GH2 Lens lust:- Do I need a 85mm F1.4 lens?

A

asingfield

Active member
I have,

Panny 20mm 1.7
Volt 25mm 0.95 ( which I'm starting to wonder why...)
Olly 14-54mm 2.8-3.5
Canon FD 28mm 2.8
Canon FD 50mm 1.4
Canon FD 135mm 2.8

I was thinking it would round things of nicely to get a 85mm of some kind, Maybe a FD 85mm 1.8 (don't have money for the 1.2L)

Does anyone have any footage of the FD 85mm 1.8 being used with the GH1/2?

Have i got lens plenty? Are 85mm lenses useful on the GH2?
:huh:

Cheers Aaron
 
All in all the FD 85mm f 1.8 is a pretty nice lens.
However, with the crop factor it gets quite long on the gh2. So it is up to you to decide about the usefulness. Do you already use the 135mm for your shooting style?
Do you feel you are missing something between 50mm and 135mm? If both answers are yes then get it.
Personally, I had to get a 5d markII to start using my 85mm and 135mm lenses more...

Another consideration is that, even if you already have an FD lens set, the Samyang-Rokinon-Bower-Falcon-Vivitar (or whatever else) 85mm f1.4 is an exceptional performer that you can get new for about the same budget as the Canon FD 85mm f1.8. So keep this also in mind.

Last, about your lens set, I find that it is quite redundant to have 3 prime lenses plus a zoom covering the 20-28mm range. I guess you are only using one lens most of the time. Which one?
I would keep the 25mm and sell the 20mm and 28mm (or keep the 20mm if you prefer and sell the other 2), then probably get a fast 35mm (Canon FD 35mm f2.0 chromenose, or Samyang 35mm f1.4), if needed. I would keep the zoom for autofocus and stills.
 
You seem to have a substantial amount of lenses. You can pretty much do whatever you want with the tools you already have in front of you. I use a nikon mount with the 24mm, 50mm, 105mm and 85mm and to be honest 85 and 105 differ only in their f-stops for composition purposes. It just depends on what you are trying to do with the lens. If you don't know why you need it, you probably don't need it.

On a separate note, why the reservations with the voigtlander? I am debating between getting that or the panny and I have been saving up for both. The voigt seemed wonderful when I was testing it out.
 
I love FD 85s on GH2. Have both f1.8 and f1.2L. Hardly ever use 135 f2.0 - too long considering crop factor. Still your lens arsenal seem to be pretty complete. Honestly, I stopped using my 55mm. It's just too close to 85. Whenever I need shorter focal length I grab 35mm. Guess you can live without that 85.
 
For the price, you simply cannot go wrong with the Samyang 85mm, which goes by many names and can be found on eBay for ~$275. As a portrait lens on M43, it is a bit long, but you have a 50mm as well.
 
The Canon FD 85mm f1.8 is a fine lens, and is a good focal length for close-up head shots. The 135mm is a very different lens, more suitable for long range shots. I have both the Canon FD 85mm f1.8 and the 85mm f1.2L and they look very similar at f2 and above. With well-lit subjects, the f1.8 is a better choice for use with a follow focus. The f1.2L is a magical nighttime lens, producing vividly saturated images in natural light at ISO 800.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I think i'm going to sell FD 28mm 2.8 and 135mm 2.8 ( which i hardly use) And grab either the FD 85mm 1.8 or Samyang 85mm 1.4. Thanks for your help.
 
http://www.vimeo.com/24335663

Shot from a block away at 2:50 AM into a dead black overcast sky. I used the Rokinon 85 f1.4 on a GH1 but had to stop it down to f2.8 because it was blown out. No CC at all just a slight adjustment in scale so I could center the flag better.
 
i think 85mm is quite nice for close up shots whilst still not being to far away.  I have 20, 28, 35, 50, 85, 14-140, and now the 100-300.  i hardly use the 28 and 35 but i should because the 20 is too darn sharp to cut with the rest, 14-140 i use only during the day when i'm feeling lazy, IOS is great for hand held compared to manual primes, just lacks the extra stops.
 
Consider also the MF lenses. My Vivitar 90mm is the sharpest lens I own, and I am always amazed by quality of real glass. $175, used. Also there is the Rokkor 58mm which I picked up for $35 and the very nice Helios 58mm (I prefer the Rokkor, but they are both good). 58mm is a very good portrait length, and the Rokkor 58mm has superb bokeh. I have to say that even though I own several 135mm, I don't use them that often.
 
I have the following on an mft sensor, 24/50 and for some reason 200. As these were gifts the person who got them told me that '200 is better' I think coz the number's bigger. Nevertheless it was sweet as hell, but I explained that the 200 would be too long.

That said I would rather a 85 to the 200, 200 is far too wobbly without way proper stabilization. These days the shakiness on dslrs is ticking me off more than the moire/aliasing all the other stuff.

85 is good. I would also grab something a bit wider than the 24.

An ideal kit for the gh1's sensor for me (considering the space I shoot in most of the time, not very spacious) would be an 18/24/35/50/85

Nothing longer than that I suppose.
If only that kit lens was a constant f4 even, just constant, and had marks on the focus ring.
 
Some of us film nature a lot and none of the lenses mentioned are any good for that,i have a panny 45-200mm but would idealy like a 100-300mm one day,the 20mm f1.7 i have is good but i find i am not getting use from it much as yet.
 
Hi guys, trying to grab the Samyang 85mm 1.4 from here ( reason, the online store location is in Australia);

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190550026520&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It's this the right mount (Canon)? What adapter do i need for the GH2? EOS to GH2?

I sent a message to the seller and this is what i got in return;

Dear Aaron,

Thanks for your email.

The 85mm
Portrait Lens will not be suitable for the Panasonic GH-2 Camera.
Sorry
about that.
Regards,
Anu

would this work with this lens?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Canon-EO...280691494626?pt=AU_Lenses&hash=item415a844ee2

Cheers Aaron
 
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Generally, on lenses without aperture rings, get a Nikon mount, and use a Nikon adapter with an aperture ring.

I'm not aware of an available good solution for changing apertures on-camera with EOS lenses.
 
I have only used Sony, M42, Leica and Nikon adapters. I happen to like the Sony ones but it REALLY doesn't matter. Perhaps you can fin the 85 CHEAPER in Sony, for example ,and save some money. You sould think about what cheap, used, MF primes you want to collect from eBay, or, for example if you wish to purchase some of the new AF primes. For example, Canon makes an amazing 50mm 1.8, and Sony has an amazing 35mm 1.8, and so on. You can always buy more adapters. Also consider the Sony 60mm. A lot of people don't know about this lens. There are many great choices. For me, I generally, after the thrill wears off, use the small, lightweight lenses when I take the camera out. So don't load up on too many bricks for your kit bag.
 
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