GH3 GH3 video lens

S

sky17

Member
Hello, I am new here and to the micro 4/3 system yet convinced after research and short trials that's what I want. I just got my gh3 body only and now looking for a lens mainly for video indoors/interviews and some outdoor. Preferably with some focal zoom. I also love general photography and hope my first gh3 lens that too. Please make suggestions with reasons and experience if any :) Your time appreciated.
 
Lowlypawn said:
One lens will never be enough. I found this really helpful for myself.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-first-micro-four-third-lenses-you-should-buy/
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Lowlypawn, Thank you so much. I checked the website and that was useful. I have to say though I am still confused. I know I need more than one, but my question is about recommendations for a good start that has a zoom. Should I get cheap one form different brand and use adopter? Or keep looking in the Panasonic M4/3-friendly lenses?

Have you ever used the 14-140 for video? What did you end up with?
 
Plenty of threads on here covering just this subject.
Make yourself a cup of tea and have a good read through - then start saving for the Voigtlander!
 
The 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 "kit" lens is a pretty good starter. Covers a "workhorse" wide angle (28mm equiv) through "normal" perspective and on into moderate portrait perspective telephoto. Used ones in outstanding shape can be had for under $100 and it's a very good lens to "feel" your way through some of the issues.

A lot of folks look down on it but it actually is a quite good performer, being more than sharp enough for video and to get you good prints. I still have to order reprint 16x20 inch prints from the first version of the Canon version "kit" lens that came with the original digital Rebel (covered the same zoom range) and it looks as clean and sharp as 16x20's I used to get from film in my studio days. The Panasonic Lumix version is even a tad sharper to my eye.

The one weak area is low light work with this lens although at the wide end with an aperture of f3.5 it is workable as you learn to evaluate light, and the improved high ISO performance of the GH3 makes it even more workable.

I see a few used (seem to be taken from various G series "kit"s) starting at $99 and some "used - like new" for a little bit more. It's a very inexpensive way to get started and through your own experience determine what you need.

I was going to replace the one I have that came as part of a GH2 with an Olympus 12-50mm f3.5 to f6.3 (originally the most expensive "kit" option with the OMD E-M5) but it turns out the Lumix 14-42mm is sharper at the wide end than the Oly. Doesn't really matter that much because I work mostly with primes (Lumix 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.5, and Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8; longer "reach" needs are met with the Lumix 45-200mm zoom.
 
I think the 14-140 lumix is a great starter lens. The Gh3 can handle it's f/4 speed. But the lens will give you great reach and performs very well for a hyper zoom. You could find a decent price on a used on as well. I have the 12-35 and the 35-100 lumix lenses and they are awesome, but cost a pretty penny for both.

Bruce is correct in that the 14-42 performs much better than it's price dictates. Shoot, I have one and will sell it to anyone for $100 even +shipping.
 
Fresno Bob said:
Plenty of threads on here covering just this subject.
Make yourself a cup of tea and have a good read through - then start saving for the Voigtlander!
Click to expand...

Fresno, thank you; will do. I admit did little search only and wanted to get most recent advice by starting this thread :grin:
May I ask which lenses u use?
 
Bruce Foreman said:
The 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 "kit" lens is a pretty good starter. Covers a "workhorse" wide angle (28mm equiv) through "normal" perspective and on into moderate portrait perspective telephoto. Used ones in outstanding shape can be had for under $100 and it's a very good lens to "feel" your way through some of the issues.

A lot of folks look down on it but it actually is a quite good performer, being more than sharp enough for video and to get you good prints. I still have to order reprint 16x20 inch prints from the first version of the Canon version "kit" lens that came with the original digital Rebel (covered the same zoom range) and it looks as clean and sharp as 16x20's I used to get from film in my studio days. The Panasonic Lumix version is even a tad sharper to my eye.

The one weak area is low light work with this lens although at the wide end with an aperture of f3.5 it is workable as you learn to evaluate light, and the improved high ISO performance of the GH3 makes it even more workable.

I see a few used (seem to be taken from various G series "kit"s) starting at $99 and some "used - like new" for a little bit more. It's a very inexpensive way to get started and through your own experience determine what you need.

I was going to replace the one I have that came as part of a GH2 with an Olympus 12-50mm f3.5 to f6.3 (originally the most expensive "kit" option with the OMD E-M5) but it turns out the Lumix 14-42mm is sharper at the wide end than the Oly. Doesn't really matter that much because I work mostly with primes (Lumix 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.5, and Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8; longer "reach" needs are met with the Lumix 45-200mm zoom.
Click to expand...

Bruce, thank for the detailed reply! This certainly is a different advice than all what I received and makes sense. I will re-consider that and read about the 14-42 more. Which would you recommend more this or the older 14-45? Also, may I ask why do you prefer primes? (kind of know theoretically why but like to hear experienced opinion).
 
Bern Caughey said:
While the 12-35/2.8 & 35-100/2.8 are Panasonic's best HD lenses, & my workhorses, I still bring the 14-140mm to documentary gigs as sometimes a 10:1 zoom is just the ticket.
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Caughey, thanks for the reply. Seems I got money saving to do for those 2 u mentioned! ;)
But would the 14-140 be good as my "only" lens for a while?
 
dustylense said:
I think the 14-140 lumix is a great starter lens. The Gh3 can handle it's f/4 speed. But the lens will give you great reach and performs very well for a hyper zoom. You could find a decent price on a used on as well. I have the 12-35 and the 35-100 lumix lenses and they are awesome, but cost a pretty penny for both.

Bruce is correct in that the 14-42 performs much better than it's price dictates. Shoot, I have one and will sell it to anyone for $100 even +shipping.
Click to expand...

Dustylens, thanks! I will re-think my opinion about the 14-42 and if ur lens would be still there I'll give u a peep. :) great price!
 
sky17 said:
Dustylens, thanks! I will re-think my opinion about the 14-42 and if ur lens would be still there I'll give u a peep. :) great price!
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It's just sitting there, ready. Only because I have the other lenses. But the 14-42mm is optically on par. If your broke or just wanna same some cash, good lens for the money and I'd rather it be out and getting used....
 
sky17 said:
Caughey, thanks for the reply. Seems I got money saving to do for those 2 u mentioned! ;)
But would the 14-140 be good as my "only" lens for a while?
Click to expand...

Outdoors during daylight the 14-140 will be fine, but unlit interiors will be challenged. This is where faster zooms, or even faster primes, are better suited.

We've shot loads of interior footage on the 14-140, but with the exception of some documentary work, light most every shot. If your work calls for lighting, & you don't have access, I'd budget that before fast glass.
 
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sky17 said:
Bruce, thank for the detailed reply! This certainly is a different advice than all what I received and makes sense. I will re-consider that and read about the 14-42 more. Which would you recommend more this or the older 14-45? Also, may I ask why do you prefer primes? (kind of know theoretically why but like to hear experienced opinion).
Click to expand...

I don't have any first hand experience with the 14-45. I've read that it was more solid built, some claim it may have been a bit better optically, but I hate to pass on advice based on what others say without knowing the validity of the source better. The 14-42 is the least expensive to build that Panasonic could include with all of their m4/3 cameras and give the buyer enough flexibility to start getting decent pictures.

I have the Olympus Zuiko version (about 1/3 the physical size of the Lumix) 14-42 and was impressed by it's image quality when I shot a test of the same subject first with the Lumix 14mm prime then the 14mm end of the Oly "kit" lens. I had to really "pixel peep" to see any difference in edge outlines. Projected on an 80 inch screen I could see no difference in image quality.

These roughly 3:1 "kit" zooms do quite well at a price point that doesn't force those just buying a camera to invest heavily in lenses. There are better lenses but it's amazing how well these "kit" lenses perform as a general purpose limited range zoom.

Why do I prefer primes? It's a combination of fast aperture for low light work and sharper optics overall. This gets a little more apparent in the m4/3 arena than it was in the Canon APS-C system. The Lumix 14mm is a very crisp imaging lens, the Lumix 20mm has earned a rep for being very sharp although some feel it is a bit slow on autofocus (I haven't found this to be a problem). The Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 and the Oly 45mm f1.8 are amazingly sharp even wide open as well as throughout the aperture range and both lenses are very highly sought after for that reason.

Yet when I head out the door and feel I have to have a camera with me, I may very well pick up a GH2 with that 14-42, very light in weight and that lens is capable of more than many will give it credit for.

FWIW my experience level is: 10 years sideline wedding & portrait work while still on active duty in the air force; 10 years of operating my own portrait, wedding, & commercial studio; and 13 years as a civilian staff photographer on an air force training base, after which I retired and eventually got into independent video mostly at a personal level.
 
Bern Caughey said:
We've shot loads of interior footage on the 14-140, but with the exception of some documentary work, light most every shot. If your work calls for lighting, & you don't have access, I'd budget that before fast glass.
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I agree. I usually shy away from large ratio zooms, but the 14-140mm is quite a good lens, especially for doc or event shooting. With a good fast prime lens like the 20mm, you'd have a great complementary two-lens kit to start.

I'd love for someone to make a 25mm image stabilized fast prime. Hint, hint...
 
sky17 said:
Fresno, thank you; will do. I admit did little search only and wanted to get most recent advice by starting this thread :grin:
May I ask which lenses u use?
Click to expand...


Sure.

Asahi Takurmur 50mm 1.4
Canon FD 50mm 1.4
Zeiss Distagaon 25mm 2.8
Pancake 20mm 1.7

All primes.
 
jbklynnyc said:
I agree. I usually shy away from large ratio zooms, but the 14-140mm is quite a good lens, especially for doc or event shooting. With a good fast prime lens like the 20mm, you'd have a great complementary two-lens kit to start.

I'd love for someone to make a 25mm image stabilized fast prime. Hint, hint...
Click to expand...

I've heard many people recommend this lens for doc shooting. Out of curiosity, why do you feel it's a good lens for this purpose? Does it have to do with the OIS and versatility of focal lengths? Or is it more about the overall aesthetics of the lens?
 
Bern Caughey said:
Outdoors during daylight the 14-140 will be fine, but unlit interiors will be challenged. This is where faster zooms, or even faster primes, are better suited.

We've shot loads of interior footage on the 14-140, but with the exception of some documentary work, light most every shot. If your work calls for lighting, & you don't have access, I'd budget that before fast glass.
Click to expand...

Bern, thanks again for this insight into your work. Seems like a good lens for documentary which is mostly what I will end up using it for. I will use light and i am shopping for that separately. Actually my work station is buying that one and I am only choosing. We will start by interviews but soon might be outdoors too and stills.
 
Noah Truth said:
I've heard many people recommend [the14-140mm] lens for doc shooting. Out of curiosity, why do you feel it's a good lens for this purpose? Does it have to do with the OIS and versatility of focal lengths? Or is it more about the overall aesthetics of the lens?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's exactly why. Doc shooting doesn't always happen in the ideal situations. If you don't have time to change lenses, and you are for example following a subject around and shooting handheld, you want a stabilized lens where you can vary shots and composition readily.
 
jbklynnyc said:
Yes, that's exactly why. Doc shooting doesn't always happen in the ideal situations. If you don't have time to change lenses, and you are for example following a subject around and shooting handheld, you want a stabilized lens where you can vary shots and composition readily.
Click to expand...

One of the reasons I'm looking forward to the new 4/3 Metabones Speedbooster is our investment in great Canon glass (and Sigma.)

I've really liked what I've gotten in the little work I've been able to do with the 20mm 1.7 and the 45mm Zuiko but because of the nature of so much of our work, I really need the flexibility of great zooms.
The best overall zoom I've ever used for field work is the Canon 24-105L f/4 IS
The Metabones adapter will make it a 35-150mm f2.8 with IS (in FF terms) which is kind of the sweet spot for an all in one zoom range, and I can only imagine how good it will look on the GH3 throughout the range.
It's why I cancelled my order for the 12-35mm and 35-100mm Lumix zooms.

I'm still seeing/using the GH3 as a second and third camera but seriously considering making them the A and B cameras for most of what we do...if I can continue to evolve the look we're getting.
 
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