GH4 The first day...

[Uwe Lansing]

..... with the new Panasonic GH4. Yesterday this little piece arrived and after charging the battery and doing some menu-settings I headed out for some random test shots. Obviously my old Pana kit lens 14-140 and my old Nikon 50/1.4 have not enough resolution for 4K - just so-so. What was pretty annoying for editing: there seems to be a bug in the audio channel - no sound at the first 2 frames and at the last one. And often the whites are clipping.


The footage is completely untouched. Almost all shot at 3840 x 2140/29,976 and edited in a 1080/23,976 timeline. Except the shot at 00:16 (1080/59,976 ExTele)


Music: Reid Willis

 

[m4/3]

Looks soft compared to this sample (not mine) that was also shot with the 14-140 (latest version): ​https://vimeo.com/93299919

Here is a GH4 sample (not mine) shot with the Pany 12-35 that is really sharp https://vimeo.com/94502178 I am not sure what camera settings and /or editing procedures are necessary to get such outstanding clarity (but I'd sure like to know!!).

 

[Uwe Lansing]

Looks soft compared to this sample (not mine) that was also shot with the 14-140 (latest version): ​https://vimeo.com/93299919

Yes, the new kit 14-140 seems to be a bit sharper...

 

[dustylense]

Not sharp enough for 4K? It's sharp enough for 16mp stills though! My 14-140 works just fine on the Gh4 in 4K.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

... My 14-140 works just fine on the Gh4 in 4K.

I suppose it´s the new one too. I have found a comparison between the two: http://m43photo.blogspot.de/2013/08/new-14-140mm-ii-smaller-faster-sharper.html

 

[dustylense]

I suppose it´s the new one too. I have found a comparison between the two: http://m43photo.blogspot.de/2013/08/new-14-140mm-ii-smaller-faster-sharper.html

Mine is the older one and works plenty fine. In fact, I had no idea there was a new one. Like I said, the lens is capable of resolving to 16 megapixel stills. Thats 4x's 4K.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

... Like I said, the lens is capable of resolving to 16 megapixel stills. Thats 4x's 4K.

I´m not a technical expert but I can see which image looks better, sharper, has better resolution... Here are some guys trying to explain it:
http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/54/861019
http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=54147

 

[dustylense]

I´m not a technical expert but I can see which image looks better, sharper, has better resolution... Here are some guys trying to explain it:
http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/54/861019
http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=54147

For sure a lens can be sharper. Look at the Canon 70-200 IS V1 versus the V2. But the V1 is still resolute enough right? I mean, we can also put some master primes on the camera. Did you have internal sharpness all the way down on your gh4 video? If you did, turn it up a notch on your copy of the 14-140 if you want a more crisp image.

I shot tones of stuff for fun in Hawaii last week using the 14-140 and the images look nice and detailed for what the lens is, a hyper zoom. But on the lens I had internal sharpness down to -2 or -3.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

... Did you have internal sharpness all the way down on your gh4 video? If you did, turn it up a notch on your copy of the 14-140 if you want a more crisp image.
..... But on the lens I had internal sharpness down to -2 or -3.

Me too:

Standard
-1
-2
-1
-3
0

On a few daylight shots I´ve used a Vari-ND - maybe this is causing some softness...

 

[dustylense]

Well there it is. The vari ND is the problem. I have one and a good one and it still kills resolution. I prefer to use my screw on .3, .6, .9 Nds with a step ring. Sure, the vari-ND is convenient but straight ND's will give you better quality.

I looked at your vid which is nice (especially the shot of the scooner with the moon in it). Looks good.

 

[Emanuel]

Less to prone aliasing, folks!

I miss my Hamburg, one of my loves, so Uwe let's put that familiar town out there on 4K!

E

 

[Ian-T]

Uwe for what it's worth...I like the softness on your video. I prefer it over the crazy sharp footage early adopters (ok,..,,earlier adopters) have been shooting. Also, Dusty is right...it's the vari ND that softened it up.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

Well there it is. The vari ND is the problem. I have one and a good one and it still kills resolution...

Ok, then we have the bogeyman. Thx for figuring that out.

I prefer to use my screw on .3, .6, .9 Nds with a step ring.

Problem ist: I like the easy way. Mostly I shoot travel + "run + gun" stuff. So, I don´t want to noodle around with a lot of gear. But yes I know - I have to make a decision: soft images or step ring...

I looked at your vid which is nice (especially the shot of the scooner with the moon in it). Looks good.

Many thanks!

I miss my Hamburg, one of my loves

Haha, I know, I know...

Uwe for what it's worth...I like the softness on your video. I prefer it over the crazy sharp footage early adopters (ok,..,,earlier adopters) have been shooting. Also, Dusty is right...it's the vari ND that softened it up.
​

Yes, thank you Ian!

 

[Uwe Lansing]

... I have one and a good one and it still kills resolution.....

Can you tell me which one you have bought? I have ordered a Heliopan today according to Philip Bloom´s recommendation: http://philipbloom.net/2011/06/04/the-best-variable-nd-filter-i-have-used/
At least in terms of sharpness + resolution it should be a better one!?

 

[dustylense]

Can you tell me which one you have bought? I have ordered a Heliopan today according to Philip Bloom´s recommendation: http://philipbloom.net/2011/06/04/the-best-variable-nd-filter-i-have-used/
At least in terms of sharpness + resolution it should be a better one!?

I have the Heliopan.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

I have the Heliopan.

Hmm... damned, and the image is still really soft? One can find so many positive reviews about this Heliopan (and of course Tiffen too) at the internet..... I was so happy to find it. Here is another recommendation:
https://vimeo.com/53816632
[url]https://vimeo.com/32209825
[/URL]

 

[dustylense]

Hmm... damned, and the image is still really soft? One can find so many positive reviews about this Heliopan (and of course Tiffen too) at the internet..... I was so happy to find it. Here is another recommendation:
https://vimeo.com/53816632
https://vimeo.com/32209825

I'll look into it more over the weekend and see if I can put up some tests for you.

 

[Uwe Lansing]

I'll look into it more over the weekend and see if I can put up some tests for you.

Thank you dustylense, but it isn´t really necessary. Today I have got an email from Amazon that the Heliopan is on the way. So I expect it tomorrow or on monday. I think from what I have seen so far it will satisfy my expectations - not perfect for sure but much better than the one I used up until now

 

[Emanuel]

Uwe, tests are always helpful actually. In the meantime, take a look on this splendid piece of work here:

According to the shooter, "Light Craft Workshop's new variable RapidND filter, with visible vignetting at wide focal lengths, but overall sharpness and minimal color cast", it does seem very interesting indeed. Another dvxuser member, so maybe we can listen a review on topic directly from. Take a look on the native thread:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...another-rough-test-or-slo-mo-demo)-with-notes

E

 

[Uwe Lansing]

In the meantime, take a look on this splendid piece of work here...

Yes, it´s really a good video, but in some tests the Lightcraft (new + old one) didn´t perform very well:

http://www.thephoblographer.com/201...fader-nd-mk-ii-improved-version/#.U3hYw5VZpaR

Uwe, tests are always helpful actually

No doubt - there are many out there at the internet e.g. this one:

I have got my Heliopan yesterday and the first test shoots pleased me very well. I couldn´t perceive any loss in sharpness so far. I´ll post some random test shots in the evening...