G85 lens selection help

[hslee12]

Hi All!

I've been lurking silently here for a while, but officially signed up as I'm close to making a purchase on a video set up.

After much research, I've decided on the Panasonic G85 which I'll be using exclusively for video (the IBIS was the key feature for me over the GH4 as I plan on doing a fair bit of handheld work, and GH5 seems a bit too expensive for my first dive into video).

For lens choices, I've got it narrowed down to 2 options:

1. Sigma 18-35 with Speed Booster (I already have the Nikon mount, so would only need to purchase the Metabones)

2. PL25 1.4

In terms of cost and aperture, it'll be fairly close between the Speed Booster and the Leica lens but the big differences that stand out to me are:

- Leica will be lighter, and I'll be able to change focus/aperture from the camera

- Sigma will offer a bit more range, but will be much bigger/heavier

I'm hoping I can get some advice on the below questions (plus any other wisdom anyone can share):

Would the Sigma offer significantly better image quality? Would I have to manually set the focal length every time it's changed for IBIS to work (as it's a Nikon mount)?

I'm currently leaning towards the Leica for a lot more convenience, as long as the image quality is fairly close (and I could even sell the Sigma to recoup some of the investment).

Sorry for such a long first post, but thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Tom Caldwell]

If the Sigma had been EF mount then the decision would be harder, but as it is Nikon mount then the PL is a "no brainer".

The advantage of an EF speedbooter is that it opens up more EF mount possibilities. But MF possibilities with a Nikon mount are more restrictive when coupled with the potential extra size involved.

However there is no doubt that MF with Legacy lenses on the M4/3 mount is quite do-able.

 

[Robbster]

What type of video are you planning to shoot? FWIW, I shoot most all my video on my G85 with the PL 12-60 F2.8-4. Most often this is live action research video indoors in ambient light, hence this lens choice. Other shooting scenarios could dictate other lens options. For example, thinking about your lens choices in my scenario, the prime you mention would require way too short distance between me and the research subject at times, while the adapted Sigma would be too inflexible (tried something like this on my Sony 6300).

All the best...

 

[rashid7]

the m4/3 option is a whole dif kettle of fish!

I would stick to a m4/3 lens, but...

I suggest u look at the Sigma 30f1.4C = sharper, heavier and much cheaper vs the 25

The 18-35&speedbooster (while giving u FF type DoF/isolation) is 5x heavier and 4x more $

- plus u will be MF only (Nikon) or at best, poor AF (Cannon)

 

[rashid7]

the m4/3 option is a whole dif kettle of fish!

I would stick to a m4/3 lens, but...

I suggest u look at the Sigma 30f1.4C = sharper, heavier and much cheaper vs the 25

The 18-35&speedbooster (while giving u FF type DoF/isolation) is 5x heavier and 4x more $

- plus u will be MF only (Nikon) or at best, poor AF (Cannon)

 

[hslee12]

If the Sigma had been EF mount then the decision would be harder, but as it is Nikon mount then the PL is a "no brainer".

The advantage of an EF speedbooter is that it opens up more EF mount possibilities. But MF possibilities with a Nikon mount are more restrictive when coupled with the potential extra size involved.

However there is no doubt that MF with Legacy lenses on the M4/3 mount is quite do-able.

 

[hslee12]

Thanks Robbster!

I plan on doing mostly outdoor shooting of a single subject (for a fashion blog) and possibly a little bit of product shots. I think for this, the short distance will probably be an advantage for me, so having a shallow depth of field and high image quality are the biggest priorities for me.

How are you liking the PL 12-60?

 

[hslee12]

I'll look into the Sigma, looks like an interesting option. Thank you!

 

[Tom Caldwell]

If the Sigma had been EF mount then the decision would be harder, but as it is Nikon mount then the PL is a "no brainer".

The advantage of an EF speedbooter is that it opens up more EF mount possibilities. But MF possibilities with a Nikon mount are more restrictive when coupled with the potential extra size involved.

However there is no doubt that MF with Legacy lenses on the M4/3 mount is quite do-able.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

the m4/3 option is a whole dif kettle of fish!

I would stick to a m4/3 lens, but...

I suggest u look at the Sigma 30f1.4C = sharper, heavier and much cheaper vs the 25

The 18-35&speedbooster (while giving u FF type DoF/isolation) is 5x heavier and 4x more $

- plus u will be MF only (Nikon) or at best,

poor AF (Cannon)

I would contest the "poor AF" claim in regard to a Sigma DC lens if focal reduced EF to M4/3.

 

[Impulses]

I'll look into the Sigma, looks like an interesting option. Thank you!

It's larger, but also much cheaper, and seems to benefit from being designed for the larger image circle of APS-C... DPR has a good comparison you can Google. I still haven't seen a really great C-AF comparison on any Pana body for lenses that *should* benefit from DFD vs those that don't, they've kept DFD as this sort of magic feature...

I have a feeling it's as much about improved algorithms and processing as it is about their touted lens profiles... And the PL25 had a somewhat quirky aperture mechanism that didn't even seem to gel well with C-AF based on a few random observations I remember on the mu-43 boards. 'Course if you're gonna MF it then this is all moot!

At that point I'd worry more about the rendering differences between them, bokeh, etc.

 

[rashid7]

the m4/3 option is a whole dif kettle of fish!

I would stick to a m4/3 lens, but...

I suggest u look at the Sigma 30f1.4C = sharper, heavier and much cheaper vs the 25

The 18-35&speedbooster (while giving u FF type DoF/isolation) is 5x heavier and 4x more $

- plus u will be MF only (Nikon) or at best,

poor AF (Cannon)

I would contest the "poor AF" claim in regard to a Sigma DC lens if focal reduced EF to M4/3.

 

[hslee12]

Sorry, I meant I'll look into the Sigma 30 1.4 you suggested, as I hadn't really researched into it before.

Yes, since I'm planning on video only manual focus isn't a problem so I'm really looking for the best image quality at around that price range. As much as I keep trying to convince myself on the Sigma 18-35 since I already have the Nikon mount and it seems like the 'trendier' approach, I can't seem to justify the size and convenience loss versus the PL.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[hslee12]

Thanks again, Tom! You've put much of my concerns to rest

 

[Impulses]

Sorry, I meant I'll look into the Sigma 30 1.4 you suggested, as I hadn't really researched into it before.

Yes, since I'm planning on video only manual focus isn't a problem so I'm really looking for the best image quality at around that price range. As much as I keep trying to convince myself on the Sigma 18-35 since I already have the Nikon mount and it seems like the 'trendier' approach, I can't seem to justify the size and convenience loss versus the PL.

Thanks for all your help!

I wasn't the one that suggested it but I WAS talking about that Sigma 30/1.4 vs the PL25/1.4 btw (not sure if any wires got crossed there)...

 

[hslee12]

Ha! My fault, I confused myself by just referring to it as 'the Sigma' and later realizing I had mentioned the 18-35 in my original post.

Thanks again for your advice!