GH2 Do you own both Canon and Panasonic?

After a lot of thought and some testing with my GH2, I've decided that I'd be better off selling the GH1 and filling out my kit with a few more lenses, a backdrop kit, and a few other essentials, and work to learn that system inside and out (rather than attempt to learn two systems at once). Even with my old Canon FD's, my client was happy with the end result.
 
Well, I just got a really weird surprise...

This isn't the first time it's happened, but it's the first time it's happened in vertical advertising (informercial) land. We work on pretty large products, and due to our budget we were shooting 5D on pick-up stuff (a large chunk) and product material. Turns out one of the biggest comments about the material was that it was too soft. They definitely couldn't pull any stills from the material to use that were sharp enough or resolute enough.

And there was some moire that we couldn't avoid in some shots, because hey... you can't rebuild an entire location around avoiding moire.

Being that it isn't the first time it's happened, we're now selling our 5D setup. =[ I wanted to use it on the feature for some interior stuff because of the sensor size... not sure what we're gonna get to replace it, either. Maybe the D4?
 
Kholi said:
Well, I just got a really weird surprise...

This isn't the first time it's happened, but it's the first time it's happened in vertical advertising (informercial) land. We work on pretty large products, and due to our budget we were shooting 5D on pick-up stuff (a large chunk) and product material. Turns out one of the biggest comments about the material was that it was too soft. They definitely couldn't pull any stills from the material to use that were sharp enough or resolute enough.

And there was some moire that we couldn't avoid in some shots, because hey... you can't rebuild an entire location around avoiding moire.

Being that it isn't the first time it's happened, we're now selling our 5D setup. =[ I wanted to use it on the feature for some interior stuff because of the sensor size... not sure what we're gonna get to replace it, either. Maybe the D4?
Click to expand...

D4 looks hot. But maybe the 1Dx? At least then your EOS lenses, etc, would still be of use?

I have noticed soft spots using my Canon gear at times, but thankfully never in a situation that the client complained. At one point, I had a guy sit down for an interview wearing a striped suit jacket. Thought the shot was going to be ruined for sure, but I've learned that I simply can't predict when moire/aliasing will show up versus not. End result wasn't too bad at all.

Meanwhile, that's too bad about losing the full frame. We could use more options in that market, honestly.
 
I think we'll still try to use the EOS lenses maybe, I'm figuring it out. We won't be investing in 4/3 lenses unless it's specifically a fast wide lens. I want to get a PL mount, think that's gonna happen.

I've been saying this, though, that eventually clients will get used to better quality. EPICs are getting cheaper, SCarlet is coming out, F3's are also being used in commercial production and Alexa as well. The more they get their hands on these cameras and their footage begins to look pristine, the less DSLRs that do not resolve etc. will become acceptable even to the cheapest client.

We also shoot hair product, and a lot of beauty... it doesn't lend itself there well at all. AT least not the Canons at this time.

Oh well.
 
I spent a month traveling around Europe last fall and agonized over what camera gear to bring with me. Part of me wanted a lightweight, compact setup with a GH2 and a few lenses, and the other part of me felt like I'd be crazy not to bring my 5DmkII and heavier lenses since I'd have so many great opportunities for making images, both still and video. In the end, I rationalized taking the 5DmkII, 5 or 6 lenses, and the GH2 is so tiny, it wasn't even worth debating about its inclusion - it went in the bag, too.

However, once I arrived at my various destinations, and especially since this was a vacation first and foremost and not a dedicated photo trip, I found myself vastly favoring the GH2 when it came time to pack my day bag before venturing out. I could have the GH2 and 20mm pancake with me at all times and not even be conscious of it, whereas with the 5D it was always a deliberate consideration. I took mostly GH2 stills and video on the trip, with some 5D thrown in at certain locations, but I've been really happy with the images I got out of the GH2. I shot RAW for everything, of course, which I'm sure makes a big difference in the stills.

A couple Flickr sets showing the results:

Florence (all GH2 & 20mm f/1.7) http://www.flickr.com/photos/oedipax/sets/72157627867186035/

Paris (mix of GH2 and 5D, including a couple anamorphic Kowa shots) http://www.flickr.com/photos/oedipax/sets/72157627763156525/

I'm still editing all the video which is 90% GH2. The 5D video I shot looks exceedingly poor by comparison because I was on my 14mm Samyang and the aliasing/moiré is so bad. Would've been fine for long focal length stuff of course but I didn't shoot much that way.
 
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@Oedipax: Those shots are truly amazing. I can see myself spending the whole day(s) shooting there. I'm glad you brought both cams.
 
Thanks, James. I definitely spent a lot of my time shooting too, pretty much whenever I wasn't inside a museum. Can't recommend a trip to the continent highly enough :)
 
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