The Perfectly Matched Pair………DVX200/GH4

V

Vardalos

Well-known member
We all know that 2 identical cameras if set up the same will produce identical images, that’s why many DP will insist on using identical cameras for multi camera shoots. The problem is a particular camera may not be suitable for every situation. For example, you may need a traditional video camera with a Zoom Lens for a “Run & Gun” scene; the next scene may call for a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a super fast lens.

Enter the Perfectly Matched Pair, Panasonic’s AG-DVX200 and their GH4 both 4K cameras that can be matched perfectly. Hmmm, sounds good but how is that possible? Panasonic made it possible by creating a special Scene File for their AG-DVX200 camera referred to as Like GH4. We tested it and recorded our test to prepare for a Panasonic Users Group meeting hosted by Panasonic; their representatives will show our members how to use it. Check this out. https://vimeo.com/167443202

BTW, we recorded our test in 4K on a Video Devices/Sound Devices PIX-E5 4K Monitor/Recorder.
 
In your controlled test the cameras look very very good together. It would be interesting to see them in more active environment like a sit down interview where an item the scene is changing. I'm not doubting your test because the results are right there in front of us but I think image sensors and processors act a little differently as objects in a scene move and the light falling on a subject changes based on the position of the object.
 
Last edited:
I agree, they do look similar. Now, is there any way to improve the heavy shadows? This is what stopped my from buying the DVX200. I could not dial out the "heavy low end". The lower third of the image just falls away into darkness without detail or color saturation. Too much like 1st gen DSLRs imho.
 
mapper65 said:
In your controlled test the cameras look very very good together. It would be interesting to see them in more active environment like a sit down interview where an item the scene is changing. I'm not doubting your test because the results are right there in front of us but I think image sensors and processors act a little differently as objects in a scene move and the light falling on a subject changes based on the position of the object.
Click to expand...

Mapper65

It’s actually you and comments you’ve made in DVX USER that started me thinking about the Like GH4 Scene File and how with the version 1.65 Firmware it might make sense to buy a DVX200 and hopefully be able to match it to my GH4’s. Now that we’ve proven that it can be done more testing will be needed however, I’m not a technical person so that may be up to others like you to do.

For me I’m tickled pink that it works and that I now have 3 matching cameras for multi-cam shoots. Thanks for sparking my interest in all this.
 
Vardalos said:
Mapper65

It’s actually you and comments you’ve made in DVX USER that started me thinking about the Like GH4 Scene File and how with the version 1.65 Firmware it might make sense to buy a DVX200 and hopefully be able to match it to my GH4’s. Now that we’ve proven that it can be done more testing will be needed however, I’m not a technical person so that may be up to others like you to do.

For me I’m tickled pink that it works and that I now have 3 matching cameras for multi-cam shoots. Thanks for sparking my interest in all this.
Click to expand...

I've been using that scene on most of my shoots. I think it has a nice natural look. When I look at some of the other scenes if I look at the subject and then down at the camera and the black areas in the frame don't look black but more of a hazy black then that immediately tells me something is wrong with the scene. Also if I keep going back and forth between the colors in the scene scene and the monitor and colors just aren't matching up, that's also a problem. I realize that you can't always trust your monitor but to me if your monitor is that far off, you have another problem. There are times that someone may want a look of exaggerated colors, faint colors or anywhere in between but for everyday stuff I really think you want everything looking as natural as possible. I want blacks black and when I see red or blue in the scene I want to see that same shade of red or blue on my monitor. If a scene doesn't do that then its not the scene for me.

I was having lunch wth someone yesterday and out the blue they said "I saw a preview of that piece you shot the other day. Wow, it's like some of the items in the closeups could jump off of the screen. Everything is so clear and the colors are right on. Are you dong something different?" I told him that I'm shooting with a new camera. The guy that's doing the editing on that piece knows of the struggles that I went through in the beginning with the DVX200. He's pretty much told me "don't change a thing".

A while back someone said "if you like the looks of a DSLR then just buy a DSLR". My reason for buying the DVX200 was that in many cases I like the look of a DSLR and with scene files you can accomplish that without the hassle of rigging an audio adapter, monitor and carrying around an arsenal of lenses all while having the familiar features of a pro video camera in your hands. To me its mission accomplished.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I agree, they do look similar. Now, is there any way to improve the heavy shadows? This is what stopped my from buying the DVX200. I could not dial out the "heavy low end". The lower third of the image just falls away into darkness without detail or color saturation. Too much like 1st gen DSLRs imho.
Click to expand...

Yes there's a setting specifically for that: BLACK GAMMA.

When making my GH4-like scene files, I had to crush the shadows extensively to match the GH4; most if not all of my GH4 scene files needed black gamma set to the harshest.

The black gamma has 17 levels of magnitude, from -8 to +8. On top of that, you can set what IRE level you want it to affect (and below), so -- affect the range from 0 to 40 IRE, or from 0 to 30 IRE, or 0 to 20 IRE, etc. When it's set to the - values, the black gamma works like a black press; when set to the + values it works like a black stretch.
 
Barry, I only had the camera for a day and tried to alter Black Gamma but could not get anywhere close to my PX270. I really like the open gamma look of the PX270. Has this area been improved with the latest color settings?

Could it be that what I am after needs to be in an AJ-level camera?
 
I don't know exactly what you're seeing and not getting from the DVX200; I did try to do a "PX270 match" scene file that included matching the gamma, but I was only matching SCENE 1 on the PX270, so if you'd varied the settings notably from the PX270's default Scene 1, then my matching scene file may not be representative.

I don't have a 270 to try further...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top