GH3 Making the swiitch to GH3 from Video Camera...Must HAVES????

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Ianscreations

Well-known member
I have been reading this forum for a while, but this is my very first post! Thanks in advance for your help.

I am finally venturing into the DSLR world for video after shooting with the Sony Z5u for years :)
I primarily do wedding videography (check out my material here: www.vaweddingvideo.com).

I am going to start using the GH3 just for receptions. I will still use my Z5U for ceremonies for the time-being.

I have preordered the camera. If I am using this primarily for wedding receptions (and some still work), should I buy the
35-100mm lens or the 12-35mm? I want a OIS and a fast lens with a zoom ability, so I take it I need one of these two.

I imagine I also need a good mic. Should I get the Panasonic? I was thinking of this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html

Any other MUST-HAVES? I figured I can always slowly build on once I get better used to the camera and workflow.
 
You need both lenses; 12mm side for wide shots and the 35-100 for mostly everything else. Also keep in mind that if you do a lot of indoor filming (or in a dark room) you also need a fast lens so consider the Lumix 25mm 1.4 as well. It's also crucial you have some sort of 4x4 matte box and .3 .6 ND + polorizer filters OR you can get the round filters that screw onto the lenses themselves for those bright outdoor shots and those with water in the scene. As far a mic goes, mounting a mic on a camera is always a terrible choice BUT Panaonic is releasing an entirely new Lumix shotgun mic for the GH3 that I heard was suprisingly good.

FYI: Those two lenses you mentioned do have OIS but the 25mm 1.4 lens does not.
 
I've been shooting weddings for about a decade, and using the GH2 on the job for about three months now.

I'd say it'd be nice to have both the 12-25 and the 35-100. But the latter will be far more useful for ceremonies, where you need the extra reach. For receptions, you're likely to find the 35 not nearly wide enough for almost everything you shoot, so the 12-35 will likely be your primary reception lens.

I can't speak for the GH3 as it's not out yet, but I find the built-in mics of the GH2 more than adequate for reception audio. (In fact, I find their sound a bit better than the built-in mics of my old DVX100.) If you want to upgrade their sound, look at the Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro. Just don't feel it's a 'must have' before you start shooting. It's more of a 'nice upgrade' when you have some extra cash.
 
I've been using GH2 along with Z5 for over a year and recently sold my Z5 and got myself second GH2. The reason was that they just weren't cutting together.
I've shot 10+ weddings solo with 2 GH2s and the result wasn't bad at all.
Used 12-35 and loved it in almost any situation, it feels like an addition to your hands and eyes, but it was a rental lens, so didn't get a chance to work with it for the entire season. 45-175 for ceremonies (especially balcony shots in churches), for reception and pretty much for the rest of the stuff 20mm 1.7 lens. It's great for handheld and unmanned wide shots. 12-35 and 35-100 should be all around lenses for you, but 2.8 isn't too fast especially for receptions, so you may consider hacking your GH2 and boosting ISO over 1250. On-camera light will be helpful too. I use rotolight.

Ups... You are planning on GH3 so hacking part doesn't make sense, sorry :)
 
With the GH2 being so cheap these days, I wonder if you should consider buying two GH2 bodies so as to avoid switching lenses.
 
FYI: without ND filters you'll have to increase the shutter to reduce exposure which will give an effect your Clients may not like. That's if you want to keep your lenses more open to get that nice DOF look.
 
Thanks Guy!
Treeam:
Sounds like for indoor receptions I can get by at first with the 12-35mm and perhaps this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/768816-REG/Panasonic_H_X025_Leica_DG_Summilux_25mm.html
Shocked an add-on mic is not a 'Must-Have!'
If I do get one, do you think the Panny version will be better than the Rode Pro?
Kindred:
Can you link me to a good ND Filter for these lenses?
What are your thoughts on variable lenses?
Why a matte box? Do you have a favorite?
Anyone else:
What about a rig? 'Must-Have' for receptions or not?
 
I don't film weddings, but do a lot of B-Roll, & some documentary, with the GH.

A MatteBox will need to be rail mounted for use with a 12-35mm. I tried an ultralight 4x4 clip-on, & even without filters, it caused poor zoom response. I'd opt for screw-ins NDs, & perhaps a Heliopan Variable when speed is most important. I carry B&W screw-ins, & a pair of Heliopans, for the 12-35mm, & 35-100mm., but before purchasing any filters consider waiting until there are more GH3 tests available. I wouldn't want to spend a bunch of money on filters to only find out the camera needs IRNDs.

The 12-35mm is just capable of being used bare, but the 35-100mm needs additional stability. For shorter handheld takes consider a Pocket Rig. Expanded it adds a fair amount of stability while remaining compact enough for moving around in a crowd, & fits into a lens pocket when not in use.

http://www.edelkrone.com/the-pocket-rig/

It's still to be seen how well the continuous AF works on the GH3. If it's usable I imagine that would be a feature you'd embrace. If you prefer manual focus consider Voigtländer's f/0.95 offerings . I have the 25mm & it's low light performance is remarkable, plus the focus response is vastly better than any Lumix, but it too needs support when handheld. The 17mm is likely better handheld, & you could test for yourself with the 12-35mm's OIS turned off.
 
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Ianscreations said:
I can get by at first with the 12-35mm and perhaps this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/768816-REG/Panasonic_H_X025_Leica_DG_Summilux_25mm.html
Click to expand...

You may want to test before you buy. Personally, I found my Nikkor 24 mm insufficiently wide for reception shooting. I just couldn't get back far enough to cover the scene a lot of times. I went for the 20mm 1.7 for those really dark halls, and so far it seems to be working out OK (though I do miss not having IS for that lens).

In the samples I've seen (heard) on YouTube, no the Panny model isn't better than the Rode Stereo VideoMic Pro.

A rig would probably help a LOT, especially when using any lens without IS. But I still don't have one and get the job done fine.
 
There's a slight misconception here. I really think you need a GOOD external mic!!! The internal one will create a lot of noise, be farther away from your subject and create a lot more work in post to get "decent" audio. I don't shoot weddings either but I do a lot of b-roll so the same advice applies.
 
Bern:
Thanks for the feedback.
can you please elaborate why a MatteBox is needed for the longer lens?
i was also confused if you thought I did or did nit need one for the 12-35mm.
Do you recommend a particular box?
That pocket rig is awesome. Might have to get that!
Jim:
Thanks for the link! Audio sounded great for onboard mic!!!! Do you have link for the Panny mic samples?
Do you use a light at all? I have always had to use a light for my Z5U and hated doing it.

Im kind of surprised no one here has stated a light is a 'Must-Have'!
 
Jim Simon said:
I've noticed nothing wrong with the reception audio using the internal mics and so far haven't had to do any work on the audio in post to get it usable. Remember, music at a wedding reception get's quite loud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SWUL5HReMY
Click to expand...

I was thinking more along the lines of capturing people's personal messages to the bride and groom which is something I assume is done during the filming phase.
 
Ianscreations said:
Bern:
Thanks for the feedback.
can you please elaborate why a MatteBox is needed for the longer lens?
Click to expand...

Not sure about a longer lens being the reason for getting one. But I'm finding that screwing the filters onto the lens and taking them off all the time is going to end up messing up the threads eventually.
So that's a good reason to get a matte box.

Re the lights- that doesn't have much to do with switching from one camera to another. But I will say that if you get fast enough lens then you don't need lights.
 
The 12-35mm cannot adequately support any 4x4 clip-on mattebox due to it's variable length when zoomed, & needs a rail mounted version. Also due to it's variable length it will need Nun's Knickers to work with rails.

The 35-100mm has a fixed length, & can support a lightweight mattebox along the line of Genus'.

I'm not a fan a rail mounted matte boxes with variable length lens as this often causes the front element to be too far from the filter, so prefer screw-ins where possible, & high quality Variable NDs along the lines of Heliopan's, when speed is more important then ultimate image quality.
 
Funny you should mention Genus. We're actually selling our extremely light and almost new Genus matte box. We've been using a handful of strictly Chrosziel boxes so our Genus has just been collecting dust. Fantastic matte box though!! If anyone wants it before I put it up in the for sale section, message me.
 
Kindredmachine said:
I was thinking more along the lines of capturing people's personal messages to the bride and groom which is something I assume is done during the filming phase.
Click to expand...

In my case, only when specifically asked for by the bride and groom, which is rare. Most couples prefer the videographer to be invisible rather than bother their guests.
 
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