GH2 Getting a Single Prime as first lens

Boncrek

Boncrek

Well-known member
Hello.

I eventually plan to buy and use only Zeiss ZF primes with my GH2.
I just love their look and build.
They are also the most future proof still lenses as far as I know.
My question is does it make sense to get one 25mm lens alone and shoot with it until I can afford the others?
I plan to do lots of steadicam and monopod work in various environments so moving around is a given.
The 25mm is the "normal" focal length so it shouldn't be too wide or tele.
I might be able to include the 50mm in there later but right now Im lookign at the 25mm alone.
What do you think?
 
My question is does it make sense to get one 25mm lens alone and shoot with it until I can afford the others?
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absolutely f-ing NOT! thats like asking should i only buy blue paint and work with that until i can afford other colors.
regardless of how nice a specific lens looks, if it only does one thing. the limit on your shooting will have more of an adverse effect than a little less sexy looking bokeh.
 
wgzn said:
absolutely f-ing NOT! thats like asking should i only buy blue paint and work with that until i can afford other colors.
regardless of how nice a specific lens looks, if it only does one thing. the limit on your shooting will have more of an adverse effect than a little less sexy looking bokeh.
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I've shot entire videos and a short on just my 20mm f1.7, so I respectfully disagree. Certain projects can easily be produced with only one lens - this is especially true of film or episodic TV projects, and that sort of thing. Other projects cannot - you'd be crazy to show up to a live event with only a 25mm prime.
 
Boncrek said:
Hello.

I eventually plan to buy and use only Zeiss ZF primes with my GH2.
I just love their look and build.
They are also the most future proof still lenses as far as I know.
My question is does it make sense to get one 25mm lens alone and shoot with it until I can afford the others?
I plan to do lots of steadicam and monopod work in various environments so moving around is a given.
The 25mm is the "normal" focal length so it shouldn't be too wide or tele.
I might be able to include the 50mm in there later but right now Im lookign at the 25mm alone.
What do you think?
Click to expand...

What kinds of shooting will you be doing? Events? Films? Corporate video? Your family in the backyard?
 
If I was to get only one lens for a GH2 out of the ZF line I would get the 35mm F2 or 35mm F1.4 if you had the cash. I like 35mm on a m43 sensor, its perfect for what I do.

But if you are looking for the 50mm equivalent get the 28mm. Its a stop faster then the 25mm and has close focusing capabilities. Its a better lens on paper, I have not used ether but did a ton of research.

I like the idea of only using one lens, limitations are not a bad thing.
 
Having only one lens, and that one lens being a fixed-focal-length prime, is very restrictive.

I agree that ZF's are awesome, I have a full set of them, and I think they're the best stills camera lenses out there (for manual, cine-style video work). I'm just saying if you only can have one lens... you're going to be seriously restricted.

And, on top of that, the 25mm is really quite slow. It only opens to f/2.8. If you could only get one, maybe consider the 28mm instead, as it opens up to f/2.0.
 
The good thing about all lenses is they generally hold their value... What I did was get the best I could get at my budget, so I got old Nikon MF primes in 24, 35, 50, and 85, all for under $500 total. Then as I got more cash coming in I started replacing the focal lengths with better lenses. Started with a Voigtlander 58mm which I love, then a ZF 85mm, and I sold the others as they were replaced for what I paid or very close to it. It's a good way to not break the bank and always have the best lens for the situation.

Just because someone has shot something entirely on one lens doesn't mean they should of, or you should... every situation is different and requires different equipment.
 
Don't forget with the ETC mode you can get 3 focal lengths out of a single lens on the gh2
 
Thanks everyone for replying.
I'm realising now that I should first get a zoom of some sort.
That way I can at least see what focal lengths I like best befroe buying into a set of primes.
 
Barry_Green said:
Having only one lens, and that one lens being a fixed-focal-length prime, is very restrictive.

I agree that ZF's are awesome, I have a full set of them, and I think they're the best stills camera lenses out there (for manual, cine-style video work). I'm just saying if you only can have one lens... you're going to be seriously restricted.

And, on top of that, the 25mm is really quite slow. It only opens to f/2.8. If you could only get one, maybe consider the 28mm instead, as it opens up to f/2.0.
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Thanks Barry.

I'm realising I should first get a zoom of some sort.
That way I can at least see what focal lengths I like best befroe buying into primes.
That 28mm looks good though :)
 
CColton said:
What kinds of shooting will you be doing? Events? Films? Corporate video? Your family in the backyard?
Click to expand...

I'm aiming for music videos, corporate videos and interviews.
BUT i know there will come a time when i will need to run n' gun and for those times I was hoping to just move alot with a glidecam.
I see how a zoom would be better for a first lens now.
Thinking of choosing between two olympus lenses: 12-60 SWD and 14-54 MKII
Both have strengths and weaknesses though but cost the same or under the price of a ZF prime.
 
iunknown said:
Or budget some for antique glass, to round out your kit. You can get a helios for $50 on ebay. I'd also personally stick with the lenses that come with the cinema kit, as they have the best focus throw for video work.
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/video/lenses/zeiss-cinema-lens-set-nikon-mount
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Well I live in Jamaica so renting from lensrentals.com isn't an option for me. (Only US locations are available it seems)
We do have one or two companies out here who would be willing to rent their Zeiss ZF glass so I guess I would just need to get an adapter and a willing client lol
 
Another option is you can get zeiss lenses for contax/yashica. Their image quality almost similar to new zeiss lenses, not the build quality. But you can buy 3 old lenses price of one new one.
 
I believe learning to shoot at one focal length is a very good thing, it opens your mind up.
If you have the courage, there's nothing wrong with getting just one prime and
learning it, every aspect. Maybe pick up a vintage 28mm or 35mm to start, get f1.4 if you can.

edit:
I must have owned and shot with 20 or so primes before I started using a zoom, I'm glad I
approached it this way
 
J Davis said:
I believe learning to shoot at one focal length is a very good thing, it opens your mind up.
If you have the courage, there's nothing wrong with getting just one prime and
learning it, every aspect. Maybe pick up a vintage 28mm or 35mm to start, get f1.4 if you can.

edit:
I must have owned and shot with 20 or so primes before I started using a zoom, I'm glad I
approached it this way
Click to expand...

Agreed, shooting with primes makes you think a lot more about your composition. My vote still stands for the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 as a great all-around lens. Primes longer than about 35mm can make wide shots very difficult on a 2x crop.
 
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