Getting a NEW camera HELP

S

sgttom

Well-known member
So my GH2 broke down and its time to buy another camera.

Here are some options I am looking at, which include just getting another GH2.

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
Canon 5D MK2
Black Magic Pocket Camera
GH2 (hacked)

Out of those choices what would everyone recommend? Let say top 4 from least to greatest.

Here are a few things to specify what I am looking for in a camera.
I am using to shoot short films, NOT commercially
I don't need auto focus
I like the "film look" over digital.

I will admit I am leaning towards the Pocket Camera. The raw files intimidate me though. How big is the learning curve as far as color grading raw footage. Being an amateur should I just forget it?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
 
Greg_E said:
Another GH2 is the cheapest option. What's wrong with your current GH2 camera?
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I have no clue. It just displays no picture. The menu will come up but I get no image. I get the error "Please check that the lens is attached correctly".

I've tried reinstalling the firmware several times. It is definitely set to shoot without lens as well as I am using an adapter. Even if I remove the lens and adapter the error still remains.
 
Take a close look at the Panasonic GX85 instead of the G7 in particular. Maybe in place of the GH4.

The GX85 "fixes" a couple of issues with the G7 & GX8: It has monitor out while recording, and it has no recording limit (in the US at least.)

I also adds 5 Axis stabilization- a big plus that even the GH4 doesn't have. And it has Dual IS- in body and in lens- that only the GX8 has.

The biggest limitation is the low bitrate in 1080, like 28 MBs. It has 100 MBs in 4K mode though.

Other negative: No mic input & no headphone jack. Plus the GH4 has more settings/ bit rates.

I wouldn't spend the money on a new GH4 so close to an expected GH5 release this fall. If you can find one used for $800 or similar it would probably be worth it.

Or, find a cheap/ used GH2 to carry you over until the GH5 is released? GH4 will also come down in price, there should be a lot of used bodies available as people upgrade.

Good luck!
 
IronFilm said:
Did you enable the option to "shoot without lens"?

I'd add two more cameras to your list to consider, the Panasonic G6 which is going for super cheap prices now secondhand:
http://www.eoshd.com/2013/07/panasonic-g6-review-the-gh2-redux/

And the BMD Micro Cinema Camera, is kinda like the BMPCC v2, in that it is even more ultra compact *AND* it gives you 60fps slow motion! :D
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Yeah its on "shoot without lens" mode.

The G6 looks really nice. 60fps at 1080 is awesome for sure. Is the dynamic range any better then the GH2 I wonder. No external monitor could make it a no go as I use a glidecam a lot.

I was just looking at the micro camera. 60fps is a huge plus. Unfortunately it is much more expensive then the Pocket camera, which can be had for $400 used.


unadog said:
Take a close look at the Panasonic GX85 instead of the G7 in particular. Maybe in place of the GH4.

The GX85 "fixes" a couple of issues with the G7 & GX8: It has monitor out while recording, and it has no recording limit (in the US at least.)

I also adds 5 Axis stabilization- a big plus that even the GH4 doesn't have. And it has Dual IS- in body and in lens- that only the GX8 has.

The biggest limitation is the low bitrate in 1080, like 28 MBs. It has 100 MBs in 4K mode though.

Other negative: No mic input & no headphone jack. Plus the GH4 has more settings/ bit rates.

I wouldn't spend the money on a new GH4 so close to an expected GH5 release this fall. If you can find one used for $800 or similar it would probably be worth it.

Or, find a cheap/ used GH2 to carry you over until the GH5 is released? GH4 will also come down in price, there should be a lot of used bodies available as people upgrade.

Good luck!
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Interesting. The GX8 looks nice. That may be a good idea to wait until the GH5 release.

I like the looks of the black magic pocket and micro cam. My biggest beef with them is the sensor is so damn small. Wish there was another camera in that price range with the same dynamic range and 10 bit color.
 
If you don't have any projects for the near future, I would wait and see if a GH5 is announced anytime soon. If you need to get shooting again, I'd go with what you know and grab another GH2 to wait out the GH5. Even if you don't want a GH5, it should lower the price of the GH4.

I'd pay for shipping on your GH2, might further my experiments to have one that doesn't really work at all. But before you give up on it, try a full factory reset and see if it helps. I might blast the stock firmware back into it before the reset too.
 
Greg_E said:
If you don't have any projects for the near future, I would wait and see if a GH5 is announced anytime soon. If you need to get shooting again, I'd go with what you know and grab another GH2 to wait out the GH5. Even if you don't want a GH5, it should lower the price of the GH4.

I'd pay for shipping on your GH2, might further my experiments to have one that doesn't really work at all. But before you give up on it, try a full factory reset and see if it helps. I might blast the stock firmware back into it before the reset too.
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That is what I am going to do. Wait for the GH5 and then get a GH4 when the price comes down. What really sells me is the dynamic range. Pretty impressive for an SLR. Can't complain about 4k either.

How do you do a full factory reset on the GH2? Is it just the reset button in tools?

I have several projects this summer so I'll need a camera asap. Will probably get a GH2 or Canon EOS M to fill in the gap before I get a GH4.

I'd consider shipping you the GH2 if all else fails.
 
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I'm going to be different than everyone else and say based on your "film look" preference to go with a 5D2. I'm sure you by now are set on another Panasonic, which makes good sense based on lenses that you already have, but it's easy to adapt a lot to the EF mount, plus full frame makes it a little easier to get that shallow DOF that helps sell the film look. Canon color is solid, and the support online for the camera is still great, from using the cinestyle profile to magic lantern. It's a real workhorse even today.
 
What about moire from the 5D2? Is that fixed with Magic Lantern or do you still need a VAF lowpass filter added?

The only reset that I know of is the one in the menu. I'll take a look through the service manual and see if I find a secret reset somewhere else.

Have you tried recording anything to see if it is still producing images? Just trying to think of how it can display a menu but not display an image and the only thing I can come up with is a dead (completely) imager. What about taking stills? EVF working or are both dead?
 
caseywilsondp said:
I'm going to be different than everyone else and say based on your "film look" preference to go with a 5D2. I'm sure you by now are set on another Panasonic, which makes good sense based on lenses that you already have, but it's easy to adapt a lot to the EF mount, plus full frame makes it a little easier to get that shallow DOF that helps sell the film look. Canon color is solid, and the support online for the camera is still great, from using the cinestyle profile to magic lantern. It's a real workhorse even today.
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I was also going to add the 7d mkii to the list. Is it any better then the 5d mkii I wonder?
Full frame and RAW seems like a big plus. Plus the bit depth is much better on the Canon vs a GH2 or even a GH4.

All my lenses are Nikon AI-S. So I'd just need a new adapter. Darn it soo many choices.



Greg_E said:
What about moire from the 5D2? Is that fixed with Magic Lantern or do you still need a VAF lowpass filter added?

The only reset that I know of is the one in the menu. I'll take a look through the service manual and see if I find a secret reset somewhere else.

Have you tried recording anything to see if it is still producing images? Just trying to think of how it can display a menu but not display an image and the only thing I can come up with is a dead (completely) imager. What about taking stills? EVF working or are both dead?
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Yeah it won't record or take still pictures.

When I first got the camera I could hold up a lens to the sensor without attaching it and it would be able to see a picture. Now its just black like I have a lens cap on. I am undecided again. Maybe a Canon 5D mkII or a Canon 7d mkii would be better options. Raw videos seem impressive with them.
 
I'd do a full reset and pull the battery for several hours. Probably dead though.

Why not an A7s and maybe an external recorder to get the 4k output?
 
The A7s look nice. How much do 4k external recorders run though, ballpark estimate? They have great bit depth. I wonder what kind of dynamic range they get for video. Still it can't record raw files, which is really what makes me lean towards the Canon MKII, also the fact that you can get a used Mk2 for $400. I am a bit confused on the Canon 5D MkII with the magic lantern hack. Can it record 60fps at 720?

60fps is a must have for me.

I'll try a reset and leaving the battery out for a few hours. Fingers crossed.
 
Just looked up the A7. Looks like it gets 14 stops of dynamic range???? That seems insane. Crazy good.
 
I did a little looking, my service manual doesn't go through any of the software adjustments so no idea how to get into the secret menus.

But what I did find is that you may want to remove the lens adapter and see if it gives an image. Also press the lens release button a few times to make sure it is not binding. Apparently if the lens locking pin doesn't snap all the way out, you can get this error.

Prices on 4K recorders are coming down all the time, but I think they are still around $1000+ new. The new BlackMagic 7 inch monitor/recorder might be the exception.
 
The a7s has indeed 14 stops of DR in slog2. With the external recorder you get 422 color and 4k as well.
If you need 60fps, the 5D2 probably isn't for you.
 
I am really leaning towards the A7 now. It seems exceptional for the price, almost too good to be true.
 
Yeah I am looking at the A7. I really don't care about 4k that much. I understand its better resolution/sharper, but 1080 seems perfectly fine. 4k seems really useful if you use a lot of post stabilization or if you do a lot of post cropping. However being a guy who does short films where almost every shot is planned and rehearsed I don't really have a need for either of those things.
 
The Black Magic 5 inch HD monitor/recorder is pretty nice, we have one at work. Just make sure you pick a model of A7 that doesn't overheat and shut down.

You will need to use ND filters for some things with the A7S, but it will open up a lot of low light options.
 
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