GH2 GH1 vs Gh2 dynamic range?

S

Soldier

Well-known member
I've got a GH1 and am considering a GH2. I just wondered if there was any difference in the dynamic range? I read somewhere that the GH1 was about 7 or 8 stops, which seems kind of low.
 
GH1 is certainly a bit lacking in that department and GH2 is a bit less lacking. The problem is not in the sensors but signal processing. Olympus m4/3 cameras could create much nicer JPEG's with the same sensor. Olympus video is not up to the task of film making, so GH1 and GH2 have the same problem which is signal processing. It is difficult to do filmic shots that combine dark areas (but with some hues) and brightly lit areas.

I tested the Olympus E-PL1 with some Minolta legacy lenses and still image JPEG's turned out superb: http://www.fourseasonshd.com/cgi-bin/csvsearch.pl?db=db4&tp=tp8&search=olypana1

At the bottom of the page are two sample images. You can see the full size images by clicking the picture. They are not RAW images but Olympus in camera JPEG filmed with 25 year old Minolta MD 35-70 zoom lens. So the sensor is fine. It's the video signal processing that leaves quite a lot to be desired in current cameras.

I have to admit that I am going to have a look at Sony's offerings next and what their sensor and video technology could do.
 
I am planning to do a bit more scientific approach to film look and contrast/dynamic range on GH1 and GH2. Basically the process involves

1 Obtaining standard sensitometry diagrams of several common film stock
2 Shooting standardized gray scale values or gray/color cards in controlled environment with various GH1/GH2 film mode settings
3 Comparing GH1/GH2 values to those of a film stock
4 Map values from GH1/GH2 to match those of a film stock
5 Develop preset logarithmic sensitometry curves to apply for the material in editing program

This would allow matching the contrast of GH1 and GH2 to a known film stock as closely as possible to provide base line for film look and grading. Of course I can proceed as time and resources allow, hence a step by step approach. I will get to it immediately, so stay tuned.
 
I did not see a difference, but there are some interesting options in the GH2 for increasing the dynamic range (and a bit more noise)
 
I did not see a difference, but there are some interesting options in the GH2 for increasing the dynamic range (and a bit more noise)
 
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