Well, That Started A Conversation - Post On Returning My 12-35mm f2.8 Lens

 

Starting Early, by Reed A. George
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 X Lens
iso400, f4, 1/200 sec
 
I posted on dpreview that I had decided to return my Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 zoom lens. Boy, did that get responses!
 
(Click Here) to see all of the responses on dpreview
 
The only one that got me thinking much was about the ethics of returning a lens. I find this one very interesting. Yes, it's true, I did know all of the specifications before buying, and there was nothing wrong with the lens itself. However, I certainly stayed within Amazon's generous policy of being able to return something, merely because it did not suit me. I was completely honest with Amazon that I had simply changed my mind, paid the shipping both ways, and got my money back. This is why Amazon is so great. They want me to be fully satisified. If I'm not, they're willing to refund my money. So, if they're happy and I'm happy, why should anyone else question it?
 
Anyway, as I said in all of my posts, the lens itself is just fine. It's just not for me.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
I can buy with confidence here: 
 

I Really Sent It Back - More of a Reflection on My Shooting Style Than Lens Quality

 

Image Source: shop.panasonic.com

 
Well, my Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 is on its way back. It just didn't fit my shooting style.
 
I'm spoiled by my excellent prime lenses. Now, I really can't wait for that Olympus 75mm f1.8 to arrive!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

To Zoom or Not to Zoom - That Is A Question - The New Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 - Is It A Permanent Part of My Kit?

Cooling Off, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 Lens at 31mm

iso 200, f7.1, 1/2500 sec

 
I just spent a long weekend at a music festival with the new Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 Aspheric lens attached to my Panasonic DMC-G3. So what do I think? I'm conflicted to tell the truth.
 
First off - it was very nice to not have to change lenses much. The lens worked very well for shots of the crowd, dancers, vendors, and those types of things. It also did fine with wide shots of the bands. But, let's talk about that for a second. In shooting a full-stage image of a performing band, I needed to stop down at least a little - f4 at least, more likely f5.6. In daylight performances, not an issue at all. After dark, that required a little flash. But the real point is, if I'm using the lens in this way, why does it matter that it has a maximum aperture of f2.8? The answer is, it doesn't matter at all. I could have done just as well with my Lumix 14-140mm f4-5.8 lens. In fact, I would have had a much more useful focal length range. Yes, it's true that I'd lose the 24mm full frame equivalent field of view of the wide end, but that's not common territory for me anyway.
 
And that brings up another point. As I mentioned previously, the 12-35mm is just a little short of being a great portrait lens.
 
(Click Here) for my intial thoughts on the 12-35mm for candid portraits.
 
Now portraits are where the f2.8 can become important. But, at 35mm maximum focal length, f2.8 just doesn't quite do it.
 
Finally, I've become spoiled by my primes. At "normal" focal length, my Lumix 20mm f1.7 and Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4 lenses are so fast, f2.8 seems a little slow (in light gathering capability). I'm about to become even more spoiled, when my Olympus 75mm f1.8 prime shows up.
 
So, as you can see, I'm pretty far along in talking myself into returning the 12-35mm f2.8.
 
I think I would rather carry two camera bodies, and a couple of extra lenses, rather than accept these tradeoffs. I though that the 12-35mm may be important for event and travel photography for me. This weekend told me that I would be happier with primes at events. For travel, the 14-140mm f4-5.6 is still a great option for well-lit scenes. It has enormous focal length range, too.
 
Just for balance, you may be interested in reading a post on ePhotoZine about the joys of zoom lenses.
 
(Click Here) to read one author's experience of reducing his Nikon DSLR kit size with a super-zoom (Nikkor 28-300mm).
 
Just imagine the benefit this author would get from Micro 4/3 gear. Weight becomes negligible with a single body, single zoom approach.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Is the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 a Portrait Lens?

 

Festival-goer, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix G Vario 12-35mm Aspheric f2.8 Zoom at 35mm

iso 160, f3.2, 1/800 sec

 
This is a pretty good example of a picture that I want to be able to take at music festivals. It's not a head shot style portrait. Perhaps it's wide enough to be called an "environmental portrait." It gives some context to the subject. However, I really want to be able to separate the subject from background with shallow depth of field.
 
It is a matter of physics that Micro 4/3 lenses will have more depth of field at a given field of view, because of the crop factor and sensor size. That is, in the shot above, which was shot at 35mm focal length on Micro 4/3, has the same field of view as a 75mm lens on a full frame 35mm sensor. The Micro 4/3 lens has more depth of field in this shot than if I had shot it with a 75mm on full frame at the same f-stop (f3.2 in this case). All this adds up to less ability to separate your subject from the background with the Micro 4/3 format at a given field of view and aperture.
 
While I like this shot very much, I would prefer to have the background blurred more. Yes, I should have shot it at f2.8, which would have narrowed the field of view a little more, but that's only a half-stop wider, and would not have made much difference.
 
So, my preliminary conclusion is that no, this is not the perfect lens for these types of shots. I could have done better with one of my prime lenses - either getting closer with the Summilux 25mm f1.4 or using the Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit. Actually, the 45mm f2.8 may have been about the same, since I would have had to move away from the subject, which increases depth of field. The true best would be an Olympus lens - either the 45mm f1.8 (which would have been perfect for this shot), or the 75mm f1.8, which would have required me to be further away. I don't own either of the Olympus lenses, yet. The 75mm is on order.
 
I must say that I've enjoyed using the new Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 lens this weekend. However, I am close to concluding that I prefer to shoot primes. I've been very careful with this lens over the past couple of days. I have in my mind that it may go back for a refund. I haven't decided yet, and need to look at more results.
 
Don't get me wrong. It's a very capable lens. I just think I prefer primes.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 - My First Results - Portrait of the Artist

 

Portrait of the Artist, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 Lens at 19mm

iso 400, f4, 1/500 sec

 
I saw this guy painting on-site at the Floyd Festival. He told me that his canvas had accidentally gotten a hole in it after he started the painting. Rather than worry about that, he added a few more. He was in the process of gluing on artistic features to the back, which will show through the holes. I couldn't resist, and had to ask him to take this pose for me.
 
I used the new Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 lens all day yesterday, and must say I'm impressed. I think it's going to spend a lot of time on my camera.
 
I am finding that the focal length is a little short for portraits, at least my type of candid portraits. I feel that I have to get pretty close, even at 35mm. The 12mm end is a very nice wide angle.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

It's Here - And I Think I Like It

 

Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 Power OIS Zooom
Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/H-HS12035
 
I received the lens right before leaving for the music festival I'm at now (Floyd Fest 11).
 
(Click Here) for Floyd Fest
 
I used it all day yesterday, but haven't uploaded images yet. I will have lots of samples for you after the festival ends on Sunday.
 
It was really nice to be able to minimize lens changes yesterday.
 
I am surprised that Panasonic beat Olympus in delivery (I'm still waiting on the Oly 75mm f1.8). These companies don't need to learn or compete with each other on delivery - they need to learn from a fast company. I understand - they have to announce products early for advertising purposes - but are we really happier as customers in the end, having to wait months after making that impulse purchase? I'm not.
 
Anyway - look for some samples coming up soon!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com