GH2 Next lens (or gear?) purchase

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Pocketedcomments

New member
So, I'm still getting started in terms of gear and lenses. At the moment I have a Panasonic 20mm F1.7. And a few Canon FD lenses (24mm F2.8, 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4). And I'm wondering where I should go next in terms of equipment. I mostly make narrative shorts (that's the pretentious way to say crappy student shorts, right?) I've got a little bit of money put aside, and I've got a few options that I'm hoping that you guys can set me in the right direction for.

So because of all the FD lenses I have, I was thinking a Canon FD 85mm F1.8 might be my next best bet, to give myself a larger range of lenses in the same set? But it's quality isn't going to be as good as the others I could get with the money I have (but then I could put more money into equipment?)

Alternatively it's so hard to get a good wide angle lens for the GH2, and I was leaning towards the SLR Magic 12mm T1.6. I've heard so many good things about it, but I'm wondering if the quality difference between the FDs would be too obvious?

The final lens I'm looking at is the Voigtlander 25mm F0.95. It's a little bit out of my price range, but I can borrow a little bit of money and get it. I've heard (and seen) nothing but good footage from it. My only worries (other than the price) would be that I've already got the 20mm and 24mm, and they're quite similar in focal length, and this lens would make them quite redundant.

But then there's the option of gear, I don't have anything. So maybe this is what I should be dropping money on next?

Anyway, suggestions on any of these would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.
 
I'm in pretty much the same boat. Why not sell your 20 and 24mm and get the voigtlander? 85mm I think is a good choice for variety of lenses. Also, do you have a follow focus? Do you have a matte box? Do you have a decent tripod? Do you have a shoulder rig? Do you have a good shotgun mic? All good investments.
 
I've got an ok tripod and Rode Video Mic Pro... But that's it for gear. The thought had crossed my mind to sell the 20mm and 24mm, but I'm too attached to my 20mm to sell it...
 
I wouldn't sell the 20mm, that's the only "native" m4/3 lens you have and believe it or not it is one of the most highly "sought after" native lenses for the GH series. You have enough in the way of lenses right now, the FD are pretty good optics so learn to use effectively what you have.

You don't need as "much" tripod with the GH series as you would with heavier gear but if the head on your tripod is not smooth panning (and the legs take 1/4x20 threaded heads) B&H still carries the Velbon PH-368 "fluid effect" head for $40. While it's not a "true" fluid head it is amazingly smooth when the drag is adjusted to the weight of your camera.

You don't need a "rig", follow focus does not work well with m4/3 focusing "by wire", so for hand held use I recommend the DSLR version of the SpiderBrace shoulder rig. Under $100 delivered in the U.S.

Save most of your money until experience begins to tell you what you need.
 
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