tflak
Veteran
Just wondering if you've tried the Manual Focus Assist which gives you either a 5x or 10x mag to help with those "old" eyes.? (p.80 & 129 of the manual)
Comparison of HMC 150 vs GH1
- Thread starter JBH
- Start date
Just wondering if you've tried the Manual Focus Assist which gives you either a 5x or 10x mag to help with those "old" eyes.? (p.80 & 129 of the manual)
Unfortunately that feature doesn't work while recording video, so it's pretty much useless to me when shooting event/wedding video. I could see how it would be very useful to those who are shooting on a film set using old manual lenses, however.
At a wedding, I only have 1-2 seconds to drop the tripod, frame the shot, lock the focus, and get the recording. Like in my examples above, I don't think I nailed the focus once while shooting with the 50mm f1.8 OM lens...the DOF is too shallow for run-n-gun stuff. I can't wait to get the new 20mm f1.7...I hope the autofocus is fast.
Having a single-point auto-focus is one of the best things about using a photo camera to shoot video. (I had always wished they would have put that feature into video cams.) But, IMHO Panasonic seriously dropped the ball by not allowing AFS on the GH1...only AFC. So, I can imagine I'll have worn out the shutter button from holding it down so much to retain focus, or torn the focus swith knob completely off from turning it back and forth from MF-to-AFC 200 times a wedding.
rogar-Thinking(DBGjohn deaver
Well-known member
...I still wouldn't suggest it as a main ceremony camera for wedding video...but it can be done. I've shot the past couple of years on a 1/4" Sony FX7...which sucks in low light (but better than GH1 during ceremony), and I still got paid.
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I wouldn't presume to question your opinion of course but i would like more explanation of this point.
you wouldn't recommend it for ceremonies because of the short and slow lens right?
or are there other issues?
bear in mind that i'm talking about using this as a 3rd camera. My primary would be an hmc150 (or maybe an hmc40) at the back of the house for a wide, 2nd would be a close up camera somewhere up the right hand side (in order to get brides face) and the GH1 at the rear to get a close up with a long non-kit lens or perhaps hidden to get the bride coming down the isle.
thanks
john
You're exactly right...in the video world the GH1 kit lens is extremely slow and short. Even with a non-kit lens, you'd be pushing the limits trying to get a close-up of anything from the back of the church with the GH1.
Even the HMC150's lens isn't near as long as I'd like it for shooting weddings. I got spoiled using the FX7 with its 20x lens. It's really one of the reasons I never pulled the trigger on the HMC150...I was worried the zoom length wouldn't be practical. I shoot alone, and do a lot of Catholic weddings down here....so I'm usually stuck shooting from the very back pew/center aisle, with the SD9 in the balcony on a wide shot unmanned.
Some lens comparisons with their 35mm equivalents....
GH1: 28-280mm f4-f5.8 $1499
HMC150: 28-368mm f1.6-f3 $3499
FX7: 37.4-748mm f1.6-f2.8 $1999
The GH1 has a pretty cool 2X digital zoom which actually looks pretty good....but f5.8 is f5.8. :embarasse
The FX7's 1/4" sensors sucked for weddings, but that lens range/speed was awesome...it was perfect with a WA converter attached....I never took it off.
That kinda range/speed would be insanely cool on a micro-4/3 camera...but I guess the lens would be MASSIVE and cost more than a new car?
I think the GH1 would probably be really great as your #2 camera, for getting close-ups of the bride's face during the vows from the side of the altar area. The shallower DOF would also be nice there.
Either way, I think you'd like it. For $1499, I have no regrets...I'm forcing myself to use it as my main wedding camera...it's fun to use. I think the 7-14mm and 20mm lenses will put this little camera over the top for me finally!