Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens
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A third of the Holy Trinity of lenses
This lens the first of my quest for the holy trinity of Panasonic G X series Power OIS II lenses. The GX Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 is the equivalent of the DSLR's 24-70mm f/2.8 but in a micro four third system. I chose this over the 12-60 because of the smaller size and constant aperture. And, it will pair well with the 35-100mm f/2.8. The 12-35mm focal range is a great all around lens that allows me to shoot many styles of photography and video i... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great image quality... with small caveats
I so want to love this lens. Overall, I think the image quality is exceptional. The price is way too inflated by Panasonic, but it is nice to have a lens that is made to work with the GH5s. That said, coming from the world of Canon L-Series lenses, I am having a rough time with the fact that the focus and zoom spin the opposite direction of Canon. Nikon users wouldn't have this same issue, but there ya go. One interesting thing about this lens th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Almost great
It isn't true that a zoom can never be as sharp as a prime lens but the odds are against it. So far, I found the 8-18 Panasonic (labeled Leica, but Panasonic) and the 35-100/2.8 Panasonic are first class lenses. Sharp enough to make the most of m43, yet small enough to make sense. Neither of these are cheap but they're worth it. So, with the excellent 8-18 at one end and the very sharp 35-100 at the other, what to do about the middle? The obviou... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Specs are misleading....
To everyone that thinks this is actually a 2.8 aperture lens, it is not. When you put this lens on your Panasonic micro four thirds camera, everything doubles. What that means is the 12-35 focal length becomes 24-70 in 35mm terms. B&H even says that in the description. What they do not say is that the 2.8 aperture that sounds appealing becomes a whopping 5.6 in 35mm terms. That shallow depth you were looking for just got eliminated. There is very... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good, everyday lens.
If you're hesitating on buying this lens, it's probably because of the limited focal length. 35mm (70mm equivalent) seems too short. At first, I felt that way too but now I like the lens. The lens is sharp at full aperture and stays sharp up through f/11. It produces natural colors and decent contrast, although I may brighten some images, more as a matter of personal taste. I don't think that bokeh is exceptional but it is adequate for me. F... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
F2.8 is great for Bokeh
Unfortunately. Many people - like Brian - pretend to be experts. Sorry, but you are very, Very, VERY wrong. The multiplication factor is in reference to how the chip coverage will cause an increase in apparent viewing image size. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH APERTURE! As to the lens. It is of the same range as Canons L-Series lenses. Not quite as good BUT totally fine for Video usage. Using all Mirrorless cameras for my small stuff. I prefer us... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic lens!
Everything you read about this lens - and its 35-100mm f2.8 companion - are true. Very sharp focus, excellent lens. This one was my first lens purchase for my new GH5 since it goes from wide 12mm to short zoom 35mm, right through the standard 25mm (50mm, 35mm equivalent). So once you buy this, then you will say I need that 35-100mm to complete the set since 3x zoom, for either of these lenses, really isn't much. You are trading off large zoom cap... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great lens and image quality, but looks and feels cheap
I only have one complain about this lens. It has nothing to do with image quality, sharpness or anything but simply build. For a $1,000 lens, it just feels cheap. It feels like a kit lens that comes on a Canon T3i. Honestly, it doesn't feel much different than a standard 18-55 Canon kit lens, and thats a bummer. For a lens of this price, it should feel better. It should look more professional, and feel more professional. It feels cheap and plasti... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Worth the extra cost over the v1
Spent many weeks testing it. While it appears to be very similar to the v1, there are important differences, the most significant of which is DUAL IS 2, which is far superior to the standard OIS in v1 or even the DUAL IS 1 if you upgrade to firmware 1.3. If you are a video maker, it will be worth the extra cost for that stabilization during both stills and video shooting. This is why you would purchase this lens. (See Youtube for my GH5 IBIS test... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic optics and close focus bonus
Having come from Canons 24-70, I was unsure how a smaller version of what I was used to would work out- Im used to bigger signifying better quality. But I am so pleased how it looks and works for video, autofocus is quick and most importantly for filming very silent. I film a lot of smaller animals like hummingbirds and insects, and its close minimum focus distance allows me to do some really creative shots without having to swap to my macro len... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
MFT beast!
The constant aperture in this lens is a dream, making this my new go-to lens for videography on the GH5. The O.I.S. is spectacular. When you turn it on, the image gets slightly cropped, but the level of stability you get in return is well worth the trade-off. The variable zoom with constant aperture is just perfect for video work. If you are looking for a workhorse lens for the Panasonic GH-5 for video, and you don't have the budget for gimbals and/or a speedbooster, this lens is by far my best recommendation, and one of my favorite all-around MFT lenses. Get it!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Versatile, all-round zoom
I shot with the original 12-35mm/f2.8 zoom on my Panasonic camera since it first came out. I have several prime lenses that I use, but the 12-35 is the one you'd most likely find on my camera at any given time. I have always been impressed with the versatility and image quality of the original lens. I've finally upgraded to version II because I now have a Panasonic camera body that can use the dual image stabilization. I have yet to find a reason to change my high opinion of this lens.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Workhorse
This lens is on my G85 90% of the time. The 2.8 aperture makes it useful in a wide variety of lighting conditions, and its sharp enough that if you frame the picture correctly you can always crop in. Weather sealing is great paired with a sealed camera, I carry the camera in light rain/snow without worry. Focuses quickly and the dual IBIS makes it great in low light. Its not a true do it all lens but pair it with the 35-100 and youre pretty much covered.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Just ok, not good enough for the price
Took this on a filming job in Southeast Asia for a real-world test... Good size & weight for travel, ok color rendering, but mine wasnt very sharp. Glass was squeaky clean with no filter and still softer than my much cheaper Olympus zoom. Also, I use manual focus for video and didnt like how the focus ring feels when operating. Very, very touchy, not designed for manual use. I never miss focus and missed several times with this. Dealbreaker.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great standard length zoom for M43
This is a great standard range zoom for M43. Reasonably fast and quite sharp. I've found it to be quite adept at getting high quality images for video and stills. And the stabilization works great in conjunction with the GH5's in-body stabilizer. The focus by wire design isn't perfect for every video scenario. But if you don't normally require mechanical focusing, this a great lens for most situations.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not a great match with the BMP4K
I bought this lens hoping the image stabilization would allow me to get steadier handheld video shots with my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K. As someone who is used to Canon IS lenses, I was unimpressed by the jerkiness of the image stabilization on this lens. Also, 12-35mm is not a useful zoom range for my professional work, even on a MFT sensor. I have since returned this lens and my BMPCC4K.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good but not great
Good but not great. Maybe I have been spoiled by great lenses such as Olympus 17mm, 12mm, and 75mm then when I put my hands on this Panasonic 12-35mm II I realized that it is not that sharp. Zoom lenses are very useful, however a zoom lens will never be as sharp as a prime ones. Not sending it back. It is a keeper. Very good lens but not great.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing
I use this lens for video mostly. I love its low weight and hight optical quality. It has focus by wire, which many people seem to dislike. But I paired with a GH5 camera, and do most of my focusing through the touch screen, which imo, is a superb feature. In low light I do it manually, but the focus by wire hasn't been a nuisance so far.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Image Jitter!!!
I am using this for video on a GH5 and I get a jitter (wiggle/wobble) across all combinations of stabilization, even full off. Noticed it one day while zoomed in for focus and then ran some tests. My other native lens 42.5 f1.7 does not display any of these symptoms Could be defective?
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I would recommend it to a friend!
It is so amazing working with the gh5. While recording handheld, my friend sneezed and his hand moved as you obviously do, I have reviewed the clip and there was no movement recorded.. The stabilization for me is mind blowing with the gh5. I am so pleased with the acquisition!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
primary lens
This lens is easy to use and very compatible with any indoor portrait situation. Haven't tried it much outdoors. This lens, and the 100-300 mm lens are pretty close to all, if not all you need to get started. Beyond these two, I'd focus on filters and special effects lenses.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Not worth the price
This lens is OK at longer focal lengths but below 20 mm there is too much distortion. For my use in shooting real estate and wedding receptions, the pain involved in correcting this in post would only make sense if this were tack sharp or inexpensive. This is neither.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Purchase
I had been adapting my Nikon D600, F-mount lenses to my Lumix GH5 since purchasing the camera body, last year. The 12-35mm, f 2.8 Power lens is my first that is native to the GH5 camera. I love this lens! I hope to purchase Panasonic lenses in the future.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Amazing
I use this with my BMPCC4K, and it works amazingly. It has IS which is super nice because the camera doesnt. And its f/2.8 is just added awesomeness. 12-35 covers all that one would need, and it has a very smooth zoom and focus. Worth the price!!!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
