14-140 for 14-45 & 45-200?

[back alley]

my inventory currently includes the 2 kit lenses and the new 20/1.7...

i have been looking at some images from the 14-140 and started to wonder about shooting with it and getting rid of the 14-45 and the 45-200.

i rarely use the longer lens as is and love the shorter zoom.

but the fast 20 and the 14-140 seems like a pretty good kit, especially with another used g1 body on the way.

any thoughts?

 

[JoeV]

I like the fast 20 on the G1. Any other lenses I use are adapted manual legacy Minolta MD glass. Like this set: 35/f1.2, 50/f1.7 and 58/f1.2 giving me angles of view equivalent to 70/f1.2, 100/f1.7 and 116/f1.2. Fast, compact and manually focus like a dream. And affordable.

You'll notice I didn't mention the 14-45 kit Lumix lens; this is a great lens, focuses better than the 20/f1.7, but is too slow for indoor available light work, where my MD glass is great.

For long reach I have a Tokina 80-200 at a constant f2.8 in MD mount that's the equivalent angle of view of 160-400 at a constant f2.8.

Your needs may be different, requiring autofocus at these longer lengths; but for my use, legacy glass is the logical choice, taking advantage of the "doubling" effect of the u4/3 format that so many other people disparage.

/Joe/

 

[user237428934]

14-140 is toooooo bulky for my taste. mFT is about having small equipment.

 

[splitimageview]

The 14-140 has IS right?

 

[splitimageview]

Yes. I guess IS is more important for a tele than a superwide anyway.

 

[JCT]

I actually just did what you describe. In my case, i had a need for video and decided to not upgrade my camcorder and instead picked up a GH1 kit (recent price drop helped).

I can easily carry my G1 + 20mm and the GH1 + 14-140 along with my Pen-f 38mm f1.8 and OM 100mm f2.8 in my domke f3x . Or just default to the GH1 + 20/14-140 combo in my Terraclime 100.

So far I like the 14-140, balance is very nice on the G1/GH1 bodies, I don't mind a little heft, hell, I carried a D2x + 70-200 for years. The GH1 + 14-140 is a feather compared to that. Focus is fast, the lens does have OIS and I like the focal length range very much.

I don't think the G1/GH1 body + 14-140 is an order of magnitude bigger that the G1 + 55-200 and I think the difference would be negligible after awhile.

Personally I think the 20mm + the 14-140 is a sweet spot, especially with the G1/GH1 form factor.

JT

 

[back alley]

i went with a g1 as a second body, no real interest in video, and i am looking for a good deal on a 14-140. i like the 14-45 but like the idea of the 14-140 better (one lens does it all) and the 20 is a no brainer especially if you can keep it on it's own body.

when i get a 14-140 in hand, i'll sell the 45-200 and hold onto the 14-45 to see if i would use it or not.

 

[JCT]

when i get a 14-140 in hand, i'll sell the 45-200 and hold onto the 14-45 to see if i would use it or not.

This is exactly what I did-- I'm holding the 14-45 for now. Really just like the lens...

I came within inches of going for the GF1 as my second body, but just couldn't do it-- I really like the G1 body.

JT

 

[back alley]

the g1 is a great camera -for me- and yes, i love that screen! i did consider the gf1 but no finder/add on finder seems just dumb to me.

 

[Pascal]

I had the G1 and recently got the GH1. I chose it over the newer GF1 because of the screen and the viewfinder..... and am I glad I did. Because to my surprise, the image quality (higher ISO) is actually just a bit better on the GH1 over the GF1 (which doesn't make sense as you would think the newer camera/sensor would be better).

The icing on the cake is the 14-140mm lens. It definitely adds more bulk (insignificant compared to my D700+24-70 or D3+80-200mm AFS) than the kit 14-45 lens that came with my G1 and it is not really comparable with the 20mm f1.7 for size, but if a one package solution is called for (especially for portability), the GH1+14-140 rocks. I have not bothered with the 20mm or the 14-45 since I got the 14-140mm.

I decided not to bother with the 50-200mm for now as the 7-14mm f4.0 is more my style and the next lens to add - just wish dealers in the states would get these soon.

 

[sfy1000]

getting rid of the 14-45 and the 45-200 is a good idea

 

[user237428934]

getting rid of the 14-45 and the 45-200 is a good idea

Why that? Both are very good lenses.

 

[donmcmahan]

14-140

14-140

Did not know the 14-140 was available on its own, thought it was only sold as a kit with the GH-1

 

[back alley]

ok, i now have 2 g1 bodies with 2 lenses, the fast 20 and the 14-140 and it seems like it will work out fine.
the 14-140 is a bit hefty but feels great on the g1 body, and i like having the range all in one lens.
the g1 with 20 is a fabulous combo.

so, i am left with a still small lightweight kit able to shoot most things outdoors and also in dim light.