GH1 feature film production

[kippard]

Hello! Zero-budget. I shot my first feature on a Z1U. I want a more filmic look for my second feature. I'm considering buying the GH1. The GH1 seems like the cheapest way to get closest to what I want. Let me start with a few questions - I'm sure I'll have many. If I attach my Sennheiser with the Shure A96F transformer, can I get audio quality good enough for festivals? Does it have an ND filter (exposure being crucial)? Is refocusing difficult while shooting? What's the coolest low-budget bling [matte box] for the camera (form factor), if I'm shooting motion picture? Please, I welcome all advice, tips, suggestions and such! Hello again all! Thank you!

[Martti Ekstrand]

Look in the hardware section for answers to all you questions.

[kippard]

Well, if anyone would like to sound off here while I am looking, please do! Thanks,

[Ozpeter]

If I attach my Sennheiser with the Shure A96F transformer, can I get audio quality good enough for festivals?Define "good enough"... It has auto level control you can't switch off (though you can get a special external adapter which injects a HF tone to defeat it - but not for zero budget). The input socket is tiny and you'll need an adapter almost certainly. See forum discussions on sound.


Does it have an ND filter (exposure being crucial)? No - hence discussions here on adding them.


Is refocusing difficult while shooting? Define "difficult". You turn a fly-by-wire ring on the lens. Practice makes perfect I guess. Manual focussing magnifying aid does not work when recording.

Dunno the rest.

[Donald Gregory]

Why wouldn't you record sound externally and sync later?

[John Caballero]

The Sticky: Temp FAQ is your friend.

[kippard]

Thank you! What would you use [budget solution], if you recorded sound separately? What is the cost of the HF tone injector? Seems extreme. I guess most do not think recording my dialogue on the GH1 is a good idea [auto level]? What are the actual recording specifications? Can't seem to find them. I will look for the ND discussions - is it simple to add? Again thanks,

[John Caballero]

What most people are using to record sound with the GH1, and I am going to use as well, is the Zoom H4N. It is very good and versatile.

[Mike@AF]

kippard,

First, welcome to the board. Nice to have you here.

Second, you can save yourself a lot of time waiting for these answers by searching the GH1 forums here. Every question you've asked has already been answered and discussed in great detail. You'll probably find even much more information than you're initial questions are looking for. So I suggest reading the GH1 temp faq and then perusing the threads. The camera hasn't been out that long, so it shouldn't be too much work to read.

Good luck!

[kippard]

What most people are using to record sound with the GH1, and I am going to use as well, is the Zoom H4N. It is very good and versatile.

Cool. Are you using XLR mics or the units mics? Thanks!

[kippard]

kippard,

First, welcome to the board. Nice to have you here.

Second, you can save yourself a lot of time waiting for these answers by searching the GH1 forums here. Every question you've asked has already been answered and discussed in great detail. You'll probably find even much more information than you're initial questions are looking for. So I suggest reading the GH1 temp faq and then perusing the threads. The camera hasn't been out that long, so it shouldn't be too much work to read.

Good luck!

Yes. Got to sort this out! This camera looks awesome - what I'm looking for. Thank you!

[John Caballero]

I don't have one yet as I am waiting for GH1 to finally come. But the Zoom H4N has two great built in mics as well as plugs for two XLRs. Google it and you will get all the info. It is a great piece of sound equipment.

[Mike@AF]

Kippard,

You'll be better off with connecting a mic(s) to the XLR inputs of the H4n. Whether it's a shotgun mic or lavs, they'll typically and most likely give you much better audio from actors than the built-in mic. The built-in mic is decent, but I wouldn't use it for important production sound like dialog.