Creative and practical uses for different focal ranges?

[Thomas Smet]

I am starting to rethink the way I use lenses on my GH2. In the past I was so focused on zooms to replace the world of video cameras I came from. I was used to shooting with 2/3" professional video cameras and loosing the zoom was something I just couldn't do. Now that I have invested in some zoom lenses and it has been nice I'm really starting to rethink how I shoot I find myself wanting more primes.

I understand the core of why certain focal lengths should be used on the GH2. 12mm for a wide, 25mm for a normal and 50mm for a telephoto. What I guess I'm trying to now understand is how the focal lengths in between those lenses fit in. For example is there really a good reason to have a 24mm and a 28mm? What would a 35mm gain me on a GH2 over a 25mm and a 50mm?

I currently have a Canon FD 50mm f1.8 which I think is great for interviews. I also have a Lumix 20mm f1.7 and a Vivitar Nikon manual 28mm f1.9 which is very bloomy wide open. Very rare lens and stopped down looks great. For wide all I have are lumix lenses, the 14-42 and the 14-140 which of course are not in the same league. The thing that annoys me is how different they all look from each other.

My new plan of action seems to be to get the SLR Magic 12mm , 25mm and 50mm to sort of keep it in the family and cover the basics of what I know. I do somewhat question if I need the SLR Magic 50mm since I already have a 50mm I really like. My other option is to stay sharp auto and get the Olympus 12mm and 45mm and keep my 20mm or sell it and get the Lumix 25mm.

So again my main question is what practical and creative reasoning is there to go in between 12mm, 25mm and 50mm on the GH2/3? I'm not looking for a buy this lens or that lens but what use is there for a 17.5mm 20mm, 28mm and 35mm as in between lenses? I know some of those focal lengths I only have vintage lenses as options but SLR Magic does also have a 35mm which looks very nice.

Really appreciate any info.

 

[David W. Jones]

So again my main question is what practical and creative reasoning is there to go in between 12mm, 25mm and 50mm on the GH2/3? I'm not looking for a buy this lens or that lens but what use is there for a 17.5mm 20mm, 28mm and 35mm as in between lenses? I know some of those focal lengths I only have vintage lenses as options but SLR Magic does also have a 35mm which looks very nice.

Really appreciate any info.

My advice.... You know your shooting situations better than anybody here. When you have your zoom lenses mounted, which focal lengths do you shoot with for most of your projects? That should give you a good idea of which primes you would use most.

 

[Sage]

Ultimately, there are no rules; but speaking for myself the focal length priorities on an m4/3 sensor are, in order: 24, 28, and 35. Then 17, 50, 12, 85.

In terms of motion, normal is the most effective for balanced movement (and realistic perspective). As we go narrower in angle, there is more potential for paranoia, with a 2D painterly quality. Circular revolving motion around a central subject is best in telephoto. Other axes of motion are de-emphasized. As we go wider than normal, backward/forward & sideways motion become accelerated in feeling (circular is deemphasized). There is a funhouse quality the wider we go... and because of this I am wary if actors should get near the lens. But one can do cool things with wide.

 

[d1rockwild]

Matching lens profiles is definitely a top priority over filling in the gaps within the gaps, in my opinion. Once you have a nice primary set of focal lengths, then sure, slowly fill it in as your budget permits.

 

[mcbob]

Ultimately, there are no rules; but speaking for myself the focal length priorities on an m4/3 sensor are, in order: 24, 28, and 35. Then 17, 50, 12, 85.

In terms of motion, normal is the most effective for balanced movement (and realistic perspective). As we go narrower in angle, there is more potential for paranoia, with a 2D painterly quality. Circular revolving motion around a central subject is best in telephoto. Other axes of motion are de-emphasized. As we go wider than normal, backward/forward & sideways motion become accelerated in feeling (circular is deemphasized). There is a funhouse quality the wider we go... and because of this I am wary if actors should get near the lens. But one can do cool things with wide.

Lots of "Sage" advice here (*deftly dodges eTomatoes*)

Couldn't say there's any "right" set of lenses... it's all just what you prefer to use to get the look you want. My most-used primes are 17.5, 35, and 90, and a 55 macro, but there's still plenty of use for the more commonplace 25 and 50. I haven't bothered with wider primes since buying the 7-14 zoom.