If you’re really looking for a great zoom lens for the Micro Four Thirds camera system, this is it without question.

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/07/04/review-panasonic-12-35mm-f2-8-micro-four-thirds/

Okay guys - here are some dumb questions. Just got my 12-35 lens and am playing around with it and couldn't find the answer to these questions after searching around:

1) Does this lens produce more moire than other lens?

2) Are there any settings I need to set to use the Power OIS, other than the switch on the lens itself? I thought I read somewhere that there is a setting that can be selected where you pick if you will be panning vs stationary handholding. (I know with tripod, I need to turn switch off.) I ask as I tested a stationary handheld shot with and without the OIS on, and it seemed the same to me in terms of stability/shakiness. Neither shot was super shaky, but there was slight movement in both. Thought I may have missed a setting or something.

3) If I want to shoot with this lens in manual mode, are there any setting I need to select? I've always had my GH2 set up to shoot with fully manual lenses that aren't electronically connected like the 12-35, so just wanted to know if using the 12-35 in manual mode requires selecting/changing any settings.

Thanks in advance.

So I finally got the 12-35 and have been using it on the GH3, it's amazing. The footage is really no more or less "cinematic" than any other lens, it all depends on how you use it. For use on a camera rig, there are obvious hassles (focus by wire, electronic aperture). But the hassle is worth it for essentially 5 great lenses in one for $1k.

It is extremely sharp. I find this is great for video work (events, interviews) and turning down sharpness to -5 works great for narrative work. Of course the sharpness increases the moire factor - just have to shoot smarter. The biggest advantage of the lens sharpness is that Ex. Tele. mode looks a lot better. So in essence, it doubles as a (roughly) 35mm-100mm (kind of, you of course don't get the same lens character).

Cons would be that the zoom isn't all that smooth, I don't do a lot of zooming during shooting, but those who do would be disappointed.

That's interesting. So it's not warmer than the Rokkors?

I just tested the SLR Magic 25 and it's considerably more yellow than my Contax C/Y glass.

You know I love those Rokkors too (plus my Zeiss C/Ys), but there's nothing really wide from either source. Well, maybe the Schneider Cinegon 10mm C-mount (1" version) for the BMPCC, but that's hard to find.

As long as nobody makes a faster one, the 12-35mm seems to be the best option for docu with it's IS (now that it has been fixed) plus fast and silent AF. With the considerable RS on both the GH2 and BMPCC, we'll need IS. And for a sharp zoom, the bokeh is still nice. I'll go for it as soon as I have sold my 12mm Oly and the 25mm Zeiss C/Y (which is not their best).

Hi 12-35 owners!
Just debating right now whether to pull the trigger on this or not.
Right now I have a set of manual glass for narrative filmmaking: beautiful Rokkors and SLR 12mm to cover wide angle land. But not only one m43 electronic lens (I've had a couple of primes but sold them due to cumbersome focus by wire).
A friend of mine is going to US next week and was thinking about buying this lens as documentary IS all-rounder for my actual GH2 (and possible BMPCC or GH3 in the future).
Cheap 14-45 or waiting for new 14-140 are my other options.
Thoughts? Thanks!

I just purchased the lens last week and immediately updated the firmware. Auto focus seems to work fine for me both on GH2 and AF105A. I can't speak to a before/after comparison, however. Fortunately, I saw no evidence of stuttering that has plagued the lens. I took the lens out on a shoot and was very pleased with the results.

need advice.I was shooting with car mount on Gh2 with 12-35 lens,was windy weather and after finishing my 30 min shot,I realize that my lens full of sand an dust,when zooming, was very strange noise and filing that sand is inside.any advise what can I do, possible to clean lens by self.? I bod from ebay,from Japan,and no service in My country...((

@flaaandeeers Good lord that second video looks amazing!

@Nakame78 Thanks!

Regarding the OIS problem that people were having - is it a lens issue? I know the firmware update resolved it, but if it were to be used on another camera would the problem exist?

@Ralph_B Yes.