I know you've heard it a million times before but...GH2 or 60D?

[Matt Gottshalk]

If it were me and I needed a camera right now... A used FS100 or AF100.
If I didn't need one right now, I'd wait and see.

By the time you spend your money trying to make a DSLR workable with all the rig crap and external audio fix and such you could be shooting with a real video camera.

+1

In spades.

 

[Plazm]

You are really going to miss the servo zoom and on board audio going to a DSLR for the type stuff you shoot.

Yeah, I've thought about that but to be honest I'm bored with my shooting style, perhaps not being able to rely on zooms would force me to think more creatively. On board audio is a concern, although 90% of the stuff I do has all the sound redone in post. In all honesty, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H98UQ_qUqzY this is the kind of style I'm shooting for.

 

[David W. Jones]

Yeah, I've thought about that but to be honest I'm bored with my shooting style, perhaps not being able to rely on zooms would force me to think more creatively.

Or... it could turn out to be limiting & expensive buying lenses to cover different things.

Bored with your shooting style? Do you really think a shooting style is about what camera you happen to own?

Having watched the new video you linked to, I see some slow motion, overused slider shots, and a bunch of tilting dutch angle style handheld shots, but to be honest, nothing that would make me watch the video for more than a couple of seconds before I clicked off.

If you want a DSLR then pick one and start shooting. But remember... the camera, any camera for that matter, is just a tool. It's you that will be the determining factor in the success or lack there of in your shoots.

All the Best!

Dave

 

[Plazm]

Or... it could turn out to be limiting & expensive buying lenses to cover different things.

Bored with your shooting style? Do you really think a shooting style is about what camera you happen to own?

Having watched the new video you linked to, I see some slow motion, overused slider shots, and a bunch of tilting dutch angle style handheld shots, but to be honest, nothing that would make me watch the video for more than a couple of seconds before I clicked off.

If you want a DSLR then pick one and start shooting. But remember... the camera, any camera for that matter, is just a tool. It's you that will be the determining factor in the success or lack there of in your shoots.

All the Best!

Dave

Noted, thanks for the adivice.

 

[Cosimo Bullo]

The sony 2100 was good, but I actually recommend the Bosch KDF-1. http://www.tvcameramuseum.org/bosch/kcf1/p1.htm

:grin:

 

[Cosimo Bullo]

Actually I'd echo all who've mentioned before. If you need great still too, the Canon. For vid only, for sure the GH2.

 

[Plazm]

Actually I'd echo all who've mentioned before. If you need great still too, the Canon. For vid only, for sure the GH2.

Another thing that makes the choice so hard. I'd love to get into photography which is what makes me lean towards the Canon but the more thought-out video aspect of the GH2 pull me in that direction.

 

[David W. Jones]

Another thing that makes the choice so hard. I'd love to get into photography which is what makes me lean towards the Canon but the more thought-out video aspect of the GH2 pull me in that direction.

I had a young opinionated shooter tell me the same thing, GH2 is great for video but sucks for still pics.

I shot stills of the same subject with both my Canon and Panasonic DSLR cameras. OK I said, which one is which? He could not tell which still was from which camera, but he assured me that which ever one was taken with the Canon was better. Go figure!

 

[M. Gilden]

I had a young opinionated shooter tell me the same thing, GH2 is great for video but sucks for still pics.

I shot stills of the same subject with both my Canon and Panasonic DSLR cameras. OK I said, which one is which? He could not tell which still was from which camera, but he assured me that which ever one was taken with the Canon was better. Go figure!

LOL. People are funny.

But seriously, I can see the difference. You can get close with a very convoluted workflow that involves silkypix and hoping everything is sharp without being able to really tell in the camera (that darned stills playback bug that slightly blurs everything), but the same can be said of the converse- the Canon takes great video, and side by side at 720p most folks can't tell the difference. I would still prefer each for specific tasks more than the other.

My 2 cents.

 

[David W. Jones]

Well I do own both, so there ya go. Bottom line, they all shoot pretty darn good stills and video now.
So I'd just pick a camera and start shooting. If it's not what you need, sell it and get what works for you.

 

[Kholi]

A. If you can wait until tr Zacuto shootout to buy a camera. If you are in the market for a large sensor camera, the footage and comments will be interesting.

B. you have a very valid reason for feeling like going to primes will change your shooting style. . I know several directors that absolutely dislike shooting with zooms for the Same exact reason.
I'm personally trying to limit myself to three focal lengths (primes) because I get sloppy with zooms.

 

[wgzn]

because I get sloppy with zooms.

can you elaborate on that?

B. you have a very valid reason for feeling like going to primes will change your shooting style. . I know several directors that absolutely dislike shooting with zooms for the Same exact reason.

for my uses, it totally depends on the kind of work you are doing. historically, i do 90% run and gun / eng stuff. and in those uses, i would find primes nearly unworkable. because there are times i am where i am and must get the shot. cant move back, cant get closer. and if i took time to change the lens id miss the shot.

this is where i envy my photojournalist friends, who have 3 bodies dangling around their neck ; )

 

[Plazm]

can you elaborate on that?

for my uses, it totally depends on the kind of work you are doing. historically, i do 90% run and gun / eng stuff. and in those uses, i would find primes nearly unworkable. because there are times i am where i am and must get the shot. cant move back, cant get closer. and if i took time to change the lens id miss the shot.

this is where i envy my photojournalist friends, who have 3 bodies dangling around their neck ; )

Something that adds to the mix is the fact that I find photojournalism and ENG stuff really interesting and something I'd like to pursue to some degree.

 

[Plazm]

Also, does the GH2 offer sharper IQ than traditional HD camcorders or is it comparable to a camcorder in the same price range? We know it outputs a real 1080p picture compared to the Canons but does that make a difference when comparing with a traditional video camera?

 

[brunerww]

Something that adds to the mix is the fact that I find photojournalism and ENG stuff really interesting and something I'd like to pursue to some degree.

Plazm - Then you want a camera that has a some capability to power zoom and autofocus while shooting video. The GH2 can do both (with 14-42 and 45-175 Power Zoom lenses) and the 60D can do neither.

I think the bottom line is: the GH2 may not be the best still camera, but it's pretty darned good.

And at its price point, most people think it's the best large sensor, interchangeable lens digital cinema camera.

At some point, maybe it would help to rent or borrow both cameras, take some stills, shoot some video, and make a decision?

Cheers,

Bill

 

[brunerww]

Also, does the GH2 offer sharper IQ than traditional HD camcorders or is it comparable to a camcorder in the same price range? We know it outputs a real 1080p picture compared to the Canons but does that make a difference when comparing with a traditional video camera?

Here is some mixed footage of the GH2 and the comparable TM900 (I have both cameras, but did not shoot this). The GH2 image was softened a little to match the camcorder.

 

[FrameFarmMedia]

A. If you can wait until tr Zacuto shootout to buy a camera. If you are in the market for a large sensor camera, the footage and comments will be interesting.

I found this comment in the Zacuto shootout thread by Zacuto.

Yesterday we screened the Test Footage at SkyWalker Ranch and recorded comments of the viewers that will go into the 2012 Shootout. the audience viewed it blind not knowing which camera was which and Let me just say that many people picked the GH2 as their favorite including a special guest that I will not name--not George Lucas--but will blow you away when you see it in episode two on July 15th. It was all over the map, their were some consensus but when viewed side by side, it's hard to tell what's what, very subtle differences. To me I could tell the differences in the lower end cameras but others did not.

I'm curious as to how all that played out. Can't wait to watch the shootout but it at least confirms that you can't go wrong gambling with a GH2 given its small cost of ownership.

 

[Plazm]

Thanks man - next plan so far is to get my hands on each for a bit to see which one feels right. Thanks again to everyone.

 

[TheDingo]

1. First off, I haven't seen many videos that really impress me aesthetically. A lot of the stuff I've seen seems to be benchmark/pixel peeper stuff and examples of different firmware hacks. The narrative stuff I've seen - which looks awesome and sharp - also just looks like a high quality camcorder, somewhat lacking that cinematic aesthetic of the Canons.

GH2 : Musgo Trailer

GH2 : Living the Dream Trailer

GH2 at 10,000 ISO

2. The crop factor is a bit of a bummer, it may not be as bad as I think but effectively doubling the focal length of lenses used on an FF kind of worries me. If I see someone recommend a 50mm lens for the 5D I'd need to look for a 25mm for the GH2.

Digital Cine Standard = Super35 format

GH2 crop factor when measured against the Super35 format is 1.2 ( not a big difference )

The Full Frame 35mm Still Photo format is the odd man out, and has never been a common motion picture standard.

3. Availability here seems quite weak. Panasonic doesn't seem very well represented and I've only found one local brick and mortar place to purchase the body and kit lens, but when it comes to other lenses I think I'd have to order online from overseas.

Here in Toronto you can buy all the GH2 cameras you could ever want. I bought my first GH2 camera in December 2010.

4. The whole GH2 menu interface (from what I've seen) looks very convoluted and non-intuitive. While I'm sure I'd get used to it, it seems like a bit of a bother.

Unless you've got developmental learning problems, the GH2 menu is very easy to learn. ( this is a non-issue )

5. I've heard the stills quality isn't as good as the Canons.

Yes, completely true, but then I bought my GH2 for video. I might buy one of the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 cameras for stills work, as it looks quite competitive to the Canon / Nikon equivalents.

I know all about the bitrate hacks and while they sound awesome I'm worried about camera stability.

The hacked GH2 is completely rock-solid with the right combo of hack + high performance memory cards.

I've shot two Indie films and more than a dozen 45 minute interviews using the Quad 100 ( All I-Frame ) hack. Camera has performed flawlessly.

BTW, I owned a Canon 60D for 3 months BEFORE I bought my GH2, and then sold ALL my Canon gear after using the GH2 for 2 months.

 

[Plazm]

GH2 : Musgo Trailer

GH2 : Living the Dream Trailer

GH2 at 10,000 ISO



Digital Cine Standard = Super35 format

GH2 crop factor when measured against the Super35 format is 1.2 ( not a big difference )

The Full Frame 35mm Still Photo format is the odd man out, and has never been a common motion picture standard.



Here in Toronto you can buy all the GH2 cameras you could ever want. I bought my first GH2 camera in December 2010.



Unless you've got developmental learning problems, the GH2 menu is very easy to learn. ( this is a non-issue )



Yes, completely true, but then I bought my GH2 for video. I might buy one of the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 cameras for stills work, as it looks quite competitive to the Canon / Nikon equivalents.



The hacked GH2 is completely rock-solid with the right combo of hack + high performance memory cards.

I've shot two Indie films and more than a dozen 45 minute interviews using the Quad 100 ( All I-Frame ) hack. Camera has performed flawlessly.

BTW, I owned a Canon 60D for 3 months BEFORE I bought my GH2, and then sold ALL my Canon gear after using the GH2 for 2 months.

Does the GH2 only really shine once it's been hacked or is it still pretty good unhacked? I'm contemplating using the Vanilla 44MB patch but would that require different sd cards then what would be required for shooting unhacked?