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Who's got a GH2?

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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
I am about to get mine on friday, comes with the 14-42mm lens just looking for some recommendations on lenses, accesories, etc. Any tips for shooting would be helpful too, I know my was around a DSLR but am excited to get better at filming. Thanks for your help.
Jun 20 2012 2:14AM
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NJurkiewicz
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 697
This thread should be helpful to you https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/697331/
Jun 20 2012 2:24AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
dvxuser has a fairly large group of gh2 users. you might want to check that out. there's not that many people in m&a with them since ns just thinks t2i's are the best camera ever
Jun 22 2012 1:33PM
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edai
Posts: 4992 - Karma: 4,693
Plorr and Slanty Poo both have a GH2.

I'm looking to sell my current setup to get my hands on one.

Basically there's not much to it if you already have used a DSLR for filming. The settings are the same and what not, obviously you're getting a much better image due to a variety of things, as well as the option to hack the bitrate and get some really outstanding results.

Personally I would've purchased the GH2 and a lense individually as I'm sure you're aware the kit lens is never anything special. Although in this casee, I have heard the two kit options available with the GH2 are superb for what they are. In this case however, I've done my research and will be purchasing the GH2 and the 14-45 as the 14-45 outperforms the 14-42.

Really other than that there's not much to it, congratulations on your purchase, go make some sick videos.
Jun 22 2012 1:54PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
If you use it right. It takes knowledge and technique to maximize the potential of a GH2, otherwise you'll end up with stuff that looks no different or worse than T2i footage.
Jun 22 2012 2:01PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9303 - Karma: 7,658
well said
Jun 22 2012 2:18PM
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edai
Posts: 4992 - Karma: 4,693
Key words OP.

OP Here's the video on how to apply the Driftwood hack



Heres a setup video



Those should get you started. Good luck!
Jun 22 2012 2:25PM
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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
Is it much harder to use than a t2i? please elaborate
Jun 22 2012 2:27PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
never used one but i can't imagine it would be.


i just mean don't assume that simply getting a gh2 will automatically give you better results than a T2i, or good images at all for that matter. you have to take the time to learn how to maximize what it can do.
Jun 22 2012 2:36PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,790
In the last couple months or so it looks like NS has developed a pretty big boner for the GH2. I predict it's gonna replace the T2i as the "mommy get me a camera so I can film my friends" setup.
Jun 22 2012 2:59PM
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edai
Posts: 4992 - Karma: 4,693
No it's not.

The T2i will remain the standard, most of M&A and NS in general don't understand why a GH2 is so outstanding. Bitrate hacks, moire, line skipping, and codecs aren't exactly something the average kid is too educated on.
Jun 22 2012 3:47PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
yea, T2i isnt going anywhere. I know what all the stuff you mentioned is and i still have no intentions of upgrading.
Jun 22 2012 3:57PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
yeah that's pretty true actually. it's funny how the gh2 is pretty old now and even the gh13 is able to deliver a pretty similar image, but no one on ns ever talked about those two cameras until recently.
Jun 22 2012 4:20PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
thats partly due to the terrible marketing
Jun 22 2012 4:23PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
SO maybe Landis can elaborate, but I have one (as of two days ago).

Going to hack it tonight

The interface SUCKS DICK. Like, seriously does not make sense to me. I don't want to vent about my confusion as I haven't spent a TON of time with it and I feel like I'm missing something - but it's possibly the least intuitive camera I've ever really used... haha.

The footage that you can pull off it makes it all worth it, however.
Jun 22 2012 9:05PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
Great thanks for all the help guys, I got it today am probably gonna hack it later this weekend. Just getting used to it right now, kinda hard to navigate around but I imagine it will be easier once i get used to it.
Jun 22 2012 9:11PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Haha yup. The interface is possibly the biggest downside to the camera, as it is incredibly illogical and even after heavy use I find myself confused at times. But once you get your scene files set up the way you want, it is hardly an issue considering the images are well worth it.
Jun 22 2012 11:04PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
Yea, I might have some questions about stuff. Haha. Hacking and getting the f-mount adapter tomorrow though, couldn't be more stoked
Jun 22 2012 11:06PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Didnt know you did video at all
Jun 22 2012 11:42PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
There's probably somewhere around 10-15 shots from "Look it Up" that are mine, does that count?

haha, seriously though, I've done some cinematography stuff when people needed help, as a photographer I know how to compose and expose which are big ones. But I only just got a GH2 a couple days ago, from ON3P. I'm in OR right now shooting some stuff with them and Landis helped me figure out a good kit.
Jun 22 2012 11:49PM
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edai
Posts: 4992 - Karma: 4,693
Everything about this paragraph makes me want to work so much harder. Sick people, sick company, amazing images, sounds like the best thing ever.
Jun 23 2012 12:58AM
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BolderPro
Posts: 767 - Karma: 426
.

Jun 23 2012 3:34PM
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VT_scratch
Posts: 8805 - Karma: 6,337
I have a gh1... still trying to figure out the best settings. never ended up hacking mine though, the footage has been more than i could have asked for so far, esp for the price!
Jun 23 2012 4:40PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
so is there a different free way to convert the mts files well besides the aunsoft software?
Jun 23 2012 4:44PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
You can do each clip individually using the free version of 5DtoRGB...
Jun 23 2012 5:08PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
How do you do it?
Jun 23 2012 5:10PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Currently, that's how I do it, which explains why I haven't made any progress towards editing my massive collection of WCS footage. However once I have $50 to spare I'm going to buy the full version of 5DtoRGB so I can do batch lists.
Jun 23 2012 5:12PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
So in your experience, 5DtoRGB is the highest quality conversion you can do?
Jun 24 2012 12:16AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
I got the nikon adapter today and threw the 80-200 f2.8 on there. This is fun. Really enjoying video. Finishing building a dolley and mic boom tomorrow, then figuring out audio. I'm also installing the "cake" hack tomorow, as suggested by Landis.

Very exciting, this little camera is awesome. The interface is terrible but once you figure it out it's not too annoying.
Jun 24 2012 4:07AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
5DtoRGB is miles ahead of all other transcoding software. I'm perfectly capable of uploading my clips via FCP Log and Transfer, but I'd rather wait because FCP's file structure is trash.
Jun 24 2012 5:34PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
Clipwrap works very well too, i might add.
Jun 24 2012 5:35PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I'm not a fan of Clipwrap because it uses presets rather than giving you any control over how your image is transcoded.
Jun 24 2012 6:42PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
i mean, how else would transcode? 100% prores or other file formats, not sure what else you'd wanna change. my clipwrap files look identical to my mts files
Jun 24 2012 6:46PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Click for larger image

By default the GH2 records within broadcast range, so it's nice to have the option to transcode accordingly. It's also immensely helpful to be able to bake gamma correction into the files. Then there's the issue of 5DtoRGB being the sharpest transcoder of the bunch...
Jun 24 2012 6:59PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
hamburgers
Click for larger image
Jun 24 2012 7:02PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
You've been quite the pixel peeper lately there landis
Jun 24 2012 7:36PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Luminance range/gamma ≠ pixel peeping. The sharpness benefit is just a bonus, definitely not a main attraction.
Jun 24 2012 7:38PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
I guess i don't have that problem, i think its just kinda wild to say one transcode is sharper than another, i know fcp has some issues at times but like i said before, my mts files and clipwrap prores look identical. Maybe its jsut with certain cameras? I know that ive seen examples with dslr h264 stuff...
Jun 24 2012 7:40PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I have a feeling most things don't matter if your videos end up on the internet. Otherwise, everything counts.
Jun 24 2012 8:08PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
with this program is it possible to change the resolution of your clips as you transcode them? is it possible with clipwrap?
Jun 24 2012 8:28PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
No, although I'm not sure why you'd want to do that...

The reason I prefer 5DtoRGB is because of its tweakability; I hate not being in control of every. little. aspect.
Jun 24 2012 8:56PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
At Windells we work in 720p to save space, so for stuff like camp activities that I don't care about having in 1080 for personal use, it would be easier to just transcode to 720
Jun 24 2012 9:07PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
why dont you just record 720/60?
Jun 24 2012 9:24PM
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McLeod
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 1,582
can't this be avoided by merely rewrapping in clipwrap?
Jun 25 2012 12:00PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
that's another option, of course. but then it gets conformed to 30p, then it all has to be sped back up. not that this is that much of a hassle at all, i just think it would be slightly easier to shoot in 1080 30, then just scale down to 720 when i import. and that way, on the off chance i shoot something during camp activities i really like, i have it in 1080. it's not like this is a big problem for me, just figured i would ask if clipwrap or 5DtoRGB could do it
Jun 25 2012 1:56PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
rewrapping just makes it h264, yuk
Jun 25 2012 3:34PM
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McLeod
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 1,582
rewrap in clipwrap>prores in mpeg>conform in cinema tools

saves a lot of time with the fs100 because you have to go through mpeg if you want to use cinema tools, rewrap is pretty near instant while converting to proress in clipwrap is not.
Jun 25 2012 3:52PM
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eheath
Posts: 61734 - Karma: 124,627
Yeah but you're going to h264 from mts, if you havent noticed they are very small files, which is why it goes so quick. I've accidentally rewrapped clips before and had some get really fucked up because its compressing it so much. I know it takes longer to go straight to prores, but its what you should be doing. Just rewrapping is degrading your image.
Jun 25 2012 4:03PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
Ah that answers a question I had. I had chalked it up to the FS100 having a much lower bit rate at 1080 60p than I had thought, but this makes much more sense.
Jun 26 2012 12:46PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
Hey just another question, looking at upgrading my lens as this one sucks real bad. Im on an extremely low budget for it, and im looking for a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens. Looking at getting something like a tamron A15 55-200mm or something similar and was also looking at the Lumix 8mm fisheye or the 7-14mm. anybody got any input? Im going to be buying a dmw ma1 adapter so 4/3 lens suggestions would be great too.
Thanks!
Jul 10 2012 8:26PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,387
get the fotodiox nikkor adapter and adapt nikon glass, it's a joy to shoot on.

Also, which lens do you say sucks? Because I've been shooting on the 14-42 that you can buy as a kit lens, and that lens is pretty damn good.

just going to leave this here:

Click for larger image

ungraded, screenshot. No aliasing, what a wonderful image.
Jul 10 2012 9:14PM
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