It's my birthday, GH2 or software ?

[Don Litten]

Originally Posted by Chris Duczynski

I've not read many good reports on the 14-42mm kit lens - hope it works OK for you but it's slow and may defeat the whole purpose of going to GH2.

I'm not sure why you say that Chris. I'm not really expecting much out of the 14-42, but it is the kit lens it came with.

I can't think of a single DSLR I ever used exclusively with the kit lens.

[Andrew Rowe]

I think Chris means that if you're limited to shooting at f/3.5 or beyond, then you're missing out on two of the main advantages of the relatively large sensor of a DSLR compared to conventional camcorders: shallow depth of field (if you want it) and better low-light performance. It's still useful to have one of the kit zooms handy though (autofocus, convenience etc) - not everything needs to be shot at f/0.95!

You'll probably find the GH2 annoying for the first few weeks, Don, since the menus, manual etc. are very consumery, and not all of the functions are intuitive. It has to be remembered that the 7D is a professional stills camera, whereas the GH2 never had professionals in mind at all and is designed as such. Once you're used to it though, it really is great for the price.

[Jeff Harper]

While I only had the 14-42 lens for a week before selling it, I found it to be a very nice walk-around lens, outstanding for outdoor use, with a very fast autofocus.

Regarding lenses for the GH2, Don, I'm cleaning up messes this morning made when I used non-Olympus/Panasonic lenses with the GH2 in run and gun situations at weddings. With your extensive DSLR experience, you may be more successful with them than I was.

There are proficient shooters that successfully use adapters with the camera and assorted non-m4/3 lenses. Plenty of examples all over the web. It can be done, and is being done everyday.

However, for me, I have not been satisfied with the camera until I went with using the 12mm F/2.0, the 25mm F/1.4, and the 45mm F/1.8 exclusively. I had a very good experience with the Olympus 12-60 F/2.8-4.0 but sold it nevertheless, which is also a very good lens for the GH2, as is the 14-54mm Olympus.

I need a lens that communicates with the camera. I shot an event Friday night in a very small, very dark venue using two GH2s using only the Olympus 12mm F/2.0 and 25mm F/1.4, and my footage was amazing. It was a pleasure shooting with them. Focus was never an issue, and setting exposure was effortless.

I was never happier than when I dumped my old Canon lenses. They were a waste of time and effort that sucked up my energy and interfered with my ability to concentrate on capturing the story at hand. I wasted so much time manually adjusting aperture and focus, that I missed plenty of shots that would have been effortless with the lenses that were made for the camera.

M4/3 lenses are tiny, easy to store, and can be changed quickly. Focus is instantaneous, can be done using the touch screen, and is dead on almost every time. The lenses with adapters are cumbersome and took up too much room in my case. Just my 2 cents.

[Don Litten]

Jeff, first let me take my hat off to you. Weddings terrify me and I flat refuse to do them now. A good wedding photo/videographer is worthy of respect in anyone's book.

I started photography so far back that I was using an old Nikon without a meter head. Guesstmating and manual focus were old hat.

It took some time to adjust to the digital world.

When the DSLR's and especially the 7D and 5D came out, they were a Godsend for people like me that did run and gun Documentary's wit stills and video. I didn't have to lug a Prosumer camera in a backpack along with my 40D anymore.

Then the more open minded started seeing the potential in DSLR's for video alone. I never fell for that but found that DSLR video had a LOT of advantages found only on Pro Cameras way out of my price range...but they still had limitations.
In the meantime, Prosumer camcorders were getting smaller, faster and easier to use, especially for people like myself that only use secondary audio.

To keep from putting everyone to sleep I'll get to the point.
I have never found one right camera for everything. What I have in mind for the GH2 may change as I get some experience with it, but I want it for it's potential improvements, especially the increased bitrate after the hacks.

There is a lot of potential in the little things I'd like to explore.

[Jeff Harper]

I guess my point Don is that the camera, for me, is best utilized with m/4/3 lenses. Like I said, you may do fine using any old lens, and I've gotten some fine shots and footage using other lenses, but since I've seen the light, so to speak, I look back at my time spent using adapters and old lenses and simply shake my head at the time I wasted with them. Of course when I started the 25mm, 45mm, and 12mm weren't available, but that's all changed now.

[Dennis Vogel]

Since we've wandered off the original topic a bit, may I ask another lens-related question. I have some old lenses I'd like to use with my GH2. However, you guys are beginning to convince me that m43 lenses are far better for run-and-gun shooting since they work with the GH2's auto features.

So are there some fast zoom m43 lens in the roughly the same range as the 14-42mm kit lens that you would recommend? How about in a slightly longer zoom, say, 80-200mm or thereabouts?

I realize that, in general, lenses get slower as the focal length increases so "fast" is relative but I think you get the idea what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

D

[Jeff Harper]

These lenses are not M4/3 but they work with an adapter and communicate with the camera like a M/4/3 lens does. For a fast zoom these are the best options if you want a lens that communicates with the camera. Check the lens chart here for a complete list of your options. http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...nnect/gh2.html

For situations where I need a zoom I just use a video camera.

ED 14-35mm f2.0

ED 35-100mm f2.0

[Jeff Harper]

I'm sorry Dennis, the 12-60mm and 14--54mm Olympus, which are on the chart, are the best reasonably priced choices, I forgot about those. They are both very good quality, with the 12-60mm edging out the 14-54mm. Both are very good. Neither one is great indoors unless you have sufficient lighting, of course, but with a flash, they are perfect for photos. For indoor use the expensive ones above are best for video and produce stunning video. I base this statement on only what I've seen, I've never used either of the super-grade lenses, but the samples I've seen are breathtaking.

[Chris Duczynski]

Don, as mentioned by Jeff the GH2's outstanding features are best coupled with fast lenses - otherwise you may as well use a camcorder.
I also have a long lens, the panny 100-300 f4 -5.6 which I use for surf video/photography but it is strictly a bright light lens for outdoor shooting.
There's plenty of discussion on the 14-42 on this forum and DV websites which rate it as basic at best.

[Don Litten]

I understand Chris. I've played with it some now and am still just getting my feet wet.
I'd rate the 14-42 as a basic lens. The build is cheap, optics not too bad, fast is relative (my 100-400L isn't fast).

I'll probably opt for at least one Olympus lens at some point. They really aren't that expensive compared to L glass. I got a real deal on my 800mm Canon L but it was still 4 times the pricier Olympus.

I haven't tested any of my Nikon primes yet but am looking forward to seeing the results.

The continuous AF is kinda neat but slow and I hardly ever use AF on anything, even my Camcorders.

I'll be shooting several Senate sessions next week and I always limit the cameras I take because of the space. I'll take the G2 as a floater. That will give a real good idea of what it can and can't do.

I've been reading a lot about the hacks which is the real potential I think these little things have. If nothing else, I'm having fun.

[Chris Duczynski]

It is brilliant Don. I learnt most of what I know from this forum and from helpful contributors like Jeff.
My GH2 is a second camera or a standalone for very specific controlled shoots. I keep mine simple. A few primes, a varavon loupe, tripod. I shoot quickly and don't want to mess with cages, glides,etc unless I'm shooting personal stuff I have setup time for. Some accessories like the glidecam HD1000 make the pictures absolutely spectacular, but it's extra gear to carry and setup and clients usually want you to work fast when switching locations.
The more I use it - the better I enjoy it and I like to give those Canon 5DMk2 lads a bit of irreverent backchat when they tell me about how good thier DSLR is.

[Don Litten]

So far, the video has been stunning which is amazing because I still haven't been able to figure how to set the frame rate so the shutter speed is just a guess.

I also haven't found a shortcut (Hopefully there is one) for the teleconverter.

I have also noticed the continued autofocus isn't quite as precise as the one shot autofocus or manual focus.

I'm still a little lost inside that thing but....I really like it.

[Jeff Harper]

Re: Continuous autofocus, I find it useless, personally. I keep it turned of (within the menu).

I use autofocus extensively however. I use the touch screen to set the area I want to focus and then depress the shutter button to set it. Works perfectly most every time, at least with the Panny and Olympus lenses.

[Gordon Hoffman]

Don
You can assign the teleconverter to one of the Fn buttons. I used the Fn2 button which works well for me. When in video mode I push the Fn2 button twice and then the set/menu button right beside it and it's on and the same procedure will turn it off.

Gordon

[Don Litten]

Thanks Gordon!