GH2 Is anyone waiting on the GH3 before making a decision on their next upgrade?

L

L1N3ARX

Well-known member
Gotta be honest... what I'm hearing about the GH3 is really getting me excited. I'm half tempted to put off for a short while my BMCC pre-order and wait on the GH3 as I have a couple contacts in Japan to get in on the first wave. Seems like everyone of us have been really satisfied with what the GH2 has given us over the past couple years. For me, the only thing that's dragging me towards an upgrade of some kind, is the need for more DR.

The only acceptable choices in my mind ATM, would be the GH3 with it's "wide DR" (who really knows what that means just yet...), and of course the BMCC which almost a DR wet dream (just really want that 4/3 mount...). Anybody else in this dilemma ?

If I do end up snatching a GH3 instead of the BMCC in the short term... I could actually sell the BMCC day one and turn a decent profit on eBay to go towards the upgrade.

At any rate, I really really want to see the new GH in action... all these choices are starting to rustle my jimmies!
 
- You probably won't see a Magic Cam for months if you weren't on the very top of one of the preorder lists. Judging by the last few things that were said by the reps themselves, it isn't going how they planned . When they said "a few cameras" they weren't kidding. IMO if you aren't on the top of a list, by the time you get one it won't be worth as much as it is right this moment. MIght as well not order one.

- GH3 definitely won't be scraping anywhere near 13 stops.

- It's neither an either or for me, unless for some reason I can't get a Magic Cam by November and by SOME miracle the GH3 even comes close, it'll be both cameras to compliment each other. Can't get on without 1080/60 really, personally.

Personally have enjoyed working with the GH2 when the job calls for it, but never really satisfied due to the list of quirks and annoyances, and certainly the severely limited DR.
 
Man I feel the same way Kholi. Frusturating ain't it? Obviously there's no perfect cam. GH2 is a great cam but the quirks get old to me too.. Just want something that works with no hassle. But anytime I explore those kinda options, I know the image just won't mesaure up to the Gh2 (albeit with more DR).
 
MattRobertson said:
Man I feel the same way Kholi. Frusturating ain't it? Obviously there's no perfect cam. GH2 is a great cam but the quirks get old to me too.. Just want something that works with no hassle. But anytime I explore those kinda options, I know the image just won't mesaure up to the Gh2 (albeit with more DR).
Click to expand...

I feel like I'm always down on the Magic Cam, but every single issue I have with it I can fix, aside from when it ships. That's the most frustrating part about it. Gh3 would be my second on the list of owner/operator cameras, nothing else that I could justify owning out there but the AF100 but for me, the pros don't outweigh the single major con. Sigh...

Oh well, glad to know I'm not alone, man. lol
 
Yeah I hear ya. I just absolutely *need* a camera to give me a cinematic image though. While there are tons of great cameras out there, it's actually quite limited when you think in terms of a camera that can give you the "look" for narrative filmmaking. I think that's why some of us press on, and force the GH2 to do the job when cameras like the FS100 and others make more "sense".

Looking far ahead, I agree, there's no outcome where I don't own both cameras at some point. I'm currently in 9th position @ coremicro for my BMCC, but who knows if they are actually going to get a full 10 units or more? I guess really... I'm simply going to get whatever comes out first. If I can manage to get the GH3 before a BMCC, then I'll definitely hold off just for a little bit until I hear more news regarding mounts, possible future upgrades etc. I just really, really want to stick with the 4/3 mount.
 
GH3 will be an instant purchase for me if it has a global shutter. Otherwise, I'm getting along great with my GH1 and GH2.
 
I don't have the disposable income to be an early adopter of most anything. I'll wait it out and pick one up used after six months or so when the next new marginal incremental improvement by Whoever, Inc. is introduced.
 
Kholi said:
I feel like I'm always down on the Magic Cam, but every single issue I have with it I can fix, aside from when it ships.
Click to expand...
How do you plan on fixing the rainbow aliasing? I know the monochrome aliasing in your hair shots drives you batty with the GH2, but with the BMC it'll probably be much more noticeable because it'll be purple/orange. Are you just assuming there'll be some add-on OLPF or something?
 
L1N3ARX said:
While there are tons of great cameras out there, it's actually quite limited when you think in terms of a camera that can give you the "look" for narrative filmmaking.
Click to expand...
Nonsense... really, that's nonsense. Anyone with any set of skills can get fully cinematic looking footage out of any of today's modern cameras.

I mean, come on, films shot on a DVX100 won "Best Cinematography" awards at Sundance. Twice. Cameras certainly haven't gone backwards since then!

I think that's why some of us press on, and force the GH2 to do the job when cameras like the FS100 and others make more "sense".
Click to expand...
I really don't like the FS100 (well, in usability, not in image; in image it's fine) but I defy anyone to do anything with a GH2 that the FS100 doesn't do equally well or better. (and well it should, at 5x the price!)
 
Barry_Green said:
I really don't like the FS100 (well, in usability, not in image; in image it's fine) but I defy anyone to do anything with a GH2 that the FS100 doesn't do equally well or better. (and well it should, at 5x the price!)
Click to expand...

OK, I'll take both out and shoot some stills or through a microscope :D
 
Barry_Green said:
How do you plan on fixing the rainbow aliasing? I know the monochrome aliasing in your hair shots drives you batty with the GH2, but with the BMC it'll probably be much more noticeable because it'll be purple/orange. Are you just assuming there'll be some add-on OLPF or something?
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that the ProRes compression will actually help with that (10 from 16>12) and anything else a caprock filter, or just shooting a wider stop. It does drive me nuts though, like beyond believe and noone else can see it. I know the moire is there, saw it when John released his second round, it's annoying as heck but... 13 stops and solid color. =[

Edit here: Notice I didn't say RAW, either!
 
Lot's of cameras that we can choose from. From the Gh2 to the FS700 or C100 for under $10,000. They all deliver an image. Kholi mentions the AF100. Bang for the buck, there is NO competition for whats built in and the image it can deliver. I guarantee Barry will agree with that as he makes the point the most.
I want the BMDC just as everyone else does. I almost paid my preorder but backed off. I thought why the hell would I pay for something I can't even test drive? WOuld you buy a car that way? They are late and there is a reason for that. Might be manufacturing, might be image, might be serious bugs??? I hope the camera succeeds. Until it's proven, I'll wait.

Until then, we have gotten along with what has been available for the past 2 or 3 years. Why stop now.

Gh3 might be awesome and might be the pain in the A** the Gh2 is to work with in a production environment where time is money.

All cameras for the professional should be treated as an investment in yourself. Not with lust. Will you make your money back and how long will it take? You can also get your money back with resale or just plain renting.

I agree with Barry. I have seen frames and res charts that rise an eyebrow with color aliasing in the BMDC. We shall see, won't we....
 
Barry_Green said:
Nonsense... really, that's nonsense. Anyone with any set of skills can get fully cinematic looking footage out of any of today's modern cameras.

I mean, come on, films shot on a DVX100 won "Best Cinematography" awards at Sundance. Twice. Cameras certainly haven't gone backwards since then!


I really don't like the FS100 (well, in usability, not in image; in image it's fine) but I defy anyone to do anything with a GH2 that the FS100 doesn't do equally well or better. (and well it should, at 5x the price!)
Click to expand...

Hey, I agree. I realize the FS100 or the 700 for that matter are tried and true professional video cameras of the first order. It would be silly to even compare the GH2 to them... so I won't do that. It's simply a matter of taste... something elusive that the GH2 has touched on that I can't find in other cameras. It's really a subjective quality I'm looking for... I see it in the BMCC, Alexa, Red, and a little bit in the good ol' GH series.

I'm not a "practical" person, who looks at a spec sheet and the price of a camera and says... yep, this is clearly the best one for the job. I spend real time studying the image, and not much else. If it's got the "mojo", I will practically do dog tricks and jump through hoops to make it work, period.
 
L1N3ARX said:
Hey, I agree. I realize the FS100 or the 700 for that matter are tried and true professional video cameras of the first order. It would be silly to even compare the GH2 to them... so I won't do that. It's simply a matter of taste... something elusive that the GH2 has touched on that I can't find in other cameras. It's really a subjective quality I'm looking for... I see it in the BMCC, Alexa, Red, and a little bit in the good ol' GH series.

I'm not a "practical" person, who looks at a spec sheet and the price of a camera and says... yep, this is clearly the best one for the job. I spend real time studying the image, and not much else. If it's got the "mojo", I will practically do dog tricks and jump through hoops to make it work, period.
Click to expand...

I do not disagree one bit. At all. I miss NDs, I miss XLrs... but, right there with you Roman.
 
I just keep waiting for Gh2 Bodies to hit $499 at B&H. I was very tempted to go for Nex 5n at that price, but remembered to overheating issue, sigh.
 
I would be willing to go one round with any MMA fighter out there in exchange for an AF100 with just this guarantee: a well-balanced sensor with as much "perceived" resolution as a Gh2 that will give you twelve stops of usable DR out of the HD-SDI.

Panasonic delivers that, set up the fight. I'll probably die very swiftly but still.
 
Kholi said:
I would be willing to go one round with any MMA fighter out there in exchange for an AF100 with just this guarantee: a well-balanced sensor with as much "perceived" resolution as a Gh2 that will give you twelve stops of usable DR out of the HD-SDI.

Panasonic delivers that, set up the fight. I'll probably die very swiftly but still.
Click to expand...
It'll come. Until then just keep on what your doing and doing it well.
 
GH3 will be an instant purchase for me if it has a global shutter. Otherwise, I'm getting along great with my GH1 and GH2.
​
Click to expand...


I been hearing people talking about global shutter for a few years now, what exactly is global shutter, and what are the advantages one might have if a cam has that?


​

​
 
Last edited:
Kholi said:
I would be willing to go one round with any MMA fighter out there in exchange for an AF100 with just this guarantee: a well-balanced sensor with as much "perceived" resolution as a Gh2 that will give you twelve stops of usable DR out of the HD-SDI.

Panasonic delivers that, set up the fight. I'll probably die very swiftly but still.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd probably volunteer for that as well. I'd probably want to stick in the shutter from the GH2 just to give me the same motion characteristics too; that's probably something no one cares about or can see, but we're just "wishing" here.
 
Kholi said:
I would be willing to go one round with any MMA fighter out there...
Click to expand...

Hell, I'd take on any of the best flyweights (125lbs) the UFC has to offer for five rounds. It would be like fighting a 5th grader that punches really hard. :laugh:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top