Panasonic: Let Filmmakers Help You Sell the GH1
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:02AM Everyone’s probably heard the story of how Vincent Laforet came to shoot Reverie. He just happened to be at Canon USA, happened to see some boxes come in, happened to recognize what they were, and in his patented never-take-no-for-an-answer way, cajoled Canon into loaning him one pre-production Canon 5D Mark II body for one weekend. With his unique resources, ingenuity, and eye, he cranked out the short heard ‘round the world. DV Rebel filmmaking hasn’t been the same since.
How many 5D Mark IIs did Reverie help sell?
Meanwhile, filmmakers excited about the GH1 get to look at this crap:
Hey Panasonic: Get your GH1 into the hands of some filmmakers! You’re the first stills camera maker to take video seriously. How about you take your marketing seriously and let someone with filmmaking chops show the world what the GH1 can do?
Reader Comments (42)
Amen!
I'll gladly take one and have a crack.
Hey Stu,
I dying to learn a little bit more about the codec the GH1 uses. Do you know where I could find some info?
Thanks,
Chad Jones
Lots of panning artifacts. Are from the camera or the encoding?
Well said Stu,
Panny letting some gifted people take a roll with the camera and some adaptable Leica lenses instead of the slow kit ones would help a lot with trust. The Leica adapters for the G1 are on eBay at $19 bucks which should fit easily the GH1.
Is this a game changer or what?
Does this mean rebels will be starting to shoot 3D in a couple of years?
I'm waiting for Panasonic to make a SMELL-O-VISION camera. That will be the game changer. (One gimmic is as good as another.)
Yup, I was thinking the same a few weeks ago. The DSLR companies don't realize what they are missing by not shooting good videos, and by not including SOME video manual controls to their cameras.
I kind of feel that the DSLR video world looks like the cellphone industry was looking before the coming of the iPhone. Suddenly, everyone took notice.
What's about that? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug6fp2hbKAI&feature=channel_page
Doesn't make it better? ;-)
This shows a nice DOF: http://www.vimeo.com/4021085
I was all the day scanning for GH1 clips and found this one and others.......
Fully agree with you Stu....
How long will it take still we see some decent stuff on vimeo?
I humbly volunteer to shoot a kick-ass short film in less than a week if Panny would loan me two.
Know any filmmakers like that, Stu?
I remember when digital video started - [Canon xl1 time.]
Half of trying to acheive a film look seemed to be ADDING grain to the image.
It seems post Reverie, those days are long gone.
A few of us are receiving GH-1's Stateside this early week. Expect to see a lot on popular forums!
AWESOME BLOG! My first time commenting. Just one quick note.
The Reverie link is outdated and comes up with nothing.
Here is the link to the new post of Vincent Laforet with the return of Reverie...
http://blog.vincentlaforet.com/2008/10/10/without-further-ado-reverie/
Hey guys.. I sent Canon tech another email today, and attached Nikon's quote about adding manual control. This is what i got back..
"Thank you for your reply about the video mode on the EOS 5D Mark II.
We are sorry to say that there is no information regarding any possible
enhancements to the video mode on the 5D Mark II. If you are looking
for more advanced video features we recommend that you purchase a
camcorder.
We hope this helps. Please write to us again if you have any questions
or concerns regarding the 5D Mark II.
Sincerely,
Erik
Technical Support Representative"
I gotta sell my Canon 5D JHOR II Slash-o-vision Camera. It automatically makes low budget horror movies by squirting fake blood at everything. But it's only 30p....
If you are looking for more advanced video features we recommend that you purchase a camcorder.
I absolutely agree.
Is this a game changer or what?
Does this mean rebels will be starting to shoot 3D in a couple of years?
"final footage from the camcorder would be 1080/60p, with each lens recording at 1080/30p"
Hmmm what kind of look will that give? James Cameron has said,
3d should be 48 fps second at 2K, for example. { I gather 24p per channel }
I can see that Leica adapter being quite popular with the GH1. There's a group on Flickr for users of the G1 + Leica M-mount lenses. Here's one nice shot I came across - http://www.flickr.com/photos/yoshinori_kikuchi/3143330455/in/pool-lumixg1m It was taken at a 1/25 shutter speed, but with the ISO set to 100. That's still quite decent.
But yeah, as mentioned by Stu, I agree they definitely need to get some decent looking footage out there before too many of these 'in the store' clips start appearing by people who have no idea what they're doing.
Very true. What they have now is interesting as well I'm considering doing a short or music video with the Panasonic DMC-LX3S as a test. Similar to what I did with the nikon d90 on my site. Looking forward to the GH1
- " How many 5D Mark IIs did Reverie help sell? " LOT!!
- How many users GOT FRUSTRATED after realizing there was NOT EVEN ONE Manual Control? LOT MORE!!
- " If you are looking for more advanced video features we recommend that you purchase a camcorder."
- That answer is one of those they are telling to customers inquiries since some time ago.
The difference between a "camcorder" and 5D Mark II is huge. In ANY way, technical and price. In both ways too. Cons and Pros for both.
There is no possible comparison between a small sensor camcorder and a Full Frame sensor camera capable of gathering low light such as the 5D Mark II.
CANON SHOULD REALIZE that their LOYAL CUSTOMERS DESERVE RESPECT AS WELL AS THE COMPANY DOES.
And Canon is NOT showing that when:
1 - Promoting the "new Full HD capability" and writing INACCURATE WHITE PAPER STATEMENTS that CONFUSED so many customers before purchasing the camera
2 - Giving anwsers like they have been given to customers inquiries (see link above too)
3 - Showing 5D Mark II at NAB 2009 TOGHETHER with PROFESSIONAL HD lenses and broadcasting devices aimed to Professional use
4 - Having Professional Manufacturers (Zacuto, Redrock, etc.) designing and selling gear to use the 5D Mark II professionally for video tasks, while it does NOT allow Professional Control of its video features
5 - Keeping ALL customers WITHOUT any certain idea of what is going to happen regarding THOUSANDS of requests for Full Manual Control in video mode
6 - ALL the camera needs is a FIRMWARE UPDATE, perfectly possible with NO hardware change required, with NO overall redesign, with NO big cost to Canon
Canon Inc. whole company has MILLIONS of customers.
Canon Inc. CAMERA DIVISION has HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of customers all around the world.
- IS that a PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE of such a Huge, Renowned and Professional Company?
Photographers, Videographers and even Filmmakers are interested in the camera and have requested FULL Manual Control for Video on 5D Mark II
WHAT MORE one company could ask when releasing a DSLR???
So far they are the only company with a full frame DSLR with Full HD Video.
BUT that WILL NOT LAST FOREVER... If they do not take advantage over the competition right now, and give what the customers are requesting, the competition WILL do, and the GREAT OPPORTUNITY Canon have at this very moment of being steps ahead will be much less or even lost.
CUSTOMERS LOYALTY is being tested too, indeed, and NOTHING can guarantee that customers will keep it IF the Manufacturer DOES NOT seem to TAKE CARE about so many requests.
...
It's really a shame they don't listen.
I sent a proposal to Panasonic Japan. I offered to make a professionally made short with professional lenses and mikes, using the GH1.
They told me to ask my local panasonic.
I then asked Panasonic Belgium. And go figure, I got NO answer...
Pansonic, the offer still applies :-)
Nope, he's one of the guys that want more frames per eye in 3d very bad. And he may be one that they listen to...
Did you guy noticed that:
http://www.canonrumors.com/2009/04/5d-mark-ii-firmware-update/
well, it's only a CR1.
GH1 footage worth a look. Nice DOF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ8YVKcMEQA
Hey, at the Panasonic web site the GH1 is up for sale and it says it ships in 1 to 3 days
here: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-G1K_11002_7000000000000005702?cm_sp=Homepage%20Main%20Banner-_-PNA-_-DMCG1%20Camera%20of%20the%20Year042009
Nevermind that, the link was from a GH1 promo but the page is actually for the G1
Sorry to get anyone's heart racing!
~D
Some decent footage turning up. Canon and Nikon need to get a clue, because the GH-1 is THE real game changer.
And if it's got Live HDMI then it's pretty much game over.
My unit arrives in Los Angeles, in my hands at 3PM Monday. I've got casting to deal with til then but every other moment I'm wondering what's the first thing I'll break the camera on.
I do regret opting out of the 7-14/4 Vario HD lens. I should have gone ahead with it but backed out at the last minute. These new lenses are specifically for video mode and while a bit "Slow" by some people's standards, may offer a bit more functionality in conjunction with the video mode.
if Panasonic continues to kick out "HD" lenses with specific functions that coordinate with the GH1, things could get even MORE interesting.
These little Rebel cams are not GAME changers... They are mre like first and ten at the 45 yard line.... a good start. For one, you are shooting some Decent fps (24) and decent DOF... finally... with a major tradeoff in 8bit compressed original footage... so your stuff better look good to start with.... RED has actually changed this game... as I suspect none of these other players would have dipped into this game if not for them taking all the risks.
But more and more I wonder how fast everyone will get bored of trees and leaves footage or people "looking for something" films.
By accident i got my hands on the gh1 today at the german premiere. The whole thing was part of a in house roadshow at a munich photo/video vendor.The camera is very nice and shows only very small rolling shutter artifacts as far as i could check. Operating and setting shutter as well as apperture was easy. You could record something and they would put i on a big screen. The picture looked good, although i only had the possibility to film middle- old men in the usual roadshow surrounding. It seemed to me that the picture looked "flatter" than the fotos (pictures) i took.
I have to say i am not a professionel cameraman but i am really looking forward to use this one on some of my low budget music videos and shorts.
MattMoses -- Not going to argue the validity of the camera. Already been through that, naysaying isn't an original occupation.
"filmmakers excited about the GH1 get to look at this crap:"
That's what I like about your blog. No pussy-footing around.
-JRJ
I'm a little surprised that a pro film maker, or at least a talented reviewer didn't get their hands on this camera before the monkey in the camera department put up his masterpiece.
I've got two projects this week that I could shoot and get up within a few hours. Panasonic can e-mail me....
That looks like in the Akihabara branch of Yodobashi Camera (?) ... I must have spent three days in that store last time I was in Tokyo.
I can't imagine there being many Filmmakers in Japan interested in the GH-1's Video Capabilities
Again, Monday and Tuesday will be the day that you start hearing real deal technical details, and Wednesday when the footage starts popping up from US hands.
The first thing I'm testing tomorrow is HDMI out, then right into ISO's, Shutter Values, etc.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=169564
heres a review by someone who got their hands on the japanese production model.
1. LIVE HDMI = No. Doesn't Look like so, folks.
2. USB to Composite Video Cable Included = Thanks Panasonic!
3. Rolling Shutter = RED ONE spec. Quote me on it. I waved this sucker around at 140mm looking for rolling shutter and it's just so scant that I'm speechless. Panasonic's Video department needs to take a lesson from the stills department. PERIOD.
4. Image Quality = Sucker looks like EX-1/RED @ 1080. Straight out of the HDMI into a Production Monitor all I gotta say is "fin~"
5. Manual Control Extent = EVERYTHING. I do mean EVERYTHING.
6. Custom Color Profile = DId you even have to ask? YES. And just wait til you see this stuff with the NOISE REDUCTION off. Yeah, it comes standard ON with this camera. >=D
7. Shutter speeds: 1/40, 1/50, 1/60 -- I can live with that.
8. ISO - 100, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 600, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 in Video Mode
9. Flip Out LCD - Seriously? Did Panasonic actually make this thing? The LCD is awesome. Stick it up to yoru eye and BOOP (sound effects there) you get the Viewfinder. Sick.
10. Overheating -- Camera's been on for an hour so far. No overheating. Awesome feature on this: it turns the LCD off until the lens picks up motion, then it snaps back on. Sweet.
11. KIT LENS -- F4 indeed. And I have no reservations with using it for as much as I can. If this is the limitation of an F4 then it's all up hill from here man. The Lens isn't really friendly for manual use, unless you wear it in. But this sucker is QUIET as hell.
Stu puts it down so eloquently! Keep keepin' it reel* Stu. I am wondering if the skew we see in the images are of the sensor or the codec?
Skew is as good as RED and EX-1. I've got the camera in my hands and I swear I have to really try to make the skew appear to see it.
That's with the MEGA OIS OFF.
Stu, seems that Panasonic heard you! Philip Bloom has posted this: Panasonic Lumix GH1 first impressions and first footage. Woohoo!
We approached Panasonic early on about this when the cam was announced. Even had name talent organized through various favors and a production co to foot the bill.
I then made the mistake of including their PR person Blayne Murphy at the Cohn & Wolfe agency in the conversation who promptly blocked it. You know PR people, if it's not their idea, it can't be done. Period.
So it's not like Panasonic is clueless, they're just ill advised.