[ Lens ] First review of Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 OIS
- Thread starter shumin77
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bangchew86
Member
Hi peeps, does any one knows the performance of the lens in terms of raw distortion? As I understand for some 4/3 lens the raw distortion is much worse than the auto corrected ones.
I have the O/14-54 Mk2 and the m.43 L/12-35/2.8.
The 12mm extension on the wide end is ......addictive
And absolutely useful. Can't imagine how I lived without 24mm ....... On the other end, the 54 (108 equivalent) is absolutely fantastic for portraitures .... 35 (70 equi) is crappy ......Anyway since getting the 12-35/2.8, the 14-54/2.8-3.5 has stayed in the box ..... I think the 12-35 is sharper, better contrast, better bokeh and better distortion characteristics than the 14-54. The 14-54 wins at portraiture.
Both are weather resistant. 12-35/2.8 is overpriced compared to 14-54/2.8-3.5, more than doubled. The 14-54 is also double the 12-35 size and feels hardier. The 12-35/2.8 handles beautifully, makes for great pictures and is worth its price though, i.e. the 14-54 is a BARGAIN.
Wished the 12-35 was 12-45/2.8 though ......
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Agrivar
Senior Member
seafood said:I have the O/14-54 Mk2 and the m.43 L/12-35/2.8.
The 12mm extension on the wide end is ......addictive
Anyway since getting the 12-35/2.8, the 14-54/2.8-3.5 has stayed in the box ..... I think the 12-35 is sharper, better contrast, better bokeh and better distortion characteristics than the 14-54. The 14-54 wins at portraiture.
Both are weather resistant. 12-35/2.8 is overpriced compared to 14-54/2.8-3.5, more than doubled. The 14-54 is also double the 12-35 size and feels hardier. The 12-35/2.8 handles beautifully, makes for great pictures and is worth its price though, i.e. the 14-54 is a BARGAIN.
Wished the 12-35 was 12-45/2.8 though ......
Totally agree. I find the 12-35 has better characteristics (but only a little) vs the 14-54. Where I feel limited is the range. 35 is rather short for my needs. 14-54 or 12-60 is better. Right now after getting the 12-35 my 14-54 is also sitting in my dry cab most of the time. For those times I really need the shot and can't move closer, I resort to the ETC mode, which seems to work
Quite well, just that in etc mode I can't shoot raw. Hmm. Still a trade off.
I get more "shakes" with the O/14-54/2.8-3.5+MMF on a Panny body whereas the 12-35 with OIS results in much more "keepers". Maybe thats why the 12-35 seem sharper than the 14-54 The handling is also better with the 12-35 on a m43 body.
Doesn't hurt that AF is also faster with the 12-35 and this may also contribute to the perceived sharper images. Not sure whether the AF is more accurate with the 12-35 than the 14-54 though logically (IMHO) it shouldn't ......unless the improved contrast (subjective) contributes to the better CDAF?
The handling is also better with the 12-35 on a m43 body.Doesn't hurt that AF is also faster with the 12-35 and this may also contribute to the perceived sharper images. Not sure whether the AF is more accurate with the 12-35 than the 14-54 though logically (IMHO) it shouldn't ......unless the improved contrast (subjective) contributes to the better CDAF?
Thought it was me ......yes, I, too, find the 12-35 focuses better/more accurately than the 14-54+MMF. On the E620/E3, no issues with the 14-54.
Maybe the impression that the 12-35 is sharper than the 14-54 may be due to:
1. Higher shutter speeds - f2.8 compare to f3.5 at the longer end.
2. OIS compare to no OIS on Panny bodies.
3. More accurate focusing than 14-54.
4. Better handling coz of size than 14-54.
5. Better contrast characteristics than 14-54
Or the 12-35 is actually sharper than the 14-54
Just better optics - better coating, use of 1 UHR, at least 5 Aspherical and 1 Super ED elements versus 14-54's 3 Aspherical elements.
microcosm
Senior Member
I have now a rather worn out 12-35mm f2.8. Having taken it out on a 11 day expedition to Xinjiang.
It has been exposed to temperatures ranging from -4˚C and up to as high as 65˚C in the scorching (and super dry) desert conditions. So far everything seems to working fine after getting a shower (with me) in the hotel bathroom. All seems good so far, holding up pretty well, though I have to admit I have NO FAITH in Panasonic's coating therefore I have fitted a b+w Premium MRC UV filter on the front to keep the front element safe. If it is a Tatsuno-made Zuiko lens, I won't be using any filters.
My sentiments after spending time with this lens?
• This is a very serious lens. Extremely sharp. Especially stopped down to f4-f5.6.
• Which in my opinion makes this a crap lens for portraiture, unless you are working with a professional model who takes good care of her skin with a superb make up artist.
• AF reliability with the E-M5 is superb. More than 95% hits, and the missing 4.5% was likely my fault for pushing it. BUT... when it comes to low light, CDAF is total shit. It was a nightmare trying to shoot with this set up at night in the desert.
• Takes abuse pretty well. Though I am buying my second 12-35mm for "civil use". The Pelican case it was in was treated very rough, and went through 6 flights as checked in baggage. I might have to bring the lens into Panasonic for alignment in a year or so. So far, everything is holding together pretty well. Not too bad, Panasonic. You have learned your lesson with the 4/3 25mm f1.4 and listened to criticisms. But, it is still some years away from Tatsuno quality.
• It was also hung on my waist the whole 11 days as I climbed mountains, horseback riding, and was bumped around quite a bit... so you can see it was almost never in the bag and carried like a fragile baby at all.
• Biggest joy was the zoom and focusing ring. Very very buttery. I love it.
• OIS in my case is useless. Until the GH3 anyways...
• Colors are well captured but contrast can be a little wanting as compared to glass from other makers. Panasonic has some work ahead of them.
Verdict?
My faith in Panasonic is growing, enough for me to want to buy a GH3 when it is released. The 12-35mm f2.8 have helped saved Panasonic's lame image and I am now anticipating the release of the 35-100mm f2.8. Not to mention I am awaiting delivery for the 100-300mm as a "toy zoom". I hope Panasonic fired the people responsible for the FT 25mm f1.4, which will really help me in believing Panasonic is serious about their camera division. That is probably the worst lens I have ever come across in my 25 years of photography. The saving grace is the glass, which Panasonic cannot take credit for.
Well done, Panasonic, and thank you.
It has been exposed to temperatures ranging from -4˚C and up to as high as 65˚C in the scorching (and super dry) desert conditions. So far everything seems to working fine after getting a shower (with me) in the hotel bathroom. All seems good so far, holding up pretty well, though I have to admit I have NO FAITH in Panasonic's coating therefore I have fitted a b+w Premium MRC UV filter on the front to keep the front element safe. If it is a Tatsuno-made Zuiko lens, I won't be using any filters.
My sentiments after spending time with this lens?
• This is a very serious lens. Extremely sharp. Especially stopped down to f4-f5.6.
• Which in my opinion makes this a crap lens for portraiture, unless you are working with a professional model who takes good care of her skin with a superb make up artist.
• AF reliability with the E-M5 is superb. More than 95% hits, and the missing 4.5% was likely my fault for pushing it. BUT... when it comes to low light, CDAF is total shit. It was a nightmare trying to shoot with this set up at night in the desert.
• Takes abuse pretty well. Though I am buying my second 12-35mm for "civil use". The Pelican case it was in was treated very rough, and went through 6 flights as checked in baggage. I might have to bring the lens into Panasonic for alignment in a year or so. So far, everything is holding together pretty well. Not too bad, Panasonic. You have learned your lesson with the 4/3 25mm f1.4 and listened to criticisms. But, it is still some years away from Tatsuno quality.
• It was also hung on my waist the whole 11 days as I climbed mountains, horseback riding, and was bumped around quite a bit... so you can see it was almost never in the bag and carried like a fragile baby at all.
• Biggest joy was the zoom and focusing ring. Very very buttery. I love it.
• OIS in my case is useless. Until the GH3 anyways...
• Colors are well captured but contrast can be a little wanting as compared to glass from other makers. Panasonic has some work ahead of them.
Verdict?
My faith in Panasonic is growing, enough for me to want to buy a GH3 when it is released. The 12-35mm f2.8 have helped saved Panasonic's lame image and I am now anticipating the release of the 35-100mm f2.8. Not to mention I am awaiting delivery for the 100-300mm as a "toy zoom". I hope Panasonic fired the people responsible for the FT 25mm f1.4, which will really help me in believing Panasonic is serious about their camera division. That is probably the worst lens I have ever come across in my 25 years of photography. The saving grace is the glass, which Panasonic cannot take credit for.
Well done, Panasonic, and thank you.
116520
New Member
With my 43 bodies, I used Oly lenses mainly other than the manual lenses. With m43, even with 2 Oly bodies, I am now only using Panny lenses. Other than the 14-54+MMF combi. If anything Oly has been pretty disappointing in the lenses dept compare to Panny. Was actually contemplating the 12/f2 but decided on the 12-35/f2.8. I even prefer the L45/2.8 to O45/f1.8, though both had limitations, IMHO. BTW I think the O45/f1.8 is Oly's best offering to date, relatively speaking.
Oly really needs to re-look their m43 lens lineup. Who would actually buy the 12-50 by itself if one had to pay full price for it? Even Sigma seems to be getting more favourable reviews .....
Oly really needs to re-look their m43 lens lineup. Who would actually buy the 12-50 by itself if one had to pay full price for it? Even Sigma seems to be getting more favourable reviews .....
Another distinct advantage of the L/12-35/f2.8 to the O/14-54/f2.8-3.5 is battery life. Battery life is improved enough for me to notice It is also much more silent, noticeably esp in movies. Speaking of movies, the advantage for the 12-35 is tremendous for AF - it is incredibly slow for the 14-54.
I guess this must be due to the heavier 14-54 and maybe the more efficient motor in the 12-35.
BTW I am not bashing the O/14-54. It is still the BEST VALUE standard zoom, IMHO, for m43. ESP if u get it for $500 in the BnS.
It is also much more silent, noticeably esp in movies. Speaking of movies, the advantage for the 12-35 is tremendous for AF - it is incredibly slow for the 14-54.I guess this must be due to the heavier 14-54 and maybe the more efficient motor in the 12-35.
BTW I am not bashing the O/14-54. It is still the BEST VALUE standard zoom, IMHO, for m43. ESP if u get it for $500 in the BnS.
microcosm
Senior Member
All cleaned up liao... too late.
Ya, i wouldn't treat it like i would with dslr. i would treat it like a pen, perhaps the "pen pro" or whatever pro model it may be would be better in this aspect? Just gotten the 12-35 must say it's awesome so far, with a very good built to accompany the excellent optics!
I think it depends what you shoot more. if you do more portrait shoot PL25 is better in that aspect, it's "less" sharp wide open (but still pack a punch in sharpness) and DOF is certainly much more shallow with 2 stops gained, stop down to f2.8 it's sharper than 12-35 @ 25mm F2.8. 12-35 is more for the convenience of zoom with excellent optics. One reason I stopped using walkaround zoom since Olympus 14-54 mkII is due to slow AF, and large size, though the optics is very good, none of the kits lenses come close to 14-54 (of course the kit price there's not much to complain about). Once you started primes, it's hard to look at kit lens zooms IQ (imo), but 12-35 is the lens that has brought me back to zooms once again.
There's compromises whichever choice you make just which is more important (suited) for your shooting style. My 2 cts of honesty not poison
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NazgulKing
Senior Member
He's referring to the 43 version.
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