GH2 Another Lens question
- Thread starter haperez
- Start date
I've never used either, but the 20mm 1.7 is fantastic with a hacked GH2. I can understand the neatness of a 1.4, but I would say it comes down to if you want wider fov or faster lens speed (or is price a dominate factor?). I was skeptical of the 20mm 1.7, but like 90-99% of what I shoot on the GH2 is with that single lens. Even extremely low light stuff.
I have the Panny 14 2.5 and the 20 1.7 and while I prize them for their sharpness, you can't beat a decent zoom when you are under pressure on set (assuming, ofcourse, there is enough light).
My kit lens olympus 14-42 (wish I had the stablized lumix version) got a lot of shooting time, simply because I didn't have to swap lenses. On screen, the kit lens looked just as good as the other two prime lenses.
I'd say the two lenses you've listed make a great starting point.
My kit lens olympus 14-42 (wish I had the stablized lumix version) got a lot of shooting time, simply because I didn't have to swap lenses. On screen, the kit lens looked just as good as the other two prime lenses.
I'd say the two lenses you've listed make a great starting point.
Those are good choices, though if your budget is tight you also might consider looking at a couple of Nikon AI-S manual primes instead of the Voightlander or Panasonic 25mm lenses.
You can pick-up a Nikon 24mm f/2.0 AI-S on eBay for around $400, and a 50mm f/1.4 for about $150 - 200. Both are great video lenses.
You will need a Nikon ---> M4/3 adapter ( the MetaBones one on eBay is a good buy ), and this will open up your camera to the huge range of very good Nikon glass that's out there.
You can pick-up a Nikon 24mm f/2.0 AI-S on eBay for around $400, and a 50mm f/1.4 for about $150 - 200. Both are great video lenses.
You will need a Nikon ---> M4/3 adapter ( the MetaBones one on eBay is a good buy ), and this will open up your camera to the huge range of very good Nikon glass that's out there.
Thanks for the feedback. Very informative. Also, it makes me feel better that those lenses are good choices. Price is a dominated factor, but I read in many threads that the glass is very important, so I am willing to spend some money on a good prime and cover some basics wide shots with a zoom lense.
What have you heard about the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD AF lens with nikkon mount? is this a good buy?
Thanks
What have you heard about the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD AF lens with nikkon mount? is this a good buy?
Thanks
The non-stabilized version of the Tamron 17-50 ( which is cheaper ) is the one to get, as it has better optical performance. Keep in mind that you will need to buy a Nikon G ---> M4/3 adapter in order to control the aperture of the lens because there is no manual aperture ring. ( I don't think MetaBones makes a G adapter )
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD IF Lens Review
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD IF Lens Review
Boncrek
Well-known member
Some recommend filming on a single prime (example Stillmotion and Phillip Bloom) as it forces you to compose properly and zoom with your feet.
So if I was to get the voigtlander as my ONLY lens for the GH2 wouldn't it be the same as a 50mm on full frame.
Distortion and DOF would be different I know but FOV would be identical right?
I can recal several brilliant pieces having been filmed 90%-100% on just one prime lens.
Is it this particular Nokton F0.95 lens that you're saying is a bad starter lens or the fact that its a single 25mm prime?
Boncrek, I think what Noah referred on his comment is that the Voightlander 25mm f/0.95 is not a cheap lense for a starting kit because it goes for around $1000. On the other hand, as TheDingo mentioned you can get several primes instead.
I have been saving some money for quite some time to get a good prime that I can use for many years to come.
Actually from what I've read, you need a Nikon F to micro four thirds adapter. Not "G". Only one I've seen is the almost $300 Novoflex adapter that actually allows control of the iris. Would love to be wrong!
GraphicPlanet
Well-known member
Is the Voightlander autofocus too?
Boncrek
Well-known member
No its only manual focus. Great for video but harder to use for some stills applications.
Looking at the B&H website photos, this lens does not have an aperture control, so you will need a Nikon G style adapter in order to control the aperture.
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens : $459
Novoflex Nikon to Micro Four Thirds Lens Adapter : $293
Adaptimax Plus Nikon to micro 4/3 Lens Adapter: $380
MTF Services Ltd Nikon G to Micro 4/3 Adaptor: $482
wgzn
Veteran
thats the one BIG drawback of the GH2 route. as thedingo mentions. if you stray away from the lumix and olympus lenses (even new nikons with an adapter) you lose ALL modern features like AF and IS. if you have a background in old school photojournalism, its not that big a deal. but for some people whove come up using servo zooms and auto features it can be a bit of a shock to suddenly have to trust your eye. and each lens is a little different. it takes a while to train your eye to optimal focus - unless you have an external monitor with focus assist features.
from an aesthetic standpoint ive hated everything ive seen or shot with the lumix glass. my first go round i had the 20mm pancake and the 14-140. hated them both. my second foray into GH2 land i used a nikon adapter and a variety of old nikon glass. the aesthetic was GREATLY improved. but sometimes you just crave autofocus. and not having it as a rule was kind of a buzzkill.
The only time I use autofocus is when I'm shooting a Stedicam shot, where manual focusing is not an option. The Lumix 14-45mm has worked out pretty well for these situations, though I would love to have an Olympus 12mm f/2.0 for this type of work. ( I hope Olympus or Panasonic produce a 17mm f/2.0 next year )