biginvegas
Well-known member
Or you can go retro and use customized achromatic Maniscus from 1915....
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/eos350d_meniscus.html
http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/eos350d_meniscus.html
GH1 Lens Quest
- Thread starter chrisso
- Start date
Thats awsum!
rogar-Evil(DBG):Thanks for all the help guys.
Well I think Ive decided on the Pane 20mm f/1.7.
One thing worries me. now dont smash me for this, Im just a tad worried about how small the actual amount of glass on the front of the lens is. Im trying to get as much light into the sensor as I can , yeah?
Im not doubting the talent on here and their opinions, just more trying to understand how such a small opening lets in so much detail and light.
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Don't feel bad... I had trouble wrapping my mind around that also. This will be one of those times in your life where you start looking at the real value of something, vs. the apparent value.
I would DEFINITELY have liked to see some serious looking glass in that 20mm... and I'd have even preferred to deal with the extra heft that would have brought, but there's no denying the reality. When you put a 2.8 lens on the GH1... then take that off and put on the 1.7... the image is sharp and suddenly WAY brighter (well, by more then a stop anyway...)
I bought an FD 20mm 2.8 to see how it looks... I may keep it... may not. I'm in the process of doing my own personal lens shoot-out. One thing I know for sure... is the big glass FD at 2.8 doesn't gain me SQUAT for light gathering!
Yeah that Panny 20mm is small, and feather-light... I don't like holding that in the palm of my hand and thinking "$400!?"... but hey, it works. If I put the big FD lens on and it looked like that... I'd think it was $200 well-spent. The thing is though... it's actually better to have something smaller, and lighter-weight... that works better, when possible.
If I keep the FD it will be for the LOOK of the image, not the light gathering ability... I swap 'em back and forth and it instantly confirms the reality that the pancake is letting a lot more light in.
I would DEFINITELY have liked to see some serious looking glass in that 20mm... and I'd have even preferred to deal with the extra heft that would have brought, but there's no denying the reality. When you put a 2.8 lens on the GH1... then take that off and put on the 1.7... the image is sharp and suddenly WAY brighter (well, by more then a stop anyway...)
I bought an FD 20mm 2.8 to see how it looks... I may keep it... may not. I'm in the process of doing my own personal lens shoot-out. One thing I know for sure... is the big glass FD at 2.8 doesn't gain me SQUAT for light gathering!
Yeah that Panny 20mm is small, and feather-light... I don't like holding that in the palm of my hand and thinking "$400!?"... but hey, it works. If I put the big FD lens on and it looked like that... I'd think it was $200 well-spent. The thing is though... it's actually better to have something smaller, and lighter-weight... that works better, when possible.
If I keep the FD it will be for the LOOK of the image, not the light gathering ability... I swap 'em back and forth and it instantly confirms the reality that the pancake is letting a lot more light in.
That's the amazing thing about having lenses purpose-designed to the format. Native MFT are designed with shorter flange distance and smaller sensor size in mind, therefore don't need all that extra glass necessary to achieve the same level of performance as lenses designed for 35 mm film format.
I just sent the issue to panasonic customer support, their reply was : MF should work if selected in AF/MF menue. Since it doesnt they suggest I send it for repair.....
ok guys
help me pleeeeease,
Pane 20mm f/1.7 to my door = $479.00
or
Used Nikkor AiS 50mm f/1.4 ( guaranteed excellent cond )and ebay adaptor, to my door = $300.00
Ive got both pages open, been about to push the GO button on each for about 6 hrs, keep changing my mind.
The Pane is small, has auto focus, even though its noisy, dont need an adaptor, on B and H's review site a few people say its as crisp as their Canon and Nikkor primes.
The Nikkor, is $180 bucks less, but with the adaptor will be just as bulky as the stock lense.
Will image quality be the same or similar as the Pane 20mm?
Im so close to tossing a coin.
help me pleeeeease,
Pane 20mm f/1.7 to my door = $479.00
or
Used Nikkor AiS 50mm f/1.4 ( guaranteed excellent cond )and ebay adaptor, to my door = $300.00
Ive got both pages open, been about to push the GO button on each for about 6 hrs, keep changing my mind.
The Pane is small, has auto focus, even though its noisy, dont need an adaptor, on B and H's review site a few people say its as crisp as their Canon and Nikkor primes.
The Nikkor, is $180 bucks less, but with the adaptor will be just as bulky as the stock lense.
Will image quality be the same or similar as the Pane 20mm?
Im so close to tossing a coin.
vcassel
Veteran
Hmmm, well I am certainly a fan of the old Nikon AI, AIS, and Series E lenses, and if you got the AIS you would have something you could build a consistent collection of primes around, but I don't recommend starting off with a 50mm because you'll be stuck in telephoto. The 20mm will be more useful as a focal length. If you like the AI/AIS lenses, you can find a 24mm in f/2.0 and it wouldn't be much slower than the Panasonic.
vcassel
Veteran
The Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8 is also a great value for the money, if you had your heart set on a 50mm. I've seen some great things filmed with them. I just got a 35mm f/2.5 Series E for $50! A lot of people I've talked to consider it to be superior to the AI in this focal length.
vcassel
Veteran
It reverts to manual focus as far as I know, but the focus wheel is short and annoying to work with.
Shane Hurburt, DP on Terminator Salvation, recommends the AI lenses as stills primes that can be used as cinema primes. They're good lenses, easy to find, and not too expensive.
The Nikon Series E lenses are a good place to start. They came out the same time as the AI lenses and should have the same optics in plastic bodies. They're easier to find and cheaper, but don't cover all the focal length bases as the AI series. In some cases, such as my 35mm Series E, people tend to think to optics are even better than in the Nikkor pro primes. They also make a great backup set in case you get the AI lenses later. In the future I expect to keep them with my GH1 and mount my AI lenses to the AF100 for a two camera setup.
If money was no object to me right now, I'd get the Leica R lenses - they're the best looking to my eye, even more so than Zeiss. As it stands now the AI lenses are my best bet.
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vcassel
Veteran
What I have so far:
Nikon Nikkor 24mm f/2.0 AI
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI
Nikon Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5 AI
Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5
What I'm planning on getting in the next couple of weeks:
Nikon Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 AI
Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 AI
Nikon Series E 28mm f/2.8
Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8
After that I'm planning the long save up for a range of Leica R lenses and maybe a Tokina wide angle zoom.
Nikon Nikkor 24mm f/2.0 AI
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI
Nikon Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5 AI
Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5
What I'm planning on getting in the next couple of weeks:
Nikon Nikkor 18mm f/3.5 AI
Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 AI
Nikon Series E 28mm f/2.8
Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8
After that I'm planning the long save up for a range of Leica R lenses and maybe a Tokina wide angle zoom.
Xaveryptak
Active member
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
Just a quick recommendation - when I started out putting together a kit of lenses for my GH1, I sort of took a similar approach, trying to pick up something in just about every focal length I could use - in the end I think you will find that having so many lengths is a bit overkill - having a 24 and a 28 for example - especially since you've got the 24 f/2 already, I don't think there's much reason to spend the money on an E-series 28mm. I think you'll find yourself better off with fewer, better lenses rather than a ton of good to pretty good lenses. When you're on a shoot more lenses = more to manage, more filters to worry about, and not getting enough hands on time with each lens and its quirks. A zoom is nice, but at 3.5 that's a bit slow and you're already covering some of those lengths as it stands.
I'd get that 18mm, and a faster 50 than the f/1.8 (not sure why you'd want two 50/1.8s..., and then a good 85mm and you'll be covered until you can move to Leica R.
You might also consider the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 instead of the Nikon since it's m4/3 mount and will probably cost you the same money - and/or go a little deeper and pick up the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 in Nikon mount so you can go even wider/faster.
I'd get that 18mm, and a faster 50 than the f/1.8 (not sure why you'd want two 50/1.8s..., and then a good 85mm and you'll be covered until you can move to Leica R.
You might also consider the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 instead of the Nikon since it's m4/3 mount and will probably cost you the same money - and/or go a little deeper and pick up the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 in Nikon mount so you can go even wider/faster.
vcassel
Veteran
Thanks for the suggestions! The main reason is I'm hoping to move to a two camera setup in order to cut on time when the AF100 is released. The GH1 will be my B cam and I think the Series E lenses are a great value to maintain consistency with the Nikkors. I'll also be filming my first feature soon in an abandoned 1920s hotel. My space will be limited and for setup reasons I'll benefit greatly from an abundance of choices.
It's also a good idea to overkill on getting lenses, test them out for a while, then sell off what you find you don't use often. You can even end up turning a bit of a profit! Though it's probably best to get comfortable with focal lengths by using a variety of zooms.
The other reason for the zoom has to do with the travel photography I hope I end up doing. But you're right, I should probably look into finding a faster and more functional one like the Olympus MKII.
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
Fair enough - if you're running 2 cams then you're going to need more lenses 
For what it's worth I've found it not to be too difficult to match color/warmth across different brands of lenses in post, but if you are liking the Nikkors and they are matching well and it works for you, then stick to it my friend - I'm using Olympus/Zeiss/Canon/Samyang lenses without issue but Nikkors are a bit different than all of those and it may be harder to match in post. I do have a great 60mm f/2.8 Nikon Macro that I still haven't gotten around to sticking on an adapter...I should do that and see how well it matches.
Happy shooting - do yourself a favor though and get yourself one really fast lens - faster than f/1.8 if you're going to be shooting in an old abandoned hotel it may come in very useful.
For what it's worth I've found it not to be too difficult to match color/warmth across different brands of lenses in post, but if you are liking the Nikkors and they are matching well and it works for you, then stick to it my friend - I'm using Olympus/Zeiss/Canon/Samyang lenses without issue but Nikkors are a bit different than all of those and it may be harder to match in post. I do have a great 60mm f/2.8 Nikon Macro that I still haven't gotten around to sticking on an adapter...I should do that and see how well it matches.Happy shooting - do yourself a favor though and get yourself one really fast lens - faster than f/1.8 if you're going to be shooting in an old abandoned hotel it may come in very useful.
vcassel
Veteran
Fair enough - if you're running 2 cams then you're going to need more lenses
Happy shooting - do yourself a favor though and get yourself one really fast lens - faster than f/1.8 if you're going to be shooting in an old abandoned hotel it may come in very useful.
You're right, I do worry about that. I was considering grabbing a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 off ebay, but found a f/1.8 locally for $50 and couldn't pass it up. I heard the f/1.8 is sharper and more functional than the f/1.4, but I'll probably end up comparing both myself and then selling off one or the other. I'll keep the Series E though because it can easily be picked up for just $20.
I do believe I have what's known as lens lust right now.
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
Embrace the lens lust Coming from a photojournalism background I've been suffering from lens lust for the past 20 years...not a day goes by without at least thinking lustfully about some exotic lens
Coming from a photojournalism background I've been suffering from lens lust for the past 20 years...not a day goes by without at least thinking lustfully about some exotic lens You're right, I do worry about that. I was considering grabbing a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 off ebay, but found a f/1.8 locally for $50 and couldn't pass it up. I heard the f/1.8 is sharper and more functional than the f/1.4, but I'll probably end up comparing both myself and then selling off one or the other. I'll keep the Series E though because it can easily be picked up for just $20.
I do believe I have what's known as lens lust right now.
The f/1.8 is not necessarily sharper and more functional than the f/1.4 - it just depends on the sample you get. Overall, they are really pretty comparable.
On the series E 28mm - I wouldn't spend much on that particular one since it is kindof known as a "dog" lens - it's not one of Nikon's best.
I agree with thisisapocolypse in that since you are buying a bunch of lenses, you should consider getting a nice FAST lens like a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 or similar. You can get those for about $400-500 easily and they are cool to work with.
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$300 for a 50mm f/1.4 + adapter? you should be able to find it for quite a bit better price than that, unless you are paying like $150 for the adapter. The fair price for a Nikkor AI-s 50mm f/1.4 right now is around $150-170.
vcassel
Veteran
Is that an AI-S?