jonpais

Why the GH4?

Yes, Panasonic is making external recorders obsolete so you can afford to purchase one of their $800.00 SD cards.

Over at Amazon, the Lexar 128GB UHSII 1000X averages 4.4/5 stars by some 1,764 customers. Like batteries, there are lots of fakes that are virtually indistinguishable from the genuine article.

Pretty much my feelings exactly, concerning the lack of Cinelike D. It was only when I started shooting Cinelike D with my G85 that I felt the DR range of the Lumix was beginning to approach that of my X-T2. The lack of a microphone input is another thing as well. The Zoom is a good workaround, but it's nice to be able to plug a Rodelink directly into the G85. For those in the market for a new midrange mirrorless, I'd still highly recommend the G85 for those reasons, as well as for the fully articulating screen.

Surprised how small it is, first of all. Comes in a very durable hard plastic case, so should last a long time, with care. I'm working on yet another viral video, ? comparing the results of eyeballing WB, using one of the WB presets and using X-Rite. X-Rite is getting me in the ballpark faster and with less guesswork. I also guess it's compatible with the plug-in Color Finale, just not sure if they've added the G85 or GH5 yet.

Amazingly, I just got my $200 X-Rite Colorchecker from Germany, no mafia/customs fees. Something this small just might make it through, too...

Lots of V-Log L goodness in that PDF.

I'm all about support gear, I hear you on that. And if Veydra ever came out with an anamorphic lens for m43, that would be killer too, and a reason I might actually go out and buy the GH5, something not offered by other manufacturers at the moment. For what it's worth, I'm not insisting anyone spend their entire paycheck on glass - there are so many alternatives to spending $1,000 on a kit lens, though - you pointed out several very interesting ones in your previous post that I still need to take a look at - it's just so disheartening to see so many purchasing slow, variable aperture universal zooms in the name of 'versatility'. Versatility invariably entails compromises, something I'm not too fond of. Compromises like edge sharpness, compromises at the long end of the zoom, compromises in terms of speed, compromises in terms of bokeh, what have you. Whatever I buy now or in the future, f/2.8 lenses just don't get my heart racing. I prefer APS-C as well, especially for DR and low light, but Fuji would really have to begin offering zebras, touch screen, a usable app and IBIS to ever get my money again. And frankly, I don't see that happening any time soon. And Sony would have to offer a camera whose LCD screen was visible in daylight and didn't overheat on 90 degree days.

@Cinegain I always enjoy your insights, and it's refreshing to hear someone taking into account the fun factor. But I still believe lenses, LED lights, microphones, tripods, sliders, gimbals and so on are a better investment than cameras, since we usually hold onto them for many years or even decades, whereas we often trade in or sell camera bodies every few years. Why is that? I'll get to that in a moment, but first... I'd make a graph but my computer skills are nil, so I'll just have to type it out the old-fashioned way ?. 1 Leica Nocticron - $1,200/10 years = $10/month investment 3 camera bodies - $2,000 pc./10 years, sell two on eBay for $1,000/each... ? BTW, my math skills are nil too! Of course, I'm guessing many of us will own more than three camera bodies over the course of 10 years. Returning to the fun factor. Take a look at any of the forum threads for cameras, and you'll see lots of hand wringing, dozens upon dozens of criticisms about ergonomics, features, jello, noise, frame rates, codecs and so on. Now, check out the lens subforum. So quiet! Hardly a single dissatisfied user to speak of. Take the Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, for example, the one I spent all my energy on trying to dissuade readers from purchasing. ? Nary a murmur.

@wolf33d Actually, the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens is by no means a soft lens - I did a direct comparison between it and the $1,000+ Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 on my GM1 a few years back and was surprised at how well it held up. Unfortunately, it hasn't got a manual focus ring. And I never was able to find a decent ND filter for it here in Vietnam because of the small filter thread (37mm I think).

I wouldn't buy those overpriced plastic lenses either - I prefer the overpriced metal ones.

Intermittently I guess. It will be connected, then I try to change, say, the aperture on the iPhone, and it disconnects. Or, I tap to focus and no response - the app just freezes. Or, everything is going well, but as I'm recording, it loses connection and I have to hit the camera shutter release to stop recording. There are dozens of complaints about the same issue over at the Apps store.

I can't even get the app to stay connected to my G85 with my iPhone. If someone can fix that, I'll send a check in the mail. ?

My main reason for wanting to purchase a monitor in the past was for the exposure aids (waveform monitor, false color, etc.) and to be able to see the composition more clearly, but lately, I really feel the need for something with better color accuracy than the LCD on my G85. It's a total guessing game. Lately, I've been bringing home the goods more often than not, or at least 100X closer than I used to, but I'd like something with excellent color accuracy, something I don't read too much about. For example, over the weekend, I shot some footage in the Chinese market and at a temple here in Saigon, the images looked rather bluish on the LCD, but when I get home, I see I pretty much nailed the WB. I'm tired of second guessing.

TBH, if that's some of the best footage Glenn's ever seen from the GH5, there's really nothing much more to discuss. Because we're already worlds apart on what constitutes good image quality, let alone content. Edit: and I can't subscribe to this reasoning either: Nah, not that at all. There are just some truths in life... The Godfather is one of the best films ever made, Pizza is good, The Beatles are the best band ever, and Kholi's GH5 footage is the best GH5 footage posted thus far. Even if it isn't your cup of tea, you should be able to recognize these simple truths. - mercer

Okay, just a question. You may recall my comparison between the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 and the Leica 42.5mm f/1.2. Obviously not a fair comparison because of the difference in focal lengths, but if I had compared the Nocticron to something of the same focal length with a SB and the Leica hammered it, would you still insist the Leica easn't worth the extra money? As it is, there isn't another ART lens between the 50mm and the 85mm AFAIK, so I can't do anything like a fair comparison. We already know the Leica DG Summilux 12mm beats any of the wide zooms, and it's a few hundred dollars more, but apparently, most readers value 'versatility' over image quality. Yet I'm pretty sure I've seen way more outstanding videos shot with primes or even standard zooms than I have those shot with slow variable aperture universal zooms. Finally, although I've got a SB and several APS-C and full frame lenses, I much prefer smaller, lighter native lenses.

I do appreciate Wolf33d sharing his video. I thought the scenery was beautiful - I don't think I've ever been to a place as lovely as that. But seriously, how can you tell if the AF works when the image is so soft to begin with? Also, I don't do mountain climbing, but it's hard to believe someone could travel to a spot as remarkable as this and not bring along at least one decent lens and an ND filter. It's not as though he hadn't planned this trip for a while. And I realize there are sometimes misunderstandings online, but his response, 'no way would I bring a 12mm only' - I never suggested Wolf only take along one lens on his trip. ND filters don't weigh that much, either.

Beautiful scenery for sure, but everything is soft like 480p. Which lenses were you using? What made you decide not to bring along an ND filter? I'm seeing far too many videos shot with the GH5 in bright light with the kit lens with no ND filter. It seems to me even if you'd shot with the Rokinon 12mm f/2 and used an ND filter the results would have been sharper than this. Also, I don't shoot architecture or landscape, but just how important is AF-C when shooting these?

I wish Veydra would revive their plans to make an anamorphic lens.

I'm definitely in the market for a nice monopod for the X-T2.

Yeah, I've got all these X-mount lenses, got the X-T2, but it sits at home most of the time. No articulating touch screen I can vlog with, an abominable app that only allows 720p, no zebras and no IBIS. I've either got to lug around a tripod, or use the Zhiyun Crane. I'll probably only start using it once I get my butt in gear and write a script for a short or something. That Olympus video is simply atrocious! So much so, that I thought it could have been made as a sick joke by one of these late night comedy shows. I can't remember exactly what I paid for my Voigtlander, but it sounds like prices where you're at are crazy high? I just learned that a store I shop at all the time will be getting the GH5 next month, but I'm still not tempted. Maybe of all the features that could sell me on it, it's the lack of an extra crop in 4K. I'd suddenly have a whole new set of focal lengths to play with! I really do prefer purchasing lenses to bodies I suppose. My past 25 or so videos have probably all been about lenses. I think it's a shame that lenses get so little love, at least, that's the way I see it, maybe it's not so. Or even microphones, or storage, or LED lighting - those are the things that get my heart pumping lately anyhow.

More very random thoughts: We're living in a day when the cost per GB of SSD storage is rapidly decreasing, yet Panasonic will still be able to sell its 128GB SD cards for $800.00 USD a pop. Which is practically the cost of one Voigtlander 17.5mm f/.95 lens here in Vietnam! At least with a Nokton, you know you're handling something that has old world craftsmanship; there's no question of its value, either optically or when it comes to build quality: and everyone owes it to themselves to experience what must be the finest instruments ever built for the m43 system, and possibly some of the best for any system - and in this age of disposable gear, it is something of a miracle that products of this calibre are even being manufactured. My own point of reference for high quality AF glass are the half dozen X-mount lenses in my collection. Once again, excellent craftsmanship, all metal construction, aperture rings, weather sealing, and engraved lettering and numbers. But I see here in the forums that some of their lenses are far from perfect. As far as all metal construction goes, I've often come across reviews of camera bodies and lenses made of metal that scratched easily, so I think manufacturers should take heed and choose their materials wisely. Another area manufacturers could improve upon is lens coatings - I see too many lens reviews where flare is a problem, particularly with wide angle primes and zooms. I also think by now that everyone here is already aware of my aversion to slow, variable aperture universal zooms, and it was disheartening to see just how many who picked up the GH5 decided to go with the a slow zoom rather than picking up a fast prime or two. To me, the difference between shooting with the Leica 12mm f/1.4 compared to the wide end of the Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 is like night and day, and I haven't seen any images from the 12-60mm f/2.8-4 that have blown me away like, say, the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 or the Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 have. I'm not a bokeh whore by any means, but I'm not overly fond of the bokeh I've seen from some of these variable aperture zooms either - it's busy and distracting. And I'm not at all convinced that a somewhat shorter 24-70mm full frame equivalent lens is a disadvantage, especially after seeing the breathtaking images of Nepal shot with the Samsung 16-50mm f/2-28 posted in these pages the other day. As a matter of fact, what I am seeing too often by those with longer zooms is a certain timidity, a lack of intimacy, almost a determination not to approach and confront subjects, but to shoot them from afar: and the viewer is relegated to the position of an outsider rather than a participant. I mention in the video above how scarce good videos shot with the premium primes are: on the other hand, there is far too much footage shot with these variable aperture zooms in harsh daylight where the user doesn't even bother with an ND filter, so it's even often difficult to fairly assess the quality of these lenses. I'm also seeing an over-reliance on IBIS or OIS or both, resulting in jittery footage, when at the very least, out of courtesy to the viewer, the poster could have brought along a lightweight yet sturdy monopod for support.

?

So, you're saying this happens in full manual mode? Which lenses are you using?