GH2 Music Video Shoot - Lens Suggestions?

T

Taylor R

Member
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some advice regarding my lens choice for an upcoming music video I'm shooting in Philly next weekend. All shots will be outside in the bright sunlight. I'm set on the 20mm pancake, as I've heard it is simply an amazing all-around lens. What would you suggest as a second lens? I've heard the Canon FD 50mm 1.4 lens is very nice, but apparently does not match the sharpness of the 20mm and therefore does not mix well with it. I'm looking for a lens that will compliment the 20mm pancake. I previously shot on the HVX...so DSLR is a new world to me. I would really appreciate any advice and explanations for your lens choice. Thank you so much.

-Taylor

Edit: I should mention that I'm looking for a lens around the price range of $500 or less.
 
I think panasonic has a Leica 45mm for about 600, if you are looking for a "normal" lens. A lot of legacy glass won't be quite as sharp as newer glass because of technical advances in coating and lens construction. The 14-45 panasonic lens is also pretty good and only a few hundred dollars depending on where you get it. As far as legacy glass goes, the Nikon 50 1.4 is probably a bit sharper than the canon version. But I can't comment on if it would mix well with the 20mm. Unfortunately there are not very many primes in that focal length out there for m4/3 right now without an adapter.
 
Thank you both for you replies.

GHKAM, I actually purchased the following matte box - http://www.indisystem.com/products/indimatte_pro - and ND filters for it - http://www.lightcraftworkshop-shop.com/product/68

Was this a good decision?

twotonepunkkid,

What kind of look will the leica 45mm and the 14-45mm lenses give me? Significantly different than a 20mm? What types of shots would each be used for? You mentioned that the Leica 45mm is a "normal" lens...but that's what I've heard about the 20mm. If you could elaborate a bit more, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
 
The 20mm and the 45mm should be similar in looks, but I don't own the leica so I can't confirm that. But the 20mm will act like a 40mm oon the gh2 and the 45mm will act like a 90mm. Typically 50mm is "normal " on a full frame camera. Normal is about the same focal length as seen by the human eye. The benefit of having a 45mm on the gh2 would be for close-up shots. The 20mm for wider shots. With the etc mode on the gh2 you could almost shoot the wwhole video on just tthe 20.
 
The 20mm f 1.7 Fine i have one and four other pana lenses plus an oly 9-18mm,the 20mm is a good lens especialy in low light but for me outdoors its like any of the others,all my lenses can fully resolve HD video resolution its not like 20,000 mega pixals.
 
Thank you for your replies. Couple follow up questions:

Since the one lens is 14-45mm, does that mean it has 20mm in it? Like couldn't you get the 14-45mm lens and get the 20mm look if you need it? Is the only difference the f stops?

I bought the snap gears from indisystems along with the follow focus. Will the gears fit on the 20mm pancake lens, or am I screwed? If not, any solutions?

Thanks again for your help.
 
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