Why I Ultimately Had to go with the GH2

Im not going to discourage you. The GH-2 can be used for commercial work...it's just that it's more inconvenient than using a purpose built camcorder. But as far as commercial work...it's done all of the time with these DSLRs. Usually you'll get a response like..."buy the proper tool for the job"...so in that regards...a camcorder is it. But you don't have to look far and see that many professionals are using DSLRs to do their work. I say....use what you are comfortable with. If you can get by with a DSLR then who are we to tell you that it is the wrong tool? People will always give you their opinion based off what THEY feel is best for THEM. But only you can answer that. If I were in your position and someone gave me a Red One to use I'd probably screw the job up....bigtime. But if I had a GH-2/7D/T2-i etc.... I'd probably shine. But that's just me.
 
150 would rock... PLUS. It has time/date stamp. You can do depositions and that right there is a huge advantage. It'll also allow you to shoot 4/3 out of the composite ports and record to a VHS. I know it's old school but they still want this...

I think that alone would help you pitch and get the 150.
 
it won't be a problem talking them into the HMC150 but if i do that, then i can kiss the GH2 goodbye... that is sad for me, but perhaps I should just buy the GH2 with my own money and use it when i shoot the commercials for them...
anyone else have any comments on the GF1 (not GH but GF) for online content? this is youtube, vimeo, and their own website content...
 
GH2 sounds totally ill suited for legal depositions. 24P and shallow DOF are not what those jobs require. And rehash on the time and date stamp issue. I'm in camp buy it with your own money.
 
jrod81 said:
..the main thing they are wanting me to do is the online commercials and the live events. the depositions really don't happen much anymore in our law firm due to skype... ...
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People keep voting againts depositions but I thought he stated the above...
 
By the way, there's no reason why you couldn't shoot a good commercial with the HMC150. Shallow DOF is so overrated. What really sells it is a good script with good acting, good production design, and good lighting...
 
I agree with Ian T here - he has stated his changed application. For live events and online commercials I am sure it will be fine. Even the GF1 is fine guys. It is an imaging device and can produce very nice images, especially for bottom feeders - no offence intended. You do have to add stuff to the mix to make it just work as some of the other posters are trying to point out - but can you do it? of course you can. Thousands of professionals are shooting with these tools on specific shoots - and some are producing phenomenal work. Horses for courses as they say. Test, test - and then if it meets your needs - shoot. enjoy - whatever you decide. Back your own instincts.
 
jrod81 said:
For me, it was the camera that made the most sense.
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Your logic is sound. I unceremoniously dumped our Sony HVR-V1u after producing a project entirely with the GH1. Our camera is unmodded and will remain that way (corporate environment) so I shoot everything at 720p. Even at that quality the final output was substantially better than the V1U.

I chose the GH1 using essentially the same logic as you and have been quite satisfied.

I had also been debating whether or not to go with a more "traditional" camcorder like the HMC 150 or JVC GY100. Yesterday our area JVC rep left GY100 3-chip pro camera for me to try for a week. I looked at it today and after just a few minutes called her to come pick it up; after having spent so much quality time with the GH1 I feel no need for the security of a traditional camcorder.

My current plan is to evaluate the GH2 and Nikon D7000 when they are available, shoot some test footage, and request whichever one I like best. I've seen some stunning work done with the Nikon, but my feeling is that we will once again choose Panasonic because of its video-friendly feature set.

What we will NOT be doing is investing in another camcorder, and unless you need a motorized zoom control then I suggest you stick with your plan. I also suggest that you obtain permission to take the camera home with you and then plan on living with it. Jumping to this camera as a full-time production platform was not easy, so give yourself some time.

For work I use the camera to produce promo and training videos (link below). But I've also used it in my off-hours to shoot horse competitions (AF works well) and short interviews. Although the GH1 is different and challenging, I do not miss our Canon XL-1, Sony VX2000, or V1U even a little.

FYI, this is what we produced with the GH1 (every video and still image): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP9xsCJj8jQ

Best of luck with the gGH2 - you're going to love it!

Guy
 
Ian-T said:
People keep voting againts depositions but I thought he stated the above...
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Do depositions need to be in HD? If not, why not pick up a standard-def camera to do it? Or if a backup HD cam is desired, why not a sub-$1K Panasonic TM700 which has a newer imaging block than the HMC150 (and does better on the resolution chart)? Even the TM600, at around $600, makes pretty images...
 
irguy said:
Your logic is sound. I unceremoniously dumped our Sony HVR-V1u after producing a project entirely with the GH1. Our camera is unmodded and will remain that way (corporate environment) so I shoot everything at 720p. Even at that quality the final output was substantially better than the V1U.

I chose the GH1 using essentially the same logic as you and have been quite satisfied.

I had also been debating whether or not to go with a more "traditional" camcorder like the HMC 150 or JVC GY100. Yesterday our area JVC rep left GY100 3-chip pro camera for me to try for a week. I looked at it today and after just a few minutes called her to come pick it up; after having spent so much quality time with the GH1 I feel no need for the security of a traditional camcorder.

My current plan is to evaluate the GH2 and Nikon D7000 when they are available, shoot some test footage, and request whichever one I like best. I've seen some stunning work done with the Nikon, but my feeling is that we will once again choose Panasonic because of its video-friendly feature set.

What we will NOT be doing is investing in another camcorder, and unless you need a motorized zoom control then I suggest you stick with your plan. I also suggest that you obtain permission to take the camera home with you and then plan on living with it. Jumping to this camera as a full-time production platform was not easy, so give yourself some time.

For work I use the camera to produce promo and training videos (link below). But I've also used it in my off-hours to shoot horse competitions (AF works well) and short interviews. Although the GH1 is different and challenging, I do not miss our Canon XL-1, Sony VX2000, or V1U even a little.

FYI, this is what we produced with the GH1 (every video and still image): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP9xsCJj8jQ

Best of luck with the gGH2 - you're going to love it!

Guy
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at least i got one guy on my side finally- lol
 
irguy said:
Do depositions need to be in HD? If not, why not pick up a standard-def camera to do it? Or if a backup HD cam is desired, why not a sub-$1K Panasonic TM700 which has a newer imaging block than the HMC150 (and does better on the resolution chart)? Even the TM600, at around $600, makes pretty images...
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i assume people will say the TM700 is not for professional applications too right? i mean there is no onboard xlr inputs so i would be counting on the on board mic for the depositions but honestly, on my way home from dinner tonight i told my wife i was going to look up some reviews on the TM700 as an option. my hope would be that the testimonial/depositions would be done with this camera as well as the live events and then the gH2 could be purchased for the online commercials... if the GH2 auto focus yields good results then it can come with me to the live events too...
anyway, what would be the thoughts from you guys on the TM700 for such???
 
i just want to make sure i understand why people are saying hmc over gh2...
1. hmc has audio xlr (my thought on that is couldn't i attach the Juicedlink CX231 or use a Zoom h4n separately- is it just a matter of post work that we are debating on this issue)
2. hmc will not overheat at the live events (well simply put, hmc wins on this point... can't stop the gh2 from overheating i presume if i am shooting all day long)
3. hmc will be easier to keep in focus at live events (probably an hmc win again, but i am hoping that the auto focus feature of the gh2 takes care of this)
4. hmc can time stamp for depositions (in the 1.5 years i have worked for this firm part time, they have only asked me to do 2 depositions... we used an hv30 and i never got any negative feedback on it... what they do is "testimonials" more often which is simply an account that has editing of the events that unfolded... this is not presented in court but is presented to the opposing side before litigation... one such example is this link: http://vimeo.com/9459518 all that to say, i don't want to put too much worth in the deposition needs just because we seldom do it anymore w/ skype availability).

please understand, i want your input and i appreciate all that have responded... i like to be very informed with my decisions as you can see... i am not opposed to getting the firm to buy the hmc and me buy the gh2 with my own funds, but i just want to make sure there is a legit need for both cameras... if the gh2 will get it done then i'd obviously rather use their funds than my own to get the gh2...
 
jrod81 said:
i just want to make sure i understand why people are saying hmc over gh2...
1. hmc has audio xlr (my thought on that is couldn't i attach the Juicedlink CX231 or use a Zoom h4n separately- is it just a matter of post work that we are debating on this issue)
2. hmc will not overheat at the live events (well simply put, hmc wins on this point... can't stop the gh2 from overheating i presume if i am shooting all day long)
3. hmc will be easier to keep in focus at live events.
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1. Yes, you can use either Juicedlink or H4N for their XLR inputs, and record separately on the H4N as well.
2. I have never seen a report of any Panasonic G-series camera overheating under any circumstances. This is nothing but a baseless rumor.
3. I've used the Lumix 14-140mm, 14-45mm, 45-200mm, and 20mm auto-focus lenses at a number of live events. They all tracked focus admirably. My favorite is actually the Olympus 9-18mm M43 zoom. It tracks so silently you barely notice it shifting focus.

However, I think the main advantage of the GH2 is its ability to use such a wide range of lenses. If you'd be happy with just a single wide-range zoom, the HMC150 would likely be a more practical choice.
 
jrod81 said:
i mean there is no onboard xlr inputs so i would be counting on the on board mic for the depositions... my hope would be that the testimonial/depositions would be done with this camera as well as the live events
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You brought it up depositions again not me.

If you are going to use the onboard mic to record audio for a video deposition it won't matter what camera you use, go ahead and just get the GH2 since it's what you really want anyways. Just don't shoot any depositions for anyone else but your employer with that setup though.

Randy
 
jrod81, From what you say you are in a good position to get the company to buy the camcorder, and you buy a GH2 for yourself. Although you will be spending your own money, it’s a nice camera so very likely you won’t regret it. You can shoot full time with the camcorder, but retain the option to insert additional footage from the GH2. It will also give you time to develop experience with the GH2 so you can better judge what situations it can be safely used with good effect. Sounds like a nice compromise to me assuming I have understood you correctly.
 
I thought in one of the threads over in the Canon section you said you already had a T2i? If so the HMC-150 would be perfect and would be all you need to get. The T2i could serve well enough for the short term as cool shot B cam. Maybe then you could get them to spring for the GH2 after seeing some of the T2i bonus work you will do. Why a new DSLR when you probably don't absolutely need one?
 
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