GH3 GH3 vs. BMCC - what would you like to see tested?

N

noam

Well-known member
I am shooting a feature film this summer on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera and will likely be using my GH3 as a B-Cam for 2nd unit shots and 60p slow motion.

Of course we all know the BMCC is going to have a higher IQ/DR, etc. However, I still feel it's valuable to test the cameras against each other to know how well they will intercut with one another and how close I can get them in the grade. Also, seeing just how large of a difference in DR there is between the two cameras will be beneficial for me, as there may be some high contrast scenarios where I need slow motion.

I will be posting the results either late this week or early next on my blog www.noamkroll.com

If anyone has any tests they would like me to conduct between the two cameras while I'm out shooting tomorrow, please let me know and I will try to include them in the blog.

Likely, I will shoot the BMCC in ProRes only as that is what most of the film will be shot on.
 
Hey Noam, thanks a lot - love your work. One thing that would interest me is low light performance, noise at different ISOs, detail in shadows and so forth. Another thing would be amount of moire - same conditions, both cameras. Finally, jello for both. Thanks a lot!
 
Thanks for doing this Noam.

Are you using the MFT version? I ask because with the ML 5Dmk3 it seems to make sense to use that as a B-cam especially if you're using the EF mount variety.

I have a GH3 and was thinking of using that as a b-cam for the BM as well. What interests me is to see how both cameras perform in ugly situations. Harsh light. Highlight rolloff. Tough practical lights. etc...
 
Thanks OldCorpse, appreciate the feedback.

I will definitely incorporate these notes into the test. Somehow I didn't have moire on the list, but will definitely include it - that's a big one!
 
Steve Kahn said:
Thanks for doing this Noam.

Are you using the MFT version? I ask because with the ML 5Dmk3 it seems to make sense to use that as a B-cam especially if you're using the EF mount variety.

I have a GH3 and was thinking of using that as a b-cam for the BM as well. What interests me is to see how both cameras perform in ugly situations. Harsh light. Highlight rolloff. Tough practical lights. etc...
Click to expand...

I am actually using the EF version for the test. The MK III would certainly work well as a b-camera, but the GH3 has 1080/60p which is one of the crucial features for me.

And I will certainly include some lighting tests in there, thanks!
 
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Noam,

Thanks for doing the test and for providing the download. Very informative. The BMCC has some obvious advantages, but the GH3 is no slouch!

A couple of questions. What codec did you use on the GH3?

Also, when shooting 1080/60p, what shutter speed do you use? And does 1080/60p produce bigger file sizes over shooting 24p?

Best of luck with your feature.
 
stoneinapond said:
Noam,

Thanks for doing the test and for providing the download. Very informative. The BMCC has some obvious advantages, but the GH3 is no slouch!

A couple of questions. What codec did you use on the GH3?

Also, when shooting 1080/60p, what shutter speed do you use? And does 1080/60p produce bigger file sizes over shooting 24p?

Best of luck with your feature.
Click to expand...

Thanks stoneinapond, glad you enjoyed it. And yes, the GH3 is certainly a great camera that holds up well - better than expected for me at least!

I shot everything on the GH3 on 72mbps All-I

Typically with 60p I'll shoot at 1/125 shutter speed unless I plan to do some optical flow/twixtor work in which case I'll go much higher. As for the file sizes, I haven't check recently but I do believe that 60p would give you larger files than the same compression setting at 24p.
 
noam said:
I shot everything on the GH3 on 72mbps All-I
Click to expand...

Not that I expect you to do the a retest, but given the criticism the All-I codec has received, I wonder how much closer the two would have been using the 50 Mbit IPB.

Anyway, thanks again.
 
stoneinapond said:
Not that I expect you to do the a retest, but given the criticism the All-I codec has received, I wonder how much closer the two would have been using the 50 Mbit IPB.

Anyway, thanks again.
Click to expand...

I was definitely considering shooting at 50 instead, or at least for the low light shots, but ended up just keeping it consistent throughout for simplicity. I'll be doing more tests with the cameras soon and will be sure to include more 50mb examples as well.
 
wow...the gh3 is really looking great considering it cost about 1/3 of the BMCC price, and has alot of other distinct advantages as well...such as easier workflow and slightly larger sensor with af, not to mention the choice of lenses...esp. since BM can't seem to get the m43 version out the door. RS looks like crxp on both cameras but the GH3 looks slightly less. The global shutter is the thing that most interests me on the BM4k. I'm hoping their next version of the 2k camera has global shutter and the active m43 mount ...maybe for even less cost. Thanks for sharing
 
Just saw the footage...although it was nice of your to share it...I do not understand these tests. Over 90% of the footage people post in video comparisons are close-ups of inanimate objects. Most of us shoot people, in different conditions. I'd love to see comparisons with human subjects. Moving, static, landscape, close-up etc. Test DR, color, sharpness, etc.
 
Thank you, Noam - these tests are always useful! I guess you have a history with m4/3, seeing as you shot a feature on the GH2, so it makes sense to continue on with the GH3. Today there are so many options... even Nikon is getting love for the D5200. I wonder if you've given a lot of thought to what the other options are... I guess at some point you have to commit and there's only so much time in the day to test everything.
 
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