I decided to get a mirrorless.....question on zoom

[npmommie]

So i am narrowing down the choices and one on my short list is the Panasonic GX1...... On amazon it comes with a 14-42 "zoom" lense.........i know i need more zoom, so how do you tell how far a zoom will reach?
I want to be able to reach across a large gymnasium type place.so maybe reach a subject from 100 feet away.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The maximum I use in a school gym is 200mm on a crop sensor camera (Pentax K5). I have two lenses that I primarily use 28-70 and 70-200, both are f2.8 constant aperture lenses. I use the 70-200 when I want head shots, but I can back it off to get several volleyball players in the image. To get the whole team while playing, I go wider using the 28-70. I am shooting from the front row of the grandstand which is not far from the edge of the court. I hope that gives you some perspective. The biggest issue in gymnasiums is the light, both quantity and white balance. Even in the best gyms it takes adjustment to get the colors and exposure correct.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So i am narrowing down the choices and one on my short list is the Panasonic GX1...... On amazon it comes with a 14-42 "zoom" lense.........i know i need more zoom, so how do you tell how far a zoom will reach?
I want to be able to reach across a large gymnasium type place.so maybe reach a subject from 100 feet away.

On the 4/3 and micro 4/3 format cameras, the crop factor is 2X as compared to 35mm. So your 14-42 will be 28 to 84mm. (There is also a 40-150mm zoom that will yield 80-300mm.)

FYI, however, this is a kit lens, ie it is not a fast lens. You will likely still have some trouble in difficult lighting sports arenas. For decent sports pictures, whether you use a dSLR or a mirrorless, you'd want to pick up a lens with an f2.8 aperture (preferably on the zoom end). You might consider buying the camera with that type of lens instead of the kit. It will serve you well in most conditions. Also really study Understanding Exposure because indoor sports shots are challenging for almost all photographers and cameras.

 

[photo_chick]

So i am narrowing down the choices and one on my short list is the Panasonic GX1...... On amazon it comes with a 14-42 "zoom" lense.........i know i need more zoom, so how do you tell how far a zoom will reach?
I want to be able to reach across a large gymnasium type place.so maybe reach a subject from 100 feet away.

A lot of times when people talk about lenses they use the 35mm equivalent numbers because DSLR lenses, whether crop or full frame, are identified by the 35mm equivalent scale because the focal length does not change even though the sesnor size does. But that's not the case with mirrorless cameras. Another way to compare lenses across different formats is to take the crop factor out of the mix and just look at the angle of view. It's listed in degrees. It can get really confusing throwing out focal lengths if you don't understand that 14mm on your micro 4/3 camera may not be the same as 14mm on my full frame DSLR. You have to learn how to compare like with like.


Another technical term... zoom just means a lens that can zoom in and out. It's not a term for how far a lens can zoom. Most photographers call the distance you can zoom reach. It sounds like you want a telephoto zoom so you have more reach.

I think the Panasonic 35-100 is close to being equal to the 70-200 range many of us use on our DSLRs when we want a telephoto zoom. But I'm not a mirrorless shooter and there may be better options.

 

[npmommie]

Thank you both, that helps a lot.

Pea, one of the other choices for a lense was the same lense but it said "power" zoom, and I took it mean it would be faster ( the description said it was faster) and it also increased the price quite a bit.

 

[npmommie]

A lot of times when people talk about lenses they use the 35mm equivalent numbers because DSLR lenses, whether crop or full frame, are identified by the 35mm equivalent scale because the focal length does not change even though the sesnor size does. But that's not the case with mirrorless cameras. Another way to compare lenses across different formats is to take the crop factor out of the mix and just look at the angle of view. It's listed in degrees. It can get really confusing throwing out focal lengths if you don't understand that 14mm on your micro 4/3 camera may not be the same as 14mm on my full frame DSLR. You have to learn how to compare like with like.


Another technical term... zoom just means a lens that can zoom in and out. It's not a term for how far a lens can zoom. Most photographers call the distance you can zoom reach. It sounds like you want a telephoto zoom so you have more reach.

I think the Panasonic 35-100 is close to being equal to the 70-200 range many of us use on our DSLRs when we want a telephoto zoom. But I'm not a mirrorless shooter and there may be better options.

thank you! that helps!

 

[npmommie]

The maximum I use in a school gym is 200mm on a crop sensor camera (Pentax K5). I have two lenses that I primarily use 28-70 and 70-200, both are f2.8 constant aperture lenses. I use the 70-200 when I want head shots, but I can back it off to get several volleyball players in the image. To get the whole team while playing, I go wider using the 28-70. I am shooting from the front row of the grandstand which is not far from the edge of the court. I hope that gives you some perspective. The biggest issue in gymnasiums is the light, both quantity and white balance. Even in the best gyms it takes adjustment to get the colors and exposure correct.

yes the light sometimes it is great and I get good shots with my basic p&s, but most times not so much.

I am hoping to get one that can take the decent pic zoomed in, and also take video and snap a photo during the video.

 

[havoc315]

A 2.8 telephoto zoom lens would be best, but is also extremely expensive.

For your purposes, if lighting isn't horrible, you may be ok with something like Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 Lens for Panasonic Lumix G-Series Digital Cameras
by Panasonic.

It won't give you profèssional grade shots. It won't freeze the action perfectly. But for a fraction of the price of a 2.8 lens, it may be adequate for your desired shots.

 

[npmommie]

A 2.8 telephoto zoom lens would be best, but is also extremely expensive.

For your purposes, if lighting isn't horrible, you may be ok with something like Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 Lens for Panasonic Lumix G-Series Digital Cameras
by Panasonic.

It won't give you profèssional grade shots. It won't freeze the action perfectly. But for a fraction of the price of a 2.8 lens, it may be adequate for your desired shots.

Thanks I will look at that one. I don't need professional grade, just not blurry!
I looked at those 2.8 telephoto lens originally and I just don't see it in my budget right now.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks I will look at that one. I don't need professional grade, just not blurry!
I looked at those 2.8 telephoto lens originally and I just don't see it in my budget right now.

I really think before you do anything else, you should rent a fast lens for the weekend (of your DDs next gymnastics meet) and see what you can do with it on your Pentax dSLR. It may be perfectly adequate for your needs and then all you'll have to buy is a lens. If you go mirrorless, you'll need the camera and the lens(es). If budget is a concern (which it almost always is for most people) that might be the path of least resistance, to start.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks I will look at that one. I don't need professional grade, just not blurry!
I looked at those 2.8 telephoto lens originally and I just don't see it in my budget right now.

Reading the exposure book will help. Blur is occurring mostly because the shutter speed isn't high enough to record the action. Increasing shutter speed may not allow enough light into the camera, making a dark picture. A 2.8 lens allows you to use increased shutter speed, and still allow in more light. But if the arena is bright enough, and the action isn't extremely fast, you may be able to get buy with a 5.6 lens and boosted iso. That's what I do for my kids Tae Kwon Do pics.

 

[npmommie]

I really think before you do anything else, you should rent a fast lens for the weekend (of your DDs next gymnastics meet) and see what you can do with it on your Pentax dSLR. It may be perfectly adequate for your needs and then all you'll have to buy is a lens. If you go mirrorless, you'll need the camera and the lens(es). If budget is a concern (which it almost always is for most people) that might be the path of least resistance, to start.

Yes I think I will rent a lense, to see what it can do for me. But.........LOL.......I still want a new camera, since mine are so old. and the mirrorless ones I am looking at will also allow me to shoot video and capture a picture at the same time. something I can't do now.

Reading the exposure book will help. Blur is occurring mostly because the shutter speed isn't high enough to record the action. Increasing shutter speed may not allow enough light into the camera, making a dark picture. A 2.8 lens allows you to use increased shutter speed, and still allow in more light. But if the arena is bright enough, and the action isn't extremely fast, you may be able to get buy with a 5.6 lens and boosted iso. That's what I do for my kids Tae Kwon Do pics.

I will look at that.
the action is not extremely fast, somethings go faster than others, but its not like full on fast action constantly.

 

[boBQuincy]

Thanks I will look at that one. I don't need professional grade, just not blurry!
I looked at those 2.8 telephoto lens originally and I just don't see it in my budget right now.

Panasonic's 35-100 f/2.8 is about as good as it gets in micro 4/3 but it *is* expensive. Their 45-175 is not fast but it is sharp and a whole lot less $$$.

Here are some from that lens (on a G3, same sensor as GX1):

I could play the music from this one of Candlelight Processional... if I could play music.

Anyway, you get the idea. For some reason the silver version sometimes is less $$$ than the black version, same lens.
Btw, the 45-175 has both power zoom and manual zoom (and stabilization). I rarely use the power zoom. It is also a compact lens and does not change length when zoomed (helps keep dust out).

One more, of a stage-lit subject:

 

[npmommie]

Panasonic's 35-100 f/2.8 is about as good as it gets in micro 4/3 but it *is* expensive. Their 45-175 is not fast but it is sharp and a whole lot less $$$.

Here are some from that lens (on a G3, same sensor as GX1):

I could play the music from this one of Candlelight Processional... if I could play music.

Anyway, you get the idea. For some reason the silver version sometimes is less $$$ than the black version, same lens.
Btw, the 45-175 has both power zoom and manual zoom (and stabilization). I rarely use the power zoom. It is also a compact lens and does not change length when zoomed (helps keep dust out).

One more, of a stage-lit subject:

Thank you! Those pictures are beautiful!
I looked at the lense last night after I saw this and I think it is just what I need.