I've recently started to get interested in C mount (CCTV) lens, for they are fast, wide, and cheap. So I wondered, is there any CCTV lens that I could use as a Fisheye (and get the same effect as the Panasonic 8mm f3.5, but faster) ? Here's a few lens I've found looking on the internet :

• Rainbow 3.5mm 1.6

• Tamron 4-12mm 1.2

• Pentax 6mm 1.2 (+ wide conversion lens x0.45)

Wanted effect :

The GH2 exact m4/3 sensor crop is x1.86.

So I would like to get the same widness as the Panasonic 8mm or any 8mm Fisheye (Samyang, Peleng, Rokinon...) :

Panasonic 8mm : 8 x 1.86 = 14.88mm equivalent (no need for ETC mode)

Rainbow 3.5mm : 3.5 x 1.86 = 6.51 -> 6.51 x 2 = 13mm equivalent

Pentax 6mm : 6 x 1.86 = 11.16 -> 11.6 x 2 = 23.2mm equivalent -> 23.2 x 0.45 = 10.44mm equivalent

x 1.86 : GH2 Sensor Crop

x 2 : ETC tele conversion mode crop (to cover vignetting)

x 0.45 : Wide convversion lens

Does that mean we could use any CCTV c mount lens instead of the Panasonic lens to get the wide fisheye effect ?

A few videos :

Lenses :

• http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Varifocal-Manual-Iris-CCTV-Lens-4-10mm-C-Mount-2-Mega-Pixel-VF-MI-4-10-C-2MP-/121077583241?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item1c30c94d89

• http://tinyurl.com/qx3utvp

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/DV3-4X3-8SA-1-LENS-1-2-3-8-13MM-VARIFOCAL-MANUAL-IRIS-/150585299071?

C mount lens (1/2") work well on the GH2, but I heard that the CS mount lens (1/3") would still have really heavy vignetting because even with the ETC mode it would not cover entirely the GH2 sensor. Is that true ?

Interesting CS mount lens, but 1/3 inch : http://www.ebay.fr/itm/TAMRON-Manual-Iris-CCTV-Lens-3-0-8mm-1-1-0-ASPHERICAL-C-Mount-3-Mega-Pixel-/261248954560?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item3cd3a6b0c0

I would use the fisheye to film Skateboarding.

Thank you.

http://www.cameraegg.org/rumors-canon-75-mp-pro-dslr-is-in-testing/

1. I need to invest in new lenses. I shot this entirely with the 14-42mm Lumix and it was way to dark for f=3.5... I had so much trouble grading because although the setting held up well with the darkness, it was still REALLY dark. I had ISO cranked up to 1250+ most of the time.

2. Lighting is the most important part of filming. All of this was shot in the rain during a storm that we did not expect would roll in (which definitely gave a cool shot at the end). This had a big impact on the quality of the video.

3. Practice! Every time I shoot something, I learn something new about the limitations of the camera, what shots look good and which ones don't, how to operate the camera in a different way, which lighting conditions work and which don't, different editing tricks and what not. So I guess I learned that even though this is all a hobby for me, it is just like any other sport or hobby in the fact that you have to practice and develop your abilities in order to create a final product that is satisfactory for you work with and for others to watch.

This is my first "Real" work and there are two versions of the video. The version I felt was most cinematic (minimal grading) and this version.

I sat with the artist and was grading and he kept asking for more "Color" to the shots and once I over saturated and cranked up the color correction tools he was extremely happy while I was left thinking..."This looks horrible." But...I guess I am supposed to create what he likes since it is technically "His" video.

Apologize for the long message, I just thought it would be nice to share my beginner experience with others so they can possibly learn something or for other to just reminisce about what it was like when they shot their very first video. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Shooting this video has finally made me realize two things.

1. I need to invest in new lenses. I shot this entirely with the 14-42mm Lumix and it was way to dark for f=3.5...

2. Lighting is the most important part of filming. All of this was shot in the rain during a storm that we did not expect would roll in (definitely gave a cool shot at the end) and this had a big impact on the quality of the video.