GH2 Need "B" cam to go with my GH2

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DanDU

Member
I am filming a discussion with 6 people around one side of the curve of a dining room table and I would like to use up to 3 cameras. One or two cameras would be stationary and placed in corners of the room aimed at the table while I will mount the GH2 (I have a GH2 on order) on a tripod and film various people as they participate in the discussion. The whole event will probably last 1.5 to 2 hours. I was planning on using my Canon S95 as one of the cameras in the corner but I am wondering:

1. Will the s95 footage will look out of place with that produced by the gh2?
2. If so, what is a decent "b" camera that would produce a similar look?
3. Is it unreasonable to try to find something in the $100 range?

I would probably buy something used since I won't be using it nearly as much as the GH2 (I have a GH2 on order). I thought about buying a used GF2 but they seem to run about $300 on eBay. I would like find something cheaper since I went waaay over budget on my audio gear. I would like to find something around $100 that can shoot 720p video even if it is a camcorder.

I've heard that the s95 will record for up to 30 minutes or until the 4gb limit is reached. Also, I've heard that the battery will last around 1 hour 30 minutes but I'm not sure about that. Sounds like alot of hassle to keep an eye on the battery in addition to worrying about the 4gb limit. It probably would be better to use a camcorder but I would like to get by with the S95 if possible.

I have Finalcut Pro X but have never used it before so I don't know if I can use it to get the colors from the various cameras to match.

Any thoughts are appreciated,

Dan
 
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DanDU said:
I am filming a discussion with 6 people around one side of the curve of a dining room table and I would like to use up to 3 cameras. One or two cameras would be stationary and placed in corners of the room aimed at the table while I will mount the GH2 (I have a GH2 on order) on a tripod and film various people as they participate in the discussion. The whole event will probably last 1.5 to 2 hours. I was planning on using my Canon S95 as one of the cameras in the corner but I am wondering:

1. Will the s95 footage will look out of place with that produced by the gh2?
2. If so, what is a decent "b" camera that would produce a similar look?
3. Is it unreasonable to try to find something in the $100 range?

I would probably buy something used since I won't be using it nearly as much as the GH2 (I have a GH2 on order). I thought about buying a used GF2 but they seem to run about $300 on eBay. I would like find something cheaper since I went waaay over budget on my audio gear. I would like to find something around $100 that can shoot 720p video even if it is a camcorder.

I've heard that the s95 will record for up to 30 minutes or until the 4gb limit is reached. Also, I've heard that the battery will last around 1 hour 30 minutes but I'm not sure about that. Sounds like alot of hassle to keep an eye on the battery in addition to worrying about the 4gb limit. It probably would be better to use a camcorder but I would like to get by with the S95 if possible.

I have Finalcut Pro X but have never used it before so I don't know if I can use it to get the colors from the various cameras to match.

Any thoughts are appreciated,

Dan
Click to expand...

Don't you think if there were a $100 camera that could be matched to a GH2, we'd just buy that elusive $100 camera instead?

Bottom line: there is no camera for $100 than can match the GH2 (or any DSLR for that matter). You're looking at spending at least $300, and even then it'll take some decent post-production. Something like a Canon VIXIA M300 or M40/41/400 would probably be your best option, if you can get one for cheap.

The S95 might work, but it'll probably more hassle than it's worth.
 
I'm not even sure if you can rent a decent camera for $100.00. The GH2 is about as cheap as you are going to get for really good video quality. I paid a little under $400.00 for my GH1 when Panasonic had their massive blowout deal a year ago. That is considered insanely cheap for what it can do.

You best bet is going to try to borrow one or make a trade with somebody where you get to use one of their cameras in exchange for them using some of your audio gear or GH2 at a later date.
 
I didn't think I needed the capabilities of a GH1 or GH2 for this application. The B camera will be stationary, in a corner, focus will be fixed and the room will be brightly lit while recording at 720p. I plan on shooting several other events like this and would like to have a second camera on hand.
 
I'd suggest a couple of Panasonic SD90 camcorders. They are under $300 on EBay, sharp, and match GH2 colors quite well. You could shoot in 1080mode and crop/pan a 720p window in post. Resell them on EBay after the job and you'll likely get close to what you paid for them.
 
Dan, It would be nice if you could afford it, and I love my GH1, but you don't need an interchangeable lens camera just to sit on a tripod.

I suggest you get a $100 Samsung HMX-W200 and shoot at 1080/30p to match your GH2's HBR mode (assuming your new GH2 has the v1.1 firmware upgrade) - camcorderinfo and Trusted Reviews think pretty highly of the Samsung's video image quality and color - especially considering the price.

And according to the handling section of the camcorderinfo review, "...the HMX-W200 was able to record continuously for 121 minutes before the battery needed to be recharged..."

I wish the 5DMkIII and the D800 could do that ;-)

Impressive (for a $100 camcorder) test videos here (1080p) and here (720p).

Good luck with your shoot!

Bill
 
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Thanks for the replies everybody. I am researching the suggestions given and am open to spending more - around $250 or so. Here are a few questions I have:

1. I've heard that the Canons are better in low light but the Panasonic SD90 footage I've seen looks good too. I would favor the Panasonic if the colors match better since I don't know how difficult it is to correct colors with Finalcut Pro X.

2. @brunerww - thanks for mentioning the 1080p/30p. I just realized that the iPhone 4s shoots at that rate. Wonder how those would work? Would it look bad intermixed with footage from the GH2?

3. I am reconsidering the purchase of the GF1 if I can find one for around $300 with the 14-42mm lens (might be nice to have the 14-42mm in addition to the 14-140mm which is coming with my GH2). I'm assuming that the GF1 would match the look of the GH2 almost perfectly. But I wonder if a combination an SD90/GH2 would give me more flexibility for use in other projects. The strengths of one might offset the weakness of the other? Or is it more important to match "the look" by purchasing a GF1?

Hope all that made sense since I'm writing this at 12:10 am in the morning!
 
See description beneath the video and notice it was outside bright daylight.

If you are looking to go cheap, you are going to need fantastic lighting in order to get decent footage.

$888 Panasonic GH2 vs $85 Panasonic TA1

 
Dan - If you have an iPhone 4S, you may have found your solution - but you'll have to have a 32GB phone and a lot of memory available in order to shoot for 2 hours straight.

Here is a thread discussing maximum iPhone video clip duration. And here is the 4S side-by-side with a 5DMkII at 1080/30p.

If you decide to go with the iPhone, all you need is a $5 cellphone tripod mount (with mini tripod). I have this one for my 'big slab', the EVO 4G. It should work just fine for a little iPhone.

Or you can go the simple iPhone holder route for $11.

If you decide to go with a camcorder instead, you will probably have to spend more than $200 to beat the $100 Samsung HMX-W200, even in low light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBqwMxMRccs (720p)

The Panasonic SD80, for example, would do the job - and a new one is $238 at Amazon.

The GF1 would be a good choice too, if you can find one in your price range. Here is how it intercuts with the GH2 (both examples color graded):

(high def): http://vimeo.com/26523174
(standard def): http://vimeo.com/22161272

Another thought might be the Panasonic FZ150 bridge camera. I called it a GH2 "mini me" on my blog.

It has a mic jack, unlimited clip length and a flip out LCD like the GH2 or a camcorder (so you can see what it's shooting from in front of the camera) - it intercuts well with the GH2 and you can find one used on Amazon for $375 right now.

Cheers,

Bill
 
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i dont know if this is a personal thing youre doing for free or if youre getting paid for it. but for a two camera shoot, this has a value easily of $600-$1000 or more per shoot. i'd just buy a second GH2 and save myself the worry and hassle...
 
I reiterate the previous persons reasoning.. OR just borrow another GH2. I routinely shoot with 3 Gh2s and I have friends I can borrow it from, but if I didn't... then I'd buy a 2nd one, and since one friend is out of town, I think I'm going to have to do just that...
 
There was a similar thread last week. OP wanted a b cam to match a GH2, and seems pretty happy with a used Gh1.
 
DanDU said:
...I thought about buying a used GF2 but they seem to run about $300 on eBay. I would like find something cheaper since I went waaay over budget on my audio gear. I would like to find something around $100...
Click to expand...

Guys - I gave Dan "bargain basement" advice because he said he was over budget already. I agree with you that the GH1 or, even better, a GH2 would be the best answer - but I offered him what he asked for within the resource limits that he specified.

I'm sure that if he could buy, rent or borrow a GH1 or GH2, he would :-)

Cheers,

Bill
 
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