GH1 kit or not

O

ouchthecouch

New member
It is such a good day when I finally have a like-new hackable GH1. It cost me £635 for the body and the 14-140 lens. Though I have been taking photos for a year, I am a complete novice in filming.

Since I sold all of my old camera and lens to finance this, I am only left with the SMC 50mm f2. I wonder if I should sell the kit lens for some fixed manual ones . I wonder if the learning curve is steeper to practise with the kit lens as the day I use Canon & Olympus kit for photography. Even if I sell it, how much should it be, I see its price undeservedly high in shop and ebay though it doesn't mean that there is a high demand for it. According to my recent search, I know for the fact that a perfect condition hackable GH1 cost £350-400. I think for photograph alone, the super zoom should not cost more than £300.

Any shooting tips and recommendation on which topic in the forum I should start to read is welcome. Happy learning.
 
Welcome to the forum!

In my opinion, the kit lens is the lens that considerably bridges the gap between a camcorder and the GH1. The other two AF lenses, Panny 20mm and 45mm, lags in video, though they may be superior optically .

For my use the GH1+Kit lens+day light is a match made in heaven. The useful zoom range, size, good AF in video, OS along with very good optics compared to other kits make it worth the premium from the video side. Only major complaint is that the lens is slow, especially at the tele end. YMMV though, especially if your shoots use MF.

Enjoy the camera.
 
don't get rid of your kit lens.

fast Canon FD primes are really affordable. you can pick up a 28mm and an 85mm easily for around $200-250 total to round out your collection.
 
Black_Ste said:
Welcome to the forum!

In my opinion, the kit lens is the lens that considerably bridges the gap between a camcorder and the GH1. The other two AF lenses, Panny 20mm and 45mm, lags in video, though they may be superior optically .

For my use the GH1+Kit lens+day light is a match made in heaven. The useful zoom range, size, good AF in video, OS along with very good optics compared to other kits make it worth the premium from the video side. Only major complaint is that the lens is slow, especially at the tele end. YMMV though, especially if your shoots use MF.

Enjoy the camera.
Click to expand...

Perfectly put.... keep it.
 
thank you guys for the advice, I have gone through GH1 section and seem most people suggest the same. I own several M42 and canon FD earlier so I know a bit about the cost-effectiveness of these lens in term of photography. I could buy back thing like Canon FD SSC 50mm 1.2 to shoot low-light for £160 but through the reading, to be honest I rather learn first before making any purchase.

On another note, I bought the whole package at bargain price that sometimes I wonder how the hell Panasonic gonna update with the GH2. Obviously, there is no way GH2 would offer something better than the hack. I doubt if they even release the GH2 this year without discount price seriously. And there is no way is marginally better the the hack unless they let they market maturise that early (i.e. less profit and less incremental investment in R&D). I understand that Vitaly has done an amazing job by offering the hack for entrhusiates but it seems to me Panasonic is in such difficult situation. That is my 2 cent from business view point. Anyway, now all I care is learn about my newly hacked GH1.
 
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if photo primary - kit lens will not be the best (however it's pretend on everyday universal by main zoom range coverage, and functionality for family/inexperienced usage),
but if video - then 2 choices:
1. scenario film with doubles and "follow focus" ring - then also kit lens will be not so used ...
2. main usage home/casual/impression video - other lenses haven't autofocusing, kit will be more preferable in that cases

but keep or not - it's only your choice based on your experience/preferences/style of usage, dont ask other make decision instead of you :).
 
thanks for the info, DaLiv. option 1 is way too advanced more me and I should wait how things are developed first.

Regarding your last point, you probably miss my first post. My initial intention is to learn filming. I am a novice who have no experience with filming, editing video whatsoever. So clearly preference and style is yet defined. I just ask for a lens that will allow steep learning curve, not best quality for purpose (or at least not yet)
 
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