Best "all purpose" zoom for GH2?

Brandon Rice

Brandon Rice

Distributed Producer
Okay, so after finding some more information out about Canon lens compatibility with the GH cameras, I think getting a solid all-purpose MFT zoom lens would probably suit me best. Most of what I do is "live" video such as weddings and documentary stuff. I am looking right now at the Olympus 14-150 f4.0 lens. Any other recommendations?

Thanks!
 
Brandon Rice said:
Okay, so after finding some more information out about Canon lens compatibility with the GH cameras, I think getting a solid all-purpose MFT zoom lens would probably suit me best. Most of what I do is "live" video such as weddings and documentary stuff. I am looking right now at the Olympus 14-150 f4.0 lens. Any other recommendations

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you are going to be doing a fair amount of long tele (with camera well stabilized) "takes" that lens might be a fair general purpose lens but with the aperture limited to f4 it could be a problem in other than very well lit venues. The "stock" firmware limits the camera high ISO to 3200 in video, most of the "hacks" lift this limit but I would use higher only in an emargency.

That lens costs $698 at B&H, if budget is any kind of constraint I would advise the Olympus 40-150 for "long" work. Priced at $199 you just missed the temporary sale authorized by Olympus at $119 for this one. B&H has one used at $99 in "condition 9" (shows signs of use but very clean). I have this lens and it's often described as "insanely sharp". I'd snap up that used one fast. You won't have in lens OIS but I NEVER depend on IS in either lens or body.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801018241-USE/olympus_261505_m_zuiko_digital_ed_40_150mm.html

For closer work, until you can start spending on fast primes, the Lumix 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 is not that bad a choice while starting out with it. B&H also has one of these used in "condition 9+" at $119. You can find it for less on ebay sometimes or on amazon but B&H lists the condition of their used stuff very honestly.

This lens is somewhat usable in low light at ISO 3200 with a max aperture of f3.5 at the wide end but in one lightweight package that ranges from usable "workhorse" wide angle to moderate portrait perspective tele at the long end. IQ is a lot better than most give it credit for, I've had two examples of it and the only complaint I would have is not real smooth zooming (polymer barrel and construction) like you get with all metal lens construction.

My "workhorse" lenses in m4/3 are primes starting with the Lumix 14mm f2.5, the Lumix 20mm f1.7, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus 45mm f1.8, and Olympus 75mm f1.8 so you might look in something like that as you can.

Zooms I use are the Olympus 9-18, Lumix 14-45 (older all metal "kit" lens), Olympus 40-150 (recommended above), and the Lumix 45-200.

I acquired all the lenses above over about a 2 1/2 year period.

If you haven't already purchased the GH2 you might look at the G6. Brand new it comes with a newer version of the 14-42mm f3.5 to 5.6 "kit" lens I've heard good reports on. Price at B&H is $629. While no "hacks" are available for it, Panasonic did give it a somewhat higher bitrate than the GH2 originally had and some of the image processing technology of the GH3 is used plus a feature the GH3 doesn't have, "focus peaking".
 
I would not go slower than f/2.8 for any indoor or night-time shooting, which eliminates most of the low cost zoom lenses.
 
What about with a speed-booster? I'm currently looking at the 14-140 f4.0-5.6

Also, though it is "low light" I almost always light my subjects with LED on, or off camera.
 
The 14-140mm lens is a very useful lens in good light, but I found it too slow when shooting indoors.

Also, there is a newer version that is 1/3 F-stop faster than the old one, and focuses faster than the older one. If you want this lens I would buy the newer version.
 
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