Oliver Daniel

Canon are waiting.....they will wipe the floor with everyone, with potential customers drooling. Then the price tag is announced, and Canon receives several death threats for selling the best thing ever for $15,000. The rest of us will wipe our mouths of the drool, pick up our GH4, A7S or the dusty 550d and get on with it. ;)

This post is a little bit pointless. It doesn't matter what camera you use, as long as it suits you, looks good and gets the job done. If you buy a camera for status then you are not a filmmaker. A camera does not operate you. You operate the camera. So when that comes to the GH4, it is very capable in the right hands.

Daniel Peters has done a great job, and I'm sure he would using any camera. I think the lack of IBIS adds something, depends on your personal taste. I'd love a Digital Bolex, just because I find its features unique and I love the image it is capable of for the price. The "flawless tonality" doesn't come with the camera, it's the user! If you know what you are doing, some cameras just make a life a bit easier. I'll stop saying obvious stuff now :) I'll be buying the GH4 as I've had a lot of success with the GH3, and it suits my style and needs perfectly. When I need more power behind the wheel, I just hire another camera.

It isn't nonsense. While I have personally seen a few decent examples on the net of the GH4 (although not many), this doesn't negate the discussion of skin tones being very important. With careful lighting, the right lens choices, the in-camera settings, the grade... a lot of cameras can be pushed to give a pleasing image for the skin. It's obvious cameras like the Digital Bolex make this easier to achieve, whereas Sony cameras are far more challenging due to the issues Andrew pointed out. The GH4 falls between, it's a very capable camera in the right hands. I'm buying one soon to replace my GH3.

I completely agree with this. Obviously it depends what the camera will be used for, but for the cinematic - it's absolutely essential that the human face is taken notice of before anything else. There are a lot of testers filming trees, buildings, beaches, ducks.... but nothing much on actual faces. From what I've seen, the Digital Bolex is stunning for skintones. The lens is just as important though - modern stills lenses are not too flattering with skin, which is why I mostly use vintage primes for a creamier, softer look. Had no experience with the F55, but I've used the FS700 a lot. Most challenging camera to use ever for decent skintones, the highlights are awful and the thin image is biased towards red.

I have no idea what pablogrollan is trying to say...anyway... Great review! As Panasonic have got better with their cameras, so have your reviews. I've not pulled the trigger yet as a GH3 owner but will soon. Seen some ace stuff by shooters on the web. I noticed you mentioned the RED Epic in your post. I've been doing a few shoots on a rental unit recently and the power from that thing is immense. Editing REDCODE is a breeze, but you know what? All my friends prefer the videos I've shot on my GH3 - they say my style goes missing on the Epic (I jump straight into the action with the GH3) and that while the Epic looks better, the small from factor of the GH3 opens the world up and I end up getting better shots, more creative, dynamic and exciting. I agree - it's sheer proof a higher specced camera does NOT make you a better shooter....in the Epic's case, it made me a little bit worse! The GH4 is exciting because it's a smooth upgrade path - your style isn't limited by higher specced clunky (but awesome) monsters, and the image quality jumps, better tools to do a better job of what you are used to. I'm a bit like you Andrew in that I like to be as light as possible, sure I've got a lot of clunky gear like lights, sliders, jibs etc and I enjoy to be on a big crew when I need to be, but its quite amazing what is available now to free up your hands (and shoulders, and back) and get shooting! I'm planning to use the GH4 with a Silencer Pro (triggered follow focus, Kickstarter funded), with side handles and an Atomos Shogun mounted on the top. :)

Couldn't care less about the maths. As long as it looks good, who cares? ;)

I don't think so, it just fell into my hands. The Canon 35-105 is easy to find on eBay, but the 24-35mm L Series is a harder find - there are few up for grabs and most are located in Japan or USA. I can't afford more lenses for now haha! I know there are some stinkers out there for wide adapters, do you recommend any?

I'm so glad you didn't troll me for that. It's like Trollageddon out there! My wording wasn't correct. It's been a very tiring week. Of course I want to get Andrews book, its just that Andy always pushes me and makes me spend money. My other half is making complaints ;)

Managed to grab the Canon 35-105 and Canon 24-35 off someone for £200. Condition immaculate. Think I'll complete my FD range with a few primes...make more dosh and get obsessed with the CY range at a later date. :wub: Getting interested in anamorphic, is it worth grabbing Andrews book?

Kinefinity are not Canon. What other camera offers what the KineMax offers at that price? Erm... ;)

The giant screen will be activated in a firmware update, released May 2015. All upgradeable sensors were not good enough, so instead they announce the Blackmagic Army Tank - an actual tank with a POV camera that drives at 120fps. For $1500. Comes with shoulder mounting options built in.

Cheers Andy, I will check that out! Think I'm getting a vintage lens problem, might make a Doctors appointment today ;)

Thanks Andy. What lens would you recommend in the 70-200mm range?

You ought to see the films on their website... image quality is outstanding.

I love these devices, but I've been frustrated with the BeSteady. I may consider selling, someone out there will be able to make it work! I've thought about getting one from a company with longevity in making products, as what I have achieved with the BeSteady when it's been fine has been amazing.

Haha cool! I need to go back in and see what they have, bought a Super 8 camera in there and a really old projector just as props. Picked up 2 Asahi Super Takumars, 28mm and 55mm for the acidic yellow flare aspect. I do a lot of music videos so I'm very keen on flares, won't be long til I'll be trying out some anamorphic I guess! Was offered the Canon 24-35L for £230, worth it?

No new stabilisers at NAB 2014? There was so many, I lost count! I have a BeSteady One, and I have to say I've had nothing but issues with my unit. Granted that it was a Kickstarter product, and I expect the useability to get better. The shots I have got are awesome though! Customer service isn't good though. A good value company is someone called Big Balance, they have a crazy collection of gizmos! From iPhone to GH3 capable.

Thanks Andy! Always a good source of info on lenses. Saw on another topic you are from Manchester. My studio is in Ancoats. Do you ever go to the Real Camera Shop? Never bought anything, but always had a snoop.

Thanks Andy. I looked at some pics and I suspected that as it only has the one ring. This person said they are great for video and I wasn't convinced. Thanks for clearing that up! What decent FD or CY can zoom internally? Also, I've picked up a Helios 44M 58mm and Mir 1B 37mm in M42 for literally nothing. There are so many Helios 58mm, just after character and crazy flares. Do you recommend any other M42? Thanks for the help!

@andy lee, I'ven been offered 2 Vivitar Series 1 FD lenses, one is a 28-90mm and the other is a 70-210, are these any good? If so, how does the zoom/focus function work?

Thanks Andrew. I am the best person ever at advice, as I have clearly demonstrated. :) good luck with the minskirt. ONTO topic though.... er, firmware for Blackmagic. More colour temps would be handy.

I think its a very clever marketing stunt to be honest. No doubt they will run the modding service, but they will be getting linked into a lot of stuff related to Blackmagic because of it. People will be like, 'sod modding my Blackmagic, this KineMINI is the real deal!' Surprised I missed the joke!

Its all part of the media critique bandwagon, anyone who is popular or runs anything popular will always come under harsh criticism. In the filmmaking blogging area, every blogger gets taunted, harassed and criticised for pretty much anything they say. A great way to explain it could be a front page news report, running an exclusive, saying "20 year old pop star needs rehab as she stumbles out of nightclub at 3am." My point is, hang on - she's 20 years old and stumbling out of nightclubs? NO WAY!! Anyone who is under the public eye will get daggers left, right and centre, just because its easy. @jonpais.... Dude isn't offensive if you use it in the context of The BIg Lebowski. ;)

You can attach a DSLR type grip onto the side of the KineMini. Definitely the most intriguing camera of NAB, followed closely by the AJA. Really want to order one but don't have the cash yet.