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

[M. Gilden]

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?

It still shines unhacked, especially resolution and sharpness-wise compared to other cameras in this price range. But the hack brings it up to compete with cameras that cost exponentially more.
If I'm just shooting content for internet broadcast (recording speeches, kickstarter promos, etc) I actually don't even bother with the hack. I like the small file size per card when it comes to that kind of thing. If I'm shooting something with larger aspirations, that's another story.

 

[Plazm]

Ah awesome, other than a deciding feel test, I'm leaning toward the gh2. One other thing I wonder about is shooting at 25p, I believe the camera shoots that in a 50i wrapper. Does this mean that it shoots interlaced but deinterlaces the footage? Are there any negative aspects about a wrapper? Also are there any issues with keying green screen footage? I've never shot with a matte before but it's always a possibility Thanks again for your valuable info, its greatly appreciated.

 

[brunerww]

Ah awesome, other than a deciding feel test, I'm leaning toward the gh2. One other thing I wonder about is shooting at 25p, I believe the camera shoots that in a 50i wrapper. Does this mean that it shoots interlaced but deinterlaces the footage? Are there any negative aspects about a wrapper? Also are there any issues with keying green screen footage? I've never shot with a matte before but it's always a possibility Thanks again for your valuable info, its greatly appreciated.

Yes, the 25p High Bit Rate (HBR) setting in PAL cameras is 25p in a 50i wrapper. Not a problem, unless you edit in Final Cut Pro - in which case you'll need to download ClipWrap. See Andrew Reid's explanation here: http://www.eoshd.com/content/6534/handling-the-new-gh2-25p-footage-and-faq

I've just started keying with my GH2 and had no issues - but I'm doing it for fun, and not for broadcast. Here's a guy keying with the GH2 and FCPX - no fringing that I could see: http://vimeo.com/25459746

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Kholi]

can you elaborate on that?

Certainly. It comes down to things being "easier" with a zoom, or at any point if I'm not interested in the frame I can stay right where I'm at and zoom in or out. At first blush, it sounds like a dream deal and this is why you see many production photos of huge cameras living with Optimos etc.

However, it also breeds a sort of "non-committal" environment. By that I mean that at any moment you can just change your mind and sometimes it may be good, a lot of times I've realized later that I should've just committed to what I had in mind and things would've looked a lot more consistent.

Of the numerous things taught to me by mine mentors, commitment was one that was always placed high on the to-learn list. Commit to a look, commit to a frame, go all the way with your choices.

This is also why, as much as I really freakin' love shooting handheld... it may be time for me to get used to shooting on sticks and dollies, because I can't commit when shooting handheld it and often looks sloppy... =[

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 ; )

Yeah, not saying that they're bad! I love zooms, they're really fun to use and I think I'd have one around at all times. It's just a matter of defining your work, and deciding on a zoom or prime is a way to do it.

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

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.

Definitely. I've heard some pretty interesting things come out of that.

Ah awesome, other than a deciding feel test, I'm leaning toward the gh2. One other thing I wonder about is shooting at 25p, I believe the camera shoots that in a 50i wrapper. Does this mean that it shoots interlaced but deinterlaces the footage? Are there any negative aspects about a wrapper? Also are there any issues with keying green screen footage? I've never shot with a matte before but it's always a possibility Thanks again for your valuable info, its greatly appreciated.

Have Keyed GH2 hack material, it can be slightly frustrating but I personally don't think it keys any worse than Canon DSLR footage. What you have to make sure you do is balance out the green cast (or white balance to a gray card) before you key, it'll make everything a lot better. And, as any good key should be prepped, get them as far away from the green as possible.

At the end of the day, though, you really can't go wrong with any of these DSLRs. They are what they are, and if you've got something to shoot they'll all do plenty fine at this budget level. Pick the one with the list of negatives you're willing to live with in comparison to the positives and shoot it up.

 

[Will Turner]

ps. for crop factor. dont worry. canon 5d has too big of a sensor meaning your lens choice is if anything more limited. a 35mm f1.8 on an apsc sensor will be more film like than a 50mm f1.8 on a 5d full frame. 50mm f1.8 on full frame is too shallow it looks so cliche nowadays.

You do know you can change apertures yes..?

A full frame with a 50 F1.8 stopped down to give the equivalent view and depth of field as an apsc with a 35mm f1.8 wide open will look better all things equal as the lens will be performing well.

Lenses are generally never good wide open.

 

[Stephen Michael]

Hello all, seeing as how I'm terrible at making decisions, I figured I'd gather up some advice on here about what camera I should next buy. I've had the af100 for a year now, and while I'm generally happy with it, I think there are better options out there for me. My plan is to sell the af100 in order to afford a hacked gh2, or a 60D (please let me know if this is a bad idea as well..), a few zeiss zf.2 primes (or maybe another zeiss and a nokton 25mm if I go the gh2 route), and a beachtek xlr adapter for when I cannot shoot dual-system. I also have a used canon t2i that has done fairly well for me, but the lack of a flip-out LCD/1080 hdmi out has always bugged me.


Just for some background - I shoot a lot of promotional videos for charities and various organizations of the like, and am beginning to market myself for weddings and events of that sort of well. Those are the events that I get paid for, but I also plan to do a lot of narrative work with the next camera I buy.


I know that oftentimes these issues come down to personal preference, but I am trying to gather as many opinions in order to make the most educated decision I can. Thanks in advance, any advice is much appreciated.