Starting GH2 Lens for Complete Noob?

M

Mike Silverman

Hi, so I've been lurking on this forum for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger on a GH2 body for $499. Now I need a lens.

This is my first foray into videography and photography with a focus on the former being what mainly attracted me to the GH2. I don't know anything about anything but I am eager to learn the right way, meaning that I should force myself to learn manual shooting.

From what I think I've gathered expensive prime lenses are the best to buy and generally you invest in collecting them. However; I'd like some starter lens that will allow me to know what I need when I start actually investing in real lenses. Something that will allow me to learn a range of shooting possibilities and techniques even if the IQ and performance aren't top of the line so that when I figure out my own style and preferences I can branch out with confidence.

Because I'm a beginner I'd also like this lens to be relatively cheap (<$500), and from what I've read the 14-140mm kit lens is probably a good inexpensive starting point. I predict that my first lens after that will probably ending up being the 20mm pancake f/1.7 since that lens embodies near shots that the 14-140 don't cover.

I guess my question is are there any other lenses I should consider? How far along the learning curve do you think I'll be before the limitations of this lens start being an issue?

Also can someone briefly explain to me the range of hacks available for both the body and the lens (if applicable)? I know it's a tiny bit risky but other than that can I go wrong trying out different hacks? What's the "best" one? Is this something I should hold off on until I learn more?

thanks for your help
 
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Congratulations, Mike.

I'll bet that the 14-144mm kit lens would be pretty good for starting out. Maybe it would help you to get comfortable with different focal lengths and surely it would cover you well for both your video making and your stills shooting. If you can find it for a good, discount price, I gotta think it would be a pretty safe buy and bet.

But just a little caveat, I see that that kit lens has a maximum aperture of f/4 - 5.8. That's awfully slow, which might have negative consequences for you, if you're one of those who's very keen to get that shallow depth of field/bokeh, or if you will be shooting in low light. I think there are ways around that. I hear that if you want the former, you can get the camera further away and zoom in, thereby getting a similar effect that a large aperture (lower f#) can give you because that's what telephoto focal lengths do: flatten your subject out and give you a shallow depth of field. I read (K.R.) that that's why portrait and fashion photographers often use big telephotos --that flattening and shallow depth of field is flattering. Er, I should say that I'm not sure if that's true for zoom lenses, but I don't know why it wouldn't be. Perhaps someone smarter and with more experience and knowledge can clear that up. And as far as low light shooting goes, well, it might simply mean that you'll need to light more. But at some point, probably sooner than later, you'll probably get pretty frustrated with that paultry maximum aperture. But then again, to reiterate it, as long as you have flash or other ligting, that doesn't have to be a problem, either.

I'm not sure about what you mean by near shots. It's important for you to know that that 20mm lens will not give you a focal length that the 14-144mm lens does not already cover. If you have the kit lens, then you're covered for the 20mm focal length; you'll just need to find it on your zoom. What the 20mm will give you is a much faster (1.7 compared to 4-5.8) lens, and so shallow depth of field, if you open it up, and greater low light shooting opportunity with no or less lighting. Also, let me add that I'm pretty sure that Kholi said on another thread around here that he thinks pretty highly of that 20mm lens, if I recall correctly. Also, looks like it's pretty highly regarded in general. Practically speaking, when shooting it with a micro four thirds camera, you would double that 20mm, which gives you a 40mm focal length. Interestingly, K.R. recently posted a little essay about a new 40mm lens, and he says that 40mm is really better considered the "normal" lens. He says that 50mm being the standard all these years is really due to happenstance, not accuracy. Anyway.

Hopefully more experienced people will comment, correcting anything I'm wrong about, and give you more suggestions.

Hope your GH2 and whatever lenses you do choose help to give you a fun and rewarding experience!
 
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get the kit 14-45 f3.5-5.6 lens, you'll have fun. Get one of those variable ND filters for out door use and youll be able to keep it prety open and get some shallow DOF shots. Indoors just use extra lighting and youll be ok.

To start playing with manual lenses and glorious bokeh\shallow depth of field, just go the M42 Adapter route and buy some cheap lenses to learn on.

The idea is to lean as you go and make as few costly mistakes as you can.. like spending TOO much on a LONG lens that you'll never use! (I site my self here!)
 
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Mike - congratulations - that $499 closeout deal on the GH2 is the best value for money deal out there for new filmmakers.

The 14-140 was my first lens on the GH2, but I hardly use it anymore. As richy says, it's pretty slow.

I would consider a less expensive option. My walk around lens is a used Oly 11-22 f2.8-3.5 for 4/3 with the MA1 adapter. Autofocus is a little noisy and slow, but I get images with it I couldn't possibly get with the 14-140.

I also like my Sigma 18-50 constant f2.8 for 4/3, but it's really hard to find.

Speaking of Sigma - you might want to look at the new native Sigma primes. You can get the 19mm and the 30mm for a total of $300 on sale right now, add a Panasonic 45-200 for $228 and have a pretty good starter kit with fast indoor prime lenses for not a lot of money.

Hope this is helpful and best of the holidays,

Bill
 
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Mike Silverman said:
wow, this is all very helpful thank you for the replies.

Bruner, if you had to choose which one would you prefer between the oly 11-22mm and the sigma 18-50mm?
Click to expand...

I really like them both, but the Oly is on the camera most of the time. If I had to do it over, though, I would get the Oly 14-54 II, which focuses faster. When I get home, I will send you a link to some interesting videos that highlight this.

Cheers,

Bill
 
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thanks again I really eppreciate it.

I found one of the sigmas here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-18-50...41315103?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2a26e73d1f

what do you think is a good max price for this? Also I don't know what this means but is it a red flag: "The lens barrel has a tiny bit of wobble but it's never caused a problem."

Also when you say "Only" do you mean "Oly?" I assumed you meant Olympus in your first post and this is just a typo?
 
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Mike Silverman said:
...I found one of the sigmas here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sigma-18-50m...item2a26e73d1f

what do you think is a good max price for this? Also I don't know what this means but is it a red flag: "The lens barrel has a tiny bit of wobble but it's never caused a problem."
Click to expand...

Congrats on finding an example of the Sigma - but a lens should fit together with no wobbles, rattles or misalignments. This lens has probably been dropped. I wouldn't buy it. I don't remember exactly, but I paid between $300 and $400 for mine.


Also when you say "Only" do you mean "Oly?" I assumed you meant Olympus in your first post and this is just a typo?
Click to expand...

Oops - sorry, fixed it.
 
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Truth in advertising for those considering standard 4/3 lenses on your GH2s. They will not focus as quickly or as quietly as native micro 4/3 lenses.

Here is the GH2 with the Oly 11-22. This is a fabulous lens, but it autofocuses "like it's 1999":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eQ3-eNkdWg

Here is the GH2 with the Oly 14-54 II. Faster autofocus, but still slower than a modern lens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aSFY9gSfrw

YMMV, but for me, the tradeoff is worth it. I am out shooting with great Olympus f2.8-3.5 glass, instead of sitting around looking at Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 f2.8 lenses on the Internet and wishing I could afford them :)
 
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