GH3 m43 lens wishlist What do you guys think?

T

tipdrinker

Member
Hi.

I've been trying to compile a lens wishlist for myself of a set of lenses that could cover most of my requirements for my style of shooting that would be (mostly) usable if I were to upgrade beyond m43 in the future, so mount versatiliy is key. I've tried to strike a balance between cost, quality and low light performance. I was wondering what you guys thought of my proposed set of lenses and if you'd recommend others or point out what I could be missing: (prices are a rough estimate)

slr magic 12mm f1.6 €500
(This one obviously wouldn't work full frame but I reckon would hold it's value and seems to be the best wide fast prime option for m43)

vivitar/kiron 24mm f2.0 €250

contax zeiss 50mm f1.7 €170

Tokina AT-X 235 Pro 20-35mm f2.8 €300
(According to l powell this is a zoom that would work well manually, aperature ring, focus ring, parfocal)

Total: €1230

 
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Good choices. However if I was in your position buying lenses for the first time, Zeiss would be my main goal... to fill any range in which one can be found for an affordable price. Honestly on the GH2, they are second to none. They are hands down the best "photo" lenses for video that I've ever come across.

Instead of the 24mm... maybe consider the Zeiss Contax or ZF 28mm. It's magnificent. I've owned the Nikkor 24mm f2 and it was a pretty good lens, but didn't hang onto it for very long. It was a tad bit more soft than I would have liked, and didn't feel it was better than other options in that range for the price.

Or, consider the Sigma 30mm 1.4... I would classify that lens as a classic at this point... So much amazing footage on the GH2 and other DSLRs have been shot on it. Very sharp, but not artificial like lumix lenses, pretty darn fast at 1.4 and the image honestly looks incredible. This has consistently been my favorite all-around prime lenses for the GH2, outside of other Zeiss offerings.

Then add a super cheap, but fantastic telephoto: Rokkor 135mm 2.8 (you can find these for about $50-$60)
 
I have two of the Contax 50mm f/1.7 lenses and they are awesome. My understanding is that they are sharper than the f/1.4 version. I love the lens. I've had the Zeiss ZE 50mm f/1.4 and I think the C/Y 50mm f/1.7 is so much better.

One thing to consider is Metabones' new announcement of an adapter from EOS to M4/3 that gives your EOS lenses so much more compatibility and power.
 
That's good to know about the 1.7 it's about half the price also. The 24mm f2.0 Zeiss seems about 700 on e bay. Not sure I'm prepared to spend that much hmm.
 
Polaroid22 said:
How about the voightlanders?
- voigtlander 25mm f0.95mm
- voigtlander 17,5mm f0.95mm

Cheers
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I have the Voightlander 25mm f/0.95 and it's an awesome lens. With that new Metabones adapter coming out, you'll be able to get that kind of speed and sharpness out of an EOS lens with full electronic control (hopefully). So, it might be a good idea to wait and see if you already have Canon glass. It still might be a cheaper option if you have to get multiple lenses in the future.
 
The voightlanders etc are great but not a fantastic investment for the future imho opinion due to the fact it only fits the m43 sensor, ant too expensive for me. However the new SLR magic 50mm t0.95 could be amazing with the metabones adaptor as it's full frame! What would the f stop equivalent be I wonder? F0.6?
 
Maximum input aperture .... f1.26 . Yep, this thread just got a "wait and see" sign hung around it's neck !
 
With the maturity and professionality of system choices, I don't think anyone has to keep considering "upgrading from" m43 unless it simply doesn't suit what you need to do.

I don't see the Metabones Speedothing affecting the value of the Voigtlander 17.5 or 25... they have a unique combination of speed, quality, function, and compactness. To get the same effect with a reduced FF lens, you'd be looking at f1.4 24mm and 35mm lenses, most of which alone cost more than the Voigts unless you "slum it" with Rokinons, and are HUGE in comparison.

With the number of great, slick, compact 50/1.4 lenses in my pile, though, my yearning for the SLR Magic 35/0.95 is now greatly reduced.
 
maranfilms said:
The kiron 24mm f2.0 is very sharp, It's a great lens, one of my favs on the gh2. Usually can be found for a couple hundred.
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Do you find that it remains sharp wide open, or does it soften a bit or have chromatic issues?

This is a great thread. I'm trying to get something wider than my 50mm 1.8 nikkor. Fun lens (we all have one of these right?) but too tight.

The Lumix 20mm 1.7 looks nice, but it seems people feel it has too much of an electronic look to it? I'd spring for a Voigtlander, but out of my budget right now.
 
Ryan Farnes said:
Do you find that it remains sharp wide open, or does it soften a bit or have chromatic issues?

This is a great thread. I'm trying to get something wider than my 50mm 1.8 nikkor. Fun lens (we all have one of these right?) but too tight.

The Lumix 20mm 1.7 looks nice, but it seems people feel it has too much of an electronic look to it? I'd spring for a Voigtlander, but out of my budget right now.
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Ryan, have you seen the news:
http://philipbloom.net/2013/01/13/speedbooster/

That 50 (is it series e?) is my fav. Now it can be a 35mm 1.2!
A 35 f2 ai Nikkor can be a 24mm 1.4

*The cost of said 35 plus the passive nikon-mft adapter would be around $600 - half the cost of a Voigt (which probably has built in focal reducing elements)

*That kiron would be a 17 1.4 - w/ the added benefit of superior mft wide open
 
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Yeah. I thought I saw something about it being about a $600 device. And its only for E-mount right now, correct?

Definitely promising. I simply don't have enough lenses to justify it yet, but I definitely will keep my eye on it.
 
Ryan Farnes said:
Do you find that it remains sharp wide open, or does it soften a bit or have chromatic issues?

This is a great thread. I'm trying to get something wider than my 50mm 1.8 nikkor. Fun lens (we all have one of these right?) but too tight.

The Lumix 20mm 1.7 looks nice, but it seems people feel it has too much of an electronic look to it? I'd spring for a Voigtlander, but out of my budget right now.
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yes it is sharp wide open, its a trait these kirons are known for, theres also a 28mm f2.0, which i also have, very good lens, i prefer the 24mm though, i also have a 24,and 28mm canon, but i feel the kirons produce a nicer image. if you buy make sure the iris works, these have a rep for being stuck wide open due to the breakdown of the lubricant, they can be cleaned fairly easy though.
 
Ryan Farnes said:
Yeah. I thought I saw something about it being about a $600 device. And its only for E-mount right now, correct?

Definitely promising. I simply don't have enough lenses to justify it yet, but I definitely will keep my eye on it.
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In March, a passive Nikon - Mft should release for $400. Its like doubling the lens collection you have - except that these doubles are optically superior and a full stop brighter. So you could opt for a set of very inexpensive f2.8 lenses - and end up with a set of top performing f2 lenses.
 
Sage said:
In March, a passive Nikon - Mft should release for $400. Its like doubling the lens collection you have - except that these doubles are optically superior and a full stop brighter. So you could opt for a set of very inexpensive f2.8 lenses - and end up with a set of top performing f2 lenses.
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Does sound very cool. Love how an adapter will actually improve the lenses by reversing the crop factor, bringing more light and improving clarity.
 
+1 for contax zeiss glass. I have a pair of the 50mm f1.7 (which is sharper than the 1.4 wide open,and my go to interview lens), the 28mm f2.8 and the 135mm 2.8 also. I've found having a macro lens very useful, and IMHO you can't beat the vivitar 55mm bang for buck.

my 02
 
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