GH2 official discussion thread

This may have been mentioned before, but I just "grokked" another benefit of the GH2's new Extra Tele Conversion function: When used with a non-constant aperture zoom lens, ETC can make the lens "faster/brighter" in certain situations.

Instead of zooming the lens itself (and thus darkening the image because of the lens' non-constant aperture), using ETC "zooms in" w/o affecting exposure.

So, for example, the relatively inexpensive 14-42mm kit lens can be used at its 14mm focal length @ f3.5 max. aperture, but with ETC yields 36.6mm (2.6x) w/o ramping the f-stop and darkening the image.

Another benefit: ETC "looks through" the center of a lens, usually the sharpest part.

It'll be interesting to see how well an Extra Tele Conversion shot intercuts with the same scene & lens setting recorded w/o ETC. (e.g.: Cutting back & forth between the wide shot & the ETC close up.)

Cool stuff.

EDIT: Oh, and there's also the effect that the ETC "zoom" doesn't change the depth of field. So, for example, if a 14mm lens is in use when ETC is turned on, the resulting angle of view will be that of a 36.6mm lens, but the DOF will be that of the 14mm lens.

Yes I was also hoping that so, depending on how it all turn out because it would then mean that I can do away with buying 100-300 lens that I had my eyes on and instead buy the GH2 and let 14-140 to do 100-300's role. If anything 14-140 will have far usable range at the wide end.
 
Following up on this idea, if you assume the camera's limit of shooting @ full 4:3 output @ 5 fps is limited by the processors and not the shutter curtain then that means the electronics in the camera can handle about 80mp/sec. If you took that rate and divide by 24 (for cinema mode) you'd get a number around 3.3 megapixels that it could handle 24 times a second. 2400x1350 is just under 3.3mp so a full pixel scan mode could theoretically kick in at a higher number than 1920x1080, about 1.5 times the resolution assuming that much downsampling could be done in realtime. And if the 40fps@4mp thing is real and not upscaled then the camera could probably handle wider crop sizes than that at 24fps.

Also, as the camera zooms in tighter and presumably finer binning routines kick in the per-pixel quality should also increase, so if the camera has zoomed into a windowed area of, say, 3840x2160 pixels you would think the binning would be better and give a sharper image. Again I have no idea if that will be the case or not though, they may just do a cr@ppy digital zoom of the image until they hit full telephoto (let's hope not).
 
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1080p @ 60 FPS should be "dead simple" to implement as well since that is the sensor reads it. We know AVC-HD can support it. They already do it with their camcorders.
Actually, AVCHD does NOT support that mode. You have to go outside of the standard to pull it off, and most people have problems with the files. The easiest way to implement it is to encode it over 24p, which would be a 40% version of the slow motion mode (which is exactly what the AF-100 will do). This is not dead simple because you need twice the processing power to pull it off. Keep in mind that burst mode can only do 40fps, so I'd say 1080p60 it is unlikely unless there is a lot of extra room for overhead.

Again.
If this footage don't have B frames it is not from GH2. Period.
Are you sure this is the case for non-24mbs modes? It seems others are agreeing with me. This could be for a number of reasons, but of course this could change for the final model.
 
Are you sure this is the case for non-24mbs modes? It seems others are agreeing with me. This could be for a number of reasons, but of course this could change for the final model.

Source of 720p files in unknown. It could files not from GH2.
1080p24 and intertlaced FullHD files that I have can be thrusted.
Other possibility - 720 related encoder part is not done yet (look at my message above).
 
Why not a professional version of the GH2?

Why not a professional version of the GH2?

While someone mentioned the "Vitaliy edition", now, when Panasonic has the fear that the normal customer can't handle all what we ask for, why not issue a professional version of the GH2 with the features.

Sony has done this long time ago with the VX2100/PD170.

At least the fratures that are possible with Firmware changes.

I think, now they would not put 3,5mm jacks in the GH2, because I am sure the hardware production has started already.

But, and I do not know if this is possible, but if they issue a special cable with 2 jacks at the end so that , once you have plugged this in, mic and earphones can be used simultaneously.
I am not a technician so I do not know if this works,. but it would be a workaround as long, as a 2nd jack is not built in.
 
While someone mentioned the "Vitaliy edition", now, when Panasonic has the fear that the normal customer can't handle all what we ask for, why not issue a professional version of the GH2 with the features.
That's why the AF100 is big news. If you need these functions on a daily basis, then the AF100 looks like a good deal.

But, and I do not know if this is possible, but if they issue a special cable with 2 jacks at the end so that , once you have plugged this in, mic and earphones can be used simultaneously.
I am not a technician so I do not know if this works,. but it would be a workaround as long, as a 2nd jack is not built in.
These are made for the iPhone, if that's what you mean? You would need to go to 2.5mm, but I'm sure a company like this could do that. I don't know if the headphone line could work in the same way, so someone would have to try it out.
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-2trs.htm
 
So Vitally,
In a nutshell where are we with the GH2? lol
Do you think the files that you were sent ( which seem to have garbled field order? ), are just a result of unfinished firmware, or do you think this is how it will hit the market.

The 25p thing is very strange and could affect a lot of potential buyers, me included. I don't mind having to deinterlace and you can get good results if you have the right approach, but it is a major PITA. At the moment I'm looking at a second GH1 instead, but if these details are ironed out by Panasonic in the next month or so, then that will change for me. In every other way the GH2 looks like a great camera, the 1:1 crop, high framerate stills, HDMI out, 24p etc.
 
So Vitally,
At the moment I'm looking at a second GH1 instead, but if these details are ironed out by Panasonic in the next month or so, then that will change for me. In every other way the GH2 looks like a great camera, the 1:1 crop, high framerate stills, HDMI out, 24p etc.

Yes Adrian,

that's what Panasonic hopefully hears and reacts to: Give us 25 p with 24 Mps and we give you our money... ;-)
 
Yes Adrian,

that's what Panasonic hopefully hears and reacts to: Give us 25 p with 24 Mps and we give you our money... ;-)

How convenient by Panasonic that they initially left out the 25p mode. Now people ***** about that instead of wanting 50p. So Panasonic can just release a firmware with 25p and everyone will be happy and has forgot about 50p. Can't you ***** about 1080p50 instead??
 
That's why the AF100 is big news. If you need these functions on a daily basis, then the AF100 looks like a good deal.
No, it is not.
The AF100 is a totally different camera. I saw it on the Photokina. It is big and bulky (see the pictures below) and has nowhere the ability, that you can film high quality when most of the people think you are taking pictures.
If one needs a bigger camera to impress customer, or in a studio etc, of course then the AF100 is the better choice. Surel techiclaly too in some regards (XLR for example). But it costs 5 x as much too.

I mean a pro version of the GH2 in the same body. Like VX2100 and PD170.

These are made for the iPhone, if that's what you mean? You would need to go to 2.5mm, but I'm sure a company like this could do that. I don't know if the headphone line could work in the same way, so someone would have to try it out.
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-2trs.htm

Yes, this is exactly what I mean.

Sould be possible for a company like Panasonic to find a solution like that.
 

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What frame rate etc did they use to make 1080 resolution footage. As I understand it, but I may be wrong, the GH2 cannot do more than 30 fps.
 
For what it is the af100 is a very small camera, barely bigger if you take out the handle than a medium format photo camera. Nearly everything DSLR also, will seem gigantic compared to the GH2. In the future we will surely find a camera in between those two in terms of specification, price and size. Panasonic will, I am sure develop a whole line of camera around the 4/3 size sensor. From the consumer line GH photo camera to the top of the line avc intra model, we will need a little patience.
 
The AF100 is a totally different camera. I saw it on the Photokina. It is big and bulky (see the pictures below) and has nowhere the ability, that you can film high quality when most of the people think you are taking pictures.
As pointed out
For what it is the af100 is a very small camera, barely bigger if you take out the handle than a medium format photo camera

To fit all that is needed into the GHxx form factor for pro use, would I imagine, significantly increase the cost and this would be a smaller market too. We are getting close, as m4/3 is ripe to develop further as a modular system. Olympus seem to be going more in this direction. Basically, if various units were available such as mic/audio modules, external EVFs, electronic mounts, it might be feasible to use a small, street photography style set up, which also allowed connection of pro gear for a bigger rig.
 
Hi,

I will get the GH2 but dont know if i should sell my GH1. Just looked on Ebay and GH1 with 14-140mm Lens will make about 900 Euros. So its about the same if you just would buy the lens alone new...

So i have a question. Does any of you know if the 14-140mm lens sold with the GH2 is actually the same i already have? Or is it an updated Version?
http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh2/movie.html - near the Bottom of the Page
Just wondering because of faster AF Capabilities with the GH2. And i dont know if this is because of an updated lens or in-camera Computing.
I know its the same Model Name like mine but i really want to make sure.

Because if its the same 14-140 lens i will keep my GH1 and just buy the GH2 Body when it comes out.

And also. Does anybody now the Release Date in Europe?

thanks in Advance,

tet
 
Hi,

So i have a question. Does any of you know if the 14-140mm lens sold with the GH2 is actually the same i already have? Or is it an updated Version?
http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh2/movie.html - near the Bottom of the Page
Just wondering because of faster AF Capabilities with the GH2. And i dont know if this is because of an updated lens or in-camera Computing.
I know its the same Model Name like mine but i really want to make sure.

tet

A new firmware update for 14-140 has been announced and it is intended to improve the AF speed and start up time. Not sure after the firmware update the lens will work equally fast on GH1.
 
How convenient by Panasonic that they initially left out the 25p mode. Now people ***** about that instead of wanting 50p. So Panasonic can just release a firmware with 25p and everyone will be happy and has forgot about 50p. Can't you ***** about 1080p50 instead??

I agree :). But 25p really isn't optional for PAL users, especially not on an 'enthusiast' video camera.

I was really hoping the 50/60p 1080 rumours were correct though and that would instantly swing it for me.
 
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