@tetakpatak

We definitely will need to move most of this info into FAQs wiki.

The best value for a Nikon lens for use with video on GH2 is the 35mm f2.8 Ais.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/35mmnikkor/35mmf28.htm

I got my excellent condition copy for $100 Canadian, and would pay more if I have to replace it. Like all Ais Nikon's I will only have to replace it if it's stolen or lost.

The reasons it's the best value for video are distortion and chromatic abberations, the aspects of a lens that can be fixed fairly easily in post for photos but are so much more painful/undesirable when editing video. There are basically none of either with this lens. Even in the worst case, shooting a halogen light making a sharp shadow across white snow towards the corner of the frame at night, the line shows almost no colour.

The 35mm is sharp, nearly all across the frame on the GH2 from f2.8 on, it gets sharper in the corners stopping down, down to about f8-11. It's an ideal portrait/talking head focal length as well. I can put it on the pocket, move back a step and it'll serve the same purpose.

I also own the 75-150mm Series E @maxr mentions. not sure what the differences are between our copies, but mine shows purple fringing that can be distracting but the other aspects are the same. It's as good optically as the ubiquitous Series E 50mm, except for the fringing. The 35mm 2.8 Ais is light years ahead, but the E series 50mm might be the next best value Nikon for the GH2, especially if you want to go as light as it can get.

Hi there, just a heads up =)

@tetakpatak enlarge, enlarge!!! ,-)

Though I thought "I'm done with push pull motherfuckas", sometime ago I end up adopting the sentimental grandpa Nicasio aka nikkor AI 80-200 f4.5 at a relatively cheap cost: 40€

Despite it had all possible diseases, from arthritis to parkinson and a loose prostrate, from all push-pulls I've tried is the easiest to maintain (para)focus. Add to this solid metal construction and a real nice fat 200º throw focus ring (almost as nice as vivi 70-210) and we're half set to give grandpa Nicasio a chance.

But there was something very irritating, the squeaking and the beyond mourning, also the ring wasn't as loose as I would like, probably lack of lub. Glass had an ecosystem of it's own too :P Black tape strips just gagged the issues.

So today finally I put hands on it and amazingly didn't kill the bastard, quite opposite, declicked it (very easy actually), lubbed and clean each element. But, as I never take pictures or do schematics, assembled it wrong, ja ja ja, inverting 3rd and 4th element or something like that. Luckilly we have internet, so a quick look at the blueprints and that was it.

So all this mambojambo is to encourage other pater familias to give grandpas a chance.
If I could make it anyone can, even an one-armed blind zombie on crak!!!

Now grandpa Nicasio want to go dancing and get women... Jezuz give-me the strength!!!
One of these days I'll post some samples of the rampage =)

PS
BTW As Christian mentions here front screws are superman proof, so get titanium tool made by german atomic bunker constructor, eat well (maybe your last meal) and don't jerk off as you'll need it all before attempting anything