Ok I just got mine today!!!

And man I have lots to learn!

The stock 14mm-42mm lens is awful at anything other than 14mm, its just too slow for what I need (mostly wedding video) so good thing I have some better glass coming :)

The rear lcd is smaller than I thought it would be, really going to have to get a monitor for this one for good focus during video...

I have a Jag35 rig on the way (The Field Runner | Jag35.com (http://jag35.com/new/products/the-field-runner/)) I will post pics and let you know how that works out when I get it... I might get a follow focus for it but we will see...

The video that I have taken so far is awesome; of course I’m comparing this to a HV30… but when I get my new glass should be able to produce some killer images!!

On a side note; all the still picture modes are terribly confusing to me haha… I guess that will come with time

Well I’m off to play some more!!

Ok I just got mine today!

Welcome to our Cult. Once we're comfortable with you we'll teach you the secret handshake.

Yes, the menus/pic modes are maddening and the manual will only make it worse.

About the LCD, some find it useless, I don't but one thing everyone agrees upon is that the EVF is outstanding and won't let you down for focusing.

David, welcome to the club ;) To make your life easier - stick to the Creative Motion Picture mode on a dial and NEVER leave it! Otherwise you will get lost in a maze of menus/options...

Yes the GH2 can take VG video but to say its only compared to the HV cams is is a bit over the top
this guys films showed what they can do INHABITANTS OF NEPAL on Vimeo

If you shoot live events, you WILL want a monitor for your camera. LCD is very nice, but too small to use on the fly, at least for a significant period of time.

If you do weddings, it can be challenging, to say the least.

For a second camera a GH1 is absolutely perfect, IMO.

Yes the GH2 can take VG video but to say its only compared to the HV cams is is a bit over the top
this guys films showed what they can do INHABITANTS OF NEPAL on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/7479006?hd=1)

not that I only compared it to them, but thats what I use, so thats what I was saying there :)

Since there are folks who like the GH2 over their EX1s, and since the sensor of the GH2 is what, six times as large as the smaller Canon, it is no insult to the HV30 to think it will be inferior to the Panny. For documentary and staged shots, or any well lit venue, the HV30 is a fine camera. When the light drops, not so much. That is where the GH2 shines, provided you have a fast lens.

It is also it's biggest challenge for me, finding the right lenses.

It is also it's biggest challenge for me, finding the right lenses.

Have you tried a vintage SMC Pentax 50mm f1.4? For a hundred bucks it's crazy good.

Really? Never heard of it Brian. First, thanks for the suggestion. Second, do you know how it stacks up to the equivalent Sigma 30mm 1.4 or Canon 30 1.4? But as you say, at $100, what a deal.

More importantly, does this become 100mm on the GH2? How would it be best used at a wedding, any thoughts?

I used the Sigma for Canon 30mm 1.4 (I guess that made it a 45mm) on my 40d and my photos were SO nice.

Have I asked enough questions? As you can see I'm clueless. I'm looking it up right now!

Yes, the Pentax SMC 50mm with the crop factor it will give you 100mm. It would be great for weddings because of the low light capability. Focusing is like Vermont Butter. Bokeh really nice. I like it better than my Olympus 14-52 2.8; better than any lens I've owned. Some compare it favorably to the legendary Zeis 28mm. The SMC has awesome contrast and punch. It's usually rated higher than the Canon 50mm 1.4.

For $100? Can't go wrong. It's all manual though, and needs a $9 ebay adapter.

Don't confuse it though with the Super Takamur 50mm 1.4 -- that's also a great lens but not quite up to the SMC.

Brian, yes for $100 it sounds amazing. I thought of more questions, but it comes back to $100, who cares?

all manual is more better anyway once you learn it... I hope that you wouldnt be searching for focus like a maniac!! I've seen some auto focus that if it were manual focus the operator would have had to been on drugs haha

Brian, I'm certain to order the Sigma for Canon 30mm 1.4, a favorite of mine from a couple of years ago.

How do I know which Pentax will work for GH2? Can you post a link for the adapter?

I've been looking for it, but don't know what I"m looking for, I've been on ebay, etc, but there are varieties that confuse me, and on amazon they cost $350 (probably worth every penny, but still).

David, after reviewing footage, I clearly need a monitor and to learn manual focus, no question.

You want the vintage SMC Pentax-M 50mm f1.4. I believe they come in a screw and K mount. Mine is the K mount. So you'd want to locate the lens first, then once its secured, find the right mount. Don't get the mount first. They shouldn't be $350, you must be looking at more modern iterations. I think mine was $110. Though it's possible the GH2 craze has turned the market upside down.

Thanks Brian, a lot. A little research late last night, and I came to the conclusion the K mount was what I was looking for, but I wasn't sure. I did find adapters as well. Appreciate you confirming.

Brian, check this link and see if your're interested. Upon researching it, I found some folks have said it is not a very good lens. Do you know anything about it?

Pentax-M 1:2 50mm LX ME K1000 K110 K7 KX Super Program - eBay (item 160552424703 end time Mar-29-11 11:01:50 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-M-1-2-50mm-LX-ME-K1000-K110-K7-KX-Super-Program-/160552424703?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2561ab94ff)

Duplicate post.

Brian, I'm certain to order the Sigma for Canon 30mm 1.4, a favorite of mine from a couple of years ago.

How do I know which Pentax will work for GH2? Can you post a link for the adapter?

I've been looking for it, but don't know what I"m looking for, I've been on ebay, etc, but there are varieties that confuse me, and on amazon they cost $350 (probably worth every penny, but still).

Jeff you may want to check out this little lens, The SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens. Seems to be a lot of buzz on the SLR Magic lens. Its quite cheap. Just go to ebay and do a search for SLR Magic. Its some guy in Hong Kong that is selling them. They apprear to be a lot of fun to use. Very shallow DOF. This a video shot buy someone (Evan Lloyd) just using the little SLR Magic on a GH2.

(Nice job Evan)

Toy Trucks on Vimeo

Jim, thank you so much for posting, quite a little lens, and for the money, amazing! Reviews I looked up after seeing your post indicate, IMO, this little gem of a lens may not be for me. It is said to be a bit soft and quirky, albeit in a good way, for those who like it. Obviously it is not soft in the video! But for wedding work it may be tough to focus, and I strongly prefer the sharpest focus I can afford.

As tight as money is, I'm going to hold off, with the knowledge I can by it anytime, since it seems plentiful.

What's cool is knowing about it, thanks so much!

Yeah its definitely not a main lens but for the money its a fun lens and perhaps could be used for portrait shots or close ups. It is fast and cheap, used just for little projects.

Exactly, at that price it's almost a throwaway lens...you could lose it and not be distraught about it!

Brian, check this link and see if your're interested. Upon researching it, I found some folks have said it is not a very good lens. Do you know anything about it?

Pentax-M 1:2 50mm LX ME K1000 K110 K7 KX Super Program - eBay (item 160552424703 end time Mar-29-11 11:01:50 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-M-1-2-50mm-LX-ME-K1000-K110-K7-KX-Super-Program-/160552424703?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2561ab94ff)

Didn't know they made a 1.2. I have the 1.4 and the 1.8. the 1.4 is the one that is popular.

Yes, in the photography forums they strongly prefer the 1.4.

Didn't know they made a 1.2. I have the 1.4 and the 1.8. the 1.4 is the one that is popular.

I might be reading it wrong but look again I think its a f2 lens and not a f1.2

It's an f/1.2 David. It's uncommon, but not popular, because it is not the quality of the 1.4. I found a discussion about the lens, it is not unknown. They can be had for as low as $30 I saw somewhere. I would have jumped on it, but it not a good lens, according to other professionals. If it were, they would not be on ebay in such quantity. That's why it seems to good to be true.

If you find out differently, please let us know, and save one for me!

The lens in the link is in fact an f/2. (Note it is a colon not a period between the numbers). Because aperture is relative to the focal length it is sometimes displayed as a ratio - So 1:2 means the same as f/2. F/1.2 displayed as a ratio would be 1:1.2.

Well, don't I feel dumb. I did a search, and there are people using what they think is an f/1.2. I guess there must be some out there, but this is not it, thanks John.

Oh and David you were right, of course.

Further searching and I think you are correct Brian, I don't think there is an f.1.2

Ok I got my rig in from Jag35... I like it a lot so far, its simple enough for run and gun, and I can always add to it later if I need to.... so its definitely a worthwhile investment.

I'm really eyeballing the follow focus, but im going to take this rig out and shoot some with it to see if I would benefit from adding one, or if I can just save the money for something else like a good monitor ( I have one now but its not to great)

Also I have added some pics of my DIY battery setup, it should last at least 7 hours on one charge and charges in 1 hour!! altogether cost me $90!

I notice there are not any holes to mount additional hot shoes or attachments for a monitor and mikes etc.
How are you going to mount a monitor and wireless transmitter? Just curious.
Not sure what I am going to get yet but I am leaning toward
indiSYSTEM - ULTRAcompact (http://www.indisystem.com/products/ultra_compact)

The fluid head of the Manfrotto looks appealing too, especially with the little spread feet.
Manfrotto Fluid Video Monopod W/Head 561BHDV-1 B&H Photo Video

Jim,

I was leaning towards the Indisystem as-well for a long time, but I would advise you to look up reviews on them... Not very many of them are good at all... plus I e-mailed them 4 times and got no reply! From what I gather its a one man show, so that could explain that... but the main complaint that people seem to have from them is the manufacturing of the parts is bad, making the parts hard if not impossible to tighten (there is a video where a guy tightens the front handles as far as they go and they still wiggle)

I went with Jag35 because they have a shinning reviews online, I couldn't find many bad at all.. I'm realy happy with the build quality, and as far as adding on for a monitor or mic/recorder, you can get all the parts as a kit like I did or you can get them individually.... so adding on to what I have is easy and cheap!

Here look at this kit, it comes with a monitor for $779
Straight DSLR Shoulder Rig | Jag35.com (http://jag35.com/new/products/straight-rig/)

What ever you go with do some heavy research to make sure it will work for you, because we are all different :)

There are times that a shoulder mount system is necessary, but I personally don't care for them.

On the other hand, for wedding work, I am leaning toward the below product.

They are about to come out with an adapter that allows the whole little rig to be mounted onto a tripod.

Welcome to The Original CamCaddie universal Steadicam Steady Cam Camera Mount (http://www.camcaddie.com/scorpion_bundle.php)

Jim,

I was leaning towards the Indisystem as-well for a long time, but I would advise you to look up reviews on them... Not very many of them are good at all... plus I e-mailed them 4 times and got no reply! From what I gather its a one man show, so that could explain that... but the main complaint that people seem to have from them is the manufacturing of the parts is bad, making the parts hard if not impossible to tighten (there is a video where a guy tightens the front handles as far as they go and they still wiggle)

I went with Jag35 because they have a shinning reviews online, I couldn't find many bad at all.. I'm realy happy with the build quality, and as far as adding on for a monitor or mic/recorder, you can get all the parts as a kit like I did or you can get them individually.... so adding on to what I have is easy and cheap!

Here look at this kit, it comes with a monitor for $779
Straight DSLR Shoulder Rig | Jag35.com (http://jag35.com/new/products/straight-rig/)

What ever you go with do some heavy research to make sure it will work for you, because we are all different :)

Thanks. thats good to know. The Jag35 monitor is the best price I've seen and looks like it will run off the Canon LP-E6 batteries
.Did you buy it as well?
Curious to know what brand name it is or build quality and picture quality. It does say it does 1920x1080, so thats a plus.
I did try the Indisystem about 6 months ago with a 7D mounted on it and was quite happy with it, but it was new so I don't know if the handles become loose in time. I ended up selling the rig to someone who had a Sony EX3 that I wanted to buy. But if they do come loose in time, I will stay away from it.