Panasonic GH2 Lumix Zoom Lens – Contant Aperture – Video

[Jason Jenkins]

I don’t think there is such a thing as a cheap constant aperture zoom. Why do you need to zoom anyway?

Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!

[Matt Taylor]

Jason,

Thanks for the response.

I know that the words “cheap” and “constant aperture” don’t go together, but I figured that if it existed, someone here would know.

We shoot mostly video with our DSLR and there’s been occasions where we want to push in on an interview subject during an answer without having to worry about the aperture adjusting.

Thanks,
Matt

[Jason Jenkins]

[Matt Taylor] “I know that the words “cheap” and “constant aperture” don’t go together, but I figured that if it existed, someone here would know.

We shoot mostly video with our DSLR and there’s been occasions where we want to push in on an interview subject during an answer without having to worry about the aperture adjusting.”

Matt,

I had that exact same dilemma when I started shooting with my GH2. I figured out how to solve the problem without buying any new lenses. I simply shoot everything in 1080p and edit in 720p. With the extra resolution you can fake a zoom in post or change up the apparent focal length by scaling some clips to 66.7% and others to 100%. It makes editing much more flexible and fun. Now, if you are required to have a 1080 final product, you’re back to lens hunting. Most of my stuff ends up on the web and 720p has been more than adequate.

Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!

[Jason Jenkins]

Here’s a sample:

Medicare Advantage

Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!

[Malcolm Matusky]

Even a “cheap” zoom, non-constant aperture, is a “constant aperture” after f4.0 or so. On the lens specs you will see f3.5~4 or 3.5~56, well just set your aperture to the smaller setting and your lens will be “constant aperture.” Add light or increase the gain setting on the camera, you can now zoom in without the scene darkening during zooming.

If you are looking for the “shallow depth of field” look, you have to use primes (fast) or expensive zooms with a “constant aperture” of f2.8. Primes will almost always give you shallower depth, but zooms are more convenient ( I use them almost always for my work)though it depends on your work as to what is best.

Malcolm
http://www.malcolmproductions.com

[Chip Thome]

There’s nothing for M4/3 so might as well look toward legacy glass and there you will find quite a few. Tokina, Nikon, Sigma, Canon all made at least one fixed aperture zoom, which I think is more referred to as “variable focal length”. The question becomes what lengths you are looking for and what aperture you want ???

[Matt Taylor]

Thanks for all the help guys. I think we’re going to buy an adapter and go with a Canon EF lens.

Thanks again!

[John Doggett-williams]

How did you end up Matt? With the Canon lenses and are you happy with the result?

John Doggett-Williams
http://www.fineeyeproductions.com