Panasonic Lumix G3 with 14-42 X series lens - good idea or not?

grahamm

grahamm

Messages
7
Name
Graham
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a Lumix G3 with the standard 14-42 kit lens and it takes very good photos. I changed from a standard DSLR (Nikon D90) because I wanted a smaller camera, preferably pocketable.

The G3 is close but not quite close enough to being pocketable, although with the X series 14-42 lens it would be pocketable. But I've heard some horror stories about the 14-42 X series lens and I'm hesitating to buy one.

Is there anyone who has this lens who could offer either reassurance or otherwise?
 
I got a GX1 for a little while with that lens. Didn't get on with the button zoom thingy at all which was my most major gripe. I found treating the lens like a prime cause I really hated having to zoom in and out with the darned button.

Other than that it is a decent enough lens really no better or worse than the 14-42. I didn't have the problem with the tele end being blurry but have also heard the stories that a lot of them seem to have a problem
 
I have already had to adjust to a smaller camera so I know I will have to adjust to the motorised zoom with the small button. It was the quality of the image of the X series lens I was mainly concerned about, so thanks for your answer; I feel a little better about buying one now but would like to hear more from other users.
 
I think I've given up on the idea of having a pocketable camera; there are too many sacrifices to make. Been reading up on the 14 - 45 Dave and that does look like a much better lens than the 14 - 42.

Thanks to all for the help.
 
I have the 14-42 X and have had no problems at all with it, and Gary, Vulcan 2192 will say the same.
 
samems, I must admit I do wonder if that's the route I should take as most of my shots are at the wide end, but I also want the flexibility of a zoom without having to carry spare lenses.

Galaxy, you haven't experienced any of the sharpness/softness issues that this lens is mainly criticised for?
 
grahamm said:
Galaxy, you haven't experienced any of the sharpness/softness issues that this lens is mainly criticised for?
Click to expand...

Well in real life use of the lens the only ones that are soft I can attribute to user error and looking at the first few at the shutter speeds affected they are no less sharp than the rest in general.

I do also have the 14-45 so I suppose If I wanted to I could do a side by side test....but I have to ask myself if I want to look for problems when in normal use I am satisfied with the lens.

Think that just about sums it up for me, however if I were in a position to make the choice as you are I would avoid the lens.........smoke without fire and all that;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks Mal, makes a lot of sense. And with today's photo editing software I suppose any really minor problems can soon be rectified. I know the point is to take the best shots possible in camera, but surely it's the end result that matters most.
 
Just a quick post to let you know that in the end I decided to go for the GX1 camera complete with 14-42 X Series lens. I will have the option of adding the optical viewfinder at a later date.

It's a great little pocketable camera, very good build quality and I must say I haven't found any problems with either using the lens or the image quality from it.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Here's a shot taken with my new outfit:


Droplet by Graham Marsden, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top