Hi. This is my first post on this forum. I am thinking about buying Lumix Gh1 or Gh2. Not only for video but for pictures as well. I read that it works very fast, the focus is really fast. But i am wonder if you guys have some movie on you tube or somewhere which shows how somebody taking picture with this camera. I mean i want look how it looks like during pictures. Sorry for my english, but i hope you understood me.
Gh1 or Gh2 pictures
- Thread starter kopan
- Start date
There's a video on Youtube, I think, showing how fast the auto-focus is on the GH2...it's supposed to be one of the fastest focusing cameras on the market now! Just do a search. That being said, if I weren't using it for video, I'd still go with a full frame Nikon for "professional" photo-only...i.e. for wedding photography for example.
But I love taking non-pro pictures with my GH1. It way exceeds my photography skills...by a long shot. I even take about 20-30 "detail" photos at weddings every weekend to use in my clients' video, of things like the cake, flowers, etc, since the image quality/lighting is light years better than video when dropped in the NLE. I just use a cheap/powerful/simple/manual Sunpak Auto 383 flash on-camera.
For photos, 90% of the time I use the Lumix 45mm f2.8...a really nice (but overpriced) lens, the 7-14mm for other "fun" street shots around town/travel, and of course the 20mm f1.7 is a great standard focal length on the GH1 for general and low/natural light photos.
If you want a consumer level camera that shoots cinematic 1080/24p video with full manual controls in a better-than-most practical way, and also takes pretty great pictures on the side, not to mention is so small that it will fit in a lunchbox, the GH1 (and GH2 I assume) rules IMHO. Unless a client is paying you to do so, it's better than carrying around both a Red One and a Nikon D3S in your small messenger bag.
But I love taking non-pro pictures with my GH1. It way exceeds my photography skills...by a long shot. I even take about 20-30 "detail" photos at weddings every weekend to use in my clients' video, of things like the cake, flowers, etc, since the image quality/lighting is light years better than video when dropped in the NLE. I just use a cheap/powerful/simple/manual Sunpak Auto 383 flash on-camera.
For photos, 90% of the time I use the Lumix 45mm f2.8...a really nice (but overpriced) lens, the 7-14mm for other "fun" street shots around town/travel, and of course the 20mm f1.7 is a great standard focal length on the GH1 for general and low/natural light photos.
If you want a consumer level camera that shoots cinematic 1080/24p video with full manual controls in a better-than-most practical way, and also takes pretty great pictures on the side, not to mention is so small that it will fit in a lunchbox, the GH1 (and GH2 I assume) rules IMHO. Unless a client is paying you to do so, it's better than carrying around both a Red One and a Nikon D3S in your small messenger bag.
id possibly hold out for the gh2 if banding has been improved as well as cleaner high ISO. Pictures still suffer from banding when shooting raw on the gh1 and you have to manually add noise reduction. Jpegs on the other hand look pretty good. Focus is a lot faster now with updated lens firmware for the 14-140mm.
go to dpreview.com if you want photo examples to look at.
go to dpreview.com if you want photo examples to look at.
Thanks for reply. I found something how focus work and i am still looking for how taking pictures look like.how late everything start after pressing button. Is it simmilar with dslr? In dslr everything is mechanical but in gh2 elektronic so propably camera need coyple time to take picture after pressing button. I am going to use it exactly in the same way as you. I mean for wedding video and to taking my own pictures on vacations or something like that.in this case i wouldn't have to bring camera and camcorder for summer. So it is one of the most useful set i have ever seen. Couples more questions:
1. how is client's reaction when they see camera instead of "big" camcoeder". Do you use matte box, shoulder mount, follow focus and this kinde of setup to make more pro look?
2 do you think that panasonic hmc40 is good b cam for gh2? I thought about second gh2 but sometimes i take my friend which help me. He is working all the time on tripod so regular camcorder would be more friendly for somebody who is not videographer but just help from time to time. Both have native24p so editing would be so easy.correct me if I am wrong. Sorry for many question but so far i used to work on fx1 but i want true 24 p which looks amazong on gh2 and generally i love idea with changeable lenses but like i wrote i am worrying a little about clients. I mean their reaction. I know that i shoul talk about it and show good sides of this but still...
1. how is client's reaction when they see camera instead of "big" camcoeder". Do you use matte box, shoulder mount, follow focus and this kinde of setup to make more pro look?
2 do you think that panasonic hmc40 is good b cam for gh2? I thought about second gh2 but sometimes i take my friend which help me. He is working all the time on tripod so regular camcorder would be more friendly for somebody who is not videographer but just help from time to time. Both have native24p so editing would be so easy.correct me if I am wrong. Sorry for many question but so far i used to work on fx1 but i want true 24 p which looks amazong on gh2 and generally i love idea with changeable lenses but like i wrote i am worrying a little about clients. I mean their reaction. I know that i shoul talk about it and show good sides of this but still...
the gh1/2 has a mechanical shutter, it performs the same as any other dslr. the only diff is it doesnt have a mirror hence reason why it has EVF.
you should shoot some amazing footage on it then show the client what it can do and leave it up to your talent for them to decide =)
you should shoot some amazing footage on it then show the client what it can do and leave it up to your talent for them to decide =)
I have two GH2s on order and will get a third when the cash reserves build back up again. I looked at the HMC40 and except for when it was released, interest in it has pretty much come to a screaming halt. Panasonic seems to be throwing all it's research and development behind the GH2 and the AF100. I will take that as their indication of where they plan to take the market for video.
Chris Mann
New member
I shoot wedding films with two (hacked) GH1s and a G2, plus a Canon 7D as backup for very low light situations, and am very happy with the results I have been getting, as are my clients. The small size and unobtrusiveness of the Micro Four Thirds cameras is a plus for event shooting; also the GH1 works very well on a Steadicam Merlin, thanks to its light weight in comparison to (say) a 7D with a Canon lens.
The GH1 is very capable as a stills camera; not quite up to the standard of full-size dSLRs in low light or in speed of operation - though the GH2 will probably be better. I still use my Canon 1D Mk3 for professional stills work.
You can see some stills that I took with the GH1 and an Olympus Zuiko 50mm F1.4 lens at a recent workshop here.
The GH1 is very capable as a stills camera; not quite up to the standard of full-size dSLRs in low light or in speed of operation - though the GH2 will probably be better. I still use my Canon 1D Mk3 for professional stills work.
You can see some stills that I took with the GH1 and an Olympus Zuiko 50mm F1.4 lens at a recent workshop here.