GH3 Moving to Cambodia, upgrading camera thoughts?

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peripatew

Well-known member
I've been using my twin GH2's since they came out. LOVE them. I've gather lots of great manual lenses, most Canon FD's, as well as several MFT lenses. I'll be using my kit in a vastly different environment coming up soon. Soon being 6-12 months depending on how things go. I'd like to upgrade one of the GH2's to something new, as it will be a while before I'd be able to once I'm in Cambodia. I'd like something that's more weather friendly. My GH2's did great when I went last year, but it wasn't the rainy season, and I was only there for 2 weeks.

I realize a lot will happen over the next 6-12 months in the camera industry, but I want to start thinking that direction, since these will be some larger purchases for me. Is the GH3 enough of an improvement weather-sealing wise? Or should I consider a switch to Olympus?

I'd love some thoughts/input from people with more experience in this arena of out of country gear usage. Let me know if you'd like more details!
 
Both the GH3 and E-M1 are weather sealed. I don't think there has been any head to head comparisons of the quality of their weather sealing. All things being equal though, you should be fine with either in terms of weather sealing. The other piece of the puzzle of course is that you'd need a weather sealed lens as well to have a truly weather sealed system.

If you intend to shoot video, the GH3 has more flexibility than the E-M1. The E-M1 only shoots at 30P, while the GH3 shoots 24,30,60 at 1080P and also provides much higher bitrates.
 
The E-M1 is much more limited when it comes to video:

- No high bit-rates ( no 50 Mbps or 71 Mbps )
- No 24p, No 60p

For video work, I think the GH3 with an OIS stabilized lens offers the greatest range of flexibility, while the E-M1 is likely better for still photos.
 
Whichever camera you purchase, be sure to pick up a dry cabinet for your lenses and gear, as the humidity will destroy your expensive glass. I picked up a small Aipo cabinet here in Vietnam, which keeps the humidity at a constant 40%. Inside, I keep two Rode mics, the Yeti Blue, a Panny TM900, my GH3 and two zooms. The cabinet only set me back $75 USD.
 
For handheld I use the small, which is only available in the "Standard" version, not the "Pro".

It's big enough for a 5D3 with a typical "L" prime, or 24-105mm.
 
I just got a GH3 and a 12-35 and 35-100 in part because I've been shooting out in the jungle a lot, and on a river in an indian canoe with little cover if violent rainstorms come. I'm worried my GH2 will just die (though so far, humidity and indirect exposure to a lot of water and salt water with only rough garbage bag protection hasn't killed it), so the added ruggedness of the GH3 and X lenses has been something I've been wanting for awhile, and now, having it, I must say I like it very much.

You are right in that many things will come out over the next year. I occasionally look at BMC images with longing, especially as I'm working on a feature out in that jungle, and want the best image quality possible. Then I think about having enough SSDS, protecting, backing up, storing, handling, running and gunning and I bless the GH3s. For my dayjob sort of commercial work the lumix systems and a mix of lenses are perfect as well.

There is occasionally something to be said for consumer looking gear when traveling as well, for a host of reasons.

I think you are on the right track.
 
Kellar42 said:
I just got a GH3 and a 12-35 and 35-100 in part because I've been shooting out in the jungle a lot, and on a river in an indian canoe with little cover if violent rainstorms come. I'm worried my GH2 will just die (though so far, humidity and indirect exposure to a lot of water and salt water with only rough garbage bag protection hasn't killed it), so the added ruggedness of the GH3 and X lenses has been something I've been wanting for awhile, and now, having it, I must say I like it very much.

You are right in that many things will come out over the next year. I occasionally look at BMC images with longing, especially as I'm working on a feature out in that jungle, and want the best image quality possible. Then I think about having enough SSDS, protecting, backing up, storing, handling, running and gunning and I bless the GH3s. For my dayjob sort of commercial work the lumix systems and a mix of lenses are perfect as well.

There is occasionally something to be said for consumer looking gear when traveling as well, for a host of reasons.

I think you are on the right track.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I've been thinking along the same lines. There are several cameras I'd rather have there, but, being able to blend in (I'll be doing a little more urban stuff), and not shed 1000 tears if something gets lifted seems valuable. The X lenses have a high buy in price, but, i can sell some of the FD glass to help compensate. Sounds like you're doing mostly outdoor stuff, how have the X lenses worked for you? 2.8/f been adequate?
 
jonpais said:
Whichever camera you purchase, be sure to pick up a dry cabinet for your lenses and gear, as the humidity will destroy your expensive glass. I picked up a small Aipo cabinet here in Vietnam, which keeps the humidity at a constant 40%. Inside, I keep two Rode mics, the Yeti Blue, a Panny TM900, my GH3 and two zooms. The cabinet only set me back $75 USD.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, hadn't thought about that as a means of protection. I'm considering trying to find a small safe as well, I'm wondering I'd be able to mod the safe to help deal with the humidity without spending $$$$$.
 
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