GH2 Size Matters

[Guest]

People often like to use the phrase "size matters" when referring to sensor size, as their main interest is shallow dof.

But I find FF focal length standards of 20, 28, 35, 50, 85 to be somewhat awkward, when mounted on APS-C/H (1.6x crop, s35) cameras. They are often too cropped or not wide enough.

For example, the 50mm is too cropped for most practical situations, and when it is used for closeups, it doesn't have enough reach for a good impacting close up, and requires the operator to get closer to the subject, but then unflattering distortion begins to take place. And I am not even talking about extreme close ups either. But the 85mm is too far reaching, and requires impractical distance from subject, and is also limited to tripod use typically.

Does anybody find these focal lengths to be better on a 2x crop m4/3 sensor?

 

[Kholi]

1.8x

And I find that all focal lengths are much more pleasing the larger the sensor gets. Shooting 5K made me actually like the look of a 50Mm, a focal length I rarely like to use.

Adversely, a 50 (or preferably a 40) would be about right on a gh2 for medium close.

 

[DrDave]

I use the Panny 20mm, Olympus 45mm and the Vivitar 55mm, as well as the 14mm end of the 14-45, and I think there aren't any big issues for me. I would like a 12mm and an 8mm, for sure.

 

[FrameFarmMedia]

Like others I am finding a wide will be my next purchase. I'm currently using a 28mm f2 FD (KIRON), 50mm f1.8 FD, 85mm f1.4 Rokinon (Oly 4/3)

My next purchase will be either the Tokina 11-16 2.8(Nikon mount) or the Hyperprime 12mm 1.6. each have their pros and cons so its lucky I don't have the money (damn kids at Christmas) at the moment and time to wait and watch the feedback once the 12mm is released to everyone.

 

[Guest]

1.8x

And I find that all focal lengths are much more pleasing the larger the sensor gets. Shooting 5K made me actually like the look of a 50Mm, a focal length I rarely like to use.

Adversely, a 50 (or preferably a 40) would be about right on a gh2 for medium close.

Did you mean the 5D?

Do you prefer the characteristics of a 50mm on a GH2 vs a Canon t2i?

 

[maranfilms]

Do you prefer the characteristics of a 50mm on a GH2 vs a Canon t2i?

I have both cams, and can honestly say their so very close. Some argue and say it makes a big difference. I don't see it. Were talking 1.6 on the canon, and a 1.8 on the pani. So what that equates to is moving the camera a step or so back or foreward. Yeah, some locations it might make a difference, most wont though.

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[iHartVideo]

I have both cams, and can honestly say their so very close. Some argue and say it makes a big difference. I don't see it.

I dunno... I did a test between my Nikon (1.5) and the gh2. There is a rather large difference - you can see it here: http://blog.ihartphotos.com/gh1-vs-d300s

 

[cowpunk52]

I dunno... I did a test between my Nikon (1.5) and the gh2. There is a rather large difference - you can see it here: http://blog.ihartphotos.com/gh1-vs-d300s

Try a 16:9 video frame grab from each camera. That would be a much more pertinent test for video shooters, and the difference would also be less pronounced. As is, this example doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[Kholi]

Did you mean the 5D?

Do you prefer the characteristics of a 50mm on a GH2 vs a Canon t2i?

Nah, 5K. Epic.

5D, though, this is true as well. I'd be more inclined to reach for a 50mm as my go to lens, then a 35mm.

GH2 I'd be reaching for a something between 20 and 28mm as the main prime.

 

[Guest]

I dunno... I did a test between my Nikon (1.5) and the gh2. There is a rather large difference - you can see it here: http://blog.ihartphotos.com/gh1-vs-d300s

Thank you, for that. This is what I was looking for. It seems the 50mm would be more practical on a gh2 as a close-up lens, than a standard apsc size sensor camera.

 

[Kholi]

Thank you, for that. This is what I was looking for. It seems the 50mm would be more practical on a gh2 as a close-up lens, than a standard apsc size sensor camera.

Exactly.

I don't know if I could roll without at LEAST an 11, 20, 28, and a 50mm on GH2...

But it's kinda worth the hassle I've come to realize.

 

[Guest]

Nah, 5K. Epic.

5D, though, this is true as well. I'd be more inclined to reach for a 50mm as my go to lens, then a 35mm.

GH2 I'd be reaching for a something between 20 and 28mm as the main prime.

Haha, ok.

Is the Epic sensor larger than a Canon/Sony/Nikon crop sensor?

 

[Kholi]

Haha, ok.

Is the Epic sensor larger than a Canon/Sony/Nikon crop sensor?

At 5K you're using the entire sensor (or most of it), it's larger than S35, which means larger than Canon/Sony/Nikon.

 

[Guest]

At 5K you're using the entire sensor (or most of it), it's larger than S35, which means larger than Canon/Sony/Nikon.

Very cool.

I can see that extra little room would give new life to 35,50, and 85 focal lengths.

When I shot with the old Nikon F4, I really enjoyed the 35,50, 85. They seem like logical spatial crops. The distortion associated with each lens seemed more appropriate, as well.


Crop sensors are nice on the telephoto end, and FF are nice on the normal and wide. Haven't used Medium format or larger, but imagine that 85mm makes a beautiful wide angle, while on a crop sensor it makes a low distortion ultra tele.


The 28mm focal length has that typical wide angle bulgy distortion, yet, on a GH2 it is used as a 'normal' lens. Does the distortion bother anyone?

At this point, I realize I am asking questions that have subjective answers. And I should probably just go out and borrow a GH2, but I am actually also interested in finding out what others like and don't. A sort of mutual dialogue.

 

[Kholi]

At this point, I realize I am asking questions that have subjective answers. And I should probably just go out and borrow a GH2, but I am actually also interested in finding out what others like and don't. A sort of mutual dialogue.

You probably should. Haha. In the back of my mind I have issues with the sensor size, but in practice I don't. It's a matter of getting the camera and actually doing your own tests to figure out if it bothers you or not.