GH2 GH2 Lens Suggestion for Shallow Depth of Field DOF

ArronC

ArronC

Active member
Hello,

I am totally new to the DSLR world. I have used Panasonic's HMC150 for the past two years. I bought the GH2 is a second camera, as well as for more artistic shoots and establishing shots for events. I have the Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14-140m so far.

What is a reasonably priced lens I can purpose to cater to Shallow DOF shots?
 
what focal length are you thinking? prime/zoom?
The Voigtländer 25mm f0.95 is amazing, but might be too pricey.
The 20mm f1.7 "pancake" is apparently very good, I don't have either of these so I don't know.
For real cheapsies you can look up some old glass like Canon FD or Nikon 50mm f1.4 and the like. Don't forget adapters.
 
Get some old 1.4 or even 1.2 lenses. But as said, get an adapter for your particular lens. I'd look at FD/Nikon mounted glass. Usually easy to find out in the wild!
 
Perder said:
what focal length are you thinking? prime/zoom?
The Voigtländer 25mm f0.95 is amazing, but might be too pricey.
The 20mm f1.7 "pancake" is apparently very good, I don't have either of these so I don't know.
For real cheapsies you can look up some old glass like Canon FD or Nikon 50mm f1.4 and the like. Don't forget adapters.
Click to expand...

I have the 14-140 - it is OK outdoors but inside it needs a bunch of light.
I have a Nikon 50 1.4 and it is great for interviews.
I have the Lumix 20 1.7 pancake and use it for most of the indoor shooting.
I had the Voigtländer 25mm f0.95 on order but they kept raising the price
and have no idea when the next shipment would arrive. I would love to have one
but I needed real glass right now to get shooting.

I also have a Nikon 10.5 Fisheye which is cool to use with the GH2.
My Nikon 60MM Miacro and my Nikon 105MM get lots of use as well.

I think my next lens will be some kind of zoom in the f2.8 area.
I would like to have an f2 zoom but those get very pricey.
 
The lowest priced new lenses for shallow DOF that I know of would be the 85mm F1.4 made by Samyang.
5272037555_3e54ef2cda_b.jpg

My 50mm F1.4 also works great with the GH2.
5267764174_755d8e68bd_b.jpg
 
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Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 produces beautiful shallow DoF when wide open. I bought mine for $80 on eBay in mint condition, plus a $25 FD -> M4/3 adapter. Incredible value.

Also, the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 is a must have lens (and is reasonably priced for what you get.)
 
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I have the 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 135mm f2.5 and the 200mm f2.8, and for me the 85mm have the most pleasant DOF.

 
Thank you for all the responses. I spent yesterday looking at all the lens suggested. It was great learning about them all.

Because I am a novice with using multiple lens. I decided to spend less money until I have a good grasp of using ISO, shutter speed, focal length etc.

I ordered the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens, and adapter on ebay.

Is having these two lens a good ground for building experience?
-Canon 50mm f/1.8
-Lumix G Vario HD 14-140m
What are their cons and pros?
 
We recommended old lenses from ebay, because unless it's a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds, none of the electronics will work through an adapter. The old FD/nikon lenses have manual focus and a manual aperture ring on the lens, so it's no problem to use with GH2. If a (non 4/3) lens has autofucus, you can still use the manual focus, but not the auto, so you're paying for a feature you can't use. also I believe these EF lenses don't have manual aperture rings AT ALL, so you can't change aperture. so.. If this is unsettling news, I'd recommend cancelling that order asap. For the same/lower price you should easily get an f1.4 lens on ebay, or like.. four 50mm 1.8.. they're a dime a dozen.
 
ArronC said:
I ordered the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens, and adapter on ebay.
Click to expand...
NO NO NO! Get the Canon FD lens (the old ones, like the FD 50mm 1.4 or 1.8) not the new EOS lenses (like the EF 50mm)!!! You won't be able to change the aperture on the lens at all, and none of the auto focus features will work on a GH2.

Seriously, see if you can cancel the order ASAP.
 
Perder said:
We recommended old lenses from ebay, because unless it's a Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds, none of the electronics will work through an adapter. The old FD/nikon lenses have manual focus and a manual aperture ring on the lens, so it's no problem to use with GH2. If a (non 4/3) lens has autofucus, you can still use the manual focus, but not the auto, so you're paying for a feature you can't use. also I believe these EF lenses don't have manual aperture rings AT ALL, so you can't change aperture. so.. If this is unsettling news, I'd recommend cancelling that order asap. For the same/lower price you should easily get an f1.4 lens on ebay, or like.. four 50mm 1.8.. they're a dime a dozen.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the explanation.
 
Jaime Valles said:
NO NO NO! Get the Canon FD lens (the old ones, like the FD 50mm 1.4 or 1.8) not the new EOS lenses (like the EF 50mm)!!! You won't be able to change the aperture on the lens at all, and none of the auto focus features will work on a GH2.

Seriously, see if you can cancel the order ASAP.
Click to expand...

Yep, I pretty much screwed myself there. I ordered the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus on Ebay, I have sent them a message. Hopefully it is not shipped. If it is, I will have to resell it on Ebay.


The adapter was already shipped:
"Canon EOS lens to MFT m43 Adapter E-PL1 E-PL2 E-P2 E-P1"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220757958308

Would this still work with the Canon FD 50mm f1.4?

Would I be better off buying the 85mm F1.4 Rokinon?...
Product Description: The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Manual Focus Lens for Nikon is an ultra-bright lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Although you can only use this lens in manual focus mode, it is fully compatible with the automated features available with digital SLR cameras. It is compact and lightweight, and offers the ideal focal length and bright aperture for use as a portrait lens.
Click to expand...
 
Canon FD 35mm f/2.0 @ 2.8 gives a neat looking bokeh IMHO. I use a FD > m4/3 adapter from ciecio7 on eBay.
 

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[FONT=Arial, Verdana, helvetica, geneva]I purchased a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4

and I'm pretty much going to purchase Panasonic's Lumix 20mm f/1.7
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If you'd like another fast auto-focus prime (on the GH2 and G2 at least), the Sigma 30mm f1.4 Four Thirds lens works quite well in AFS mode with either the Panasonic or Olympus Micro Four Thirds adapter. While it's nowhere near as compact as the Lumix 20mm pancake, Sigma 30mm is much better for portrait photography, particularly in low light.
 
The Lumix 20mm is great. Also the 14mm works really well. Super lite and very portable. I hiked all over Zion and Bryce canyon with those and got some nice shots.
 
ND filters are vital to outdoor Shallow DOF, event with the kit lens you can get some shallowness if you can keep the lens wide open.

I use any number of old manual lenses without issue.
M42 mounts in 35mm, 50mm 58mm, 135mm and even the zenitar 16mm will get shallow DOF IF I can go wide open and have the subject close enough.
For Canon FD lenses I have 28mm, 50mm that get TOO shallow and I have to stop them down to have any hope of getting focus on moving subject.
 
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