GH2 Gh2 re-engineered

rigs said:
I guess you mean cost wise. This will come in under $775.00 for all the added components and I already have a couple of GH2's to work with.
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Color me impressed! I would expect you to be going over that by the time you added a couple of decent mic pres, HDMI/HD-SDI converter, and some decent NDs. I don't know how you're going to do all that plus power management and a battery plate, aluminum and CNC costs, custom hardware, power/control for the lens, etc. while keeping the price that low. I'd love to hear more about the project as you get on with it, the end result (if complete as designed) will be a hell of a production tool. I know you're not looking at a commercial venture, but I'd be happy to shell out $2k for something like your design.
 
Sounds like a blast, wish I had the expertise to try something like this. One doesn't have to be out shooting only shooting all the time, one can do other things. I love tinkering myself.
 
Rigs.. a lot of what you mentioned here ran through my mind many times. But for me what would be worth it is if you were able to tap into the RAW output of this camera. I think right now that's the only thing that would make me not want to get another camera. But...good luck with your project.
 
Very cool. Maybe after you've completed it you might consider selling the plans and machined parts for other DIY's to assemble themselves. :)
 
My tests show better IQ and better grain at low ISO on the GH1 IF, and only if, fitted with super-sharp lens such as the Olly 45mm. And of course with the hack. Obviously I am in the minority (actually, maybe at this point is just two people) on this point but the grain really annoys me, as well as the shuttering effect of the GH2 on fine detail. The other difference is the artifacts, haloing and aliasing, but they are borderline pixel-peeping events. I would be curious to see what the GH1 could do with the same kind of refinement in the quantizer tables, eq flowmotion2, but I suspect that won't happen.
Anyway, the GH3 will come along soon and hopefully solve a few of the GH2 problems.
 
Some polish created something similar for Sony Nex 5n : http://filmcyfrowy.net/sony-jak-epic/
Specification:
-additonal "box" solves Nex 5n overheating problem
-HDMI input secured
-built in Sony monitor
-camera protection

Soon Ryszard ( inventor ) is going to make PL mount version and another version for Canon -> Sony metabones adapter

Interesting.
 
rigs said:
I’m planning to re-engineer my GH2 into a different form factor and add a few features that would evolve it into a more rugged and user friendly camera. I will be using the entire components from the GH2 along with some much needed added features. Here is the list of what I am planning along with a quick viz of the drawings in progress.

  • BLACK ANODIZED LIGHT WEIGHT ALUMINUM BODY
  • ALL WEATHER SEALED WITH 1/4-20 MOUNTING TAPS
  • BUILT IN VARIABLE ND FILTER POSITIONED IN FRONT OF SENSOR
  • HDMI TYPE ¨C¨ CONNECTION WITH LOCKING CLAMP & SDI BNC OUTPUT
  • XLR MICROPHONE INPUTS WITH 1/8¨ STEREO INPUTS & 1/4¨ HEADPHONE OUTPUT
  • INDIVIDUAL AUDIO LEVEL AND SENSITIVITY CONTROLS
  • LARGE ERGONOMIC HAND GRIP WITH MULTI FUNCTION ACCESS
  • SEPARATE AUXILIARY BATTERY FOR EXTERNAL TAPS
  • TOUCH LCD SCREEN FLIPS OPEN ON BACK OR SIDE PLUS MULTI ANGLE POSITIONS
  • DEDICATED EVF WITH FULL ON SCREEN MENUS
  • MULTI POSITION TOP HANDLE
  • BUILT IN 15 MM ROD SUPPORT RAILS
  • POWER AND CONTROL FOR FUJINON B4 LENS
https://vimeo.com/45215739

I have a provider that will cut the body shape and I will DIY the GH2 tear down and component install.

I was hoping someone might know where I can find a PDF file of a GH2 service manual to get me started.

This is a personal project and I have no plans to market or sell any of these.

Thanks
Noel
Click to expand...
Your video is password protected...
 
I fried a diode once (some chinese though it would be funny to switch the meaning of a red and a white cable)
and took apart that body. Didn't need any service manual for that. It's easy.
Just a few, easy to access bolts and plastic clips. Nothing very complicated if you have experience opening and reassembling laptops.
Just (as always) make sure to keep track of where each bolt and connector goes.

On the inside you'll find a large main board with lots of tiny doughter boards and custom flat cables. Just as you'd expect.
One day I hope to take a good look at the 2.5mm jack to see of I can connect a remote shutter AND an external microphone at the same time.
The viewfinder is a bit more complicated.
Be sure to fully discharge the internal flash when you go anywhere near the 3 stacked doughter-boards that make up the power distribution and mode-switch wheel.

With a digital caliber, a 3d printer for prototypes and a good parametric CAD program you should be able to design and prototype such a case in a few weeks.
The longer versions of the custom, fine-pitch cables may be harder to source.
 
If you don't plan on producing your cases... what about publishing the project (even long before finishing it) on thingiverse.com ?
What CAD program do you use? I have little time but I'm very interested in collaborating on this.
(Did quite a number of 3d printed camera equipment and am currently doing a similar case-replacement for some YN460-II flashes.)
 
I second Marcus. Make the plans open source which allows me to have it manufactured for my camera locally saving on transport an exchange rates. I hope you'll consider it.
 
I use Corel Cad for my designs. Sorry I'm not willing to share my CAD design drawings at this point. The variable ND feature is custom as are a few other added components. I have suppliers setup for extension cables and other components and the CNC milling.
 
There is no point re-engineering the GH2 and posted here if you do not plan to share information on it or re-producing it for masses/ fans. You might just get done with it and keep it to yourself. What is your main objective sharing it this way on a forum like this to begin with?

Just a thought.
 
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