Indoor Shooting: Lumix 20mm or new camera ?

R

Roderz

Member
I was going to buy the Lumix 20mm 1.7 lens to get better quality indoor shots, but then I wondered whether I should just get a better quality camera instead, ie, the GH2, that will allow me to get high quality results using slower lenses with a higher ISO setting. I'm not really looking for background blur or a fast lens per se, but just the ability to get good quality video indoors.

So, does anyone have any suggestions ?
 
if you get the gh2 you will end up getting the 20mm anyways, just a matter of which one comes first =). Those extra stops make a world of difference. or you could just invest in some portable on board led lighting. just don't expect to get amazing results with just the gh2 and slow kit lens indoors purely based on upping the ISO.
 
MR Fanny said:
if you get the gh2 you will end up getting the 20mm anyways, just a matter of which one comes first =). Those extra stops make a world of difference. or you could just invest in some portable on board led lighting. just don't expect to get amazing results with just the gh2 and slow kit lens indoors purely based on upping the ISO.
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I agree, get both. Or GH2 and 50mm f1.8 nikon ais
 
Boosting ISO will probably add more noise.
But anyway, a faster lens can always turn handy and you can always stop down when the light conditions permit to do so.
Apart from the panasonic 20mm lens, there are lot of fast vintage lenses that will give you excellent low light performance, but it all depends on the look you are after.
 
Here is a video shot with a hacked GF1 and the 20mm F1.7, 30mm F1.4, and the 55mm F1.2. I think this is pretty good considering it is 720p from the GF1 in a VERY dark gym with horrible florescent lighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeRGcZwOwDs

I don't even think you have to have the GH2 to get good indoor videos. You just have to have fast lenses. Those lenses don't have to be expensive either.
 
OK. Thanks all. I think I'll bite the bullet and buy it. I actually didn't realise that the 14-140mm kit lens that comes with the GH1 was even more expensive than than the 20mm 1.7. No wonder it's such a kick a*s lens! In side by side outdoor landscape test shots versus the FD 50mm 1.4 and the 24mm 2.8 lens it is easily as sharp as both (and has better contrast I think as well).
 
Roderz said:
No wonder it's such a kick a*s lens! In side by side outdoor landscape test shots versus the FD 50mm 1.4 and the 24mm 2.8 lens it is easily as sharp as both (and has better contrast I think as well).
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An easy measure of a lens is that little number next to the f. Any lens will be plenty sharp for HD, but its the ISO that will have real effect on color science behavior and image subtleties. Stick with f2.8 and below, and you'll be ok. (And turn on some lights!)
 
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