GH2 It was fun while it lasted : )

[Kholi]

My feelings exactly.
Also, I find it really interesting that RAW was the whole selling point and the strongest reason for the hype on the BMCC, but now that it shoots Prores most seem like they will shoot that most of the time.

REDCODE is a compressed near to raw format, you can certainly get more footage per GB at the most common compression ratios. They've created a module for ProRes recording.

ARRI ALEXA can shoot RAW, the new cameras now do RAW internally, most people will still shoot ProRes.

Blackmagic does both in one unit, and does it well. I would say if someone doesn't understand the value of having three different format, two of which are standards, within a single camera head then they may not have a very diverse portfolio of work. The fact that the camera can shoot straight to ProRes on consumer SSDs, while still netting that much DR and color is pretty amazing.

I haven't even shot RAW in the last two months, and I know the workflow VERY well.

First of all, it's "Raw"...there's no acronym that "Raw" stands for. Second, the only difference that Raw gives you over ProRes 4444 is the ability to adjust the white balance in post. It makes no difference for fx/keying.

If Blackmagic Design would add 2.5k ProRes, I'd never see the need to shoot Raw, and I would feel much better about a purchase.

2.5K proREs wouldn't make a difference at all. It would still be compressed and you'd end up with the same amount of tangible data as the 10bit 1080 that it gives you already.

Also, the advantage to the camera's CinemaDNG is having access to the full 16-bit image [In Resolve] along with all of the dynamic range the camera has to offer. If I remember properly, the ProRes cannot actually contain more than 12 usable stops, the camera's rated 13.

There's a measurable difference in IQ between the ProRes and DNGs, but it isn't something that's needed for every job. With any other camera aside from Alexa you do not have the option in camera to go directly to ProRes or DNxHD.

P.S. if anyone wants a GH2 with extras I'm still trying to get rid of my camera. =P Check the marketplace.

 

[L1N3ARX]

First of all, it's "Raw"...there's no acronym that "Raw" stands for. Second, the only difference that Raw gives you over ProRes 4444 is the ability to adjust the white balance in post. It makes no difference for fx/keying.

If Blackmagic Design would add 2.5k ProRes, I'd never see the need to shoot Raw, and I would feel much better about a purchase.

Yeah 2.5k prores would of course be amazing. Post white balance adjustment is most definitely a +. I didn't know that it wouldn't affect keying... that's interesting. I would think "Raw" would help with that considering the resolution increase. I'm definitely gonna try it out and see if that's the case. If there's no difference, then great, no need to implement Raw for that then.

Overall though, it's crazy what this camera offers for so little money. We're talking the same price as the 5DMKII when it was released back in 08, which was pretty much the entry point for a decent video camera at that time. If you make money doing video at all, the BMC would seem like a no-brainer. I don't even make money in this industry and am but a lowly hobbyist, and this is a no-brainer.

Edit: looks like Kholi cleared up the 2.5k prores idea. Thanks.

 

[Kholi]

I'm surprised people make all this hoopla about "leaving" the GH2/3 for the BMCC...when they are completely complementary. The BMCC requires a heck of a lot of compromises to get that gorgeous image, and there are plenty of instances where having a GH2/3 would perform better anyway (not from an IQ, but from a usability perspective).

Frankly, I don't see how it is possible to use the BMCC as a sole camera in one's inventory.

Which compromises in comparison to a GH2 or GH3?

 

[Gary Huff]

Also, the advantage to the camera's CinemaDNG is having access to the full 16-bit image [In Resolve] along with all of the dynamic range the camera has to offer. If I remember properly, the ProRes cannot actually contain more than 12 usable stops, the camera's rated 13.

Yes, you are correct. I was mostly focused in on the color space issue for use in chroma key/effects work.

 

[Gary Huff]

Overall though, it's crazy what this camera offers for so little money. We're talking the same price as the 5DMKII when it was released back in 08, which was pretty much the entry point for a decent video camera at that time. If you make money doing video at all, the BMC would seem like a no-brainer. I don't even make money in this industry and am but a lowly hobbyist, and this is a no-brainer.

That's what I thought too, until I used it. If you know specifically why you want to shoot Raw, then by all means. But the specs alone don't tell the whole story, and in my experience, CinemaDNG is kind of a pain in the ass to deal with (outside of Resolve, and even then there are bugs) and ****ing huge. I'd need a whole separate RAID archive just to house the footage from that camera alone.

 

[Fresno Bob]

Just looks at the footage the BMC produces. It looks sooo much better than the GH2.
Forget about you Raw and 4.4.4 etc etc.
Just watching it on Vimeo in a little window, it blows the GH2 away.

I say this as a dedicated GH2 owner.
If I hadn't recently changed jobs to something that requires far less video, I'd be on the BMC like a flash.

 

[maranfilms]

First of all, it's "Raw"...there's no acronym that "Raw" stands for

Gary, your saying RAW doesn't = Icing, hmmm, i'm confused

 

[ras815]

Which compromises in comparison to a GH2 or GH3?

Crop factor, passive m4/3 mount (for now), SSDs instead of SD, no 60P, overall form factor, can't shoot stills, etc.

Therefore, the two cameras in tandem make an unbeatable value. Each has its advantages for different situations.

 

[Kholi]

Only thing valid on that list as far as I'm concerned is the lack of 60P, the rest kind of don't make sense but I guess to some they will.

Hopefully, the next iteration of the GH series camera will be a substantial gain in IQ. I'm personally not waiting or invested any longer, but always looking at what Panasonic will do and I sincerely want them to take their hardware to the next level.