Frustrated with the wait

Douglas Dunklin · March 29th, 2011, 10:37 AM

So would you recommend getting the Lumix 14-45 as well, or something else?

BTW - B&H just sent me an email saying my GH2 shipped - will have it on Thursday :)

Jeff Harper · March 29th, 2011, 10:45 AM

You DO NOT need both, they are too similar in focal length. The 14-45 is a decent lens, the 14-42 not so much.

Ideally you would call b and h and tell them you made a mistake, and see if they have in stock and would hold for you a kit with a 14-45 in it until you return this package. I have no idea, you never know until you ask if they would do it. If you're going to return it DO NOT open it.

Or you would sell your 14-42 and buy a 14-45 separately.

Or you would open the box, find out if you can work with the 14-42, and if you can everything would be fine.

I don't know you, or what you're going to use the lens for. Under the right conditions, with the proper use of the camera, the lens can be fine. It just depends what you want it for.

I personally like the best I can afford, and the 14-42 would be a disappointment to me. I'm also unskilled with these cameras, and I need every advantage I can get.

Steve Montoto · March 29th, 2011, 11:42 AM

Yeah, the only reason I got the ones with the 14-42 is that I got the lenses for free when compared to my original order which included taxes for the bodys only. B&H had the same total price (shipped) with lenses included and in-stock, so I canceled my order directly.

Jeff,

I have a 20mm pancake and 2 adapters on 50mm Canon FD 1.8 lenses, also an EOS Kipon adapter, are there any other items you suggest? I was considering the canon fd 1.4 but I already had the 1.8's.

Thanks!

Jeff Harper · March 29th, 2011, 12:07 PM

Your 50mm f/1.8 will be fine unless you need faster, but that is your call. For wedding work f/1.4 is certainly very helpful, but with the GH2 you can really crank the ISO and get pretty darn good results. F/1.8 should work for most anything within reason.

As far as other lenses, it just depends on what your needs are.

That's where you start in your lens shopping, knowing what you are going to do and figuring out what is required.

Keep in mind the following when you read my posts about lenses:

1. I work in dark churches, so I require fast lenses. I'm also using two GH1s, so I need faster then I would need with a GH2.

2. I'm going to run three cameras so I can use primes on at least one, two cameras.

3. I have basically NO experience using this equipment! Pretty scary, eh?

I'm really feeling my way around and trying to be outfitted for a busy wedding season while I really don't know how I'm going to pull it off with these cameras. I'm going to have 6 lenses or so for 3 cameras. Why so many? Cause I don't know what I need, and I want to be covered.

I'm trying to guess what I need, but guessing is the best I can do.

the big hole in my lens lineup is a fast wide angle zoom for under $600, which I need desperately.

I really like the looks of the Pansonic 7-14mm f/4.0, but I can't use that for most of my work. If you are going to work in decent lighting, that is one nice lens.

My favorite lens is my Canon 85mm FD f/1.2, just because it's a KILLER lens, but how useful it will be remains to be seen. Until I shoot a few weddings I won't really know what works and what won't.

Douglas Dunklin · March 29th, 2011, 02:19 PM

Thanx for the info!

I do primarily multiple camera video work, with middle and high school age students. Right now I have Canon XH-A1 camcorders, but wanted to experiment with the DSLR route (yes, the GH2 isn't a DSLR, but from what I've read, should be even better). I'll play with it awhile, and if I'm not happy with the 14-42, might get another. I also have a bunch of old Olympus OM-4 lenses (primes and etc), so got an adapter as well.

Jeff Harper · March 29th, 2011, 03:36 PM

I think you will simply need to crank up the ISO and you'll be fine. As a second camera, the GH2 with the 14-42 will be a good size, just slow (poor in low light). I'd bet you'll use the GH2 as a wide camera from the rear and use your Canon for medium and tight shots. Should work very well.

If you spend $400 on a GH1, you can use your faster lenses, like the 50mm f/1.8 as a constant medium shot, maybe, and you'd have three cams.

Jim Forrest · April 7th, 2011, 06:48 AM

Adorama has the GH2 in stock

March 29th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#31
Douglas Dunklin New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 6	Re: Frustrated with the wait So would you recommend getting the Lumix 14-45 as well, or something else? BTW - B&H just sent me an email saying my GH2 shipped - will have it on Thursday :)

March 29th, 2011, 10:45 AM	#32
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait You DO NOT need both, they are too similar in focal length. The 14-45 is a decent lens, the 14-42 not so much. Ideally you would call b and h and tell them you made a mistake, and see if they have in stock and would hold for you a kit with a 14-45 in it until you return this package. I have no idea, you never know until you ask if they would do it. If you're going to return it DO NOT open it. Or you would sell your 14-42 and buy a 14-45 separately. Or you would open the box, find out if you can work with the 14-42, and if you can everything would be fine. I don't know you, or what you're going to use the lens for. Under the right conditions, with the proper use of the camera, the lens can be fine. It just depends what you want it for. I personally like the best I can afford, and the 14-42 would be a disappointment to me. I'm also unskilled with these cameras, and I need every advantage I can get. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 29th, 2011, 11:42 AM	#33
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	Re: Frustrated with the wait Yeah, the only reason I got the ones with the 14-42 is that I got the lenses for free when compared to my original order which included taxes for the bodys only. B&H had the same total price (shipped) with lenses included and in-stock, so I canceled my order directly. Jeff, I have a 20mm pancake and 2 adapters on 50mm Canon FD 1.8 lenses, also an EOS Kipon adapter, are there any other items you suggest? I was considering the canon fd 1.4 but I already had the 1.8's. Thanks!

March 29th, 2011, 12:07 PM	#34
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait Your 50mm f/1.8 will be fine unless you need faster, but that is your call. For wedding work f/1.4 is certainly very helpful, but with the GH2 you can really crank the ISO and get pretty darn good results. F/1.8 should work for most anything within reason. As far as other lenses, it just depends on what your needs are. That's where you start in your lens shopping, knowing what you are going to do and figuring out what is required. Keep in mind the following when you read my posts about lenses: 1. I work in dark churches, so I require fast lenses. I'm also using two GH1s, so I need faster then I would need with a GH2. 2. I'm going to run three cameras so I can use primes on at least one, two cameras. 3. I have basically NO experience using this equipment! Pretty scary, eh? I'm really feeling my way around and trying to be outfitted for a busy wedding season while I really don't know how I'm going to pull it off with these cameras. I'm going to have 6 lenses or so for 3 cameras. Why so many? Cause I don't know what I need, and I want to be covered. I'm trying to guess what I need, but guessing is the best I can do. the big hole in my lens lineup is a fast wide angle zoom for under $600, which I need desperately. I really like the looks of the Pansonic 7-14mm f/4.0, but I can't use that for most of my work. If you are going to work in decent lighting, that is one nice lens. My favorite lens is my Canon 85mm FD f/1.2, just because it's a KILLER lens, but how useful it will be remains to be seen. Until I shoot a few weddings I won't really know what works and what won't. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 29th, 2011, 02:19 PM	#35
Douglas Dunklin New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 6	Re: Frustrated with the wait Thanx for the info! I do primarily multiple camera video work, with middle and high school age students. Right now I have Canon XH-A1 camcorders, but wanted to experiment with the DSLR route (yes, the GH2 isn't a DSLR, but from what I've read, should be even better). I'll play with it awhile, and if I'm not happy with the 14-42, might get another. I also have a bunch of old Olympus OM-4 lenses (primes and etc), so got an adapter as well.

March 29th, 2011, 03:36 PM	#36
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait I think you will simply need to crank up the ISO and you'll be fine. As a second camera, the GH2 with the 14-42 will be a good size, just slow (poor in low light). I'd bet you'll use the GH2 as a wide camera from the rear and use your Canon for medium and tight shots. Should work very well. If you spend $400 on a GH1, you can use your faster lenses, like the 50mm f/1.8 as a constant medium shot, maybe, and you'd have three cams. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 7th, 2011, 06:48 AM	#37
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Frustrated with the wait Adorama has the GH2 in stock