GH2 Lens for filming concerts +K of course

Totes_Magotes

Totes_Magotes

Active member
Hello NS,

So here's the low down. Basically I'm in crippling debt right now but just got offered a gig for filming concerts over the summer at a local restaurant. The restaurant is hooking it up by basically offering to put $1100 down on a camera setup for me (second camera that is) in trade for paychecks. I've got all the accessories (tripod, slider, etc..) but I was wondering how to go about getting a minimal setup that will produce decent enough footage for these concerts. I was only weeks away from buying a GH3 setup when a very unfortunate event happend putting me out $7500 so basically I'm set on getting a GH2 so I can get a lens that I can keep once I trade my GH2 for a GH3 and not to mention, getting to know the GH2 will help me learn the GH3 all the better once I can buy it.

So I'm asking you what lens you suggest I get with my remaining budget (Probably close to $600 plus maybe a little on a credit card but don't want to do that all too much). Right now, I'm thinking the Tokina 11-16mm would be cool so I could keep it next winter for skiing but the job comes first, so I'll take any suggestions.

There are two types of concerts, early outdoor evening with a sufficient amount of natural light and late night indoor with very little light. The outdoor concerts are more important and outnumber the indoor concerts nearly 2 to 1, but the lowlight situation is something to think about. This camera will be my stationary camera basically sitting on a tripod in front of the band as my current camera will be with me on a Glidecam or slider getting mobile.

Any advice is much appreciated!!

+K!!
 
A decent adapter for nikon->m4/3 will run you about 100$. I would then get a Tamron 28-200 ( for the budget ) which is 200. a decent 25mm lens for about 50-100$. and possibly a rokinon 8mm for 250. All in all, you're looking at 550-700 depending on adapter/lenses. I own a GH2 and own a similar set up. The 25mm will cover you in low light, combined with hacks on your gh2 for low light conditions. The rokinon with the tamron will cover a sufficient enough range if 600$ is your max. Good luck man!
 
Thank you! I looked at all those lenses and that's looking like a good starters kit for what I need. Anymore suggestions anyone?
 
to start off, I have a gh2 and a few lenses for it. I really think you would be liming yourself if you get the tokina 11-16 as your only lens. Personally I would look for a mid wide-standard zoom, a fast tele prime, and a something ultrawide/fisheye if you still have money. Craigslist can have amazing deals. Also, check this out, whole collection of lenses people have tried on the gh2 and how they work.

http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/859/video-friendly-lenses-for-lumix-dslrs/p1

Also, I knwo you said you had all the accessories, but do you have a lot of good memory cards?I shoot with one of the highest quality hacks, and there are only a few cards that keep up well. If you shoot with a lower bitrate hack (which will still give great quality), it is less of an issue, but you will still need lots of fast cards. 32gb is less than 30min for me. Lastly, unless these will be well lit, stay away from b4 lenses. While they can be very fast, cheap and parfocal, you almost always have to use them in crop mode, and low light in crop mode is one of the gh2's weakest points. If you won't have to go above iso 800ish you can get away with it, and it may be possible at the right venue (also most of the lenses are f1.8), so if that is the case, go for it. Otherwise, stick to some of the others
 
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