GH2 Zuiko 35-100mm good choice?

J

jimmiesner

Well-known member
I am going all DSLR for weddings this year. I am thinking of using GH2's and my mind is made up on lenses except for the zoom. I know that Still Motion uses a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 with OIS on a 561BHDV monopod. I was thinking of using the Zuiko 35-100mm 2.0 on a 561BHDV monopod. The nice thing is it is a stop faster, however there is no OIS. What are your opinions. Do you think this is a wise choice?

We will have a second shooter and a third stationary camera, but this would be the main lens at the ceremony. Also the nice thing about that monopod is that it has feet. So during long moments in the ceremony you can take your hands off it for a second and let it rest. I just make sure I keep my hands around it, just in case. :)

Jim
 
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I used an Olympus 35-100mm f2 on a series of shoots last year and it delivered a superb image in very low light. However, it's rather unwieldy, heavier than I'd want to balance on a monopod. I didn't like its electronic iris and focus ring, which breathes noticeably while focusing. As a zoom, it's not bad, but it doesn't stay in focus at f2 all the way through its range. I eventually replaced it with Nikon F-mount zooms. At this time, I think most folks are waiting for Panasonic to release the details on their upcoming f2.8 zooms, which will feature OIS.
 
The folks at Saratoga Wedding Video did a nice side-by-side of the GH2 with the Zuiko 35-100 f2.0 and a RED Epic. Nice shot showing the size of the lens mounted on the camera at the start of the video:

Red Epic Versus Panasonic GH2

I can't afford this lens yet (even for $1950 used at Adorama), so I bought a used Sigma 18-50 f2.8, but I still want the 35-100 for zoom range, the constant f2 and the quality of the glass.

Yes, adapted 4/3 lenses "breathe" with the autofocus turned on - but at least you would have an autofocus option. You can always turn the AF off and go manual, which is what you'll be stuck with if you use Nikon glass. Don't get me wrong, Nikon and Canon lenses are great, and I have a few of each, but this is a fabulous lens, and gives you at least some autoiris and autofocus capabilities.

If you are in a pinch for time, and still aren't sure - why not rent before you buy? The lens is in stock right now at lensrentals.com.

Good luck with your decision!

Bill
 
Yeah, I have seen the Saratoga Wedding shoot out, but forgot about the size of the lens in it. I calculated with the weight of the GH2 and Zuiko, it would be about 4 1/2 pounds. That's quite a bit to be balancing on a monopod.

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Thanks for the lens rental suggest. I will look into that. If anyone still has comments or suggestions, please share.
 
jimmiesner said:
...If anyone still has comments or suggestions, please share.
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jimmie - one more thought - I know at least one wedding shooter who posts over at DV Info who replaced his Sigma 18-50 f2.8 with a Zuiko 12-60 f2.8-4.0 and doesn't use the Sigma any more: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/panason...p-sigma-2-8-18-50-4-3-lens-2.html#post1708954

Here's the cameralabs.com review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Xv7dz3Huc

Half the price (and the weight) of the 35-100; with a quieter, faster autofocus motor.

Cheers,

Bill
 
Hmm. The 4.0 might be a little dark for some churches. But the Sigma looks promising. It could get the same focal distance if I put the GH2 in ETC mode.
 
I really like my Sigma 18-50, but there are a couple of caveats - first, the autofocus is noisy and slow, and second, it is no longer available new in the States, so it's a little hard to find. It took me a few months of watching eBay before I was able to find a used one -- and right now, the only listing is a new one in the UK and it's pretty expensive: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-18-50...ters_Lenses&hash=item1c22068c96#ht_3429wt_908

Alternatively, you could rent one from lensrentals to see if it works for you: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/fou...ange/sigma-18-50mm-f2.8-ex-dc-for-four-thirds
 
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I could live without AF if I have to. What I am thinking is to use the sigma in ETC mode, to get about a 94 - 260mm (field of view) for now. Then I can purchase one of the X lenses when they come out and still keep the Sigma, just use it in non-ETC mode to get a 36 - 100mm (field of view).

I have heard that ETC mode produces more noise, but is good if you don't go above 800 iso. Is this true? Also people have said that it is more jittery. Does ETC make it more jittery because people are using it to get such extreme telephotos? Would a 40mm lens on the GH2 in ETC (40 X 2 X 2.6 = 208mm), be any different stability wise than a 104mm lens not in ETC (104 X 2 = 208mm)?

Jim
Fruit Tree Studios
 
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jimmiesner said:
...Would a 40mm lens on the GH2 in ETC (40 X 2 X 2.6 = 208mm), be any different stability wise than a 104mm lens not in ETC (104 X 2 = 208mm)?...
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Jim - this is a very interesting question. I have not noticed any jitter with ETC, but I will try it tonight when I get home and post the results.

Cheers,

Bill
 
A GH2 with a 40mm lens should show a lot less jitter than a 104mm lens not in ETC, because the rolling shutter performance in ETC mode is vastly faster than in non-ETC.
 
brunerww said:
...I will try it tonight when I get home and post the results...
Click to expand...

Jim,

Here is a low-def YouTube render of two static shots with the Sigma 18-50mm (ETC off and then ETC on). Focal length is 18mm in both shots.

I'm doing a 720p render now and will upload to Vimeo when it's done.

I don't see any jitter in these static shots - but from Barry's answer, it sounds like the problem might be with motion?

Cheers,

Bill

Edit: Here is the HD render on Vimeo, and here on YouTube.
 
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