if I get a GH4, and just one lens... at DVinfo.net

Malcolm Hamilton · May 8th, 2014, 08:36 AM

Hi there,
I came to this game late in life. Worked for most of my career as a director and wasn't even allowed to touch the camera gear (o.k., I was 'allowed' to carry the tripod); then I was laid off seven years ago and had to reinvent myself. I rented a camera, taught myself to shoot and edit, managed to make a go of things and then bought a Sony EX1 (I now have a Sony PMW-200). Learning to use a camera in all manual mode was difficult, and I still struggle with things sometimes when I'm shooting under pressure, on-the-fly (luckily I'm the person who edits the stuff that I shoot, so I'm forgiving). I do videos for NGOs whose cause I like, and short and longer documentaries when I manage to piece together a shoestring budget, and other things, and I really do enjoy it. Recently my daughter asked me to shoot a music video for her and of course I couldn't say no.
Particularly after shooting the video for my daughter, I've been thinking about getting a Panasonic GH4 so I can get a softer out-of-focus look for some of my interviews and visuals (for certain projects anyway). The GH4 appeals partly because it records a file type that works nicely for editing (I don't like AVCHD). But when I googled the question of lenses for micro Four Third lenses, I realized I didn't even know where to begin.

So... in case anyone's willing. I'd like a lens that lets in lots of light, and one that might permit me to use auto-focus (something I don't do with my PMW-200, but I'm hoping the GH4 might have a really good auto-focus system). I like to shoot a lot of stuff hand-held, and I like to move when I shoot. So I think a nice wide-angle would best suit my style. I don't really mind not being able to zoom (if I want a tighter shot I'll walk closer), but image-stabilization would be good. I need to be able to seamlessly change exposure as I move around.
Yours hopefully,
Malcolm

Jeff Harper · May 8th, 2014, 11:56 AM

Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 is the single lens I would choose.

Malcolm Hamilton · May 8th, 2014, 03:16 PM

Thank you Jeff... I just read some on-line reviews from GH users, and this kind of thing—"Fast, quiet AF. Compact, unobtrusive size is welcome for shooting documentary style"—seemed to sum it up for a lot of reviewers.
I appreciate the advice...
Malcolm

Noa Put · May 8th, 2014, 03:40 PM

That lens doesn't have stepless exposurechanges, non of the m4/3 mount panasonic or Olympus lenzes do.

Bo Skelmose · May 8th, 2014, 03:57 PM

I would buy a Voigtlander 17,5 mm 0,95 lens. I have it already but now just waiting for the GH4..

Noa Put · May 8th, 2014, 04:43 PM

That lens doesn't have stabilization or autofocus, just saying as it was a requested feature.

Malcolm Hamilton · May 8th, 2014, 04:59 PM

I know you can't judge simply by reviews, but the Voigtlander that you recommend, Bo, gets amazing reviews.
It's true, I'd asked for image stabilization and autofocus, but...
I've learned, over the last few years, to move my camera when something in the shot gives me a reason to move—and if something in frame is moving then any less-than-steadicam-like movement on my part somehow seems natural, or at least, it's never been a problem for me. Maybe I can live without image stabilization.
And I have gotten used to manually focussing and manually changing the iris and all of that. Do I sometimes get some soft-focus shots? Yes, but it's not so much a problem when I'm zoomed right out, on a wide shot (image stabilization also isn't as much of an issue when I'm wide like this). So... maybe I can live without autofocus?
You've got me wondering.
thanks for the input and advice,
Malcolm

Malcolm Hamilton · May 8th, 2014, 05:08 PM

Question: would you be able to use the GH4's peaking feature with the Voigtlander lens?

Gary Huff · May 8th, 2014, 06:00 PM

I would get the 35-100 over the 12-35. It had been the lens on my GH3/4 the vast majority of the time.

William Hohauser · May 8th, 2014, 07:21 PM

You have to get a lens with image stabilization for hand-held in any GH series camera. The Voigtlander is a great lens, possibly the best in it class for the GH cameras, but you'll have great difficulty keeping the camera from shaking in motion filming. Hand-held with that lens is possible with a viewfinder loupe or a camera rig. These are the extras you'll have to consider when switching from a video camera designed for hand-held to a still camera form that takes great video. As for a lens, the 12-35 is the way to go. I wish I had one.

Les Wilson · May 8th, 2014, 09:05 PM

I shoot the exact same stuff as you internationally. I have an EX1R and I used a GH3 as a B-cam with the 12-35 f2.8 and the 20mm f1.7 II. I had a 5DM2 before that and a TM700 before that.

Getting a nice bokeh on the MFT sensor is something you need to work at using the 12-35. I typically got lots of nice images but with deep DOF (even at 2.8) unless I worked it hard like you would a camcorder. Not as easy as a 5DM2 with full size sensor. The 20mm f1.7 on the other hand delivers them easily.

The touch screen focus makes fast moving filming easier for a DSLR but you will like the GH4 peaking I think. Especially outside. Ditto the zebras for exposure.

It was more difficult to match the GH3 to the EX1R. The 5DM2 was a better match. Forget about the TM700. YMMV

I was fed up with the GH3 ergonomic problems and lack of fixes by Panasonic. Be prepared for that as they roll off developers to the next product.

Darrell Varga · May 8th, 2014, 09:10 PM

I use 12-35 and 35-100. Both are great lenses but if I had to chose one it would be the 12-35. Wide without distorting, but also good for interviews (especially in small spaces). Both are f2.8 throughout the focal length (the GH4 is good in low light so this speed is adequate). The built in image stabilization works really well. You can shoot fully manual or use the auto functions on the GH4. These lenses are quite sharp but do not have the same character as older glass; excellent for run and gun documentary.

Fran Guidry · May 9th, 2014, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm Hamilton

Hi there,
... The GH4 appeals partly because it records a file type that works nicely for editing (I don't like AVCHD). ...
Yours hopefully,
Malcolm

All the containers used by the GH4 deliver h.264 compression in different levels. If you're using a last generation NLE (FCP7 I'm looking at you) you may find that you need to transcode even when shooting a .MOV container.

Fran

Bill Bruner · May 9th, 2014, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm Hamilton

Question: would you be able to use the GH4's peaking feature with the Voigtlander lens?

Yes - it works with manual or auto lenses.

Phil Goetz · May 9th, 2014, 10:09 AM

When I was a kid we had slide shows. My dad shot slide negative. Recently we had a slide show. We haven't had one in 20 years. We showed slides from the mid 70s. My dad shot on one lens and one lens only. A 50mm. On the GH4 that would be this lens: H-X025

May 8th, 2014, 08:36 AM	#1
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	if I get a GH4, and just one lens... Hi there, I came to this game late in life. Worked for most of my career as a director and wasn't even allowed to touch the camera gear (o.k., I was 'allowed' to carry the tripod); then I was laid off seven years ago and had to reinvent myself. I rented a camera, taught myself to shoot and edit, managed to make a go of things and then bought a Sony EX1 (I now have a Sony PMW-200). Learning to use a camera in all manual mode was difficult, and I still struggle with things sometimes when I'm shooting under pressure, on-the-fly (luckily I'm the person who edits the stuff that I shoot, so I'm forgiving). I do videos for NGOs whose cause I like, and short and longer documentaries when I manage to piece together a shoestring budget, and other things, and I really do enjoy it. Recently my daughter asked me to shoot a music video for her and of course I couldn't say no. Particularly after shooting the video for my daughter, I've been thinking about getting a Panasonic GH4 so I can get a softer out-of-focus look for some of my interviews and visuals (for certain projects anyway). The GH4 appeals partly because it records a file type that works nicely for editing (I don't like AVCHD). But when I googled the question of lenses for micro Four Third lenses, I realized I didn't even know where to begin. So... in case anyone's willing. I'd like a lens that lets in lots of light, and one that might permit me to use auto-focus (something I don't do with my PMW-200, but I'm hoping the GH4 might have a really good auto-focus system). I like to shoot a lot of stuff hand-held, and I like to move when I shoot. So I think a nice wide-angle would best suit my style. I don't really mind not being able to zoom (if I want a tighter shot I'll walk closer), but image-stabilization would be good. I need to be able to seamlessly change exposure as I move around. Yours hopefully, Malcolm

May 8th, 2014, 11:56 AM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 is the single lens I would choose. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 8th, 2014, 03:16 PM	#3
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... Thank you Jeff... I just read some on-line reviews from GH users, and this kind of thing—"Fast, quiet AF. Compact, unobtrusive size is welcome for shooting documentary style"—seemed to sum it up for a lot of reviewers. I appreciate the advice... Malcolm

May 8th, 2014, 03:40 PM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... That lens doesn't have stepless exposurechanges, non of the m4/3 mount panasonic or Olympus lenzes do.

May 8th, 2014, 03:57 PM	#5
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... I would buy a Voigtlander 17,5 mm 0,95 lens. I have it already but now just waiting for the GH4..

May 8th, 2014, 04:43 PM	#6
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... That lens doesn't have stabilization or autofocus, just saying as it was a requested feature.

May 8th, 2014, 04:59 PM	#7
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... I know you can't judge simply by reviews, but the Voigtlander that you recommend, Bo, gets amazing reviews. It's true, I'd asked for image stabilization and autofocus, but... I've learned, over the last few years, to move my camera when something in the shot gives me a reason to move—and if something in frame is moving then any less-than-steadicam-like movement on my part somehow seems natural, or at least, it's never been a problem for me. Maybe I can live without image stabilization. And I have gotten used to manually focussing and manually changing the iris and all of that. Do I sometimes get some soft-focus shots? Yes, but it's not so much a problem when I'm zoomed right out, on a wide shot (image stabilization also isn't as much of an issue when I'm wide like this). So... maybe I can live without autofocus? You've got me wondering. thanks for the input and advice, Malcolm

May 8th, 2014, 05:08 PM	#8
Malcolm Hamilton Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 844	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... Question: would you be able to use the GH4's peaking feature with the Voigtlander lens?

May 8th, 2014, 06:00 PM	#9
Gary Huff Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,006	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... I would get the 35-100 over the 12-35. It had been the lens on my GH3/4 the vast majority of the time.

May 8th, 2014, 07:21 PM	#10
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... You have to get a lens with image stabilization for hand-held in any GH series camera. The Voigtlander is a great lens, possibly the best in it class for the GH cameras, but you'll have great difficulty keeping the camera from shaking in motion filming. Hand-held with that lens is possible with a viewfinder loupe or a camera rig. These are the extras you'll have to consider when switching from a video camera designed for hand-held to a still camera form that takes great video. As for a lens, the 12-35 is the way to go. I wish I had one. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

May 8th, 2014, 09:05 PM	#11
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... I shoot the exact same stuff as you internationally. I have an EX1R and I used a GH3 as a B-cam with the 12-35 f2.8 and the 20mm f1.7 II. I had a 5DM2 before that and a TM700 before that. Getting a nice bokeh on the MFT sensor is something you need to work at using the 12-35. I typically got lots of nice images but with deep DOF (even at 2.8) unless I worked it hard like you would a camcorder. Not as easy as a 5DM2 with full size sensor. The 20mm f1.7 on the other hand delivers them easily. The touch screen focus makes fast moving filming easier for a DSLR but you will like the GH4 peaking I think. Especially outside. Ditto the zebras for exposure. It was more difficult to match the GH3 to the EX1R. The 5DM2 was a better match. Forget about the TM700. YMMV I was fed up with the GH3 ergonomic problems and lack of fixes by Panasonic. Be prepared for that as they roll off developers to the next product.

May 8th, 2014, 09:10 PM	#12
Darrell Varga New Boot Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 12	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... I use 12-35 and 35-100. Both are great lenses but if I had to chose one it would be the 12-35. Wide without distorting, but also good for interviews (especially in small spaces). Both are f2.8 throughout the focal length (the GH4 is good in low light so this speed is adequate). The built in image stabilization works really well. You can shoot fully manual or use the auto functions on the GH4. These lenses are quite sharp but do not have the same character as older glass; excellent for run and gun documentary.

May 9th, 2014, 10:09 AM	#15
Phil Goetz Austinite Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 550	Re: if I get a GH4, and just one lens... When I was a kid we had slide shows. My dad shot slide negative. Recently we had a slide show. We haven't had one in 20 years. We showed slides from the mid 70s. My dad shot on one lens and one lens only. A 50mm. On the GH4 that would be this lens: H-X025