mustangranch99
Active member
I'm going to shoot my friend's wedding next week and I was told I needed a zoom lens.
What's the best zoom for a GH2?
What's the best zoom for a GH2?
GH2 Best zoom lens for weddings?
- Thread starter mustangranch99
- Start date
Also posted elsewhere:
Need more info.
The "best" lens is the one in the right focal range with adequate speed to achieve proper exposure in ambient lighting with desireable image quality and size. So there is no single answer. That's why I (and others) have so many damn lenses.
The Panasonic 12-35/2.8 and 35-100/2.8 are good general use lenses with full electronic function.
The Olympus 14-35/2 and 35-100/2 are faster, sharper, larger, and more expensive (unless bought used).
Nikon-mount lenses such as the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Sigma 50-150/2.8 have more repeatable mechanical focus and parfocal zoom mechanisms, and may be in a more suitable focal range depending upon your placement from the subject.
Super zooms like the Panasonic 14-140 or heck, even the Sigma 50-500 are slow and not generally suitable for indoors, but may be just right if it's an outside wedding and you can't easily move or change lenses.
Need more info.
The "best" lens is the one in the right focal range with adequate speed to achieve proper exposure in ambient lighting with desireable image quality and size. So there is no single answer. That's why I (and others) have so many damn lenses.
The Panasonic 12-35/2.8 and 35-100/2.8 are good general use lenses with full electronic function.
The Olympus 14-35/2 and 35-100/2 are faster, sharper, larger, and more expensive (unless bought used).
Nikon-mount lenses such as the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Sigma 50-150/2.8 have more repeatable mechanical focus and parfocal zoom mechanisms, and may be in a more suitable focal range depending upon your placement from the subject.
Super zooms like the Panasonic 14-140 or heck, even the Sigma 50-500 are slow and not generally suitable for indoors, but may be just right if it's an outside wedding and you can't easily move or change lenses.
stoneinapond
Veteran
same here and agree!
make sure you know what the lighting is. a 2.8 might not be enough. Id get at least one zoom and one low light lens. (20 1.7)
Ianscreations
Well-known member
i love my 35-100. However, the 12-35 will not work for receptions. Great for a second camera at a rceremony and the cocktail hour, but once you move inside, I find 2.8 just won't cut it, even with a light and high iso. I like using wide and fast primes for reception work.
Last edited:
David W. Jones
Veteran
I'm not a professional wedding shooter, but shot a wedding not too long ago, and there is no way in hell I would consider shooting a wedding with a single zoom, let alone a single camera. As a matter of fact I used 5 cameras for the last wedding.
Ianscreations
Well-known member
I shoot with 2 cameras. One is set wide as a backup. If you primarily shoot weddings, 2 cameras are more than sufficient, especially if you have 2 shooters. Otherwise, your turn around time with editing will be too long to handle more than a couple weddings a month.
5 cameras! I've covered Indian and Arab weddings in Dubai, we are talking upwards of 500-800 people... max was 2 photographers (2 main bodies and 1 backup), and 3 videographers... (2 Sony HD cams - Jib and monopod, and 1 DSLR - detail.)
Anyhow, back to the point. Obviously we are talking about DSLR video.... I'd go with the 12-35 and 35-100 as your main go-to lenes. Then i'd start exploring alternative lenses to get those "special" shots as well as save money, and still maintain quality i.e. Nikon 24-70, super wides, and primes.)
Anyhow, back to the point. Obviously we are talking about DSLR video.... I'd go with the 12-35 and 35-100 as your main go-to lenes. Then i'd start exploring alternative lenses to get those "special" shots as well as save money, and still maintain quality i.e. Nikon 24-70, super wides, and primes.)
David W. Jones
Veteran
Cam 01: GoPro capturing wide from alter
Cam 02: Reverse Shot shooting alter
Cam 03: Bride shot
Cam 04: Groom shot
Cam 05: Me Roving Monopod
Cam 02: Reverse Shot shooting alter
Cam 03: Bride shot
Cam 04: Groom shot
Cam 05: Me Roving Monopod
A valid point. It's a judgement call on whether you'll prefer the zoom capabilities along with OIS, or the faster image of a prime, but with more limitations on framing and likely more 'shake' in the footage.
If only Panny would make the 14-140 a constant 2.0 parfocal with inner zoom...
Ianscreations
Well-known member
LOL...that lens would be awesome. Fortuntely, with the new "warp stabilizer" filter on Premiere CS6 fixes any footage "shakes" that are too distracting.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
Even with a zoom shooting a something like a wedding is not the same as shooting one with a video camera. I have to agree with a few others here that optimally using two cameras is the safest bet. The problem with most zooms is you either have to stop shooting to swap lenses or really limit your angle of coverage due to focal length limitations. The 35-100 is without a doubt a great lens but it doesn't have a lot of range and unless you really plan out what you are shooting can cause issues of you being too close or too far away from the important action. Not saying it cannot be done but it takes a tremendous amount of planning and knowledge about what will take place compared to one shooting with a video camera.
At least the 14-140 can be used for a half way decent range and could in theory work shooting a ceremony from start to finish from one location without stopping the camera. Yeah it is dark but you have to determine what is more important to your client or friend. Bright footage stuck in one location or a variety of zoom ranged shots that have more noise.
The reason why some suggest needing a second camera is even though a zoom lens does allow you to zoom while shooting it isn't always the most articulate movement. DSLR zooms are done so full manual and a pain to get a nice clean solid slow zoom. Many prefer not to show the camera zooming and cut to the other camera even a locked down when they reframe with the other camera. It also saves their but if they do decide they need to change positions. Unpredictable things can happen in a wedding and being able to adapt is the most important thing you can focus on. Having a zoom helps being able to adapt but it still isn't perfect.
I would also highly suggest using a second camera if possible. Even if that means a locked down iPhone just to use as a cut away.
At least the 14-140 can be used for a half way decent range and could in theory work shooting a ceremony from start to finish from one location without stopping the camera. Yeah it is dark but you have to determine what is more important to your client or friend. Bright footage stuck in one location or a variety of zoom ranged shots that have more noise.
The reason why some suggest needing a second camera is even though a zoom lens does allow you to zoom while shooting it isn't always the most articulate movement. DSLR zooms are done so full manual and a pain to get a nice clean solid slow zoom. Many prefer not to show the camera zooming and cut to the other camera even a locked down when they reframe with the other camera. It also saves their but if they do decide they need to change positions. Unpredictable things can happen in a wedding and being able to adapt is the most important thing you can focus on. Having a zoom helps being able to adapt but it still isn't perfect.
I would also highly suggest using a second camera if possible. Even if that means a locked down iPhone just to use as a cut away.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
That's what a tripod is for. The last time I handheld a camera is when I pulled it out of the box.
Ianscreations
Well-known member
I'm not presumptive enough to tell someone else how to shoot, but certainly rigs/cages are popular for a reason. Anyone who shoots a lot of weddings can attest to the fact that using a tripod or even a monopod is virtually impossible during a significatnt portion of receptions. I have started to keep a camera on a trip for a wide shot, but the handheld is where I get the majority of footage during the reception.
Thomas Smet
Veteran
Sorry didn't mean only a tripod but any device to help stabilize. Tripod, monopod, shoulder rig, steady cam or anything else. I use a shoulder rig a lot for run and gun stuff. Did so ever since I stopped using shoulder mounted video cameras. In fact even my old Canon XL1 had a little chest mount bracket I made to help it out a bit.