14-42 is ... ok, I guess?
December 14, 2012 1:43 PM Subscribe
I've decided it's time to upgrade from my Canon point and shoot. I'm going to get a Panasonic Lumix G5 DSLM. Now...what lenses should I get?
I've decided it's time to be able to take better pictures; I'm doing all I can do with my point-and-shoot. I am comfortable with my decision on the body - it's got the right price and the right options for me, and I know the micro four-thirds mount allows me a pretty versatile selection of lenses without needing an adaptor like I would if I went with Canon's DSLM. But what I'm not sure about is what lenses I should get! Looking at Panasonic's shopping site and Amazon, it seems to typically ship with the 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. But I feel like getting that I wouldn't be moving away from point and shoot too much at all - I'd still be getting something designed to give pretty ok results in a variety of situations, a jack of all trades that is master of none. So instead, I think I'd rather buy just the body and then pick two, maybe three, lenses to kick off my foray into high(er)-quality optics. What should they be?
The two most typical kinds of shots I'd be likely to take are of friends and family, where I'd like a nice tight depth of field and a reasonably fast lens for some candids and/or indoor shots (but not necessarily action shots per se), and of scenery, since I tend to travel in pretty interesting places. A third possibility would be long-focus distance shots, since I am occasionally in a position where wildlife photography (especially of birds) could have a pretty fulfilling payoff.
So what do you think, hivemind? Are there lenses to fit the micro four-thirds mount that will be useful to someone who knows a reasonable amount of theory behind photography but has never wielded serious hardware before? What are they? My ideal budget would be <$500 per lens.
One last note - going to a shop and trying out lenses isn't an option where I live.
I've decided it's time to be able to take better pictures; I'm doing all I can do with my point-and-shoot. I am comfortable with my decision on the body - it's got the right price and the right options for me, and I know the micro four-thirds mount allows me a pretty versatile selection of lenses without needing an adaptor like I would if I went with Canon's DSLM. But what I'm not sure about is what lenses I should get! Looking at Panasonic's shopping site and Amazon, it seems to typically ship with the 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. But I feel like getting that I wouldn't be moving away from point and shoot too much at all - I'd still be getting something designed to give pretty ok results in a variety of situations, a jack of all trades that is master of none. So instead, I think I'd rather buy just the body and then pick two, maybe three, lenses to kick off my foray into high(er)-quality optics. What should they be?
The two most typical kinds of shots I'd be likely to take are of friends and family, where I'd like a nice tight depth of field and a reasonably fast lens for some candids and/or indoor shots (but not necessarily action shots per se), and of scenery, since I tend to travel in pretty interesting places. A third possibility would be long-focus distance shots, since I am occasionally in a position where wildlife photography (especially of birds) could have a pretty fulfilling payoff.
So what do you think, hivemind? Are there lenses to fit the micro four-thirds mount that will be useful to someone who knows a reasonable amount of theory behind photography but has never wielded serious hardware before? What are they? My ideal budget would be <$500 per lens.
One last note - going to a shop and trying out lenses isn't an option where I live.
Best answer: The Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 is a damn fine lens for the price. It's fast, sharp and has a versatile focal length. It's pretty much a no-brainer.
Also, what komara said about the Olympus 45mm f/1.8.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 1:57 PM on December 14, 2012 [2 favorites]
Also, what komara said about the Olympus 45mm f/1.8.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 1:57 PM on December 14, 2012 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I just read this article on the wirecutter, and I'm strongly considering buying the Olympus zoom lens mentioned in the article.
posted by kpmcguire at 2:01 PM on December 14, 2012
posted by kpmcguire at 2:01 PM on December 14, 2012
I would be inclined to caution against the Oly zoom recommended by the wirecutter if only for the fact that it only stops down to f/4 (f/5.6 on the long end) and that's not going to give the "nice tight depth of field" requested by solotoro.
And maybe it's fine for wildlife and whatever, I don't know, but I'd shy away from it as my first choice. I am strongly partial to prime lenses, though, so I don't typically carry any zooms at all. My opinion is biased to say the least.
posted by komara at 2:11 PM on December 14, 2012
And maybe it's fine for wildlife and whatever, I don't know, but I'd shy away from it as my first choice. I am strongly partial to prime lenses, though, so I don't typically carry any zooms at all. My opinion is biased to say the least.
posted by komara at 2:11 PM on December 14, 2012
If you like the idea of that Olympus 45mm f/1.8 and you're adventurous you can skip the $399 price tag and buy a used Canon FD mount 50mm f/1.4 and an adapter for $72.99.
I'm not recommending you only go with adapted older lenses but I'd say if you have a potential budget for three new lenses you could easily get two nice new lenses and spend a pittance on a few old lenses and an adapter.
posted by komara at 2:20 PM on December 14, 2012
I'm not recommending you only go with adapted older lenses but I'd say if you have a potential budget for three new lenses you could easily get two nice new lenses and spend a pittance on a few old lenses and an adapter.
posted by komara at 2:20 PM on December 14, 2012
Panasonic 20mm 1.7. It was bolted onto my Panasonic GF1.
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:59 AM on December 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:59 AM on December 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'd recommend the 20mm f/1.7. The unique qualities of the fixed focal length lens will blow your mind in time: the jump in image quality from a lens that is designed to look okay at a bunch of focal lengths to a lens that is designed to be perfect at one specific length; the drop in stress that is associated with having one less variable to think about when composing; the fact that you will learn to see the world through that focal length even when the camera is not to your eye, which is something that never really becomes second-nature with a zoom lens but is vital in the development of your eye as a photographer.
So, that one, and a big ol' zoom for far-off birdies. Done!
posted by tapesonthefloor at 12:23 PM on December 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
So, that one, and a big ol' zoom for far-off birdies. Done!
posted by tapesonthefloor at 12:23 PM on December 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
In the right lighting conditions, the 20mm f/1.7 can take pictures of the future. It's that good.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 2:34 PM on December 15, 2012
posted by 1970s Antihero at 2:34 PM on December 15, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks all! I'm definitely sold on the 20mmf/1.7, and I'll get the Oly 45mm/f1.8 as well. komara, I love the idea of getting mounts and playing with old lenses on the cheap, but I will probably wait until I'm back in the States where I can play around with rentals, or at least where shipping is less complicated. (My current strategy is to ship to friends/family in the US then pick stuff up when I visit. It's not ideal.)
kpmcguire, thanks for that article, it has given me a lot to think about in terms of my wide angle and telephoto options. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I may in the end go with the Panasonic 14-140...a lot more expensive than the Olympus, but that's the tradeoff for having selected a camera that relies on the lens for stabilization, something I think I'll definitely need at the long end.
Unless someone knows of a fantastic prime long-focus lens...?
posted by solotoro at 1:04 AM on December 20, 2012
kpmcguire, thanks for that article, it has given me a lot to think about in terms of my wide angle and telephoto options. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I may in the end go with the Panasonic 14-140...a lot more expensive than the Olympus, but that's the tradeoff for having selected a camera that relies on the lens for stabilization, something I think I'll definitely need at the long end.
Unless someone knows of a fantastic prime long-focus lens...?
posted by solotoro at 1:04 AM on December 20, 2012
I wouldn't get the 14-140 if you're just looking for a long lens. Superzooms, which are lenses that go from wide to very long, have to make a number of optical compromises in order to function. On the other hand, if you want a superzoom, then the 14-140 will be fine!
If you just want a telephoto lens, then be aware that Panasonic makes a well-regarded 100-300 lens, which I would definitely pick over the 14-140.
I don't follow Micro 4/3 anymore, and I'm at work so I can't snoop through reviews, so I can't give you a specific recommendation right now.
If you have money to burn and you don't mind having huge lenses hanging off of your smallish camera, then you should be aware that you can get adapters to use 4/3 lenses with AF. Olympus has made some great long lenses for 4/3. If the 4/3 system remains moribund, then perhaps some of their prices will decline, or you could find a good deal used? Anyway, it's just a thought.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:57 AM on December 20, 2012
If you just want a telephoto lens, then be aware that Panasonic makes a well-regarded 100-300 lens, which I would definitely pick over the 14-140.
I don't follow Micro 4/3 anymore, and I'm at work so I can't snoop through reviews, so I can't give you a specific recommendation right now.
If you have money to burn and you don't mind having huge lenses hanging off of your smallish camera, then you should be aware that you can get adapters to use 4/3 lenses with AF. Olympus has made some great long lenses for 4/3. If the 4/3 system remains moribund, then perhaps some of their prices will decline, or you could find a good deal used? Anyway, it's just a thought.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:57 AM on December 20, 2012
Response by poster: You know, I wondered why that wirecutter article didn't mention panasonic's 45-150 and went with the 14-140 as comparable to olympus's 45-150. dpreview doesn't have anything on the former though, maybe it's just too new. Like I said, for the telephoto I think I need to stay on brand to take advantage of the OIS.
My first thought was in fact the 100-300, but a friend of mine who works at a lens rental place said he didn't care for it. Maybe I'll just hold off on the telephoto for now and see what happens.
Hope the mods won't ding me for threadsitting now it's been a few days....
posted by solotoro at 3:09 PM on December 20, 2012
My first thought was in fact the 100-300, but a friend of mine who works at a lens rental place said he didn't care for it. Maybe I'll just hold off on the telephoto for now and see what happens.
Hope the mods won't ding me for threadsitting now it's been a few days....
posted by solotoro at 3:09 PM on December 20, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
If not, I can speak to the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 (which becomes a 90mm equivalent when mounted on a 4/3rds system). It was my go-to lens before I started adapting older manual focus lenses. I still like it quite a bit, and it works well for portraits with great depth of field.
posted by komara at 1:55 PM on December 14, 2012