenses for general use. Buyers of these lenses tend to value sharpness and low distortion. If smooth bokeh is a requirement, you'd be better off with a prime (especially macro) lens.

To me, this 12-35 lens is a winner. And nice photos of Gardens, by the way!

If one wants bokeh, go larger sensors... in fact, medium format cameras will give the best bokeh. Not even µ4/3 f0.95 lenses can give you that "desired effect".

 

[microcosm]

Congratz on finally getting this lens. Im glad u love it. Your photos look fantastic!!

I leave the 12-35 on my em5 all the time now. I prefer it bec its bright and the size is more proportionate then the 12-50. And its got quite good close up focusing range. And it does really well without flash. I shot a bunch of indior shots and it was all more than satisfactory. I think this is a must hv general purpose lens. I was not expecting much from it when i bought it, but it has been quietly performing and exceeding all my expectations. I hv not found a reason to take it off except that day when i was shooting fireworks and i had to mount the 75-300.

I was still secretly hoping that Olympus will release a similar lens, but I didn't want to wait since there have been no indication from Olympus if they are indeed going to work on a SHG range of lenses for the m4/3 platform. (Booo!)

When I look at the 12-35mmX and the 12-50mmEZ, the classic comparison back then between the 14-54mm and 12060SWD comes to mind...

I think the 12-35mm X has its strengths as a general purpose lens, but it does not mean that the 12-50mmEZ should be dumped. The powerzoom is very handy while shooting videos, and the deeper depth of field and the additional reach on the longer end can make a difference while covering events. Looking forward to the 35-100mm X and I might get the GH3 to "accompany" that lens... see how lah.

For the m4/3 platform, looks like Panasonic is leading the way for AF lenses. At least it scratched my itch for a constant aperture zoom lens... been itching for that... Thanks for your earlier reviews on the 12-35mm X.

 

[tweakmax]

very poisonous thread

 

[aleksandr]

Poisonous indeed. First day with the lens today, very pleased with it.

Interestingly, my grip with omd plus this lens is more SLR-esque than with the 25mm pancake, which I used to hold like a P&S. Below is all shot handheld. Not the best, but definitely very useable!

 

[phtgrphy]

Agree with the above. The 12-35 on the OM-D with vertical grip handles real nicely.

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks to all of you for your feedbacks/comments. Hope to see more people posting photos taken with this lens and their comments. On the whole, I'm pleased with this lens and it will be the lens that will always be on my m4/3 cameras when I travel, replacing the PL 14-150mm that served me well in my travels although it has its short-comings in-door poor lighting conditions or when the sun has just set. And of course, it's bulk and weight too. But I'll still be using it for its longer zoom range with this lens until the 35-100mm f/2.8 comes into the market with good reviews.

 

[dsetiono01]

Ooh yeah, check out the Bokeh & Sharpness! This Lens really pushes the limit of the OM-D Sensor!

 

[pkong1008]

Photos taken with this lens and the GH2. Again, nothing spectacular, just testing the lens and to decide what camera gear I'll take for my next trip.

 

[pkong1008]

 

[pkong1008]

 

[Parka]

Here's a video I made recently with the GH2 & 12-35mm lens

I used the video tele mode in certain segments.

It's a really convenient lens for shooting video for the range, even more so with the tele mode.

[video=vimeo;47392518]https://vimeo.com/47392518[/video]

 

[pkong1008]

Hi, Parka,
Nice video. So, this lens auto-focuses when you zoom in and out and pan, like the Pana 14-140mm lens? Shot in AVCHD? I havn't tried video yet with this lens.

 

[Parka]

Hi, Parka,
Nice video. So, this lens auto-focuses when you zoom in and out and pan, like the Pana 14-140mm lens? Shot in AVCHD? I havn't tried video yet with this lens.

I try to use manual focusing most of the time.

For zooming and panning shots, sometimes I turn on Autofocus. But the AF isn't that accurate. Say you're panning around a crowd of people, the AF will be hunting most of the time when the scene changes. For that case, sometimes I just make do with a fixed focus distance, or just deepen the depth of field to make everything relatively in focus.

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks for the info as I may try to do some videoing in my next vacation trip.

 

[pkong1008]

I was curious whether this lens produces chromatic aberration and if there is, whether there's any difference when it is mounted on the Oly OMD EM5 and the Pana GH2.
Took this shot with the Oly at 35mm end at f8.

With Oly at 35mm f2.8 150% crop.

Oly 35mm f8 150% Crop

Pana GH2 35mm f2.8 150% Crop

Pana 35mm f8 150% Crop

I'm not a technical person, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate test.

 

[Agrivar]

I was curious whether this lens produces chromatic aberration and if there is, whether there's any difference when it is mounted on the Oly OMD EM5 and the Pana GH2.
Took this shot with the Oly at 35mm end at f8.

With Oly at 35mm f2.8 150% crop.

Oly 35mm f8 150% Crop

Pana GH2 35mm f2.8 150% Crop

Pana 35mm f8 150% Crop

I'm not a technical person, so I'm not sure if this is an accurate test.

Technically Oly bodies dont correct for CA. Panny bodies correct for CA with Panny lenses. Its been documented quite extensively on DPR forums : )
If you do PP, it can be easily corrected in LR...

 

[maldito]

Technically Oly bodies dont correct for CA. Panny bodies correct for CA with Panny lenses. Its been documented quite extensively on DPR forums : )
If you do PP, it can be easily corrected in LR...

If you have DXO optics they offer auto CA correction.

 

[pkong1008]

Thanks, Agriva and maldito, for the info. I don't see any CA here in these photos, so I presume it's ok to use this lens on the Oly most of the time. Hope what I'm seeing is correct.