Test footage of GH2 on top of an AF100 w/Lumix 14 - 140mm on both

Philip Goetz

Philip Goetz

Well-known member
We mounted a Panasonic DMC-GH2 on top of a Panasonic AG-AF100 using the same lens, Lumix 14 - 140mm on both (H-VS014140), and compared the footage.

http://vimeo.com/17938803

It is a ten minute video. The first part is each camera for 3 second full screen. The second part is a vertical split screen with the cameras on each half of the screen.
 
To be honest, it's not a fair comparison or way to compare the two. You need to set them up the same and white balance so the picture looks similar, then compare. However, immediately the AF100 appears sharper, but again it seems the cameras aren't set up the same.

Also, it would help if it was an HD version of the video that we were viewing.
 
This seems like a rather uncontrolled test. It seems like the cameras were not matched in color balance or exposure. At least for me this was not footage where I could try to begin and compare how the cameras will match up.
 
Yeah, nice idea, but I don't think the GH2 has an ND filter wheel. So you probably have different f stops going on and DOF. Af100 seems much better tuned for video.
 
Wow, those are some gnarly comments. How about some constructive criticism rather than just jabs.

I think the idea of both cameras mounted on the same tripod one on top of the other with the same lens would be a great way to compare skew/ jello.
Also, to the OP a couple ideas to improve the test.

Make sure your fstop is consistent between the cameras
Make sure white balance is consistent
List out in detail the picture profile settings used in each camera
and as others have noted, upload in HD.

Thanks for taking the time to test and good luck with any you do in the future.
 
Bless you, tacotim. That's the kind of responses we expect around here. I'll just go and delete the other responses because they were most definitely not representative of how folks should interact with each other on DVXUser.
 
Which is why Tim's answer was the right way to do it. Clearly Philip is showing the willingness to take the effort to go out and produce these tests, so the community should encourage him on how to do it better to provide more usable results, rather than savaging him, because hey -- at least he tried.
 
I am sorry if I was so blunt, but really, Barry, after you go through so much effort to put together a wonderful piece of professional caliber like you did to show how wonderful the AF100 can look, it is not fair to you, the people that worked with you, Panasonic and ultimately us to have such a hastily put together piece like this. I applaud the effort but the end result makes both cameras look absolutely awful. As professionals we expect professional caliber work from people that are going to be selling us our tools.
 
Hey Phillip,

To avoid doing the whole test again - try this - Convert your files to Cineform using HDLINK and then using Cineform Firstlight ( Part of the Neo family of products ) correct the white balance, gamma, exposure, stauration etc between the clips there. It is my go to app for fixing discrepencies between cameras and it is amazing. If you do not own them download a trial copy of Neo HD Cineform and it gives a two week trial I think.

If you cannot be bothered - send me a link to the original AVCHD files and I can do it for you. Thanks for the test.
 
People don't realize how difficult a multi cam shoot out is to accomplish until they've done one. Every shoot out has some defect because its so hard.

Even though they are both panasonic a -2 sharpening on the GH2 is probably not the same as a -2 on the AF100, etc. Matching the look isn't as easy as matching the numbers.

A big thumbs :thumbup: up to the original poster for his efforts. You may notice that he did try to match certain things such as OIS on and off, skew, etc. The test does tell us certain things.

That being said, have a shot at matching in post or let Henry have a shot at it. Its all good.

[It seemed to me that the AF100 was sharper, but lost a little sharpness on motion (like looking up in the tree branches), which it gained back when the motioned slowed or stopped. That may be in relationship to its original sharpness.]
 
Last edited:
Two things thing the test showed: 1) rolling shutter is MUCH less on the AF100. 2) Having a built-in ND filter is very convenient. Look how easy it was to knock the outdoor exposure down to a correct level for shooting at a "normal" shutter speed.
And it looks like the operator had a much easier time focusing the AF100. Reading between the lines of the test, it looks like the AF100 is much easier to operate professionally.
 
Thanks Barry for cleaning up this thread.

I just pre-ordered an AF100 from Philip Goetz because he answered my emails promptly and provided good service.

Constructive criticism will improve his tests in the future. Harsh words will only discourage him from doing it again the future.

Good job Philip! And thanks Barry!

Simon
 
dvbrother said:
And it looks like the operator had a much easier time focusing the AF100. Reading between the lines of the test, it looks like the AF100 is much easier to operate professionally.
Click to expand...
Extremely so. I've got both here now, and the difference between the GH2 and the AF100 is well reflected in the price.
 
John Caballero said:
I am sorry if I was so blunt, but really, Barry, after you go through so much effort to put together a wonderful piece of professional caliber like you did to show how wonderful the AF100 can look, it is not fair to you, the people that worked with you, Panasonic and ultimately us to have such a hastily put together piece like this. I applaud the effort but the end result makes both cameras look absolutely awful. As professionals we expect professional caliber work from people that are going to be selling us our tools.
Click to expand...

And there's a right way to say that. And a wrong way. If Mr. Goetz's test footage wasn't up to par, he can be told that without words like "absolutely awful" and "horrible"; a simple message (even, dare I say it, a private message) of "I don't think that video does either camera justice and would dissuade me from wanting to buy either; maybe you should re-do the test under more controlled conditions" would probably have accomplished as much good, and none of the bad, don't you think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top