GH2 Wedding/Business Video Glass Suggestions

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DevonH

Well-known member
Hey All,
I'm enjoying working with my GH13 on my documentary so much that I've chosen to purchase a GH2 to go along with it, and begin doing some pro-bono weddings and business videos (testimonials, bio's, etc.) over the next 6 months, and then begin moving into paid work. My GH13 will be running b-roll on a tripod somewhere in the room, while I use the GH2 for closer shots, and during the reception.

I was lucky to find a nice collection of FD's that had been sitting in a lady's closet for a good 20 15 years: 50mm 1.8, 24mm 2.8, 35-70, and then a 100-300, and while these lenses have served me well (and will most likely be my main lenses for business videos), I'd like to add to my set. From my research over the past week here on the forums, Primes can be a hassle at weddings, and I'd like some suggestions on good zooms that may play well with the look of my primes.

I'll be getting the 14/42mm with the GH2, which has mixed reviews, my budget is around 1000-1500, and I'd like to get 3/4 decent pieces of glass. (If you have thoughts on how I could come in way under that, and be set to start, I'd enjoy hearing).

After some more research I'm looking at the following

14/42 Kit
Rokin 85mm
20mm Pancake
Olympus 15-44
Maybe also the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S, and sell some of the Canon FDs (Nikon is supposed to be sharper)



Thanks,
Devon
 
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I use Nikon glass. Much sharper!
I doubt you will be switching glass very much, but it all depends on your shooting style.
I usally go with the kit lens on my steady rig, since its wide and allows for image stabilization.
Then the 50 and the 20mm for prep shots and dinner stuff since I can use a tripod and get some nice focus shots.
I would probably use the 20 and possibly the kit for the main ceremony.
As for the evening dinner stuff, id go back to the 20... and maybe the 50.
However, this is all within my shooting style. I like details, but I like showing the entire picture... especially for the main events. I also shoot solo, so I have to play it safe and dont have time to setup detail shots always.
Some people like to just shoot details, and in this case, you would be using the 50 and the 85 mostly.
The 85 is a huge Zoom, also you need major stabilization to use it. Its very sensitive to movement.
 
Thanks for the response Dal, I've been through hundreds of posts since I posted this, and it seems like "just about" any of the popular lenses will work; as you said, it's all relative to style.

My thought on the 85 is to put it on my manfrotto in the back for the ceremony.

Perhaps the 20mm, and then the 50mm Nikon to start.
 
I think the 20 and the 50 will give you that good shallow depth.. giving you that great "in the moment" looking shots.
The kit lens is a great all arounder actually. I dont use the zoom much, but it gives good image stabilization and is pretty fast to find it's focus...
20, 50, and kit... I think you'd be set for most wedding scenarios.
 
I've been doing a lot of research on this recently but it really is so difficult to find a decent fast zoom for weddings and events. I don't see using a medium or a wide prime working that well for the ceremony. It might work for one but not for the other. For the ceremony you would need at least a short zoom, it would have to be constant aperture and fast. So what does that leave you with choice wise...

Tokina 11-16 2.8 Nikon mount — Wide but short zoom
Tamron 17-50 (34-100) 2.8 — Apparently has a short lens throw meaning follow focus would be difficult - Anyone else verify this??
Sigma 18-50 (36-100) 2.8
Nikon 17-55 (34-110) 2.8
Canon 17-55 (34-110) 2.8

So whilst the range is great, f-stop is workable in low light of churches (et al), its still on the long side.

So unless you mount two cameras side by side, one with the short zoom Tamron and the other with one of the longer zooms, you are kind of stuck at 35mm+. If this was the case though it might be worth putting a fast prime on the second camera rather than t he 11-16—although have a little focal zoom to play with is always nice.

So yeah there is not much available unless you invest in the Zuiko zooms of course. But then you have to either pay for a pricy f2 constant aperture, or something like the 12-60 (f2.8-4) and deal with the exposure change with cutaways.

I really do want to make the GH2 work for me, but its difficult only for lens choice.
 
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