Broadcast lenses

ROCKMORE

ROCKMORE

Veteran
I just came across this on ebay. has anyone ever used one of these on a GH-2? It looks pretty good for the price, although a lens like this usually is above $7,500 from my experience and would not cover the GH-2 sensor. Any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-15x-9...11387763?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item27cb1cd073

Here is a test I found on Vimeo. This could be a very good ENG solution and could also double as an ENG solution for BMC as long as the resolution it high enough.

http://vimeo.com/29017548

The drawback is it only covers on the 2x setting but not a bad solution for Run & Gun ENG

http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/122/860965

Some commented it's a "Frankencam", which may be true, but it's still good to know what's possible.
 
Last edited:
I was looking at some of these B-mount yesterday too but there's no way it will cover full frame. I did wonder whether some major franken work at the back end using achromats might be possible, similar to the 35mm lens adapters. Decided it was too much work for me. I did come across a link to this adapter that might be useful to you:

http://gfotostore.com/catalog/view/57.html

I'm going to be sticking with PL mount as my eventual upgrade path. But hopefully I'll make better use of what I've got before I blow any more dosh on toys.
 
ROCKMORE said:
I just came across this on ebay. has anyone ever used one of these on a GH-2? It looks pretty good for the price, although a lens like this usually is above $7,500 from my experience and would not cover the GH-2 sensor. Any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-15x-9...11387763?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item27cb1cd073

Here is a test I found on Vimeo. This could be a very good ENG solution and could also double as an ENG solution for BMC as long as the resolution it high enough.

http://vimeo.com/29017548

The drawback is it only covers on the 2x setting but not a bad solution for Run & Gun ENG

http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/122/860965

Some commented it's a "Frankencam", which may be true, but it's still good to know what's possible.
Click to expand...

You can buy B4 to m43 adapter and put a m43 2x extender on it, so the B4 lens creates a 4/3" image instead of just 2/3", or you can skip the 2x extender put the GH2 into ETC mode, but you will lose HDMI out with this option.

I want to see someone use an HD B4 lens on a GH2 with one of the new patches/hacks.
 
Jim Simon said:
"9.5-143mm f/1.8"

Man, I really wish they'd make that in a m4/3 mount.
Click to expand...

As it turns out the projection or circle of confusion in the normal mode at f1.7 is too small to cover the GH-2 sensor so it only works with the 2x extender. It also looses 2 stops which would make it about f3.5. So if you add the 2X crop factor to the 2X extender you have a 39.6mm to 572mm f 3.5 para-focal lens. These type lenses are very high quality and originally sold new for $7,500 to $15,000 so not a bad Frankencamera risk at $600 and up including the adapter.
The big advantage is that it is para-focal like a true cinema zoom. So you zoom all the way into your subject to focus then as you zoom out the focus is constant as is the aperture.
Not a bad lens on a budget. As with all 2x extenders you loose some quality, but with this grade of lens probably minimal when stopped down in daylight.
 
ROCKMORE said:
As it turns out the projection or circle of confusion in the normal mode at f1.7 is too small to cover the GH-2 sensor so it only works with the 2x extender. It also looses 2 stops which would make it about f3.5. So if you add the 2X crop factor to the 2X extender you have a 39.6mm to 572mm f 3.5 para-focal lens. These type lenses are very high quality and originally sold new for $7,500 to $15,000 so not a bad Frankencamera risk at $600 and up including the adapter.
The big advantage is that it is para-focal like a true cinema zoom. So you zoom all the way into your subject to focus then as you zoom out the focus is constant as is the aperture.
Not a bad lens on a budget. As with all 2x extenders you loose some quality, but with this grade of lens probably minimal when stopped down in daylight.
Click to expand...

If you use ETC mode on the GH2 (effectively makes it a 2/3" sensor), you won't need the 2x extender. But you lose the ability to output via the HDMI if you wanted to use an external viewfinder or screen.
 
I have a Fujinon lens for my GH1. The fact that yours comes with the adapter is a nice touch. I have almost the same adapter. I flipped the bottom tripod plate on the adapter the other way to try to center the weight a bit better. I just used it last weekend for my daughters cheerleading. This can show you the zoom and range. I believe I was shooting around f8. When you open up all the way the edges get blurry. It actually is a helpful effect unless you need the whole frame to be sharp.

http://youtu.be/WNokjWbPqKc

I come from a television news background and shot with this exact type of lens for years, so I know it inside and out. If you have never used one before there are some knobs and switches hidden around the handgrip that you should be aware of. One of them switches the zoom to manual which allows you to zoom in and out very fast and fluid. I am glad I bought it, especially for the price they are now!
 
loomis2 said:
I come from a television news background and shot with this exact type of lens for years, so I know it inside and out. If you have never used one before there are some knobs and switches hidden around the handgrip that you should be aware of.
Click to expand...
Hmm, any idea what the C, O, W, T and Iris Gain adjustments behind the rubber covers do in the image below? Can't find any type of documentation for these kinds of lenses.

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/DallasARC/IMG_5448.JPG
 
Another thing I should mention is that since the lens weighs so much I wouldn't recommend supporting it by holding the camera body. It can't be good for the lens mount on the camera.
 
I wouldn't worry about those. I think they are rubber covers for very small adjustment screws, but I could be wrong. I never had any reason to mess with those. I read the ebay write up for the lens, and it sounds like this seller has all his bases covered. He even adjusted the back focus for you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top