50mm Equivilant lenses

Kyle Kearns

Active member
I really want to buy a 50mm lens that's equivalent to a 35mm film camera 50..... I've done some research and it seems like people say the 2x crop factor makes the lens that I want a 25mm.

The Panasonic 25mm would be perfect, but that's way out of my price range. I've been looking at the Panasonic 20mm and also some c mount 25mm lenses.


Are there any lenses out there other than these two for under 360? Also is the auto focus on the 20mm any good? and is it possible to get a ''normal'' image out of a c mount 25mm lens if you stop down?
 
By 35mm film camera are you referring to a 35mm still image or 35mm motion picture image?

If you are trying to match framing of a 35mm still, then yes a 25mm would work.
If trying to match framing of a S35mm motion picture camera, then a 35mm would get the call.
 
Save up for the Pansonic Leica 25mm, it's phenominal. If not, I'd grab the 20mm pancake, it's also a great lens.
 
The Panny 20/1.7 is a great little lens, AF is a little slow, but not bad. It's sharp wide open with a slight loss in contrast.

For video work, the AF might be a bit irritating, and it's a very small lens, so the MF ring is also a bit small, still better than the ring on the Canon EF 50/1.8.
 
Sigma can be a bit of a "crap shoot". You have no idea whether you will get a good sample, mediocre one (which will drive you nuts everytime you look for sharpness in it), or just plain lousy one.

I wouldn't. Save up lunch money, open a special savings account and just keep putting in whatever you can. I put my pocket change in a bank bag everyday, after 4 months I take the bag in to my local credit union and run it through their change sorter. Anywhere from $40 to $60 each time, add that to the savings.

Then some day you can order that 25mm Leica f1.4 from B&H where you know you'll get a brand new fully warranted lens with no "monkeyshines". Takes while but it's worth it.
 
Find a good Rokkor 28mm F2.8. I bought one that was in mint and the image that comes out of it is great.
 
I really want to buy a 50mm lens that's equivalent to a 35mm film camera 50..... I've done some research and it seems like people say the 2x crop factor makes the lens that I want a 25mm.

The Panasonic 25mm would be perfect, but that's way out of my price range. I've been looking at the Panasonic 20mm and also some c mount 25mm lenses.


Are there any lenses out there other than these two for under 360? Also is the auto focus on the 20mm any good? and is it possible to get a ''normal'' image out of a c mount 25mm lens if you stop down?

If you want a fully automatic lens then you are sort of stuck with the Panasonic, or the like. If you want a manual lens, or at least one that is not automatic with the GH-1/2, then there are Nikon lenses in the 24-28mm range, that are under $500, and depending on the auction could be a lot less. You would of course have to get an adapter for anything other than the 4/3 lens system...
 
Check out some older Canon FD lenses. You should be able to get at least a 24mm f2.8 for a very decent price around $100.00 or so. A 28mm f2.8 is even cheaper. I know some f2.0 exist is those sizes but you will pay a lot more for it although I think it would still be under the $360.00 you are looking at. You just need a cheap FD to M4/3 adapter then for $30.00.

FD equals about the best bang for buck right now. It has a softer look to it but very nice. They can also be a little bit more difficult if you are not used to full manual only lenses but with a bit practice and if you use them in the right situations they will really shine.
 
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