Would you like a little camera with your mount?
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:57AM The Panasonic GH1 is finally available for order on Amazon and B&H Photo (although with a wait time of 1–2 months, I’d call that pre-order). This little camera is getting the attention it deserves as the first biggish-sensor, interchangeable lens stills camera that takes video seriously.
A big part of that seriousness is the lens. Designed from the ground up as a true hybrid still/motion lens, the kit zoom on the GH1 has an impressive range, optical stabilization, smooth autofocus, stepless aperture, and near-silent operation.
Sadly, the trade-off is that the GH1’s kit lens is slow as molasses, with a maximum aperture of f/4.0 at the wide and and a pinhole f/5.8 at the long end. If the GH1’s 4/3 sensor is the key to shallow depth-of-field, the kit zoom is a big wad of stale gum shoved in the keyhole.
Sure, there are some faster lenses for the GH1. Like this 24mm f/1.4 from Panasonic. For a mere $1100 you can have a fast prime that eliminates many of the above advantages of the GH1’s video mode.
Yes, more and cheaper Micro Four Thirds lenses are on the way, and one hopes that many will offer the video features now exclusive to the MolassoFlex 14–140mm. But in the meantime, folks are going crazy creating adaptors for the GH1.
And with good reason. The flange depth (what?) of the MFT format is very adaptor-friendly. Perhaps this is no better illustrated than by this beast:
This is a prototype PL-mount adaptor created by Illya Friedman of Hot Rod Cameras. I played with this at NAB (on a G1), and what struck me about it is that the mount is so much more heavy and substantial than the G1 body that you actually must wield the camera by the mount! And in fact the actual production model will have mounting points for a plate and rods. Add a PL-mount lens to the mix, even a small one, and you’ve got a rig where the camera body is a negligible part of the form factor.
Personally, I think there’s some real usefulness in a camera that can switch between full pain-in-the-ass cinema mode with big-money glass and follow-focus rigs, to stealth run-and-gun mode with truly useful autofocus and yet full manual control over iris and shutter.
The GH1 may not be perfect, but it is by far the most interesting camera on the market right now from the perspective of this DV Rebel.
If you want to learn more about the Hot Rod PL adapter, contact Illya at illyafriedman@gmail.com.
If you order the GH1 from Amazon or from B&H using these links, then beer is on me.
Reader Comments (80)
Agreed, Christopher.
MAJOR APOLOGY TO STU
Sorry to clutter your blog with this crap. Deepest apologies.
dude, ELissa, with all due respect, what the hell's up your ass? Bravo, Xavier/Brian (yes, you too), you've been good boys, now mush! Move the frig on! Put the links that support your argument (if someone actually DOES argue with you, instead of you jumping on their necks because they thought out loud), give your argument, answer questions as best you can and just move the frig on! If it's too long, take the time to write it out clearly and put it up on a blog, or in a forum. No need to be sock puppets for each other, or get riled up when the interwebs disagrees with you. If you're right, THEIR LOSS! whatever the hell..! Why the hell go around virtually shoving people who disagree with you? what kind of territorial pissing contest is this supposed to be? what sort of kick do you get trolling about on blogs? (btw, too much time on the net, especially on forums, can lead to a general urge to flame anything that moves. are you sure none of you guys aren't in just dire need of fresh air? and for f*ck's sake! CHILL!)
shit dude, no one's forcing you to buy anything. people want to buy it because it's a toy, a gadget. some people might make the effort to get more out of it, and good on them. If it's fruitless, they'll SELL the camera. It's not like ANYONE who's going to buy this camera expects to be keeping it long term as their main bread earner. Heck, the Holga's not a proper effing camera, but nobody's buying it because they're "stupid shytes who were too dumb to buy an SLR", and they sure don't need proselytizers trying to make the people see the light. If someone's a 'GH1-wack', they're equally loosely a Holga-wack, a Polaroid wack, a B/C Horror movie wack, a DVX wack, a Konvas wack or a Super 8mm/16mm wack (you get what I mean) or any other in this line of absurd labels to put to someone. They aren't knocking on your doors trying to stuff some camera they liked down your throats, so why don't you stop biting people's heads off for no reason other than having the mere opportunity to throw a tantrum? Honestly, if you're not being paid to be in people's faces (for whatever reason ;-) ), then I'd have to conclude that you're being a dick. If you are being paid, eh, whatever. You gotta make a living somehow.
nobody's saying the GH1's the last say in effing Video SLR's. and what's more, if it boils your blood that people might ACTUALLY find some potential in the camera, and it's not the camera of your choice because of your own (perfectly valid) reasons, DON'T expect everyone on the goddamn INTERNET to always agree with you. Besides, why the hell do you have to get riled up in the first place? It's not like you're going to get a rash if someone buys the camera. Anti-RED proselytizers did the same when the RED One came out. To each his own.
If someone is idiotic enough to buy a camera purely on the basis of word of mouth, innuendo, hype and opinions, eh, I don't really feel the loss. Once bitten, twice shy anyhow. If you hate fanbois, why the hell do you bother with them? It's like you've sentenced yourself to go through chinese water torture and complain about it, even though you can just stop at any particular time.
By no means am I saying don't voice your concerns! DO! it helps the community! But there's no point spitting poison just because you don't have the world thanking you for saving them. Maybe a GH1 coming off the shelf (god forbid!) into the hands of a capable filmmaker (*GASP*) might just be the end of the world after all. When it happens, you can say "I told you so". Even then, nobody likes an obnoxious/pretentious jackass. Again, chill out. Nobody's trying to steal your precious audience, or your ivory bloody podium.
Finally, my own OPINION:
The GH1 is a CONSUMER Video SLR. Additionally it also just so happens that it's the only Video SLR currently that CAN rightfully be called a VSLR, because unlike other companies, the feature isn't added as an afterthought. I DO think that is commendable. Panasonic did EVERYTHING to make it easy to use, for CONSUMERS interested in using a DSLR for video. the codec reflects this. it functions like a VSLR, i.e. has all the functionality that a VSLR should have. It just so happens that it is the rough equivalent of what an amateur filmmaker would want from a small, cheap camera. Interchangeable lenses, MANUAL CONTROL, 24p, Micro 4/3rd's chip, flip out LCD, a lens that is well suited to the task it is given, and awesome autofocus features. it's a FUN camera, that some people take seriously because we CAN learn from using it. It has potential. We're in an age where 'film' will probably (and hopefully) become, and to some extent is, the dominant art form on the planet. I could give this to the next kid speilberg, and he'd do a marvelous job with it, because the camera can put out something worth seeing. It's not like anyone's shooting with a webcam. you can use it like a professional camera, even though it won't give you completely professional results. I could give this to some guy who wants to produce a series for youtube, or give it to the next edgar wright to make his Spaced if he's determined enough to get something like that out of his camera. Or even a small light camera for documentary work. They'll probably put out a newer more capable model soon enough, but if it's still the pseudo-hobbyist camera that this is, (which I suppose is likely) I'm going with the Scarlet/Canon APS-C sized VSLR as originally planned.
I like the GH1. I think it's worth buying. I'm not in love with it, that would probably take time. As for the technical faults:
... I wonder what Stu thinks of all this?
Some are missing the point with the obvious strengths of this cam...
its small and doen not bring attention to itself in cases where
a videographer or journalist need not be noticed!
This cam has some great features and varible controls.
Plus put some nice glass on it and your image improves greatly.
Not to mention throw in on a steadi cam Jr and go to town in 720P.
Its a great addition to be creative- Ill use its strength and avoid its weakness.
...isnt this what creators do? I wll not make my "Gone with the Wind" with it...
yet i will make money with it and it will pay for itself in one maybe two jobs!
Those arguing its weakness are over the top! Now the Canon Mark II despite its image has some major user issues!
Ive seen all the GH1 video on Vimeo it has great potential and latitude!
I belive its contour is too strong and can be brought down- i feel some other pro sumer camcorders are the same, way too much setup on the contour!
Its codec may have some issues yet I feel this will be addressed soon as their will be truckloads of these cams selling that will lead to the eventual GH2!
Why do these these sort of debates get so heated? If you don't want the camera don't buy it, but don't knock people who go out of their way to test it our REALLY thoroughly like Kholi...he has been absolutely honest about the flaws of the camera and it's great points...
Now if this camera was being sold as THE BEST CAMERA IN THE WORLD, LIKE EVER!! then you would have every reason to grumble and complain...but it isn't! This is a consumer camera that is bringing manual controls to an HD video mode that is much needed. Yes the codec is far from great but you get what you pay for! The Canon 5dmk2 has awesome capabilities but is WAY from perfect and is the biggest pain in the ass camera I have ever used. But I stilll love it!
You can get quality out of any camera on the market, depending on how you use it...I mean I have seen quality shorts from the Apple isight!
If this camera is not for you then don't buy it! Simple as that. This is generation 1 from Panasonic DSLRs and it only gets better from here. So lets have patience. Be happy the way things are going because this is all great news for us and use the right tools for the right job.
Personally I will take my GH1 with me everywhere...it's a great stills camera and a really good video camera...with fast glass it is actually pretty damn sweet!! For just quick stuff that stock lens has astonishing autofocus features...it's absolutely silent too!
Yes would love the codec to be stronger, the bitrate to be higher and many other things...but hey isn't that what the Scarlet is going to be all about ;-)
By the way I shot with Illya's PL adaptor yesterday and got some awesome stuff with Zeiss Master Primes...I will have a blog up about it tomorrow...
Thanks Kholi for going to the trouble to test this camera and to report your feedback on it. The casual browse I've had shows me that you have stated things, and made correction and ammendments as necessary. I have no idea what more anyone could ask.
C'mon everybody...Let's give each other a big cyber hug... there... that's it. Feel better now?
Now go make some movies with what ya got. If you can that is.
I think a few people around here need to have a nice cup of tea and calm down!
Just finished my first 48 hour film shoot and I am absolutely knackered!
We had to submit SD on mini-DV tape so not much need for a camera like this, I used a panasonic GS400 and all things considered it did a great job.
However next year they say they might move to HD with the film submitted on a flash drive, so then I might be interested.
Seems to me that Prolost is a blog for amateur film maker wannabes and people should keep that in mind when they make comments.
I totally agree with the comment from Christophe: 'Lastly, I'll politely suggest that it might be better to buy some camera, *any* camera, and go out and make movies that be locked in analysis-paralysis waiting for the perfect camera at the perfect price-point to emerge from the manufacturer.'
I love the technology as much as the next person, but please people, stop arguing and go out and shoot something (with a camera that is)!
Maybe I am last comment!
- 180 degree shutter.. Hope that actuaklly IS possible with GH1?
- Big problem - Getting talent in front of the cam. These rigs look funky. I want to get someone with a little (read LOT) of talent in front of the lens... hard to do when you have mickey mouse stuff. I do not want to shoot scenery.. Philip Bloom kicks ass at this.. and I would just be white noise posting alongside him. I am one of those "potential filmmakers" - 28 years of tinkering and learning.. but no films to date.
I think people like me have all the tech we need... We just gotta shoot.. and get a good crew and talent around us... and keep trying . Your first try is going to suck.
The GH1 will work.. and the HV* whatnot will too. Get the experience and do something great.. and your camera problems will be answered.
Good bye.
Salik,
Geez. Calm down...
Please note that I got dragged here by Elissa who copied my post from dvxusers.com.
I find it rude of you to tell me to get out of here because I don't appear to share your opinion.
On a more positive note, Kholi has done a wonderful job of showing the strengths of the GH1 by using various lenses and available light:
http://www.vimeo.com/4582107
-- Xavier
MattMoses,
In 1920x1080@24p (in 60i pulldown), you can shoot at 1/50th shutter (almost 180... definitely good enough).
For "action" shots, where you'd want to shoot 1280x720@60p and retime to 24p to avoid macroblocking problems, then the slowest you can use is 1/60th. Anything slower will end up doubling the frames in the 60p sequence, effectively giving you 30p.
-- X
Who needs subways when Thift Stores are every bit as compelling?
Seriously, the Thrift Store is possibly the most film-like footage we have seen so far.
Does anyone know if the PAL GH1, shoots at 25 and 50fps (720p)?
C.
The fact is, there will be compelling work done on this camera. No question. Many will learn it's weaknesses and avoid them. The new approach in modern cinema is to write the story for the medium as opposed to the reverse which has been the standard. If there is an indie (AKA Rebel) w/ this cam and they want to make a film with it, they will write something appropriate for the medium. If they have talent and knowledge, the camera will become an asset.
I have seen some real potential in the 5D MII and some shorts shot with it that are outstanding but, most are flawed before they touch the lens. We have a lot of work we can do before we need to have the perfect cam. Don't make excuses. Go out and tell a story.
Its amazing that people are so desperate to bash this camera that they will flat out lie like "Elissa" has.
For those who don't know, "Elissa" is a pseudonym for someone who decided this camera sucked before it was ever in anyone's hands.
But we should believe "her" rather than the two professional DPs who have posted in this thread.
When "she" tells blatant lies?
Its quite interesting that this camera makes "her" so desperate.
Jerry,
What lies are you talking about?
What do you think of the picture quality of this camera? By now I'm sure you've downloaded some raw footage and made your own opinion.
-- Xavier
well I wonder if Stu will delete that bit of slander. Who are these professional dps that have tested the footage
My opinion is based on footage gotten off the private file of the GH1. Kholi has not given any private files to test only Vimeo. which are useless for analysis, yet he's praised
I wanted this camera to work, but it doesn't. Thats a fact not a fantasy. Check the footage yourself. I linked to it. tell me what you see instead of hiding behind a post and casting slander because I seriousely doubt you took the time to check the footage out for yourself.
And if you read Stu's twitter responses he saw the artifacts and knows what I;m talking about.
Its amazing that only 3 people questing this footage should get hammered for telling the truth.
All I wrote in my initial post is that its artifact heaven. i thought that was useful information.
Heres Stus twitter : :"Looking at some GH1 sample clips now. The compression artifacting is pretty nasty"
Heres phillip Blooms opinion: "The GH1 is a great little tool but no substitute ( for an HDV camcorder) .the codec is quite weak and the lack of audio monitoring if a problem...I would keep the HDV camcorder.
Kholi first says that watching it on a bigger TV screen will show these artifacts more, now he posts its good enough for the big screen.
What?
I'll watch now how you all slander those messengers.
Well heres a review. What lies did I say?
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DMCGH1/DMCGH1A.HTM#vids
That review has one thing wrong. Yo don't see this level of artifacting with the 17Mbs HF10. Thats because canons implementation of Avchd uses b frames the GH1 doesn't. This reviewer is coming froma still world but even he notices the artifacting on a 46" TV.
Basically you have a good still camera and a good video camera if its locked off with little detail. the slightest bit of panning creates mush. It all you're doing is web movies its fine.
Will this Adapter work with GH1?
Novoflex Lens Mount Adapter - Nikon Lens to Four-Thirds Camera Body
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563533-REG/Novoflex_FTNIK_Lens_Mount_Adapter_.html
They have adapters por others mounts too.
Would be great to use Nikon manual lenses with GH1 :)
You need a micro 4/3rds mount for the GH1. Theres micro and theres standard 4/3rds
AVCHD compression smudging:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DMCGH1/DMCGH1A.HTM#vidcrops
Haven't seen any mention of this example from yesterday's update on Dave's site.
Chris
For the "real" image quality with any of these hybrids our only hope these days is an HDMI-out firmware hack.
For the rolling shutter issues, I'm not that concerned. The Foundry's RS removal plug-in looks very promising in that regard and for whip pans I can probably fake it with a mesh warp.
The fact that we have to make peace with is simply that all digital consumer / prosumer cam footage is a "renovator's delight" in one way or another.
You definitely shouldn't buy a GH-1 right now. waiting for something better to come out is a sound idea.
I think we've reached a conclusion on the matter...
I know that this is Stu's blog and his decision to let the comments flow, but perhaps it's just time to give it a rest until the next camera is released and the process is repeated.
Rest assured I'll have the next one in my hands, perhaps earlier on, be it Samsung's or Pentax or Sony or, yes, an S35 Sized Scarlet Brain.
Let's just settle on the GH-1 being a horrible tool and move on to the waiting game.
Either that or leave me out of your comments. I'm tired of getting emails about it.
Well, concerning the image quality of the GH1 this video on vimeo proved for ME, that's it's better than anything I expected so far:
http://vimeo.com/4441911
All in 1280×720 mode…50p slowed down to 25p in cinema tools and CC with Magic Bullet Looks
I can surely live with THAT!
And could I use manual nikon lens with GH1 using
Novoflex Nikon to Four Thirds Adapter
PLUS
Panasonic DMW-MA1 Mount Adapter to Mount Four Thirds Lens on Micro Four Thirds Camera
???
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/563533-REG/Novoflex_FTNIK_Lens_Mount_Adapter_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/588085-REG/Panasonic_DMW_MA1_DMW_MA1_Mount_Adapter_to.html
Just get the novoflex adapter to micro 4/3rds adapter.
http://43rumors.com/novoflex-adapter-for-panasonic-and-olympus/
Lumix GH1: First Impressions (Akihabaranews)
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-18075-Lumix+GH1%3A++First+Impressions.htm
Stu, thought you might find this interesting; the gadget-happy boys at Akihabara have a review of the GH1 on their website here:
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-18192-Panasonic+GH1%2C+a+Stunning+Video+Camera+in+a+Good+DSLR%3A++Review.html
They're not the most well-informed reviewers, but the review does have several interesting HD videos to download.
Can I ask why the blogger here has such an issue with Autofocus. On every digital SLR that includes video he is bashing the lack of a good autofocus system. What self respecting filmmaker actually makes use of the pathetic in built focus systems manufacturers include in video camera's.
All autofocus is terrible, even in higher end camera's like the Panasonic HVX/HPX series. Manual focus is all you really need and should be using for shooting.