If you could pick 1 lens for the OMD?

Tothepetercopter · #1 July 4th, 2012, 02:48 PM

I have a limited fund for 1 lens and the body for the OMD.

For around 800 what 1 lens (Or multiple ones possibly) would you choose that's good for VIDEO and photography?

Wide angle or standard 50mm doesn't matter just suggest.

strang · #2 July 4th, 2012, 02:59 PM

Cosina Voigtlander 25mm F0.95. Although I kind of exceeded your price ceiling.

If the criteria was to only have 1 lens forever. This would be my choice.

kevinparis · #3 July 4th, 2012, 02:59 PM

hmmm... you do need to define better what kind of video and photography you are intending to do?

as far as I can see the kit 12-50 covers a lot of bases... for video the slow aperture is less of a problem as you shoot video at 1/60 of a second as a rule... it may be more of an issue if you are doing low light photography.... but for video fast lenses usually require ND filters in any half decent light to be able to be used wide open.

tell us what you want to shoot and maybe we can offer you some solutions.... you obviously see video as important... are you looking at point and squirt type videos or something more structured with individual shots edited together that tell a story?

K

Jman · #4 July 4th, 2012, 03:04 PM

Depends entirely on what you shoot. For me? I'd take the PanaLeica 25/1.4. Hands down. However, some would prefer a zoom, some a wide angle, some a telephoto.

If I only shot landscapes, it'd be the 7-14mm. If I only shot portrait, the 45/1.8. If I only shot macro the 45/2.8...if I only shot wildlife, the 100-300 or 75-300.

See what I mean? I shoot a wide variety, so I own the 7-14, 12/2, 25/1.4, 45/1.8, 45-175, 8mm fisheye, etc....so I can change lenses based on what I'm shooting, but if I could only have one it'd be the 25/1.4. Versatile for most anything...can do portraits, can do landscapes, can stitch multiple shots if you need wider....

Tothepetercopter · #5 July 4th, 2012, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the responses.

I'm wanting to do video of abandoned areas, houses, so on. Along with short movies. Video isn't #1 but I want it to be a good option when I need it. I was thinking of an EP3 but I really like the 16mp sensor and built in VF on the OMD.

kevinparis · #6 July 4th, 2012, 03:17 PM

if you held a gun to my head and told me i could have only 2 lenses... then I would go for the pana 20 and the oly 45

i have the 25/1.4 and it is very nice.. and the 14/2.8 which has its moments... as well as a lot of other micro 4/3, 4/3 and legacy lenses

but the first 2 lenses are my goto lenses... the 20 is a nice focal length that covers a lot of bases and the 45 is just magnificent.... and they are both really really small... I have shot events with them in my jeans pockets..... no frigging camera bag

this was shot on the 20mm

this was shot with the 45 - both on a GH2 - not an OMD

here are some photos on the 20 mm

Panasonic 20/1.7 - a set on Flickr

and some on the 14mm... which is another consideration

Panasonic 14mm - a set on Flickr

cheers

Kevin

K

6x6 · #7 July 4th, 2012, 03:27 PM

14/2.5 and 45/1.8
Dont know much about video, but thats what I would choose for the money. I would try to buy used to get the third one, too:

Only one lens: 20/1,7
Two: 14 and 45
Three: all of them

Art · #8 July 4th, 2012, 03:34 PM

If just one lens for OM-D I think PL 25 is the best choice. It should balance nicely on OM-D while pancakes won't make it more pocketable anyway (OM-D is a large camera). PL25 will take advantage of OM-D's fast AF and IBIS. It's great for general use: portraits, enviro portraits, landscape (can always stitch shots), low light, video, DoF control, possible macro with Raynox, etc. It also has one of the best (if not the best) IQ among all m43 lenses.

fooddude · #9 July 4th, 2012, 03:45 PM

For videography? I love video taking.. and the VC 17.5 & 25 0.95 lenses would be the best....

BUT, too bad those awesome $1+ m43 lenses don't have IBIS in Video-Mode :(

That being said... I'd take the PL 25mm since it still had IBIS.. but rumors have it that Olympus will come out with either or both a fast 17.5 and/or 25mm, in the same design and look as their 75, 45 and 12 and much cheaper than the PL25

Brianetta · #10 July 4th, 2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strang

If the criteria was to only have 1 lens forever.

If that were the single criterion, I'd be buying some other camera. My first new non-kit lens (I have an E-P1) was bought on the basis that I wouldn't be able to afford another for quite some time, rather than being the only one I'd ever have. That said, it's still my favourite - the Panasonic 20mm.