Lens question for the group at DVinfo.net

Terry Wall · October 19th, 2012, 12:29 PM

Hi, everyone! I recently picked up a GH2 and have been having a ball with it--both still and motion! My question is that among my other gear, I have a Canon XL2--you know, the one with that wicked 20X **removable** lens. I was wondering if that lens could be adapted to work with the GH2? I was considering selling the Canon, but that glass is so glorious (like all Canon lenses!), that if I can use it, I'd rather do that than sell it and probably get less than a grand for the complete camcorder.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch, gang!

TW

Sander Vreuls · October 19th, 2012, 12:48 PM

Simple answer, no you can't.. It's designed for a much smaller sensor.. Even if you use ETC mode the image circle of the lens is too small to cover the sensor. (A 1/2" mount lens should work though)..

Terry Wall · October 19th, 2012, 05:51 PM

Yes, you're probably right, Sander. XL2's sensors are 1/3". Oh well...I guess I'll probably just go ahead and sell the XL2 and get myself one of those killer new (fast!) lenses that just came out for the GH2. Thanks for the feedback!

Cheers,
Tee

Bruce Foreman · October 19th, 2012, 11:24 PM

The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a nice "fast" lens. I consider it "wide normal" in coverage and it's pretty affordable. $359.95 at B&H. It's often my "walkaround" lens.

Another is the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4. The same "nomal" perspective we used to get with the 50mm that came with a lot of our film cameras a few decades ago. $539 at B&H.

I have both the above and am very pleased with their performance. Also the Lumix 14mm f2.5 for a pretty fast wide angle. And the Olympus 45mm f1.8

Excellent lenses all. For something with pretty good "reach", check out the Lumix 45-200mm

Bob Thieda · October 20th, 2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Foreman

The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a nice "fast" lens. I consider it "wide normal" in coverage and it's pretty affordable. $359.95 at B&H. It's often my "walkaround" lens.

Another is the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4. The same "nomal" perspective we used to get with the 50mm that came with a lot of our film cameras a few decades ago. $539 at B&H.

I have both the above and am very pleased with their performance. Also the Lumix 14mm f2.5 for a pretty fast wide angle. And the Olympus 45mm f1.8

Excellent lenses all. For something with pretty good "reach", check out the Lumix 45-200mm

Bruce, I agree. That Lumix 20mm 1.7 is a dandy lens. Got mine a few weeks ago. I took it on a trip and it was about the only lens I used.
I've also got the 45-200, which is good lens for the price.
Saving some money for the 100-300mm...for a little more reach.

To the OP, you can do what I did and pick up several Canon FD lens, (all under $100) and a decent adapter, which is a very useful, yet inexpensive way to go...

Don Litten · October 21st, 2012, 07:10 PM

My vote for a walking around lens would be the 14-140. Not very fast though.

If you don't have to have auto functions, the Canon Nifty 50 at a hundred bucks and an adapter is hard to beat.

William Hohauser · October 21st, 2012, 09:44 PM

Another vote for the 14-140. Despite the limited f-stop range, the more I use the other Lumix zoom lenses the more I like this one. The X-Vario 45-175 isn't bad and is mostly parfocal.

Laszlo Horvath · October 23rd, 2012, 11:16 AM

Really helpful information guys.
I looking for one more glass. I debate between the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95 or Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 or the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f/2.0
Right now I have a 14-140 mm and the Panasonic 20 mm f1.7.
I know the Voigtlanders are manual focus lenses, but I'm not sure if the Olympus work with Auto on my GH2.
The Olympus is really wide, the Voigtlanders are about the same as my Pani 20mm f1.7, but way better in low light. If I choose one of the Voigtlander, I'll sell the Pani.
Or, just stick with the Olympus for wide shoot?
I don't know if I need that wide. May just go with the Voigtlander for the amazing low light performance.
One thing for sure: I can't afford both the Voigtlander and the Olympus.
Any thoughts?
Laz

Jeff Harper · October 24th, 2012, 05:26 AM

12mm F/2.0 autofocus works perfectly with the GH2. It is my favorite lens.

Dave Mercer · October 24th, 2012, 08:48 AM

I bought the 12-35mm f2,8 Lumix. Pricey and not as long as the 14-140, but I really like it so far! I haven't used my 20mm pancake nearly as much since I got the 12-35mm.

October 19th, 2012, 12:29 PM	#1
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Lens question for the group Hi, everyone! I recently picked up a GH2 and have been having a ball with it--both still and motion! My question is that among my other gear, I have a Canon XL2--you know, the one with that wicked 20X removable lens. I was wondering if that lens could be adapted to work with the GH2? I was considering selling the Canon, but that glass is so glorious (like all Canon lenses!), that if I can use it, I'd rather do that than sell it and probably get less than a grand for the complete camcorder. Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch, gang! TW __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

October 19th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#2
Sander Vreuls Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hilversum, The Netherlands Posts: 184	Re: Lens question for the group Simple answer, no you can't.. It's designed for a much smaller sensor.. Even if you use ETC mode the image circle of the lens is too small to cover the sensor. (A 1/2" mount lens should work though)..

October 19th, 2012, 05:51 PM	#3
Terry Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 164	Re: Lens question for the group Yes, you're probably right, Sander. XL2's sensors are 1/3". Oh well...I guess I'll probably just go ahead and sell the XL2 and get myself one of those killer new (fast!) lenses that just came out for the GH2. Thanks for the feedback! Cheers, Tee __________________ Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff. Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff!

October 19th, 2012, 11:24 PM	#4
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: Lens question for the group The Lumix 20mm f1.7 is a nice "fast" lens. I consider it "wide normal" in coverage and it's pretty affordable. $359.95 at B&H. It's often my "walkaround" lens. Another is the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4. The same "nomal" perspective we used to get with the 50mm that came with a lot of our film cameras a few decades ago. $539 at B&H. I have both the above and am very pleased with their performance. Also the Lumix 14mm f2.5 for a pretty fast wide angle. And the Olympus 45mm f1.8 Excellent lenses all. For something with pretty good "reach", check out the Lumix 45-200mm

October 21st, 2012, 07:10 PM	#6
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: Lens question for the group My vote for a walking around lens would be the 14-140. Not very fast though. If you don't have to have auto functions, the Canon Nifty 50 at a hundred bucks and an adapter is hard to beat.

October 21st, 2012, 09:44 PM	#7
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Lens question for the group Another vote for the 14-140. Despite the limited f-stop range, the more I use the other Lumix zoom lenses the more I like this one. The X-Vario 45-175 isn't bad and is mostly parfocal. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

October 23rd, 2012, 11:16 AM	#8
Laszlo Horvath Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LaSalle Ontario Canada Posts: 289 Images: 5	Re: Lens question for the group Really helpful information guys. I looking for one more glass. I debate between the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95 or Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 or the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f/2.0 Right now I have a 14-140 mm and the Panasonic 20 mm f1.7. I know the Voigtlanders are manual focus lenses, but I'm not sure if the Olympus work with Auto on my GH2. The Olympus is really wide, the Voigtlanders are about the same as my Pani 20mm f1.7, but way better in low light. If I choose one of the Voigtlander, I'll sell the Pani. Or, just stick with the Olympus for wide shoot? I don't know if I need that wide. May just go with the Voigtlander for the amazing low light performance. One thing for sure: I can't afford both the Voigtlander and the Olympus. Any thoughts? Laz

October 24th, 2012, 05:26 AM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Lens question for the group 12mm F/2.0 autofocus works perfectly with the GH2. It is my favorite lens.

October 24th, 2012, 08:48 AM	#10
Dave Mercer Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Posts: 346	Re: Lens question for the group I bought the 12-35mm f2,8 Lumix. Pricey and not as long as the 14-140, but I really like it so far! I haven't used my 20mm pancake nearly as much since I got the 12-35mm.