Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 ASPH: I have noticed some fairly decent used prices. Since I have all Olympus gear, I am not familiar with the Lumix lenses. First- did Lumix have...

rb61 Loc: Maple Grove, MN

I have noticed some fairly decent used prices. Since I have all Olympus gear, I am not familiar with the Lumix lenses.
First- did Lumix have Four thirds version of the 7-14 and if so, how do I identify the MFT version?
Second-are there any downsides to purchasing this lens other than f4 vs Olympus 2.8 ?

Edit:
Third question- how will auto focus compare?

Thanks

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

rb61 wrote:

I have noticed some fairly decent used prices. Since I have all Olympus gear, I am not familiar with the Lumix lenses.
First- did Lumix have Four thirds version of the 7-14 and if so, how do I identify the MFT version?
Second-are there any downsides to purchasing this lens other than f4 vs Olympus 2.8 ?

Edit:
Third question- how will auto focus compare?

Thanks

I own Olympus equipment also and I chose the Olympus 7-14 f2.8 over the Panasonic 7-14 f4. But you need to require the same or similar reasons for doing so. The Olympus lense is one stop faster, larger, heavier, more rectilinear, and slightly less aberrations. But you get all that at about twice the cost. I believe Panasonic only produced a M4/3rds version. I know that the Olympus lens is weatherproof but I am not sure about the Panasonic lens. I believe they basically focus the same but I don't know if the focus ring turns in the same direction.

For me it was the one stop faster, more rectilinear, and slightly less aberrations at overrode the extra cost. Your requirements may be different than mine. And they may not be enough to justify extra cost.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

rb61 wrote:

I have noticed some fairly decent used prices. Since I have all Olympus gear, I am not familiar with the Lumix lenses. First- did Lumix have Four thirds version of the 7-14 and if so, how do I identify the MFT version?
Second-are there any downsides to purchasing this lens other than f4 vs Olympus 2.8 ?
Edit: Third question- how will auto focus compare? Thanks

Olympus and Panasonic lenses have the identical Micro4/3rds mount and 2.0x crop factor. As noted above it is important to pay attention to the lens specifications - minimum aperture, size, weight, etc., when comparing them. Ratings by DxO, DPReview, Imaging-Resource, etc. may be helpful tools. CameraDecision.com also compares lenses. YouTube bloggers may be another source of review/rating info.

Quoting the OP: “Did Lumix have Four thirds version of the 7-14 and if so, how do I identify the MFT version?”
I don’t understand the question - you specified the Panasonic MFT version in the title of your own post.

rb61 Loc: Maple Grove, MN

rjaywallace wrote:

Olympus and Panasonic lenses have the identical Mi... (show quote)

I wasn't sure if the lenses that I referred to was a MFT lens or Four Thirds.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I used to own it and it is an excellent lens. Focusing was very fast, no issues what so ever.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

rb61 wrote:

I wasn't sure if the lenses that I referred to was a MFT lens or Four Thirds.

Easy to answer - go to website for B&H, look it up and read the info provided. No purchase necessary.