Equipment list for Budget Documentary

Sareesh Sudhakaran · September 14th, 2012, 03:05 AM

The general theory is that the intensity of light reduces according to distance, as I've written here.

However, this is almost negligible for still camera lens adapters - which are just a few millimeters in depth. I've yet to see any difference with the adapters I use. Nothing to worry about.

Bruce Foreman · September 14th, 2012, 12:23 PM

With the GH2 and most adapted lenses there is no additional barrel length involved. The m4/3rds design makes the body lens flange to sensor "thinner". To maintain proper focus adapters must have a certain length.

There is no exposure increase necessary.

A better idea with the GH2 would be a couple of "prime" lenses made for it. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 (FAST GLASS!) and the Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8 would be wise choices. Both are sharp performers, quite lightweight and compact and much sought after. Even the "much maligned" 14-42 "kit" lens is a far better performer than most give it credit for.

The BIG advantage to "native" m4/3rds lenses is that just about all features of the GH2 work with them.

Damon Rambo · September 14th, 2012, 01:08 PM

Double post

Damon Rambo · September 14th, 2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Foreman

With the GH2 and most adapted lenses there is no additional barrel length involved. The m4/3rds design makes the body lens flange to sensor "thinner". To maintain proper focus adapters must have a certain length.

There is no exposure increase necessary.

A better idea with the GH2 would be a couple of "prime" lenses made for it. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 (FAST GLASS!) and the Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8 would be wise choices. Both are sharp performers, quite lightweight and compact and much sought after. Even the "much maligned" 14-42 "kit" lens is a far better performer than most give it credit for.

The BIG advantage to "native" m4/3rds lenses is that just about all features of the GH2 work with them.

Got the kit lens and the 20mm to start out. All I could afford right now...

Bruce Foreman · September 14th, 2012, 01:48 PM

That's a good start. That 20mm is like a slightly "wide" normal and can be a very useful general purpose prime lens. The f1.7 aperture is very handy in low light level environments.

You can add others later.

Sareesh Sudhakaran · September 14th, 2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Rambo

Got the kit lens and the 20mm to start out. All I could afford right now...

Great choice, you'll be happy with it. Now you can quit worrying about gear and focus on shooting the documentary! All the best.

Stelios Christofides · September 15th, 2012, 01:30 AM

How about the Canon 60D since it is also weather resistant?

stelios

Damon Rambo · September 15th, 2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

How about the Canon 60D since it is also weather resistant?

stelios

Same thing as the T3i. However, the weather resistant feature is not particularly helpful unless you are going to purchase the expensive weather resistant L lenses...(I cannot afford them!)

{edit} the 60d is NOT the exact same as the 60d...but close enough

Brian David Melnyk · September 17th, 2012, 03:17 AM

strange that you think the XA10's low light performance is 'abysmal'. i actually bought one on the strength of its low light performance as well as audio capabilities.... so far i am extremely happy!

the great thing about the T3i is that you can use the 3x crop with video with minimal if any image degradation, giving you two lenses in one. if you have a 17-55 (27.2-88 on the T3i), you also have a 51-165 (81.6-495 if my math is right...). all without the hassle of changing the lens! i think that's why Canon discontinued that feature- bad for lens sales.

Damon Rambo · September 17th, 2012, 12:45 PM

I guess it depends upon what you compare it to...compared to lower priced prosumer camcorders, and consumer grade camcorders, yes it has good low light performance. Compared to the VG 20, or DSLR's, its low light performance is "abysmal." Its sensor is the exact same sensor as in the lower end Canon camcorders, and its low light performance is very similar.

September 14th, 2012, 03:05 AM	#16
Sareesh Sudhakaran Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,385	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary The general theory is that the intensity of light reduces according to distance, as I've written here. However, this is almost negligible for still camera lens adapters - which are just a few millimeters in depth. I've yet to see any difference with the adapters I use. Nothing to worry about. __________________ Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera - one guide to rig them all - DSLRs to the Arri Alexa.

September 14th, 2012, 12:23 PM	#17
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary With the GH2 and most adapted lenses there is no additional barrel length involved. The m4/3rds design makes the body lens flange to sensor "thinner". To maintain proper focus adapters must have a certain length. There is no exposure increase necessary. A better idea with the GH2 would be a couple of "prime" lenses made for it. The Lumix 20mm f1.7 (FAST GLASS!) and the Olympus Zuiko 45mm f1.8 would be wise choices. Both are sharp performers, quite lightweight and compact and much sought after. Even the "much maligned" 14-42 "kit" lens is a far better performer than most give it credit for. The BIG advantage to "native" m4/3rds lenses is that just about all features of the GH2 work with them.

September 14th, 2012, 01:08 PM	#18
Damon Rambo New Boot Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Markham Texas Posts: 15	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary Double post

September 14th, 2012, 01:48 PM	#20
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary That's a good start. That 20mm is like a slightly "wide" normal and can be a very useful general purpose prime lens. The f1.7 aperture is very handy in low light level environments. You can add others later.

September 15th, 2012, 01:30 AM	#22
Stelios Christofides Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nicosia, CYPRUS Posts: 1,080	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary How about the Canon 60D since it is also weather resistant? stelios __________________ My Blog: http://steliosc.blogspot.com "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free" Nikos Kazantzakis

September 17th, 2012, 03:17 AM	#24
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary strange that you think the XA10's low light performance is 'abysmal'. i actually bought one on the strength of its low light performance as well as audio capabilities.... so far i am extremely happy! the great thing about the T3i is that you can use the 3x crop with video with minimal if any image degradation, giving you two lenses in one. if you have a 17-55 (27.2-88 on the T3i), you also have a 51-165 (81.6-495 if my math is right...). all without the hassle of changing the lens! i think that's why Canon discontinued that feature- bad for lens sales.

September 17th, 2012, 12:45 PM	#25
Damon Rambo New Boot Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Markham Texas Posts: 15	Re: Equipment list for Budget Documentary I guess it depends upon what you compare it to...compared to lower priced prosumer camcorders, and consumer grade camcorders, yes it has good low light performance. Compared to the VG 20, or DSLR's, its low light performance is "abysmal." Its sensor is the exact same sensor as in the lower end Canon camcorders, and its low light performance is very similar.