Any overheating issues with GH1?

B

Barry_V

Member
Hi folks
Just when I was going to pull the trigger on ordering a T2i, I started doing more research on the GH1 and now I'm leaning more towards it. I appreciate all the feedback here on the forum and I've narrowed it down to just a couple issues that make or break it for me - other differences being either a wash or give/take between the two.

1. Does the GH1 have any overheating issues like the Canons experience? I've been sold on the Canon, but this one thing kinda worries me, since I'm in the New Orleans area and it's already 90 in the shade here.

2. Can I get comparable shallow DOF with the GH1 14-140 kit lens (which seems mighty nice for a kit lens) to the Canon 17-135 kit lens? I'm experienced with ND filters, etc. to control light.

My objective is to buy a nice budget-conscious DLSR for short form HD projects and secondarily have a good still camera as well. It looks like the GH1 has the T2i beat on many if not most cinema/video features that are meaningful to me, except maybe for sensor size. Does the GH1 also hold up as a good DSLR-like still camera?

Thanks
Barry
 
1) I don't think anyone has ever reported any overheating problem on the GH1. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've heard of it.

2) The GH1 will have slightly deeper DOF than a T2i when at the same distance. The field of view on the 14-140 is almost *exactly* the same FOV as the 18-135 when on the wide end (meaning, 14mm on the GH1 is almost identical to 18mm on the Canon). You'll get quite a bit more telephoto out of the GH1's lens, because it's a longer range (10x zoom for the 14-140, vs. 7.5x zoom for the 18-135).

You can get the exact same DOF between the two cameras if you back the GH1 up about 30%. Shoot with the T2i at 10 feet, shoot with the GH1 at 13 feet, and the DOF will be identical. But if shooting with them both at the same point, the T2i will have a small advantage in DOF. You'd have to open up the iris on the GH1 by about a half of a stop to compensate.
 
Just saw this tweet from @jj_orange http://www.orangeweddingfilm.com/

"My #T2i got overheating warning 20min into ceremony. Not an ideal for outdoor ceremony with direct sunlight... :-("

I'm in GA and haven't had my GH1 overheat in direct southern sunshine after hours of shooting.

It's safe to say the GH1 won't overheat under normal or even high temp situations.
 
1. I've never experienced, nor heard of any overheating problems with the GH1, even shooting in summer in direct sunlight. This is because it was designed from the ground up to be a live-view camera. This also allows it to have the excellent EVF which is better than any camcorder I've ever used.

2. You should get comparable DoF performance from those two kit lenses. While neither lens will give spectacularly shallow Dof, the Canon will have a slight edge due to the minutely wider f/stop and slightly larger sensor. If shallow DoF is your main priority, then neither lens will give you the results you want so it is not really something you should judge your comparison on. Either camera can be used with manual prime lenses (though the GH1 will give you more options) which will give much shallower DoF and better lowlight performance than the kit lenses. I'd suggest getting a few old primes (old Nikon lenses adapt well to the T2i, and just about any old lenses will adapt to the GH1) which can be picked up very cheap on ebay.

Another point worth mentioning is that you will probably need a loupe such as the z-finder or LCDVF on the t2i if you are going to use it outdoors alot. The glare on the LCD screen makes it almost impossible to frame your shot, let alone judge accurate exposure and focus in bright sunlight. The t2i 18-135 kit with a z-finder would be more expensive than a GH1 kit so it kind of negates any price advantage of the t2i.

The Gh1 is a great stills camera (keep in mind that's what it was designed as!), however I tend to not use it often because I've sold the kit lens and only use old manual glass on it so I have no AF for stills. I use my Pentax K-X for stills but the GH1 has a few feautres I love, such as the 16:9 aspect ratio option which integrates perfectly with HD projects. I've taken some excellent photos on my GH1, but because I use manual lenses it can be very hit-and-miss in fast moving situations. With a dedicated m4/3rds lens you'll have much better mileage.

Either camera will fit your needs so it more comes down to personal taste. Do you want an EVF or can you live with just the LCD? What sort of lenses do you want to use? If you can, go into a store and handle both cameras to get a feel for them. And whatever camera you choose, make sure you learn it's limitations and how to work around them!
 
I live in the tropics - high humidity (over 90 percent) high heat, bright merciless sun - walk ten feet and you're sweating! No problems at all with heat.
Do note some strengths of the GH1 - audio onboard is stereo, lcd flip out screen, autofocus with kit lens, video recording through the viewfinder (great for bright outdoor shooting), and no recording limit ( I get over 2 hours on a 16gb card).
And you get metering (exposure and histogram) with manual lenses.
 
As for stills, the GH1 is very good - my pet peeve though is white balance. I think Canon does a better job.
 
jamesjjs said:
As for stills, the GH1 is very good - my pet peeve though is white balance. I think Canon does a better job.
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Yeah but for stills if you're shooting raw it doesn't make a difference. I also like how fast the Gh1 is to set the white balance (like a video camera) the 5D is somewhat clumsy in this regard (though has more options.) Not sure about 7D or T2i.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the great info. Short, sweet, to the point - exactly what I was looking for.

ATL wrote: "My #T2i got overheating warning 20min into ceremony..."

Yep, that's my fear with the Canons! I don't do weddings, but you MUST be able to trust your gear in any situation.

Jamesjjs, you can definitely relate to the air that we swim in here in the Deep South. LOL! 92 degrees, 93% humidity today in New Orleans. Glad to hear the GH1 can take it.

Barry and Deltoidjohn, thanks for the DOF info. Yeah, I don't need 1/2" deep DOF, just enough control to separate the background/foreground and make pretty pictures. And I've been scouring Ebay for used lenses. My wife also has a few old Nikons from her wedding-shooting days that I want to try. The idea of needing to add a loupe or viewer like the Zacuto was chapping me about the T2i. It's understandable with the true SLR nature of the camera, but an LCD alone makes it tough. Really need a viewfinder of some sort.

We're down to 3 good camera specialty stores in my area (and of course Best Buy). Damn shame. None of them have the GH1 to test drive. I'm pretty sold on it, though, with the feedback here. Thanks again.
Barry
 
The biggest overheating issues you'll get is shooting in the 720 60p mode. Well, ever since I got the GH1 in July, I've been mostly shooting on 720 60p and like everybody, I have never had any heating problems.

I've been shooting a lot. I mean, I use it to shoot every-time like it's a traditional camcorder since it has a view finder and an articulating screen.
 
Barry_V said:
, but you MUST be able to trust your gear in any situation.
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Then are you sure you want to shoot on any DSLR at all? They are not designed to be video cameras, and they can let you down in many different ways. The GH1's codec can totally pooch a shot. The moire on a Canon can contaminate your image with purple/green artifacting. The CMOS sensor can jiggle and put rubbery stretchy texture on your images.

DSLRs can make amazing footage, but one aspect I would absolutely never attribute to them is the idea that you can "trust them in any situation."
 
Barry
Agreed! Point well taken. I should say that you need to be able to trust your gear in any situation that you can expect it to perform to your expectations. (forgive the grammar) I want to add the DSLR to my bag of tricks. It certainly has a niche. Not relying on it for everything, but understanding what it can do and what I shouldn't count on it to do, I think it can help me make some pretty pictures in a variety of situations. I don't intend to use it so much as a "video camera", to shoot seminars or other long-form productions, or an A-camera on some live event where it's the only thing recording. I don't expect to use it to shoot a gran prix or other sports, and swish-pans are probably out. The main business use I'm looking at is to replace the HVX on commercial shoots, interviews and filmic shorts. As long as I can expect a consistent physical operation of the equipment in those circumstances - as I would with any other equipment, and the Canon overheating issue being a big concern - then I'm comfortable adding the GH1 to my package.
 
Sounds like you have the right attitude, you're going in with your eyes wide open, understanding the restrictions and educating yourself on how to work around them... and by doing so, you should be able to get some absolutely amazing footage out of any of those cameras. Good luck, and post some results when you've got 'em!
 
I've started recording classical concerts with my GH1 and this means running for 2 x 50+ minutes at a time with say 20 minutes rest during the interval (switched off) - full HD - no problems, and the battery lasts the distance too quite comfortably. (And audio sync against Edirol R-44 is perfect end-to-end, though that's OT).
 
Barry_Green said:
Sounds like you have the right attitude, you're going in with your eyes wide open, understanding the restrictions and educating yourself on how to work around them... and by doing so, you should be able to get some absolutely amazing footage out of any of those cameras. Good luck, and post some results when you've got 'em!
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He just likes you because your name's Barry ;)
 
Barry Green wrote: "Sounds like you have the right attitude..."

Yeah, this isn't my first paradigm shift in media production. ;-)

LOL @ Ben! I'm definitely "the other Barry" around here.

I just picked up a GH1 on Ebay this afternoon. Reputable dealer, great price. Can't wait to get it. I'll definitely post some stuff when I break it in.
 
Well now that you bought it, it doesn't really make a difference but I shot two short films in Miami that were about 90% out doors and didn't once have a problem with over heating.
 
Ozpeter said:
I've started recording classical concerts with my GH1 and this means running for 2 x 50+ minutes at a time with say 20 minutes rest during the interval (switched off) - full HD - no problems, and the battery lasts the distance too quite comfortably. (And audio sync against Edirol R-44 is perfect end-to-end, though that's OT).
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Ozpeter, that's really helpful to know, about the sync drift, and totally on topic for issues concerning long shoots, because in a general sense, temperature affects the crystals that set clock rates.

I went from looking at cams with genlock to looking at the GH1 - and the fact that clocks drift so little (according to internet stories) is just amazing.
 
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Ozpeter said:
I've started recording classical concerts with my GH1 and this means running for 2 x 50+ minutes at a time with say 20 minutes rest during the interval (switched off) - full HD - no problems, and the battery lasts the distance too quite comfortably. (And audio sync against Edirol R-44 is perfect end-to-end, though that's OT).
Click to expand...

Hi Ozpeter: Your audio-related posts are always greatly appreciated. Thanks for this real-world confirmation. Cheers!
 
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