GH2 WHICH LENS for each shot?

V

vidguy22

Member
Hi,

I was planning on getting the 20mm 1.7 and the kit lens for mainly INDOOR SHOOTING.

Then I began to wonder where the 20mm is most useful?

Which lens WOULD YOU PICK for each shot here? { Indoors } { your own choice, doesnt have
to be kit lens or 20mm, but more economical the better. Also you could list a first choice,
and second choice, if you prefer }

thanks


photo upload

1 FULL SHOT ________________________
2 OVER SHOULDER _______________________
3 TWO SHOT _____________________________
4 HEADSHOT ______________________________
 
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depends on how much space i have to work with, whether it be a tight room or large room. I could shoot 1,2,3 and 4 with the 20mm. 1 could be a 14mm. 4 could be a 35mm or 45mm, again depending on space.

the 20mm is a decent all rounder unless you need a wide angle shot and run out of space to back up =)
 
From my lenses:

I'd use Canon or Takurmar 50mm for the close ups and O/S.
Probably a SLR magic 12mm for the 2 shot, or a Voighlander 25mm (if I had it).

I've got the 20mm 1.7 pancake, but I never use it for narrative, just corporate.
 
Working with those choices, I would absolutely light, with soft diffused sources over the characters, and shoot everything in the 24/30/35 range. (Tendency toward 30/35/40 for non action like this, 24 for action). And you'll get a decent f stop in the 4 range.
 
40 on the long for epic scale, and 30 in close for a sense of potential aggression/immediacy
.
 
For a full shot head to toe indoors you're going to need a wide lens, at least a 12mm. No other lens except if your shooting down a hallway will allow enough space for a full body shot. For your number#2 shot I would use 35mm-50mm range. Number# 3 shot I would use 20-28mm range. #4 shot no question, 75-85mm. So here's my breakdown

#1 Shot - 12mm or less
#2 Shot - 35mm-50mm
#3 Shot - 20-28mm range
#4 Shot - 75-85mm range


All of these shots except maybe the first shot can be done with the 14-140mm zoom lens, assuming you have lighting (which you can get pretty cheap).
 
Man, you guys got some great suggestions. I'll try and reply to each one. I wish moderator Kholi would chime in { 'cause I know he can get the "High-end Hollywood Look" } , but I imagine hes got too expensive glass!

thanks
 
MR Fanny said:
depends on how much space i have to work with, whether it be a tight room or large room. I could shoot 1,2,3 and 4 with the 20mm. 1 could be a 14mm. 4 could be a 35mm or 45mm, again depending on space.

the 20mm is a decent all rounder unless you need a wide angle shot and run out of space to back up =)
Click to expand...

Okay MR Fanny, you was first.

- - - - -

Okay cool. Im so new to this -- is it 2x crop factor from a 35 mm camera? wouldnt that make the 20mm a 40mm?

taken from Philllips blooms site .
http://philipbloom.net/2010/11/21/gh2/

"On a GH2 with the 2x crop that is a 25mm lens (35mm equivalent 50mm). "

I'm thinking then 20mm {now 40mm } is a little too wide for the closer shots, probably perfect for the 2 shot.
If I move in too close with the 20mm, Im worried about distorting leading ladies noses too big.

I wish I could solve all my needs with the 20 though!



35 or 40 okay cool -- [so convert 70 to 80 right} , but which one? this ?

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MAN EVERY TIME I POST A LINK, IT JUMPS TO THE TOP OF THE POST, super ANNOYING, must be my browser?

NEW BROWSER NOW - UPDATE - OK FIREFOX WINS AGAIN!!!
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you mean maybe this to get 30-40 ? $ 619 now separate. I cant find it in a KIT anymore

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-140mm-Micro-Four-Thirds/dp/B0028Y5GLO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

or the small kit lens?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...sr=1-2&keywords=Panasonic+Lumix+DMC-GH2+14-42


thanks bro

PS any size room you want, but I figure directing actors your gonna have to be somewhat close.
 
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Fresno Bob said:
From my lenses:

I'd use Canon or Takurmar 50mm for the close ups and O/S.
Probably a SLR magic 12mm for the 2 shot, or a Voighlander 25mm (if I had it).

I've got the 20mm 1.7 pancake, but I never use it for narrative, just corporate.
Click to expand...

hey Fresno Bob,

------------------------------------------------

I'd use Canon or Takurmar 50mm for the close ups and O/S.

okay {convert} 100 mm right? Is there one without an adapter needed?

you mean this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Super-...351376282&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Takurmar+50mm

=======================

you mean this canon ? anybody know what adapter I would need? Id lose autofocus, right? thanks

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-St...id=1351376609&sr=1-2&keywords=canon+1.8++50mm


OR THIS CANON HERE

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-...id=1351376609&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+1.8++50mm

ditto: what adapter?

thanks
---------------------------------------------
Probably a SLR magic 12mm for the 2 shot, or a Voighlander 25mm (if I had it).

sound like nice + adapter choices,


------------------------------------------------

I've got the 20mm 1.7 pancake, but I never use it for narrative, just corporate

ah! ugh. I didnt want to hear that! Im wondering why I've marked the 20mm for my shoots now? oops.



------------------------------------------------
thanks Fresno Bob
 
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Keep in mind that, compared to 5D2 shooting video, the crop on the GH2 is actually more like 1.86 than 2x. The AF-100 and GH3 will have 2x crop compared to 5D2 video.
 
you are right on watching distortion with the 20mm when going in close, but i dont see much. Im just suggesting the whole scene can be shot with just one lens if you are on a budget. But i think a 35mm or 45mm or 50mm fast prime will work best for scene 4. not a 35-45mm zoom, it doesnt exist.

what i have in my bag is the 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, oly 45mm f1.8. These 3 would cover your scene but its its not low budget.
 
MR Fanny said:
you are right on watching distortion with the 20mm when going in close, but i dont see much. Im just suggesting the whole scene can be shot with just one lens if you are on a budget. .
Click to expand...

Ok Right on. Yes Definately on Budget. But - not sure if the FEEL of the scene would be better low light
with 20mm, or High light with the Kit Lens.

Here are MY PLANS:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 PLAN 1 Finish this project with GH2, shooting interiors and exterior with budget {?} lenses. { or in
reality a. the kit lens. b. One or two more choices }

This is plan Im working on Now.

-----------------------------------------------------

2 PLAN 2: 7D / BMC

I also have a Canon 7D. { currently Not available to me }

Heres where it gets more complicated.

Also likely getting a BMC.

With the BMC I ordered the Canon Mount. then yesterday someone on the BMC forum noticed Im getting a GH2, and therefore thought I should change to the new BMC MFT mount.

OK, great. Except NO electronics on the MFT mount. So maybe better staying with Canon Mount.??? { Hence when I see people posting Canon lenses here, I think

Great -- Kill THREE birds with one stone! }

Now will I keep all 3? Unknown. they all specialize in different areas. GH2 great video.---- Canon 7D great stills.----- BMC great color. However, likely Reality will wake me up: " You idiot! You need to pay rent! Sell two! "


But today trying to get through this shoot.


But i think a 35mm or 45mm or 50mm fast prime will work best for scene 4. .

cool

what i have in my bag is the 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, oly 45mm f1.8. These 3 would cover your scene but its its not low budget.

nice. im gonna search for the 45 now.


thanks
 
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Also none of these lenses are cropped......
A 20mm is a 20mm no matter the lens. The only thing that changes is basically the size of a sensor. Furthermore I would not judge my focal length by what Phillip Bloom says. A 20mm lens on Gh2 is a 20mm lens, no need to compare it to a full frame sensor which is a whole different beast within itself.

So all of the focal lengths I mentioned are for the Panasonic GH2. When I say that shot is 85mm, then that's what it is. If anything we can judge by Film Cameras which are S35 and the gh2 is almost spot on....
 
J.F.R. said:
For a full shot head to toe indoors you're going to need a wide lens, at least a 12mm. No other lens except if your shooting down a hallway will allow enough space for a full body shot. For your number#2 shot I would use 35mm-50mm range. Number# 3 shot I would use 20-28mm range. #4 shot no question, 75-85mm. So here's my breakdown

#1 Shot - 12mm or less
#2 Shot - 35mm-50mm
#3 Shot - 20-28mm range
#4 Shot - 75-85mm range


All of these shots except maybe the first shot can be done with the 14-140mm zoom lens, assuming you have lighting (which you can get pretty cheap).
Click to expand...

-----------------------------------------------
ok. I'm trying to reply to everyones great suggestions. However - J.F.R. chimed in, so Im gonna take his post here out of line.

Im reposting this on this page for ease of discussion


photo upload
----------------------------------------------------
#1 Shot - 12mm or less
#2 Shot - 35mm-50mm
#3 Shot - 20-28mm range
#4 Shot - 75-85mm range


All of these shots except maybe the first shot can be done with the 14-140mm zoom lens, assuming you have lighting (which you can get pretty cheap)

Yeah, Ive got a minimal kit with me. so covered there.
Problem is I cant find the body with that lens in a kit. Only the 14-42 lens.

so here the link lens only

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-140mm-Micro-Four-Thirds/dp/B0028Y5GLO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

$ 619.00 bucks. Is that really the best way to spend the lens money?

{ I already have an 18-270 for the Canon , just not available currently - I wonder
lf anyone has mounted this lens on a GH2 yet? lol }

But anything Canon compatible is a plus ,

thanks
 
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J.F.R. said:
Also none of these lenses are cropped......
A 20mm is a 20mm no matter the lens. The only thing that changes is basically the size of a sensor. Furthermore I would not judge my focal length by what Phillip Bloom says. A 20mm lens on Gh2 is a 20mm lens, no need to compare it to a full frame sensor which is a whole different beast within itself.

So all of the focal lengths I mentioned are for the Panasonic GH2. When I say that shot is 85mm, then that's what it is. If anything we can judge by Film Cameras which are S35 and the gh2 is almost spot on....
Click to expand...

ok, now im REALLY confused. Im mainly used to Canon lenses. Your saying a Canon 50mm on a Canon 7D, for example is gonna look same FOV -- 50mm on a GH2 also?

thanks
 
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vidguy22 said:
ok, now im REALLY confused. Im mainly used to Canon lenses. Your saying a Canon 50mm on a Canon 7D, for example is gonna look same FOV -- 50mm on a GH2 also?

thanks
Click to expand...
He is refering to the optical pathway for that focal length always being the same (a 50mm). What changes is the sensor/negative size, which crops the image cast by the optics. Fov changes with sensor size.
 
vidguy22 said:
-----------------------------------------------


photo upload

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-14-140mm-Micro-Four-Thirds/dp/B0028Y5GLO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

$ 619.00 bucks. Is that really the best way to spend the lens money?

{ I already have an 18-270 for the Canon , just not available currently - I wonder
lf anyone has mounted this lens on a GH2 yet? lol }

But anything Canon compatible is a plus ,

thanks
Click to expand...


Best is subjective.... ALso that Canon lens as far as I know does not have a physical aperture on the barrel of the lens so you would need that to open and close the iris, which would need an adapter and even then you wouldn't know what f stop you were at.

Now if you have the 14-42mm kit lens then I would say you can probably do all of those shots, just a little tricky on the wide end as you might need a little more space when indoors. At the end of the day it's all about practice, which I myself do daily. I would use your 14-42,, Panasonic lens and see what you can and cannot do with it and how the image quality looks. Based off of that you will know if the kit lens is enough for your shoot or if you might need something extra....
 
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