PFRE-Logo-white-bg
Reading
blue-triangle-element

Articles

PFRE is the original online resource for real estate and interior photographers. Since 2006, it has been a community hub where like-minded professionals from around the world gather to share information with a common goal of improving their work and advancing their business. With thousands of articles, covering hundreds of topics, PFRE offers the most robust collection of educational material in our field. The history of real estate photography has been documented within these pages.
All Articles
blue-triangle-element

Latest

Image banner for the February 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month Winner Art Ibewuike, with a featured image of his winning photo titled "Living Room or Family Room""

Congratulations to Art Ibewuike, February 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Living Room or Family Room". Art Ibewuike - #895 Paul-Dan Dragoman - #898 Peter Wingfield - #900 Here's what Art has to say: Thank you so much for ...

Contest
blue-triangle-element

OVERVIEW

For over a decade, photographers from around the world have participated in PFRE’s monthly photography contests, culminating in the year-end crowning of PFRE’s Photographer of the Year. With a new theme each month and commentary offered by some of the finest real estate & interior photographers anywhere, these contests offer a fun, competitive environment with rich learning opportunities. 

Contest Rules
blue-triangle-element

CURRENT CONTESTS

View / Submit
blue-triangle-element

PAST CONTESTS

View Archive
Resources
blue-triangle-element

Resources

PFRE prides itself on the depth and breadth of the information and professional development resources it makes available to our community. Our goal is to help real estate and interior photographers be successful while bringing the community together and elevating the industry as a whole.
blue-triangle-element

Conference News

No items found

Best Lens for GH4 [2024 Review]

In: 
Published: 18/05/2021

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Like its predecessor, the GH4 is an excellent camera for still and video shooting. Pairing it with the best lens for GH4 ensures you adequately exploit features like 4K footage quality, 1/8000th-second fire rate, and focus tracking.

Top Lens for GH4 Reviews

In this review, I take you through the advantages and disadvantages of my top picks while comparing their performance. Let’s dive in to help you make an informed decision on the best lens for GH4.

OLYMPUS 12-40mm f/2.8

With its focal range of 12-40mm, which is a full-frame equivalent of 24-80mm, the Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 offers you a lot of flexibility. It may not be as extensive as the Tamron 14-150 mm, though it has just the right performance to outmatch the latter’s quality.

Thanks to the extensive focal range, you can use it for almost any type of photography. Switch to the 24mm for your architecture and scenery shoots or zoom for decent shots with attractive bokeh.

Even though the f/2.8 maximum aperture is not the largest on my list, it lets in ample light in dimly lit interiors and night occasions. The large aperture also means you can get a nicely blurred background to focus on your subject.

My biggest concern is its price which is roughly three times as expensive as the Olympus 25mm f/1.8. Its superior features, however, ensure a better output than the latter.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8

Being the first zoom lens to have an f/1.8 maximum aperture, the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 is my best lens for GH4 that is worth the price 

Its vast aperture permits a ton of light, which is essential in ensuring adequate brightness for poorly lit scenarios. The aperture also allows you to have twice the extent of bokeh you can achieve with the OLYMPUS 12-40mm f/2.8.

It may not have an extensive zoom range as most options on my list. Even though it is basically a wide-angle zoom lens, it’s impressive, especially as it has the widest aperture to outshine the remaining options.

Real estate, scenery, or landscape photographers willing to look past its slightly high price can benefit a lot using this wide-angle lens on their GH4.

Olympus 25mm f/1.8

If you are looking for the best prime lens for GH4, then the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 is an excellent choice. This unit suits many photographers.

While missing out on the flexibility of my other options in terms of focal range, the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 is not entirely dismissable. The 25mm sweet spot provides you with a wide field of view for cityscapes, sceneries, or real estate. You also can shoot great portraits with the lens.

Similar to the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, the Olympus 25mm f/1.8 has the widest aperture on my list. You, therefore, get to enjoy beautifully exposed photos and nice blurred backgrounds in close-up shots.

It’s also the lightest and smallest lens on my list, adding a meager weight to your GH4 and proving an excellent combination during extended shooting sessions.

Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm

The first thing you notice about the Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm is its zoom range. With this extensive range, you can switch from covering large street or landscape photos to macro photography.

It is convenient to move around with it thanks to its tiny shell. The range of flexibility and the light mass make it one of the best lenses for your GH4 if you plan to take only one lens with you.

Though not as affordable as the Olympus 25mm f/1.8, it still falls within an attractive price range, especially considering the level of flexibility. Its maximum aperture at f/3.5 to f/5.6 is the smallest on my list.

Tamron 14-150 mm

If the Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm was enticing, then the Tamron 14-150 mm delivers a deal some may consider too good to be true. Superzoom lenses tend to sacrifice image quality, so is that the case with this unit?

This lens minimizes the effect of aberration for superb picture quality through the low dispersion glass. Having the most extensive zoom range on our list increases your flexibility in applicable niches. When shooting in confined spaces, the extensive zoom allows you to focus on your subject easily. 

It has a sturdy and compact build and only weighs 10.05 ounces. That makes it lighter than my first two picks and an excellent zoom lens to carry for all-purpose photography.

The main issue might be the maximum aperture at f/3.5-5.8. While not the best choice for extremely low light scenarios, it does let in a good amount of light.

Features to Consider in a Lens for GH4

While the GH4 is a superb camera for real estate photography, its most outstanding performance is in video capabilities. Two zebra settings enable the identification of overexposed areas. Its 4K support and generation of color bars for calibration offer impeccable performance.

Features that can maximize these capabilities are the ones you should consider while buying the right GH4 lens for you. 

Focal Length

Versatility is one of the crucial features to look for in a lens for GH4, and focal length is one of its main determinants.

A flexible focal range like the one in the Tamron 14-150mm allows you to try out various framing options. Consider a lens that is wide enough to enable shooting small interiors or outdoors.

Lumix GH4 with zoom lens

When shooting house tours or interviews, consider a lens with a long focal length to avoid distorting your subject’s features as you close in on them.

With these factors in mind, the 25mm is the most versatile focal length for your GH4. This level is superb for indoors and scenery. It is also long enough to make individuals appear normal and not overly distort their features.

Aperture

A powerful lens with a broad aperture offers your GH4 flexibility in two primary ways:

Such lenses are excellent for low-light shooting. With such a lens, you won’t have to increase your ISO. It also ensures adequate exposure allowing you to shoot in diverse lighting situations.

  • The second aspect is the provision of a shallower depth of field, something the bright aperture in lenses like Olympus 25mm f/1.8 makes it possible.

Shallow depth allows you to distinguish the subject from your background. Creating emphasis in your photos enables viewers to focus on the most crucial details within them.

Focusing

Go for a lens with a well-designed and smooth focusing ring. Such a lens is vital in video shoots as loose or rigid rings can be pretty challenging when capturing footage.

When taking photos where your subjects adjust positions often, having an autofocus function is crucial. While manual focusing offers accuracy, you’ll have to skip some shots given the extended time needed.

Opting for a lens that offers both manual and autofocus, like the OLYMPUS 12-40mm f/2.8, is perfect for GH4.

Zoom or Prime?

The decision on whether to use a zoom or prime lens for the GH4 depends on what you expect to do with your camera. While a zoom lens offers numerous benefits, a prime lens challenges you to improve your skills.

When shooting from confined areas, a zoom range like that of the Tamron 14-150 mm  allows you to get close to your subjects. This might also mean you don’t have to carry or purchase multiple prime lenses.

Prime lenses, however, are generally more pocket-friendly than zoom lenses. The Olympus 25mm f/1.8, for example,is lighter than the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. You can also get a wider maximum aperture on prime lenses, making them better suited for low light photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Canon Lenses on Panasonic GH4?

Yes, you can use Canon lenses on your GH4. Using a Canon lens on your GH4 effectively, may however require an adapter.

Does Panasonic GH4 Have Image Stabilization?

The GH4 lacks image stabilization. Picking a lens with image stabilization like the Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm is essential for taking handheld footage.

Conclusion

What is your favorite flash for GH4? Any of my top picks should offer you great performance as you capture sharp images or 4K footage with your camera.

OLYMPUS 12-40mm F2.8Sigma 18-35mm F1.8Olympus 25mm F1.8Panasonic Lumix 14-140mmTamron 14-150 mm
Focal Length12-40mm18-35mm25mm14-140mm14-150mm
Maximum aperturef2.8f1.8f1.8f3.5 to f5.6f3.5 to f5.8
Weight [ounces]13.4728.574.89.3510.05

Vendors

Rela Logo
CS6 PSE Logo
HD Photo Hub Logo
FullFrame Logo

Learning Topics

.
magnifiercrossmenucross-circle