Newbie GH1 questions.. continued...

S

sebek

Active member
Hello, I got my GH1 last week and had some more questions:

1. What's the difference between a Canon FD 50mm 1.8 and a Canon EF 50mm 1.8 lens? both work on the GH1?
2. when I am in creative video mode, I can only use Manual focus? I also notice that when in Manual focus, when I press the shutter button halfway, the lens will focus. Is that the way it suppose to work or is that just another way to focus other than turning the lens?
3. I want to purchase something small to put the camera on for stabilization. Is the Opteka X-GRIP handle good for the GH1?
4. Which Canon FD to m 4/3 adapter do you recommend?
5. I'm thinking about getting a lens. I only have the 14-42 which came with my camera. I will shoot mostly video. Which lens would you recommend from these:
a. Canon FD 50mm 1.4
b. Canon FD 50mm 1.8
c. Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II
d. Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.8D AF


Thanks in advance!
 
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1. FD lenses are older manual lenses that were used with pre-Autofocus film cameras. The EF lenses are the modern version with autofocus and auto-iris. Since EF lenses do not have a manual aperture ring you will not be able to adjust the aperture if you mount one via an adapter on a GH1. The FD lenses, being designed for manual use, are a better option and are a popular choice since they are inexpensive and of reasonable quality.
2. You can use manual focus or autofocus (assuming you're using an AF lense) just like in any other mode except that autofocus will continually adjust in either AF-S or AF-C. You change between modes using the knob on the top left as per usual.
4. I have a Novoflex which is very good but it's expensive and if I were doing it again I'd buy a cheaper one. There are many.
5. a
 
Thanks. Are the 50mm FD lenses, shorter or longer than the 14-42? so basically, do they extend out more or less (with FD adapter) than the 14-42?
 
#3: The X-grip is a good size for the GH1/GH2. Here is a shot of my GH2 with the 14-140 on it:


GH2-Xgrip.jpg


Also the follow shots in this video were done with the GH2 on the X-grip with the 20mm pancake:

 
sebek said:
Thanks X-Grip looks great. Are there any others that are even smaller and just as good?
Click to expand...

Here are some more cheap(ish) options:

http://www.spiderbrace.com/
http://www.amazon.com/BARSKA-Accu-Handheld-Tripod-System/dp/B001JJCI5Q/ref=pd_sim_p_11
http://opteka.com/csx1.aspx

Not so cheap (full on cage):
http://web.me.com/markwatkins/northsidesports.tv/Media_Cage.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/708736-REG/Zacuto_Z_DZC_DSLR_Z_Cage.html
http://www.eoshd.com/content/507-Panasonic-GH2-goes-pro-exploring-the-ReWo-GH2-cage-Part-1

But this is what I really plan on using when stability is a must (and portability is desired):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737980-REG/Manfrotto_561BHDV_1_Fluid_Video_Monopod_W_Head.html

Check out this wonderful video of the GH2 on the 561BHDV-1 monopod here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gof74TSBbK8

Good luck and have fun!
 
sebek said:
Still wanted to ask if anyone uses an FD adapter from Hong Kong
Click to expand...

Since nobody's answering you I'll give you a tangential answer. No I haven't tried that adapter. I have tried a cheaper adapter for my M42 lenses and it didn't work properly. I also have a heavy brass M42 adapter that I got from Belorus. It works but doesn't fit quite properly although it doesn't intefere with the functioning of the lenses.

I have the Cieco7 FD adapter and now his M42 adapter (plus one other). They are all superb, fitting perfectly with no play. So this is a round about way to advise you not to cheap out on adapters. Spend a little more and get quality product. I strongly recommend his stuff. Your lenses will thank you for it.
 
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