GH2 or HMC40 for documentary work

B

bgpixelman

Active member
Hi friends. I am moving from a slightly used DVX100b to going tapeless. Primarily, I am a pro still shooter using Nikon and Hasselblad but will be doing some video documentary work outside of the USA for a non-profit. Like many of you, I have had a GH2 kit on order but not received it yet. The batteries, sound, etc has all arrived but no camera.

I would never use the GH2 for stills, only video.
Given that info, should I go ahead and buy the HMC40 for my video needs at this time or hope that the GH2 camera shows up in the next little bit? The cost of either is not a concern of mine. I just want the best technology and portability for the money at this time.
Can any of you offer any wisdom? For me, maybe it is a mixed blessing that it has not arrived yet? Thanks ahead of time. I really appreciate the benefit of this forum.
 
Well, is my humble opinion (with no experience with any of both cameras) that an hmc40 will work great. The Gh2, according to what I read in this forum, has a more beautiful image (less harsh) but the hmc40 has more control options. Is a proper videocamera, after all.
 
In my opinion, depending on the style of documentary, often handheld work is required, in which case, you can't beat a balanced shoulder cam, and you should avoid C-Mos sensors as the rolling shutter artefacts are a big issue for this style of shooting. Also, large sensors, with inherent short depth of field, are not helpful for capturing the action as it happens.

So, I would suggest that you don't really need the full HD, rolling shutter, large sensor GH2, and you should instead send it to me when it arrives. :)

Seriously, get a HMC40 or even better get an editing assistant for your DVX.
 
I've got 'em both, and the HMC40 is a vastly superior video camera. If you have adequate light, it's just better in every possible way. But -- if you need to use it in low-lit conditions, the HMC40 is only about 50 ISO, so ... as a photographer, you know what that means. The GH2 is good to at least 800 ISO, and I think it looks acceptable at 1600. You can push the HMC40 up to about 200 before it gets too grainy for comfortable use.

If you're going to have enough light or can add light so that the HMC40's ISO is not a problem, then by all means, use the HMC40. If your overriding need is low-light sensitivity, wait for the GH2, because the HMC40 can't deliver the goods in grossly underlit conditions.
 
bgpixelman said:
....The cost of either is not a concern of mine. I just want the best technology and portability for the money at this time.....
Click to expand...

HMC150 ;)
For travelling abroad, it would make for a robust, portable recording package without the need to carry a bunch of extra crap like you probably would with the GH2. Good luck!
 
I am going to South America to shoot some videos at orphanages (interiors?) and in some churches (maybe interiors). Never been there before and concerned about the low light challenges of the hmc40. I will not have the luxury of supplemental lights and I assume it will be more run and gun than controlled, corporate settings. I really appreciate the previous comments but still in a bit of a quandary, especially if Unique Photo calls me ready to ship the gh2, 14-140 lens withe the 20mm pancake. Tripod, fluid head, mics will work on either. Not ordered the XOR adapter yet. Thanks.
 
TAKE YOUR DVX100b !!!! Much better in low light that the HMC40, and better for docs than either. Get over the tapes thing. Tapes are good for docs.
 
I don't mean to be a weenie, but was hoping for a smaller package. However! I do already have multiple batteries for the 100b.
By the way, Barry, your book was an incredible resource when I first got my 100b and was so intimidated by the camera.
 
If you want smaller than the DVX that means the HMC is pretty much out. I don't think the HMC40 will meet your needs because of the light situation. You will need more ancillary audio stuff for the GH2--probably. I wouldn't go abroad with the GH2 without having enough time with it to be really confident that I had the right supporting gear to do the job. If I did have that time, I would take the GH2 over the HMC 150.
 
With SDHC cards, you would need a hard drive for all the files, and a laptop too. With the DVX, you just need a pen and some tapes. For handheld work C-Mos Jello-cam is not the way to go!
 
GH2 would work superb for this. Grab an external audio recorder, a few lens, ideally a glidecam or monopod/tripod. Should be great. I dont note jello cam in hand held work unless im whipping it around like crazy. Moire is largely absent, no aliasing, picture looks pro. Also if your travelling you will be able to take advantage of the ability to shoot stills and the tele mode would be great for grabbing a few wild life shots to establish a sense of place. The Gh2 is an artists camera and very suitable for this work. The other cam.. well lets just say there are a lot of videographers with chips on their shoulders :P No offense!! I just vote gh2.
 
For doc work, the GH1 or GH2 form factor is really an advantage, especially when filming verite as it draws little attention (when not part of a big rig) and it really is a major advantage not to have to worry about lighting on the run. Going tapeless will require you have enough storage and a backup plan - and probably will require you bring along a laptop a drive or two. In a pinch you'll be able to use an on camera mic and still get decent audio. You'll be less likely to get into trouble filming in restricted areas with such a small camera, which is an asset when filming a doc...

You'll probably be fine either way you go...
 
I wanted to thank you all for your input. My initial concern was what to buy if my GH2 did not ship to me in time for my trip. Fortunately, (hopefully) the Lumix Gh2 is to arrive tomorrow. I will be taking the GH2, 4 batteries, 14-140 lens, 20mm 1.7 lens, Nikon 50 f1.8 lens, JuicedLink 454 adapter, 2 - 16gb cards and 2 - 8gb cards, ENG microphone by Hosa Tech, Manfrotto 701 fluid head, Induro CX214 carbon fiber tripod. I will have 3 weeks to play around with it. I had already planned on taking my MacBook Pro to download the Nikon still photo files with me. I really appreciate this forum and all who took the time to respond. Best wishes.
 
Depending on the model of MBP, you could do NLE on MTS files. i5 and 8GB memory will do it. That will cut down the editing hours significantly. Good luck.
 
You may find that you don't always need the juicedlink--and it may bog you down. If you only have one mic mounted on the camera for hand held work then you might consider having a simple xlr to 3.5 adapter (then that to the GH2 plug). When I need to be super lightweight and low profile I occoasionly tape the mentioned adapter to a monopod and run with it. I don't have a GH2 yet. I have a GH13 so I also use an attenuator--and of course I can't monitor sound live at all (which you can sort of do with the GH2). The adapter would take up very little room in your kit and you might find it useful--especially if your JL goes down.
 
Hey Woodcarver, what would be a "simple xlr to 3.5 adapter"? I am new to all this sound stuff and did not want to spend $400 just to get sound to the camera. Although, I am spoiled being able to hear and monitor the sound in the headphones. Thanks.
 
I also 2nd the 150 for a couple of reasons. first off, it's the most like your DVX and you can use a few of the accessories with the 150 like the UV, and I believe the zoom controller. It's vastly superior to the 40 in lowlight and it has built in XLR inputs. You could pick up a used one for about 2 grand and then get a GH2 as a B-camera. When I've shot docs I always shoot two cameras for interviews so I have editing options and in this situation you'd be able to also use the GH2 to it's strenghts and rely on the 150 for whatever you do. Just also remember that when you are going out of the country that you want to be able to get pro work done without attracting too much attention, and you also want to be mobile. All of these solutions should be able to fit in one backpack that you can put on the plane. I'm also not a big HMC40 fan cause it lacks a real manual lens and I tend to shoot all of my stuff like that... but it is really sharp so long as you have adequate light. The Gh2 and 150 don't sufferf from that need for illumination.
 
Hey bgpixelman
What I mean is an adapter cable that goes from XLR Femaie to 2.5mm (sub mini) male. Here's a link to what I'm talking about http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/k-25mx3f-3.htm
That's a $15 cable. It allows you to bring a mic level signal directly to your GH2 from your microphone--as long as you mic has its own power. I don't have the juicedlink so I don't know this for sure--but I think it ups the signal to line level on output--which is a much stronger signal so you can dial down on the GH2.
Since the GH1 had no audio level control it was much more important to use something like the JL to control audio levels (even though the GH1 added an additional level of auto control).
The new Rode Video mic Pro has a +20 gain so the mic sends out a signal closer to line level, which could make for a better signal to noise ratio on the GH2.
If I were in your shoes I'd at least bring the above mentioned adapter so I would have the option of bypassing the JL if that was desired. Little downside since the cable is cheap and small.
Sorry, don't know why this is in bold. Can't seem to undo it.

 
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