What's better, 20mm f/1.7 or a bunch of old used lenses?
- Thread starter Arch Stanton
- Start date
Camera Expert
Well-known member
The Canon could be better if you’d rather focus manually since manual focusing may take a bit longer on the Panasonic but then again, the Panasonic has the constant auto focusing for video that the 10x lens has although a little slower and noisier. The Panasonic is also a bit wider which is a big plus especially if your trying to get as much in the shot as possible.
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ajamils
Well-known member
but considering that Nikon is $100 vs $499 for the panny, doesn't the make Nikon an instant winner ? (not sure how good the quality is though)
Also, if I get a Nikon, which adaptor will I need for GH1 ?
Also, if I get a Nikon, which adaptor will I need for GH1 ?
It comes down to whether you want auto-focus and auto-aperture or not. If you find them useful, then the Panasonic is the way to go. If you don't need them, then the Nikon or Canon makes sense. The Panasonic is also smaller and lighter.
Camera Expert
Well-known member
Just to clarify, that Panasonic lens is $400 not $500.
Soroush Shahrokni
Active member
I'm considering swapping the kit lens with a Panasonic 20 f/1.7 and add the 14 f/2.8 when it arrives. I'm just a bit worried how footage from those lenses will intercut with footage shot on Nikon glass.
Panasonic should release a prime set for GH1 filmmakers, 7, 14, 25, 50 f/2.8 or faster with O.I.S. Priced right and I think they could be a hit.
Panasonic should release a prime set for GH1 filmmakers, 7, 14, 25, 50 f/2.8 or faster with O.I.S. Priced right and I think they could be a hit.
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
The Nikon 50mm f1.8 is great, virtually all 50mm primes for 35mm cameras are quite good. There is a huge difference between a 20mm and a 50mm lens however...completely apples and oranges. The only thing these two lenses have in common is that they have very nearly the same wide-open aperture.
thisisapocalypse
Well-known member
That would be a cool set, but probably damned expensive if you want AF and OIS on all of them. The trouble is buying into such a specialized lens system that has no history and an unknown future. I think it makes more sense to get some legacy Canon/Nikon primes for much less money and be able to use them on future camera bodies, as well as old ones. I can definitely live without AF, OIS would be nice, but they could release a camera body eventually with in-camera image stabilzation, which would be the best-case scenario, since you'd then get OIS on every lens you have...
Come to think of it, Panasonic could theoretically build a body that would make any lens you put on it auto-focus as well... Contax used to have a camera that had a movable film plane, I believe you set whatever lens you put on it at infinity, and then the film plane (this would be the sensor on a digital camera) moved back and forth in order to achieve focus automatically...you probably could not have in-camera IS and AF with this arrangement, but it would be really cool if they made a body with that feature. It's nice because this sort of technology (AF/IS) gets better all the time, so you could continue to improve the AF/IS of your rig, without having to buy new lenses.
Camera Expert
Well-known member
I also believe that those lenses would definitely be expensive but the m4/3 format does look like it’ll have a good future. So far you have both Panasonic and Olympus fully onboard and we will very soon have Fuji onboard.
Rayzrsharp
Active member
It will look fine. I just picked up a 20mm 1.7 today at Samy's camera in Los angeles for $379!! I asked the guy 3 times he said yeah its discounted and I love it! It is noisy tho and the manual focus for it is a bit annoying given that you have to turn the darn thing more than usual to get focus. But the auto focus is nice. Bottom line, I'm very happy with this lens. I have a Nikon 50mm 1.8 that I love but this 20mm 1.7 is soooo cool.
Soroush Shahrokni
Active member
Thanks Rayzrsharp, I guess I'll buy one as well. I didn't want to invest in any m4/3 lenses when I got the GH1 but I think I'll stick with this system for a while so why not have some light and fast lenses to go with it.
Rayzrsharp
Active member
Okay, its a official... this 20mm 1.7 is SICK! Its quickly replacing my Nikon 50mm 1.8. I love that I can use autofocus with it. Its tack sharp! Anyone considering or thinking twice about getting it... GET IT! You won't be disappointed.
Rayzrsharp
Active member
I did the latest firmware today. Unfortunately, I just got the 20mm 1.7 yesterday so I can't tell the difference in terms of focusing so far. I'm too caught up in the image and the fact that I CAN autofocus. I guess all i can say is that its fast and doesn't hunt much at all - at least to me. I've been using the focus feature that focuses on lines in the shot and it picks it up right way. Go to a camera store and play with it. I'm pretty sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
ErikTande
Well-known member
Go for the pancake, it's still a great lens. Awesome photos, great video. Also, most older lenses won't be as sharp wide open, so you'll end up stopping them down a little.
Reflex Films
Active member
The 20mm lens with a vari ND rocks - and its great for interviews as you get in nice and close ( and thus achieve great easy sound with the Rode video mic shotgun mounted on top) for a nicely framed face / interview composition - you will be about 4ft from your talent - but the small cam lets them feel relaxed
its a really sharp lens near f1.7
some creamy arty examples of my 20mm below - (for the money - its a no brainer and destined to be an absolute classic )
https://vimeo.com/38726097
https://vimeo.com/24813337
its a really sharp lens near f1.7
some creamy arty examples of my 20mm below - (for the money - its a no brainer and destined to be an absolute classic )
https://vimeo.com/38726097
https://vimeo.com/24813337
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Martti Ekstrand
Veteran
I abhor fly-by-wire focus lenses so for me it's a non-consideration: old lenses + adapter. If you really need low-light save your money and get the 25mm f/0.95 Voightländer. I just love mine, one of my favorite piece of gear of all time.
vision_filmz
Carbonite Member
Judging by that footage you need the hack, really out of focus and not good quality. Gh2 looks very poor without the hack...