5 Comments to “Panasonic 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 OIS Micro Four Thirds Lens for Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras”

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1. A. Harrison
   June 1, 2010 at 11:58 am | Permalink

   The focus ring on this lens has the “feature” that the faster you turn it, the more the focus changes. As opposed to most lenses that change focus in proportion to how much you turn the ring, not how fast. While this does allow you to make precise focus adjustments by slowly turning the ring, it also makes it extremely difficult to control focus in a predictable, uniform way. You can completely forget about trying to do controlled focus changes while filming. I wouldn’t gripe so much if this was a feature you could turn on and off. That would be wonderful. But no, YOU WILL TAKE THIS STRANGE WAY OF FOCUSING AND YOU WILL LIKE IT! I detest companies that think they are being oh so clever with new features that they don’t even give you the option to decide for yourself what you want.

   Just to be clear, with this way of doing focus, you won’t be able to easily move the ring back and forth to zero in on the “center”. Sure, you can get there eventually, but not by simply making smaller and smaller movements. If you turn too fast for a moment, its all gone and you have to start over. And if you shoot video, you won’t be able to easily follow focus in a way that you control. It might not be so bad if cameras like the GH1 would display the focus distance on the monitor, so you at least had some idea of what was happening. But you get no focus distant marks on the lens and no focus distance display in the camera. All tried and true things that photographers and film makers want.

   And again, this would be a great feature if you COULD TURN IT OFF when you don’t want it.
   Rating: 1 / 5

2. Anonymous
   June 1, 2010 at 2:20 pm | Permalink

   Pro:
   
   Silent Focus (no sound at focus in video)
   
   14-140mm cover most range similar to 18-200mm from other brand
   
   Good lens contruction
   
   Comes with nice Hood that secure fit
   
   Not too long
   
   Digital Zoom gave you up to 4x more coverage, usable for image.
   
   OIS work well, 140mm zoom is usable when object isn’t movie or use tripod.

   Cons:
   
   the lens weight slight heavier than the Gh1 body
   
   Similar picture focus noise as DSLR
   
   Manual Focus require longer time to turn
   
   Require longer focus distance even in 14mm

   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Bay Wiz
   June 1, 2010 at 4:43 pm | Permalink

   I use this lens on my GH1 and sometimes on my E-PL1 and it’s simply fantastic. The fact that it gives you such range and operates silently when you want to take movies is a great combo.

   It’s been rated to be among the best in super zoom lenses equal or better than the top offerings from Tamron and certainly better than the Nikon and Canon equivalents according to DPReview. From my real world results, I have to agree 100%.

   I do wish it was a little lighter, but it’s still not bad carrying it around all day. I’ve traveled with it twice so far and it covers every length you could want and delivers great quality. Remember to use the provided lens hood or else you sacrifice a certain amount of contrast in your photos. Most people don’t realize the hood is not just to help flare and slam the lens for their own mistakes.

   If you have a Panasonic m43 body, this lens is a no brained because of it’s in lens IS. On Olympus bodies it’s equally great because you can choose either the lens IS or the in body IS.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. Stephen Kovac Jr.
   June 1, 2010 at 6:58 pm | Permalink

   I just love the Panasonic 14 – 140mm zoom lens. It covers the focal lengths that I normal use with the Panasonic GF1 digital camera. The images from this 14 – 140mm zoom lens is just breath taken, outstanding. This lens stays on the Panasonic GF1 camera most of the time. Highly Recommended.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. C. Chiu
   June 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm | Permalink

   I had this lens for almost a month. It works really well with my Olympus E-P1. The image is very sharp between 18mm to 70mm and a bit soft from 70mm and up. I like the built in O.I.S on the lens, so I can turn off the IBIS on the camera to avoid excessive heat when using it continuously. This is an amazing all around travel lens when pair with my Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens, which I can use it indoor such as restaurant with limit light condition and 14-140mm outdoor for landscape, wildlife animal or any occasion. I bought it separate with my camera system due to I like the retro look of E-P1. Consider its price is a bit high, but if you like to shot with video, then this lens is definite worth it Due to its virtually silence video focusing ability. I hate to hear my 20mm lens roaring when recording video using C-AF. I also planning test it out in my friend’s coming wedding event and pair it with Olympus FL-50 flash. The lens is high quality made, inside of lens is made by metal with plastic casing I think due to manufacture consider its portability of m3/4 system. Consider its wide to telephoto range & price, there isn’t much lens performs better than this lens unless you are willing to pay $500 more for the Leca 14-150mm without silent focusing ability.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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