Wow lens shopping is a bummer

[Pyrate]

Should have shopped for a lens before buying the camera
After much research, the lens that seems to make sense is discontinued everywhere or only available from Japan

*H-FS014045 cant even tell if panasonic has it in stock

 

[Deleted member 20897]

Any possibility of getting a used on? eBay, Amazon, craigslist, KEH.com??

 

[agentlossing]

What lens is this?
GX1•17/2.8•30/2.8

 

[wjiang]

That seems to be the grand old m4/3 kit lens, the Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6. Apparently the sharpest of the low end kit lenses before the P12-32 and O14-42 pancakes came out. You might consider looking at those two instead, they are now the sharpest of the new kit lenses.

 

[alex66]

I can firmly recommend the Panasonic 12-32mm as a great walk around lens, it has become my most used lens for its compactness and for a diddy lens great IQ. There are frequent 14-45mm lenses coming up on the auction site, I sold mine and sort of regret it as it is a great lens though I prefer the 12-32 it is nice to sometimes have that little extra reach, but look on the bay and the buy sell here.

 

[Ulfric M Douglas]

...the lens that seems to make sense is discontinued everywhere or only available from Japan...

Are you in a place where you cannot find second-hand Lumix 14-45 lenses?
Even look for old G1 and GF1 kits : including that lens.

 

[ijm5012]

I would not buy a kit lens at retail price, you'd be crazy to do that.

Look for either a 14-45 or 14-42 II (as good optically as the 14-45 is, but is much more compact), and buy them used. You should pay no mor ethan $150 for either of these lenses

 

[nstelemark]

I would not buy a kit lens at retail price, you'd be crazy to do that.

Look for either a 14-45 or 14-42 II (as good optically as the 14-45 is, but is much more compact), and buy them used. You should pay no mor ethan $150 for either of these lenses

I've got a 14-42 II for sale for $55, it is brand new never used. I would not pay more than $65 for the kit lens.

 

[DennisC]

I use the Lumix 14-45 and the Olympus 14-42 EZ and to be frank both lenses are less than stunning.
They're OK but you need to work out their weak spots and then shoot where they're sharpest if you can.

At first I hated the EZ lens but convenience has won through and now I find it hard to tell the difference between the the pair of them - although the Lumix seems slightly warmer/richer.

 

[dougjgreen]

I've got a 14-42 II for sale for $55, it is brand new never used. I would not pay more than $65 for the kit lens.

Is this the Olympus 14-42 II, or the Panasonic 14-42 II? If it's the Panasonic, PM me.

 

[nstelemark]

Is this the Olympus 14-42 II, or the Panasonic 14-42 II? If it's the Panasonic, PM me.

Hi Doug - the Olympus 14-42IIR. Sorry. Thread here:

https://www.mu-43.com/showthread.php?t=65996

 

[barihunk]

That seems to be the grand old m4/3 kit lens, the Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6. Apparently the sharpest of the low end kit lenses before the P12-32 and O14-42 pancakes came out. You might consider looking at those two instead, they are now the sharpest of the new kit lenses.

I'd be interested to see the 14-45 and the 12-32 compared... Any citation to back up your claim? The 12-32 looks so small and handy!

 

[wjiang]

I'd be interested to see the 14-45 and the 12-32 compared... Any citation to back up your claim? The 12-32 looks so small and handy!

I wasn't implying any comparison between the 14-45 and the 12-32, only that the 12-32 is arguably the sharpest of the kit lenses in active production. Plenty of reviews online anyway,

e.g

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1661/cat/69

http://tysonrobichaudphotography.wo...c-lumix-g-vario-12-32mm-f3-5-5-6-lens-tested/

 

[Pyrate]

Wow thanks so much for the great feedback. The 12-32 seems to be a kit lense too. And does not have a focus ring. I am guessing maybe easier to find since it is still being produced wonder hiw fast it focuses, this will be used for video a lot, and be my starter lens canera arrives friday

 

[agentlossing]

Just for curiosity's sake, if you bought the camera body only, why start out with a "kit lens" when many choose to replace the kit lens with others, e.g. a prime lens?

 

[Pyrate]

Question how do you tell 14-42 version one from 2, different model number?

 

[Pyrate]

Got it, I think the new model is FS1442A
Old model was HFS014042

 

[Promit]

Really wish one of the two companies would produce an excellent walk around zoom in the $400 range...

 

[dougjgreen]

It says (II after the aperture) on the barrel. There is also a IIR, which says IIR. The II is significantly changed from the first 14-42, with a different, smaller 37mm filter size, and it focuses faster than the first version. IIR is mostly the same as II, except for supposedly improved coatings, and cosmetic changes to the pattern on the zoom ring.

 

[Pyrate]

Got it, I have a bid on one