What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? at DVinfo.net

Bill Edmunds · September 17th, 2011, 05:45 PM

I'm looking to buy a GH2 but wonder about lenses. Is the standard 14-140 lens the most versatile GH2 lens for wedding work? My only worry is its speed.

Paul Mailath · September 17th, 2011, 07:48 PM

The 14-140 is great - but slow, same with 14-45.

I tend to stick to the lumix while I can, daytime ceremony and switch to FD lenses the darker it gets. You can get some pretty good FD zooms that give you a bit of range 35-70 or Tokina 14-40 but there's nothing with the range of the 14-140 with OIS and auto functions if you want them.

If I had the money I'd look at the Olympus 14-35 f/2 & 35-100 f/2 but there's a few weddings to pay that lot back

Jeff Harper · September 17th, 2011, 11:34 PM

The 14-140mm is absolutely useless for wedding work, IMO, other than for outdoor stuff.

I have a Sigma F/2.8 zoom and it is too slow for my taste. It gets the job done, but that's about it. I used the 14-140mm for one paid gig and sold it immediately. Great lens, but not for weddings.

The Olympus 14-54mm F/2.8-3.5 is a nice lens, still not as fast as we would like, but better than the Panasonic, for sure. Paul's right about the fast Olympus', but as he points out, pretty expensive!

Jeff Harper · September 18th, 2011, 12:11 AM

I know a prime lens is limited in it's usefulness, but I have got to suggest if you can use a wide, look at the 12mm F/2.0. I shot a wedding today with it, and it's images were consistently the best of all four of my GH2s/GH1's. It is such a sharp lens. I have read review of the upcoming 25mm F/1.4 for M4/3, and it too is supposedly a great lens. The 20mm is good, for sure, but much more hit and miss with focus, a tough lens to work with, at least relative to the 12mm.

Bill Edmunds · September 18th, 2011, 07:14 AM

Do you have a link to the review of the 25mm F/1.4 for M4/3?

Kevin McRoberts · September 18th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Google "Leica DG 25 1.4" and a few should come up

Tim Akin · September 18th, 2011, 03:03 PM

Jeff or anyone, I wonder why lensrentals.com has this warning posted on most Olympus lenses?

VERY IMPORTANT: Due to a variety of problems we have encountered, we do not recommend using Olympus lenses for video use with Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras/camcorders. Rent at your own risk

Jeff Harper · September 18th, 2011, 10:15 PM

I have no idea. It sounds bizarre to me, but there must be some reason. My 12mm works better with my GH2 than any Panasonic lens so far, so I don't have a clue.

Tim Akin · September 19th, 2011, 05:55 AM

That warning is not posted on the 12mm, very odd.

Kevin McRoberts · September 19th, 2011, 06:49 AM

It probably has to do with AF and OIS not working uniformly amongst Olympus lenses, and the warning is to prevent a lot of grumbling from customers.

Tim Akin · September 19th, 2011, 07:06 AM

I bet that's it.

Is the 12mm the latest of Olympus lenses?

Jeff Harper · September 19th, 2011, 09:54 AM

I'm guessing they are talking about Olympus 4/3 lenses, not micro four thirds, but I could be wrong. With the 12mm the autofocus is light years faster than with any Panasonic lens, and the 45mm is supposedly very fast as well.

I can't tell you which review I read on the 25mm, but be aware there is an older 4/3 25mm F/1.4 Summilux lens that is a different lens.

John Griswell · October 1st, 2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Akin

Jeff or anyone, I wonder why lensrentals.com has this warning posted on most Olympus lenses?

VERY IMPORTANT: Due to a variety of problems we have encountered, we do not recommend using Olympus lenses for video use with Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras/camcorders. Rent at your own risk

September 17th, 2011, 05:45 PM	#1
Bill Edmunds Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conway, NH Posts: 574	What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? I'm looking to buy a GH2 but wonder about lenses. Is the standard 14-140 lens the most versatile GH2 lens for wedding work? My only worry is its speed.

September 17th, 2011, 07:48 PM	#2
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? The 14-140 is great - but slow, same with 14-45. I tend to stick to the lumix while I can, daytime ceremony and switch to FD lenses the darker it gets. You can get some pretty good FD zooms that give you a bit of range 35-70 or Tokina 14-40 but there's nothing with the range of the 14-140 with OIS and auto functions if you want them. If I had the money I'd look at the Olympus 14-35 f/2 & 35-100 f/2 but there's a few weddings to pay that lot back __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

September 17th, 2011, 11:34 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? The 14-140mm is absolutely useless for wedding work, IMO, other than for outdoor stuff. I have a Sigma F/2.8 zoom and it is too slow for my taste. It gets the job done, but that's about it. I used the 14-140mm for one paid gig and sold it immediately. Great lens, but not for weddings. The Olympus 14-54mm F/2.8-3.5 is a nice lens, still not as fast as we would like, but better than the Panasonic, for sure. Paul's right about the fast Olympus', but as he points out, pretty expensive! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

September 18th, 2011, 12:11 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? I know a prime lens is limited in it's usefulness, but I have got to suggest if you can use a wide, look at the 12mm F/2.0. I shot a wedding today with it, and it's images were consistently the best of all four of my GH2s/GH1's. It is such a sharp lens. I have read review of the upcoming 25mm F/1.4 for M4/3, and it too is supposedly a great lens. The 20mm is good, for sure, but much more hit and miss with focus, a tough lens to work with, at least relative to the 12mm. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

September 18th, 2011, 07:14 AM	#5
Bill Edmunds Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conway, NH Posts: 574	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? Do you have a link to the review of the 25mm F/1.4 for M4/3?

September 18th, 2011, 10:55 AM	#6
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? Google "Leica DG 25 1.4" and a few should come up __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

September 18th, 2011, 03:03 PM	#7
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? Jeff or anyone, I wonder why lensrentals.com has this warning posted on most Olympus lenses? VERY IMPORTANT: Due to a variety of problems we have encountered, we do not recommend using Olympus lenses for video use with Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras/camcorders. Rent at your own risk __________________ Tim

September 18th, 2011, 10:15 PM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? I have no idea. It sounds bizarre to me, but there must be some reason. My 12mm works better with my GH2 than any Panasonic lens so far, so I don't have a clue. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

September 19th, 2011, 05:55 AM	#9
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? That warning is not posted on the 12mm, very odd. __________________ Tim

September 19th, 2011, 06:49 AM	#10
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? It probably has to do with AF and OIS not working uniformly amongst Olympus lenses, and the warning is to prevent a lot of grumbling from customers. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

September 19th, 2011, 07:06 AM	#11
Tim Akin Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newbern, TN Posts: 414	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? I bet that's it. Is the 12mm the latest of Olympus lenses? __________________ Tim

September 19th, 2011, 09:54 AM	#12
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: What is the most versatile lens for wedding work? I'm guessing they are talking about Olympus 4/3 lenses, not micro four thirds, but I could be wrong. With the 12mm the autofocus is light years faster than with any Panasonic lens, and the 45mm is supposedly very fast as well. I can't tell you which review I read on the 25mm, but be aware there is an older 4/3 25mm F/1.4 Summilux lens that is a different lens. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."