jonpais

Here's a test I made of the GH3 with the X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 lens in sort-of low light conditions, to see what skin tones were like. http://jonpais.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/faces/

First of all, great article, even though I'll never approach a level where all those add-ons would be necessary (I just do grab shots on the street for the most part). Also, encouraging to hear that the Retina will be able to handle GH4 4K files (though I've only got 8GB RAM, so I might have to content myself with downscaling to 1080p). I am also green with envy that you will be testing the Cooke lenses with the GH4, not that I would even know what to do with them. But it reinforces what I've always thought - that whoever is manufacturing the sensors in these Panasonics, the colors are beautiful (especially from my GM1) - otherwise, you wouldn't bother. Yet so many in the forums complain of plasticy-looking skin-tones, blah, blah... For that reason, this weekend, I went ahead and made a bunch of head shots with the GH3 in a dimly lit post office in Saigon using the the lowly Vario 35-100mm, which I'll be posting in a few days. I'm not a professional colorist or anything, but the results look film-like to my eyes. And I expect the GH4 will be every bit as good, if not better.

@Tone13 Incidentally, I'm given to understand that the GH4 delivers close to 12 stops of dynamic range. At least, that according to Illya Friedman of Hotrod Camera in an interview with Dan Chung on Vimeo.

I don't even think the Canon 1DX at $7,000 offers what you're looking for. And you expect all this in a camera costing $1,800?

I'm not qualified to talk about the rest of your post, esp. since I have no experience whatsoever with BM, but I think you have it backwards. I believe it is BM that is always delivering late on their goods, not Panasonic. In my experience, Panny has gotten their cameras into the hands of reviewers and consumers on schedule, and there is no reason to believe the GH4 won't be available this spring. In fact, Hot Rod Cameras has already said they will begin training with the camera in just a few weeks. Anyway, all this comparing of the GH4 with the BM is like comparing apples and oranges, if you ask me. The workflow, the low battery life and so on of the BM don't appeal to me at all as a novice, whereas the GH4 is packed to the gills with features and can be used by anyone, pro or beginner. In spite of all the griping by readers in the forums, this is the most full-featured camera at its price range on the market, bar none. I can just take it out of the box and start shooting without a rig right away.

I didn't see any option to delete this post, it was made in error

@Bryan Right, I recall watching the making-of where you specifically mentioned preferring using an external EVF. And I think when I get this camera, an external monitor or loupe (which I've been putting off basically because of my confusion as to which to get) is going to be necessary. And I apologize for my snotty remarks earlier.

@zephyrnoid What size sensor would you like to see Panasonic use? For all I know, they might be planning to roll out a full-frame camera in April... but for myself, I'm happy I can use the same lenses and accessories I use now with my GH3 and the incredible GM1. From what standpoint is this system camera not "the whole package"? Is it incomplete somehow? I even read somewhere that this system was deficient in lens choice... There's something I'm not getting here...

@Bryan To my eyes, the closing shots of the parrot, the caterpillar and the temple at night (?) were the most impressive, from solely a resolution standpoint. And I watched this at the highest setting on a 15" Retina. And sorry about my sarcastic comment, I realize you couldn't fit the copter and tripod in your bag (at least I don't think you could!) Could you comment on the viewfinder? is it an improvement over the GH3?

and this word "insane" is being tossed about a bit much for my taste

Really? Were we watching the same video? Because I've downloaded 720p stuff off Pirate Bay that looked way better than that... And even the berated Sony AX100 video looked stronger to me, not that I'd buy it or anything... The only things I thought while watching that video were a) amazing that he could fit the tripod and 'copter in his backpack with half a dozen lenses and b) that I'll probably have to be super careful with focusing and my shaky hands in order to get anything half as decent as he got, because I think 4K will be much more unforgiving with focusing errors and camera movement...

@Mark If what you say is true, and I give you the benefit of the doubt, then you shouldn't jump to conclusions and accuse Panasonic of rushing this camera to market (that is, unless you have solid proof) in order to beat BM to the punch. That statement alone paints an ugly picture of Panasonic that I simply don't think is warranted. But let's call a truce, because I am really only a novice, you are much more demanding than I am, I'm sure.

@Mark I really don't think Panasonic has rushed through anything to compete with BM. BM is no threat to Panny. And there are so many new features added to the GH4 - stuff everyone has been clamoring for - and still all this hostility toward the company. I simply don't get it. Some people are even calling this a BETA camera. WTF? Crippled? This is pure insanity. Get a grip. I'm happy it can record to regular SD cards or proprietary cards, whatever, it has tons of different file options, peaking, zebras, much higher resolution monitor and EVF (remains to be seen whether they are actually better though), and a bunch of other stuff like pedestal that I know nothing about but which I know for a fact aren't offered on the BMPCC or any other camera for under $2,000. Where is all this pent-up hostility toward Panasonic coming from? Are Nikon, Canon or Olympus making this kind of effort to put a video-worthy interchangeable lens camera into the hands of non-professionals like myself?

Incidentally, I'd like to see Panasonic form a partnership with Cooke^^

Am I the only one concerned about the horrible viewfinder in the GH3? Of all the hands-on reviews I've seen, not one mentions the viewfinder... Still, I'm going to buy this camera and I'm tired of reading all the naysayers here and elsewhere. It doesn't do this, it doesn't do that... It's the most fully featured camera at its price point now and I don't see that changing in April either... And in spite of all the comments to the contrary, I don't think Panny considers Black Magic a threat to their business, that's not who they're competing against. Black Magic sells a tiny fraction of the number of cameras that Canon, Nikon, Olympus do. I've only seen maybe two people with a Black Magic camera in their hands in the past year, thousands of Canons. Not knocking BM, just stating a fact. Then again, I've only seen ONE person who owns a GH3 since it was released... but then again, I live in Vietnam!

What?!! No baby monitor?? What were they thinking? I'm gonna buy a JVC Everio!

This was a great read Andrew, the one of the best I've seen from you yet... Especially interesting after just having read Lloyd Chambers' umpteenth prediction of the demise of the micro four-thirds format (I should add that he approaches cameras from a stills, not video, perspective).

I want to join the 4K party, possibly with the Sony, perhaps the announced GH4 but.... Am I going to have to invest $12,000 to play? All I've got is the latest 15" Retina with 8GB RAM. It's enough for the tiny bit of editing and minor color corrections I'm doing now, but... I've read about making proxies and stuff, but most of the sites I've consulted talk about RAID and so forth, stuff I'm not really familiar with... I'm also prepared to purchase one of the inexpensive 4K monitors that are coming out, though I realize they only have a 30Hz refresh rate... Am I being overly optimistic? It's hard to believe that Sony would release a $2,000 consumer camcorder knowing that your average Joe doesn't have over 10 G's lying around to invest in a build... Just like now, I would just be making videos for online delivery, not theatrical presentation or anything

But it isn't interlaced - it's progressive. What I'd like to know is why Andrew writes that Panasonic's offering is going to be way better than Sony's handycam. He makes the claim, but drops it and goes on writing about something else. I hope Panasonic's GH4 turns out to be great too, since I've got an investment in their cameras and lenses, but he doesn't explain. Is it because it is conjectured that the new camera will record at a higher bit rate than the Sony? Interchangeable lenses? Because really, although I ditched camcorders for ICL cameras, camcorders are really ideal for video, not ICLs.

@nac thanks again. I'll have to try reducing the in camera NR too.

@Quirky +1

@nac Truly beautiful picture quality! I can't believe you captured this using the kit lens... Could you share your picture profile settings (sharpness, contrast, etc.)? Also, did you use any ND filters? Oh, and what f/stops were you shooting at? Thanks for sharing.

I must be nuts, because I am watching the Sony video on my 15" Retina, and the footage looks freakin' awesome to me. I've read lots of derogatory comments about the low bit rate, smearing, blown highlights, (and camcorder form factor?!) etc. both here and at other sites, but listen: this is a $2,000 consumer camcorder. Only a touch more than Canon's top of the line HD camcorder (I believe the HF G30 goes for around $1,500). Anyhow, I think the amount of detail is incredible, and the GM1 is the last HD camera I'll ever own. I just hope my laptop can handle the files... But I'll probably hold off for the GH4 as well, as I'll be able to use the micro 4/3 lenses already in my collection.

@nac yeah, I carry around both the GM1 and the GH3 wherever I go, but I always reach for the GM1 first! @michiel78 And it's not camera vanity, if you're holding and using something all day long, how it handles and how you feel about it's construction are important factors to take into account. I still do a lot of slow motion and recorded sound; and I like having two bodies so I don't have to constantly change lenses in the middle of a shoot - so I won't be selling the GH3 anytime soon. Also, as I've already remarked, it's much more difficult to handhold the GM1 steady with longer lenses. Now, if Mastor Tech would just release the $600 Sailfish gimbal! I've never handled the G6, but everyone seems to like the image quality and the viewfinder if I remember correctly. I'm sure you made the right choice.

I own both the GH3 and the GM1. First, as for editing, FCPX handles 24p AVCHD files no problem, it takes just seconds to import them (on my 15" Retina). Second, I'm not so sure I'd get the GM1 as a main video camera, as much as I love shooting with it. I would also probably go with the G6 if price is a consideration and you don't mind the plasticky body. Just for the record, I prefer the rear monitor on the GM1 to that of the GH3. If you are planning to shoot flash, larger lenses will cast a shadow with the GM1. The flash can be titled upward with one finger, but I haven't tried it, and it would involve too much guess work.