GH2 Lenses for documentary

F

flowolf

Member
I'm about to start shooting a doc on a person in and around her house, which is located close to the beach, in a beautiful wooded area. I've done some tests with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 and I plan to use this lens for interviews, interiors, exterior wide shots. (Then I have an old Canon prime, the 50mm 1.4 which I may use for walking shots and details outside.)

But some of the rooms are quite small and I would like to be able to go wider and have some more options for framing so I'm looking into a zoomlens. Any tips for a versatile zoomlens for doc work? (I looked into the Panasonic 14-140 but it's too slow for inside work and how often do you use the tele-end of this lens for video? Besides, I read the lens is on the one hand very versatile and adequate but I have read some not so good reviews concerning the picture it produces... bland...)

The Tokina 11-16 f2.8 seems a nice option, also because I could get really wide exteriors/landscapes. I have a T2i as well so I want the EOS-mount. But how does it work on the GH2? Manual focus? No iris-control? Any tips for choice of adapters?
 
The 11-16 would be nice, but the sharpness of it and your 20mm combined will most likely vary greatly from your Canon (FD I'm assuming?). You may want to look into swapping it for a old nikon ais.

Also, look into the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc, can be hand used for around 300, new for 400-500.
 
I believe the Tokina 11-16 does not have a manual aperture. So you'll need to get one of those aperture adapters too
 
DevonH said:
The 11-16 would be nice, but the sharpness of it and your 20mm combined will most likely vary greatly from your Canon (FD I'm assuming?). You may want to look into swapping it for a old nikon ais.

Also, look into the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc, can be hand used for around 300, new for 400-500.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your suggestions, Devon. You think the Tokina/pancake combo is too sharp for the Canon FD?

As far as your suggestion for the Tamron: I have the Tamron 17-50 2.8 VC for my T2i, so I don't have to buy the non-VC version... I guess you suggested the non-VC because it's supposed to be sharper and a better performer overall, right? It doesn't really add that much on the wide angle, though... And how do you control aperture? Keep it open and use my vari ND filter?

Or do you use an adapter with aperture control? If yes, which one?

Thanks again.
 
I think the 14-140 manages just fine indoors, actually, unless there are no lights whatsoever. Kick ISO up to about 1600.

Another good zoom, a little faster and a little wider, is the Olympus 12-60 2.8-4 for 4/3 mount.
 
Can it even take filters without causing vignetting? I dunno.
I heard the Heliopan filter is the best, but expensive. Personally I'd go for the aperture adapter
 
+1 to David. You could indeed soften those shots up in post, but depending on your desired look you may not want to do that. I did suggest the non-vc due to reports of it being sharper (about to order mine).

IMO, you're going to want to be able to control your depth of field, so an adapter with aperture control is essential. If you're going to be shooting outside, you're going to want a set of NDs (or a variable one). Most people grab a 77mm, and use step-up rings to make it fit all their lenses. These rings can be had for $3-10 all over ebay.
 
I shoot regularly with my 11-16/GH2 combo and it's damn useful. I always carry my T2i as a b-camera and swapping lenses to change apertures is not annoying at all with the Tokina (with something like the 50 1.8, I find it much more annoying.) You'll find that you won't change the 2.8 too often in most indoor settings, remember that 2.8 is slightly less shallow and bright on a 4/3rds sensor.

As for tele, the longest lens I keep in my kit is Nikon 100 2.5 Ais - I got it on eBay for a buck and change and at approx. 200mm on a 4/3ds sensor, I've yet to find a situation where I need more focal length.
 
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