The Fantastic Lumix G7

My love affair with digital photographer started with a pocket shooter called Olympus Camedia, then bloomed with the Lumix FZ7, a "prosumer" with which I made a lot of fond memories. When I decided to go DSLR, feeling that my skill was ready for it, I picked Canon and have been with Canon since then. My system now includes two FF bodies, a cropped body and a mirrorless body.

A few weeks ago I got intrigued by a friend who has been posting videos shot with the Lumix, a brand that I've always admired. And since 3 of 4 Canon bodies in my bags don't do 4k videos, I got curious and could not resist a deal when a pre-owned body showed up in a photography club I am part of. G7 with 14-42mm kit lens for $400, used for less than six months, at that very sporadically. Everything was mint condition so I just had to grab it.

Over the past two weeks, I've been testing the G7's 4k video. It is amazing! And the time lapse video recording - awesome even at ISO3200, the noise well controlled yet the details remain clear. At the time I was testing it, the clouds were a bit cruel since a storm was brewing, so I was capturing predominantly dark blue, gray and dark gray colors. Nonetheless, it delivered!

And yes, I know this is not even the top of the line Lumix in the market today! So all those who lambast Canon for not offering 4k videos, myself included, they're right. All my TVs at home have been 4k since three years ago. My own PC monitor? 4k since two years ago. Laptops the same. If Canon continues with its haphazard approach towards 4k videos in 2018, I am prepared to lose a lot of money, sell my bodies and lenses, and start building a combo of Lumix and Sony systems.

However, at this point, my G7 is something I am primarily using for videos, though I must admit it is a very capable stills shooter as well. Here's the thing: Since it is the third body in my bag when I travel, I need your best recommendation for the one lens, preferably prime, that will help me exploit this camera's video prowess.

Typically street and landscape videos for me, time lapses included. Under $500 please.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

You should consider the Olympus 17mm f/1,8.

Noogy wrote:

However, at this point, my G7 is something I am primarily using for videos, though I must admit it is a very capable stills shooter as well. Here's the thing: Since it is the third body in my bag when I travel, I need your best recommendation for the one lens, preferably prime, that will help me exploit this camera's video prowess.

Typically street and landscape videos for me, time lapses included. Under $500 please.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

One lens for street and landscape video under $500. Samyang 12mm f/2. No contest.

Disregarding the price cap, the Voigtlander 17.5mm f/0.95 is the best video lens available in the system bar none.

tef68 wrote:

You should consider the Olympus 17mm f/1,8.

Thank you, now in my list

Stejo wrote:

Noogy wrote:

However, at this point, my G7 is something I am primarily using for videos, though I must admit it is a very capable stills shooter as well. Here's the thing: Since it is the third body in my bag when I travel, I need your best recommendation for the one lens, preferably prime, that will help me exploit this camera's video prowess.

Typically street and landscape videos for me, time lapses included. Under $500 please.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

One lens for street and landscape video under $500. Samyang 12mm f/2. No contest.

Disregarding the price cap, the Voigtlander 17.5mm f/0.95 is the best video lens available in the system bar none.

Thanks! Does the Samyang autofocus on the Lumix? They don't on Canon bodies.

NCV wrote:

I bought a cheap second hand GF3 a few years ago for work.

I had so much fun using this camera compared to my DSLR that within a month my Nikon gear had been sold and replaced by a sweet powerful little beast called the EM5.

Be careful!

Wow!

I might be doing something similar, in the event I give up on my EOS M6, which is a terrific shooter but its Full HD video is so dated.

Noogy wrote:

Does the Samyang autofocus on the Lumix? They don't on Canon bodies.

No. None of the Samyang or Voigtlander options available for MFT have AF.

That's not an issue for video of course, but if you want it for stills too, then you should probably look for a grey import PL15/1.7 on ebay. They go for less than $400 usually and it's the best alternative that comes to mind that's good enough for both worlds. If you can live with fly by wire focusing for video that is.

Noogy wrote:

My love affair with digital photographer started with a pocket shooter called Olympus Camedia, then bloomed with the Lumix FZ7, a "prosumer" with which I made a lot of fond memories. When I decided to go DSLR, feeling that my skill was ready for it, I picked Canon and have been with Canon since then. My system now includes two FF bodies, a cropped body and a mirrorless body.

A few weeks ago I got intrigued by a friend who has been posting videos shot with the Lumix, a brand that I've always admired. And since 3 of 4 Canon bodies in my bags don't do 4k videos, I got curious and could not resist a deal when a pre-owned body showed up in a photography club I am part of. G7 with 14-42mm kit lens for $400, used for less than six months, at that very sporadically. Everything was mint condition so I just had to grab it.

Over the past two weeks, I've been testing the G7's 4k video. It is amazing! And the time lapse video recording - awesome even at ISO3200, the noise well controlled yet the details remain clear. At the time I was testing it, the clouds were a bit cruel since a storm was brewing, so I was capturing predominantly dark blue, gray and dark gray colors. Nonetheless, it delivered!

And yes, I know this is not even the top of the line Lumix in the market today! So all those who lambast Canon for not offering 4k videos, myself included, they're right. All my TVs at home have been 4k since three years ago. My own PC monitor? 4k since two years ago. Laptops the same. If Canon continues with its haphazard approach towards 4k videos in 2018, I am prepared to lose a lot of money, sell my bodies and lenses, and start building a combo of Lumix and Sony systems.

However, at this point, my G7 is something I am primarily using for videos, though I must admit it is a very capable stills shooter as well. Here's the thing: Since it is the third body in my bag when I travel, I need your best recommendation for the one lens, preferably prime, that will help me exploit this camera's video prowess.

Typically street and landscape videos for me, time lapses included. Under $500 please.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

An update: Decided to grab the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 as I am beginning to exploit the high ISO capability of my G7. For videos, I could use the 1.8 especially at night. I plan to do time lapses at ISO500 with this lens Sample photos below tell me it is a worthy purchase. What do you think?

I've just ordered my first M43 camera today,  I went for a used G80 [G85 in the States]  - traded in some of my Fuji gear for it.  Still keeping my X-T1, love that camera, and I don't expect the G80 to be quite as good IQ-wise.  But what I am looking forward to is the 5-axis-stab.  That is my main reason for wanting to try M43.  The G7 looks great value, but you'll need lenses with OIS built into them for stabilization with it I think?

I also looked at the Olympus 17mm, among other primes, but came across a steal of a deal here in Ireland atm.  The Panasonic 25mm 1.7, brand new, for €118 delivered [about $135] - it's part of some instant cash back deal going on. All I know is I wasn't passing that up!

The G7 has an older shutter that has severe shutter shock. The G85 is the same camera with a sharper sensor (no AA filter) but especially with a redesigned shutter.

OK, a couple of suggestions (that some people already gave):

1) For low price and amazing performance I think nothing beats the Lumix 25mm f1.7. That lens you can constantly find very cheap I already compared it to the 25mm f1.4 and the Olympus 25mm f1.8 and I think that it is just at the same level or very close to those (and on some specs, like silent and fast focusing, even better);

2) For amazing quality and look and a little more "wider" view for landscape, the Lumix Leica 15mm f1.7 is just awesome. I much prefer it to the Olympus 17mm f1.8, mainly because it is wider so it is more useful for landscape, but the Oly one is also amazing.

3) For a low price versatile and light weight solution, the 12-32mm f3.5-5.6 is just a gem! So tiny, but at the same time you have all your bases covered: amazingly handy focal length, OIS, quite sharp (perfectly sharp for video), wide (24mm equiv at the low end), etc. Awesome lens!

4) For a very fancy middle ground between prime and zoom, the 12-35 f2.8 is just my favorite lens ever! I know it is more then your $500 budget, but, you can easily find the V1 used for around that price. If not, you can also look for the Oly 12-40 f2.8 refurbished or used very close to that price.

5) My favorite prime of all times EVER is the Lumix 42.5mm f1.7. I use to have a Canon system and the EF 85mm f1.8 that I loved, but I think the Lumix is FAR better. But, I know it is very portrait oriented and not so useful for the things you want (street and landscape), so, even if it is my favorite piece of glass, I don't think it would be that useful to you

I hope that helps!

Agree with your thoughts on the G7 - I love mine. Lots of people will disagree with this, but my most used lens for stills + video is the 25mm f1.7. It’s got great IQ and it’s insanely inexpensive. Although I don’t (yet) own either, I hear that 12-35 f2.8 and 15 mm f1.7 are also great all-around lenses.