Best lenses to buy to use with the Panasonic lumix GH4?

<p>Hello everyone,<br /> After doing quite a bit of research into getting a new "Video SLR", I have more or less decided to sell my Canon 5D MK3 and get a panasonic Lumix GH4. There are so many different lens options with this camera that it is easy to get a bit lost...<br /> I do mostly documentary work, especially for an NGO in Tanzania, which involves quite alot of observational work, such as in the film "the importance of music at shiri" and classes at shiri": (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/watutanzania">http://www.youtube.com/user/watutanzania</a>)<br>

<br /> 5 years ago, I used to use a Canon XL2 quite alot, but it was very heavy and bulky, especially when travelling in Africa...This was why I upgraded to the Canon 5D, to get a less bulky camera with good image quality at a reasonable price compared to most other professional camcorders available at the time. I also liked the fact that with DSLR's, you can get away a bit from the typical "video image" that some camcorders produce, which I have never been a big fan of..<br /> But shooting with DSLR's does have its drawbacks : only 29 mins of continous recording, ocasional overheating of the camera, lack of autofocus tracking when filming mooving subjects, reduced "zoom capabilities"....etc. <br /> I therefore come to my 2nd question :<br>

<br /> I do miss sometimes the advantages of camcorders, and their ergonomics... But could not find one which I liked without having to spend over $ 10 000...which was a bit over my budget. <br /> as I have a total budget of around $3000, the Panasonic Lumix GH4 with some good lenses seems a good option for now. I have heard alot of great reviews about it, ,and seen it used alot in documentary filmmaking. I also like its image quality and the fact that it is slighly smaller even than the 5D.. The only concern I have is that it seems that the AF tracking when filming mooving subjects is not good. I also dont know if it would be compatible with my radio mic XLR adapter (a BeackTek DXA-5DA)..<br /> Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated, Thanks :)<br /> Pontus Wallstén</p>

<p>As you've identified yourself, there are a lot of challenges to shooting video with a DSLR that simply don't exist when you shoot with an actual video camera. The key "film look" thing that people seem to like about DSLRs centers on shallow depth of field. That's great on a Hollywood set where you can measure focus with a tape measure and everybody hits their marks taped on the floor. But in a documentary-shooting situation like you're describing, your challenge is more just keeping everything in focus. For $3,000 you can buy a very good HD prosumer/low-end professional camera. Take a look at video cameras at <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com">www.bhphotovideo.com</a> Sony, Panasonic, JVC have several to offer. Many if not most already have XLR mike connections and let you focus/zoom/adjust exposure, etc. while shooting. No limit on how long you can shoot, etc.<br /><br />I've shot both stills and video professionally. I strongly believe in the right tool for the job.</p>

<p>I recently purchased a GH4 and it does have a couple of shortcomings, the most notable being poor focus tracking. There are some workarounds, including pre-focusing/shooting manual focus and stopping down to F8 or so to increase depth of field. The m4/3s sensor will have wider DOF than an APS-C or FF sensor. The image quality of the GH4 makes the effort worth it. I've shot with several professional and consumer Canon and SONY camcorders over the past five years or so and none of them even come close to delivering the IQ of the GH4 if you shoot 4K and down convert to 1080. The exception would be the new SONY a7s but you would need an external recorder. XLR (balanced out) to stereo miniature (unbalanced in) audio adapters are available. TEAC makes a small, low cost unit that will mount under the GH4.</p>

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<p>I have shot with Canon and lots of Nikon DSLRs.<br>

The GH4 does not have poor Focus Tracking.<br>

The AFF for Video is very good and I did not loose focus even when a horse went behind the jumps at a recent Grand Prix Event.</p>

<p>The only lens I need for my GH4 is the 12-35 but I also have the 7-14, 35-100, and 100-300.<br>

I used the 100-300 at the Equestrian Event this year and mostly shot at about 120mm (240 equivalent).<br>

I would try the Olympus Pro 40-150 f/2.8 next time if I got paid.</p>