GH4 with Speedbooster + Canon Glass, OR Leica 42.5 1.2

[DesignbyAustin]

GH4 with Speedbooster + Canon Glass,   OR     Leica 42.5 1.2

Im ready to make a purchase to get portrait length lens for my GH4. Currently I have one lens, the Leica 15mm 1.7, and a Nikon f mount adapter (non-speedbooster) Im looking to primarly shoot weddings, and fashion video shoots, so shallow DOF is important to me. Basicly im looking to recreate the look of shooting with a Canon 50-85 mm 1.2L on a 5dMark III... on my GH4.

My dilemma is which route to take. The Leica 42.5 seems like an incredible lense that is excellent in low light, and has an incredible DOF, but purchasing the Metabones Speedbooster opens the door for the future, and allows me to have acess to so many other lenses, both modern and vintage.

I also considered the lesser expensive voltieger 42.5 but the lack of OIS seems huge, especially because I periodically film action sports. The only reason I did not consider going the Nikon Speedbooster route is because It does not include image stabilization.

Help! Im running myself in circles reading review after review. 

On a side note, I have found the Leica 42.5 1.2 on eBay new for around $1,200.00 for a "Japan model". Is that to be avoided?

[Cinegain]

You could get the new Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7, it has OIS and is quite nice (I need to find some time for some testing!).

[Cassius McGowan]

You could get the new Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7, it has OIS and is quite nice (I need to find some time for some testing!).

​What kind of slider is that?

[Cinegain]

​What kind of slider is that?

It's the V-Slider Mini from RatRig that came in about the same time as the 42.5mm f/1.7 the other day. Nitsan did a nice video on it earlier.

http://ratrig.com | https://www.facebook.com/ratrighardware

But anyways, to get back to it... I'd probably go with the new 42.5mm f/1.7, it's nice and affordable and gets you that OIS. Then you can add a SLR Magic 50mm f/0.95 for some bokeh extravaganza. Perhaps also consider the MFT Olympus 75mm f/1.8?

[BrorSvensson]

a 42.5 f1.2 on m43 will not give the same look as a 85 1.2 on full frame, the depth of field equvalent of the 42.5 1.2 is 85mm f2.4. So geting a speedbooster and a 50mm 1.4 (or even 1.2) will give you that shallower depth of field look.

[sudopera]

Shane Hurlbut tested Panny, Olympus and Voigtlander M4/3 lenses on GH4, and his opinion is that all 3 Voigtlanders are the most cinematic and Pannys came second. He was a little bit disapointed with Olympus ones.

Personnaly I don't have any experience with any of them, but the guy is a working DP so I guess his opinion counts for something.

More here on his blog:

https://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2015/02/micro-43-lenses/

https://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2015/04/micro-43-lenses-3/

 

[DesignbyAustin]

a 42.5 f1.2 on m43 will not give the same look as a 85 1.2 on full frame, the depth of field equvalent of the 42.5 1.2 is 85mm f2.4. So geting a speedbooster and a 50mm 1.4 (or even 1.2) will give you that shallower depth of field look.

​Thank you. That makes sense. It seems like what it comes down to is whether or not the IOS is worth the loss of some depth of field.

[DesignbyAustin]

Shane Hurlbut tested Panny, Olympus and Voigtlander M4/3 lenses on GH4, and his opinion is that all 3 Voigtlanders are the most cinematic and Pannys came second. He was a little bit disapointed with Olympus ones.

Personnaly I don't have any experience with any of them, but the guy is a working DP so I guess his opinion counts for something.

More here on his blog:

https://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2015/02/micro-43-lenses/

https://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2015/04/micro-43-lenses-3/

 

​Thanks for the links. I'm reading them now. I just rented the 42.5 1.2, and plan on seeing how much of a difference the IOS makes. That seems to be the one plus that the Leica has going for it that is hard to get anywhere else.

[Guest Ebrahim Saadawi]

42.5mm F/1.2 on GH4 = 100mm 2.8 on 5D 

50mm F/1.2 + SB on GH4 = 85mm F2 on a 5D. 

So yes 50mm 1.2 + SB will get you closest.

By the way, you don't need an expensive Canon 50mm L, there is a great affordable 50mm F/1.2 Nikkor manual prime if you go that way. I'd go that way, 85mm F2 FF equiv. on a 4K sharp GH4 is a wonderful look. Not as dreamy as an 85mm 1.2 but close enough, you'd need a 42.5mm F/0.6 to get that. 

 

 

[Julian]

Personally I'd get a speedbooster and some fast primes. 50mm f/1.2 or 85mm f/1.4 + speed booster will give you crazy shallow DOF.

The 42.5mm f/1.2 is a beautiful lens though and the OIS works very well. I used it for this video. Handheld, not wide open, shot at f/1.6 most of the time and not very close to the subjects, so the dof can still be a lot smaller than this.

 

 

[Guest Ebrahim Saadawi]

Wow great images there! that's awesome for 100mm handheld. I'd take that IS vs slightly shallower DOF any day. It's such an attractive proposition to shoot n a fast prime with IS. Instant magic.

[64mulford]

The 42.5 is incredible. It basically lives on my camera. At 1.2 is razor sharp and you can get very sharp depth of field. The IS is such an advantage to have too.