GH4 DSLR Filmmaker on a Budget

[Joshua Milligan]

Hey guys (and gals). I am looking to sell all of my Sony DSLR cameras and lenses because of the subpar results I've gotten with the Sony DSLR cameras for video. They lack detail, are so soft that shots almost look out of focus, and they tend to have too much noise. I mainly produce commercials for outdoor related companies (hunting industry) and am looking to maybe pick up some Panasonic cameras, particularly the GH4. I have had a hard time deciding between Canon and Panasonic because I love the tried and true Canon Mark iii 5D, plus I like to have a full frame camera to go with a APS-C camera like I have now. That being said, I also am severely intrigued with the new GH4. I like to shoot slow motion, which my Sony cameras did 60 fps at full HD and Canon does not do that, but the GH4 does it and also does up to 96 fps, which is impressive. I also think I could see myself jumping on board with the great detail of 4K. So, here I am asking for advice on which route to go. Since this is the Panasonic section of the forum, I would like to hear your input on why I should switch to Panasonic and how I could go about doing so without losing too much of what I have now.

Currently, I shoot with two cameras: a full frame a99 and a crop censored a77. I like the combo, so going with the GH4 would not be a full frame, unless I went with one of the new meta bones micro four thirds adaptors that gives you another stop of light plus a wider angle, closer to full frame. Since I would have to sell my Sony a-mount lenses, I would need to figure out which brand of lenses to go to now. I would like to eventually (one day) either get another full frame DSLR, or get a crop censored one and use the adaptor to make the GH4 close to full frame. I like full frame not only for video, but for pictures too because I also take pictures for my clients' sites. So, that being said, should I go with Canon lenses and one day get a Canon DSLR to go with the GH4? Or should I go with Nikon glass since Nikon currently has a meta bones adaptor for the GH4 made and Canon doesn't and just forgot getting another DSLR and use just Panasonic cameras from now on?

I basically need help figuring out how to get a GH4, plus lenses to replace the lenses I have to sell, all within my budget. This is because I need all of them for different shooting scenarios and I don't know other lens brands like I know Sony. That's why I need help! I will be getting rid of a 70-200mm 2.8 Sony G lens, a Ziess 24-70 2.8 lens, a Sigma 50mm 1.4 and a Rokinon 14mm 2.8. I would like to also get, maybe in another month if I have to, the Sigma 50-500mm lens that's out now. This is for filming wildlife. I will have about a $7,000 - $7,500 budget.


Should I jump ship with Sony and get a GH4? Will I be able to get a GH4 plus lenses equivalent to my current ones for the $7,000 - $7,500 budget? If so, which brand lenses and which ones exactly, and should I get the meta bones adaptor? I know this is asking a lot, but I am sick of my Sony DSLR cameras for video and need a change, but I can't afford to not have these lenses. Please help give me an idea of what I should look at getting. Thanks so much!

 

[yslee]

I had this with the GH3 a year back, and I moved from an APS-C DSLR to Micro Four Thirds. With the Sony's partially reflective mirror, along with Sony's usual inability to get the best out of their sensors (Nikon tends to do a better job), the difference might not be as big as you'd think.

Can't quite answer your questions on future-proofing your setup, but I know that depending on who you are working with, that DSLR might still be needed, but only for marketing reasons. Some art directors won't work with anyone not using a 35mm DSLR, even for projects going up on the web.

When I switched, I basically got the three native standard zooms: The 7-14/4, the 12-35/2.8 and the 35-100/2.8. All are very fine glass, and I like them all very much. Wish the 7-14 was f/2.8, but that's only going to come next year with the Olympus version.

As for wildlife, that's a problem with Micro Four Thirds currently: Until the Olympus 300/4 and the 40-150/2.8 gets released, the best long lens is the 35-100/2.8. The other native lenses are just not very good consumer grade lenses. This is where adapting might be good. Both Canon and Nikon have some very good telephotos.