GH4 Alternative to GH4 with all the accessories (10 bit video, pre-amp, etc.).

A

Albino_BlacMan

New member
I'm looking at getting into shooting some more serious. Right now all the shooting I do is with a Olympus E-M1. The video quality really isn't there. Based on my experiences with grading (mostly dynamic range limitations) I think that I at least want to be able to get 10 bit 1080p 4:2:2 in ProRes (and I know a GH4 would be an upgrade over the E-M1 but I think I want a very substantial upgrade, especially in dynamic range).

I would be looking mostly to shoot documentary style stuff combined with interviews. For convenience I would like my audio and video to recorded to the same place (so all internal, I know there's debate about whether this is the best way to go) while using shotgun mic for audio. I don't think 4k res is necessary at this time.

My first thought was that I would get a GH4 for video. However, to get 10 bit video I need to go to an external recorder (something like an Atomos Shogun or Blade), which = 1 external piece (or downrez internal 4k I guess, I don't know if this is the best option though, maybe it is, but then I don't get ProRes). Next if I want decent audio with the shotgun mic I need something with a decent pre-amp (probably a Juicedlink Riggy), so there's another external piece. Plus I would add a decent shotgun mic. By this time everything seems to get a bit big (lots of external pieces, lots of external cables, etc.). Plus the costs start to add up which makes me think maybe there's a better option out there.

I'd be trying to do everything as a one man crew (video would kind of be an extra for what I'm doing, not a main focus, but I like everything I do to be very good quality).

So I'm wondering if, for around the same price, I could get anything that either a) records decent 10 bit 1080 video internally, b) has a decent built in pre-amp and xlr connections, or c) does both.

Price is obviously a consideration, right now a GH4 ($1300) plus Atomos Blade ($500) or Shogun ($1500) plus JuicedLink Riggy (RA333 = $500) so keeping it under $4k would be nice.

Thanks in advance
 
That's your only option.

Well, there's one more - the Samsung NX1 - which is a step up from the GH4 in every way at just about the same price. But it's not a HUGE step up.

Your only other option at THIS kind of price point is the Blackmagic Cinema Camera or Pocket Cinema Camera which both do 10-bit ProRes or full 12-bit RAW.
With a Blackmagic camera you will need an external audio recorder added on to your rig BUT you will no longer need the External video recorder. So the complexity is the same but the external audio recorder is WAY cheaper.

Personally I find the second choice (external audio on a Blackmagic Camera) far easier because in many shooting conditions you'll be using external audio already anyway.
Plus once you've shot RAW and worked with the results you'll never want to go back to any codecs.

See my camera list in my signature below.
 
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Albino_BlacMan said:
I'm looking at getting into shooting some more serious. Right now all the shooting I do is with a Olympus E-M1. The video quality really isn't there. Based on my experiences with grading (mostly dynamic range limitations) I think that I at least want to be able to get 10 bit 1080p 4:2:2 in ProRes (and I know a GH4 would be an upgrade over the E-M1 but I think I want a very substantial upgrade, especially in dynamic range).

I would be looking mostly to shoot documentary style stuff combined with interviews. For convenience I would like my audio and video to recorded to the same place (so all internal, I know there's debate about whether this is the best way to go) while using shotgun mic for audio. I don't think 4k res is necessary at this time.

My first thought was that I would get a GH4 for video. However, to get 10 bit video I need to go to an external recorder (something like an Atomos Shogun or Blade), which = 1 external piece (or downrez internal 4k I guess, I don't know if this is the best option though, maybe it is, but then I don't get ProRes). Next if I want decent audio with the shotgun mic I need something with a decent pre-amp (probably a Juicedlink Riggy), so there's another external piece. Plus I would add a decent shotgun mic. By this time everything seems to get a bit big (lots of external pieces, lots of external cables, etc.). Plus the costs start to add up which makes me think maybe there's a better option out there.

I'd be trying to do everything as a one man crew (video would kind of be an extra for what I'm doing, not a main focus, but I like everything I do to be very good quality).

So I'm wondering if, for around the same price, I could get anything that either a) records decent 10 bit 1080 video internally, b) has a decent built in pre-amp and xlr connections, or c) does both.

Price is obviously a consideration, right now a GH4 ($1300) plus Atomos Blade ($500) or Shogun ($1500) plus JuicedLink Riggy (RA333 = $500) so keeping it under $4k would be nice.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

If you're considering the Blade, then I assume 4K is not a "must have". Then you can't go past the Sony PMW-F3!! I have one. You can get up to 12bit 444 1080 60p (although with the Samurai Blade it is then 10bit 422, which is more than good enough for most).

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera (or BMPCC if you can't wait. I believe the BMPCC is the best BMD sells at the moment).

Or the Samsung NX1 together with Nikon F mount lenses.

(get a Tascam DR-60D mk2 for audio)

Personally as for myself, I own a Sony PMW-F3 (with Samurai Blade) and BMPCC and Panasonic G6 (plus a bunch more cameras on the side. Such as 2x GH1, D5200, D90, D50, G3, GF3, NX300, A5100, A3000, etc).

My hope at some point later this year is to buy a 2ndhand Sony A7s together with a PIX-E5 & PIX-LR (gives you XLR inputs!! With Sound Devices quality pre amps!), it would make for an *AMAZING* B cam to my current Sony PMW-F3! :-D Or maaaaybe a 2nd F3, or maaaaybe a BMMCC. Or maaaaybe a FS7000. But I'm in no rush. Depends on how things pan out for me.
 
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