I use legacy primes extensively on the GH2, and I concur with Markussen that the Contax Zeiss 50mm f1.7 does yield tremendous images - creamy, visuals are very sharp in the centre only to taper off in lovely bokeh. I compare this with the Canon FD f1.4, another very fast lens; both have very thin DOF, but I like the Zeiss quite a bit better.

I also use Leicas, and Voigtlanders and they blow me away despite all the cropping. There's also the venerable Nokton 25mm f0.95, the one lens you must have in yr kit if you disregard all the rest. I use this as a general lens, and almost always stick to it as much as possible. Just vary my focal distances, until of course I am forced to go really wide, like shooting landscape or buildings.

Speaking of 50mm lenses, check out also the Noktor Hyperprime. Another very fast lens that you would use to make films of cinematic quality.

When you pair a Nokton or Leica, or Zeiss, with the hacked patch, you do get something that far exceeds the 5D, IMHO. I have shot more than 20 projects on the 5D; in fact i was amongst the first to adopt it when it was still shooting only in NTSC (I live in PAL land). But I have since traded it for the GH2, and never looked back. The 5D may be a full frame camera but many pp don't realise that its sensor actually functions at half its optimal value when recording video (thus all the issues with moire et al).

I can't wait for the day when Zeiss or Leica finally starts making m4/3 lenses.

Has anyone picked up the samyang/rokinon/bower 14mm2.8?
right now I'm using all olympus zuiko om mount primes, mainly the 24/2.8 and a 55/1.2, working great, but I lack a wide lens

Many SLR lenses are great. But mostly not video friendly. e.g. Try to use the Nokton 25mm 0.95 with a matte box and 4x4 filters. Of course you could use a Fader ND filter and a hood. It works. But this topic is about "readily" video friendly lenses.

When a maker claims for video optimized lens, it's gotta have a fixed length barrel.

+1. I totally agree with you.

It's useful to know which lenses are readily video friendly. That's all ;)

@stonebat

Btw, Cinematics are making Zeiss conversions making CP2 like housings for Zeiss lenses :-)

It should be relatively easy for lens makers to implement fixed length barrel.

e.g. Nokton 25mm 0.95 could have a "male" filter thread around outer barrel. Screw in a 77mm "female" housing. That housing should cover the max barrel length of the lens.

I use all my lenses and a zacuto matte box with no problem, just have a 77mm step-up ring and slip the elastic from the matte box over the ring

@LPowell
>Thanks for posting the detailed images of the Zeiss CP.2 prime lenses

This is not Zeiss CP.2 if you look carefully :-)
This is special housings and conversion done by Cinematics, much cheaper than original CP.2.

@pingpongcomputer Zacuto Universal Donut?

@stonebat yeah, sorry, Zacuto universal donut w/Petroff matte box

yeah, this CT2 looks like it will fit nicely with the Contax Zeiss Planar f1.7 50mm as well.

Where to get one? How much? Googled but couldn't find info.

@stonebat: The idea of a "cinevised" lens filter is something I've thought of for a long time! The only hard part is that each needs to be made for each model of lens (to fit them) and for the focus marks to match... For new lenses it's ok, but I'd love to see that for my Nikons!