Crazy to purchase GH1 right now?

They Live

They Live

Well-known member
Forgive me mods since I already asked this in the GH2 rumors thread. Just didn't want it to get buried there and I need the advice.

After much debate, I've decided the GH1 looks like a great HDSLR for my style of shooting, BUT, I'm starting to wonder if I'd be crazy to get it right now given all the rumors, NAB 2010, et cetera surrounding the impending GH2.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, because I'm starting to go crosseyed with all the internet research prior to pulling the trigger.

And I know you can't wait for the next thing because then we'd always wait. I just think this situation is a little different since the GH1 has been on the market for awhile now, and the next thing could be pretty soon.

Thanks.
 
Nobody knows when a potential GH2 will hit, or if there even is one. It seems reasonable to expect that they're working on a follow-up, but when (or whether) such a product will come out, nobody but Panasonic themselves knows the answer to that.

With that said, we all do expect that there will be a GH2. So you have to evaluate your purchase decision based on what's available today, and whether it will serve your needs, understanding that someday it will be superseded by an improved product.
 
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I've got projects coming up in May and June. I also have access to other cameras like the EX3 and EX1. However, I'm not a huge fan of either of these cameras and I'd like to get more familiar with AVCHD and HDSLR shooting, since it's becoming so popular.

My main concern is that the moment I get the GH1, the GH2 release will happen and the price of the GH1 will drop, and I'll be kicking myself.
 
Barry_Green said:
Nobody knows when a potential GH2 will hit, or if there even is one. It seems reasonable to expect that they're working on a follow-up, but when (or whether) such a product will come out, nobody but Panasonic themselves knows the answer to that.
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Thanks Barry. I figure it's a gamble no matter what given the pace of innovation right now, which only seems to be becoming faster and faster.
 
Well the logical place and time for Panasonic to announce a GH1 successor would be a big still photography trade show and the biggest upcoming one is Photokina, Germany in September.
 
Actually, you probably could quickly sell the GH1 body before the GH2 is released and use that money to get a GH2 body. I doubt they will release a new kit lens but even if they do you'll have a good one already.
 
The GH1 is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that can give you some great looking video. Sure, you'll probably want to upgrade in the future, but you can use the time in between to really build up a great support system for whatever camera you go to. Buy youself some good lenses, find out what kind of support you want to use for it (tripods, shoulder mounts, matte boxes, ect.), learn how to maximize the image quality you can get out of it. That way you can learn the camera now and be shooting stuff immediately, and when the time comes sell it and drop a new camera into the middle of your support and workflow system.
 
Well, that's too long to wait, plus I just saw the trailer for DEPTH OF PHIL and that pretty much settled it for me.

Barry Green or Jack Daniel Stanley, if you see this, what was the rig you used for the GH1 you shot that with?
 
subtleinspiration said:
The GH1 is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that can give you some great looking video. Sure, you'll probably want to upgrade in the future, but you can use the time in between to really build up a great support system for whatever camera you go to. Buy youself some good lenses, find out what kind of support you want to use for it (tripods, shoulder mounts, matte boxes, ect.), learn how to maximize the image quality you can get out of it. That way you can learn the camera now and be shooting stuff immediately, and when the time comes sell it and drop a new camera into the middle of your support and workflow system.
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I agree on the price point. I'm kind of nickel and diming here...ha. Most of the money I'm spending is going to some new lenses and the support system, which of course can transfer to the GH2 if and when it comes out. By that time though the AF100 will probably be out though.
 
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What's the most you can lose, a couple hundred bucks if they announced the GH2 a week after you buy the GH1? Why would that be such a big deal if you are a professional making money shooting videos?

I'd buy it now and get through the learning curve and the time it takes to compile and test out all the accessories you are going to need for it. Do you think you are just going to buy it and start shooting great videos the next day with it? You also need to figure out the best editing workflow so that will take some time also.

I'd try to make enough money with the GH1 now to keep it as a backup camera for when the GH2 comes out since you should be able to use all the same accessories with it.

Randy
 
DVX-Ben said:
Yes.


Just kidding. I expect to have it for at least 3 days before doing that.
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You can do sooner! I shot this video the day after I got mine, and that was only because the light had mostly gone when UPS got there. Not best work but I had never touched the camera before and didn't have all my stuff.

 
Order sent to BH, should be here before the weekend, which just happens to be a moving weekend for my wife and I to our new place. Think one of the first things I'll try out is some time lapse of the move in.
 
I think you made a good decision, I myself bit the bullet less than a month ago-my reasoning was I have a project in July and I'm still going over the manual and learning new things everyday and BTW, I LOVE the GH-1-what a great camera, I'm on extremely low-budget so I believe this is the best bang for the DSLR buck! I'm pretty sure the GH-2 will be a couple of grand when FINALLY available and the just announced at NAB is like six grand so whatever happens just enjoy your camera TODAY!
 
I just bought two weeks ago. I got a good deal from the Amazon Warehouse, then promptly traded the 14-140 lens for the 20mm pancake lens. I'm loving the utility of the thing -- good at both still photography and video. Takes my Nikon lenses with a cheap adapter.

Just have to fix the wide end. Hoping for the 14mm 2.5 pancake to be released soon. The 7-14mm is coming down in price ever so slowly, too.

I'm thrilled with the form factor and the useability for video. I have a friend who has a 7D. Yes, there are advantages to it. But for my style of shooting (un-assisted, longer than 12-minute record times, unusual angles), the GH1 was the winner.

The only bummer is it's not a Nikon Full Frame camera.

Usually when I buy something that means the replacement is on the way the next week. But even if the GH2 is coming, it will probably not be available for a while.

I'm happy and thrilled at the possibilities of what I think I can do with this thing.
 
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