GH1 and GF1 complete video settings

zcream

zcream

Well-known member
EDIT:- Manual Video on GF1. There are no need for these hacks. v3.30d and higher of ptool allows full manual video mode on the GF1. Here is my writeup.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215526

This is to summarize video settings for the GH1 and GF1.

For the GH1, the best description is in this post.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1825226&postcount=7

by
Bradley Kents
>>>
1. Select the Creative Movie Mode on the top mode dial (that's the little movie camera icon, plus an M). Set this and forget it -- don't wander from here.
2. Then hit MENU and bring up the MOTION PICTURE prefs. Select M for all manual.
3. Press-rotate the front dial to set your shutter speed to 1/60. Again, set-and-forget. Don't change it! (Seems like we're treating this like a video camera -- duh! makes sense!)
4. From here, you press-rotate the front dial to adjust your exposure (kind of noisy for video recording!).
5. This approach will work well in all but very low light conditions and very bright conditions.

So let's turn our attention to ISO and ND.

ISO
I suspect we can all agree that we want to use the lowest ISO possible. But as light levels drop, we can compensate by bumping the ISO up to 200, 400, 800 and 1600. The penalty here is added noise. (And, yeah, you want to add light, if possible.)

ND
Then let's step out into a very bright and sunny day. Unlike video cameras like our 170, the GH1 has no ND filters, so I was thinking of going with the Philip Bloom suggested Singh-Ray Vari-ND (sized for our largest lens, then add step-down rings for others). For bright conditions, this sounds like it would essentially become the new iris -- exposure would be largely set there.
>>>
 
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GF1 does not really have a manual mode. So,
1. Use a third-party manual lens for control over aperture.
2. Use a Variable ND filter in front of the lens to control DOF as well as aperture/iris.

3. Now follow the instructions from here.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GF1/lens.shtml

*NOTE* I have edited the instructions for easier referral.

1. Select the Creative Movie Mode on the top mode dial (that's the little movie camera icon, plus an M). Set this and forget it -- don't wander from here.
2. Then hit MENU and bring up the MOTION PICTURE prefs. Select M for all manual.
3. Press-rotate the front dial to set your shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/50 as you want. Again, set-and-forget. Don't change it! (Seems like we're treating this like a video camera -- duh! makes sense!)
4. From here, you press-rotate the front dial to adjust your exposure (kind of noisy for video recording!). *NOTE* You do not need to do this if you are using manual lenses as I suggested.


ISO
I suspect we can all agree that we want to use the lowest ISO possible. But as light levels drop, we can compensate by bumping the ISO up to 200, 400, 800 and 1600. The penalty here is added noise. (And, yeah, you want to add light, if possible.)
 
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Alternative Manual Mode for GF1.

Alternative Manual Mode for GF1.

From this post.
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=211296

>>>
The trick is to put the camera in Shutter-priority photo mode, where you can manually select both 1/30 shutter speed and your ISO setting as well. In this mode, aperture and focus on the Lumix 20mm lens can be locked down with the AE/AF Lock button, and all settings are displayed on the LCD panel.

When you press the movie button, the camera stays in Shutter-priority mode, but the LCD display switches into AUTO mode. However, it looks to my eyes like the camera actually uses your locked-down shutter, aperture, and ISO settings. I can confirm that the Lumix 20mm lens does not change focus during the video, but the other settings aren't displayed during or after video recording.

This technique does not work in Manual photo mode, because in that mode the AE/AF Lock button won't lock down your exposure settings. In practice, I find it convenient to use the spot meter to auto-set the Lumix 20mm lens aperture in Shutter-priority mode, the half-shutter-press to set focus, and the AE/AF Lock button to lock it all down.
>>>
 
EDIT:- I now believe Nostalgic with everything set to -2 gives the most dynamic range.

From different tests, I liked the best look as
SMOOTH
Contrast -2
Brightness -2
Saturation 0
Noise Reduction 0
 
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Question

Question

?? On the GF1 there is a movie icon with a P. There is a M on the dial too . . . can you clarify what you are instructing?
zcream said:
1. Select the Creative Movie Mode on the top mode dial (that's the little movie camera icon, plus an M). Set this and forget it -- don't wander from here.


2. Then hit MENU and bring up the MOTION PICTURE prefs. Select M for all manual.
3. Press-rotate the front dial to set your shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/50 as you want. Again, set-and-forget. Don't change it! (Seems like we're treating this like a video camera -- duh! makes sense!)
4. From here, you press-rotate the front dial to adjust your exposure (kind of noisy for video recording!). *NOTE* You do not need to do this if you are using manual lenses as I suggested.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Indygreg. Dont try this method, use the other method with AE-lock as it seems to work better.
 
So if I was using all manual lenses, should I leave Exposure Mode in Shutter Priority?

And what are the best settings if I want to color correct in post? Smooth with everything set to -2?
 
Actually. I would now say, Nostalgic with everything set to -2 seems to be the best bet.
 
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