GH2 What GH2 lens setup should I go with?

[RegaliaFilms]

Hey, so I've had a GH2 for a bit now, and I'm in need of some nice lenses, I did some research and I came up with two different lens setups. Can't decide which one I should pick so if the community here could help me it would be very wonderful.


SETUP 1:
Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II


SETUP 2:
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon 28mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens


I'm going to be filming for the most part, short films, and I want lenses that will give me a nice cinematic feel? (can't find the right word to use here) But, just want to get your guys' opinions on these setups and what you guys think I should do. I am on a budget here so if you are going to make other suggestions for setups please try to keep it below $850. Thanks!

 

[Bruce Foreman]

Hey, so I've had a GH2 for a bit now, and I'm in need of some nice lenses, I did some research and I came up with two different lens setups. Can't decide which one I should pick so if the community here could help me it would be very wonderful.


SETUP 1:
Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF (and the Sigma if in EF mount) will give you problems. You will have no aperture control with inexpensive adapters. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a pretty good choice but you may need to use some slight diffusion to kill some of the sharpness if you will be going for some of "soft" look found in some films. The Cokin #1 diffusion filter works well for this, and some say the Tiffen Black Diffusion series does. With the GH2 I found the Tiffen Black Diffusion #3 to affect the colors a bit but I could work with it. #2 and #1 may be better.

SETUP 2:
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon 28mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor
Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens

The older Nikkors may be more to your liking plus may cost quite a bit less. The AF feature will not work on the GH series cameras.

I'm going to be filming for the most part, short films, and I want lenses that will give me a nice cinematic feel? (can't find the right word to use here) But, just want to get your guys' opinions on these setups and what you guys think I should do. I am on a budget here so if you are going to make other suggestions for setups please try to keep it below $850. Thanks!

Older "legacy" lenses will tend to be softer than modern "native" m4/3 optics, but there is MUCH MUCH more to a "cinematic feel" than lenses or the 24fps frame rate. Lighting, composition, set, costume, and exposure for starters. A knowledge of general basic photography is pretty much a must.

Plus the "cinematic" feel or look is constantly changing and evolving. With the advent of digital projection in theatres everything is moving towards a generally sharper rendition than in decades past.

So I would recommend the Lumix 20mm f1.7, Olympus m.Zuiko 45mm f1.8 for starters with the 14-42mm "kit" lens (if you have it) for it's 14mm wide end. And Cokin #1 (and the #2 for when heavier diffusion is wanted) filter with adapter rings for each of the lenses, and wring this combo out.

If you don't have that "kit" lens look for a Lumix 14mm f2.5, used ones can be found on the buy/sell section of mu-43.com.

The other approach is to go for older "legacy" Minolta, Pentax, Nikkor, and Canon FD lenses. But I think you're better off with "native" m4/3 lenses and diffusion where needed. The 20mm and 45mm mentioned above will get you started, others can be added as budget allows.