GH1 vs. HMC150 + Letus35

Cory Braun

Cory Braun

Well-known member
I'm interested in purchasing a GH1 but am wondering if it will be that much of an improvement (strictly talking about the image) over my HMC150 + Letus35 Extreme. I know about the lack of xlr, etc. but I'd like to know which provides the better image quality and what the difference in DoF between the two is. I've seen some videos but they are all on the internet so they are so compressed it's hard to tell the difference. I also watched Night Light and was impressed but didn't think it was a whole lot better than what I've seen from the HMC150+Letus (but again it was on the internet). I've also read Phillip Bloom's article http://philipbloom.co.uk/2009/05/24/...35mm-adaptors/ but his argument for the 35mm adapter is that video cameras offer more features, but he doesn't really go into the image quality. Anyone have experience with both and could shed some light? Any help is appreciated.
 
I just shot some footage of HMC +sgblade vs GH1 last thursday going to cut it up this week. I will post it up when I am done. I definitely liked my HMC better but the GH1 sure was easy to move.
 
I wouldn't consider GH-1's IQ an improvement over HMC150 + Letus, depends on how you define IQ. You'll get better much, much better low light and less noise than the HMC150. They're comparable. I shot with both for a short and personally liked the IQ on the HMC150 + Letus a bit more.

You're going to be trading a larger than full frame "sensor" with a 2x crop sensor. In other words, you'll be able to achieve much shallower DOF with the same lenses/distance on the HMC150 + Letus. And maybe that's the look you're going for.
 
Thanks for the responses. I think for now I’ll be sticking with the HMC150+Letus and just wait to see what next year’s dSLRs have to offer. If anyone else has any input, I’d love to hear it, and am also looking forward to seeing Ken’s footage. Jamesc, do you have any footage from your short online? I’d like to see if I could tell the difference between the two cameras.
 
Cory Braun said:
what the difference in DoF between the two is.
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The difference has been calculated to be be two F-stops.

The GH1 has probably better low-light performance than a bare EX1. With an adapter, you're losing a lot of light. You lose light when you zoom into the ground glass. You lose light from the adapter itself. You lose light from any lens that you attach.
 
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Barry, I am interested in your opinion on the topic.
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About a GH1 vs. an HMC150+Letus adapter?

Well, I've got both, of course... and I've used the HMC150+Letus Ultimate, and used the GH1... and ... well, as always, the answer is "it depends".

The GH1 is great for what it is, and super cheap at $1500. It costs about 1/4 as much as an HMC150+Letus+some lenses. But -- it's a $1500 still camera that shoots video. Whereas you undock the HMC150 from the Letus and it's a full-fledged low-end professional video camera...

In some imaging tests the GH1 is way sharper than the HMC150. But the HMC150 is more reliable when the going gets rough. What I mean is -- keep the GH1 in its "happy place" and it's nothing short of astonishing. But step outside the "happy zone" and things can get ugly -- in underexposed situations you can get some vertical banding, and in high motion/high detail scenarios it can lose a lot of detail. Whereas the HMC150 is just a rock solid reliable performer that will always deliver the goods. Its best is not as good as the GH1's best. No question there, and really that was quite surprising to me when I encountered it, but it's true -- the GH1 at its best is way better than the HMC150 at its best, when you're talking about raw image.

But in so many other ways it's just no contest -- professional audio connectors, waveform monitor and zebras, ability to monitor the picture and monitor the audio, power and manual zoom, precise/repeatable focus marks, video ergonomics, the HMC150 is a professional video camera and the GH1 is a consumer still camera.

Of course, if you're talking about HMC150+Letus, then that removes some of those advantages -- the adapter means manual focus and no zoom, etc.

It also depends on your budget, and what else you plan on doing. If you're planning on making a living shooting video for clients, definitely go with the 150. But if you're only using it for personal projects, I'd probably recommend trying out the GH1 because it's so incredibly less expensive.
 
Barry_Green said:
It also depends on your budget, and what else you plan on doing. If you're planning on making a living shooting video for clients, definitely go with the 150. But if you're only using it for personal projects, I'd probably recommend trying out the GH1 because it's so incredibly less expensive.
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I'll be using it more for filming shorts, than shooting video for clients, but if I already have access to a HMC150+Letus Extreme, would you say that the image quality (in it's ideal state) is good enough to go through selling my current equipment (a DVX100b+Letus, not the HMC150) and purchasing a GH1? From what I have seen (which is compressed videos on the internet) it doesn't seem that there is much of a difference between the two that would warrant me purchasing one yet. It seems that while I have access to the HMC150 this year, I might as well wait to see what is being offered next year, or possibly by then there could be a price drop on the GH1/7D.
 
If you sell the HMC150 and Letus, you should see a huge money savings after buying a 7D or GH1. You could use that extra money to improve production values on your shorts, or for rentals or purchases on other equipment such as audio, lighting, or grip gear. Those will make a bigger difference in improving the craft aspect of your project than merely shallow DOF. Just something to consider.

I don't think that a DSLR will necessarily produce a better image than a camcorder and adapter combo. What matters to me is that it's comparable enough to highlight the other, more significant benefits: lower camera price, lighter and simpler package, easier/faster to use, and far better low-light performance.
 
ydgmdlu said:
If you sell the HMC150 and Letus, you should see a huge money savings after buying a 7D or GH1. You could use that extra money to improve production values on your shorts, or for rentals or purchases on other equipment such as audio, lighting, or grip gear. Those will make a bigger difference in improving the craft aspect of your project than merely shallow DOF. Just something to consider.

I don't think that a DSLR will necessarily produce a better image than a camcorder and adapter combo. What matters to me is that it's comparable enough to highlight the other, more significant benefits: lower camera price, lighter and simpler package, easier/faster to use, and far better low-light performance.
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I have access to a HMC150 but I'd be selling my dvx100b + letus. I'd hopefully be able to have some money left over after selling it and purchasing a GH1 but at the prices I've been seeing the dvx100b going for in the marketplace, I'm not sure. Either way, I see your point.
 
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