Is anyone considering the GH1???

P

ProAmateur

Active member
Honestly, I ask in here "because" this is the HMC150 forum. I would like to hear thoughts/comments about the GH1 against an HMC150 backdrop (no pun intended).

Anyone considering it as a "B" cam? I am just interested in some discussion about this camera from a strong HMC150 group of users. Thoughts?

Regards,

G.
Research Analyst
 
Yes I am. Not because it's a Panasonic, but it's the first DSLR-like camera which comes up with proper manual controls and because it features AVCHD compliant recording and framerates up to 60fps.
 
No not really. Its definitely a sweet camera but I cant get into this whole VDSLR thing just yet. Plus I just got myself the awesome LX3 not to long ago.
 
I'm considering it for speciality stuff and in some ways to have as a B or C camera. I think this cam will be a great music video camera or a narrative style camera where you have more control. It wouldn't be as good as the 150 for run and gun type of stuff and things where you need a lot more control.. but I haven't used it yet. I think that getting a mounting system would be ideal too.

There are a few downers though. NO live video during recording is the biggest one that I can see. Clients and crew alike want to see what you are shooting and having a small LCD that your eye is pressed up against isn't so great...


I'm totally interested and if nothing more than cause I was going to get a 35mm adapter and that seems stupid now. Why pay 1500 for an adapter when I can get a whole camera with lens and not have the workflow and setup and light compromisses tthat come with a 35mm adapter. I think when more options are out there and more people are using them.. then there will totally be a merge into visual aquistion cams... not saying it will be video or just stills.. but both. I'm stoked and I think there's great options.

That canon seems nice too but it's twice as much.. I think that there will be tons of options and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these guys totally trumps Red and comes up with a 4k video/still camera. Let's see if they do and I'd be happy cause the Red cam seems to operate in its own weird world where let downs and hype rule its agenda... Ranting I know, but man they hype and then tell people changes happen and blah blah blah.


I think this would be also a great vacation or "covert" cam. I'm stoked and can't wait to see some more footage and especially from the US model.
 
Definitely getting it and have pre-ordered through my Panasonic dealer. It is light and flexible and for certain shots in my work will be ideal. I hope to have one as soon as it hits the stores in Canada and if there is a delay I will make an exception to my "buy local" rule since I need it by mid June. Already ordered the adapter for my Nikon lenses. Will probably go with a blackbird for it as well. It willNOT however replace my HC 150 for many many reasons.
 
Justyn said:
I'm totally interested and if nothing more than cause I was going to get a 35mm adapter and that seems stupid now. Why pay 1500 for an adapter when I can get a whole camera with lens and not have the workflow and setup and light compromisses tthat come with a 35mm adapter. I think when more options are out there and more people are using them.. then there will totally be a merge into visual aquistion cams... not saying it will be video or just stills.. but both. I'm stoked and I think there's great options.
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Don't forget the GH1 has a much smaller imaging chip than a full frame 35 camera. So it's still not going to give you the depth of field results of a 35mm camera or a 35mm adapter. But it looks like a great camera. I've got 2 Pentax DSLRs and 4 lenses, so it would be pricey to switch systems :crybaby:
 
I think its a trade off cause the footage I've seen from the 90 has a lot of wobble in it and the 5D is quite a bit more money. I think it's a good solid choice for the price..
 
I was considering it, because I have to sell my HVX soon. If I sold my still setup as well and replaced it with this I wouldn't be losing much and could have both imaging setups. However, the lack of a full sized frame may be a deal breaker since I'd have to be using it for professional still work. I'll have to see how it works as a still camera before deciding I want one.
 
I'm considering it because I need a DSLR, it shoots quality video in AVCHD format, it has the capacity to shoot long form stuff, and the price is right.

I would like more 1080 options on it, but it has decent manual controls for a DSLR and like I said, the price is right. But it won't be right now, as I just don't have the money. And if/when I do get one, I'll be keeping my HMC.
 
After seeing and using the Canon 5D II.
I can't see why anyone would go with anything else.
They have the best glass, full frame, the best image output, from a known leader in DSLR's.

I have the original 5D, and it is amazing.
I was going to get a 35mm adapter, but that money gets me more than half way there on the 5d mar II.

I love Panasonic video, but DSLR/video cameras are all Canon in my view.
I'll still keep the hmc150 though.
 
Green Hornet said:
After seeing and using the Canon 5D II.
I can't see why anyone would go with anything else.
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It might have something to do with costing about the same as a real video camera while being more difficult to use and having poor manual options. The GH1 is pretty inexpensive, putting it on a very different level.
 
Yep, I'm going to buy 1 maybe 2 or more GH1's. If I were going to spend $3500 on a cam I'd buy a used hpx 170 or hvx200 and not the 5DII. The 5DII is a pretty big and heavy DSLR compared to the GH1.
 
Justyn said:
I'm considering it for speciality stuff and in some ways to have as a B or C camera.

I'm totally interested and if nothing more than cause I was going to get a 35mm adapter and that seems stupid now. Why pay 1500 for an adapter when I can get a whole camera with lens and not have the workflow and setup and light compromisses tthat come with a 35mm adapter.
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That's my thinking too. It would be a great cam to supplement the run and gun workhorse. Much like some videographers who actually use 8mm. It would be used sparingly, but effectively.
 
Personally, I don't see the interest in this camera.
It is neither a great digital still camera, nor a great video camera.
With it's wide range zoom, the optics by nature can only be so good.
Also realize that the sensor SIZE is nearly half of 35mm, so your depth of field will be totally in focus.

I would prefer to isolate the subject from the background, and you would not be able to do this with this sized sensor. To me, that would have more of a video look than I want.

There are not many lens choices so that also limits you.

I do not know the price of this camera so I can not comment on where it would fit price point wise. For me, I just don't see what I would get over what I already have.

If I wanted a cheap video camera, there are many out there that would be easier to hold and use. I don't want to shoot video with a 35mm layout camera, and that is from a photographer who has shot 35mm for over 18 years. I would do it if it offered something I didn't already have (like the Canon 5D mark II, offering full frame 35mm aspect ratio and world class glass)

To me, it is everything the 5D II is but dumbed down to make it inexpensive while sacrificing the reason I would ever buy a DSLR form factor in the first place (THE 35mm aspect ratio and lenses).

I do not think the GH1 would mix well with any video camera due mainly to the chip size.
4thirds will put everything in focus, so all of your hard work to isolate the subject is lost compared to a full frame 35mm image of the Canon 5d II. The HMC150 would be even more in focus so these to cameras will not match.

It would offer the ability to do easy capture, easy carry, so that may replace the daily family camera that one would normally have.

...for me, I just don't see it being more than a family cam for quick capture of video and stills, and
for that use, many would say it is too larger (persons who mainly do this with a point and shoot that fits in a shirt pocket).
 
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ProAmateur said:
Honestly, I ask in here "because" this is the HMC150 forum. I would like to hear thoughts/comments about the GH1 against an HMC150 backdrop (no pun intended).

Anyone considering it as a "B" cam? I am just interested in some discussion about this camera from a strong HMC150 group of users. Thoughts?

Regards,

G.
Research Analyst
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A few weeks ago I would have said "Heck no."
However I've seen some really nice footage coming out of this camera.
Much better than the Nikon and Canon video/DSLR's.
And I'm a Nikon guy!

I don't have a use for it but that has nothing to do with the camera overall.
 
jchristie said:
Don't forget the GH1 has a much smaller imaging chip than a full frame 35 camera. So it's still not going to give you the depth of field results of a 35mm camera or a 35mm adapter. But it looks like a great camera.
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So whats the point of getting this cam if you don't get the DOF. And how would the DOF on this cam compare to the HMC150 then?
 
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