Oh no! Panasonic 12-35mm lens shipment delayed?
Panasonic US isn’t really famous for the punctual product delivery. But I hoped they would not repeat the mistake on the juts announced and very expensive 12-35mm X lens. My hopes are gone when 43rumors readers sent me that message from Amazon US:
“Due to a lack of availability, we will not be able to obtain the following item(s) from your order:
“Panasonic H-HS12035 LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH X Series Lens”
We’ve canceled the item(s) and apologize for the inconvenience. If you see a charge for the canceled item, we will refund you within 1-2 business days.
If you are still interested in purchasing this item, it may be available from other sellers. Please visit the detail page for this item below:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00843ERMW”
Amazon (Click here) even removed the preorder option. Damn 
Here are some other preorder possibilities: BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), Panasonic store (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here), Digitalrev (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here) and eBay (via Japan reseller).
P.S: Many other current m43 lenses and cameras got discounted: Panasonic camera rebates list at BHphoto. Panasonic lens rebate page at BHphoto.
1) The 3D lens is in Stock for $49 only at BHphoto and for $67 at Amazon.
2) Panasonic GF3 with 14mm lens for $369 in White at Amazon and BHphoto.
3) Panasonic 14-140mm for $499 at Amazon and BHphoto.
4) The Panasonic 45-175mm X lens is now in Stock for $299 at BHphoto. For $282 at Samys.
5) The 14-42mm normal lens (not X!) is in Stock for $99 at Amazon and BHphoto.
6) The 14-42mm X lens is in Stock for $328 at Amazon.
7) The Panasonic 45-200mm lens sells for $199 at Samys.
8 ) The Black GX1 with X kit lens is in Stock for $739 at Amazon and BHphoto and $619 with the 14-42mm lens at Amazon and BHphoto.
9) Panasonic GF3 lens with 14mm pancake for $379 at Amazon.
10) GH2 body for $749 at Amazon. GH2 with 14-42mm lens is in Stock for $799 at Amazon. GH2 with 14-140mm lens for $1,179 at Amazon.
MikeS
12 months ago |I had that same email from Amazon this morning. At this rate, I guess the GH3 is going to be the GH2 all over again. Panasonic should really get its act together.
DonTom
12 months ago |This lens has been a real problem for Panasonic, it’s been about a year since we first saw the concepts on display? Hopefully this is a good thing. They didn’t sort out the OIS in the earlier “X” lenses before shipping, and people are still wary of them.
I really hope they are still finding problems with this lens, then we can be more assured of it being sorted before shipping. Obviously they are nowhere near getting the 35-100 ready!
Personally, I don’t care. Gear will get here eventually, it’s only a bit of kit. Can’t imagine it’s life and death to anyone. But I tend to buy things well after launch anyway, and save 30% or so.
yo
12 months ago |thats probably why they ditched the power zoom.
twoomy
12 months ago |Not life and death, but a pretty essential and exciting lens. Name any other bright m43 zoom that has good corner-to-corner sharpness? I’ve been sticking to the 43 12-60mm until the 12-35 becomes available. There are too many so-so- 14-xx zooms and the Oly 12-50mm is what it is…
Henrik
12 months ago |What a lousy place Panasonic is.
Ok it is nice if they look for more product faults. But they should announce the shipment only after they are certain about their product. Talk about vaporware.
Joe
12 months ago |Too much drama. So you have to wait a month or two for a brand new expensive niche product. 1st world problems anyone?
This seems a nice lens, and possibly an important investment for the more serious enthusiasts, but it’s not as if there are no other lenses the cameras can work with and get very good results.
I know it is frustrating if you care keen to get new kit, but better to accept that there may be delays on a new product, than get overly frustrated and start slating the manufacturer and / or suppliers.
mahler
12 months ago |Nonsense. Panasonic was the first to have near to complete lens system on the market. Within the first six months of the system, you could have a focal lenght range from 14 to 400 mm equiv. No other vendor was able to come even close. Lenses were quite quick available after the official announcments. The 12-35mm was announced within the last two weeks. So it is normal that delivery won’t start before August.
That the US market is delivered later and with less quantities could mean that it is less profitable for Panasonic. I guess the US habit for rebate battles, preorder and return attitudes may play a big role here.
MikeS
12 months ago |The US may be less profitable for Panasonic, but it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Canon/Nikon/Sony certainly lead the pack here, as with everywhere else, but Panasonic makes good and unique products, and if the company were willing to actually back them with proper marketing and distribution, it’d be in better shape.
I’m sure that the current frenzy over D800/E-M5/etc preorders is making Amazon tread carefully.
terry
12 months ago |If you read the press release from Panasonic it clearly stated this lens was not coming out until August. All of these other dates in June came from other places.
And yes I got the letter from Amazon as well…..
“The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035) lens will be available in August 2012. For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras and lenses, please visit http://www.panasonic.com/lumix.”
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/05/21/Panasonic-12-35mm-F2-8-fast-standard-zoom-for-micro-four-thirds
Terry
12 months ago |Seems my comment from a while ago is stuck in moderation, Here it is without the link to the DPReview copy of Panny’s press release
If you read the press release from Panasonic it clearly stated this lens was not coming out until August. All of these other dates in June came from other places.
And yes I got the letter from Amazon as well…..
“The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035) lens will be available in August 2012. For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras and lenses, please visit (link to panansonic removed)”
You can see the full press release if you look at the lens tab of the site.
JimD
12 months ago |If you have 2 or more links then moderation is automatic. I had the same last week and admin explained it is an automatic anti spam filter.
JimD
12 months ago |If Amazon has cancelled the orders and refunded the money, they must be sure the lens is not going to be available within a reasonable period.
It would therefore seem be imprudent to order from anyone else at this immediate time.
Its a pity for Panasonic, but it is also nice to know they are not going to let a product out knowing there is a problem. OK, the problem (whatever it is) should not have happened if it is related to the lens itself. If the factory burned down, that probably should not have happened either but does happen from time to time. Maybe, casual assemblers have built a warehouse full and QA has found a problem from one assembler who has been on the assembly line from the start, oops!
Time for 43rumors to ferret around.
David
12 months ago |Is anyone really surprised? I would be amazed if it hits stores in reasonable quantities before Christmas.
caver3d
12 months ago |I would be shocked if Panasonic changed its “M-O” and actually had stock on the shelves quickly. This is no surprise at all. At least my E-M5 finally arrived, Hallelujah! Be glad for whatever miracles occur.
MK
12 months ago |my… arent we whiny today?
Joshua
12 months ago |today??
caver3d
12 months ago |Ha ha, good one Joshua, and well deserved.
Ranger 9
12 months ago |Is it really fair to blame Panasonic for the fact that Amazon started taking pre-orders ‘way too early?!
Naturally Panasonic, like most companies (except Apple) wants to announce what it’s working on well in advance, so buyers won’t be tempted to jump ship to someone else’s product line. I don’t recall ever reading that they had announced a formal availability date.
RAS
12 months ago |Between Panasonic and Olympus, it’s hard to imagine how much longer these horribly mismanaged companies will stay in business.
Yun
12 months ago |No problem with the shipment delay .
Let it be .
It’s no the lens that I’m going to buy .
But big no for M.ZuikoDigitalED 75mm .
If I’m not wrong previous 45mm don’t have shipment problem so I expect the same for this one .
Bob B.
12 months ago |As long as the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 is not delayed….I can totally live with this delay!!!
Steve
12 months ago |Still available for preorder on all the Japanese sites.
Ageha
12 months ago |I’m confident it will arrive on time in Asia and Europe.
Eric Stemen
12 months ago |With Panasonic just don’t pre-order from amazon. Not that they are a bad company, but I’m pretty sure the same thing happened when the GH2 was announced for pre-order….Amazon canceled a bunch of pre-orders. Wait till BH or Adorama have pre-orders listed and go with them. If you really need the lens early click on the e-bay link Admin gave and pay extra.
Chris L
10 months ago |There is a seller with a handful available from the US on AMAZON right now. Get them while there are some left.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00843ERMW?ie=UTF8&seller=A39GWC7DKY6G7S&sn=The%20Android%20Outlet