Budget Telephoto options
- Thread starter chrith
- Start date
GrahamH
Well-known member
The Lumix 100-300 would likely be best but you won't find it for $250. The 45-150 can be had for $280 new and I just picked up one on EBay for $255 shipped. The 45-200 is well under $200 on EBay. The 45-150 is a little sharper and better saturation than the 45-200mm at 150mm (but has 50mm less reach). I haven't used the 45-175mm. But all three have IS and decent resolution for video. None zoom smoothly enough to zoom while recording.
If you are on a tripod and so don't need stabilization, and can pre focus, then a sharp legacy 200mm or 300mm Nikkor or Pentax-M with a $20 adapter might be an option.
I have a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which is bulky but awesome for GH2 video - but it was $700.
If you are on a tripod and so don't need stabilization, and can pre focus, then a sharp legacy 200mm or 300mm Nikkor or Pentax-M with a $20 adapter might be an option.
I have a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which is bulky but awesome for GH2 video - but it was $700.
homestar_kevin
Well-known member
If you don't need IS, The Nikon Series E 70-210 f/4 is amazing.
It has a macro mode that focuses down really close and is really nice.
It's also stupid cheap on ebay, like under 50 dollars cheap. I got mine for $35 shipped
If push pull is an option, seriously look into it. They're great.
There's also a Series E 75-150 f/3.5 that is smaller and really really nice too.
Not quite as cheap though, and I personally like the 70-210 more.
It has a macro mode that focuses down really close and is really nice.
It's also stupid cheap on ebay, like under 50 dollars cheap. I got mine for $35 shipped
If push pull is an option, seriously look into it. They're great.
There's also a Series E 75-150 f/3.5 that is smaller and really really nice too.
Not quite as cheap though, and I personally like the 70-210 more.
stoneinapond
Veteran
And for the price a no brainer.....:thumbsup:
righteous.
Well-known member
Picked one of these up per your suggestions and I can verify this. However, my one complaint is how insanely sharp it is...it's almost obnoxiously sharp. It's making me want a vintage telephoto.
ErikTande
Well-known member
Try one of these, a lot of GH2 shooters with Lumix lenses recommend them:
http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=filters&itemnum=52BDFX1
Thomas Smet
Veteran
Personally I love my 45-200 Lumix lens. Find it to be great in almost every way except wishing it was a little bit wider. For the price however it is very hard to beat. OIS and autofocus work very well with the lens. The image stabilization alone could really make it worth the price over a vintage tele lens. Since the OP will be shooting surf videos the slow aperture will not be a problem at all. I find for outdoor shooting the lens is easy to handle and I can even pull off a rather decent zoom while shooting as long as it is fast enough. A slow creep zoom is out of the question but a 1 or 2 second zoom should be rather smooth. Especially for the action based nature of surf videos.
Darren Levine
Veteran
45-200 OIS seems pretty hard to beat
for a bit more reach, i just picked up the EF 70-300 IS, and so far liking it a lot. stabilizer is very necessary for anything over 100mm handheld
for a bit more reach, i just picked up the EF 70-300 IS, and so far liking it a lot. stabilizer is very necessary for anything over 100mm handheld
righteous.
Well-known member
I thought about that, but instead I sold it and replaced it with a Nikon 80-200 f4 for a couple reasons:
- While optically great, the 45-200 was obnoxiously sharp. Everything looked like it had a sharpening filter on it. Since aesthetic feel takes precedence over optical precision, it wasn't the right glass for me.
- Housing felt cheap; sticky rings and extending front element was a pain. This is actually my experience will all the Lumix lenses, despite being great optically (I love my 20mm 1.7).
- I didn't see any use for OIS considering the fact that I have a stable tripod. It is useful for handheld, which I never do with telephotos.
- Nikon has a more organic look to it.
- Nikon 80-200 has a solid feel and smooth ring.
- Nikon is slightly faster and constant
- Owning the Nikon means I can take my 35mm body without needing two sets of lenses.
The downside of course, is the fact that the Nikon is noticeably heavier than the Lumix, and it requires a rail system + lens support. Since most of my shooting is in the mountains, I guess I'll just have to toughen up.