I've read a lot on both cameras and I'm still torn. Will use mostly for film but don't mind the 12min limit on 5d. But is the 5d have actual better quality and does it have better dof? I have about 3000 to get me started. Suggestions on which one to go with? Mostly for hobby but maybe shoot some wedding stuff with, keep in mind I already have a hpx170 though.
Torn between gh2 and 5d
- Thread starter tampawolf
- Start date
Samuel H
Major Contributor
on the plus side, the GH2 has the cleanest and sharpest images, the 5D2 has the sexiest images (in words of Stu Maschwitz, in the link below: "Images that make you want to lick the screen.")
http://prolost.com/blog/2011/11/21/red-scarlet-canon-c300-and-the-paradox-of-choice.html
on the con side, the images from the GH2 feel unappealing to many users, and the 5D2 has image quality issues (aliasing/moire, lower real resolution)
any of them is enough for cinematic DoF - I'm not sure what you mean by "better dof", if it is more, then hell yeah, the sensor in the 5D2 is nearly 4 times larger (in area) than the one in the GH2, and that means same DoF when shooting f/4 on the 5D2 as when shooting f/2 on the GH2
http://www.similaar.com/foto/doftest/doftest.html
http://prolost.com/blog/2011/11/21/red-scarlet-canon-c300-and-the-paradox-of-choice.html
on the con side, the images from the GH2 feel unappealing to many users, and the 5D2 has image quality issues (aliasing/moire, lower real resolution)
any of them is enough for cinematic DoF - I'm not sure what you mean by "better dof", if it is more, then hell yeah, the sensor in the 5D2 is nearly 4 times larger (in area) than the one in the GH2, and that means same DoF when shooting f/4 on the 5D2 as when shooting f/2 on the GH2
http://www.similaar.com/foto/doftest/doftest.html
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I currently own a GH2 and am pleased with it, but there is amazing work being done every day with the Canons (and IMO, a greater wealth of knowledge about them). The moire and aliasing issues are something that really turned me off on the Canons (but they can be avoided at times, and many people say they have little issue with them).
Let's look at things from a price perspective. Currently, the 5D is $2100 body only (used they're still around 1500-1800), while the GH2 with the 14-42 is going for $895 (I'd suggest selling the 14-42, and nab around 100 for it). After buying the 5D, you have virtually no budget for lenses, batteries, sound, or anything else, and don't even think about L glass, the GH2 does give you some more legroom.
For 3k, you could have...
GH2
Canon FDs or Nikon Nikkors (I'd suggest a 24/28, 50, and 85 if possible to start)
Zoom H4N Recorder
Oktava MK012 Hyper Cardiod Mic
A few tungesten lights (cool lights has some good ones)
Headphones/Cables/Gels for the lights
Extra Batteries/SD Cards
E-Image Tripod
That's a start, but barely covers the basics. I say go with the GH2, it's an amazing cam, and amazing work is being done with it, and it doesn't have some of the issues the Canons suffer from.
Let's look at things from a price perspective. Currently, the 5D is $2100 body only (used they're still around 1500-1800), while the GH2 with the 14-42 is going for $895 (I'd suggest selling the 14-42, and nab around 100 for it). After buying the 5D, you have virtually no budget for lenses, batteries, sound, or anything else, and don't even think about L glass, the GH2 does give you some more legroom.
For 3k, you could have...
GH2
Canon FDs or Nikon Nikkors (I'd suggest a 24/28, 50, and 85 if possible to start)
Zoom H4N Recorder
Oktava MK012 Hyper Cardiod Mic
A few tungesten lights (cool lights has some good ones)
Headphones/Cables/Gels for the lights
Extra Batteries/SD Cards
E-Image Tripod
That's a start, but barely covers the basics. I say go with the GH2, it's an amazing cam, and amazing work is being done with it, and it doesn't have some of the issues the Canons suffer from.
Yes. The number one reason why I went with the GH2 over the T3i is the sharper image, and the hack. Even if the 5D were the same price, it'd still be a tough choice. I don't like the soft HD look but some people really don't mind it.
robmneilson
Veteran
The GH2 is cheaper, you can hack it, has 1080 out via the HDMI for monitoring (5D goes down to SD while recording) in addition to being mirrorless, so you can mount ANY lens on this with an adapter. GH2 all the way!
That is unless you take alot of stills, then the 5D might gain a bit of ground. But for video GH2!
That is unless you take alot of stills, then the 5D might gain a bit of ground. But for video GH2!
Imaginate
Well-known member
For overall video applications I'd say the GH2 hands down. For picture quality, and Gh2 's 1080p hdmi output as opposed to the 5D's SD output is 10X better for pulling focus and lighting scenes. But the 5D is such a superior tool for stills and for certain kinds of shots. I shot a western short last year in a very confined space and I wouldn't have been able to get the images I did without a full frame sensor. In that situation the 5D was the better camera.
http://redantdc.com/ftp/cow5.jpg
You dont have to own both cameras to enjoy both of them. I dont need the 5D as much as I do the GH2 so it was an easy choice. But I still love the 5D for its fullframe not necessarily the dof. You can get great DOF with fast primes on the GH2. Trying to keep actors in focus with razor sharp DOF can be really frustrating. It not all that its cracked up to be.
http://redantdc.com/ftp/cow5.jpg
You dont have to own both cameras to enjoy both of them. I dont need the 5D as much as I do the GH2 so it was an easy choice. But I still love the 5D for its fullframe not necessarily the dof. You can get great DOF with fast primes on the GH2. Trying to keep actors in focus with razor sharp DOF can be really frustrating. It not all that its cracked up to be.
Thanks, how many lenses and which ones are good to start with? I know there is always more and more lenses to get, but what are the good starter ones? LIke I posted earlier, I'm thinking of starting with the tokina 11-16mm, and then maybe getting a 50mm or something. THoughts?
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
I don't have either the GH2 or the 5DMKII, I shot with a Canon t2i for a while and have gone with a FS100 as my primary camera. However, I was just thinking out the math of you question. If you have $3000.00 to spend, it just makes sense to me to get a GH2, do the hack and spend the rest of your money on accessories, that either camera is going to need to make into a functioning camera for video production. If you spend all of you wad on the MKDII, but can not buy lenses, a shoulder rig, ect... you will be worse off, IMHO, then if you have a GH2 that you have tricked out.
Tim Joy
Veteran
+1 ^
If you're really going to do weddings, the GH2 has a lot of things going for it as a B-camera, where you can set it and forget it as a wide master.
With the external mic or a rode video mic it will record very decent sound for backgrounds and close interviews. Don't forget about the intimidation factor. Nobody cares because you're holding a toy camera!
I think the flexibility and the image quality are great things about it. After a year with the 7D it's good to be back to a camera that works in more situations. I don't have to worry much about telling people not to wear 'fine patterns and stripes'.
BUT- you'll probably think your 170 is crap after seeing the gh2, so the canon might match better.
Good luck, it's a hard decision. Everybody has one or the other, so try and get your hands on them before you buy.
If you're really going to do weddings, the GH2 has a lot of things going for it as a B-camera, where you can set it and forget it as a wide master.
With the external mic or a rode video mic it will record very decent sound for backgrounds and close interviews. Don't forget about the intimidation factor. Nobody cares because you're holding a toy camera!
I think the flexibility and the image quality are great things about it. After a year with the 7D it's good to be back to a camera that works in more situations. I don't have to worry much about telling people not to wear 'fine patterns and stripes'.
BUT- you'll probably think your 170 is crap after seeing the gh2, so the canon might match better.
Good luck, it's a hard decision. Everybody has one or the other, so try and get your hands on them before you buy.
Samuel H
Major Contributor
on the lens issue: beware of adapting modern glass to another system (e.g. tokina 11-16 for canon EOS into m43) - electronic adaptors are either very expensive or a route to pain and suffering - vintage glass and modern manual glass is what is easily adapted to mirrorless cameras
I did this very thing last week. Used a Canon 60D to set the aperture (since I already had one). No issues. However, if I was starting from ground zero, I would get the Nikon G version of the Tokina since you can mechanically adjust the aperture with a cheaper adapter.