Worth it to Sell my 7D with 35mm 1.4 L lens for GH2 plus more gear?

JoeJITSU

JoeJITSU

Veteran
I will be using this for video purposes only. I love the extreme lowlight of the combo of the 7D and 35mm 1.4 L lens but I have been doing some reviews and noticed that the GH2 is superb in lowlight. I can probably throw a 50mm 1.4 FD lens on the GH2. What do you guys think?
 
Well, Joe, it all depends on why you have a camera in the first place. What do you do with it? And now that you've spent the money, would it be worth it to sell it at whatever loss, and pour more money into something else?

If the 7D does what you want, then quit shopping and start shooting. You've already got it, the money's already spent, and if you already love what you've got, why change?

If the 7D doesn't do what you want, then that's the time to go shopping. Does the GH2 do things better than the 7D does? Definitely. Does the 7D do things the GH2 doesn't? Sure. Probably the main thing is, if you're in a market where people are asking for a Canon camera by name, well, you've got one. But if that's not what you do, and you aren't beholden to the whims of fashion of what may or may not be in demand at the current moment, then evaluate them based on what you shoot and whether what you have, does what you need.
 
A 50mm on the gh2 will provide a fairly narrow FOV in comparison to your 35mm on the 7d. A better match for the gh2 would be something in the 20-30mm range to match FOV or have a slightly wide FOV. There's the 20mm 1.7, 25mm 1.4 Leica/Panny, The 25mm Voigtlander 0.95, and the Sigma 30mm 1.4 that would give you a better FOV match compared to the 50mm FD. Or you could keep the 35mm you have and then wait for the eos-m43 adapter to keep on using it.
 
JoeJITSU said:
I will be using this for video purposes only. I love the extreme lowlight of the combo of the 7D and 35mm 1.4 L lens but I have been doing some reviews and noticed that the GH2 is superb in lowlight. I can probably throw a 50mm 1.4 FD lens on the GH2. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Well...if it's strictly for video...then make that move. I also went from the 7D to GH-1 (awaiting a GH-2 now). You'll get used to it.
 
A Canon 35mm L is a GREAT lens. I'm of the camp that the lenses are more important than the camera. Eventually there will be an 8D, 9D, 10D or whatever and you'll still have a killer lens to put in front of it.

But also, like Barry said, if you find that your filming longer live performances, having lots of issues with moire, etc. then you should be looking for something else and the GH2 will get it taken care of.
 
I'm a big fan of sticking with what you know and getting stuff done with what you have. Selling off capable gear to buy the next new thing is a slippery slope lined with a lot of waiting. I would only switch if I were having significant difficulties dealing with a camera model's quirks. But they all have them.
 
The lenses are something that really make both of the cameras so appealing. I like the 7D for some things over the GH2... It's consideralby more simplified in the menus and the operation but in that, it's also limited a bit too. I do think that the 7D is a sweet camera for stills but the lack of an articulating LCD is another factor...

One additional thing to consider is that you can put almost any lens on the Gh2. I just inherited a Pentax 135mm 2.8 and a 50mm 2.0 Both given to me for free and the adapters cost 20 bucks.. So even as a trash lens, it's an amazing deal....

I do echo Jerry's sentiments in that putting money into the lenses is sound advice.
 
I would sell the 7D but keep that 35L and get an adaptor. That is a great lens. Then later, buy the next gen full-frame for Canon.
You should have 2 cam bodies if you are serious with video/stills work. Sell the 7D while you can...i think it will be harder to sell later on as new models come out from the Canons/Nikons/Pannys
in the world.
 
Well I already have 1 Gh1(3), Sold my unhackable GH1 and have an HMC40(love this camera). I love that the 35L on the 7D is amazing. Way better shots in lowlight (clubs) that my GH1 with 50mm 1.4 FD. But I also want to get a Glidecam Vest for my wife (who is my business partner as well). So after weighing down everything and reviewing and researching the internet on the GH2's lowlight capabilities , it is very possible that I may sell my 7D setup and get the GH2 for $999 and the glidecam vest. Thanks everyone for your inputs. As always I appreciated everyones answers here.
 
I just wished somebody would take the little GH13 (or the newer GH2) seriously... I can never get it out... client's look at it compared to the 7D and I can't convince them...

I like the 7D but the over-heating is killing me... today's shoot I had the HPX302 taking the audio and the 7D grabbing vision... poor little GH13 sat in the case again...

Cheers
 
For what its worth, I've been doing extensive tests with my 5D Mark II vs. GH2 for the last two weeks. Mostly the 20mm Pancake, the Voightlander 25mm on GH2 and a 35mm USM on 5D. I think thats a fair match up. There are times when the 5D has a roll off to its highlights and shadows that produces are more "filmic" look, but its a exception not the rule. Detail, color, etc the only thing the 5d is winning at hands down is noise. 1600 is near perfection on 5D, iffy on GH2. But then again, with the mirrorless operation I can take steadier photos at lower shutter speeds, so its almost a moot point. I'm assuming the 7D would be similar, toward a little worse. I may sell my 5d for more m/43 accessories...
 
I dont have a 7D but a 5D MKII and a GH2. At first I cant confirm "that the GH2 is superb in lowlight",
The GH2 is Ok in lowlight, bur far away from "superb". The 5D MkII is very good in lowlight and much better than the GH2. The most people who claim the "superb" lowlight qualities of the GH2 never used a 5D MKII I am afraid.
But the GH2 has a lot of advantages in the variety of possibilities as there are flip screen, EVF, autofocus (though its not state of the art, but better than only manuel focus).
I will use the GH2 as a "perfect" second unit, when I reach the borders in handling my 5D.
Benn
 
Well the only thing holding me back now is what was commented by one member here. Which is what will some clients think when I'm shooting a wedding and ask questions like " don't you have a canon or a Nikon?" or "that's a small camera" and so forth. I do have a shoulder rig with a mattebox but I'm just not sure.
 
Well you know, JoeJITSU - thats the ironic thing - but perception is everything for clients, it will affect how they percieve your end work too. It's silly, i remember like the hvx200 sometimes compared illy towards something like a canon xl1 all because of its appearance to clients etc
 
It's really unfair to compare the low light capabilities of the GH2 to the 5D Mark II since those are 2 completely different cameras. With the high premium that the 5D Mark II commands, that's expected. What I'm basically saying is that people who are praising the GH2's low light capabilities knows full well that the Canon 5D Mark II is better but again, it's 2 very different cameras.

Speaking of size, some clients wont care how small it look and it's true that it depends on the clients.
 
If you have a client present then sometimes a monitor will be necessary and or a blessing. People will say very little to you if they see a monitor with a great image...

I also recommend pimping it out with some rails and a follow focus and a mattebox.. i"m pretty much there myself with exception of the mattebox, but since I inherited the rods and the follow focus for free I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm also a bit on the fence about a mattebox and if I want the hassel/advantages.. and then if i get one, I'd like it to be a swing away version....
 
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