GH2 Hand Held 45mm Lens video. Is it possible?

M

mpgxsvcd

Veteran
I typically use my 25mm F1.4 for hand held videos. There is some shake with that lens but it is manageable on the GH2 which does not have the Olympus in body image stabilization. However, I tried to video with the 45mm F1.8 at close range and no matter what I did I couldn’t hold it steady at this range(about 10 feet at its closest).

Here is an example 45mm lens video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxI0H3cZ9mQ


I am impatiently waiting for the 35-100mm(With IS) F2.8 lens. That would have been perfect for this type of scene. It is extremely dark in the lower section of that wall but F2.8 would have worked(Just Barely. ISO 6400) where the F4.5-F5.8(ISO 12,800 or more) of the 14-140mm would not have worked at all.

Is there anything I can do with the 45mm F1.8 until the 35-100mm comes out? I tried VirtualDub with Deshaker and that works well but it simply takes too long when I have one hundred or more 1-2 minute clips to edit. I also tried the new youtube software image stabilization. However, that degrades resolution way too much.

So besides buying an OMD/EM-5 or getting some wearable stabilization is there any way to shoot hand held video at longer focal lengths without stabilization?

Also what do you think about the colors in this video? Is it too much. My intent was to try to enhance the colors of the holds. However, it might have gone too far.

This was shot with AFC and the version 1.1 firmware. The AFC with the new firmware is much better than before. However, I have noticed that it is not quite as good with the Olympus 45mm F1.8 as it is with the 25mm F1.4. The Olympus lens can hunt sometimes. The Panasonic lenses actually transition quite smoothly.
 
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- a simple, simple aid like a Gorillapod (Focus or SLR) can steady things out greatly without being cumbersome. Use it to extend and provide more points of contact in whatever way is most comfortable.
- I'm apparently one of those odd ducks that still really likes vibrant color in video, so it looks good to me.
 
I shot this with the Olympus 45mm, all the medium and medium/close shots are handheld (the ones that aren't on a dolly). I'm just using a simple shoulder rig to keep it steady. A couple of the shots are the Pansonic 7-14 and 20mm pancake.

password: dynamic


on_location_3-750x500.jpg
 
mcbob said:
- a simple, simple aid like a Gorillapod (Focus or SLR) can steady things out greatly without being cumbersome. Use it to extend and provide more points of contact in whatever way is most comfortable.
- I'm apparently one of those odd ducks that still really likes vibrant color in video, so it looks good to me.
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Gorillapods are great when the subject is static. However, you really defeat the point of a gorillapod when you have to follow the subject. The stick slip function of the gorillapod legs will cause more vibration than your hands will.

I really like the IBIS of the OMD cameras. However, I really can’t pass up on the video quality of the Panasonic cameras.

When is that 35-100mm going to get here? Not soon enough!
 
ErikTande said:
I shot this with the Olympus 45mm, all the medium and medium/close shots are handheld (the ones that aren't on a dolly). I'm just using a simple shoulder rig to keep it steady. A couple of the shots are the Pansonic 7-14 and 20mm pancake.

password: dynamic


on_location_3-750x500.jpg
Click to expand...

That looks really good for stability. However, I can’t really carry a shoulder rig around everywhere I go. Most of my shots are just on the fly non staged 1 time shots. Basically it is pull out the camera hit go and make do with what you have.
 
mpgxsvcd said:
Gorillapods are great when the subject is static. However, you really defeat the point of a gorillapod when you have to follow the subject. The stick slip function of the gorillapod legs will cause more vibration than your hands will.
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Sure, if you only use it like a tripod on a solid surface... you can also mount that "tripod" (in any bendy configuration) on your body, as a single or double shoulder mount rig. It's small enough to leave attached and yet not look like a complete weirdo out with your family at the mini-putt-putt.

Here are a couple links to home videos with the cheapo "SLR" as a stabilizer... granted they're with 17.5 and 16mm lenses, but I use ETC in several shots which gets it to about the same equivalent length as a 45.
https://vimeo.com/25265410
https://vimeo.com/41630034


When is that 35-100mm going to get here? Not soon enough!
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AGREED!
 
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mpgxsvcd said:
That looks really good for stability. However, I can’t really carry a shoulder rig around everywhere I go. Most of my shots are just on the fly non staged 1 time shots. Basically it is pull out the camera hit go and make do with what you have.
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I'd get a stabilized Panasonic lens in that case, it really does make a big difference in video. The 14-42, 14-140, 12-35/2.8, etc.
*edit* those would be too dark like you said.

Try AE CS6 for stabilization... The warp stabilizer is pretty awesome.
 
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Snazzy Flapper said:
I use this rig and never have to shoot handheld. It's tiny, takes about 10 seconds to fold out, and gives great steady results.
http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-Camcor...3318424&sr=8-2&keywords=ephoto+shoulder+mount
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I spent $700 on the original, the DVTec MultiRig. It's a useful bit of kit, especially when traveling.

I suggest the OP also look at SteadyBag(s). I keep the small in each of my camera bags, plus a medium, & large, in the bottom of the tripod tube. The small weighs little, & is great for B-Roll.
 
Lot's of great suggestions. Keep them coming. I like the steadybag and neck tripod. Those are both more manageable. When I shoot like this I literally only have a few seconds to go from taking the camera out of the bag to filming. I don't have time to setup at all. The only time I have is the time it takes the camera to go from off to ready to shoot video. Probably only 5 seconds at the most.
 
You'll also have to resign yourself to the fact that at what equals 90mm on a FF camera (so at the long end of medium telephoto, basically a "portrait" lens) you are only going to be able to remove the shake so much without going onto sticks.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
Don't the neck tripods translate breathing into motion on the camera since they rest on your chest?
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Adjust the straps so it rests above all the commotion of the stomach movements. Rest it just above that which should not move during breathing; at least that works for me... Al
 
i love shooting with the 45mm. I tend to use the neck strap trick ie, hold the camera out in front so there is tension on the neck strap and your neck.
 
Another idea: take a ultra wide angle/fisheye DSLR lens and use it in ETC mode. My Rokinon 8mm loses almost all its distortion in ETC mode, with an equivalent focal length of 42mm. The added benefit is that it keeps the stabilizing effect of a fisheye lens at the same time. Incredible for steadicam work.
 
I use a Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 Fluid Video Monopod. You'd be surprised how easy it is to move around with it. Very popular with wedding and event shooter that need to be constantly repositioning themselves for the best shot. Great for getting stable shots with long lenses.

This video was shot with the Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 using an old DV camcorder. It would have been an unstable mess, especially on the zoomed in shots, had I not used it. I pull back on a wide shot in the later half of the video that shows how much I was zoomed in for most of the video.

 
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gundar said:
+1 to this.
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I have that rig and cannot wait to upgrade from it. It's very cheaply made and if you put any weight like a monitor on it you'll feel the flex and general cheapness for sure. That being said, for $60 I've muddled through with it for about 6 months. Of course I RARELY shoot handheld. It may come out for one or two quick shots and that's it.
 
I use my photo bag as a stabilization: I use the cam with a rice bag inbetween the cam and the bag, strapped around my shoulders. Removes all the typical handheld jitter, and I can use my 55mm Canon FL with it.
 
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