GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I was strongly considering the GH4(over A7s). My last dilemma was what about lenses. I will be shooting video primarily inside, tripod, with controlled tungsten lighting. I was thinking of Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA, and Panasonic 45-200mm f/4-5.6 G Vario MEGA O.I.S. I thought that would pretty much cover it till I knew more about what I needed. Does that sound like two good lenses? Or if I'm on a tripod and want to zoom inside, just move the camera?

I thought the Sony(a7s) took almost any lens the GH4 was trickier because of sensor size.

BTW this is my first camera so I have a lot to learn.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Have you looked at the 14-140? Especially the revamped model with the 58mm filter thread.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH? I think one reviewer said that lens made a low pitched noise. But I will say that does look like one lens that can do everything I need done. I am not doing photography just video so I want the best shot I can get, but I am also under a budget and have to use what I've got also.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

The 14-140 has a noisier OIS but if you plan to shoot on a tripod anyway you can turn the stabilisation off. It's a good lens for video, somewhat on the slow side but as long as there is sufficient light then this is not a issue.

Do you really need a 14 to 200 mm zoomrange for indoor shots? Olympus also has a nice set of lenses, often cheaper as they don't have stabilisation as that adds to the cost of a lens, if you shoot from a tripod only you are better of getting a Olympus lens.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA, and Panasonic 45-175 G lens are what I have and I like them. Agreed that the 45-200 telephoto is overkill for indoor work. I also have the Olympus 60 2.8 macro that I use quite a bit inside and out.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Can't imagine shooting anything less than f2.8 interiors with the GH3/4. ISO will be severely challenged when zooming the lenses you mention. Have you considered the Lumix 12-35 f2.8?

The a7S and Sony 24-70 f4.0 is an entirely different low-light success story.

Best of luck.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

The best lens for the GH4 is the Panasonic 12-35. It is 2.8 throughout the focus range, wide enough to work in tight interiors without adding distortion, sharp and low profile. The optical stabilization is very good when needed on hand-held shots. A lower cost and faster lens is the Panasonic 20mm, an excellent focal length for interiors. I would not use any of slower zoom lenses mentioned.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Remember that these are not classic video lenses. The zooms are not par-focal so focus will not be held throughout the zoom. The exposure on Vario zoom lenses change by steps while zooming, not consistently like a video zoom. The most stabile lens, the 12-35, will have noticable exposure changes during a zoom even though it's 2.8 thru the range. It has to do with the construction of the lens.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I think people will be far more distracted by the "hesitating" zoom which is prevalent when zooming while recording with these kinds of lenses (vs a servo due to operator) than by slight exposure changes.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Possibly but the point is that these are not the versatile lenses that we are used to on video cameras. They may be better lenses for image quality but for quick filming they may not be ideal.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

My style dictates primes.

Panasonic M43 14mm F2.5
Olympus M43 25mm F1.8
Olympus M43 45mm F1.8
Nikon Ai 85mm F1.8 with Metabones Speedbooster

Zooms are handier but slower, heavier and more expensive. I have one client who does not like that I use primes so I may eventually rent the 12-35 3.8 for some of their shoots. Primes just work better for me on 80% of my shoots but occasionally, I really wish I had a variable focal length lens too.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I do not record zooms so any shift in exposure or zoom speed is irrelevant. I use the Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 as very good all-round lenses. They are not heavy at all and quite compact compared with full frame equivalents.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

The 14-140 is a great lens. I am not noticing any noise with the lens. I am using this lens more and more. The IOS is better than the Lumix 35-100. I really like the range of the lens. Perfect for run and gun, plays, musicals, live acts, sports and travel. The newer lens is lighter and smaller.

This was shot with this lens.

Silverdale Whaling Days Fireworks. - FrugalFilmmakers.com

The GH4 does a Parade - FrugalFilmmakers.com

A lot of people are complaining about the price of the Lumix 42.5mm f1.2 lens. It is the most expensive lens I have bought in a long time including Canon L glass. But, I have to say it is worth it many times over. Just used it on the last 7 shoots. This includes B-Roll. With the other lenses there is no image stabilization and I like to shoot with out a camera rig to hold the camera. I did not think of this lens as a B-Roll lens but the image stabilization is superb and I love the creamy bokeh. It is my go to lens for A-Roll and now B- Roll as well. Thank you Leica and Panasonic.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

As a previous Leica owner I can absolutely believe this. This is certainly on my wish list.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I'm not aware of any lens that doesn't fit on the GH4 as long as you have the adapter. I use a lot of Canon FD primes but there are adapters for a myriad of lenses, PL, Nikon, Canon, - here's a selection for you - this guy makes the best adapters on the market in my opinion, there's a lot of crap out there.

c7 adapters items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores!

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I just got it yesterday and it's now my favorite lens on my GH4.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Example video, handheld, using the GH4 plus the Nocticron:


Taken at dusk with an .8 ND filter to explore the bokeh when shooting with wide aperture, and the ability of the OIS.

The Nocticron Lens Belongs in a Museum
 

In museums light is the enemy of artifacts, so they are dark. Perfect for a fast f1.2 lens. Handheld to test the OIS. Close-ups to test the bokeh and focus.

Dinosaurs, dioramas, lizards, lectures, gemstones, mummies, and even a ghost. Plus a trip to the museum store.

Shutter-priority at 1/60th.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

GH4 + Nocticron in dark Grand Central Terminal:

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Well I used it to film my first movie short. I was using a small stage maybe 12' by 36' so the half frame sensor really bit me in my the b*tt. I used the pany 7-14, pany 15X and the pany 35-100X. Those Panasonic X lenses are nice. I should have gone with the Nikon 810 or Canon mark5 IIID. It was just too frustrating because I couldn't seem to get wide enough. I am also not a camera master. I was considering using a ENG camera because after you get it that's it, you don't have to worry about lenses your STUCK.
However I am willing to rent and use the GH4 again(right away).

I also blew it when I tried to focus a few times with the LCD screen and not the EVF. I shot in Cinema 4K at 24fps. 80% of the video I love. 20% I wish I could do over.

I also think that with this half frame sensor if someone's standing sideways their left arm can be in focus, and their right arm be out of focus.

Here is Trailer btw(314mb).

Here is part on Vimeo(36mb)

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

A 7-14mm not wide enough? Realy? 7mm is about fisheye. I hope you don't mind me saying but the video example you show and the comments you give show a lack of understanding how a dslr works, you think a m4/3 camera is difficult to maintain focus and that you would be better of with a full frame camera? You will be in for a big surprise :)

I think you are better of with a small sensor camera with a fixed lens that gives you front to back focus, dslr's require experience to get the most from.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

If a 7mm isn't wide enough, I can't think of a video camera that would be wider. Most would be less wide. If there isn't enough room in the room to set the camera back from the action, it's time to reassess how the filming is to proceed.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Oh, I thought that the 7-14mm was effectively a 14-28 because of the sensor. I thought just because its a micro 4/3 mount that doesn't mean it's been built for a half sensor.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Hi:

Not sure what your term, "half sensor" means? An M43 sensor is much smaller than most other DSLR sensors, perhaps it would behoove you to take a look at this and physically compare the size of the sensors? http://cvp.com/images/uploaded/sensor_table.gif An M43 sensor isn't a half of any other sensor, it is 17.8 x 10mm. Also, are you shooting UHD 4K with the GH4? If so, the crop factor is larger than 2.0X, it is more like 2.3X so the actual FOV of the 7-14mm lens would be 16.1mm x 32.2mm when shooting UHD. When shooting people (in full frame 35mm FOV terms), avoid a FOV of wider than 28mm as the edges of the frame will distort faces and generally make people located toward the edges of the frame look really unflattering.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Here is a still from something I did on Friday with the Lumix 20mm lens. I was about 3 1/2 feet from the subject in a very tight space, maybe less. In my opinion I have plenty of room in the shot. A 7mm lens would have given me lots of image, too much in fact.

Your footage confuses me as I see a set but you seem to be very close in. Are you trying to avoid showing the theater? Theatrical productions are not cinematic with actors positioned to fill the stage for the live audience. Cinema and video makes people look far away so actors are frequently un-naturally close when filming. The audio needs help also. Don't use the GH4 camera mike. At least get a directional mike like a Rode.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Why didn't someone tell me that Trailer was so messed up?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9cs...ature=youtu.be

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

That's better but not by much. You have a nice camera to work with but perhaps it's a little too finicky for the level you are at right now. These DSLR cameras are not easy to pop out of the box and get filming complex projects right away. You might want to get somebody with some filming experience to help out with composition and focus. Observe them and learn how to do it yourself. There are some very good on-line courses for the GH series.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Excellent advice.

Kudos for attempting something, lots of people never get that far. I didn't watch the whole trailer but saw enough to recognize that at this time, your camera and lenses are not your limiting factors.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

I was thinking about getting the Metabones EF to MFT speedbooster and a set of Rokinon Cine lenses for narrative. Right now I'm using the Lumix 14 - 45mm for events. Also considering the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6 Zoom OIS Lens for doing dance concerts.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Salvatore, do you use the internal 4K? I shot my stuff with the internal 4K. Which I had to dummy down to send anywhere anyways. That 14mm is wide enough? How far away are you generally in these events, 'stands' or 'behind curtain'?

Theres a big article on that Speedbooster in B&H. They may make a new Speedbooster because of GH4.

How to Emulate Super 35mm 4K Video with the Panasonic GH4 | explora
panasonic-gh4?page=1

If there was no Sony A7s I probably would have bought the Gh4 already. I am trying to rent what I need to shoot then be done with it. I don't shoot for a living. But at the price I would like to have the camera so I could get more comfortable with it.

Re: GH4, ok what video lenses to buy?
 

Hi Michael,

Yes, I shoot 4k internal all the time. Just got the GH4 about a month ago so still wrapping my head around it.
I haven't any dance concert with it yet but did shoot a dance concert last spring with the C100 and a 24 - 105mm canon lens and at 24mm it cover most of the dance floor. I was about 30ft. away.

I did read the article B&H put about emulating super 35mm with the speedbooster. That's why I'm thinking about getting the speedbooster and a set of Rokinon Cine Lenses. I like trying to get a cinematic feel with my footage.

I'll post some footage when I do my first dance concert of the season with the GH4.