GH2 Starting film business, thinking about buying the panasonic GH2
- Thread starter JimiHx
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David W. Jones
Veteran
So what I get from your statement is hobby shooting is more important to you at this point than the business you are trying to start?
Bottom line... There's nothing wrong with purchasing a GH2, or any DSLR for that matter. And I know there is a big crowd of folks caught up in the super shallow depth of field look. BUT, there is no reason on the face of the earth that you couldn't produce a quality image out of the XF100, or any other modern camera, except for the limitations of you the operator.
The XF100 brings to the table 4:2:2 color sampling, 50Mbps codec, 10X serve zoom, ND filter, optical image stabilization, digital teleconverter, slow-mo/fast-motion, interval recording, viewfinder & LCD monitor, focus assist, peaking/magnify focus, custom picture styles, balanced XLR audio ins, full rez HDMI out, component out, waveform monitor, bars & tone, 60p/60i/30p/24p recording, dual CF cards, headphone monitor out, and I'm sure I'm missing stuff. While it does have a 1/3" sensor compared to the 4/3 sensor of the GH2, there are plenty of shoots where that is an advantage rather than a hindrance. When you need super shallow DOF, pickup a used DSLR for those shots. Or buy a new one with the money you have earned from your A-Camera. In my opinion the XF100 has a great toolset for doing corporate work. But then again I tend to look at camera purchases from a business standpoint rather than a what cool video on youtube was shot with it standpoint.
All the Best!
Dave
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
I would tend to agree with David here. It seems that the XF100 would serve best for the majority of the shoots and remember renting a 5D for the occasional gig isn't expensive and the GH2 is dirt cheap once the business rolls in if you want to expand your gear for more shallow looks.
For my work despite having a GH2 personally fully rigged out and work access to 5D, AF100, EX-1 Most times I reach for the EX-1 for anything except very controlled situations like interviews and profiles on people.
In some point yes. I started my "film career" to be creative and tell the stories i want. Along the way i got the oputunity to do business gigs. But as business gigs i rather do music events than instructional videos of someone building a wall.
But then again, i need a portfolio, skills & gear first. So I am aware of the fact that these business gigs give me the oppurtunity to acquire these things.
Say that my first business gig start in two months. Would that be enough time to learn to operate a DSLR to a somewhat proffesional level?
Secondly i got drawn to the DSLR because of the budget. The XF1000 is 2800, that leaves me with 1200 to get the rest. Is that about enough? (tripod, battery, cards, audio)
thanks fot the viewpoints!
rudolf
Frankly, if you can blow $4k on one camera, I'd get the AC-160. I've used an XF100 and while the image is fine, the controls are a bit wonky (I really don't like one ring that controls focus and zoom depending on where the switch is flipped to). And if you don't care about SDI out and/or lossless WAV audio recording, you could probably get a AG-AC130 along with a GH2 and stock lens for $4k.
I guess i should have been a little clearer. I don't have 4k to blow on one camera, that's the amount I can get as an investment. . For that price I have to have at least audio and tripod too. Since i'm just starting I want to keep costs low but also want a smart proffesional entry.
So i think that makes the AC-160 out of my range..... Do you prefer the 130 over the FX100, Gary?
And how many hours would you consider it would take me to produce a decent shot from a GH20? And that compared to a camcorder? (and considering i'm a sort of a noob in both)
If i go DSLR, I go for the GH2. But i'm still doubting if i'm not taking too much on my shoulders at once with going DSLR...
Haven't had such a brainbreaker since deciding wether or not take the iPhone
I would love to be able to make this kind of footage, http://vimeo.com/30598805
just got a confirmation about a gig where I will be shooting a landscape video of a castle with forrest. Feels like the GH2 would be perfect for that....
Tomorrow I'm going to a photo/video store to get the feel of both options.
just got a confirmation about a gig where I will be shooting a landscape video of a castle with forrest. Feels like the GH2 would be perfect for that....
Tomorrow I'm going to a photo/video store to get the feel of both options.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
In my opinion the movement of the slider makes really adds to it so if your stretching your entire budget to buy a camcorder a GH2 plus accesories might give you what you want.
based on your latest comments. the gh2 will give you more scope for creativity in personal projects. by freeing up budget for things like micro dollys, extra lenses etc. your example video is nice and well made, using slightly gimicky micro dollys. Its a film made by someone who didnt have a script or real project to work on at the time. Like a still landscape photographer. damn I prefer seeing stuff like this than the god awful cinematic videos of family birthdays. "Daddy, Daddy, can you help me make this lego car?" "Sorry son, I can't be father today because I'm setting up the 3 metre dolly track and the panavision lenses ready for when you blow out the candles on your cake" but after so long of going out on your own, setting up landscape shots, testing lenses, testing ISO, you will need more than going out on your own and creating the cliche landscape shots with 20cm dolly movements everyone seems to post up. at that point you'll want to be a viable service provider for events where the client does want to see a specific kit list. The paid gigs offer a brief to fill. and the brief makes the job interesting. without the paid jobs you'll stay in the hacked GH2 bubble like so many of the other users. Reeling out youtube upload after youtube upload of 'test footage' thats my opinion anyway.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
Not hard to rent an AF100 for an event and use the lenses collected from GH2 play on it. most clients wouldn't discount an Af100 as not professional and it is a great camera at very cheap rental rates.
I guess it comes down to what is required by 'events' as not all are created equal. For the small price of the GH2 to work on craft and then renting for those moments that gigs come up that would require something 'more professional' or specific client requests is not a bad idea. Its what I do (although not my day job so renting makes sense for me when I don't use it every day).
Besides what happens when you invest in a traditional smalls sensor camcorder and the client wants shallow DOF 'more cinematic' look? With how great all the tech is and how affordable rental rates are there really is no right tool for the job. Obviously if you are getting a certain type of work daily/weekly then it makes sense to invest in the gear geared for that use.
I guess it comes down to what is required by 'events' as not all are created equal. For the small price of the GH2 to work on craft and then renting for those moments that gigs come up that would require something 'more professional' or specific client requests is not a bad idea. Its what I do (although not my day job so renting makes sense for me when I don't use it every day).
Besides what happens when you invest in a traditional smalls sensor camcorder and the client wants shallow DOF 'more cinematic' look? With how great all the tech is and how affordable rental rates are there really is no right tool for the job. Obviously if you are getting a certain type of work daily/weekly then it makes sense to invest in the gear geared for that use.
I like the workflow you're describing here. The idea of using my won lenses on a rented AF100 is a great option, by then i will know my lenses.
In time I would definitely use a camcorder, preferably owning it. But it will take up to a year before I have the money to own two.
So the question remains which one to take first....a few things stand out to me:
- i really like to be able to deliver the "cinamatic look" as soon as I can. For myself and also cause it can give some extra picture quality that clients will appreciate.
- I don't have the buget to buy a camcorder that reaches that level, altough the footage of the XF100 looked very good (lowlight too)
- I have no idea about how long (in hours/days) it wil take me to produce decent quality shots with the GH20. Can any of you tell me something about this?
Right now I'm pretty psyched about buying the GH20, it feels really exciting to try&master. Even more psyched to go out en shoot!
Thanks again, really appreciate it!
rudolf
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I'm not sure what you mean here.......that it will be difficult to do a satisfying job for the client with an GH2?
For the most time I will be a one-man crew so i have to be able to pull of my paid gigs with the GH2. I totally see that doing this jobs good is a nescessary step as a filmmaker. The only thing preventing me from buying the GH2 is that i will buy gear that i can handle in time to de the jobs well and so preventing me from making a good start as a filmmaker.
Jimi,
The time it takes from getting the gh2 in your hands to producing quality work can be as soon as 2-4 hours or as long as 2-4 weeks. It depends on your internal production sense (what you think looks good and how to achieve that look with the tools at hand) and how quickly you learn to manipulate WHATEVER camera you end up with to get that look/video.
When I got the gh2, I was shooting great lower light under-canopy wilderness footage within hours.
Want to learn the gh2 before you buy it? Watch as many youtube videos as you can. The gh2 section here has some great sticky-helpful links.
I got the gh2 because there is no real difference in paying $4000 for a higher end model or $1000 for the gh2 if both can only produce xyz footage.
Lets face it, if Life in a day (http://www.youtube.com/lifeinaday?feature=etp-gs-lif-00) can be made using youtube clips... its about more than the camera in hand...
Give a good filmmaker a halfway decent quality camera and he does the rest of the job...
The time it takes from getting the gh2 in your hands to producing quality work can be as soon as 2-4 hours or as long as 2-4 weeks. It depends on your internal production sense (what you think looks good and how to achieve that look with the tools at hand) and how quickly you learn to manipulate WHATEVER camera you end up with to get that look/video.
When I got the gh2, I was shooting great lower light under-canopy wilderness footage within hours.
Want to learn the gh2 before you buy it? Watch as many youtube videos as you can. The gh2 section here has some great sticky-helpful links.
I got the gh2 because there is no real difference in paying $4000 for a higher end model or $1000 for the gh2 if both can only produce xyz footage.
Lets face it, if Life in a day (http://www.youtube.com/lifeinaday?feature=etp-gs-lif-00) can be made using youtube clips... its about more than the camera in hand...
Give a good filmmaker a halfway decent quality camera and he does the rest of the job...
This is not true. The Oly 12mm f2.0 is just as wide and almost as fast. And, for most markets, clients care about results, not what your camera looks like. If you want to start out with an interchangeable lens, large sensor camera, I recommend the GH2, it is a great tool for not a lot of money.
One caveat - it is not as easy to use as a fixed lens camcorder, but it can obviously be done, because people are doing it and producing results like these for the wedding market: https://vimeo.com/37401106 like these for the local news market: https://vimeo.com/41180238 and like these for the network broadcast market (BBC in the UK): https://vimeo.com/40029107
Good luck w your new business.
Bill
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Justyn
Veteran
The canon fanboy mentality gets really old, and I"m who has access to a 5D, and I use that... for what it's good for... Stills. I will always grab the Gh2 over the 5d for so many reasons, and have as of yet, failed to achieve the look that I want. The 5d has strengths, but IMHO, far too many weaknesses for video... Not to mention the price for their lenses..
I'll put the hyper prime up against canon glass, and the same for the Voigtlander 25mm and the Lumix 7-14 is a killer lens. Here's an example of the power of the GH2. I started working at a production company in January and everyone was shooting with 7Ds and 5Ds... Well I bring out the lowly gh2 and shoot alongside, and then they wonder why it looks more cinematic, more filmic... why I can roll all day and why I can get 3 times as many lenses for the same price as L series glass... So now, what do we shoot on? GH2s? What did we buy to get rid of the 7Ds... you got it? GH2.
So when people want to say one things more pro than another it's BUNK.. and it's PR. The 7Ds and 5Ds are great, but their fanboy antics of their owners are too much. I have people downright laugh at the Gh2 or make fun of it, and they did the same with the AF100. That is till I come over after 12 minutes and ask what's up... or when I see them overheating, or when I see them struggle with their media..... No such headaches in the GH2....
So, when considering what camera to get.. Get what suits you and what doesn't break the bank. What's the best for you right now... So in that being said, that's why I'm now interested in the blackmagic camera and also the Sony 700 one... Man we have good choices. The canon options, well they leave a lot to be desired and would kill your wallet!
I'll put the hyper prime up against canon glass, and the same for the Voigtlander 25mm and the Lumix 7-14 is a killer lens. Here's an example of the power of the GH2. I started working at a production company in January and everyone was shooting with 7Ds and 5Ds... Well I bring out the lowly gh2 and shoot alongside, and then they wonder why it looks more cinematic, more filmic... why I can roll all day and why I can get 3 times as many lenses for the same price as L series glass... So now, what do we shoot on? GH2s? What did we buy to get rid of the 7Ds... you got it? GH2.
So when people want to say one things more pro than another it's BUNK.. and it's PR. The 7Ds and 5Ds are great, but their fanboy antics of their owners are too much. I have people downright laugh at the Gh2 or make fun of it, and they did the same with the AF100. That is till I come over after 12 minutes and ask what's up... or when I see them overheating, or when I see them struggle with their media..... No such headaches in the GH2....
So, when considering what camera to get.. Get what suits you and what doesn't break the bank. What's the best for you right now... So in that being said, that's why I'm now interested in the blackmagic camera and also the Sony 700 one... Man we have good choices. The canon options, well they leave a lot to be desired and would kill your wallet!
Never heard this complaint.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
The only media thing I've witnessed was bent pins in the CF card shorting out something in camera. Not sure what he outcome was but it had to be sent off for repair.
For me, the media problem is lack of compression and extra expense.
When I had a T2i, I was surprised that I had trouble recording video to a Class 6. When I bought the unhacked GH2, I was (pleasantly) surprised that, with AVCHD compression, the less expensive Class 6 card was fine. This logic has changed somewhat with the prevalence of the hack, but for my unhacked camera, Class 6 is still fine.
At work, we have 7Ds - more expensive CF cards and a higher bitrate codec mean it costs more money to record video with this camera than with AVCHD cams like the GH2.
When I had a T2i, I was surprised that I had trouble recording video to a Class 6. When I bought the unhacked GH2, I was (pleasantly) surprised that, with AVCHD compression, the less expensive Class 6 card was fine. This logic has changed somewhat with the prevalence of the hack, but for my unhacked camera, Class 6 is still fine.
At work, we have 7Ds - more expensive CF cards and a higher bitrate codec mean it costs more money to record video with this camera than with AVCHD cams like the GH2.