GH5 Gh5s or wait for BlackMagic

I never understood this "I need a low light camera because I don't have light" argument, and no, I don't believe everybody suddenly needs covert recording operations in dark bars all the time.

A scene without proper lighting is never going to look good not even with a million dollar camera.
Even a modest few hundred dollars in LED light will solve those problems.
 
Cary Knoop said:
I never understood this "I need a low light camera because I don't have light" argument, and no, I don't believe everybody suddenly needs covert recording operations in dark bars all the time.

A scene without proper lighting is never going to look good not even with a million dollar camera.
Even a modest few hundred dollars in LED light will solve those problems.
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Except weddings or similar type events don’t have that option or setting up lights with a one man operation would be very difficult. I am a firm believer of light everything for the best quality but I also realize that sometimes it really isn’t an option. When it comes to narrative work I don’t accept the argument that lights couldn’t be used but when it comes to a live event like a wedding I totally get it. I did a ton of weddings in college and there really are times where it is completely imposssible to use lights. There are also times where it is forbidden to use lights for whatever reason. I made it a habit not to argue with and upset venues that could mean repeat work so I did the best I could in those situations. We did use a 2/3” Sony DSR-500 DVCAM which helped tremendously. Those things at SD resolution sucked in a massive amount of light.
 
You don't have to understand it. You work one way and others work another way. There's no one way to do anything. Some people are not doing scenes, but have to work with available light. I shot a jazz band at a club with the club lights which were low light for mood setting. No one wants additional lights breaking up the mood.

Why should we have to use additional lights? At one time, people were hauling around carbon-arc lights. We've moved on. If cameras can work with available light, so much the better.
 
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Personally I would only keep the GH5 is the OP absolutely makes a life changing use of the IBIS. If they tend to use a tripod, monopod, slider or shoulder brace of some kind I would go for the GH5S to have two cameras that can cover the more difficult events. One can always find affordable tools to stabilize a camera. One doesn’t always have the option to increase the light.

A f2.8 zoom on the Gh5 can struggle in some poorly lit venues. That same f2.8 zoom on a GH5S gets some insanely clean looking noise free results. I consider the Gh5 amazing when I can use my f1.4 primes but once I have to switch to f2.8 or worse lenses it struggles.

There are only two things the Gh5 really has over the GH5S. IBIS and superior stills. If you don’t need either than the GH5S is hands down a better choice.
 
I'll throw in another vote for the GH5S, seems a bit of a no-brainer to me...

1. You already have a GH5S, so until the BMPCC camera is out (and in stock, and vetted from any potential launch bugs (important since you are doing live event work)), then a 2nd matching GH5S makes a lot of sense TODAY and for at least the next 6 months. You could always sell the GH5S later and swap it to a BMPCC for less than the price of renting a 2nd camera in the meantime.

2. That said, even if both were on market today, I'd probably STILL vote GH5S. Your cameras match (unless you love post work and matching, or plan to switch to two BMPCCs, having 2 matching bodies is preferrable not just for IQ but for smooth workflow and mental clarity). GH5S is very well suited to live event work with swivel screen, great battery life, excellent long from recording options, tons of menu options and tools, and a bullet proof level of reliability.

If I wanted something closer to the BMBPCC 4K look I'd rather buy a set of vintage Nikkors and set to -5/-5 with vlog and use one of the many different LUTs available to get something similar (same? no. great IQ anyway? yes) and enjoy a more unified product workflow and more robust feature set.

I think it's been said elsewhere but the GH5S is a better videographer tool than the BMPCC 4K, and still an excellent cinema tool. The BMPCC 4K has some very cool IQ and UI features but I personally would be hesitant to adopt its workflow (both on shoot and in post). Personally I'd feel a lot more comfortable with that camera for more narrative or less pressured use care scenarios.
 
Who knows by the time the BMPCC 4K is actually delivered into the hands of customers the GH6 may already be on the horizon. :)
 
A speedbooster and fast glass like the Sigma 18-35, really make the GH5 quite formidable in lowlight. Still the GH5S with that same combo is even more crazy.

If you don't need over 60fps or IBIS though its a no brainer GH5S all the way.
 
I hoping Panasonic has a GH5si in the works or an equally sensitive GH6 for non-cinema type use. Very happy with the GH5's usability for an all around tool.
I can relate to the OP. If the GH5s had IBIS I do not think this conversation would be happening as the cameras would have already been purchased. Yes it is for the lower end but this type of work usually means being quick, nimble and taking what you are given in a situation.
 
GH5s with slightly less sensitivity and IBIS would have made 80-90 percent of people happier I think. Not to beat a dead horse just affirming to the poster above, I’ll be surprised if the GH6 doesn’t have IBIS on all versions, and the jiggling Sensor problem solved with a mechanism to truly lock off the IBIS when set to off.
 
filmguy123 said:
GH5s with slightly less sensitivity and IBIS would have made 80-90 percent of people happier I think. Not to beat a dead horse just affirming to the poster above, I’ll be surprised if the GH6 doesn’t have IBIS on all versions, and the jiggling Sensor problem solved with a mechanism to truly lock off the IBIS when set to off.
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or if the GH5s had good autofocus (hint sony canon hint). I am going for the A7III over the GH5s because of auto focus. I am keeping my GH5 though, its almost $1000 cheaper then the GH5S, and I already own it.
 
John Brawley said:
You can shoot the full sensor scaled to HD at up to 60 FPS (ProRes)
You can crop to higher frame rates (i think as high as 120) when windowed in HD (RAW or ProRes)

JB
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Thanks for the heads up John. I was hoping this was the case but nobody could confirm the fact. I do have contacts at BM but am loathe to chase them on something like this this far out from a camera being ready for delivery. Just needed to know as was thinking of placing an order. If the camera was all crop mode in HD I wouldn't go near it. I have quite a few clients where shoot HD and hand over the footage is the order of the day.

Chris Young
 
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