Leica Lenses for Videography

[imsilly]

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I am tempted by the Panasonic GH line up for videos. I don't really want to buy an m43 glass, but I'm tempted to adapt Leica lenses to the format for video.

 

As m43 effectively doubles focal length I was thinking, which lenses would make good conversions to cine-primes?

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[Sully]

In our video world we use GH3s and Canons. The Leica R lenses are easier to use because they have longer focus rolls which make focusing more accurate. We have all our R lenses "de-clicked", so, the F stop can be set more accurately. The M lenses are very good sharpness and color wise, but they are just a little harder to focus. Sometimes we use a Metabones adapter with the R lenses. This gives us 30pc wider view and one stop increase in lens speed. e.g. A 35mm Summilux R 1.4 lens becomes a 25mm F 2. The central definition is good but the far edges are a wee bit soft. Since we do not have "Edge Panic", this does not bother us or our clients. We also do not have "F stop Panic". We like to shoot at smaller lens openings, so, we can hold bigger depth of field. The F 1 craze does not really help the daily work we do.

 

A basic set of lenses we use are zooms: 21-35 (F4), 35-70 (F4), 80-200 (F4), and 70-180 (F 2.8). The zooms are not par-focal, but we generally use them just to set a precise frame.

Our primes: 19, 24, 28, 35 (F1.4), 50 Summicron, 60, 80 (F1.4) Summilux, 90, 135, 280 (F2.8), 400, and 560. We also use the Apo 2X doubler on the longer lenses.

M lenses: Wate, 24 (F1.4), 28, 35 (1.4 Fle), 50, 50 Noctilux, 75, 90, and 135.

We also love the Panasonic 12 -35 (F2.8) and 35-100 (F2.8). They are auto focus and image stabilized.

We are awaiting the new GH4 which I'm sure will work well with our currant glass.

 

Ciao, Sully

[imsilly]

So basically if I grabbed a GH3 I should probably just get one IS Panasonic zoom and then an adapter so I could throw my existing M lenses on if needs be.

 

I basically want a travel videography kit, to complement my M film Leica shooting, but without the bulk of a HD cam, or 5DMKII or MKIII.

[CheshireCat]

A 35mm Summilux R 1.4 lens becomes a 25mm F 2.

 

You probably mean 25mm f/1.0.

[Paul J]

The new GH4 4K is an incredible little camera, think I'm going to get one.

[imsilly]

The new GH4 4K is an incredible little camera, think I'm going to get one.

 

Yes, I think the GH line is very interesting. 4K for me is not really necessary at the moment, but the idea that you could shoot video and use the frames like stills is incredibly attractive. I have shot video on Magic Lantern hacked DLSR before, but the GH cameras are so compact that it makes for an interesting prospect as far as creating a mobile video rig.

 

I will probably now sell my Nikon kit and reinvest the money in a fast Lumix Zoom with OIS and more Leica primes. I still prefer shooting film when it comes to still, but a small digital camera in the bag that can do video would really be useful.

 

Am I right in thinking a Lumix 12-35, Panasonic GH3, Zoom H4n audio recorder, Manfrotto 701HDV fluid head and compact tripod could be packed in a medium sized camera bag like Billingham 445?

 

That is what I'm thinking of taking as a video rig along side my Leica M6 for travelling.

[Sully]

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Good catch CheshireCat. It would be an F1 instead of F2. I guess you can see why I did not do so well in quantum physics courses.

 

Another note on the Metabones adapter: It seems to perform the best on the 70-180 and the 80-200 lenses. The wider zooms seem to show a little more edge softness. But none of this softness is bad enough to stop us from using the adapter. It really is an amazing piece of glass.

 

Thanks, Sully