Where can I go to find a primer on digital filmmaking with the GH1

vcassel

vcassel

Veteran
Hey guys, newbie film student here who just ordered a GH1 body only. I'll need to buy some lenses for it and I've been reading through the forums here, but find the mass of information in tech speak to be a wall that's difficult to surmount. It's even harder seeing as how I have no real photography experience or anything to test on (yet). I guess I'd like a zoom lens to start with in order to find what focal lengths I like the best, but this whole adapting to micro 4/3s and changing the focal length or whatever confuses the hell out of me. I'd also like to move on to a set of cinematic primes as I develop my skills and work on shorts. I love the look of the Leica R series (the little I've seen) and what some people here have acheived with the Lomo anamophic lenses, but then I've been told the Leica aren't cinematic primes or that I'd need a $1000 Hot Rod mount for the Lomo lenses and that leaves me even more lost as to what to do. I need to find something - maybe an online guide or a book - that can lay it on me straight as to what to start out with and move onto in laymen's terms. I'm begging you, as someone who's desperate to learn, but becoming ever more confused and with no idea what to buy, is there anything out there that can help me "join the club"?
 
I recommend starting with a cheap, fast Nikon prime lens like this. You will also need one of these.

If enough people are interested I will consider putting together a guide.
 
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October Black said:
I recommend starting with a cheap, fast Nikon prime lens like this.

If enough people are interested I will consider putting together a guide.
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Thanks for responding! So, when using a lens like this that 50mm is it really like using a 100mm with a micro 4/3s camera? And the 1.8 F stop, that's pretty low, yeah? That means it's good in low light?

I would very much appreciate a guide! I would have bought one at the bookstore today if I had seen one. But I'm guessing there are some particulars to the GH1 that should be understood in depth before one can get started.
 
Oh, and I'm guessing I'd need an adapter for that lens? My mind is melting. :undecided

Edit: Ooops, NM just saw the other link you provided. Thanks again!
 
That's the best explanation of it ever offered to me! Just a picture and I got it. Like I said, the tech speack sometimes bewilders me. I know I have to form an understanding of the language, I just can't follow some of the conversations yet.

So what's the normal way of adjusting to this cropping problem? Moving back or getting a 25mm lens when you want to shoot 50mm?
 
Moving back is the proper way. A 25mm lens has a different angle of view, look here and scroll down to lens types and effects.
 
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You can think of the 24-28 mm range as 'normal' on GH1. Anything above is tele, anything below is wide.

Luminous Landscape's review of GH1 is also a pretty good primer on using it for video:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/gh1.shtml

Hot Rod Cameras have some good basic advice in their blog

http://www.hotrodcameras.com/2009/06/17-tips-for-shooting-with-the-panasonic-lumix-dmc-gh1/

http://www.hotrodcameras.com/2009/06/gh1-film-look-new-tips/

Then scrape through this forum, use the search function and you'll find tons of tips and advice. Especially check the hardware section for info on lenses and adapters.
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
You can think of the 24-28 mm range as 'normal' on GH1. Anything above is tele, anything below is wide.
Click to expand...

Does that mean that mean that lenses in the 24-28mm range that aren't micro 4/3s don't suffer from the cropping? What is the effect of wide lenses? The opposite of what happens with the tele?

Luminous Landscape's review of GH1 is also a pretty good primer on using it for video:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/gh1.shtml

Hot Rod Cameras have some good basic advice in their blog

http://www.hotrodcameras.com/2009/06/17-tips-for-shooting-with-the-panasonic-lumix-dmc-gh1/

http://www.hotrodcameras.com/2009/06/gh1-film-look-new-tips/

Then scrape through this forum, use the search function and you'll find tons of tips and advice. Especially check the hardware section for info on lenses and adapters.
Click to expand...

Great, I'll start reading now. Thanks!
 
Regarding focal length there's no difference between m4/3 lenses and other lenses. My GH1 kit lens set to 24 mm yields exactly the same field of view as my Canon FD 24 mm. Focal length for a given lens is a constant, what differs with different sensor / negative sizes is the resulting field of view. All this talk of 'crop' stems from the misconception that 135 mm film (aka 'full frame') is some kind of golden standard for photography. It's not, ask any Hasselblad owner.
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
Regarding focal length there's no difference between m4/3 lenses and other lenses. My GH1 kit lens set to 24 mm yields exactly the same field of view as my Canon FD 24 mm. Focal length for a given lens is a constant, what differs with different sensor / negative sizes is the resulting field of view. All this talk of 'crop' stems from the misconception that 135 mm film (aka 'full frame') is some kind of golden standard for photography. It's not, ask any Hasselblad owner.
Click to expand...

No idea what a Hasselblad is, but trust me, I take your word on it :)
 
Martti Ekstrand said:
Regarding focal length there's no difference between m4/3 lenses and other lenses. My GH1 kit lens set to 24 mm yields exactly the same field of view as my Canon FD 24 mm. Focal length for a given lens is a constant, what differs with different sensor / negative sizes is the resulting field of view. All this talk of 'crop' stems from the misconception that 135 mm film (aka 'full frame') is some kind of golden standard for photography. It's not, ask any Hasselblad owner.
Click to expand...


I was trying to give him a jumping off point and I prefer the look of a 50mm. It's field of view has a nice neutral look, plus it's cheap and fast. It's a great lens to start with. I hope I'm not coming off as defensive, but you did seem to snipe at me a little in your post.
 
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October Black said:
I was trying to give him a jumping off point and I prefer the look of a 50mm. It's field of view has a nice neutral look, plus it's cheap and fast. It's a great lens to start with. I hope I'm not off as defensive, but you did seem to snipe at me a little in your post.
Click to expand...

Looking for this combo on YouTube. Got any examples of it in your own work? This may just end up being my first lens when I get paid in two weeks. Is this lens part of a series I can expand on?
 
Panasonic GH1 Video Tutorials:

Welcome to the Lumix G Series Owners Lounge - your source for exclusive tips and tutorials from professional photographers on using your camera. Watch our model specific tutorial videos to the left to learn about your camera from photographer John Bentham.

http://www.livinginhd.com/go/promo/lumixg

Lenses For GF1/GH1
Review of many of the Panasonic GF1 MF and AF lenses. 14-45mm F3.5-5.6, 20mm F1.8 pancake, Sigma 30mm F1.4 Nikon mount, 35-70mm F2.8-4.0 Canon mount, 50mm F1.8 Nikon mount pancake, 50mm F1.4 Olympus OM lens, 50mm F1.4 Canon mount, 85mm F1.8 Nikon Mount.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7q9nP0fKB4
 
jleo said:
Panasonic GH1 Video Tutorials:

Welcome to the Lumix G Series Owners Lounge - your source for exclusive tips and tutorials from professional photographers on using your camera. Watch our model specific tutorial videos to the left to learn about your camera from photographer John Bentham.

http://www.livinginhd.com/go/promo/lumixg

Lenses For GF1/GH1
Review of many of the Panasonic GF1 MF and AF lenses. 14-45mm F3.5-5.6, 20mm F1.8 pancake, Sigma 30mm F1.4 Nikon mount, 35-70mm F2.8-4.0 Canon mount, 50mm F1.8 Nikon mount pancake, 50mm F1.4 Olympus OM lens, 50mm F1.4 Canon mount, 85mm F1.8 Nikon Mount.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7q9nP0fKB4
Click to expand...

Oh, wow! Those look to be some terrific resources as well. You guys have given me plenty info to chew before I make my decision. I know I may be too new to suggest something like this, but dare I say newbie resource links like these should be 'stickied'?

A thousand thanks yet again!
 
I recently picked up the book " From Still to Motion: A photographer's guide to creating video with your DSLR" And i must say it is absolutely chock full of great info regarding all aspects of DSLR film making. It was based on a recommendation from Stephen Mick and it hasn't let me down so far. The included DVD with videos and sample projects is worth the money alone.

Here's the thread for the Book: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=207520

As far as starting out, I was in a similar situation. I used the kit lens for a while (very good, just too sterile and clear for some of the cinematic looks I want) but soon found that I needed some nice prime lenses to really open up the creative potential of this camera.

First, you want to decide which brand of lenses you want to start off with. All of them have their unique characteristics artistically (and technically) speaking. Canon and Nikon are the most popular prime choices for micro four third adaptation. Once you decide which brand you're going to start with, get yourself an adapter. There are very inexpensive ones to be had on eBay for usually between $20-30 and there are more expensive higher quality adapters that go for over $100. I have one of each type of the cheaper adapters and haven't had any problems at all.

I started off with a set of good Canon FD prime lenses, I got 24mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 and a 135mm 2.8. Those lenses really covered just about all the focal lengths I wanted (the Panasonic native 20mm 1.7 on its way to me will complete the set). You can collect a similar set for well under $1000 easily. I suggest checking craigslist and looking for ads where people are selling "Canon AE-1 with lenses" because they are listed all the time and the included FD lenses are almost always dirt cheap because the owner has no idea that they hold a value in the Micro 4/3's scene. Even old C mount TV lenses can be used, and some of them look just beautiful! Sky is the limit. As others have mentioned, the larger the aperture the lower the f-stop number and the better it performs in low light. Typically, the brighter a lens, the more expensive it will be.

I'm selling a ton of lenses in the marketplace forum (including Nikon and Canon primes). If you want to take a look and see what can be used on your GH1, feel free to check out my ads. I have used many of them on my GH1.

Also, you mentioned buying a zoom lens earlier; I have a dozen PK and FD mount zoom lenses lying around and would be happy to send you something like an off brand 80-200mm for free (just cover shipping) if you want something to mount on the camera and feel out the different focal lengths "eyes on." PM me if you want to take me up on it.

The wonderful thing is that there isn't a wrong way to do it. Buy first party primes, or buy third party. Experiment and see what happens. The most important thing is that you get out and shoot and have fun!

I have only been into "Hybridography" for a few months, but have become obsessed with it. Be warned! I have also developed an addiction to glass!

Have fun! :cheesy:

-Greg
 
I appreciate the link too.
I've been googling the GH-1 for weeks and hadn't come across that site.
I've read the gh-1 manual over and over and there's still some confusion for me in certain areas.
I admit much of my confusion is based around a basic lack of knowledge in digital video.
 
Blucross said:
I recently picked up the book " From Still to Motion: A photographer's guide to creating video with your DSLR" And i must say it is absolutely chock full of great info regarding all aspects of DSLR film making. It was based on a recommendation from Stephen Mick and it hasn't let me down so far. The included DVD with videos and sample projects is worth the money alone.

Here's the thread for the Book: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=207520

As far as starting out, I was in a similar situation. I used the kit lens for a while (very good, just too sterile and clear for some of the cinematic looks I want) but soon found that I needed some nice prime lenses to really open up the creative potential of this camera.

First, you want to decide which brand of lenses you want to start off with. All of them have their unique characteristics artistically (and technically) speaking. Canon and Nikon are the most popular prime choices for micro four third adaptation. Once you decide which brand you're going to start with, get yourself an adapter. There are very inexpensive ones to be had on eBay for usually between $20-30 and there are more expensive higher quality adapters that go for over $100. I have one of each type of the cheaper adapters and haven't had any problems at all.

I started off with a set of good Canon FD prime lenses, I got 24mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 and a 135mm 2.8. Those lenses really covered just about all the focal lengths I wanted (the Panasonic native 20mm 1.7 on its way to me will complete the set). You can collect a similar set for well under $1000 easily. I suggest checking craigslist and looking for ads where people are selling "Canon AE-1 with lenses" because they are listed all the time and the included FD lenses are almost always dirt cheap because the owner has no idea that they hold a value in the Micro 4/3's scene. Even old C mount TV lenses can be used, and some of them look just beautiful! Sky is the limit. As others have mentioned, the larger the aperture the lower the f-stop number and the better it performs in low light. Typically, the brighter a lens, the more expensive it will be.

I'm selling a ton of lenses in the marketplace forum (including Nikon and Canon primes). If you want to take a look and see what can be used on your GH1, feel free to check out my ads. I have used many of them on my GH1.

Also, you mentioned buying a zoom lens earlier; I have a dozen PK and FD mount zoom lenses lying around and would be happy to send you something like an off brand 80-200mm for free (just cover shipping) if you want something to mount on the camera and feel out the different focal lengths "eyes on." PM me if you want to take me up on it.

The wonderful thing is that there isn't a wrong way to do it. Buy first party primes, or buy third party. Experiment and see what happens. The most important thing is that you get out and shoot and have fun!

I have only been into "Hybridography" for a few months, but have become obsessed with it. Be warned! I have also developed an addiction to glass!

Have fun! :cheesy:

-Greg
Click to expand...

That book you've mentioned looks great! Those are all great suggestions. I feel I'm really gaining a grounding in all this stuff now. I'd be forever in your debt for the zoom. I'll PM you. Really glad I started posting here!
 
Bluecross, just checked out some of what you're selling. Those look like great prices! I may make you an offer in two weeks time (payday) if they're still up for grabs.
 
Looking around at some of the posted videos, the Lomo anamorphic lenses seem to give a great look. I see it posted that they use a Hot Rod PL mount. Are there other, less expensive options available if I ever want to go the anamorphic route?
 
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