GH-1 Goes to the Thrift Store

[Kholi]

http://www.vimeo.com/4582107

Spot the 720/60 and I gives you cookie!

[Oedipax]

Well I'm impressed and excited about the camera again! I noticed a couple artifacts here and there (some banding in the close-ups of clothing on the rack, mixed with lower light) but overall it looked really great. Even the somewhat overexposed stuff had a nice filmic feeling to it. I viewed the downloaded Vimeo version on a 24" screen from about 3ft away - impressive. Will try it out on the 40" Samsung later.

Compression is kinda nasty on the surprise footage at the end, when he runs up the tree. Fortunately the stuff I tend to shoot is much more like the first section of the video, so thumbs up from me!

[Kholi]

I threw EVERYTHING in there. LoL. The overexposed, the underexposed, and yeah that really ugly compression mishap at the end.

That was all 1080/24. Just an example of why you should shoot anything high motion in 720/60P.

I wasn't holding anything back, though. You guys see some good and some bad out of the camera right there.

[PappasArts]

Looks awesome Kholi. Love the video; Your GF looks like a twin of my first GF. Lol.

This is great impromptu filming and demonstrates the GH1 quite well. If it can look this good just having fun, then it's very is to imagine under the scope of coordinated shots in a production will exceed this even way more;and this is good stuff already.

Gotta love how the large sensor handles blow out windows too!

Looks like you getting more of a handle on this camera to get the look you want too.

By the way the 60P to 24 looks flawless from what I can see on the system I'm on. I will project your footage on 13 foot screen tomorrow.

Me still wants your cookies; homemade?





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[Kholi]

I'll let you guys know exactly which ones are 720/60P as soon as more people watch it.

And yeah, Pappas. Right now I'm JUST trying to tweak my own look and application as far as lensing goes. I really love this 28-70 Macro Zoom, but I need to figure out how to tweak the color so that it matches the rest of the glass.

It loses contrast wide open.

[Ian-T]

Dang man...to me at least it ALL looked good. I came in (or at least tried to) with a very critical eye and expected the worst. But...it was so clean. Did you apply a denoiser in post or anything? I don't know what I was worried about because if you can get that kind of look out of the 24p...then psst...I'm game. The original file is still downloading...but even on Vimeo it looked very good to me. Was that very last OOps scene the same camera?

[Kholi]

I didn't touch a single thing in post. It's all just cut on the timeline and exported.

The oops thing is my next GH-1 Camera test and yes, it was the GH-1. 28-70 Zeiss Zoom. Subway short... inspired by Stu over at ProLost.

[Ian-T]

LOL...I'm going to bed. All this worrying for nothing made me tired. Kholi man thanks a lot for those footage....and I'm definitely looking forward to that next camera test. Seriously. I thought you were going to say that you snuck the Red One in there. Peace ...I'm out.

[William_Robinette]

Yeah, this looked really good.

2 Questions:

Is the color banding there in 720/60p material as well?

Did she get the Member's Only jacket? That thing was bomb, I have one myself :)

Edit: One more question. There is a shot where she walks over to the counter and you follow her and the Jell-o turns up. If you shoot at a faster shutter speed (say 1/250th) is that problem minimized at all?

Thanks for all the work you have done Kholi, the community really appreciates it.

[ChipG]

Wow, that footage looks really good for a trip to the thrift store. There will be some amazing things shot with this little stealth cam.

I like it! Sweeeeeet!

HURRY PANNY I want my freakn' GH1 now!

[Kholi]

I think the banding may be a bit more controlled in 720/60P. I haven't done that test yet. Oh and I also think the banding is MUCH more apparent in lower ISO settings. I'm not FOR sure on this, but it seems like every time I get anywhere between 320 ISO it starts banding more. This is going to be my next little "experiment" so stay tuned.

And yeah, lol, she got the Members Only Jacket. It was brand new, and green. So she had to get it.

[Kholi]

Edit: One more question. There is a shot where she walks over to the counter and you follow her and the Jell-o turns up. If you shoot at a faster shutter speed (say 1/250th) is that problem minimized at all?

.


The Jello gets worse with higher shutter speeds. The only real way to avoid it (just being honest here) is to shoot 720/60P.

I specifically showed that action stuff at the end to let people see what happens in a different situation. For all of that test footage I DID shoot 720/60P, but got some 1080/24 just to make sure I knew what I was looking at.

There are workarounds, I regretfully need to reiterate, just have to figure out if they're right for the job.

[Emanuel]

Cute girl. ;-) Following her, it shouldn't be an easy task. BTW, how have you been finding the autofocus feature?

[FatDaddy]

Good job Kholi.

How different would this look with the stock pany lens? Less DOF and the need for higher ISO? Is the stock lens worth shooting with? I hear they won't be selling it without the lens for a while. Apparently you can pull focus with the LCD okay? And what is the K Rig.

Thanks for the testing. You're my new hero (slide over Barry Green).

[Kholi]

Good job Kholi.

How different would this look with the stock pany lens? Less DOF and the need for higher ISO? Is the stock lens worth shooting with? I hear they won't be selling it without the lens for a while. Apparently you can pull focus with the LCD okay? And what is the K Rig.

Thanks for the testing. You're my new hero (slide over Barry Green).

The stock Panasonic 14-140/F4~5.6 is an excellent lens.

If you want an example of how the DOF will be affected at F4, take a look at the parts where I'm zooming in and out. That's with the Contax Zeiss 28-70/3.4 Wide open.

Most of the footage around that section is with this same lens wide open.

I'll use the Kit Lens for lots of stuff, especially anything that can use the extra OIS stabilization. Color matching will probably be the issue but it's not too difficult.

I can pull Focus a-okay with the lcd. It's a big relief to be able to use it like an HVX's LCD, flip it out, rotate it to comfort and roll with it. I often FORGET that you can do that and go... "Oh... why am I trying to bend my head down so far!?!?"

The K-Rig is a bootlegged Redrock shoulder Mount rig reformatted for a DSLR. There are some pictures of it in the GH1 hardware section.

[Kholi]

By the way, had two people ask me in private if there was any color correction or adjustments done to this. None what-so-ever outside of what Quicktime does on its own. I didn't touch it, just edited.

Also, the very last shot of the backflip was strictly to illustrate a point. It's just how the compression breaks up but I shot most of my action rehearsal at 720/60P and it looks excellent.

[xbourque]

Looks great. First GH1 footage that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Good work.

My guesses for the 60p shots are:

0:13
1:10
3:09
3:16
3:20
3:23

-- Xavier

[William_Robinette]

Also, the very last shot of the backflip was strictly to illustrate a point. It's just how the compression breaks up but I shot most of my action rehearsal at 720/60P and it looks excellent.

So the very last shot was 1080p or 720/60p? Sorry, I'm confused.

[Kholi]

So the very last shot was 1080p or 720/60p? Sorry, I'm confused.

Very VERY last shot (the backflip) is 1080/24.

[saaby]

Very VERY last shot (the backflip) is 1080/24.

But when we see the rest of that camera test, most of it will have been (ick to that grammar) shot in 720/60p

[Oedipax]

This is unrelated to Kholi's footage, but can anyone explain why video on sites like Vimeo and Youtube have such issues with tearing? Is it Flash? Is there a Vsync flag I can enable somewhere? It's seriously distracting, and to someone who was unaware of it, they might think it was the camera itself that was responsible. Of course once you get it into a proper video codec, everything looks fine again...

[saaby]

This is unrelated to Kholi's footage, but can anyone explain why video on sites like Vimeo and Youtube have such issues with tearing? Is it Flash? Is there a Vsync flag I can enable somewhere? It's seriously distracting, and to someone who was unaware of it, they might think it was the camera itself that was responsible. Of course once you get it into a proper video codec, everything looks fine again...

I noticed the same thing. What are you viewing on? Because I have one of the latest gen Unibody MacBook Pros. The tearing is (sometimes) 100x worse if I am on battery power and in Safari. You might think I am exaggerating when I say 100x worse...and maybe I am...but it is bad enough that the video becomes unwatchable.

[Kholi]

Yeah I always notice it as well. Darn video tearing is annoying.

[Final Design Studios]

Kholi, do you have anything that you've shot with the stock lens as well?

I took the compressed MOV and pulled it into vegas, it looks great aside from that bit with the backflip. Were the action clip shots at the end done with the stock lens?

[Kholi]

Action stuff was with the 28-70/3.4~5.6 Zeiss Contax Zoom.

I strictly did that last flip in 1080/24 to make sure I knew that the compression wouldn't work for that kind of application. I forgot to do it in 720/60P as well to compare, but the rest of the stuff was at 720/60P and held up quite well.

I'll try to get some more Stock lens material to post.

[Final Design Studios]

That would be great, thanks for contributing this stuff.

[Oedipax]

I noticed the same thing. What are you viewing on?

Dell 24" LCD, 2008 OctoMac w/ Nvidia 8800. Do Windows people see the same thing?

[Final Design Studios]

I have similar issues with Youtube's HD videos as well as vimeo. I think it might be a flash based problem.

[Solare]

Great video Kholi, I'm sold, you rock, you rule, I love you. </butt kissing>

You say it's the first time they don't tell you "you can't come in here with that" but you did have that monster of a handheld blue thingy didn't you?

Not even with that they left you be? I mean doesn't a camera look odd with that addition? as in "I don't think that's a normal camera"

If even with that they completely ignored you then I'm so copying everything you set up/have/the way you dress, move and talk =)

Another question which lens is which at: -I know, Contax Carl Seiss but which is which? I'm too shtewpid to tell the difference =))

a. 00:37
b. 00:44
c. 01:09
d. 01:22
e. 01:33
- comment 01:41 - Great Robin Williams impression =p
f. 03:16

Cheers!
Solare Hicks ;)

[GregGory]

I cannot thank you enough Kholi

Your last two clips are exactly what I've been looking for, they've got the LOOK! :thumbup: Very close to what I would like to achieve straight from the camera. Can you reveal your secret sauce (film mode, i-contrast, contrast, NR, sharpening, saturation)?

[Carniphage]

This is unrelated to Kholi's footage, but can anyone explain why video on sites like Vimeo and Youtube have such issues with tearing? Is it Flash? Is there a Vsync flag I can enable somewhere? It's seriously distracting, and to someone who was unaware of it, they might think it was the camera itself that was responsible. Of course once you get it into a proper video codec, everything looks fine again...

It's Adobe Flash - and it sucks. On a site where film-makers are trying to deliver a high-quality version of their work - it's bizarre that they select a technology which ruins the experience.

It is as bad as if Flickr adopting GIF as its image format.

I wish sites like Vimeo would offer a Quicktime option.

On topic.
I think that video shows-off the film-like qualities of the GH1 better than any I have seen to date. (Sorry Japanese people in the park)

C.

[saaby]

I wish sites like Vimeo would offer a Quicktime option.


You may not be aware -- it hardly jumps out at you -- but if you have a Vimeo account, and you login...then on the right-hand side of the page, down past the pagefold, there is a quicktime download option.

Hitting command+f or ctrl+f and typing "download" should make your browser show you the spot.

Again, this is vimeo only, and only after you've logged in.

[William_Robinette]

You may not be aware -- it hardly jumps out at you -- but if you have a Vimeo account, and you login...then on the right-hand side of the page, down past the pagefold, there is a quicktime download option.

Hitting command+f or ctrl+f and typing "download" should make your browser show you the spot.

Again, this is vimeo only, and only after you've logged in.

Sorry to get off track again, but this only works if the author allows you to download the footage. In many cases they do not.

[Kholi]

Great video Kholi, I'm sold, you rock, you rule, I love you. </butt kissing>

You say it's the first time they don't tell you "you can't come in here with that" but you did have that monster of a handheld blue thingy didn't you?

Not even with that they left you be? I mean doesn't a camera look odd with that addition? as in "I don't think that's a normal camera"

If even with that they completely ignored you then I'm so copying everything you set up/have/the way you dress, move and talk =)

LoL. Crazy. Seriously, though. I know they had to see me, but nobody bothered me. It was really REALLY strange because I was obviously holding the camera in my hands and pointing it at her.

I think because it LOOKS like a still camera (as has been discussed) people think they're stills at most. And, also, because you NEVER hear the shutter click, they probably think I'm doing NOTHING at all.

It was hilarious, because that was an employee that passed my camera when I stopped.

I had my blue-handled bootlegged rig on me as well, so it's not like it was discreet. And I had a guy stop me and ask me abotu the handles.



Another question which lens is which at: -I know, Contax Carl Seiss but which is which? I'm too shtewpid to tell the difference =))

a. 00:37
b. 00:44
c. 01:09
d. 01:22
e. 01:33
- comment 01:41 - Great Robin Williams impression =p
f. 03:16

Cheers!
Solare Hicks ;)

No, not stupid. it's actually not obvious. Most of the stuff at the beginning is the 50/1.4 and about 1:41 is where I start using the 28-70 zoom.

Naturally, all of the zooming stuff is the 28-70.

[DiscoDapper]

On the topic of stealth and shooting video with a dslr / camera looking thing as opposed to an obvious camcorder, a side effect is that some people will pause until you've "taken your picture" and just stand there, usually just within your frame, until you say thanks or wave them by... :dankk2:

[AdrianF]

Kholi, I think this test really shows that this camera is going to be a great little tool for a lot of people, nice tones. How were the Contax's colour wise? Was there much variation between them and did you have to cc much to match them?

[Kholi]

Kholi, I think this test really shows that this camera is going to be a great little tool for a lot of people, nice tones. How were the Contax's colour wise? Was there much variation between them and did you have to cc much to match them?


Seems to me that they're all just about spot on. I think the German versions are even better as far as color matching goes.

The 28-70 zoom IS a bit less contrasty than the rest, but not to terribly so.

I didn't color match or touch any of this footage. It's mostly an example of the camera in pure form with Contax Zeiss lenses attached.

I loves them.

[mrmoe]

Congrats. Footage looks great. 720/60 shots are @ the end :)

I like your girls... rawh !!!

Cheers
d-_-b

[AdrianF]

I didn't color match or touch any of this footage. It's mostly an example of the camera in pure form with Contax Zeiss lenses attached.

Well it's a good example, really looking forward to getting my mitts on this camera.

[filmmaker's gang]

man.. what's 1080 24P?.. & what's 720 60P??

[PappasArts]

Gimme a break. You're not the only one with an HVX-- oops I mean RED, Sanjin. Sorry, it's just like the HVX: everyone and their mother has one. Go rent your camera for 300/day and feel undercut and bitter. Obsolescence Obsolete. LoL

Ty

Kholi, who are you responding too? I went through the past five pages and I'm spinning in an enigma twister wondering........... ;-)




.

[Kholi]

man.. what's 1080 24P?.. & what's 720 60P??

filmmaker's gang~~

[PappasArts]

Sanjin


I'm used to his name at Reduser as Sanjin. Since he didn't sign his post; didn't know that was him.

[Oedipax]

Did you guys hear about that post house in LA that's letting projects rent their RED for free if they agree to do post-production at their facility? Crazy!

[Kholi]

Oversaturated here in Los Angeles. And certainly no big deal if you shoot with one. It really is like the HVX now around here and rents for just as much as the original HVX200 as well. LoL.

[dadoboy]

It's true. I can rent a RED without PL Zeiss lenses, but with a lot of support equipment for $300-$400 / day here in LA through my "source". That's why I think about 8 times over before buying a camera - and then usually don't go through with it. In a market area like LA, it's almost always better to rent a video camera than to buy. As we see here at dvxuser, a hot new generation of camera comes around almost every year. Ever darn project I'm on has different requirements and budgets, it just doesn't make sense to buy and be stuck shooting one format to make back the cost.


Oversaturated here in Los Angeles. And certainly no big deal if you shoot with one. It really is like the HVX now around here and rents for just as much as the original HVX200 as well. LoL.

[rubberbandito]

folks. i gotta tell you. i have watched about every clip out there of the gh1 and have gone back and forth on the quality of the 1080 24p, have read bloom's blog etc. but i decided to try something new, i burned this clip http://vimeo.com/4582107 to my blu ray player from sony vegas 9. the difference is unbelievable, its so smooth and incredible, no jerky pans, no linear lines. much much better then the download to a hard drive as well. all the funky lines are gone (as you can see i am quite the amateur but i know clean footage when I see it).