mercer

Again not disagreeing with you, entirely. I just haven't used it. But I have seen a ton of videos and the really good ones are crafted by people who always make really good videos. So yeah, maybe you can blame the operators because the camera is capable of good imagery but readers and potential buyers should be aware that their videos could be one of the overwhelmingly bad videos online as well. And until I personally use one, I'm unsure which will be more likely.

I'm not disagreeing with you but you could also argue a good DP will get a great image from a t2i or a Nikon D90, so it's only responsible as regular posters to this site, to acknowledge that the great footage we are seeing could be more likely due to great operators. For instance, if I had the same exact set up and circumstances as Luke had on his recent anamorphic video, with the same script and resources, more than likely my short would not turn out as well as his did. There is a craft to this and craftsman and craftswomen need to be applauded for their skills, IMO.

My problem with the GH5, is there seems to be too much of a disconnect between amazing footage and shitty footage. It's like a redhead and since I'll probably be closer to the latter, I am hesitating buying one. For $800 cheaper I can get the D7500 and know I'll get exactly what I am looking for in a 4K image. And the 1080p 24p and 60p is just gorgeous and as cinematic as any camera in its price range... but I'll be losing 4K 60p, slow/quick function, variable frame rate and probably most importantly... 5-axis IBIS. I mean you can literally take a GH5... a small DSLR sized camera out into the world and shoot a guerilla styled short film or feature with most people being none the wiser. It doesn't get much more Indy than that.

Obviously with SLog2 you need to but if you didn't there would be too much noise in the shadows, which is probably why Panny has left noise reduction in the pipeline. Even with all the features, the GH5 is still a high end consumer camera created to give enthusiasts a reason to buy a 4K TV.

I agree, when I first started getting more serious with video, I had the NX500... I tried getting it as flat as possible and ETTR... I learned quickly that ETTR is usually not your friend. It works great with my 5D3, but I haven't found another camera where it does.

Well, I'm no expert on such things but a lot of people believe you can just ETTR Log footage and all is good, but as I'm sure you know, not all Log curves are the same, so for most people, a simple Flat Profile would lend better results.

I also love how Arri LUTS work so well with so many different cameras. A simple S Curve and an Arri LUT at 50% will make even a shot from the D5500's Flat Profile look excellent.

Yeah I think for a feature, if you have the budget to shoot with a Terra, BM, or 5D3 you'll get a way better image... no comparison really... but for a $2000 camera and a little elbow grease, you could definitely do worse than the GH5. I actually still think VLog may be overkill even for 10 bit footage... maybe when the 400mbps update happens. If I decide to get one, CineLikeD will be my friend.

Yeah LogC has some pretty cool mojo.

Good points, Don. I think we also need to consider that there is a modern "filmic" look that I think can be described as just as cinematic and very much liked by younger generations. There's this guy on Vimeo, a filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest named AJ Molle and he has been shooting filmic looking stuff since he had a GH3 and LX3. He then went to the GH4 and I believe he shoots with a D16 now, but his stuff has an intriguing mix of digital and film. Even Alexa footage doesn't necessarily look like film as we know it, but it also doesn't look like consumer/enthusiast digital video either. This is where low end Raw and Log footage helps. But also nailing your exposure in camera and using light color grading in post to keep the image from breaking apart but still giving it a look that just isn't quite reality.

Man I have been tempted to buy that 24mm FD for years. It seems like it's a legendary lens. Hell with a Turbo II speedbooster and a dumby adapter, you'd have two really nice focal lengths on the GH5.

Man, your film looks awesome.

Honestly if I was only concerned with IQ, the 5D3 would be enough, but the post workflow is a little long and it lacks some of the simple, or should I say, easy features of the GH5... mostly 60p in 4K and the variable frame rates conformed in camera and 5-axis IBIS. So for me, the 5D3 would be the camera I'd use for my more thoughtful shorts and the GH5 would be for my micro, handheld shorts. With that said, I probably won't get one right now... or I'll order one tomorrow. Lol.

Yeah I noticed that. Tested it today. Pretty impressive for a less than 720p vertical resolution. I think I'll test the experimental build next week to see what I can get out of it. Have you tested any high resolution slow motion... even 48p is pretty slow... well slower than I thought it would look.

Those look great, Mike!!! I was wondering how you were getting along with it. I am kinda thinking the same thing. It's a get up and go camera with a lot of lens options. What lenses are you shooting with? I actually wouldn't get VLog, I'm one of the few people that enjoys CineLikeD. I have always looked to Panny cameras for either a grungy look, or a very modern video look. I won't mix the two cameras, they'll be used for different projects with different needs. I tested slow motion with the 5D3's regular build today... I didn't love it. It actually looks pretty good for a less than 720p vertical resolution, but for the project I need the slow motion for, it doesn't make much sense. How do you like the slow mo? Have you tested the slow/quick function? Variable Frame Rate 4K? Any info would be much appreciated. Btw, am enjoying your 5D3 LUT... if only I could get Color Finale to work now that I've upgraded to Sierra. LOL it's always something. To add... I think that may be some of the best color I've seen from the GH5... I have got to get that book you recommended. Also, how clean are the shadows?

Effing Chung Dha and his mad skills... his videos always get me. This is one of the more intriguing videos, for me, because I have a couple sets of c-mount lenses with no camera to use them with... Ugh... stop posting these videos you effer... Lol. But seriously lowlight looks great, clean shadows... really nice modern look. Of course I am looking at it on my phone... so I reserve the right to be wrong.

Haha, yeah that video looks excellent!!! One of the ones that are calling me to the camera... plus I have the same shirt that guy is wearing.

I agree, features to price ratio, the GH5 is a great camera. And if I were to use one for paid jobs, it would be a no brainer... I'd imagine 3 or 4 small jobs would pay it off, but I don't do paid jobs... I'm a screenwriter looking for another outlet to showcase my writing. It's very unlikely I will ever do a paid job with it, so I have to be more cautious with my selections... especially since I tested about a dozen cameras and fifty lenses in the past couple of years.

The GH5 has been a major roller coaster for me... I went from no interest, to a lot of interest, to no interest after seeing the early videos compared to 5D3 ML Raw, to a little interest this week due to the features. As of today I am unsure if I will get one or not. I have almost hit Buy it Now twice but then I watch my 5D3 footage and think... do I really need a GH5? Both times, the answer has been no and this is coming from a place where the features would be a godsend for my next short. So, I am still up in the air. The features I am most excited about, I can get with the FZ2500 for half the price and if I want 4K, I am more interested in the D7500 for almost half the price as well... but I am still on the fence because I know the GH5 will be a workhorse for those short films that I don't want to bother with ML Raw post workflow.

I guess that's why they make vanilla and chocolate but I don't think the Varicam beat any of the cinema cameras except for the Sony. It was much better than the hybrids though but against the cinema cameras, the highlights looked bad to me. It was better than the Pocket, theoretically, but the Pocket has a more interesting look IMO. As I said in Webrunner's post on the same topic... the biggest surprise in that test is the BMCC underexposed.

Because a Varicam is nowhere near as good as an Arri.

No offense, but as defensive as you have been about the GH5, I just figured you owned one... but you're right, unless you want to shoot Raw, the GH5 seems to be the best bang for the buck. My only issue with it is that I have seen a complete mix of amazing footage or horrendous footage. Not much in between.

@Emanuel wait a minute... you don't even own a GH5 yet? Or did I misread that comment a few up? But to add to the discussion, when I owned the FZ2500, single point touch af worked a lot better than I though it would. If you are a one man band operator and use only native lenses, it may work better than some of the weird focus rings on m4/3 lenses... I know I liked it better than the manual ring on the FZ2500... and that manual ring wasn't the worse I've ever used.

Man that Seal Beach October video looks great. Awesome color, good enough resolution. I wish JVC would put out a camera in DSLR form, I might be interested in something like this. But for the money, it's probably the best deal around.

Yeah this is my dilemma, I have a very specific short I am writing that could really benefit from IBIS and 4K 60p... and in some ways just the fact that it is shot on a GH5 may help to spread the short around since so many more eyes will see it. But 2 grand is a lot for a new camera, for one short. Sure I'll use it for other things but still love my ML Raw. I just wish Panny would release their high bitrate, all-I 1080p in a cheaper model.