GH5 Prime Lens for Video // Lumix G 25mm f1.7 Test // The Best Budget Lens for the Panasonic GH5?

[@CameraGeeks]

A real pleasure collabing with you Caleb! You smashed it with the b-roll you captured at Falls Park!

[@CalebHoover]

great working with you ben! thanks so much!

[@moncho33]

The 25mm was my first prime lens for my G7. Great little, cheap lens! I've used for general photography, portraits, and videos. Great results!

[@CalebHoover]

Totally agree!

[@MilkshakeSkateboarding]

Bro your quality is legit! I was in disbelief seeing you are not even at 5k subscribers! Love the channel and all the videos I’m in the process of getting myself a Gh5 and building a set up myself excited to start making the content I’ve been thinking about for years. Anyways great videos I’m stoked to see this channel grow!

[@CalebHoover]

thanks! gonna keep trying to grow

[@KurtDeMeuterFilms]

great collabing with you and Ben that I already follow for several months :-) So I was surprised, great Idea of you Caleb !

[@CalebHoover]

thanks for watching! this was a fun collab!

[@KenKthulhu]

I like all your GH5 videos. Big fan. You are one of the few who has kept on with it when others rented it for only a week or borrowed it or sold theirs and moved on. Thank you Caleb Hoover.

[@CalebHoover]

thanks! yeah i really do like the gh5 and i wish more people would use it cuz it's such a great tool!

[@Dionne_Sheree]

Great back to the basics lens review and interview! We tend to get way too caught up in pricey gear and forget the importance of simplicity, budgeting and creativity! I’ve seen some powerfully inspiring content created with this lens! Thank you!

[@CalebHoover]

yes! simplicity! love it!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

What lens did you use to record yourself at the start of this video? Introduction sat down..

[@Filmmaker809]

Hey Caleb, great video working with Ben Pendlebury from @Camera Geeks, loved it. I have relocated to europe for a job, but I miss the UK alot. I have my GH5, but I am missing some of my other lenses which I left behind! Really enjoyed this colaboration Caleb! :)

[@CalebHoover]

thanks for watching!!

[@Filmmaker809]

Your welcome Caleb!

[@geemareevideo]

This is going to be my next lens purchase!!! So was keen to see how it performs! Thanks as always for the super helpful vids!

[@CalebHoover]

this is a great little lens!

[@StoryDrivenFilmmaking]

great video. That 25mm f1.7 is my wife's favorite lens when we film weddings.

[@CalebHoover]

i really thought it was a great lens! that 1.7 was more than enough!

[@jahcudi]

this video was great! just got my hands on my 25 mm 1.7 lens and wanted some more detailed information. i learned everything i needed to kno. so thanks man!🙌

[@fbon]

my favourite : Sigma 16 1.4, now my main and quite permanent lens !

[@CalebHoover]

i really want to try that lens!

[@jorgerios2008]

Is this native lens?

[@fbon]

@@jorgerios2008 yes, sure !

[@CalebHoover]

yeah the sigma 16mm can native mount to m43

[@david15kramer]

What i use too a long with my 30mm sigma

[@mariwash9854]

That was the first lens I got after buying my GH5. Today I own the Sigma 16mm 1.4 BUT I love the 25mm, is narrower but the depth of field is right at the point for me !

[@CalebHoover]

i was so happy with the depth of field on it for sure!

[@scottmorgason]

Love the lens! The 25mm was the first lens I bought! the second lens I bought was the 16mm Sigma. I jump back and forth with these two (2) lenses all the time. They are both phenomenal. Great Vid...Blessings

[@CalebHoover]

i really want to try that sigma 16mm! gonna have to pick that up somewhere.

[@valorreviews]

Sigma 18-35 with a speed booster. I had the 25mm F1.7 but I sold it since the sigma covers that range.

[@CalebHoover]

yeah i almost have the sigma 18-35 on all the time but i do change it out if i want something smaller on there usually to the lumix 12-35

[@jorgerios2008]

Would you say that this setup is just as good for photography? Does the bigger lens compete with a native prime?

[@valorreviews]

@@CalebHoover the weight and size of the sigma can get annoying lol

[@valorreviews]

@@jorgerios2008 the sigma is definitely better but I am a video guy. I hardly take pictures

[@CalebHoover]

yeah the sigma 18-35 can definitely get heavy especially if you’re using it all day.

[@JamieJobb]

Thanks for these notes. The lack of weather seal could be a deal breaker for some, but we plan to use ours for studio/indoor interviews mostly. And we have a very long dry season here in California, so it can work outside during those months.

[@CalebHoover]

yeah i really rely on weather seal where i live too.

[@veetavenom]

Does this lense fit a “BlackMagic Pocket Cinema 4K?

[@TheGroovyGuitarDude]

Got this lens for the second time about a month ago mostly for photo, but it holds up really well for video work as well! Lately I have been shooting my “talking head” shots with this lens on my G9 set to AFC and it’s certainly not perfect, but I have been very pleasantly surprised by its ability to keep focus on my face for simple shots like that ☺️🤙🏽

[@CalebHoover]

that's awesome! does the g9 have the focus lock? i love that feature on the gh5 and have a feeling it would work well with this lens.

[@TheGroovyGuitarDude]

Caleb Hoover It does! I’ve just recently started using it and love it! It’s a game changer considering the mostly unreliability of the AF on Panasonic cameras! 🤙🏽

[@CalebHoover]

absolutely! i love that feature!

[@robmw8550]

Love it! Were you using the natural profile for the film with your photographer friend? Would love to see a BTS on how you graded that

[@CalebHoover]

awesome! yeah i shot nat and graded with my youtube punch lut. it's a free download. have you downloaded yet?

[@robmw8550]

Caleb Hoover I have downloaded! Actually, the KZbin punch is fast becoming my go-to LUT - looks great on everything!

[@Sproosed]

Caleb Hoover having trouble finding, did you have a link?

[@robmw8550]

@@Sproosed They're here: www.hooverheightsmedia.com/caleb-hoover-free-youtube-luts

[@CalebHoover]

@@Sproosed looks like Rob has you covered on that link. Otherwise it's one of the first links in all of my descriptions.

[@OliBaitsMedia]

Would you recommend this lens for low light event videography? Music concerts and DJ festivals etc.

[@JirehProductionsLtd]

Hi good day, I'm looking for a lens recommendations, I've started shooting and lot of events at church and sometimes I'm so far away like 75-100ft away from the stage but I need a lens that can still get me a nice mid-shot or close up shot from 100ft away, I was looking at the panasonic 35-100, olympus 75mm, or Rokinon 85mm, or any other suggestions you may have. Can you make a recommendation please?

[@ZigbertD]

I just got a G85 and this lens along with the 12-60mm kit lens in a bundle and saved a few bucks over getting the 25mm separately. At the price, to me it's a no-brainer for a fast all-around prime, especially if you're just building a kit. I've shot stills with a Nikon DX camera for a while now and have a decent set of lenses for that camera, but I'm just starting to get into video so I'm building from scratch with the Panasonic micro 4/3 format. So far I'm loving this lens. The kit lens is really good also, but I'm looking to get a faster wide angle lens next.

[@CalebHoover]

awesome! sounds like a great setup to get rolling!

[@mbailey802]

ooooeeeee mine just arrived this morning. Waiting on my G9 to get in tomorrow as a bcam for my gh5s. stoked.

[@CalebHoover]

that's awesome!

[@ryanc5853]

This is a wicked little lens in my kit. Great for tighter shots in lower light situations for sure. My fav lens in my kit is my Sigma 16mm F1.4 but the 12-35 f2.8 is my go to for most outdoor situations. I think a speed booster and 18-35 will be my next purchase.

[@CalebHoover]

yeah i like that 12-35 for run and gun especially with the dual IS. i've heard some really good things about the sigma 16 tho!

[@TerenceEnn]

Wow what was that song during that cinematic sequence

[@hasifzahin]

GREAT VIDEO, i'm planning to buy a secondhand gh5 and lumix g 25mm next month!! btw what name of the song at 3:15? such a mood!!

[@CalebHoover]

thanks for watching! the song is bravery on artlist.

[@bg4cdp]

My favourite: Olympus 12mm f2.0, Olympus 25mm f1.8, Zeiss planar 50mm f1.4 + metabones XL 0.64x speed booster, plus sirui 35mm f1.8

[@CalebHoover]

that's a great lineup!

[@LuisCruz-yg6rs]

This is collaboration/review video is the shit man! I love it. Ty for sharing this experience. It is great for me. It will help a lot of beginner videographers on a budget like me.

[@CalebHoover]

awesome! thanks for checking it out!

[@LuisCruz-yg6rs]

You are welcome! I will like to share this footage that I shot with my GH5 (Style: NAT|10bit 400mbs), and a Vantage Nikon AF 24 MM F2.8 Lens in my home town of Rochester, NY. The video was edited, and color graded using DR17. Any feedback that will help me get better is appreciate. This is the Link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h36xlnymgLCbqbM

[@LucaBono.Studio]

It looks great! I can't wait for a native nifty fifty for my Lumix S1...

[@CalebHoover]

nice! it'll be interesting to see how they develop that line of lenses

[@MyJeanf]

My favourite lens are the sigma 18-35 but also the olympus 40-150mm f2.8 and my lumix 35mm f1.6. I have alot of Olympus lens over the panasonic mainly because of the quality build but also the pro lineup have the manual clutch feature on its zooms . Great video dude.

[@CalebHoover]

that pro lineup of olympus lenses are so good! thanks for watching!

[@ThreeMinuteTales]

I own the 25mm f1.7, but rarely use it. Not that I have anything against it, but I generally stick with my Sigma 18-35 f1.8 or my Canon primes. However, I agree with you, the 25mm lens is a great little lens for its price. I think I paid around 150 euros for it here in Ireland.

[@CalebHoover]

for sure! yeah i mostly have the sigma on so it was refreshing shooting with something like the 25mm

[@MertGenco]

Hey Caleb! How are you? I recently bought Lumix GH-6 and actually I'm newbie😂 Can I ask which lens you are using in this video?

[@AfoteyAnnum]

Oh you just reminded me that I was going to buy this a few weeks ago. I KNEW subscribing to your channel was the move LMAO Right now, I'm absolutely in love with my Sirui 50mm anamorphic lens. Got the 35mm shipping soon to me, so maybe that will replace it LMAO Before I got the anamorphic lens, my fave was a cine modified anamorphic adapted Helios 44-m. My vintage Rokinon 28mm would sometimes substitute for the Helios as a fave lol PS: That montage is CLEEEEANNNNNN for something shot with a hamster cam LOLZ

[@CalebHoover]

😂 hamster cam! dood your stuff on insta with the sirui is 🔥 diggin it bro!

[@coleworldd5573]

thank you for this man.

[@CalebHoover]

You bet

[@ismerkaabreu3482]

im trying to buy a lumix g7 with a 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens 25mm f1.7 45-150mm f4-5.6. Are those lenses good for indoor sports filming and photography?

[@jlwzqw2008]

I love my old canon 50fd with a micro 4/3 adapter it’s awesome

[@nanogonzalezdj3388]

It would be nice if you had the chance to try some of the Voigländer 0.95 lens for MFT.

[@CalebHoover]

totally would love to try out those lenses! do you have them?

[@nanogonzalezdj3388]

@@CalebHoover Unforntunately not. I have not too much money at this money to spend only on a lens like this one, or the M.Zuiko 1.2 , for example. I haven´t seen too much reviews of the Voigtländer, so that´s why I asked you. If some day I have to chance to try it I will give you my feedback.

[@CalebHoover]

@@nanogonzalezdj3388 absolutely! i'd love to hear your feedback on it!

[@SomethingonSodom]

I came from a 70D I have a hacked 10-18mm EFS cannon (goes down to f3.0) , hacked EFS cannon 24mm 2.8 (goes down to 1.8) and cannon EF 50mm 1.8 (1.2). also sigma EF 70-200 2.8 (1.8 but sort foggy). Its a great setup. Im planning on going back to cannon someday so I wont be getting any micro 4/3s I use these to find my homesteading videos. love the GH5 but REALLY excited for the autofocus on the new R5 so might consider that next year.

[@CalebHoover]

i really wish the gh5 had better autofocus. it's such a deal breaker for people, which is totally understandable! sounds like you have a great setup!

[@SomethingonSodom]

@@CalebHoover yeah the new r5 Autofocus seems legit..... Saving.... Waiting for the firmware fix to the heating issue. It looks like they can get it figured out.

[@TheErondell]

Hey Caleb! I have 12-60 2.8-4.0 Everybody is saying Sigma 18-35 or Sigma 16. But they are way expnsive than this one and you need speedboster. I'm living in Turkey and i won't even tell you about the currencies here.... My question is; would it make me happy if i buy this one? Because i usually use my 12-60 on 25 and even 35 to get the most bokeh. This lens is 1.7 and it looks like it gets the job done. What are your thoughts?

[@CalebHoover]

i was really happy with the 1.7 using this lens. i feel like it's more than enough because you don't want the depth to get too muddy and i feel like this gives just enough blur in the background to keep things looking good.

[@FoodXBert]

My favorite lens is the laowa 7.5

[@dancrosby6091]

What brand/type ND filter do you use?

[@CalebHoover]

I've been using the K&F Concept Variable NDs and seem to work pretty good amzn.to/3cLzLc5

[@jorgerios2008]

The 25mm 1.7 was my first prime lens. I have recently purchased the 20mm 1.7 and cannot go with out it. Its sharp and is the in between wide angle and portrait mode. I do agree the 25mm is a great value but I find myself rarely using it for that reason. I am curios if the 18-35 Sigma produces as sharp an image as the 25mm prime?

[@CalebHoover]

i feel like the 18-35 is pretty sharp but i mostly use it with a pro mist which softens it back up 😂

[@buskinproduction]

As someone who owns both, I'd honestly say the sigma 18-35 is even sharper than the Panasonic 25mm even with a speedbooster.

[@Yeah_sure_]

😂😂😂😂😂 You could compare the sigma 16mm f1.4 to the 18-35mm. In sharpness

[@matthewwilson3673]

what size filters fit on this lens? considering getting one

[@holywaterandgreentea]

I watched both videos thank you

[@thatsreallyamoon]

The 25mm f/1.7 might be the best lens for the money in MFT, no lie. It's like $150. It's wide in aperture. It's a great focal length for talking heads but can still be used as a walking around lens. It looks simple, beautiful, is well balanced on small bodies like the GX85. The focus ring feels great. I honestly if you buy a Panasonic camera, this should be in the cart next to it!

[@CalebHoover]

yeah i really liked using this lens.

[@marcorossi2182]

Would it make sens to get it if already owning a Lumix Vario 14-42mm f2.8?

[@OriOnTheIguanaHunter]

Caleb, is like if you are always reading my mind. You are releasing this video when a few videos ago I said... I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on the Sigma 18-35 well I just received the lens, and I went with Viltrox. I used to have only 2 lenses for the GH5, the 12-35 used 90% of the time and an Olympus 40-100 but I was struggling a bit with the depth of field and that's why I went after the Sigma. I wasn't sure if I really needed it because I already had the 12-35 but yes!! I see usage for both lenses. The Sigma is heavy and lacks IS so that lens will be used on my head talking scenes, and the 12-35 will be used on my moving scenes. Also to my surprise now I can use with the Viltrox some other lenses I had around from an Old Canon, like the 50 nifty and another super old lens 75 to 300 kit lens from and old Canon I have for more than 10 years, a camera that just takes picture, no video capabilities...but I'm super happy to be able to use those lenses. Once more, thanks for the video, as always I learn a lot from you and I'm glad to see you channel growing!

[@CalebHoover]

that's awesome! Yeah that sigma is great for talking heads. here's a quick tip for the sigma, get a tiffen black pro mist filter 1/8 for it. so so good!

[@OriOnTheIguanaHunter]

@@CalebHoover Ohh thanks for the tip. I bought a Freewell 6 to 9 stops I saw in Amazon with great reviews and the filter looks great, I haven't used this yet, I have plans for this weekend

[@blcsuperdave]

Great review -- both. The more I shoot, the more stripped down I get (in the gear I use... not the other). I usually shoot with two adolescent hamsters on the front of my camera... instead of a fully grown one. That's just a personal choice.

[@CalebHoover]

hamsters?! nice

[@MrRaychard123]

Hi Caleb, how's the 25 1.7 AF in video, like tracking shot of a model. Plan to use it on a gimbal. I need the AF. I do have the 35 and 50 sigma but it's to heavy and big on a gimbal plus manual focus is an extra work

[@tenzinnorsang2179]

Hello thank you for this beautiful video. Any tips on how to set manual focus on Gh5?. Plz share us the link if you hav already done a video on controlling Gh5 manual focus. Thank you.

[@CalebHoover]

manual focus just takes practice!

[@mfreeman313]

"It weighs less than a full-grown hamster" 😁 Got this one years ago, it's a great little nifty. I'll put in a word here for people like my former self on a really strict budget who managed to move forward with gear like this that involved some compromises and corners cut but allowed you to do good work and improve.

[@MrRaychard123]

found one use at $110, or brand new $150. I do have a 35 and 50 sigma art lens with speedbooster which act like a 50 and 70mm on a GH5. Image quality is good, but its to heavy to bring along, sppecially with the 50 art, on a weebill S which i dont think it can balance. i would like to know if the 25 1.7 is descent enough for continuous Af on a gimbal, like following/tracking shot of 1 person. Im not wishing for a sony/canon af performance but can get some In focus video shot

[@tedfoss6760]

On your moving shots, were you hand holding. Were you at 60fps?

[@CalebHoover]

yes handheld. and a combo of 60p and 120p

[@gergomorocz]

Hey Caleb, great video! I've ordered this lens for myself a few weeks ago and I can already tell It's great. Since I'm also mainly focusing on video creation I was also planning to buy an ND filter for it. Which ND did you use? How effective did you find the ND? Is it worth using step up rings for the filter? Thanks in advance. Oh and I also liked the color correction so I've just downloaded you LUTS pack ;)

[@CalebHoover]

thanks for downloading! definitely get an ND filter. i really like using variable nd filters cuz that way you can keep one on and switch strength. the filter will definitely depend on your budget. but a good budget one is this amzn.to/2S2XAlG and yes step up rings are fantastic!

[@gergomorocz]

@@CalebHoover Thanks! I'll check it out!

[@Began2011]

The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lately have been my go too the 25mm is a good lens though. The Pancake just takes a few inches of the front of the camera.

[@CalebHoover]

love it! that's a great compact option.

[@theoopsdrivers]

I had the sigma 18-35 with speed booster and regret selling it.I use the 12-60mm with the G9

[@CalebHoover]

yeah the sigma 18-35 is great!

[@wildertainment]

I personally find the bokeh (the blurr just looks jank), chromatic aberration and the sharpness (also evident in this montage video) to be trash. I've used it for talking heads on a GH5 which seems fine, and for macro shots which are good too. But the autofocus is also junk with this lens (though the GH5 is partly to blame of course). That said, great video and super helpful :)

[@ruff1draft]

This is great

[@CalebHoover]

thanks!

[@salmanal-faruq6598]

are you alwas shot in 4k??

[@CalebHoover]

most of the time

[@laurentiudll]

Olympus 25mm f1.8 has perfect autofocus, works alot better than the panny

[@CalebHoover]

i really love the olympus lenses!

[@justalexhimself]

awesome vid Caleb! my favourite prime is the 20mm f1.7 I shoot all of my travel vids with that prime. Do have a look at some of them on my channel and let me know what you think!

[@Pivot_Media_TV]

Subscribed

[@sdhute]

Olympus 17mm and Panasonic 25mm 1.7

[@CalebHoover]

nice!

[@JacoboCastroCristo]

I don't know if its my copy of this lens, but everything is always out of focus, it's unusable.

[@CalebHoover]

yeah maybe something is a bit janky in it. i always struggle with the focus ring on these focus by wire lenses.

[@A1Bokeh]

I think the best budget prime is the pergear 25 milli

[@CalebHoover]

interesting! I'll have to check that one out!

[@A1Bokeh]

@@CalebHoover i have a video of just nice shots with it... i used the 25 and 35...the 35 i really like.. i also have the 25mm 1.7 great lens!

[@CoajaCristiandance]

it is not the best budget lens for "Panasonic GH5", is the best budget lens for any camera which use this format lens....

[@CalebHoover]

🙌

[@anoopammanath7462]

Sigma 16mm f1.4

[@CalebHoover]

really want to try this lens!

[@rawsteaksauce]

DJI 15mm 1.7, Sigma 16mm 1.4, Lumix 25mm 1.7 and Lumix 14-140mm...I love them all

[@CalebHoover]

great lineup!

[@truekingvisuals4783]

18 - 35 sigma art lens it's a beauty

[@CalebHoover]

Absolutely is! it's on my gh5 probably 90% of the time

[@mssapmaz]

Pana 12-35mm f2.8

[@CalebHoover]

great lens!

[@mssapmaz]

What is your favourite native prime lens for GH5 ?

[@CalebHoover]

i like this but also the leica 12mm and 42.5