Hi all I don't want to start yet another lens thread instead my question is more specific, I own the af100 and the voigtlander 25mm but would like to be able to shoot some handheld moving shots. So i was wondering (as i can only afford one of the two) what i would be better doing with my money, either buying the lumix 14-140mm lens which is the only ois capable lens with the af i believe or just buying a merlin steadicam and eventually a vest? The lens is attractive as its telephoto but apart from handheld i don't know how often id use it, i prefer wide angles etc as i plan eventually on getting the lumix 7-14mm (waiting again as i heard maybe later this year it may have ois). SO what would you guys choose if you needed good moving dynamic shots, the lumix 14-140mm or a merlin and voigtlander combo? (I'm mainly shooting narrative and music videos by the way) Thanks Taras
lumix 14-140mm or the merlin?
- Thread starter taras4444
- Start date
Depends upon your "style". With music videos given the choice, I'd probably go with the steadicam. That said, be prepared to do some seriously work learning how to use a steadicam properly. Not something you can pickup in an afternoon. Pulling focus on a steadicam is no walk in the park either. Never used the 14-140, but it might be a safer bet. Engaging OIS and a good shoulder mount you could do many of the moves of a steadicam and you would have the flexibility of a telephoto if you need it. Unfortunately as it has been well documented here, the lens is painfully slow.
Oliver Rush
Well-known member
For the rare shots where I need something like that I got the 14-42 lumix lens, mainly for the OIS. I figured if I was going to get a native m4/3 lens for that kind of work, may as well get the cheap one. I mean it is crappy from a usability standpoint (though I doubt the 14-140 is much better), and the build quality is well, plastic (what do you expect from a $150 kit lens). But other than being a slow varifocal design with stupid elctronic focus controls, it is not that bad IQ wise... i mean I paid about $150 for mine and for a lens that is $150 new it performs well enough, it does the job in those situations. Really, it is not hard to keep in focus with it, even while handholding at 42mm, as it is @ 5.6 open at 42mm and you have a decent DOF to work with, and at 14mm where it is a f/3.5 open, it is stupidly easy to keep your subject in focus.... but yea, for nearly $1K the 14-140 is not worth it IMHO, and will leave you disappointed if you are after real video style autofocus. I would not consider any lens for autofocus for the AF100... Frankly, If you want AF and OIS and long parafocal zoom, etc, I would grab a camcorder like the EX-1 or HPX or whatever.
Also, for an ultrawide, I would consider the tokina 11-16 f2.8... Fast, constant aperture, parafocal, ~$650... really, 11mm is WIDE on the AF100... I frankly find the extra stop for low light more valuable than the extra 4mm the lumix goes wider... and the tokina covers s35 as well (and full frame from 15-16mm)!!! Also, you dont need OIS on ultra-wides, and probably won't see it on the new 7-14mm for that same reason... I usually cant tell if the OIS is on or not on the 14-42 on the 14-18mm end of it... Really, it is only 20mm and up that I notice it making a difference.
Also, for an ultrawide, I would consider the tokina 11-16 f2.8... Fast, constant aperture, parafocal, ~$650... really, 11mm is WIDE on the AF100... I frankly find the extra stop for low light more valuable than the extra 4mm the lumix goes wider... and the tokina covers s35 as well (and full frame from 15-16mm)!!! Also, you dont need OIS on ultra-wides, and probably won't see it on the new 7-14mm for that same reason... I usually cant tell if the OIS is on or not on the 14-42 on the 14-18mm end of it... Really, it is only 20mm and up that I notice it making a difference.
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Hi just to clarify i wont be using the auto focus features or anything, this is simply about getting a smooth and less shake shot as possible. So you think the ois on these lumix lenses arent particularly great? So i might be better off getting the merlin and practising with it? As for the tokina, what mount will i need with it and will it not do any of that crop factor thing ive heard about? I've heard a lot of people go on about how great it is and it does sound likes its that v the lumix 7-14mm... hmmmm
Oliver Rush
Well-known member
I never said the OIS was bad on those lenses... it is the best thing about the lens and pretty much the only reason I bought it as I pretty much have everything it covers in much faster nikon glass. What I was saying is on wider focal lengths, you dont need OIS as much, and at lengths like 18mm and wider, you cant hardly notice it. That is not due to the OIS, it is due to wider lenses not showing things like camera shake as much. And again, that is why you probably won't ever see a 7-14mm with OIS... There is just no need for it from a practical standpoint and 99.999999% of the time you would not even notice it doing anything.
BTW; dont think about crop factor. It is really a misnomer and a major source of confusion that people are using to compare FOV across camera bodies, and I dont I don't feel like going on about it right now. To sum it up, a 14mm lens is a 14mm lens, and any 14mm lens will have the same FOV on the AF100, regardless of what the lens is designed for, as long as it will cover the sensor. Lenses such as the Tokina have a little extra coverage as they were designed for larger sensors, which is a plus as you can use it on a future camera which may have a larger sensor. Get it in a nikon mount and get a good adapter with iris control like the adaptimax plus or the novoflex) and you are good to go for ultra wides.
Personally I am avoiding the merlin topic... My opinion on cheaper steadi rigs is not to high... and please don't just think you can throw on a steadicam and a vest and start getting those awesome steadi-cam shots... it takes ALOT of practice to set-up and use a steadi-rig well, hence why it is really a speciality thing and trained steadi-ops make good money... I would not waste money on a merlin/vest setup, and if you want to do steadi, then go all out and be a steadi-op. It is an art in itself. That is just my opinion on that side.
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Rick Burnett
Section Moderator
My problem with the Merlin and the Blackbird (I own) is that the weight of the AF100 with battery and lens is pushing the Blackbird to the point it is almost too heavy to use for any length of time. I think if you are going to go Merlin, DEFINITELY consider the vest. I can't speak specifically about the Merlin itself as in looking at both I was happier with the Blackbird system, what I can say is that yes, it takes practice, but it was worth it to me. I'm thinking of removing the handle and the grip to see if I can lighten the AF100 a bit more and get more use out of my Blackbird until I can afford a vest.