GH1 Starting new Indie...GH1 or T2i??

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G13_productions

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Hey everyone, Im quite new to filmmaking but am an avid writer. Me and my crew are starting a new indie production and are in the process of buying the new equipment starting with the camera. I have been told that the 5D or 7D would be the way to go but our budget only allows something along the lines of a Gh1 or T2i. Which of these would have a better film quality in 24p? And what size lens? Lowlight quality would be useful as well
 
I was thinking about that one as well...but is the extra $500 worth it for the GH2? What kind of upgraded features does it have compared to the GH1? I hear that the GH1 has a hackable body that can be patched to a GH13 which has the video capabilities of a 5D
 
I'd say go for a GH2, and that way you don't have to have the hassle (though it's hardly much) of hacking a GH1, and still have a better image in most regards. The file sizes will be far less and the camera as a whole more reliable, not requiring a blazingly fast and expensive SD card.

All the hack does is increase the GH1s poor bitrate, which improves image quality. Nothing else really.

No worries of FPN with a GH2 either, which is a major issue with most GH1s. I'd definitely say that the GH2 is worth the extra money, especially for someone just starting out. It will also blow away anything the Canons offer, despite what you may have heard about the Canons being the kings of DSLRs... it's now entered the next generation, and the GH2 is leading the pack. ;)
 
I am primarily a video shooter and I just sold my T2i for a GH2. Never owned a GH1 and I am not really interested in hacking my cameras, but everything I've read suggests that the GH2 is worth the extra money (e.g., better low light performance, 4 manually settable audio levels with on-screen audio monitoring, extended tele converter mode).

In my opinion, if you are shooting video, the GH2 is the best camera you can buy for under $4000. The moire and aliasing in the images produced by Canon video DSLRs are a real problem. Not to mention the Canons' 12 minute recording limit and lack of autofocus in video mode. If you want to spend all of your time on set worrying about the moire in the patterns in your actors' clothing or the bricks in the background of your shot, buy a Canon.

Before you make your decision, I recommend you read this in-depth side-by-side comparison of the Canon 60D (essentially a 7D with a flip-out screen) and the GH2. Note that this is a review from EOSHD, a site that started out with an emphasis on Canons: Part 1 Part 2

Good luck with your film - look forward to seeing it.
 
Thanks for the suggestions on the GH2, I think I'm convinced on it after reading that impressive review, thanks bruner. As for lenses, which would be ideal for the movie?
 
im also a GH2 convert from the canon land. i liked the look of the canon better. and its definitely better for pure still photography. but just didnt care for the way it went about handling video. biggest issues for me were canons 12 min clip limit and the ever possible moire issue.

so far im loving the GH2 in video mode. and im getting used to it in still mode.
my biggest complaints so far are:
1. i HATE having to use one dial for ss and fstop control!
2. the internal viewfinder is CRAP. and i dont trust the articulating screen for anything crucial. so i'll be looking into a small external monitor.

And what size lens?
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that is totally dependent on the specific shot at hand. this would be like asking what tool do i need to build a car.
i started off with the 14-140 kit lens and the 20mm "pancake" lens. from there im going to look into adapters and other brands of lenses. as the rest of panasonics lenses are just too slow.
 
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wgzn said:
2. the internal viewfinder is CRAP. and i dont trust the articulating screen for anything crucial. so i'll be looking into a small external monitor.
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I have to disagree with you there. Of course, if you are used to an optical viewfinder, I can see why you would feel that way.

I just love the EVF and being able to see all the camera status information through it. To each his own.

:happy:
 
Right on, I want to go with a lens thats close to being universal for DOF shots as well as cinema quality. Maybe a sigma? So does the viewfinder on the GH2 interrupt quality video shots, or is it manageable?
 
I have to disagree with you there. Of course, if you are used to an optical viewfinder, I can see why you would feel that way.
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whatever the situation is, i cant see even focus across the full viewfinder regardless of where i set the diopter. it may be just my eyes, or what im used to. but whichever it is - i dont care for it.

not enough to sully my enjoyment of the camera. but very close ; (
 
Your username is GH13_productions...do you already have a GH1 modified with the firmware hack? If so, I fail to see exactly what any upgrade, even to the GH2, will bring you.

If you don't have a camera already, then the GH2 is the better option.
 
the lack of a flippy screen on the t2i would be a deal killer for me. along with a ton of other reasons like size.
 
A body only T2i is about $650. A body only GH2 is around $750+. A body only GH1, unhackable model, is on sale now for $350 +tax. You could almost buy two gh1s for the cost of a T2i or GH2 That was the deciding factor for me and the GH1. Low light is way better on the T2i(don't know about GH2), but the full video manual controls on the GH1 is also a plus.

If you've got the cash the T2i(or GH2) is a better cam, but I have no money so the GH1 is what I bought. I'll just figure out ways around it's limitations. I've already bought 4 adapters and 6 used lenses off ebay for less than the cost of a T2i.

To get the cheap GH1 price you go to Panasonic's facebook page, click "like", then go to Fan Only Deals. My total was $380 with tax and $2 shipping.
 
wgzn said:
whatever the situation is, i cant see even focus across the full viewfinder regardless of where i set the diopter
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Here's a tip on setting the diopter correctly: Always set the diopter with NO lens on the camera, this way you are adjusting the diopter to see the actual EVF image.

...Myself, I love the EVF because I find it much better to be able to see my camera settings in both bright sunlight and at night, especially when I want to review a shot I just made in sunlight. Yes, a good monitor is much better, but if you don't have one, the EVF is not that bad.
 
I am also starting to be convinced to select the GH2. But isn't it a problem with the lack of 25p in the pal version when you are based in Europe like I am?
 
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