GH5 A complicated question on Lumix GH5, to get good shots in Africa

[FoxAdriano]

Hi, I would like to ask a somewhat complicated question, hoping to receive answers from those who have a lot of experience with the GH5.
I just took my usual doc in Africa using the GH5 in manual as always, but I got junk in the colors. Yet I use first-class cosse, such as the gray rolling filter, the gray card for the White Balance, etc. I use the "Natural" option and remove the contrast and color at -2 and then manage them in post. Unfortunately when I shoot in every country but not in Africa, I get very good results but not in Africa, where there is an incredible sun and red earth. I only film in african villages. Maybe manually I don't perfectly match the shutter speed and aperture because I often don't have the right time. Or maybe the real problem is another.
Maybe something escapes me. In my country I always do many tests that I then try to implement in Africa too. But every time I come with poor results in the clips, perhaps because I often don't have the right time to sort everything before shooting and I have to shoot quickly.
My questions are:

Is it possible to film with aperture priority with the GH5?
Is there such a possibility? I have always used the GH5 in Manual and even reading the manual, I cannot find this option that I would like to choose.

In your opinion, could I get good results with this Settings and also put the ISO in Automatic?
1000 thanks

[Imamacuser]

Could you post an example clip?

What's a "first-class cosse" and "gray rolling filter"? Are referring to neutral density filters?

Sorry to hear that your footage didn't turn out, but your statements don't make any sense.

White balance and exposure principles are universal, they are not dictated by the region. You might need more ND attenuation in Africa than say Scotland, but you'd still use the same method to set white balance and exposure.

I live in the USA, so that's where I primarily shoot, but I've shot stills and video in Nepal, China, and Canada, and I white balance and expose my camera exactly the same way, no matter what country I'm in, and I get consistent results.

I haven't personally been to Africa, but I've edited footage that a friend shot in Malawi on his iPhone, and the footage looked comparable to footage he shot amateurishly in the USA.

I can only think of two things besides operator error that would throw off your color.
Assuming that your white balance is correct, and that your ND filter isn't introducing a color cast, you might be experiencing IR pollution if the colors don't look right, but any exposure problems are on you as an operator. An IR cut filter will minimize or eliminate IR pollution. The other possibility is that the light reflecting off the red soil is giving a red cast to the environment, not to mention particulates in the air.

The GH5 can record in 10bit color, so you should be able to color correct most white balance issues.

[FoxAdriano]

Hi Ima, thanks a lot for your reply. Sorry for my bad english.
I have a quality gray filter that allows you to increase or decrease the density. I always use WB every 2-3 hours.
I'm sure my problem is an operator error because I don't have the right time to use the camera correctly. I have to do things quickly. For this reason I asked about semi-automatic option, that is with aperture priority. GH5 don't uses 10bit for 50p. Sorry. I use 50p.
I attach a clip. I have many bad clips like it: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e7bhbuvocq...ngola.MOV?dl=0
People are not very dark. I attach another better clip: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcfy35sufn...a%202.MOV?dl=0
Even if it is a bit overexposed, but at least I see the colors.
The first clip give you a In Post the clip returns a colored veil over the image that confuses everything. The color of the clothes is blurred.
Thanks for your availability.

[Imamacuser]

I don't think you'll be happy with the results from semi-automatic mode, however, if you decide to try semi-automatic, make sure that you adjust the metering mode and exposure compensation.

I'm not near a calibrated monitor at the moment, so I'll have to get back to you on the video's color.

What is your ND filter's brand and model? Even very high quality ND filters can have a slight color cast, but it can usually be corrected in color grading.

You can still grade 8bit footage, you just can't push it as far as 10bit footage. I recommend trying the free version of Davinci Resolve, as it operates in a 32bit floating point.

Here's an interesting thread on exposing for dark skin tones.

Here's an interesting article on grading skin tones.

My videos usually benefit from a +10 saturation boost and selective contrast adjustment in color grading, and perhaps something simple like that could improve your videos.

[FoxAdriano]

Hi Ima, thanks for your precious news. My ND filter is: SLR Magic Reflex 62 millimetri magia 0,4-1,8 variabile ND Filter - Mark II
I bought it on Amazon and it costs about 200 euros. I was very careful before purchasing and chose that ND filter.
You are right when you you say that I can't get good result from semi-automatic mode but I inform you many times I shoot quickly and I don't have the time to adjust all the GH5 commands manually. The 180 degree rule is often missing and I'm not happy with results too.
Did you loked at the my first clip? Is it very bad?

[Imamacuser]

The SLR Magic is a very good filter, but it's not 100% neutral, and neither are their competitors VND filters. Here's a video that illustrates the slight color cast and how to correct it.

I didn't get a chance to evaluate your videos on a calibrated monitor, but on an uncalibrated monitor it looked like they needed more saturation and contrast.

Try downloading the free version of Davinci Resolve, and experiment with the following adjustments: highlight recovery, saturation, color boost, contrast, and contrast pivot. Depending on the clip, you may also have to make some exposure adjustments with lift, gamma, and gain.

To correct the ND filter color cast, try white balancing to a gray card without any filter on your lens, then put your ND filter on your lens and record a short video of the gray card. Then import the clip into Davinci Resolve and use the eye-drop tool to white balance off the gray card in your video clip, and save the correction as a power grade. The power grade can be applied to all your other clips to correct ND filters color cast.

[FoxAdriano]

Dear Ima, you are telling good suggestions, but you forgot I make good video in my country. My problem is in Africa with black people on red earth. I use Natural option in my GH5 and I lowered the contrast and color to -2 but I'm noticing I get better clips in post only if I further lower the contrast. Ene the clip I posted, if I raise the contrast, the quality deteriorates. So many other clips. I took that first clip at 2pm when the sun was at its maximum.

[stoneinapond]

You don't specify the lens you are using. Unfortunately you are shooting in the poorest of conditions. Overcast skies at midday with subjects that do not naturally stand out from their environments. I don't think adding contrast will help, but perhaps using a different lens might, like the SLR Magic 10mm Cine T2.1.

[Imamacuser]

The modified natural profile results in a slightly flat image, so it needs a contrast adjustment, let me clarify, a selective contrast adjustment, don't just crank the contrast slider and expect good results.

[stoneinapond]

....selective contrast adjustment....

That would work but does require some learning.

[Tom Roper]

Is it possible to film with aperture priority with the GH5?

Yes, it is possible to film with aperture priority. Put the dial on M Cine (movie camera icon). Then in the upper left hand corner of the LCD screen touch the box. It will bring up a sub menu where you can choose aperture priority or shutter priority etc. You can combine this with auto ISO if desired.

Although the clip wasn't particularly a beauty shot, it looked okay to me. The fault you describe is ambiguous. In other words, I'm not sure what your expectation is of how it should look. It would probably take only a minor adjustment in post to the white balance and exposure to bring it in line with your expectation.

[FoxAdriano]

"You don't specify the lens you are using."

I use Leica 12-60

[FoxAdriano]

"The modified natural profile results in a slightly flat image, so it needs a contrast adjustment, let me clarify, a selective contrast adjustment, don't just crank the contrast slider and expect good results. "

Hey Ima, could you specify better please? What do you mean with "a contrast adjustment"? I use Edius 9. I'm noticing when I shot with the sun at maximum, I need to lower it further in contrast. In post I always choose -2 or -3 to get good clips, I don't need to incresae the contrast.

[FoxAdriano]

The modified natural profile results in a slightly flat image, so it needs a contrast adjustment, let me clarify, a selective contrast adjustment, don't just crank the contrast slider and expect good results.

Yes, it is possible to film with aperture priority. Put the dial on M Cine (movie camera icon). Then in the upper left hand corner of the LCD screen touch the box. It will bring up a sub menu where you can choose aperture priority or shutter priority etc. You can combine this with auto ISO if desired.

Although the clip wasn't particularly a beauty shot, it looked okay to me. The fault you describe is ambiguous. In other words, I'm not sure what your expectation is of how it should look. It would probably take only a minor adjustment in post to the white balance and exposure to bring it in line with your expectation.

I will do that test. But I'd like to understand better please. Why are you telling to choose "M Cine" instead of "Natural"? I think "Natural" with -2 you get the flattest possible image with the GH5.

Out of curiosity: in your opinion is it better to coose aperture priority or shutter speed priority?

PS: sorry, I don't understand fine. where is "M Cine"? I read also the GH5 manual but I don't notice it.

[stoneinapond]

.... Why are you telling to choose "M Cine" instead of "Natural"? I think "Natural" with -2 you get the flattest possible image with the GH5.

Tom means set the top dial (video icon), not talking about picture profiles.