GH2 improvements list

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Please post here suggested improvements for GH2.

Unfouded dreams or crazy ideas are not allowed.

All good suggestion will be collected.

Actual list reside here - http://www.gh1-hack.info/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.GH2ImprovementsList

[roei z]

Thanks Vitaliy.

AVCHD encoder:
any chance for 24p constant 24Mbps or improving encoder bitrate interpretation ?

Sensor signal:
banding issues solved or improved.

1/48 shutter pleeeaase

[GrahamH]

Please post here suggested improvements for GH2.

Unfouded dreams or crazy ideas are not allowed.

AVCHD encoder:
23.8Mbps in all modes available
720p encoder improved with B frames.

General:
PAL/NTSC switchable


Those would definitely be my top 3, right there!!!!!!

[Fotograf]

Why do Panasonic dictate that in my GH2 "My Menu" I must have the five most recently used menu functions? This is how they have implemented "My Menu".

I know my favourite functions which I need again and again. But whenever I use a different one, one of my favourites gets lost and is replaced with a rarely used one. This is really a mess!

Meanwhile I have written my favourites on a piece of paper, along with the way to find them deep down in the menu system. I don`t think this is the way a "My Menu" system is supposed to be working.

If Panasonic really think that this automated choice of the "My Menu" items is a good idea, could they please make it an option for those who like it that way. But please give me the option to choose and save what I want in my "My Menu". Because I know what I need in "My Menu". And that is not simply the five most recently used options.

Thank you!

[havasuphoto]

1080P 60 frames per second, like the TM700.

[Etown Mark]

I second this. Let me choose and store my favorite functions.


Why do Panasonic dictate that in my GH2 "My Menu" I must have the five most recently used menu functions? This is how they have implemented "My Menu".

I know my favourite functions which I need again and again. But whenever I use a different one, one of my favourites gets lost and is replaced with a rarely used one. This is really a mess!

Meanwhile I have written my favourites on a piece of paper, along with the way to find them deep down in the menu system. I don`t think this is the way a "My Menu" system is supposed to be working.

If Panasonic really think that this automated choice of the "My Menu" items is a good idea, could they please make it an option for those who like it that way. But please give me the option to choose and save what I want in my "My Menu". Because I know what I need in "My Menu". And that is not simply the five most recently used options.

Thank you!

[seewolf]

AVCHD encoder:
1080p25 @ 24Mbps

[Caffespresso]

Let's dream... 2K res...

[AKED]

AF-Tracking in video mode, also when other functions do not work then
(Panasonic people will know)
Audio out control (earphones)
Audio meter while playback

As much mbps as possible also in 720/50p

Being able to save all settings on a SD card, so one can use this to use the exact same settings on another camera.

[aljudy]

Allow use of non-OEM/non-Panasonic batteries

[hyphygreek]

Can we do anything about that hdmi out with a hack? Or is that hardware?

[maranfilms]

Let's dream... 2K res...

Isn't it already almost 2k. 1920x1080. Thats only 80 lines of horizontal res. Would there actually be a noticale difference?

[JamesBenet]

1080p 30 at 23.8Mbits sustained. Maybe higher bit-rates if possible. The 17mbits of now are really a detriment. Already made a donation and hope you can get at least 24mbits 30p on the camera. All else is icing on the cake. Thanks!

[mateogrande]

4:3 aspect ratio for video -- for use with 2x anamorphic lens -- and whatever appropriate aspect ratio between 4:3 and 16:9 that when used with 1.5x anamorphic lens achieves a 2.39:1 AR ultimately.

[stonebat]

HDMI out on ETC and 720 modes. Just for monitoring purpose.

[rigs]

live audio out with HDMI or compite would be nice.

[johnnym]

4:3 aspect ratio for video -- for use with 2x anamorphic lens -- and whatever appropriate aspect ratio between 4:3 and 16:9 that when used with 1.5x anamorphic lens achieves a 2.39:1 AR ultimately.

+1

Could sensor crop maybe altered with parameters for aspect ratio?

[Dazza]

Higher lower limit for AVCHD bitrate (to stop the image from being prematurely starved)
PAL/NTSC selectable record modes, some of us actually do travel with our cameras between different regions a lot, never did understand why more camcorders don't have this.
1/24, 1/48, 1/96 and other film applicable shutter speeds, sure some people may say it's close enough, but this is digital and it's damn easy to implement and would result in many more sales, given the choice you know you would all choose 1/48 over 1/50 for 24p

[J Bellari]

#1. Would love a 3D video synch capability at 24p for a pair of GH2 or more...

#2. Timelapse capability for 3D RAW timelapse stills with a pair of GH2 (the full res stuff with bright prime lenses, not the cheapie 1080p 3D lens) ( 3D intervalometer )

#3. 4K video 24p for several seconds would be neat for vfx, minus Rick Astley mode

[Stefanos]

1. clean hdmi output
2. highest possible Mbps in 24p mode, more than 23.8
3. in camera 2.39 (1920x805) and 2.0 aspect ratio (1920x960)
4. any way to monitor audio in camera?

[freeheels]

Discrete settings between stills and video - Film modes, and Shutter settings

[Picturequest]

I shoot HDR with the Bracket settings. But say on a 7 exposure bracket, you have to trigger the shutter 7 times. My Uncles Nikon can shoot all brackets with a single click.

[John Caballero]

720p24 would be nice.

[richtrav]

It would be most excellent if the ETC mode could be adjusted to resolutions higher than 1920x1080.

[Picturequest]

In camera 2.39 (1920x805) with safe zone marks.

1080p at 60 for slow mo.

PEAKING on the LCD and/or over HDMI, that would be GREAT via function key.

1/48 shutter speed

Are we at all able to read shutter, Iso, lens, f-stop, film setting from the AVCHD file like with a still? I believe it is stored in the file but yet to see an app display that info.

Like the ext Zoom, it would be nice to have a 10-15% crop for C-lenses with light vignetting. Even at a slight loss of sharpness. I don't see why scaling down a 16 megapixel or a 14 megapixel crop would not be possible.

[fjolliton]

I would like to see more advanced autofocus features, for example something like: define a set of zone to autofocus, then start filming and focus on each predefined zone when pressing a button (or acting with a remote) or even with a timer (at 0s focus on such zone, at 15s focus there,..) That should be easy to implement.

I say autofocus, but I believe the body is able to figure the absolute focus distance, so it could even register theses distances rather than autofocusing in the given area. It would be more like: focus at 0.50m at 10s, then at 1.25m at 30s.. (or any other unit that make sense for the lens)

Dreaming even more: choose the speed to focus from one distance to another.. Slow to (not so) fast.. you could choose.

Does that look reasonable? :)

Edit: grammar

[london-artist]

25H - 1920x1080 25p 24Mbps - in PAL countrys at least, it seems a crazy omission only to have 24H - I want to use highest quality with 25p so I can mix and match with other cameras..

[mr bill]

24Mbps 1080p, 25fps, 16:9 ratio so we can use it in Europe.

[Jaime Valles]

High quality, clean HDMI output in 1080/24p would be my biggest request (for recording externally.)

[J Bellari]

Remote capture software for PC for video and still capture... this may also help with 3D Intervalometer synch and 3D video capture with a pair of GH2 connected to a PC via USB.

[ianmere]

1080 60p (if possible)
720p fastest framerate possible is it crazy to believe 120fps could be done..... (then this would be a scarlet killer, even though it could already be).
intervalometer inbuilt, (Panasonic I'm not buying your propriety crap remote its not even wireless),
3rd party battery, I'm planning on making my own battery pack with 6 AA's, 1.2 volts each, = 7.2!..
Raw/Jpeg toggle button.

Now I will pray every night hopping we can make some magic happen here again, or that Panasonic can realize that every time they don't add features we know they can we loose faith in the "Panasonic" brand. Come on Panasonic do your best, the gh2 is great but we know it can be even better! also if you opensource parts of your firmware I'm sure your sales increase a lot.

Edit***
Also Vitaliy, whats the donation currently for? It would be nice to know where the money is going, eg I know we already have a GH2, Even if its just to pay you a salary for the work your doing. I'm sure people would be interested to know. Thank-you for your hard work on the GH1 (I donated).

[stonebat]

1080p60 or 720p120 is a dream... not a realistic goal.

3rd party battery... Panny will never allow it.

I donated, too. But I have no interest in knowing how the money is spent. Basically donate and forget it.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Also Vitaliy, whats the donation currently for? It would be nice to know where the money is going, eg I know we already have a GH2, Even if its just to pay you a salary for the work your doing. I'm sure people would be interested to know. Thank-you for your hard work on the GH1 (I donated).

Current donation money is going to software used during project.
We'll start donation to required hardware quite soon. As we'll need some hardware.

[Grunf]

I only have one request: 1080p50/60 with B-frames and 40Mbit bitrate (if CPU permits it).

1080p60 would capture so much data in both temporal and space resolution that we could extract most other formats from it.
If not possible, just adjusting 1080p24 to 1080p25 with current 24Mbit bitrat would be good enough for us in PAL-istan ;)

Thanx to everyone participating in this!

[Peter J. DeCrescenzo]

Hi Vitaliy: Since most HDMI monitors don't have a headphone jack (I know there are exceptions, but very few), enabling full-time live audio out via the GH2's USB/AV connector would be very valuable for use with headphones & other audio gear.

I'd also welcome live audio out via the GH2's HDMI connector, too, but live audio out from its USB/AV connector would benefit the greatest number of users -- and at the least cost to users, too.

Cheers.

[mateogrande]

4:3 aspect ratio for video -- for use with 2x anamorphic lens -- and whatever appropriate aspect ratio between 4:3 and 16:9 that when used with 1.5x anamorphic lens achieves a 2.39:1 AR ultimately.

Vitaly, you state in your first post that 1:1, 4:3 and 21:9 aspect ratios may be goals for the hack project. Can a 1.59:1 also be included as that would permit 1.5x anamorphics, such as the Isco lenses, to acheive a 2.39:1 AR after unsqueeze. (1.59 x 1.5 = 2.39.) Thank you.

[chrisso]

25H - 1920x1080 25p 24Mbps - in PAL countrys at least, it seems a crazy omission only to have 24H - I want to use highest quality with 25p so I can mix and match with other cameras..

That would do for me.

[nyvz]

How about support for 1.19:1 aspect ratio for use with much more standard and readily-available 2x anamorphics? My preference would be for standard cinema aspects: 1.77:1, 1.85:1, 2.39:1, and 1.19:1 for anamorphic. Perhaps higher framerates can be acheived in 2.39:1 mode?

Oh, another amazing option would be for varying sensor sizes for using other lenses. For example S16 and/or 16mm crop modes with 1080p or even 2k+ recording options. At the moment I am trying to find a way to get my 16mm zoom (angenieux 9.5-57 f1.6) to work with my GH2 using a 1.4x extender, but I'd rather just be able to set the camera in 16mm mode since a digital blow up in camera would likely provide better performance than an optical teleconverter as long as the recording resolution is the same.

The 16mm mode would be amazing since it would open up so many options for people looking to use relatively inexpensive, fast, lightweight cine glass. 5-10x T2.0 zooms in 16mm format can be had easily for around $1000 or less. You just cant get that in 35mm glass, anything that is fast with long range is incredibly expensive and heavy, and any 35mm cine glass that is inexpensive is very slow and still heavy.

[johnnym]

I hope all possible aspect ratios and sensor sizes can be achieved by hacking the sensor crop.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

I hope all possible aspect ratios and sensor sizes can be achieved by hacking the sensor crop.


With 99.9% probability it'll never happen.
Most probably, aspect ratios could be changed only in encoder.
As for sensor - it won't happen without all documentation.

[blafarm]

I agree completely with the request for 1080p/30.

However, in the interest of being technically accurate -- I think it's important for that request to be revised to read 1080p/29.97

True 1080p/30 has very little value -- while 1080p/29.97 is a much more common and useful framerate profile.

Thank you Vitaliy for this thread.

[timbook2]

In film mode I want AFS and MF at the same time by using AF/AE lock while shooting. I want to be able to use AFS and go into manual focus while filming without having to toggle the dial on the top left.

[johnnym]

With 99.9% probability it'll never happen.
Most probably, aspect ratios could be changed only in encoder.
As for sensor - it won't happen without all documentation.


So essentially any firmware hack will be limited to 16:9 and 4:3 ?

[mateogrande]

Vitaly, you state in your first post that 1:1, 4:3 and 21:9 aspect ratios may be goals for the hack project. Can a 1.59:1 also be included as that would permit 1.5x anamorphics, such as the Isco lenses, to acheive a 2.39:1 AR after unsqueeze. (1.59 x 1.5 = 2.39.) Thank you.


Also, to get 2.39 from a 2x anamorphic lens, the AR should be 1.2:1, not 4:3. (1.2:1 being the aspect ratio of 35mm motion picture film with sound on it.) And for 1.75x lenses, the AR should be 1.37:1. This should satisfy most users and allow use of different strength anamorphics in one film without minimal hassle to obtain a standard 2.39:1 image unsqueezed.

So, ideally, and if possible, the hack would permit 1:1, 1.2:1, 4:3, 1.37:1, 1.59:1 and 21:9 aspect ratios.

[nyvz]

So essentially any firmware hack will be limited to 16:9 and 4:3 ?

Then again, just having high resolution 4:3 added as an option will open up many options for anamorphics. 1.33:1 is a pretty good compromise between 1.19:1 and 1.59:1 for 1.5x-2x anamorphics. You just crop from there or use 1.75x anamorphics if you can get your hands on them.

Another idea might be to skip all the various aspect ratio recording options, and just allow us to record somewhat higher resolution from the entire sensor area which appears to have a 1.44:1 native aspect ratio. Then people can crop as they need from there. Basically it would always record 1920x1334, which you could crop to 1920x1080 for 16:9 or 1778x1334 for 4:3. This way no matter what anamorphic or spherical lenses you use or what aspect you want youll always still be getting about 2MP out of the original 2.5MP. Of course more resolution would always be better though, this just seems like the best minimum case where no matter what resolution format or lenses are used, no one will feel like they are missing out without having to implement tons of different recording options.

In this native 1.44:1 mode, pretty much every standard format besides spherical 16:9 would benefit from oversampling in at least one pixel dimension. Then again it sounds like these other aspect ratios, even the native one, may not be possible, so this may not be practical, but it seems like a good option to me for all those people.

Otherwise, if it does become possible to expose control over the sensor and encoder's format options, maybe there could be a firmware kitchen users can cook up whatever odd formats you want to have available in camera. This would save the developer from having to think of every format people might want.

[mateogrande]

Then again, just having high resolution 4:3 added as an option will open up many options for anamorphics. 1.33:1 is a pretty good compromise between 1.19:1 and 1.59:1 for 1.5x-2x anamorphics. You just crop from there or use 1.75x anamorphics if you can get your hands on them.

Another idea might be to skip all the various aspect ratio recording options, and just allow us to record somewhat higher resolution from the entire sensor area which appears to have a 1.44:1 native aspect ratio. Then people can crop as they need from there. Basically it would always record 1920x1334, which you could crop to 1920x1080 for 16:9 or 1778x1334 for 4:3. This way no matter what anamorphic or spherical lenses you use or what aspect you want youll always still be getting about 2MP out of the original 2.5MP. Of course more resolution would always be better though, this just seems like the best minimum case where no matter what resolution format or lenses are used, no one will feel like they are missing out without having to implement tons of different recording options.

In this native 1.44:1 mode, pretty much every standard format besides spherical 16:9 would benefit from oversampling in at least one pixel dimension. Then again it sounds like these other aspect ratios, even the native one, may not be possible, so this may not be practical, but it seems like a good option to me for all those people.

Otherwise, if it does become possible to expose control over the sensor and encoder's format options, maybe there could be a firmware kitchen users can cook up whatever odd formats you want to have available in camera. This would save the developer from having to think of every format people might want.

Cropping sucks. Reduces resolution and makes framing shots more difficult. Besides the handful of aspcts ratios already identified, if anyone has others, put them here. (As the developer has asked.) If altering the AR can be done at all, then it can be done for any and all of them at virtually no extra labor for the hackers.

[NPrincen]

I doubt that these ideas could be enabled with a hack, but in case you are passing the list to Panasonic, here are a few things for them to add:

1) Close mechanical shutter either when pushing in lens release button (probably no electrical switch there) or turning camera off. This would protect sensor from dust when switching lenses. There is no reason that the sensor should be exposed when switching lenses. May then need a menu option to open the shutter for sensor cleaning.

2) Zebras with settable level to aid in video exposure like on AG-AF100. Some cameras even have zebras for both low light and high light clipping. Maybe it is just me, but I have always liked zebras more than the histogram for exposure. Gives you the information while you are concentrating on the picture and you do not need to look at a tiny little graph.

3) Focus peaking as manual focus aid. It is there on the AG-AF100 and is easier to use for focusing manual lenses while shooting video. The focus magnifier goes away when you shoot video, so there is no aid to get sharp critical focus for a moving subject or for focus pulls in real time. On a film set can use an extra monitor, but I do wildlife video and need good focus assist without all the extra gear.

[forum177]

Would it be possible to save lens choices, filter choices etc. along with the proposed meta data like aperture, shutter, iso for individual shots. I'm thinking some sort of input method for letters and numbers like a dial or something where you could enter you equipment names e.g Canon 28mm f1.8, Nikon 50mm f1.8, filter this, filter that etc. Then you would just enter all the equipment you have and choose it from a menu, to save as meta data along with aperture, shutter, iso. Maybe even special combos that you use often. That way it would be easier to reverse engineer shots you did. No more I wish I remembered how I did that shot.

[robotin77]

My 3 TOP wishes about GH2 update are:
1. AF tracking in video recording
2. intervalometer in still photo (bo be able to produce timelaps)
3. further development of 1:1 cropping eg free definition of the active area or dynamical cropp area which will move across matrix to create panoramic shot without moving camera.

[Jester2138]

It might be cool to fix the 4MP stills burst mode at 24fps rather than 40 and to try to increase the amount of time it can keep shooting for by (for example) maybe doing 3MP, medium jpeg quality, whatever. That would let us get high-res image sequences from which we can downsample to 1080p24, which would be pretty awesome. Of course I have no idea if this is possible.

I have a question about the 1080p24 MJPEG wish. Would this be higher quality (or have a more pleasing aesthetic) than 1080p24 AVCHD?

[Jester2138]

2. intervalometer in still photo (bo be able to produce timelaps)

+1

[Caffespresso]

Capacity of 60% of the speed in Variable Speed feature.

[cerdt]

Wider contrast video settings for GH2:
Contrast curve goes quite steep to darks (black level is quite high) even the contrast is set to lowest possible settings. Also higher ISO in low light doesn´t affect shadows as much as middle tones and lights - also because of original base contrast curve. I know it´s still better in this case than other VDSLRs, but it would be lovely to have possibility to set contrast curve to more linear settings (like used in pro camcorders), which is better for low light filming and postproduction. The thing is, that than you don´t need to set ISO at maximum to get full possible tonal range from the dark scene. Also it can provide wider dynamic range in both highlights and shadows. It´s kind of RAW advantage vs. jpeg.

[anaka]

I like all your ideas, especially the 1080p60fps and I'd like to add the unlimited frame sequencies at 40fps
also a direct and more easy control on shutter speed and all tipical video settings when in camcorder mode would be appreciated

[roei z]

i suppose there is NO WAY ON EARTH to regain bigger resolution from the sensor, huh ?
(i mean, creating a real 24p recording, not burst mode)

[petersont]

#1. give us a so-called pro body & lenses, with some decent degree of weatherproofing, at least on a par with the 7D. Extra weight quite ok by me...
#2. Standard size external mic jack
#3. Standard mini headphone jack

[brudney]

#1. give us a so-called pro body & lenses, with some decent degree of weatherproofing, at least on a par with the 7D. Extra weight quite ok by me...
#2. Standard size external mic jack
#3. Standard mini headphone jack

I don't think Vitaliy can do that... or does he? ;)

[stoneinapond]

#1. give us a so-called pro body & lenses, with some decent degree of weatherproofing, at least on a par with the 7D. Extra weight quite ok by me...
#2. Standard size external mic jack
#3. Standard mini headphone jack

I think that's the Vitaliy virtual version, a la Inception.

(In your dreams). :grin:

[VidE]

Wider contrast video settings for GH2:
Contrast curve goes quite steep to darks (black level is quite high) even the contrast is set to lowest possible settings. Also higher ISO in low light doesn´t affect shadows as much as middle tones and lights - also because of original base contrast curve. I know it´s still better in this case than other VDSLRs, but it would be lovely to have possibility to set contrast curve to more linear settings (like used in pro camcorders), which is better for low light filming and postproduction. The thing is, that than you don´t need to set ISO at maximum to get full possible tonal range from the dark scene. Also it can provide wider dynamic range in both highlights and shadows. It´s kind of RAW advantage vs. jpeg.

cerdt, I'm so totally behind your idea. In part like 'Black Stretch' w/clean dark tones. Maybe both Toe and Shoulder adjustments? That would be nice.

[routing]

MF assist and other features are disabled when HDMI is out. I would like the MF assist while monitoring through hdmi.

[johnnym]

As to the contrast curve, i second that. But that aside, have you tried decoding your mts stream with 5D2RGB from rarevision? It seems to give my GH1 footage a lot more detail in the dark areas and less darkening. And this is not gamma-related as the highlights aren't affected, in fact they are less bright or blown out.

[Ian-T]

4K 30-40fps mode down to 24fps at the longest possible recording time (with higher compression at about 75Mbps).

That would be sic.

Anamorphic MPJPEG mode like in GH-1 (higher resolution).

[dustinash]

-24mbit or more data at 30p
-1080 60p from the sensor
-120-240fps would be killer even at 720p for a few seconds is fine!
-Lower the 4MP 40fps burst mode to 24fps and allow it to shoot until the buffer is full.
-FN. Button for Variable frame rate
-Higher slow mo (varible) rate
-Full time manual focus in AF shutter push mode in video. So if you hold shutter you have AF, if you release and twist lens focus your on manual for micro adjustment. This would make the current AF 1000% more functional.

-this one is huge.... When engaging video mode in PASM wheel setting, have the video automatically conform to those settings. With this i could just flip through the 4 REAL settings P,A,S,M for stills or Video.. hit video button if i want video, shutter if stills.. I hate having to always scroll through the worlds biggest camera wheel on the worlds smallest pro video cam

[gianca]

I see that a generic improvement for bracketing it's already in the list, and the GH2 aslo has already a decent bracketing option with up to 7 brackets 1 stop apart, however I want to be specific that in order to be useful for HDR the most important thing is adding the option to make the brackets 2 or even 3 stops apart, with one shutter click with the remote.

I wonder why Pana limited the lower iso to 160 ISO: I'd like to go down to 100 or even 50, if this would add an improvement to noise and/or DR for studio lighting and tripod shoots.

Cheers,
Gianca

[DaLiV]

as with other panasonics - need firstly to see firmwares that comes to public ... possible that also will be encrypted , and then that model will have the same destiny as other currently encrypted ...

[Gene Hack]

First time poster.

As a pro photographer I´d like to see much better color modes straight out of cam (a real Kodachrome profile, easy to obtain, technicolor, etc.real analogue colors)
And I like to see different contrast interpretation and measuring.
Better dynamic in the highlight interpretation.
If You compare a Sigma/Foveon creamyness, with the harsh digital look of Panasonic, they have to go back to the lab.

[Dazza]

In film mode I want AFS and MF at the same time by using AF/AE lock while shooting. I want to be able to use AFS and go into manual focus while filming without having to toggle the dial on the top left.

This would be great, a matter a fact you can have AF and MF by enabling AF+MF in the custom menu but you have have to have the shutter button half pressed for it to engage. Remove that requirement and it would be sweet.

[Ivanhurba]

This would be great, a matter a fact you can have AF and MF by enabling AF+MF in the custom menu but you have have to have the shutter button half pressed for it to engage. Remove that requirement and it would be sweet.
I haven´t even seen a GH2 yet but in my nikons (stills) I have AF-C enabled, Focus priority disabled for shooting, no half shutter focus and instead use AE-Lock as AF. This way I can manually focus with the lens or, by pressing AE-lock, track something in AF-C. If this can be added it would be just perfect!

[cerdt]

First time poster.

As a pro photographer I´d like to see much better color modes straight out of cam (a real Kodachrome profile, easy to obtain, technicolor, etc.real analogue colors)
And I like to see different contrast interpretation and measuring.
Better dynamic in the highlight interpretation.
If You compare a Sigma/Foveon creamyness, with the harsh digital look of Panasonic, they have to go back to the lab.

"As a pro photographer" is RAW all you need! With software like Capture One, Silkypix or Lightroom you can have any profile you can imagine. That's a darkroom of a pro photographer these days. I have (among others) Sigma SD14 and I now also GH2. I have GH2 one week. I´ve already sold my old Canon 20D with APS-C sensor, because GH2 has better image quality at every ISO settings and has ISO 6400, 8000, 10000, 12800 in addition! And millions of others fantastic features as we all know... Sigma/Foveon "creamyness" ends at ISO 400, continues with heavy discoloration and graininess at ISO 800 to heavy color noise splashes at ISO 1600 and that´s it. And it´s really terrible camera with slow autofocus and all operations. It´s like 50 years behind GH2! Except only one thing, that beautiful tonality and sharpness per pixel at ISO 100, when you shoot at full light. GH2 has approximately 1,5x more detail, better dynamic range in shadows, comparable dynamic range in highlights and all other image aspects are product of RAW processing (make a comparsion as I did!).

[Adventsam]

Hi, can you share your LR RAW profile for the GH2? many thanks

[cerdt]

Hi,
beyond ordinary settings I would like to point these few:
Noise reduction in LR (I use amount 25 max, detail around 50) is good for color noise reduction, but leaves luminance NR behind, so Neat Image (probably best noise reduction software) is final step to perfection, also Neat Video plugin for video (I use Premiere) is a real magic
also I prefer tone curve modification with linear or medium contrast base over simple exposure, brightness and contrast settings to preserve tonality in shadows and highlights
I usually use black level 0 or 1 (default black level is set to 5, which is too high for dark tonality)
sometimes highlights recovery and fill light also helps, but I use it gently
sharpening is not really necessary, since the sharpness is great and it can affect smoothness of the image
high ISO, dark scene or extreme light conditions:
I use camera calibration in LR - shadows tint and separate R-G-B channels correction to eliminate cyan or blue/yellow noise "fog" on blacks - it helps a lot (suitable WB first)

[roei z]

any chance of 1/48 shutter Vitaliy? is it possible?

[atomsound]

4K 30-40fps mode down to 24fps at the longest possible recording time (with higher compression at about 75Mbps).

That would be sic.

Anamorphic MPJPEG mode like in GH-1 (higher resolution).

True THAT. The 4k shooting capability is the single most exciting development for me.

:cheesy:

[nyvz]

I'm not sure what the "more contrast options" feature would entail that is listed, but how about custom LUTs instead or in addition to whatever you have planned? That could be really powerful and allow easily matching the response of other cameras, filmstocks, looks, etc.

[Chadfish]

1.
We need the next firmware update to have an option to turn off AGC all together, and have real manual audio levels. Right now AGC is on all the time, but with the ability to change the amount of AGC in 4 levels. That's cool and all, but not enough. Fully manual level adjustment would give us cleaner audio, especially when used in conjunction with the Rode VideoMic Pro which boosts/cuts the mic level by 20db, 0db, and -10db. Also with manual audio you could accurately calibrate with the SD MixPre's tone (with a -25db pad cable).

2. 1080/30p please. (Can they do that in firmware?)
Not everyone loves 24P.


Here's info on the AGC: http://k9soundtech.blogspot.com/2011/01/gh2-is-agc.html

[cerdt]

max ISO limit for video:
Since noise and some kind of banding starts to be pronounced at ISO 3200, I wish I had an option to limit auto ISO for video. I find auto ISO optimal for mixed light situations to get best possible resullts and this would provide uncompromising reliable image quality, which is very important.

[David Cole]

Regarding - "Complete syncronization after remote shutter press in both stills and video (this allows to build cheap 3D rig using two GH2 bodies)."

One concern is that the shutter remote resistor values are polled by the camera. Would it be possible to explore how to generate an interrupt to sync the cameras? Or, perhaps we can characterize the polling frequency to see if it will be a factor in creating sync offset.

[Gene Hack]

Allow use of non-OEM/non-Panasonic batteries

Actually the $39 Ebay GH2 replacement works flawlessly.
No patch needed IMHO.

[alfred]

Clean HDMI- Output (1080,50i normal and crop) in 4:2:2

[dimitr]

Vitaliy,
activating av-out during video recording will be greatest future for aerial videography people, as we need to control picture wirelessly on the ground. and due to the fact that there is no affordable wireless hdmi downlink yet we are forced to use analog SD transmitters.
I already tried some chinese hdmi2composite decoder, but it doesnt work in rec mode for some reasons, works only in playback.
for the moment it is completely impossible to transmit picture from GH2(
spasibo!

[AKED]

Press the delete button for 10 seconds or so and the AV-out is activated.

[dimitr]

Press the delete button for 10 seconds or so and the AV-out is activated.
trick good for photo only..This works on most old lumix p&s cams, but on GH2 - yes, trashcan button activates AV out in preview mode, but when in video rec it output only black screen unfortunately.. there is some sync signal as screen is black, but no video. Seems it is bound somehow with RAW hdmi output during rec.
so probably we need switching output between hdmi and av-out option.

[xort]

1080P 30fps
variable frame rates from 2fps to 60fps (or more)
fully manual audio

[Chadfish]

1080P 30fps
variable frame rates from 2fps to 60fps (or more)
fully manual audio

+1 on that! What's with the AGC?

[stonebat]

I don't think this community effort needs to take care of disabling AGC. Canon did and Sony will do it. Panasonic will follow the trend.

[stonebat]

A-must have feature...


23.8Mbps in all modes available

[Chadfish]

I don't think this community effort needs to take care of disabling AGC. Canon did and Sony will do it. Panasonic will follow the trend.

Yes, but will they fix it in a firmware update for the GH2, or in the next model camera? Most likely the latter.

[makis]

25p in cinema mode, at least in PAL models.

[duartix]

In camera 2.39 (1920x805) with safe zone marks.
PEAKING on the LCD and/or over HDMI, that would be GREAT via function key.

That would be my #1 request too. Both for video and stills.

[daihard]

Being able to assign "Digital zoom" through 1 of the 3 custom func. buttons would rock! Instead of searching through the menus.
Programable focus ring on Pana lens! Canon's S95 comes to mind... Being able to make more use of this large smooth action ring, during video recording would be IMBA! (i.e. aperture control, digital zoom, exposure, variable iso(s)?, etc.)
Variable focus rates, I realize it probably focuses fast due to processor but slowing it down for nice field changes would be handy.
Of course, higher bit rates and frame rates...given.

Just got my GH2 so I need to run more field tests. But stock lens, fotodiox Nikon adaptor with 50 1.4/85 1.4/24-70 2.8

This forum has been an amazing tool for young videographers, I cant thank you guys enough for all the information gathered here.

[alfred]

My wishes: 4:2:2 in 1080 50i (European TV specification) on HDMI

Crop on HDMI

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Discussion will be continued at http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/14/possible-gh2-improvements (http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/14/possible-gh2-improvements)

I'll compile all new suggestions and add them to first post.

[drewski310]

Vitaliy,
My comments are focused on ergonomics and usability of the GH2 for video:

1) Change function of rear dial to control ISO instead of shutter speed when shooting video. I have almost no reason to change shutter speed when shooting video, and on many occasions accidentally shifted my shutter speed when touching that rear dial. It would be much faster and easier to adjust ISO via that rear dial instead of going into the Q.Menu > arrow to ISO > click up/down.

2) If #1 can't be done, then have the capability to adjust ISO (and other parameters while recording.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Thanks for suggestions, but read my previous post please :-)