Lensbaby

Greetings Folks,

I want to get a wide-angle (Nikon, I imagine) lens to use with the Tilt Transformer on my Pany GH2 for landscapes.( For under $400, if new. And legacy lense's are fine too.)

On the Pany I'd like it to translate to a 28mm equivalent (or wider) image.

To complicate matters, I'm confused by the equivalent translations for different digi-lenses and 35mm lenses, and series like Nikon's DX.

I'd appreciate whatever suggestions you may have.

Richard

Do you mean you'd like it to be like a 28mm on your Panasonic, or a 28mm on a 35mm film camera?

If the former, buy a 28mm lens. The focal length of a lens doesn't change, it's 28mm whatever sensor size you use it with. The angle of view changes, but on a given sensor size any lens with the same focal length will give the same image (no matter the age or manufacturer).

If the latter, you'll need something in the region of 14mm. The crop factor of a Micro 4/3rds sensor is 2, so just half the focal length of a full-frame (35mm) lens to get the equivalent angle of view for Micro 4/3rds.

Don't worry about the DX. That's more relevant to Nikon's cameras (i.e. DX cameras use a smaller APS-C sensor, FX use a full-frame sensor); the angle of view of DX lenses doesn't cover the whole sensor on FX cameras. But since your camera has a smaller sensor than APS-C, a DX will still work (as will an FX or any other Nikon-mount lens).

Hope this helps.

Thanks Joe.

I'm considering the Samyang 14mm f2.7 (which may be too heavy/awkward to fiddle with on the T Transformer.) And, because even used Nikon 14mm lenses are beyond my budget (at least until I know exactly what I want), I'm now thinking about the inexpensive Nikon DX 18-55mm f3.5. See how the slice of focus works—and how a 36mm equivalent suits me.

Quote
Joe Nation

Don't worry about the DX. That's more relevant to Nikon's cameras (i.e. DX cameras use a smaller APS-C sensor, FX use a full-frame sensor); the angle of view of DX lenses doesn't cover the whole sensor on FX cameras. But since your camera has a smaller sensor than APS-C, a DX will still work (as will an FX or any other Nikon-mount lens).

Hope this helps.

nihao