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July, 2025

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M43 glass thread

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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
many of us are fans and owners of the gh2, and there are many other members considering buying a gh2 or gh3. Besides the flat out amazingly high res/detailed image these cameras can give, I find one of their biggest strengths to be that they can take nearly any lens ever made. to help keep things organized, I thought we could all post what lenses we are using, what we like/dislike, and samples. There are so many choices out their, and I hope this thread can become a place where people would refer to when considering a new lens or simply looking and seeing what this camera is capable of.
13 years ago
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rudedog41
Posts: 605 - Karma: 135
threads for when I have money after christmas...
13 years ago
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,944
Love my fd primes

35mm
55mm
85mm
135mm

Also love my 17mm Tokina
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I personally like m42 glass, I have one edit shot all on the helios 44-2. should be done once I get home.

My lenses:
lumix 14-42 - surprisingly sharp, decent all around lens, gives a very real image with standard film, don't use it that much though, unless I need a wide angle

leica dg 25mm - amazingly sharp, even wide open, very good AF, to the point that I find it usable during video. Also has a very nice character to it, many reviews call it the "leica look" and while it isn't the same as a classic leica, this lens is amazing.

helios 44-2 - has been mentioned plenty of times on this site, has a very unique look with cool swirly bokeh

takumar 200mm f3.5 - 20 aperture blades, quite sharp, and with crop mode you can shoot things that are almost scarily far away

I recently bought a spotmatic, so I am hoping to pick up more m42 lenses, and then something wide to use on a glide cam (to replace kit). Examples will be posted for all lenses
13 years ago
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Linked
Posts: 325 - Karma: 216
I've got the 14-45 and a 20mm fd lens that should be arriving today,
What are wide lenses are people using?
13 years ago
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Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,453
thomas sold this one to me and i really do enjoy it
13 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
am I the only one in this forum with a GH1 and not a GH2??

I just have a panasonic 14-42 kit lens, and then I have an adapter for nikon glass and I have a nikkor 1.8 50mm. the nikon looks soooo nice, though sometimes my shots are over exposed (may be other settings im using, not the lens). definitely need to grab some lens filters for it.

I'd love to get like a 30mm or something
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
nikon 28mm? I love my 25, but it is less future proof and very expensive. Also, to everyone, if you know two off brand lenses that match very well, or need/want to give advice on "sets" of lenses, whether one brand or a collection, please post it in here. It would be very helpful to know what lenses can work well together etc.
13 years ago
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michael_bc
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 814
I'm liking my M43 setup more and more for ski photography, because of the small size and the stunning sharpness. It's been so great being able to carry the camera in my jacket's chest pocket rather than needing to unpack a DSLR from a backpack for every shot...

I only own a handful of lenses at the moment (literally)...

One lens I own and really like is the Samyang 7.5mm fish eye. I've owned the Samyang (Rokinon/Opteka/Bower) fisheye for Nikon before and it was crap (soft). The M43 version on the other hand is really sharp, tiny, and the metal build is fantastic.

Shot with the fisheye:

Click for larger image

I'm using my Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 most of the time. Small, inexpensive, very high IQ. Some shots I took yesterday with the 20mm:

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

I'm also really stoked on my Olympus 40-150mm. Coming from a heavy f/2.8 tele zoom on a DSLR, it's really incredible to have this IQ and this range in such a tiny, inexpensive lens. Shot with the 40-150mm:

Click for larger image

Next up on my wish list is the Panasonic Summilux 25mm f/1.4. I was also thinking of getting the new Nikon 70-200mm f/4, but I think I might skip it and get the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 instead. The tiny size when carrying a camera on the mountain is priceless.
13 years ago
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top_lel
Posts: 56 - Karma: 47
The m4/3 lenses I use is the samyang 7,5mm and my new panasonic lumix G 14mm.
I have owned a samyang 8mm for sony and I must say i'm much more impressed with m4/3 one!
The lumix 14mm is great! it's so small and super fast auto-focus on the e-m5. The image quality speaks for it self:
Click for larger image
The image is taken in Åre like a month ago, super early season this year :)
13 years ago
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Bloc_chain
Posts: 26053 - Karma: 4,512
leica M mount glass can be adapted to m4/3, I suggest you all do that
13 years ago
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rudedog41
Posts: 605 - Karma: 135
bump
13 years ago
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Dub_Digital
Posts: 2796 - Karma: 639
will be posting a video soon with my rokkor 24mm 2.8 (with an adapter of course)
13 years ago
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michael_bc
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 814
Some more shots with the Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R. I'm getting really stoked on this lens for ski photography...

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
13 years ago
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rudedog41
Posts: 605 - Karma: 135
I'd like to get a good compact lens and was thinking a 20 1.7, but I also saw the 7.5 fisheye so many people rave about...is the loss of autofocus and aperture in the fisheye worth the drop in price? I also want it to be a good photo lens but in just kind of torn as I can only afford one...
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I just got the rokinon fisheye, it is really sharp, and really wide. Also, AF does not matter at all, even wide open it seems that everything more than a foot away is in focus when set to .25m or past
13 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,701
It's a great lens, the size really compliments the body when its on a glidecam or some sort of handheld stabilizer.

I just got a FD>M43 adapter today so i threw my FD 50mm on the GH2 and HOLY CRAP! I knew it was a great matchup from looking at other photos but i was still surprised, the picture is so warm and it just has a great feel to it. I'll upload some examples later.
13 years ago
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michael_bc
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 814
Get the 20 f/1.7.

The fish-eye is excellent, but a specialty-lens. The 20mm works really well for all kinds of photography.
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
or the 25 f1.4, less compact, but awesome quality, and much better AF
13 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,701
What's up guys, just checking in here as I don't think this is worthy of a new thread. I recently took an interest in the FD 28/2.8, it seems like on a GH2 it'd really compliment the 2x crop and watching footage it seems like a decent enough lens. It's only 50 bucks on KEH so I'm just wondering if you guys think it'd be of some use for video and possibly a bit of photo on the GH2?

http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Manual-Focus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-CA060104003750?r=FE

(Just curious, what's the EX+ and EX mean on the KEH pricing)
13 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
apparently, even BGN on keh is better than what most people call 9/10. So EX+ means new, but previously owned. There's a chart somewhere on the sight, but I believe it is like 1 under new, or essentially mint. As far as the lens, I know fd's are popular, and I like the 50mm equivalent focal length, as do many others, can't really help you much more than that
13 years ago
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I've just started to use my Lumix 45-200mm 5.6. Optics are almost too perfect; still not sure if I'll keep it around because of it.

I got to use my brother's Takumar 50mm. Good god. Not only is it optically one of the most gorgeous 50mm lenses I've used, it also has the best lens housing I've ever used. I thought nothing could beat my SMC 50mm until now...
13 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
bump.

anyone have some video shot with a wide lens on a micro dslr?
13 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
ttt
12 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,701
You might hate this you might love it. Try not to focus on the content so much...

https://vimeo.com/59053516

Shot on a Rokinon 8mm / GH2
12 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
i like the look of that for sure. so is there one that fits the m43 or would that be doubled to 16mm?? looked like 8 for sure
12 years ago
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i have the rokinon 7.5mm for m43. The focal length on the lens is 7.5mm, this does not change. It gives the "look" of a 15mm lens on a full frame camera (if we ignore the subtleties of the multi-aspect sensor). Regardless, it is very wide, and unless shooting macro wide open, you can pretty much forget about needing to focus
12 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
i shoot all nikkor glass that I'm adapting.

Here's a fun one - First shot (cork 3) is with a 300mm f4 AF-D, (effectively 600mm), shots from the knuckle are 80-200 af-d 2.8 @ 200mm, and the last shots are filmed @200mm with the center crop mode - 5.2 crop factor, so essentially 1040mm


Sequence 01 from ON3P Skis on Vimeo.



https://vimeo.com/59815841

SAMHURST is the password. This is buried in this thread so I'm not worried about it, but don't go posting this anywhere.

No color correction, filmed with Landis' tripod - Miller sticks and Sachtler CineDSLR head... insanely hard to track motion with this much magnification.
12 years ago
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,392
Last shot was with a rokinon fisheye.
12 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
fuck yeah man that all looks good
12 years ago
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Jaggy_Snake
Posts: 2287 - Karma: 1,418
I just love the style that Sam has. It doesn't even look like he's trying. It's so flows so well.
12 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
this was shot on my unhacked gh1 with a nikon 35-70
and no color correction was done

12 years ago
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mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Bringing this thread back to the top.

I'm about to switch from Canon to M43 (GH3 or 4) mainly for video, trying to figure out lenses.

Options:
-Speedbooster, keep my 70-200 f/2.8 and Sigma 17-50 f/2.8.
-Switch to native M43 lenses.

I think I'd rather go to M43 to save weight, $$, and hassle of a speedbooster.


What are some decent native M43 telephoto zooms? Looking for something equivalent to a 100-300mm-ish on a full frame, so I guess that would mean a 50-150mm?
11 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61974 - Karma: 126,970
mvfBringing this thread back to the top.

I'm about to switch from Canon to M43 (GH3 or 4) mainly for video, trying to figure out lenses.

Options:
-Speedbooster, keep my 70-200 f/2.8 and Sigma 17-50 f/2.8.
-Switch to native M43 lenses.

I think I'd rather go to M43 to save weight, $$, and hassle of a speedbooster.


What are some decent native M43 telephoto zooms? Looking for something equivalent to a 100-300mm-ish on a full frame, so I guess that would mean a 50-150mm?


Honestly, I'd say speedbooster. You already have the lenses.

I have all nikon glass with my gh3 minus the rokinon/bower 7.5mm fisheye.
11 years ago
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mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
pussyfooterHonestly, I'd say speedbooster. You already have the lenses.

I have all nikon glass with my gh3 minus the rokinon/bower 7.5mm fisheye.


Pros of speedbooster:
-Way more lenses to choose from (I think).
-Can share lenses with my crew/lighten the load.
-I already have the lenses.

Cons:
-No autofocus (only REALLY matters for photo)
-$500-600
-The Canon lenses are much larger than the equivalent M43s. It would be tight to be able to pack small and light glass around
-If I sold all canon glass I could get some sweet M43 stuff (70-200L ~ $1200).


EHV:
You shoot with GH3 or 4? You have any experience with the 1080p 96fps? Works well to bring into a 30fps sequence in post?
11 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61974 - Karma: 126,970
mvfPros of speedbooster:
-Way more lenses to choose from (I think).
-Can share lenses with my crew/lighten the load.
-I already have the lenses.

Cons:
-No autofocus (only REALLY matters for photo)
-$500-600
-The Canon lenses are much larger than the equivalent M43s. It would be tight to be able to pack small and light glass around
-If I sold all canon glass I could get some sweet M43 stuff (70-200L ~ $1200).


EHV:
You shoot with GH3 or 4? You have any experience with the 1080p 96fps? Works well to bring into a 30fps sequence in post?


I have a gh3. I'm sure the 96p works fine in any sequence.
11 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
mvfPros of speedbooster:
-Way more lenses to choose from (I think).
-Can share lenses with my crew/lighten the load.
-I already have the lenses.

Cons:
-No autofocus (only REALLY matters for photo)
-$500-600
-The Canon lenses are much larger than the equivalent M43s. It would be tight to be able to pack small and light glass around
-If I sold all canon glass I could get some sweet M43 stuff (70-200L ~ $1200).


EHV:
You shoot with GH3 or 4? You have any experience with the 1080p 96fps? Works well to bring into a 30fps sequence in post?


yo mo!

I've been shooting with the gh4 for a few months now, its super fun to use. I use a metabones nikon to m43 adapter, but only the $99 one- not the speedbooster. My glass selection is weak currently, but while filming a doc for the past few months with my friend I could use all of his nikon glass.

Unfortunately I don't have any native m43 lenses other than an old 14-42 kit lens that came with my gh1, and the $100 body cap 9mm f8 fisheye.

After living out of a backpack for a while, and hauling around so much gear- I'd definitely suggest finding some good m43 options. I was looking into this 25mm 1.8 a few months ago, seems solid.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1026123-REG/olympus_v311060bu000_25mm_f_1_8_m_lens.html

I'll be back in vancouver late january hit me up if you wanna mess around with my gh4 before you purchase
11 years ago
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8866 - Karma: 6,833
and sorry for the double post, but to answer your question about 96fps- it looks great in other sequences.
check the last shot in this short edit we filmed in oahu in september!

http://vimeo.com/106364454
11 years ago
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mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
VT_scratchand sorry for the double post, but to answer your question about 96fps- it looks great in other sequences.
check the last shot in this short edit we filmed in oahu in september!

http://vimeo.com/106364454


Crisssspy. Thanks boss.
Now I just have to decide if its worth ~500 for the extra frame rate and focus peaking! I think probably so...

Where you located now?
11 years ago
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