GH1 Why are prices so low?

Brian_Rice

Brian_Rice

Carbonite Member
I've been thinking about picking up a T2i since the 3 dropped, but I'm seeing GHs all over ebay and abroad for ridunkulously low prices. Full kits as low as 500 bucks, etc?

I'd hate to get anything that isn't a Canon or a Sony (just my preference), but is it worth getting a GH1 instead of a T2i for my first DSLR?

Also, I saw that there are these "hacked" versions? Could someone elaborate on what that means? GH1 vs GH1 hacked -- and is GH1 hacked the same thing as GH13?

Thanks!
 
If you get a GH1, make sure it's hackable. Hacked GH1s are better for video than any other DSLR, except (maybe) the GH2. If you plan on doing more photo than video, the GH1/2 may not be your best choice.
 
Thanks Worpig.

And CC -- I don't understand. If it's the best choice, why have the prices dropped so dramatically? Is it primarily, you think, because of the weaker photography aspects? I've little interest in a DSLR for stills. You think the GH13 is the overall best option for me then? Heck, there's one in the Marketplace right now for $450, but I'm pretty sure I've seen body-only for even less.

Is it important to get the GH1 lens with the camera? Or should I invest in different glass? I've heard good things about the stock lens (unlike the T2i and the 7D's)
 
The price has dropped because the newer GH1's are not hackable. Models manufactured after early June 2010 were manufactured with unhackable firmware by Panasonic. If you can find one that is used and the seller can confirm that it is hackable, it is worth it. Unhackable ones are not.

The kit lens is great, which, as you said, is unusual. However, it is not very fast, so you'll need another fast lens to compliment the set. Panasonic's 20mm f1.7 is a good choice.
 
Simple: The GH1 dropped in price because the GH2 is out in the market. That is the way it works. No more GH1s will be manufactured. People are selling the ones they own because they will be getting the new GH2 which is of course much improved than the GH1. Forget price, save your pennies for the GH2. The GH1 is yesterday's news.
 
But most everywhere I'm reading is saying that the GH1 hacked is better than the GH2 for video. Also, the GH2 is touch screen isn't it? I'm not a huge fan of touch screen.
 
The GH13 is still sharper than the GH2, in both 1080p24 and even more in 720p60. However, that's not to say the GH2 looks bad, it doesn't, and the GH2 has plenty of other features, the most important being better low-light performance, than the GH1 does. So take your pick. I got my GH1 before the GH2 had come out; if I hadn't I'd probably be a GH2 owner right now.
 
John Caballero said:
Simple: The GH1 dropped in price because the GH2 is out in the market. That is the way it works. No more GH1s will be manufactured. People are selling the ones they own because they will be getting the new GH2 which is of course much improved than the GH1. Forget price, save your pennies for the GH2. The GH1 is yesterday's news.
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Not to turn this into yet again a GH1 vs GH2 debate...GH1 is not yesterday's news and is a phenomenal camera for the peanuts you can buy it for.
Heck hack it correctly and you got a camera that beats the Canons that cost more....looking at you 7D! GH2 is too much money right now.
This "Its the latest gadget so it must be the best" ethic is madness.
GH1 (and GF1) are bargains save your pennies and get decent lenses with el cheapo GH1...get to grips with the system...then wait to see what the GH3 delivers when you have enough money later....or get a GH2 when the price drops.
Lenses are more worthwile investments than camera bodies.
 
mimirsan said:
Not to turn this into yet again a GH1 vs GH2 debate...GH1 is not yesterday's news and is a phenomenal camera for the peanuts you can buy it for.
Heck hack it correctly and you got a camera that beats the Canons that cost more....looking at you 7D! GH2 is too much money right now.
This "Its the latest gadget so it must be the best" ethic is madness.
GH1 (and GF1) are bargains save your pennies and get decent lenses with el cheapo GH1...get to grips with the system...then wait to see what the GH3 delivers when you have enough money later....or get a GH2 when the price drops.
Lenses are more worthwile investments than camera bodies.
Click to expand...

Good post... that's exactly why I am waiting on my GH1 to be delivered :)
 
mimirsan said:
This "Its the latest gadget so it must be the best" ethic is madness.
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That's not an ethic. That's a mindset that may or may not be true in this case.

I haven't used a GH13, so I can't really comment. I did not buy the GH2 because it was the latest. I bought it because I think, based on my own research, that it is an improvement over the GH1.

mimirsan said:
....or get a GH2 when the price drops.
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So here is my question. When the GH2 price drops, will it become a better camera?

:tongue:
 
mimirsan said:
Not to turn this into yet again a GH1 vs GH2 debate...GH1 is not yesterday's news and is a phenomenal camera for the peanuts you can buy it for.
Heck hack it correctly and you got a camera that beats the Canons that cost more....looking at you 7D! GH2 is too much money right now.
This "Its the latest gadget so it must be the best" ethic is madness.
Click to expand...
I agree for the most part, except for one thing that set the GH2 apart, ETC, it is a very useful feature in the rights conditions, I use it all the time. For this alone the higher price of the GH2 is warranted, to me at least, but you have to experience it to understand its allure.
 
mimirsan said:
Not to turn this into yet again a GH1 vs GH2 debate...GH1 is not yesterday's news and is a phenomenal camera for the peanuts you can buy it for.
Heck hack it correctly and you got a camera that beats the Canons that cost more....looking at you 7D! GH2 is too much money right now.
This "Its the latest gadget so it must be the best" ethic is madness.
GH1 (and GF1) are bargains save your pennies and get decent lenses with el cheapo GH1...get to grips with the system...then wait to see what the GH3 delivers when you have enough money later....or get a GH2 when the price drops.
Lenses are more worthwile investments than camera bodies.
Click to expand...

Ditto!
 
Considering a GH2 hack is now almost guaranteed (given the breakthroughs in the last few days), it may just be worth it to save up those pennies, no matter what the price...
 
For me this will be my first DSLR. I don't imagine I'd ever use a DSLR for feature work (though not impossible). I'm only interested in using it for shorts and web-based stuff. I think, for my purposes, cheaper is probably better, especially if the differences between a GH13 and a GH2 are probably only going to be noticeable when displayed offline.

Still, I'm weighing all the options -- and not completely dismissing the T2i out-of-hand yet. Though I'm pretty sure straight bang-for-your-buck sounds like it's the GH13. Also, it sounds like the Panny has a better stock lens than most of the Canons.
 
Brian_Rice said:
Though I'm pretty sure straight bang-for-your-buck sounds like it's the GH13. Also, it sounds like the Panny has a better stock lens than most of the Canons.
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Exactly on the bang-for-your-buck and stock lens. Also, I'm doing web, corporate, TV, and short film with my GH13. The image quality is stunning. I cut it together with a few Sony EX3's and other Panasonic camcorders and the others looked shameful.
 
Just bear in mind, the GH1 is a great camera in certain conditions, but horrible in low light. I would spend the extra money and get the GH2. I'm a GH1 user, and the images can be really great, but you really really really have to work for them (in low light).
 
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Soldier said:
Just bear in mind, the GH1 is a great camera in certain conditions, but horrible in low light. I would spend the extra money and get the GH2. I'm a GH1 user, and the images can be really great, but you really really really have to work for them (in low light).
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if you are talking about FPN and banding in lowlight I can agree its a pain in the ass...but some GH1s have it less than others (one of mine has virtually none) and the GH2 has its own issues. No camera is perfect sadly.
It depends what the op wants from the camera.
 
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