GH4 Essential Settings & Essential Post for GH4 Film Look

filmguy123 said:
Super helpful! Thank you both!

So basically, if I like the look of Voigtlander M43 glass, there is no reason to adapt FF Sigma Art glass via Speedbooster? The Voigtlander will look just as good, if not better, and be smaller and easier to handle to boot? Any downsides other than lack of flexibility for mounting to other camera systems?
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I think you've got it. I bought my cine lenses as Nikon mounts even though M43 was available, for flexibility, not for improved quality.

And diffusion - great! Yes. I picked up the Tiffen 1/8 and 1/4 Diffusion filters to see how they do. Haven't experimented yet but I am guessing 1/4 will be too intense?
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This is really a matter of personal taste. I don't normally go for a dreamy look, so I prefer their "Contrast" filters. They cause just enough bloom to open up the shadows and take the edge off.
 
filmguy123 said:
So basically, if I like the look of Voigtlander M43 glass, there is no reason to adapt FF Sigma Art glass via Speedbooster? The Voigtlander will look just as good, if not better, and be smaller and easier to handle to boot? Any downsides other than lack of flexibility for mounting to other camera systems?
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Like you said, flexibility. Not just in the future.

The Voigtlanders and the Sigma ART lenses are all within a few ounces of each other as far as weight goes, with a SpeedBooster adding 6 ounces to the mix. Using the SpeedBooster will bring the f1.4 Sigmas a 1/2 stop away from the Voights so it's really a wash as far as low light ability goes. Where the FF glass comes into play aside from future FF camera use, is the ability to use a SpeedBooster to give you a super 35mm FOV, as well as using a standard adapter giving you the M4/3 FOV. In effect giving each lens the ability to do double duty. Where using the Voightlanders you are stuck with the M4/3 FOV. Both are great lenses.
 
Makes sense David!

Joe/whoever: Could you recommend me some specific filters? I order Tiffen Black Pro Mist 1/4 and 1/8 and amazon sent me a Circular Polarize and Attenuator Blender .6... go figure. I already had the Polarizer, and as far as I can tell the "Attenuator Blender ND .6" is just a standard ND filter? I already have some NDs.

So, what should I look at for diffusion filters, or contrast filters, etc?
 
filmguy123 said:
Makes sense David!

Joe/whoever: Could you recommend me some specific filters? I order Tiffen Black Pro Mist 1/4 and 1/8 and amazon sent me a Circular Polarize and Attenuator Blender .6... go figure. I already had the Polarizer, and as far as I can tell the "Attenuator Blender ND .6" is just a standard ND filter? I already have some NDs.

So, what should I look at for diffusion filters, or contrast filters, etc?
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Other than the basics (ND, graduated ND, polarizer) I'm not a big user of stylistic filters, so I don't have a lot of recommendations. I keep the 1/4 Low Contrast handy mainly to tame really challenging scenes where I otherwise have little control of the lighting. I had tried the Black Pro Mist, but found it too dreamy.
 
When I put in 1/4 Low Contrast filter on amazon I get about 16 results in the 77mm size. Any amazon links to help clarify which Low contrast filter you refer to? How is a low contrast filter different then diffusion?

Also, is the "Attenuated Blender ND" just an ND or is there something special about it warranting the name "Attenuated Blender" - I was having a hard time finding this online

Thank you again!
 
When I put in 1/4 Low Contrast filter on amazon I get about 16 results in the 77mm size. Any amazon links to help clarify which Low contrast filter you refer to? How is a low contrast filter different then diffusion?
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I use drop in 4x4's: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/86004-REG/Tiffen_45650LC14_4x5_65_Low_Contrast_1_4.html

For screw-on filters, I'm not sure which rating (1-4) equates to the 1/4, but I would guess it is the #2.

Low contrast filters reduce the dynamic range of a scene.
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That's the intended purpose, but they work by being a type of diffuser. They allow light to bloom (diffuse) into the shadows.
 
I think it's much easier achieving filmic and consistent results using V-Log (even if internal!).
It seems like it uses less internal sharpening than the other profiles (sharpness and NR set to -5), the other profiles still have that videoish sharpening even at -5.

Here's a concept trailer I did with the GH4 (V-Log 8 Bit internal, -5/-5 sharpening/noise reduction) plus 12-35mm 2.8, 20mm 1.7 and 42.5 1.7 Panasonic lenses and 1/4 Tiffen Black mist pro filter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlvf7acStiA
 
DeeZiD said:
I think it's much easier achieving filmic and consistent results using V-Log (even if internal!).
It seems like it uses less internal sharpening than the other profiles (sharpness and NR set to -5), the other profiles still have that videoish sharpening even at -5.

Here's a concept trailer I did with the GH4 (V-Log 8 Bit internal, -5/-5 sharpening/noise reduction) plus 12-35mm 2.8, 20mm 1.7 and 42.5 1.7 Panasonic lenses and 1/4 Tiffen Black mist pro filter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlvf7acStiA
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Indeed, looks nice.

Many reasons to use V-LOG L, but it doesn't use less sharpening...the perceived softness is because of the lack of contrast, especially when recorded internally (the codec mush-ifies it.) Remember, detail = micro contrast.
 
That looks awesome, DeeZiD! Love the lightings!! Although I would have added a bit of light on the lady as she walks up the stairs, but perhaps you had your reasons not to. Very well done!
 
Nicely done on all counts! Good stuff and thanks for sharing, Deezid.

The way the edges fall off and the image renders is indeed a much nicer, softer, less harsh/more filmic look than what I am used to seeing on the GH4. How much of this would you say is grading VS the 1/4 diffusion filter?
 
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