GH2 Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 - Manual Focus

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d1rockwild

Well-known member
To those with this new lens, how are you guys finding it? I just shot a wedding with it. Indoors, and about average lighting for a church. I tried out the Face Detection Auto Focus Continuous with my GH2 as the bridal party was walking down the isle. It didn't really keep up. Coming from using manual focus primes, I had my fingers crossed I could control zoom while this nifty new lens would handle the focusing. Ended up switching to MF when the bride came in, which is super smooth, and best fly-by-wire lens I have. However, I have a feeling it'll still be a while, if ever, until these fly-by-wire lenses really feel closer to a real, manual focus lens. I mean, a subject moving directly towards camera is gonna be quite trying on AFC, I suppose. But I just wanted to share that note in case anyone else had high hopes for AFC with this lens. What I don't get is, why can't we have a mode where the focus changes irregardless of how slow or fast we turn the focus ring? I think that would solve 90% of my problem with it.

Does anyone have a lot of good experience focus tracking event work with the touch screen? I've always been hesitant to try this out as I can't imagine finger prints all over my LCD is worth the trade off. There is the stylus I suppose..
 
When handheld, I currently shoot with my left hand on the lens so I can rack focus when needed. I'm looking to put together a simple follow focus system to make that easier.
 
How do you find the f2.8 in low to average light? I have found it probably is not enough for low-average light shooting. Wish they made these lenses f2.0 to make up for the smaller sensor size.

I'm deciding between the GH3 + 12-35+35-100 f2.8 or the Sony A99 + 24-70mm f2.8.
 
Well the f2.8 is only a bit better then f3.5 that most typical zoom lenses start at. It is however a lot faster then what those zoom lenses get on the long end which is typically f5.6. So if you stay wide only a little bit better but once you zoom the difference will be huge.
 
d1rockwild said:
What I don't get is, why can't we have a mode where the focus changes irregardless of how slow or fast we turn the focus ring? I think that would solve 90% of my problem with it.
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Thank you! I wish they would do this too, because fly-by-wire has really poor repeatability for pulling focus! It seems like it would be a really simple menu option for manufacturers to make: accelerated focus or linear focus. Maybe even the ability to choose a multiplier ratio so that you could go from close focus to infinity focus in 1/4 turn, 1/2 turn, full turn, 2 turns, etc, when using the linear option. We can only dream of this seemingly simple option that no one seems to have addressed yet. Hmmm, maybe I should write up a proposal and start a petition.

Does anyone have a lot of good experience focus tracking event work with the touch screen? I've always been hesitant to try this out as I can't imagine finger prints all over my LCD is worth the trade off. There is the stylus I suppose..
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While I haven't used this function, if it's anything like when you push the shutter to focus while recording, it ends up being too jarring because it's way too fast. It's nothing like a pleasantly smooth rack focus, but a super-snap focus instead.
 
svem said:
How do you find the f2.8 in low to average light? I have found it probably is not enough for low-average light shooting. Wish they made these lenses f2.0 to make up for the smaller sensor size.

I'm deciding between the GH3 + 12-35+35-100 f2.8 or the Sony A99 + 24-70mm f2.8.
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It depends on what your generally shoot. I know that's an old adage here but it's true. I got this lens almost primarily for wedding ceremonies. Which I find, usually have medium, indoor light, to bright, outdoor daylight. I'd say, 1 to 2 in 10 weddings for me is in a dark church. So I have a 50mm f/1.2, but also need the FD 85mm f/1.2 for the really dark ones. Also, highly considering the Olympus 50-200 for my 2nd shooter, with an 85/1.8 ready to go too, for dark, churches. My 2nd shooter generally hangs back farther, so the extra reach is necessary.


Shenan said:
Thank you! I wish they would do this too, because fly-by-wire has really poor repeatability for pulling focus! It seems like it would be a really simple menu option for manufacturers to make: accelerated focus or linear focus. Maybe even the ability to choose a multiplier ratio so that you could go from close focus to infinity focus in 1/4 turn, 1/2 turn, full turn, 2 turns, etc, when using the linear option. We can only dream of this seemingly simple option that no one seems to have addressed yet. Hmmm, maybe I should write up a proposal and start a petition.



While I haven't used this function, if it's anything like when you push the shutter to focus while recording, it ends up being too jarring because it's way too fast. It's nothing like a pleasantly smooth rack focus, but a super-snap focus instead.
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Totally. We should push for this. Even a "Slow", "Medium", "Fast" and "Variable" for the focus ring. Firmware update?

Thanks for the note in the touch screen tracking.
 
Jim Simon said:
When handheld, I currently shoot with my left hand on the lens so I can rack focus when needed. I'm looking to put together a simple follow focus system to make that easier.
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Just in case your thinking about repetable focus it doesnt work with the 12-35, so hard stops or marks on your follow focus aren't going to give you that feature. I'm going to assume the 35-100 is the same.
 
Erik Naso said:
Just in case your thinking about repetable focus it doesnt work with the 12-35, so hard stops or marks on your follow focus aren't going to give you that feature. I'm going to assume the 35-100 is the same.
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While I didn't have a chance to test much with my rented 35-100, I did have a chance to test this - and no, no repeatable focus.
 
svem said:
How do you find the f2.8 in low to average light? I have found it probably is not enough for low-average light shooting. Wish they made these lenses f2.0 to make up for the smaller sensor size.

I'm deciding between the GH3 + 12-35+35-100 f2.8 or the Sony A99 + 24-70mm f2.8.
Click to expand...

Constant 2.8 on a zoom is pretty darn sweet. If you need faster then go with primes. They'll be sharper wide open than a zoom anyway.
 
svem said:
Wish they made these lenses f2.0 to make up for the smaller sensor size.
Click to expand...
Olympus does. They're not without flaws (basically centering on weight, price, and lack of OIS or auto functionality), but they exist and they're spectacular.
 
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