Micro 4/3 GX1+ 14-42 X lens does landscape

Iansky

All-Pro
Location
Cotswolds, UK
Out today with the GX1+14-42X lens and took these 4 images.

I intend to take some comparison shots between this lens and the original metal mount 14-45 lens as I am not yet convinced with image quality of the new lens - it is small and solid but, IQ is not what I was hoping and still getting used to controls on lens.

Footprints_to_the_gate.jpg



Frosty_Pathway.jpg



Over_the_wall.jpg



Well_planted.jpg
 
Barrie,

You are right and I would never expect the IQ of a zoom to match that of a prime lens so would not dream of comparing it to the 20mm, I still have my original 14-45mm metal mount Pany lens so will do some comparisons to that............I suspect that the original may just show a clean pair of heels to the new pretender.
 
Ian,

I have the 14-45mm which I have hardly ever used, just started to use it with a newly acquired (secondhand) GH2 with much the same object in mind as yourself. Reasonably impressed so far, given that I'm not a great fan of zooms, and I feel subjectively that it might produce better results than the latest kit zoom you're using here.

Barrie
 
All good Ian, but the third one really gets me.

I have the original 14-45. I don't use it much, preferring primes, but it's a good performer. I look forward to your comparison.
 
Some great candidates for a bit of SFXing. I'm a little thrown by the first two re: what should be my level horizon, or indeed if the horizon should be level at all given the sweeping countryside. I really like #4, particularly the stand of trees.

So far amongst standard focal length m4/3 zooms I've found the Lumix 14-140 to be very good, especially considering it's 10x zoom range. It is however not cheap and not small, but it is small compared to carrying the equivalent 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses of the same age. The Lumix 14-42 X has had some reported issues with the OIS system on the early production models, but a firmware upgrade seems to have helped.
 
Nice landscapes but not as sharp as I might have expected.

Bill,

You are right and that is my concern, this lens is not cheap and is classed by Panasonic as of "Prime Quality" so should to my mind perform to a high standard - I am yet to be convinced and currently am leaning toward keeping my original 14-45mm and letting this one go in exchange for a 14mm f2.5 as I do prefer primes and the GX1+20mm combination produces razor sharp images.
 
Beautiful as always Ian, but my reaction is the same as others - not as sharp as your usual shots with the 20 or as sharp AND creamy as your X100 work. I agree with Olli that it works pretty well in this context, but if its not what you're after, maybe a second look at that lens is in order...

-Ray
 
Thanks all,

I will try the comparison next weekend and make a decision based on the results - looking toward getting rid of it and replacing it with the 14mm f2.5 to compliment my 20mm.
 
Thanks both for the feedback, not sure about overall lens quality IQ though - perhaps I am expecting too much but it is classed as a "Prime lens".

at these sizes, Iansky, I cannot see the issues you describe. They edges look clean to me. Have you a larger example?
 
dpreview's GX1 review mentions sharpness problems with this lens, although they say it mainly affects the tele end, and particularly at shutter speeds between 1/60 and 1/200. They think it might be some kind of vibration issue...

it's at the bottom of this page:
Panasonic DMC GX1 Review: 16. Photographic tests: Digital Photography Review

other than that, they give the camera a very positive review. In the conclusion, in the list of cons, there was really nothing that would bother me much! First time I've seen that in a review... also I held one in the store recently and it does feel good in the hand, and it's small, too!
 
I am dissapointed that even after updating the camera+lens firmware, the lens does not deliver as expected - I have to say though that the GX1 is a superb camera and I prefer it to my long serving GF1 as it produces better IQ images, has better DR,build,AF and low light capability and coupled with the 20mm is a superb combination.
 
I would be more than happy with theses images Ian.
Beautiful.
That lens has had some critics here its performing Ok
 
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