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Decided on GH2 - disapointed in lens selection

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amkesler6131

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After two days of research I decided ont he GH2, in the end the overheating issues for video ( I live in a desert), and mirror cleaning issues moved me away from the sony A33/55.

Now I am onto lens selection and am suprised by the selection...not much to choose from for full autofcus or is it just me. I am looking for a portrait lens, so I have to get the 20mm 1.7 (still wish the bookah could be stronger). As for the rest I am open to suggestions.
 
amkesler6131 said:
After two days of research I decided ont he GH2, in the end the overheating issues for video ( I live in a desert), and mirror cleaning issues moved me away from the sony A33/55.

Now I am onto lens selection and am suprised by the selection...not much to choose from for full autofcus or is it just me. I am looking for a portrait lens, so I have to get the 20mm 1.7 (still wish the bookah could be stronger). As for the rest I am open to suggestions.
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Fast portrait autofocus prime for MFT is not with us yet, the closest you'll get is the 45mm f2.8 or a manual lens.

There is better selection for almost everything else
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/30225435@N00/
 
Yea.. I have the same issue. I bought my wife a GF1 and myself the GH2 but am now having a bit of buyer's remorse due to the lack of native m43 lens selection.

Coming form a 7d with a Tamron 17-50/2.8, 50/1.4, and 70-200/2.8 - it's a bit of a disappointment.

Actually, if they would just release a fast zoom somewhere in the 14-45 range, I'd be happy.
 
I use Olympus ZD 50mm F/2 macro. It ends up being a 100mm EFL lens which is just about perfect for portraits, and it is one of the best lenses on the market.

There are only 2 issues:

1) it is razor sharp at F/2 and will show every detail and flaw in a person's face. :)
2) it is slower to auto-focus, so bet for posed shots.

You will need an adapter also.
 
Check out Thom Hogan's review of u4/3 lenses: http://www.bythom.com/m43lenses.htm . I'm not sure if I completely agree with him in some cases, but it provides perspective.

I'm going to get the 20mm 1.7. That said, at 40mm (35mm equiv) I don't really consider it a portrait lens. I've never been much of a portrait photographer, but I find that something in the 70-100 mm (35mm equiv) range provides more pleasing results. In u4/3, that would be 35-50mm.

One other option to consider - a u4/3 adapter, and a good Canon or Nikon lens. While the downsides are lack of autofocus and no stabilization, there are lots of excellent used lenses out there that are quite reasonable. Google for "used lens review" for info. I've not bought from them, but these folks are supposed to be a very reputable used lens dealer: http://www.keh.com/ .

Regards,

Dan.
 
Today I've spent some time trying to find a camera of my dream. I've started with lens selection first. What I dream is a wide zoom lens about 24-120 in range (like my R1) and there are some lenses to choose from. But when I looked at weight of these candidates, and than (based on mount) added a body - not heaviest BTW, I've resulted with something like 1200 - 1500g (500g for lens and 700g for body). To compare, G1 body weights just 380g and I hope for my dream lens to be around 400g.

Now about your problem: Use the camera for week or two to make sure you have a joy toy. If you like camera it will be time to think what else do you need. As you know, M43 is relatively new standard, and lens selection is not as reach as for old established brands, but it grows faster than others and adopts lots of not native glass
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DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)
 
It's not m4/3 native, and it's not small or light, but the GH2 will AF the Sigma 50/1.4 in 4/3 trim - tested as the sharpest of the 50/1.4 crop IIRC. With that lens, you'll have all the exposure modes, too - it should feel like a slow native lens, just like the Olympus 50/2 macro someone else mentioned.

If MF and A or M is ok, and you're looking for something that fits the m4/3 feel, the two I'm perennially tempted by are the DA70 (2.4) or FA77 (1.8) Pentax Limiteds.
Walter
 
Agreed. The 20/1.7 is sharp, so it is possible to crop a portrait. However, head shots taken at close range will have some distortion.

MF with legacy lenses is very easy and my preferred solution until there is a fast 35-50 AF prime (or a fast zoom in that range).
 
m4/3 has been around for what, about 2 years ?

How many lenses do you really expect for a small niche system thats not even supported by the bigger 3rd parties like Sigma, Tamron etc yet, nor that has the history of brands like Canon or Nikon ???

If you want a wide range of lenses, then the Canon or Nikon mounts are the way to go

m4/3 is growing, and in time there will be plenty of options, but I'm pretty sure when the other brands started out they didn't have tons of choices either

How many lenses does Sony have compared to the time they've been in the DSLR market ?

Look at the Samsung system, how many lenses do they have ? m4/3 isn't half bad, maybe not exactly what everyone wants but they are getting there

Its not like they should of designed an entire range of lenses, with something for everyone at the same time they introduced the concept now is it ?

Suppose it didn't take off ?

The fact we've got a few nice wide angle options, some tele options, a great superzoom optimized for video, a dedicated macro, and a fast normal prime is pretty great if you ask me

I'd like to see a fast tele, f2.0 or faster, and with AF as much as anyone, but its not going to happen overnight, nor is that probably the best seller they'd have

the "average" person probably is more attracted to wide angle or tele zooms

A fast tele prime is more of a specialized tool for enthusisant, and frankly most enthusiast already have a DSLR kit and such glass, and lets face it, for portraits etc, the DSLR kit is a better tool anyways

I don't think anyone serious about portrait photography would choose m4/3 as the system they base their business around.
 
Two comments:

Why would you "choose" a camera body without considering lenses? The body is worthless if you don't have a lens to suit your purpose(s). That's, btw, a major difference between how pros view equipment as opposed to others. Lenses come first.

Secondly: whatever else it is (and it is certainly a very fine, world-class lens that's inexpensive for the quality you get), the Panasonic 20mm lens is NOT a very good portrait lens; you will either have to get way back to avoid distortion and then do some major cropping, effectively giving up tons of resolution (and not being able to have a blurred background as well) OR you'll have all your subjects looking moon-faced and flat.

Every lens has at least a small number of uses. In this case, it ain't portraiture!
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http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/mfurst_photos/Surmang%20and%20Yushu%202009/?albumview=slideshow
 
The 14-54 II is a great lens. It sings on the GH1 and I'm sure it will be fantastic on the GH2. AF speed is good, not great. No IS, but the brighter glass helps you get better shutter speeds to compensate.
Everdog said:
tomtnt said:
Actually, if they would just release a fast zoom somewhere in the 14-45 range, I'd be happy.
Click to expand...
Like the 14-54mm II F/2.8 -3.5? It is pretty fast to AF on the m43 systems and is very highly rated.
Click to expand...
 
Panasonic will be releasing a 25mm f1.4 in the spring of next year. This would give you a bit more bokeh than the 20mm f1.4. It will be more expensive as well due to better build and HD designation like the 14-140mm lens.
 
I guess it all depends on your expectations. I'm normally a Nikon DX shooter, but I have been looking at the GH2 very lustfully to use as a smaller more portable camera. I was originally excited about the Sony NEX cameras, but their lens options are nothing that get me excited; no plans for an ultra-wide for another two years.

With M43, you have the Pany 7-14mm, the Oly 9-18mm, a few primes, and several zooms. Definitely nothing compared to the history of Nikon, Canon, or Sony SLR lenses, but in the mirrorless world, this is a terrific selection that will hopefully get even better. I don't see Sony or Samsung catching up any time soon.

Now, if you really regret getting that GH2, there are thousands of people would die to take it from you. :)

--------------------------------------------
Joe Braun Photography
http://www.citrusmilo.com
 
I love the Pany 20mm, but I don't think it's the best lens for portraits because of the way the wider focal length tends to distort faces. You'd want at least a 25mm, in my opinion.

Hang tight though. I think more lenses are coming up in the near future. Hopefully the Olympus 50mm is one of them.
amkesler6131 said:
After two days of research I decided ont he GH2, in the end the overheating issues for video ( I live in a desert), and mirror cleaning issues moved me away from the sony A33/55.

Now I am onto lens selection and am suprised by the selection...not much to choose from for full autofcus or is it just me. I am looking for a portrait lens, so I have to get the 20mm 1.7 (still wish the bookah could be stronger). As for the rest I am open to suggestions.
Click to expand...
 
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