GH4 Gh4 long lenses for wildlife

Most wildlife photo/video makers desire "long enough" lens (what usually means +1000/1500mm or so) that would allow them to film critters from miles away. But such a "long enough" lens does not exist, and focal length of about 200-400mm is far enough in 99% of cases. Especially with GH cameras and its ExTC mode. Why? Because if you think you may get stunning picture you dream about, using +1000mm lens - you are wrong. Totally wrong! The amount of haze - an air (mostly hot, often moving also) between you and the creature you are filming - will be so high in that case, that it will destroy an overall image quality. The sharpness, clarity, colors, contrast etc. are lost! Therefore you need to get closer not using a longer tele lens, but just getting/moving YOU closer to the subject, to eliminate that haze effect. That's it.
 
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valdi99 said:
Most wildlife photo/video makers desire "long enough" lens (what usually means +1000/1500mm or so) that would allow them to film critters from miles away. But such a "long enough" lens does not exist, and focal length of about 200-400mm is far enough in 99% of cases. Especially with GH cameras and its ExTC mode. Why? Because if you think you may get stunning picture you dream about, using +1000mm lens - you are wrong. Totally wrong! The amount of haze - an air (mostly hot, often moving also) between you and the creature you are filming - will be so high in that case, that it will destroy an overall image quality. The sharpness, clarity, colors, contrast etc. are lost! Therefore you need to get closer not using a longer tele lens, but just getting/moving YOU closer to the subject, to eliminate that haze effect. That's it.
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Thats true if the subject is a long way away, i know the real close ups over 4000mm in my film they have finaly hatched [which was as close as it was possible to get to the nest] is unreachable in 4K,just a bit better content of the wider clips in that type film is all i want,other wise i will have to stick with 1920x1080 for distance close ups.If a GH4 or a future improved GH model with a lens on it that reaches 500mm equivalent to over 1000mm in 35 terms and give noticably better than normal HD resolution would be a great help in my films,if a 2x canon lens extender would double that even better but i am dubious there,ETC would take it back to normal HD so not any gain over an HD camera as i see it.
 
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steve phillipps said:
For birds like the grebes in the film the best plan would be to find a place where they're used to people. Otherwise find a nest not too far from the bank and put a hide up. Or if neccessary use a floating hide like this one. The skill with wildlife filming is mostly on the wildlife and field side - the camera side is secondary. Trust me, putting bigger and bigger lenses on is not the answer!
Steve
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Yeah, when I shot the lava field in Hawaii, I just should have gotten closer. Silly me!
 
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