newfoundmass Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I did a shoot over the weekend that required a lot of zooming in and out. It really made me long for the camcorder days and made me ask myself: why doesn't Panasonic release some power zoom lenses? I know they have a couple of lower end ones for M43 that aren't constant and are very slow, but why no higher end ones? I'd buy a 24-105 f4 power zoom lens for full frame (and a 12-100 f4 for M43) in a heartbeat. I can't be the only one that would either. It'd be the perfect lens for event shooters. Right now Sony is really the only one offering power zooms. I think it's time for Panny boy to get in the game. Sharathc47, PannySVHS, majoraxis and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dolega Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 It'd be nice, and would be an insta-buy for me, but from an overall ecosystem POV there are probably more pressing needs, telephotos >200mm and a fast ultra wide zoom come to mind. I always hoped that the little external zoom box that Canon made years ago would have caught on and been made compatible with all zooms from that point. I remember it was paired with a cheaper APS-C superzoom type lens when it came out but then I think that was it. Emanuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kisaha Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 I have the PZM thingy for the 18-135mm EF-S, and is a lot of fun! Emanuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr041 Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 I agree on more power zooms. But is also important they be parfocal, or close to it (like many of Sony's zooms). I recall that many Panasonic zoom lenses were decidedly not parfocal (and DFD focusing did not help). Emanuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted February 9, 2023 Author Share Posted February 9, 2023 Parfocal would be nice, but honestly I'd be happy with the 24-105 f/4 but with a power zoom function, especially if it would cut down on the price. The 24-105 is so close to being parfocal anyway that it's not that big of a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dolega Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 I don't think adding a motor, controller, and rocker/buttons would make the lens any cheaper, especially since it would certainly sell way fewer units than the regular 24-105. Which I think is great, btw. Seems parfocal enough to me, maybe it's "fake" parfocal where it's programmed to adjust the focus as you zoom, but that's good enough for me. The only real improvement I can think of would be for it to go to 120mm like the Nikon equivalent does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 On 2/9/2023 at 7:11 PM, Al Dolega said: I don't think adding a motor, controller, and rocker/buttons would make the lens any cheaper, especially since it would certainly sell way fewer units than the regular 24-105. Which I think is great, btw. Seems parfocal enough to me, maybe it's "fake" parfocal where it's programmed to adjust the focus as you zoom, but that's good enough for me. The only real improvement I can think of would be for it to go to 120mm like the Nikon equivalent does. When I said cut down on the price I meant by not needing it to be parfocal. I wouldn't expect a power zoom version of the 24-105mm to be cheaper than the current lens. I'd pay more (within reason) to have a version of that lens with power zoom capabilities. Video has come such a huge part of the industry that everyone should be making power zoom lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt3rs Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Is quite surprising that so few power zoom lenses available from the various lens makers. Canon only has the 18-135 EF-S plus the PZ-E1 (that I think is even discontinued) or cine servo lenses that quite expensive. I would love to have PZ on the 70-200 and 100-500, I use a wireless ff to create a poor man servo zoom but is a big pita to setup every time.... rails... lens gear....additional batteries and cables and lastly calibration.... or use the DJI Focus on the gimbal for zoom but the same pita to set it up. One small but already good improvement would be to have focus and zoom lens gear by default on photo lenses.... Sony has a few ones with the 28-135 F4 probably the most useful on FF and although expensive more affordable that other options. Some good ones for APS-C... 18-105, 18-200... Nikon and Sigma not sure they have any... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr041 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 On 2/13/2023 at 6:27 AM, gt3rs said: Is quite surprising that so few power zoom lenses available from the various lens makers. Sony has a few ones with the 28-135 F4 probably the most useful on FF and although expensive more affordable that other options. Some good ones for APS-C... 18-105, 18-200... Nikon and Sigma not sure they have any... Sony has more power zooms than that: Sony FE PZ 16-35 f4 (FF), Sony E PZ 10-20 f4 (APS-C). These are newer lenses and show Sony's commitment to power zooms that are pretty much parfocal. There is also the kit lens Sony E PZ 16-50 (APS-C), which has been around a long time but had its AF performance upgraded with a firmware update last month! Note there are many more power zooms for APS-C than FF. Sony's video-oriented mirrorless camera also have power zoom rockers (Sony ZV-1, Sony ZV-E10, Sony fx3, Sony fx30). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 To me, it just makes sense to release power zooms as video has become such an important part of the mirrorless market. I miss the ergonomics of camcorders in general, but I especially miss the ability to do smooth and repeatable zooms. For event work it'd be a huge deal for folks, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted February 24 Author Share Posted February 24 Nikon beating Panasonic to releasing a video focused power zoom for their full frame cameras was not something I expected... C'mon Pannyboy~! Emanuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronFilm Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 On 1/31/2023 at 5:13 PM, newfoundmass said: I did a shoot over the weekend that required a lot of zooming in and out. It really made me long for the camcorder days and made me ask myself: why doesn't Panasonic release some power zoom lenses? I know they have a couple of lower end ones for M43 that aren't constant and are very slow, but why no higher end ones? I'd buy a 24-105 f4 power zoom lens for full frame (and a 12-100 f4 for M43) in a heartbeat. I can't be the only one that would either. It'd be the perfect lens for event shooters. Right now Sony is really the only one offering power zooms. I think it's time for Panny boy to get in the game. Maybe this is your excuse to buy a Panasonic FZ2500? (or an older model) Has a S16 sensor, with a 24-480mm equiv. F2.8-4.5 lens Has v log, built in ND, and the camera can capture both DCI and UHD 4K, with even a 10bit 422 output. Aside from it being an odd DSLR format vs the usual video camera ergonomics, it's a not too bad camera for lower budget event coverage? If you need a powerzoom, it's the best Panasonic has to offer unless you go for the more expensive Panasonic HC-X20, or the even more expensive Panasonic DVX200 (except, it is dirt cheap secondhand now), or a frankenstein configuration. or a much more expensive option such as the Panasonic AJ-CX4000GJ (funnily enough, it is has a 4/3" sensor in it! So it's kinda-ish like "Panasonic's top of the line MFT camera", but without a MFT mount, it has a B4 mount)" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1532968-REG/panasonic_aj_cx4000gj_b4_interchangeable_lens_camera.html (you too can have one for the low low price of $25K) Personally though, if I was doing that kind of live event coverage (one with a modest budget, small but bigger than the smell of an oily rag) where big zooms during a shot matters, I'd be going with a Sony PXW-Z90V (or maybe Sony PXW-Z150 if I see a bargain for it. Or both! This type of shooting often uses multiple cameras). Emanuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 2 hours ago, IronFilm said: Maybe this is your excuse to buy a Panasonic FZ2500? (or an older model) Has a S16 sensor, with a 24-480mm equiv. F2.8-4.5 lens Has v log, built in ND, and the camera can capture both DCI and UHD 4K, with even a 10bit 422 output. Aside from it being an odd DSLR format vs the usual video camera ergonomics, it's a not too bad camera for lower budget event coverage? If you need a powerzoom, it's the best Panasonic has to offer unless you go for the more expensive Panasonic HC-X20, or the even more expensive Panasonic DVX200 (except, it is dirt cheap secondhand now), or a frankenstein configuration. or a much more expensive option such as the Panasonic AJ-CX4000GJ (funnily enough, it is has a 4/3" sensor in it! So it's kinda-ish like "Panasonic's top of the line MFT camera", but without a MFT mount, it has a B4 mount)" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1532968-REG/panasonic_aj_cx4000gj_b4_interchangeable_lens_camera.html (you too can have one for the low low price of $25K) Personally though, if I was doing that kind of live event coverage (one with a modest budget, small but bigger than the smell of an oily rag) where big zooms during a shot matters, I'd be going with a Sony PXW-Z90V (or maybe Sony PXW-Z150 if I see a bargain for it. Or both! This type of shooting often uses multiple cameras). I've used all of those actually! I built a live streaming business with the Sony PXW-Z90 almost 8 years ago. It was the best option at the time, because of the SDI connection that we could output to our switcher. Originally I wanted to use GH5 bodies but I wasn't confident in HDMI or the HDMI to SDI process in a fast paced sports environment. Locking SDI to SDI seemed like the way to go. Plus every other mirrorless option at the time, minus Lumix, had overheating issues so they weren't an option. The Panasonic AG-DVX200 was also briefly considered, but at nearly $5000 each it just wasn't gonna happen. I really liked the PXW-Z90 at the time. Today though, it's not good enough in low light for event coverage, in my opinion. Today the footage LOOKs video-y, with poor colors, roll off, and dynamic range. They're still used by my old company, and for several other smaller pro-wrestling companies, and I just don't think the footage looks very good compared to what you can get from even a low end mirrorless camera these days. I rented a FZ2500 when I was considering it as B and C cameras to my GH5 years ago. Not bad, but the G85 bodies I was using were still better. Gimme a power zoom I can buy once and use on whatever new Lumix body I upgrade to in the future and I'll be a happy camper. Emanuel, ac6000cw and IronFilm 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanuel Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 On 2/14/2023 at 3:50 PM, markr041 said: There is also the kit lens Sony E PZ 16-50 (APS-C), which has been around a long time but had its AF performance upgraded with a firmware update last month! Note there are many more power zooms for APS-C than FF. Sony's video-oriented mirrorless camera also have power zoom rockers (Sony ZV-1, Sony ZV-E10, Sony fx3, Sony fx30). In fact, I've just bought one Mark II unit upgraded to work with AF @120fps and my FX30 for a bargain... Less than 70 bucks! :- ) IronFilm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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