GH2 25p - better via firmware or hack ? reach in ETC mode ?

R

Reflex Films

Active member
Am i correct in stating that there are 2 ways to get 25 p out of the gh2 :

1.The hack will allow any gh2 to shoot 25p at higher bit rates - and is generally reliable as long as you dont go crazy on bit rates ?

2.while the new panasonic firmware will allow 25 p - but only on Euro models ? (which cost a ton more by my research)


I am getting a gh2 soon to complement my gh1/ hvx 200

and for bonus credit -

Does anyone know how to figure out of the ETC mode in 720 p with the 14 - 140 will have similar reach on the long end as my HVX (26x with Century Optics 2x converter) ?
 
The hack will not, at present, allow 1080 25p at higher bit rates. Version 1.1 firmware from Panasonic allows 1080 25p using the HBR setting on pal models. The long end of the 14-140 has a field of view similar to a 280mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera, so double that using etc mode. Can't help translating what your HVX combination produces..
 
Ok - thank you for your answer on this one. I shoot quite a lot of daylight action at a distance so reach is really important to me.

I shoot mostly 720p for web delivery - i have found very few people - if anyone - can tell or cares about the difference between 720 p and 1080 p for web video

- so does 720p have an effect on ETC ? - by my calculations

by using the 45 - 200 lens

i can get 1600 mm in 35mm terms at the long end - in 35 mm terms - by using the ETC mode in 720p. Thats HUGE! almost unbelievably (lucky i have a rock solid tripod) .

Does this sound about right ?

And if i really need it can i get even more reach further in Standard def mode via the ETC ? Incredible if so..



Are there any limitations preventing me from shooting overcrank 720 / 50 (or 60 depending on the model) in ETC mode ? You never know with the quirky panasonic menus...
 
The 200m x 2 in micro four thirds becomes 400mm x 3.9 in 720P ETC becomes 1560mm 35mm equivalent but i find the results zoomed in poor ie noisy,i use my FZ150 for wildlife and the 600mm full zoom becomes 1248mm with the ie extender and also my 1.6 extender lens if i use it and the picture loses no quality that i see.
 
so you are saying that the 720p ETC mode becomes noisy ? I couldnt pick it from the footage posted

what lens are you using ?

Are you sure its not an softness from your lense (you dont state what lens is used) that the ETC mode is showing up ?

I had heard only good things about ETC to this point.
 
That was the 45-200mm panasonic ,the noise is there i cant believe you cant see it.On large tvs its bad but i know some say they like it .
 
mr bill said:
The hack will not, at present, allow 1080 25p at higher bit rates. Version 1.1 firmware from Panasonic allows 1080 25p using the HBR setting on pal models. The long end of the 14-140 has a field of view similar to a 280mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera, so double that using etc mode. Can't help translating what your HVX combination produces..
Click to expand...

The 1080p ETC mode is actually 2.6x and not 2x. The 720p mode is 3.9x. The 640x480 MJPEG mode is 4.8x.
 
Thanks for chiming in with your feedback everyone - its good to know that the long end is there - which i will be using under blazing sunlight - so should be no problems with noise.

Thanks for clarifying the ETC modes and the MJPEG gotcha! on the SD etc 4.8 x mode
 
Yes i did say 720P ETC 3.9X which was used in the film,the 1080P 2.6 ETC is nowhere near as good as a long fixed lens with a extender fitted.
Why anyone would think of using SD is beyond me.
 
flinty said:
Yes i did say 720P ETC 3.9X which was used in the film,the 1080P 2.6 ETC is nowhere near as good as a long fixed lens with a extender fitted.
Why anyone would think of using SD is beyond me.
Click to expand...

For telescope use reach is everything. There usually isn't that much detail anyway. You just want to be able to get close enough to see the colors. For normal use I would say that you are right. Except the hacked 4:3 MJPEG at ridiculously high bit rates actually looks better than SD in a lot of cases. It wasn't that long ago that everyone thought the hacked MJPEG in the GH1 was the best thing ever. Then we got hacked 1080p with the GH2 and everyone forgot MJPEG even existed.
 
flinty said:
Yes i did say 720P ETC 3.9X which was used in the film,the 1080P 2.6 ETC is nowhere near as good as a long fixed lens with a extender fitted.
Why anyone would think of using SD is beyond me.
Click to expand...

check out videocopilot.net nothing but SD there
If you are going to web SD is totally a goer -if it gets you the shot

i can guarantee you that 999 out of 100 viewers wouldnt pick an SD shot inserted into a 720p timeline and then downscaled to lets say 800x 450 or 640 x 360 for web viewing
Def is about the 5th thing the viewers eye picks up - with light, color and contrast being the first properties that your eye picks up on.

Actual interesting content is the first thing...obviously

As a rule I wouldnt work soley in SD either - but for otherwise ungettable shots to get some extra reach- no problemo !
 
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