GH5 Overly specific search for a perfect GIMBAL Lens (help! details inside)

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filmguy123

Veteran
So, I have native Olympus 12mm, Leica 12mm, Voigtlander 10.5mm and 17.5mm, Laowa 7.5mm, Pana-Leica 12-35. (Yeah, I know, that's a lot of native wides - gross, right?).

EF Speedbooster with a 17-55 zoom, Zeiss Milvus 15 and 21.

But I stiiiiillll havennn''ttt found, what I'm looking for.

Specifically, I want a small, compact, lightweight lens that is NOT a native *electronic* MFT lens, and that does not require a speed booster. An all manual MFT lens with good optics that does not pass any electronic sharpening to the body would be good - IE the voigtlanders would fit the bill, but need it smaller and lighter.

- Focal length ~ 24mm-28mm FF equivalent (so, 12-15-ish native MFT). Not too wide.
- Not overly clinical look - want to take the edge of the GHx series. Vintage would work! But not a vintage lens that is overly prone to flares, as flying around can cause issues there. Also not many vintage options as wide as needed, unless utilizing a speed booster.
- No speed booster because if it needs an adapter, a small lightweight adapter that I can leave PERMA mounted to the lens for quick swapping in and out
- Zoom lens could be ok if it looks great and isn't too heavy

I know there are options out there... guessing Samyang, Tokina, Sigma, Rokinon, etc.... but what of those really fits the bill while also giving me a nice smooth, organic image on the GHx? Some of my native lenses are perfect, but I've never been pleased with the sort of digital video look I tend to get back on them versus the creamier look of the voigtlanders, but those voigts are just big and heavy and long enough to make the gimbal struggle.

Using a Zhiyun Crane V2.
 
Pretty much any 12-15 is going to be physically large and heavy, that front lens is large to provide the angle of view and heavy.

This may fit the bill, but I have one and it is large and somewhat heavy. not an overly wide angle on my GH2 which has a larger sensor area in video than a GH5 (not sure about 5s). With speed booster it is wide like an action camera. https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-15mm-f-2-8-fisheye-fd-mount-lens-built-in-703963.html

This on a booster might be OK, but again not exactly light weight. https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-20-35mm-f-3-5-l-2-touch-fd-mount-lens-72-702774.html I also have one of these, but have not converted to EF mount yet. Between my 24mm and my 15mm, I can't get a few angles I want, with or without booster. The 24 with booster is not wide enough, the 15 without booster is not wide enough, and the 15 with booster is too wide for many things. I think the 20 with booster might be just right.

This with a booster may be just right for you and a little lighter than the zoom https://www.keh.com/shop/canon-20mm-f-2-8-fd-mount-lens-72-canon-20mm-f-2-8-fd-mount-lens-72.html

You can get a "cheap" FD booster and just leave it attached if you want, or spend another $100 and get an EF mount to screw in place. If I was buying, I'd buy the extra mount so that it was EF (passive) and be able to use it on other cameras.
 
Rokinon 12mm t2.2 is my lens of choice when I need wide and full manual. There is the photo f2.0 version as well. Since the lens is designed for smaller sensors it tends to be more detailed than the FF Rokinon lenses. Not as sharp as native lenses but not as enhanced either. Fairly small and light considering its made for a smaller sensor. Pretty darn affordable as well. Got mine on an amazon lighting sale for $230.00
 
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I was quite pleased with the image from my Samyang 12mm f/2

Here's a sample with the GH4 I did a couple years ago to give you an idea on a mechanical stabilizer what the image can look like. Remember the crop is 2.49x in UHD on the GH4 so it's quite a bit tighter FOV that what you'll get with the GH5(s). It's pretty representative of all conditions and some super hot lights in there. Just family junk at Christmas and far from narrative work :)

https://youtu.be/Zecroxo1EV4

Cheers, Pete
 
Ok, so far:

Samyang 12mm f/2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1080323-REG/samyang_sy12m_mft_bk_12mm_f2_0_ultra_wide.html

Rokinon f/2.2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...TwqacrvPEcGpwIjJuGSqXVhk7KoLnifwaAqsJEALw_wcB

Rokinon f/2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1047016-REG/rokinon_rk12m_mft_sil_12mm_f_2_0_ncs_cs.html

Are those Rokinons electronic though?

The KEH links don't look wide enough (well except for the 15mm - but it's a fisheye - looking for zero-D or close to it), and as mentioned in the first post, a speedbooster + those heavier lenses rule them out. The Olympus mentioned is native electronic, so it is out. (Also, I once owned that lens and sold it).

Any more thoughts on the Samyang? (also, your link doesnt work for me)
 
This one might be a little wider than what you are looking for, but I have had great success with the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 10mm T2.1 (approx. f/1-8)

https://vimeo.com/106458574

Bear in mind that that footage was shot on the GH4, which has a greater crop factor over the GH5. However, engaging the Ex Tele mode on the GH5 brings the FOV back in line with that of the GH4.
 
The 15 is not a fisheye on an m43 camera, it is only a fish on a full frame 36x24 imager. Yes, I know it has a lot of lens there, but a fish it is not. But that's neither here nor there, I think it will be too heavy for a gimbal.

Also Samyang, Rokinon, Bower, and a few other "brands" are all Samyang. Sometimes you can find the exact same lens with a different "brand" printed on it for a very different price.
 
filmguy123 said:
Ok, so far:

Samyang 12mm f/2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1080323-REG/samyang_sy12m_mft_bk_12mm_f2_0_ultra_wide.html

Rokinon f/2.2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...TwqacrvPEcGpwIjJuGSqXVhk7KoLnifwaAqsJEALw_wcB

Rokinon f/2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1047016-REG/rokinon_rk12m_mft_sil_12mm_f_2_0_ncs_cs.html

Are those Rokinons electronic though?

The KEH links don't look wide enough (well except for the 15mm - but it's a fisheye - looking for zero-D or close to it), and as mentioned in the first post, a speedbooster + those heavier lenses rule them out. The Olympus mentioned is native electronic, so it is out. (Also, I once owned that lens and sold it).

Any more thoughts on the Samyang? (also, your link doesnt work for me)
Click to expand...

100% manual with no electronic connection. They may have a m43 mount but its a dummy mount. They are all pretty much the same lens. Cine version is t2.2 which is just a more accurate way of saying f2.0. Same glass, just a different method of measuring how much light passes through.
 
Aha, interesting. I'll have to look into these. So far these 3 (well, 1 in 3 variations) seem the best, with a native mount, no electronics, and only .5lbs.

Heard great things about the Veydra mini primes, but they are 1lbs which is too much, and also very pricey given my dedicated use intent.

14-15mm would be ideal to get a less aggressive wide, but 12mm ain't bad.
 
So the Samyang looks pretty good...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfvcALls-8

Video is on a Sony A camera (s35 sensor), and great grade on Resolve, but looks nice. (c3hammer, your link didn't work). Lots of others on the GHx line. Looks nice. Not digital-ish. Reviews seem surprisingly good. Not bad for a $300 little bugger.

Thomas, you mentioned these are all the same - so it's just a rehoused design by both Samyang & Rokinon? Is the focus ring likely any smoother on the cine version, or just has the FF gear and cine markings? I wouldn't need those.

You also mentioned rokinon smaller glass is more detailed than FF - why? How is the design changed?

If they're all the same basically, any reason at all to choose Samyang over Rokinon or vice versa?
 
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I have the SLR Magic 12mm. It has a little bit of weight to it, but my Crane Plus handles it fine. The more I shoot with it, the more I like it. It definitely has "character" and is a bit prone to flares, but that's not something that bothers me.
 
I have a set of SLRMagic hyper Primes....12-35...though the 12 is no longer available ( they replaced it with a 10) I think it would be perfect for what you want....looks amazing on the GH5....it is fully manual and a T1.6 though a bit soft till T2.0 though not as bad as the Voight...the 10 might start "bending" the edges of the frame with movement as very wide lenses do...the 12 flares in direct light, so you have to watch for that....there are reviews for the 10...they are around 400 to 500 grams, but small and the construction is bombproof...if you look for a used 12, do not buy one that was 1st generation...you can read online why...IMOyou cannot beat this lens for this specific need of yours. The 12 is what I would look for.
 
filmguy123 said:
Aha, interesting. I'll have to look into these. So far these 3 (well, 1 in 3 variations) seem the best, with a native mount, no electronics, and only .5lbs.

Heard great things about the Veydra mini primes, but they are 1lbs which is too much, and also very pricey given my dedicated use intent.

14-15mm would be ideal to get a less aggressive wide, but 12mm ain't bad.
Click to expand...

I don't find the rokinon all that aggressive and if I recall correctly may be a little bit tighter than other 12mm lenses anyway. Could be closer to 13mm. I believe the Olympus 12mm is a bit wider so you may get a little closer to that 14mm that you want anyway.
 
SLR magic looks really nice too. Why did they discontinue the 12mm? 10mm is too wide for me, to be sure.

Realistically hunting down a used 2nd gen SLR magic 12 vs a brand new, order today and have in hand early next week, Rokinon 12mm seems like a hassle unless there is something truly magic it offers over the Rokinon? Plus, the black version of the Rokinon 12mm is pennies right now - normally $400, on sale for $299, with another $35 off for the black photo version... $265 new with a 2% rewards back at BH... yes please.
 
filmguy123 said:
SLR magic looks really nice too. Why did they discontinue the 12mm? 10mm is too wide for me, to be sure.

Realistically hunting down a used 2nd gen SLR magic 12 vs a brand new, order today and have in hand early next week, Rokinon 12mm seems like a hassle unless there is something truly magic it offers over the Rokinon? Plus, the black version of the Rokinon 12mm is pennies right now - normally $400, on sale for $299, with another $35 off for the black photo version... $265 new with a 2% rewards back at BH... yes please.
Click to expand...

Hunted one down for you in the US...probably still brand new....this is the generation to buy
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/SLR-Magic-H...745287?hash=item4b4034bd07:g:~MwAAOSwQGZawimZ
I have a lens not a camera problem...convenience rarely matters when it comes to good glass
 
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