GH4 and Anamorphic Resolutions for 2.39 Scope

[eris]

Here are just some notes I made regarding anamorphic recording resolutions on the GH4, crop requirements, general lens requirements and pros/cons.  Feel free to correct me, but I think this might be useful for entry-level anamorphic people.

 

GH4 Widescreen Modes / Resolutions for 2.39 Cinemascope / External Recording

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GH4 1.5x Anamorphic, 10 bit out UHD at 3840 x 2160, recordable by any external 4k device. 10% horizontal crop gives 3456 x 2160 so each source frame contains 7464960 pixels.  1.5x de-squeeze yields 5184 x 2160 at 2.4 ratio. Pros: Recorded source material has the highest resolution, good anamorphic feel, available lenses are high quality and can be light weight and easy to focus, single focus anamorphics available.  De-squeeze yields full cinemascope (2.66), slight crop to 2.4 standard.  Cons: entry level 1.5x anamorphics are pricey, more work than DCI 4K + crop.  Uses: A lot of entry level anamorphic work can be shot using 1.5x (Bolex, Isco, etc) as long as you can tolerate slightly higher rig complexity.  Bolex can be handheld. For more of a stylized look, check out the 2x anamorphics.

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GH4 DCI 4K, 10 bit out is 4096 x 2160, Ratio is 1.89, Cropped to 4k 2.39 scope is 4096 x 1716 so each frame contains 7028736 pixels.  Pros: Easy setup, single focus, very good choice of lenses, lightweight rig, best horizontal resolution, acceptable total resolution.  Cons: No anamorphic effects in flare or bokeh or other anamorphic effects.  Recommended for: Crane/Jib shots, Wide angle, remote / drone  (DCI 4K external recording requires at least PIX-E5 or Atomos Shogun or 7Q). Note: Internal Recording @ 8 bit can be used here but be careful for sun, sky, flare banding especially with flat recording modes (Cine-D, VLog)

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GH4 2x Anamorphic, 10 bit out is 2880 x 2160 with black bars on sides.   Each frame contains 6220800 pixels.  Expand with 2x anamorphic to 5760 x 2160, reduce to 4096 x 1716.

Pros: True 2x Anamorphic look and feel,  wider range of anamorphic lenses, increased anamorphic “effect”, some lenses have fantastic blue flare. Cons: Considerable loss of resolution in post, less expensive 2x anamorphics are dual focus and difficult to use in production. Some good midrange 2x and excellent 2x single focus lenses for rent or purchase (if you have unlimited cash available).  Recommended for: Anamorphic night and sun shots where flare is more obvious and beautiful.  Car lights, flash lights in the dark etc. (Any good 4k external recorder will work here).