Opinions: Sell GH13 to get GH2 for low light performance, or keep GH13?

C

CColton

Well-known member
Although I love almost everything about my GH13, the noise at high ISO is a pain in the backside. Do you think it would make sense to sell the GH13 and buy a GH2? eBay has hackable GH1's starting at $500.
 
If you have ability, it is better to just add GH2 to your package, keeping GH13.
GH2 also have some problems, like famous horizontal banding.
 
True. I could do that, it would just take longer to get it (which isn't a huge problem as I have a great camera already). Now that I think of it, that would allow me to do multicam shoots.
 
I agree, if you can at all afford it, their both super useful in their own ways. I plan on dumping my 5DmkII as soon as the GH2 becomes more available, and using that almost elusively inside, while my hacked GH1 is my outside camera. I just can't use the GH1 because of the GH1, but when I'm outside, I never see it.
 
I dont know, how noisy the GH13 is, but compared with my 5D MKII, the GH2 is rather noisy, even at low ISO. And I would think about, if that should be the reason to buy a GH2.
Benn
 
Vitaliy Kiselev said:
If you have ability, it is better to just add GH2 to your package, keeping GH13.
GH2 also have some problems, like famous horizontal banding.
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Agree, keep both if you can.

I think the horizontal banding problem has been wildly exaggerated. I've seen it on mine but it's barely noticeable...and I've only seen it at extremely high ISOs in extremely dark areas that remain underexposed and have lots of flat textures...like GH1 banding but even worse conditions.
 
I think I'll probably keep my GH13 and save for a GH2 (I'm operating on very low budget) for now. The reason I wouldn't go with a 5DmkII is the sensor overheating, moire, no viewfinder, no AF, etc.

The telecrop mode of the GH2 is also intriguing. How exactly does it work? I've heard that noise/grain and artifacting is exaggerated by it. I like its potential to turn a mediocre lens into an extreme telephoto.
 
Grain can get worse but artifacting like moiré and aliasing should be reduced or non-exsistent. Often-times grain isn't really that bad. Looks like crap before you hit record but after you hit record it boots the resolution outputted to EVF and LCD. No crop mode while using HDMI out though...very frustrating. No focus assist either. Vitaliy? ;)
 
No focus assist is a little annoying. Are you referring to the digital zoom manual focus assist or the autofocus? The loss of AF would be quite unfortunate.
 
David W. Jones said:
Or maybe invest in a light kit?
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Thanks for making that point in the discussion, the benefits of setting up lights are enormous. I have a light kit that I use whenever possible no matter what camera I'm using. I make people take two steps backward to adjust their lighting even if I'm taking a photo with my phone.

The reason I need low-light performance is occasionally clients ask me to film action that occurs in low light, where I can't put lights, since they would disturb the action. In staged productions of any kind I rarely don't use lights.
 
If your main interest is not the GH2's new 24Mbps 1080p24 AVCHD mode, you might want to consider the G2 as a companion to the GH13. At less than half the price, the G2 shares the GH2's Extended Optical Zoom, touch-screen focus selection, and upgraded auto-focus support for non-Micro Four Thirds lenses. And to my knowledge, the G2 is the only model whose Continuous Focus-Tracking mode actually works during video takes. So far, I've only tested this G2 feature with Lumix 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses, but I have no reason to doubt that it works with the 14-140mm kit lens as well.
 
lpowell said:
If your main interest is not the GH2's new 24Mbps 1080p24 AVCHD mode, you might want to consider the G2 as a companion to the GH13. At less than half the price, the G2 shares the GH2's Extended Optical Zoom, touch-screen focus selection, and upgraded auto-focus support for non-Micro Four Thirds lenses. And to my knowledge, the G2 is the only model whose Continuous Focus-Tracking mode actually works during video takes. So far, I've only tested this G2 feature with Lumix 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses, but I have no reason to doubt that it works with the 14-140mm kit lens as well.
Click to expand...

Although I appreciate your suggestion, I almost exclusively use the 1080p24 mode on my GH13 and would be buying a GH2 with the intent to use mostly that mode.
 
Personally, if I was in the business of making videos as my profession, I'd keep the GH13, buy the GH2 as well, and invest in faster lenses. After working with them awhile, and finding that you never use one or the other, then sell it. I know it costs money, but they're the tools of your trade. You'll need a backup in any case.
 
It's a good point; this camera is responsible for earning a large portion of my income, so I shouldn't be afraid to invest in the best. I have the panny 20mm f1.7 and a Minolta 50mm f1.7 I've been using. I need some faster telephoto lenses, though. Also a valid point on the backup.
 
lpowell said:
If your main interest is not the GH2's new 24Mbps 1080p24 AVCHD mode, you might want to consider the G2 as a companion to the GH13. At less than half the price, the G2 shares the GH2's Extended Optical Zoom, touch-screen focus selection, and upgraded auto-focus support for non-Micro Four Thirds lenses. And to my knowledge, the G2 is the only model whose Continuous Focus-Tracking mode actually works during video takes. So far, I've only tested this G2 feature with Lumix 14-45mm and 45-200mm lenses, but I have no reason to doubt that it works with the 14-140mm kit lens as well.
Click to expand...
Are you saying the G2 has ETC? I'm assuming, if it does, that it wouldn't be quite as good as the GH2's because the G2 is a 12.1mp as opposed to the GH2. Or did I totally misunderstand? I've been battling a cold, so some things are a little fuzzy :)
 
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