I've gone back and forth from the BMCC, Mark III or the GH3 and I'm pretty set on the GH3 for its reception, my lack of experience and it's price. Now i need to know what to get with it. Obviously i need my first lense as well. Whats a good one to start with for someone that will primarily be shooting natural and structural objects with the long term cool being Documentary/Cinema shooting. Im tempted to spend the extra dime and get the Voigtlander but part of me tells me I dont need that yet. Instead i should go with a Sigma 19mm or 30mm (which would i need or do i need both?) Any suggestions for a novice like myself? Thaks guys you've been a huge help
First Lense for my GH3
- Thread starter ManoTikiTia
- Start date
Based on your lack of experience I suggest that you get whatever cheap kit lens you can get thrown in for the best price.. like the 14-42. Its stabilized and works great for handheld..
You can do a lot with it. Slow as molasses, but you will be getting sharp footage from day one.
Then try renting a true cinema lens for a day or two, see what all the hoopla is about...
after that you will have perspective and know a lot more about what YOU think you want. chances are your instincts are good, but its nice to have the knowledge back it up!
You can do a lot with it. Slow as molasses, but you will be getting sharp footage from day one.
Then try renting a true cinema lens for a day or two, see what all the hoopla is about...
after that you will have perspective and know a lot more about what YOU think you want. chances are your instincts are good, but its nice to have the knowledge back it up!
Hi ManoTikiTia - sorry I didn't get back to you in the other thread. Sadly, there is no kit lens included with the GH3 in the US.
The 25mm Nokton f0.95 is a fabulous manual lens, but that's a big investment and a pretty big challenge for a first lens.
I would start with the 19mm Sigma f2.8 for indoors, plus an inexpensive system zoom for outdoors (perhaps the 14-42, as wheatgrinder suggests, and maybe the inexpensive 45-200). You'll learn a lot, and you'll find out what you need to buy next without spending a whole lot of money up front.
This camera can make almost any lens look good
Here is the $1298 GH3 with the $129 Panasonic 14-42:
http://vimeo.com/55708059
And here it is with the $199 Sigma 19mm:
http://vimeo.com/56749236
Best,
Bill
The 25mm Nokton f0.95 is a fabulous manual lens, but that's a big investment and a pretty big challenge for a first lens.
I would start with the 19mm Sigma f2.8 for indoors, plus an inexpensive system zoom for outdoors (perhaps the 14-42, as wheatgrinder suggests, and maybe the inexpensive 45-200). You'll learn a lot, and you'll find out what you need to buy next without spending a whole lot of money up front.
This camera can make almost any lens look good
Here is the $1298 GH3 with the $129 Panasonic 14-42:
http://vimeo.com/55708059
And here it is with the $199 Sigma 19mm:
http://vimeo.com/56749236
Best,
Bill
Last edited:
Thank you bill! Your a godsend!
That is exactly what i'm gonna do. I was already leaning towards the Sigma 19mm. Again, thanks
UPDATE: I'd hate to ask for your help again but i'd love your opinion on where I should start with memory card storage for the camera?
That is exactly what i'm gonna do. I was already leaning towards the Sigma 19mm. Again, thanks
UPDATE: I'd hate to ask for your help again but i'd love your opinion on where I should start with memory card storage for the camera?
Last edited:
No worries. I was in the same situation a couple of years ago, when I bought my first DSLR ( a Canon). Nobody told me that I needed something called a "Class 10" card, or it wouldn't be fast enough to record video I wish it had occured to me to ask on a forum like this.
I used to recommend inexpensive Komputerbay cards until I had one literally fall apart on me. I saved the data, but just barely. Whatever you do, don't try to 'save money' buying off-brand cards.
I now use 64GB and 128GB Kingston cards. My 128GB Kingston card has reliably recorded the fastest data rates on the GH3 - and, at 128GB, I never worry about running out of memory.
Look forward to seeing your work posted to the forum!
Bill
I wish it had occured to me to ask on a forum like this.I used to recommend inexpensive Komputerbay cards until I had one literally fall apart on me. I saved the data, but just barely. Whatever you do, don't try to 'save money' buying off-brand cards.
I now use 64GB and 128GB Kingston cards. My 128GB Kingston card has reliably recorded the fastest data rates on the GH3 - and, at 128GB, I never worry about running out of memory.
Look forward to seeing your work posted to the forum!
Bill
starting with a fixed focal length lens means you have no choices in your camera placement. A zoom is a lot more practical for a noob. But that's must my opinion.
No worries. I was in the same situation a couple of years ago, when I bought my first DSLR ( a Canon). Nobody told me that I needed something called a "Class 10" card, or it wouldn't be fast enough to record video
Bill
I use a class 6 card on my 600D and it works fine.
Having no zoom and only a fixed focal length teaches composition.
On a hacked GH2 or GH3 using anything less than a class 10 might be unsafe. I would only trust Sandisk Extremes, or other brand class 10's. The data rates and mb write speeds will result in dropped frames on a lower class card. I've tried using cheap cards. Doesn't work.
I recommend the Sigma 30mm 1.4. I don't know why, but this lens is special. The best choice I did with my GH2.
Thanks man! Sounds like im all set! Do you suggest anything else for day one?
Well i guess I was alittle slow on buying the 14-42mm because it's now discontinued with the price more than doubling. Should I rethink what to get along with the Sigma 19.
Last edited: