New Forum Member - Please Help

jimtreganza

jimtreganza

New member
I just received my GH2 from B&H two weeks ago and have been gathering up all the peripherals I will need to make (hopefully) decent movies. I'm a retired professional photographer and videographer, but am new to HDSLR in general and 4/3 specifically. I hadn't intended to buy any new equipment before I check out, (I'm 67 and have a Stage I terminal illness) but I just can't resist trying out this exciting new technology. Just wish I was a little younger and had a lot more energy. :smile:

My question is this: I have everything I need to update the firmware with the latest Panasonic upgrade (December 2011) and the PTools hack, but there is just a tremendous amount of information about these on the Internet, and the instructions vary. It's extremely confusing for this old Mac guy to try and deal with this Windows software and I'm scared to death I'll harm my camera. :D Quite frankly, there's so much out there, I don't know whom to trust.

Can somebody please point me to the MOST RECENT AND AUTHORITATIVE source for the necessary software and installation instructions for updating and hacking my GH2? That and any other assistance would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm totally starting over on this little foray and it's pretty intimidating.

Thanks!

Jim Treganza
 
Personally, I'd forget the hack and just go out there and shoot, as by your own admission time is of the essence. It's not like the hacks are a holy grail - in certain circumstances they can add detail, but nothing that I would sweat in your situation, and especially if you are nervous about it.

The GH2 delivers stunning images as is.

Also, check your camera because I would have thought that anything purchased recently should contain the latest firmware.

If you don't know how to check, ask.

And if you are going to take photos, please capture in RAW. That does make a huge difference.
 
jim - welcome to the forum and welcome to the GH2! I am returning to photography and videography after a long hiatus too, but I'm just a youngster at 54 :-)

I am a little reluctant to hack my GH2 too, so I know how you feel. But when I decide to do it, I will refer to Sam Mallary's EZ Guide here and Brad Steenkamp's video guide here.

Good luck!

Bill
 
Thank you both for the benefit of your experience. I don't plan to use the GH2 for shooting stills. I have a late model Nikon with a good selection of lenses and will use that for my still camera. On the other hand, my experience has been that Nikon sucks for video.

It's good to know that you don't need all those hacks to get good video. Reading all the posts on various blogs, it seemed like you do.

Unfortunately, my camera came from B&H with firmware version 1.0. I know that I got fresh merchandise as far as B&H was concerned, because they were out of stock and I had to wait. However, I have no idea how Panasonic's distribution system works in this country. In any event, I am going to have to upgrade to firmware v. 1.1 because it has features that I definitely want. And I'll go from there.

One step at a time seems prudent, no?

By the way, I'm not planning to die tomorrow. I'm only 67, which hopefully leaves me a few years to make documentaries with this newest of media paradigm shifts. The old boy's got a few cuts and dissolves left in him yet . . . heh, heh!

Thanks again,

Jim
 
I'll second the suggestion that you get to know this highly complex camera first. Do your magic at creating movies with story, which is the most important.. Then when you begin to see where the camera is not able to capture the images you want, then a hack may be the answer. But right now you have much to learn about this wonderful camera first... Al
 
Always good advice, Al, and the same advice I always gave my own students. I am already in love with this camera, and I haven't even cut a piece of any length yet.

In many ways, it's too bad that all the GH2 info on the web makes it sound like you can't get a professional looking image without a hack.

I greatly appreciate your input.

Jim
 
aljudy said:
I'll second the suggestion that you get to know this highly complex camera first. Do your magic at creating movies with story, which is the most important.. Then when you begin to see where the camera is not able to capture the images you want, then a hack may be the answer. But right now you have much to learn about this wonderful camera first... Al
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Never really understand why people say this. Why not have a head start? It's like Nintendo saying they don't need fandangle graphics. Well why not have gampeplay AND fandangle graphincs?
 
tmnt said:
Never really understand why people say this. Why not have a head start?
Click to expand...

It's called context my friend. The OP admitted himself that he hadn't shot anything on his new camera yet. So how do you have point of reference to judge a hack if you don't know what the camera can do in the first place?
 
I guess that after much trial and error over the years, I tend to err on the side the more conservative approach. I've just been burned too many times to proceed otherwise. On the other hand, if the manufacturer gives me an update, they have likely already taken a conservative approach, especially if it's the Japanese, like Panasonic, so it makes sense to install that one immediately. And that's the way I shall proceed. Thanks to everyone. Jim
 
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