GH2 Fast Telephoto Lenses for Video Work

R

rtwalker

Member
Hey guys,

Just got done reading a great thread about different mid-range lens recommendations for the GH1/GH2, now I am wondering the same thing for telephoto lenses. I currently own the 45-200 Lumix....but....with how slow it is, I havent been too impressed when I am indoors for example, and I have to max out at 200mm. Anyone using one of the 70-200 f/2.8 flavors? How do you like it? Canon? Sigma? Tamron?

Thoughts?

Thanks guys.
 
I have a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 (plus the Lumix 45-200 and 100-300mm). The Tamron is plenty sharp even wide open, good color, and the manual focus ring is fairly tactile. But honestly it's too damn heavy, except on a good fluid head tripod. So I'm probably going to sell it and invest in a small 85mm f/2 or 105mm f/2.8 prime as backup for the times I need tele and the Lumix zooms are too slow.
 
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Hey Thanks GrahamH. I have actually been comparing CONSTANTLY the Sigma 70-200 vs the Tamron 70-200, and which one I would buy if I was going to take this new approach. Sounds like the Tamron is sharp throughout the whole range at f 2.8, which is what I was worried about the most.

Of course the Nikon and Canon equivalents are awesome lenses, but for strictly video work, do they justify the huge gap in price?
 
Here's the Tamron perched atop a GH2 plus 45-200mm. The Tamron is, I believe, lighter and sharper than the Sigma. The Sigma has faster autofocus on a DSLR, but that's not relevant with the GH2 of course. In addition to weight, with these longer focal lengths it really is helpful to have the AF and sometime OIS that the Lumix lenses provide ... again, working just on a tripod can address both of those concerns in part.

200.jpg
 
Oh wow! You weren't kidding about the size haha Thanks a lot! I think I will take your advice and go for the Tamron.
 
Actually one last questions Graham...what model is that in the picture, or what model do you recommend? Thanks again.
 
I like sigmas telephotos, although I haven't owned a fast one yet. The 100-300/4-6.7 and 50-500 both handle well, but like anything that telephoto are tripod-only beasts.

For as low as used Nikon ai-s and af-d 70-200 and 80-200 lenses are available now, i would think those were the best option.
 
This thread got me wondering how the Lumix 45-200mm and the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 compare at full length (both 200mm) and wide open (f5.6 vs f2.8) .... so here is a quick comparison shot on my GH2. The first image is a reduced version of the full frame, the second is a 1:1 enlargement from the Lumix (top) and Tamron (bottom). The plastic pig was placed about 5 inches behind the focal plane to illustrate the different depth of field of the two apertures.

In both shots the focus point was the word "Noir" - the Tamron is a little sharper (be sure to click on the thumbnail to see the full 1:1 image). Interestingly, you can see that the true maximum focal length on the Lumix is a little less than on the Tamron, at least when focussing on something nearby.

View attachment 46563
200-1.jpg
 
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Thanks guys for the info guys! Thanks for the specs and the tests Graham.....very helpful, and sold me even more on the Tamron.

Thanks.
 
Even though it's not constant aperture, you may also want to consider a used 4/3 mount Olympus 50-200 f2.8-3.5 ($625 from Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/Olympus-50-200mm-Digital-2-8-3-5-Cameras/dp/B0000Y5TI4?tag=battleforthew-20). A used DMW-MA1 adapter is about $100.

The lens is dust and splash proof and gets pretty good reviews: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/olympus_zuiko_digital_ed_50_200mm_f_28_35_swd_review/

Autofocus test on the GH2 here (2nd of the 3 lenses tested).

You can rent one for 3 days from borrowlenses.com for $56+shipping to try it out.

A little more expensive than the Tamron with a dumb adapter, but might be worth it for autoaperture and AF-S compatibility with the GH2


I have a huge old Tamron 70-300 borrowed from my wife's Nikon (left, below) - nice lens, but the lack of aperture control and autofocus can be frustrating.

P1000019.JPG


Cheers,

Bill
 
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I just bought a used Olympus 50-200 f2.8/3.5 (non SWD) from KEH.com. Should be here by next week so I'll report back how well it does with the GH2 as far as video goes. I've been on the hunt for a fast(ish) telephoto that was native 4/3 or m4/3 and spec wise this fits the bill. I know it doesn't have OIS, but it has a tripod collar so I'm hoping it will be good at the 200mm end on a tripod with GH2 hanging off the back.
 
Look forward to seeing your results, Simon! I'm saving up for this lens - looks like a perfect complement to my Sigma 18-50 f2.8.

Bill
 
@Graham I would like to be able to use the Tamron with my Nikon F adapter. Do these Tamron's have manual aperture control?
 
Can anybody recommend a f2.8 telephoto? I love the 70-200 Tamron lens that @graham recommends, just looking for something with manual aperture on the lens. Right now, all I can seem to find is a Nikon 80-200 f2.8 vs all of the 70-200s which do not have manual aperture on the lens themselves.

Anymore ideas?

Thanks guys.
 
Rtwalker - sorry didn't see your previous post. The Pentax-mount Tamrons dont have an aperture ring, as you have discovered, so I use a Pentax M4/3 adapter that enables aperture control through a simple ring and pin arrangement. They are only a few $$ more than the regular 'dumb' adapters.
 
@Graham you rock! haha I didnt even know there were M4/3 adapters that allow you to control the lens' aperture. I know about the Kipon adaptors, but I really like this option. Found this one on Amazon: http://amzn.to/zLyoKe I am fine with the Pentax mount....but would the Nikon G mount http://amzn.to/w1ErXh work with this lens that says its a Nikon AF mount? http://bit.ly/yTsaNw Sorry if this is a dumb question, new to Nikon mounts and how they work, but I have friends with Nikon lenses as well that maybe for some hot wings would let me borrow.

Thanks for all your help, I am definitely ready to grab this lens.
 
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I think the G-Nikon to M4/3 adapter will provide aperture control on that lens in the same way as the Pentax adapter does on my Tamron. But .... I've never tried it, so be cautious. It would be nice if an actual Nikon-user could confirm or deny!
 
Thanks again GrahamH. Someone just started a new thread talking about what we are talking about, in terms of what m43 adaptors with aperture rings, control/accept what kinds of mounts. (G, AF, F) More great info over here as well. http://bit.ly/AASmzT
 
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