Can't find Fast MF 24mm - Should I buy Lumix 20mm??

I

iflight

Active member
See, I'm waiting on my new GH2 - Body only. It's to be my first dive into video, and everyone is saying - buy manual lenses. I'm OK with that and want to go that route for what I'm aiming to shoot... i think (I'm sure AF is handy too at times...especially on the GH2.)

My problem is finding a fast 50mm equiv for a m4/3. I figure that puts me around 24-28mm, and I'd really like f/1.4. Problem is, a used Canon FD 24mm f1.4 costs almost $1K used!!!For that I may as well get the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F0.95 for $900 new. But that's a huge investment for me, never having shot anything yet....(you know the creative DoF I'm longing for though, don't you?!)

And then there is the panny 20mm pancake 1.7 which sounds and looks great! (close enough to 50mm equiv i think?) Problem here is, it's Focus by Wire and everyone is telling me MF is the way to go for film.

So here lies my dilemma. I'm brand new to video and am going for a narrative film-look (i think!) and I want the "full film" experience, with manual focus pulls and apprature rings. But when it comes down to it, I am having a really hard time spending $900+ for manual 25mm 0.95, when i could get close enough with 20mm f/1.7 for $350 - but its focus by wire.

I really want to put together a small starter kit of primes to get shooting, but getting a fast 50mm equiv on a m4/3 is killing me! (i can have plenty of cheap and fast 50mm lenses though ...argh.).

Anyone ever been here before?! Words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.:huh:
 
I think it depends on what look you are trying to achieve. I own the Panny 20mm f1.7 and love it because it is a great all around lens, works well in low light situations and now that the GH2 has a 1:1 crop (with out loss) the 20mm can also turn into a 40mm for a more telephoto. I also do own a 50m f1.4 Canon FD and am tempted to purchase more FD lenses because they do look very cinematic and produce beautiful bokeh.

As a result, I have looked into getting a wider FD to match my 50mm (as the Panny 20mm and FD do not match very well). I read a LOT of great review of the Canon FD 24mm F2. It is a little slower (but still pretty fast) and supposedly has about equal image quality (if not better) to it's much more expensive cousin the FD 24mm f1.4. You can find it for around $300-400. Here's a thread from Photo.net talking about http://photo.net/canon-fd-camera-forum/00ODzk

Basically go with the Panny 20mm if you plan on purchasing more Panny lenses and if you absolutely need 10% more angle of view and a hair more low light capability. If those are not a complete deal breaker than I would try out the FD 24mm f2.

I'm also curious if anyone else has any experience with the FD 24mm f2 as I am considering purchasing it.
 
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Sigma has a 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Asph. Macro in Nikon mount that works great. Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 is probably better (sharper, AF, etc) though...I have both and use both, love both.
 
JerryB said:
I read a LOT of great review of the Canon FD 24mm F2. It is a little slower (but still pretty fast) and supposedly has about equal image quality (if not better)
Click to expand...

Great. Thanks so much for the advice - i'll check out that lens.
 
Ben_B said:
Sigma has a 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Asph. Macro in Nikon mount that works great. Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 is probably better (sharper, AF, etc) though...I have both and use both, love both.
Click to expand...

How's the MF on the panny 20mm? I'd be using it for video with a support rig and I hear that MF is essential for creating a cinematic effect. Many seem to suggest that using follow-focus with focus by wire isn't really usable.

It be interested in your comments, since i've never used either, or shot video yet for that matter.
Thanks.
 
You will never be satisfied until you get the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 if you are looking for a fast 20-25mm IMHO.
 
start with a nikon manual AIs 24mm f2.8 they are cheap and enough to get you going until you decide what you want to do.
Its a damn good lens, much better than its counterpart the f2 and you won't be disappointed.
 
wake up a year later. panny 24mm 1.4 will be a lot cheaper. i like panny m43 lenses but they lose values quickly. i dont really care about resale value, but i cant spend money like water for my hobby. dont spend too much at once although its very tempting to buy all at once.

i'd work with 50mm 1.4, 20mm 1.7, canon eng 1.8 zoom for now. then buy more lenses at deep discount.
 
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