PLEASE Talk me into getting a GH2 and hacking it

[L1N3ARX]

Seriously, the GH2 is very much a Honda Civic; it can be the most ordinary / mundane car around or it can be tricked out to beat Lamborghini's. The GH2 is a true test of skill for cinematographers, in that it's not the easiest camera to use and certainly won't hold your hand when you get into trouble. But if you're patient and know what you're doing... it's going to seriously surprise you. I'm with Shian, when I say in all honesty... there is simply no way I'd ever shoot anything besides the GH2 at 20k or under, apart from a Scarlet or the BMC... period.

If your goal is specifically to get the most "cinematic" image possible, rather than seeking a camera that'll make your job easier... the GH2 is simply unbeatable. It far surpasses any of the Sony cameras like the FS100 or even the F3, or the C300 in terms of that genuine film-like aesthetic. It's certainly not anywhere near their capability in terms of DR, low light and all the onboard options for monitoring and audio etc.. But for pure IQ, it really does look the best in my opinion.

[Cory Braun]

I love my GH2 too, but if we're talking about the image it produces and nothing else, I'll grab my F3 every time over the GH2.

[L1N3ARX]

If it was a corporate video, I'd definitely shoot the F3. But, if I were trying to make a music video or something dramatic, where I wanted the audience to get sucked into the beauty of the scene... GH2 all the way, no question.

[Cory Braun]

I was speaking in terms of narratives. I guess it's preference for each person, but I prefer the image of the F3. I also prefer the image of the Alexa over the Red and the GH2 is much more in the vein of a Red than an Alexa and the F3 is much more in the vein of an Alexa rather than a Red.

[stefancolson]

I'd take a C300/F3 over the GH2 IQ-wise any day of the week, though the Panny does have a certain texture to the image that other cameras seem to lack. There's definitely nothing short of the Scarlet league of cameras that I'd pick up over it though, unless a special circumstance dictated the choice.

[Kholi]

I'm actually with Roman. I would shoot on a Gh2 over an F3 strictly image. Maybe not a C300 but it would be a hard choice and Very specific. C300 would have to have a Pl mount etc.

I'd definitely shoot Alexa over Epic if the Crew was there.

It tends to just boil down to what you can see, can't see, and don't want to see. There's a lot about GH2 that I hate but it delivers in image so. Just a pain to work with.

Really can't wait to have the Magic Cam. The only thing lacking there is 60P. Everything else is pretty much what I need when I'm not shooting Epic.

[L1N3ARX]

Yeah, the magic cam is still such an unknown. But based on what I've seen so far, it was enough for me to pre-order day one. It may not be an Alexa or Red, but damn if it doesn't at least get close in some respects. For 3k, it's extremely hard to find an excuse not to jump on that.

But back on topic, the GH2 is certainly going to be a pain and an annoyance if you're expecting FS100 level of functionality and usefulness, especially if you're not looking to put in the extra work, then don't do it. I'm not a real cinematographer and have never been paid to film anything, so I can afford the luxury of simply leaning on my own biases, tossing practicality to the wind. If I was shooting all day, every day during the week on a low budget TV show, I might have a much different opinion on the matter.

You're either practical or you're obsessive and impractical (like me) and will make sacrifices to get the look you want. I'll slave away all day to get this aesthetic...



Other people enjoy the way a C300 or F3 looks much more than this, but for me, this is as good as it gets without going RED / Alexa or super high-end Sony.

[Chris Adler]

Nice find!