2nd and 3rd camera for documentary shoot - Does it need to be another GH2 ??

[gundar]

I have done mostly shoulder rig work in the past, single shot documentaries as well as some corporate work.

I am now in the pre-production process of a documentary which will involve multiple camera angles (up to 3) on a single subject as well as dual cameras pointed at 1 interviewing subject and 1 interview-ee.



The literally 1k question is...

Do I need 2-3 GH2s for this (which really isn't in the budget) or can I use 2 consumer brand digital camcorders (1080p) to suffice the secondary angles?

I will not be using any strengths of the GH2 or interchangeable lens cameras for the secondary shots... They will just be edited shots to give the standard documentary feel of being able to see the subject that is talking from his or her own angle.

Help!

[MR Fanny]

if you can match both looks why not.

[gundar]

What I was thinking but at $100-400 for a workable 1080p cam... I am hoping someone has first hand experience with a non gh2 (pricerange) that will work suitably.

[griplimited]

Not my top choice, GF2. VK hack and your lumix lens or whatever adapters to match lens. 30p only though.

[gundar]

The 30p is a limiting factor...

[nathankw]

How about using GH1s for the other cameras? They're pretty cheap second hand and you can get GH1 and GH2 to match very closely.

Of course a cheap small chip camera won't match the look of the GH2 - if they looked the same we wouldn't all be so excited about the GH2!
For one thing the DoF will be completely different.

Could you get away with intercutting? In docs I think you can get away with just about anything - you can cut between very different sources if that's the style you're going for. Is that the look you want? Only you can answer that.

[brunerww]

Panasonic camcorders intercut pretty well with the GH2. Here is an example with the TM900: https://vimeo.com/30383333

The TM900 is discontinued, and is pretty expensive these days. The Panasonic HC-V700 should give you similar results for about $450 - a few dollars above your $100-$400 range, but $300 less than buying another GH2 body ;-)

Good luck with your decision,

Bill

[gundar]

The Panasonic HC-V700 looks great and is within the right pricerange but it is 60p only.

Know of any comparible that will shoot 30/60?