Advice for GH2 Video Setup on a budget

[iflight]

I'm planning on buying the GH2 (if it ever finally arrives in stores!) for indie film-making.
Looking for advice on a decent video setup...on a budget.
Questions include:

What lenses?: Thinking of the 14-140 HD lens that comes bundled, plud the 20mm f1.7 pancake. Is this an ideal setup to start, or should i look into other brand used lenses with adaptors instead to get more quality glass at a discount? Many have said that older lenses with aperature rings are great for film, but practically how usefull would that direction be for this camera?

Support system: Any affordable support recommendations? I've heard that Cavision makes affordable stuff, but i haven't encountered anyone with experience on these systems. I'm looking for a compact shoulder rig (i think!) but again, advice here, on a budget would be appreciated.

Viewfinder: I wear glasses and have an astigmatism, so a diopter would not help without glasses. Any advice on a viewfinder that would work well with glasses for the swivel LCD of the GH2?

Microphone: I've heard Phillip Bloom raving about a new mic he loves for this camera, but he hasn't been able to divulge what it is yet. Any advice on recording
audio with this cam? I'm trying to avoid using an external recorder

Memory: What class SD card to i really need? i'm looking at 32 or 64gb, but don't want to waste money on performance that this camera can't use.

Matte Box: Is this really a necessity for starting and, if so, do i go for drop-in ND filters or circular?

My biggest challenge is I'm ordering online for when i travel to the US, so i can't try anything out first.

Thanks a lot for any advice!

 

[twotonepunkkid]

I'll start with the easy questions then get to the harder ones..

1. Memory - Class 10 Patriots work very well for me. I bout like 4 or 5 for about $30 a piece (8gb). I doubt you would ever need 32 or 64gb cards unless you plan to shoot for hours and hours without access to a computer or a memory card wallet. I'd buy a handfull of 8gb cards so you can swap them out and dump as you go. Also, if you loose a card (corrupt images, writing error, or you actually loose it) its much better if it ony had 30 mins of footage on it than the entire shoot..
2. Support System - The best options are probably redrock or zacuto. But for the price you can't go wrong with the indisystem ultracompact. I love it for my 7D and GH1. Build quality is about average, but the whole rig folds up very small (about 12"X4"x10") and it is very lightweight and easy to carry with plenty of room for a follow focus, mattebox, audio gear, monitor, and batteries. Also, in the same price range, the jag35 shoulder rig is getting mixed reviews. i don't have any experience, but it may be worth checking out.
3. Viewfinder - Check out the LCDVF. Its like an off brand z-finder for the price of a hoodman. Its awesome. Not sure if it can be adjusted with a diopter though. Maybe the Monitor X from Jag35 would fit your needs better?
4. Matte Box - Once again, I have to go with the indisystem mattebox. Its basically the same as the cavision ones and about the same price too. Do you need one? Maybe. I like having one, because I was able to pick up a lot of 3x3 and 4x4 filters from a local pawn shop (all tiffen!!!) so it allows me to use my filters with all my lenses regardless of filter thread size. By the way, a 3x3 filter fits easily into a 4x4 holder with a bit of gaff tape and covers lenses up to 77mm without vignette for about 1/5 of the price! A mattebox can also help block lens flares if you plan on doing a lot of shooting where you can't control the lighting as much or if you are shoting into a hard light source. But do you need one? probably not, unless you have filters lying around or can get them cheap. Buy a follow focus first. You'll be glad you did.
5. lenses - I personally am a big fan of the older glass that can be adapted to the GH2 like the Canon FD lenses and the Nikon F mount lenses. Its kinda fun pulling out a 30 year old lens you picked up off ebay or a pawn shop for $30 and using it on a new camera. But then you lose stuff like autofocus and auto aperture control.. As far as m4/3 lenses go the two you mentioned would work fantastic to start you off. In fact, they are probably the best panasonic m4/3 lenses out right now. But try not to rule out some of the classic zeiss, nikon, and canon glass of yesteryear.

6. (I added this one myself!) FOLLOW FOCUS! - If you plan to shoot a lot of video and you want good quick and precise focusing pick up a dFocus v3. You won't regret it for a second!

 

[woodcarver]

You probably don't need class 10 cards with the GH2. Class 10 was necessary for the GH13, but you won't be pushing bitrates as high with the GH2.
You didn't mention anything about a tripod, but you should have one. Don't skimp too much here. You can often find decent Bogen/Manfrotto on Ebay--get one with a ball level.
When you say indie flimmaking I'm not sure exactly what you mean. What style of indie filmmaking? Who are your influences? That will strongly influence what you should get on a budget.
Consider getting more glass before you go for a mattebox and follow focus and all that. It's kind of silly to get a whole lot of ancillary gear to go with lenses when you only have two (and neither works that great with matteboxes and follow foci). If you're trying to set yourself up to shoot without an external audio recorder then it sounds like you're trying to keep things light and simple. Consider getting a faster zoom instead mattebox and rail system.
Get a nice camera bag. Maybe a lowelpro sling shot.
Are you envisioning working with a crew? How substantial?