GH2 Nikon Manual Lenses: Adapters and Focal Lengths

Boncrek

Boncrek

Well-known member
Ok so I would like to ask some of you wonderful forum members here on what adapters you are using to put your Nikon manual primes on your GH2.

I've heard good things about the Voigtlander so far but are there any other ones worth mentioning?

Also, what focal lengths would you suggest I start out with when it comes to manual nikon primes. I figured an 18mm, 24mm and 50mm would be good to start. The 18mm should cover my steadicam needs (until I can get something wider, that 2X crop is killer) and the 24mm and 50mm should cover my interview setups. Comments appreciated.
 
I have 28/2.8 AI-s and 50/1.4 AI with Voigtlander adapter. For me 28mm is kind of all-round lens, it gets to very versatile 56mm focal length. 50mm I use for shallow dof details shots and portraits.
I would definitely consider 20/2.8 AI-s Nikkor over 18mm f3.5.
I also have m42 adapter, there is a whole bunch of cheap m42 lenses and many of them are very good.
 
I am no power user so take this with that disclaimer. I went with RainbowImaging.biz adapters and am having good success with them. I had a problem with the one Nikon adapter and they replaced it for me. That also might have been "operator error" so not at all knocking them for the issue. The replacement works fine, just like the rest of my adapters.

I investigated the 50mm and depending on who's opinion you read, the f1.8 is the sharpest, unless the reviewer likes the f1.4 better. Either way, those are ranked right at the top by almost everyone. I went with the far less expensive D version of the f1.8 and love it! The only problem I am having with it is the DOF at f1.8 is razor thin. That's not the lens' fault, but can't imagiine trying to make an even shallower DOF work, at least not with the skills I have.

The one lens I also like that's not a Nikon is the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 which seems to be way underpriced. I bought that in a Nikon mount to eliminate the need for one more adapter in my bag. I got it from Amazon when one day they had it for just under $250.
 
Voigtlander all the way- I use it with a Nikon 50mm F1.2 and a sweet Zeiss ZF2 25mm.

Noah
 
What about the wide angle side of things? Im worried that I wont be able to cover the wide end If I go with only primes as there aren't any cheap wide primes other than native lenses. Any one have any experience with this?
 
I'm using the Novoflex adapter and I'm very happy with it.

- Nikkor 28/2 AIS - love the IQ on this - really sharp with excellent contrast and color
- Nikkor 50/1.8 AIS - sharp, sharp lens - my copy is slightly warmer than my 28/2

For wide angle, your best bet is getting the Nikon mount Tokina 11-16/2.8 - best option AND value at this point.

Cheers
 
I'm no power user, either, but... I'd suggest one of the cheaper adapters, too. I think mine's rainbow imaging and it works just fine. (i think it was $25. the version i have doesn't allow for aperture control of the newer "G" lenses, those may cost more.) In Nikkor glass my favorites have probably been the 24mm Af-D 2.8, and the 35mm Af-D 2.0. I like the 35mm as a close-up lens maybe more than the 50. depends. (I'll admit to enjoying some of those classic portrait 85 mil CUs too. I suggest the vivitar series 1 85 1.8 in Nikon mount. Always seemed like a good almost secret lens). are you dead-set against Lumix lenses? I've found they match up fine with Nikons - I use the 20mm and 14mm pancake lenses, and the 20mm in particular you might like for Steadicam use since it's so light. As far as going wide, those 2 cover it pretty well I think. even most folks who've shot movies on 35 haven't shot movies in full frame (stills-another story) - the 2x crop factor is not the killer you may have heard.
 
Oh- I also agree with the Nikon 20mm over the 18mm. The 20's a great lens, but again for the price, and for the GH2, really consider the Lumix 20.
 
JeffHarriger said:
I'm no power user, either, but... I'd suggest one of the cheaper adapters, too. I think mine's rainbow imaging and it works just fine. (i think it was $25. the version i have doesn't allow for aperture control of the newer "G" lenses, those may cost more.) In Nikkor glass my favorites have probably been the 24mm Af-D 2.8, and the 35mm Af-D 2.0. I like the 35mm as a close-up lens maybe more than the 50. depends. (I'll admit to enjoying some of those classic portrait 85 mil CUs too. I suggest the vivitar series 1 85 1.8 in Nikon mount. Always seemed like a good almost secret lens). are you dead-set against Lumix lenses? I've found they match up fine with Nikons - I use the 20mm and 14mm pancake lenses, and the 20mm in particular you might like for Steadicam use since it's so light. As far as going wide, those 2 cover it pretty well I think. even most folks who've shot movies on 35 haven't shot movies in full frame (stills-another story) - the 2x crop factor is not the killer you may have heard.
Click to expand...

Well Im not dead set againt Lumix Lenses. I was favourable towards the Nikon primes because they were cheaper and more future proof than the Lumix lenses. But I had wanted somethign wide angle as well. I have been considering getting something like a Olympus 12-60 instead of a set of primes. It would not* have the electronic focus wheel like the lumix lenses so it could be used on a follow focus in the future.
Then there's also the cheaper 14-54mm MKII which autofucuses on the GH2 which is good for the occasional stills but it has the electronic focus so its not as future proof.
 
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I just got the Nikon 50mm 1.4D. But my MetaBones adapter hasn't arrived from Hong Kong yet, so I can't say from first hand experience how the image it makes looks.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/97413-USA/Nikon_1902_AF_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_4D.html

Someone also recommended this older model Nikon 1.4. Said it has smoother manual focus. But from looking at pictures on Flickr, in my opinion, the bokeh was a bit muddy, whereas the "D" version was not. YMMV.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/36977-USA/Nikon_1433_Normal_50mm_f_1_4_AIS.html

I also have my eye on the Rokinon 85mm 1.4 in Nikon mount. I can't decide if I'd use it or a 35mm more right now. I also have the Lumix 20mm and 14 - 42.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=769363&is=REG
 
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