I've been using the Canon 5D Mark II / Canon 16-35mm with the Glidecam HD4000 for outdoor steadicam shots (mostly using the lens at 16mm), but want to switch over to the Panasonic GH2 / Glidecam combo for better 1080p resolution and detail. I'm looking at the Panasonic 7-14mm, but I'm concerned that I can't put a ND filter on it for those bright outdoor shots. Any experience using this lens outdoors in bright sunlight without an ND filter?

thanks!
Patrick

I'd recommend the Olympus 12mm f/2, the Noktor 12mm f/1.6 or the Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 over the 7-14. To my knowledge they all have threads to easily mount an ND filter and you'll get 1-3 stops more light depending on which one you pick. They're also all cheaper than the 7-14.

Thanks so much for the reply! I like these other lenses, but I really need a wider lens (around 7mm-8mm wide)... f4 is fine for what I'm using it for... I'm just concerned about not being able to put an ND or variND on it... Especially using 24p/50th of a shutter... Anyone have experience using this lens stopped down to f22 or so outdoors?

I think Panasonic will have some new lens this fall when the GH3 comes out.

the 7-14 still works great stopped down.

If you really want to use a ND, you can rig up a series of step rings from the back side of the built-in hood, "clamping" the hood between the filter and the step rings.

Failing that, the Olympus 9-18 is not a bad wide

I've thought about the Micro 4/3 ultra wide lens problem and think its maybe best to get a Canon DSLR for this problem. Or wait until more lens come out soon.

I do not know if the newer Nikons if the codec is worth investing into and they seem to still have moire problems on the D800. Sony cameras have a bitrate of 28 megs. So Canon I think is the best with their codec.

I might try can get a T4i when it comes out.

M43 ultrawide lens "problem?" There are two 7-14's (Olympus and Panasonic) available and they're both excellent rectilinear glass. There are two good fisheyes (Panasonic and Samyang). The GH2 does a better job resolving fine detail and deep focus than any of the currently available APSC or full-frame solutions, which is rather the ultrawide's gig... so I'm not certain where the problem would be.

Know your right I remember seeing this Canon lens and thought it was full frame.

EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_usm

10mm works out to be a 16-35mm on a APS-C sized sensors.

Are adapters required for the Olympus lenses? I've been looking at the M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens for my GH2. Any advice?

Depends on the Plympus lens... that 9-18 is a 4/3, which means it would need the adapter. Lenses that don't need adapters will specify "MICRO 4/3" or "m43" as their mount type.

I posted it somewhere else too, but this link might help a lot:
Comparison : SLR Magic 12mm f1.6 vs Olympus 12mm f2.0

I can recommend the 7-14 for stedicam use, it's a fantastic lens, I wouldn't use any lens at F22 if I could really help it but anywhere around F11 is pretty damn fine on the 7-14mm, im sure with the right mattebox you could just about use NDs, camera will be very very close to the glass though. Ive also looked at the Tokina 11-16, goes without saying that it's a cracking lens too but maybe not wide enough for you?