@stonebat

I tested shutter and aperture priority with and without auto ISO. Then I tested full manual mode with and without AF. This lens is rock solid for AF video on the GH2. It should be nearly perfect on the GH3 with the new firmware coming out in December.

I understand why manual focus is used over AF for almost all situations. However, I am curious do you ever shoot AF? Are there ever times when you can't concentrate on MF(walking while filming, navigating over an obstacle...etc) where you would shoot AF? With any light at all this lens does excellent AF.

http://sgoldswoblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/panasonic-g5-12-35mm-and-35-100mm-in-whitecross-street-market-plus-royal-exchange-and-trent-park/

I respect the lensrental evaluation. However, I think the results are a little overstated. Sure the lens is sharper at 35mm than 100mm. However, aren't all zoom lenses like that?

From the testing I did today I had no problems with sharpness at 100m and F2.8. I would say it is amazing sharp at 35mm and extremely sharp at 100mm. Both are good things. Sometimes we get caught up in numbers and forget to check exactly what those numbers really mean.

I will post some sample images and videos that show how good this lens really is across the entire range.

I hope you guys like BMX Freestyle. The pics and videos I got at the bike park today will be really fun if you do.

@stonebat

On center the 14-140mm is actually just about the same sharpness wide open as it is 1 stop down. Remember you can't possibly hope to distinguish between a few lines of resolution better performance. Check out the test results here.

http://forums.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcgh1/page17.asp

Updating my lens now.

I am not sure if it is any faster now. However, it definitely is what I would call snap focus. This GH3 really is a great camera with the 35-100mm F2.8 on it.

A few more reviews of Panasonic Lumix GX Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 Lens:

• http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/pan_35-100/index.htm
• http://frugalfilmmakers.com/2012/12/04/twice-nirvana-lumix-x-vario-35-100mm-f2-8-asph/
• http://admiringlight.com/blog/review-panasonic-lumix-g-vario-35-100mm-f2-8-x-ois/

Excellent test at wlcastleman, thanks @igorek7
This lens is very welcome quality upgrade among Panasonic's zoom lenses. It has improved optical and build quality, it is fast and so small compared to the equivalent FF lenses 70-200mm. I really like this one.

Hey Guys,

if you could only own one lens for your GH2 or GH3, would you get the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 or the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8?

And Why?

Thanks!!

Totally depends on what you are shooting. For me, the 12-35 would be the correct choice. I have both, I store the GH3 in my bag with the 35-100 mounted, but I switch to the 12-35 when I run and gun or for anything indoor. When I get cranking on doing timelapses (and birding) - shots I need a tripod for - then I will be using the 35-100 more.

Do you wonder which kit to choose? If you're not limited to the kit lenses, maybe you should consider the 12-42 instead? Somewhat longer range than the 12-35, has power-zoom, almost as compact as a pancake, and cheaper. But you loose some light though...

@toxotis70 Sorry, I wrote it down wrong, but was referring to the 14-42. http://m43photo.blogspot.no/2012/09/lumix-x-pz-14-42mm-f35-56.html

Review - http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/lenses/m4-3/panasonic-lumix-g-x-vario-35-100mm-f-2.8-lens

This lens exhibits mesmerizing sharpness, wonderful bokeh, excellent colors, great stabilization, and a build quality that will be able to keep up with your rough and tumble life despite the plastic exterior.

It’s totally worth it for anyone that needs to shoot long.

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/07/07/review-panasonic-35-100mm-f2-8-micro-four-thirds/

@danbo Had a problem with the IS as well. Tested on a tripod there is no jitter that I could see but handheld there certainly was, above and beyond me causing movement. As a comparison I shot some handheld footage with the Panny 14-42 X pancake at 42 mm with IS and it was great. The 35-100 shot at 42 mm handheld was definitely jittery. So, sent it back to Japan ( I was living in NZ at the time $70 for the postage ) with a full explanation. The retailer passed it on to Panasonic who gave it a clean bill of health, but I knew bloody well it wasn't right, and insisted that the retailer take another look at it. They said that they gave it to a camera repairman who also checked it and thought it was okay. I got them to email me the report which took them a few days, which was strange since in our other discussions on the net the replys were pretty much instantaneous. It was in Japanese of course and very light on detail. ( I got it interpreted ) At that point I decided to get it sent back and bite the bullet. I'm resigned to it being a tripod only lens, which realistically for me will always be the case. So my take on this exercise is that if I'm buying an expensive item buy it from a "no questions asked if not satisfied" retailer. Hope you can get a happier ending mate.