Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced

Steve Rosen · September 29th, 2015, 05:54 PM

Okay, so I got my audio issue worked out...

DON'T SHOOT 24P IF YOU NEED TWO DISCREET CHANNELS OF AUDIO... for instance an on-camera mic and a boom or wireless. TEST FIRST and learn from my experience. It took me nearly 4 hours to figure this one out because it's not until you load it into a computer that you discover CH2 isn't there. Bummer.

So I moved on to lenses again and am amazed to discover that my little f2.8 12-40 Olympus Pro at 87% (4K setting), 80% (normal MFT) and 52% (S16) is noticeably sharper than the EF 24-105 and EF-S 17-55 at 100% (with both Metabones and the adapter with the iris, don't remember the name).

Go figure. There may be some noise in there with the lower VSM settings, but it's not really noticeable unless you're hunting for it. Pixle-peep away if you want...

BTW, I did most of the lens tests at ISO800 because I figure real world, right. But even at 1600 the Olympus beats the Canons. I said this before, but I reiterate, I am very surprised because I like both those lenses, especially the 17-55, on my C100, which is also theoretically at "100%". This camera seems to handle lenses differently than any other I've used.

Duncan Craig · September 30th, 2015, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Rosen

different

Probably the best way to describe this camera!

Glad you got the sound issue sorted.

I think you have sold me on the 12-40, but I'll need to use a shoulder rig more often I suppose.

I still find shooting on my EX1 to be a liberating experience every so often.
I'm sure the DVX-200 with it's fixed lens and MFT sensor will keep a lot of people happy.

Dave Bittner · September 30th, 2015, 07:07 AM

The 2.0 firmware is available. I've downloaded and installed it, and I'll report back after I've had some time to play with some of the new settings.

Duncan Craig · September 30th, 2015, 08:49 AM

It's hassle trying to find the update isn't it?

This fools you into believe it the right place: JVCPro-MSIS

Eventually Google found this page: JVC Professional Customer Support - Firmware Upgrade

Duncan Craig · September 30th, 2015, 09:39 AM

Now I just need an FCPX + El Capitan update for J-Log...

Steve Rosen · September 30th, 2015, 02:33 PM

Duncan - another thing I like about the Olympus is that it has a focus ring that slides forward and back to activate/de-activate auto focus. If you ever, as I do, like to hit auto focus momentarily, for instance when wide, this feature means you don't have to fiddle with the button on the camera.

Be it known I am not an Olympus advocate - nor am I a JVC advocate - In fact this lens and this camera are the first I've ever owned from those respective manufacturers.

Many are discounting and badmouthing the LS300.. Well, it deserves some badmouthing, at least JVC certainly does. They could have made real waves if they'd put as much into manufacturing and support as they have in R&D. Oh well, it still shouldn't be discounted. It'll do more than a C300 MKII at less than a third of the price (except, of course, low light - the LS is pretty weak there, that's why I've kept my C100).

BTW, that 2.0 firmware isn't the zoom VSM feature is it? I thought it was an older one.

Duncan Craig · October 1st, 2015, 04:41 AM

According to the download page this new firmware is:

Version: V0200-0118, Release Date: 2015-09-29

What's new:
Added new features:
Cinema 4K recording formats
70 Mbps mode at 4K
Histogram
Spot meter
VSM Zoom
JVC LOG (Cinema Log) with 800% dynamic range
Native resolution format on HD-SDI output
ZIXI Adaptive Bit Rate and Fast FTP
Multicast Streaming in UDP mode
Zebra icon on LCD screen
Support Clip Continuous recording in AVCHD

Here's a link for EU users: http://www.service.jvcpro.eu/public/...el=GY-LS300CHE

Duncan Craig · October 1st, 2015, 05:49 AM

I've installed it... The update went fine.

The prime zoom function is working well with my Sigma 24-70 2.8 on a Fotodiox dumb adapter.
It's variable speed on the zoom rocker, so you can feather the speed quite nicely.

I've tried my Vari-Zoom LANC controllers, and while they will trigger record they won't control the Prime zoom feature, which is a shame. Mine are Sony LANC and IIRC remember there's a couple of different variations on the LANC protocol, so perhaps someone else can test their LANC kit?

J-Log is there, and there's a 1D-LUT option in the LCD/VF menu so you monitor the recording with a LUT applied.

My LCD still looks sub par, but I can learn to live with it.

70Mbps 4k is there.

I've mapped the histogram to the joystick and it works well.
You can set upper and lower 'percentage pointers' on the histogram, from 0% right up to 110% in 5% increments. (The lower actually goes from 0-105%). These pointers are shown as red vertical bars on the histogram.

When you set the camera to J-Log, the histogram options change to F-Stops and I'll profess my utter ignorance about how to use this setting. The default 'pointer' setting in J-Log are a very narrow range on the histogram scale. Is that normal?

I'll try and shoot some tests, to see if the fixed pattern noise has improved at all.

EDIT. Quick update. On my first recording (in 709) the noise is still there. Yuk.

Steve Rosen · October 1st, 2015, 08:42 AM

Right after I posted I went to the JVC site and did the same... No joy with my LANC controller either, don't know the brand, came free with a Canon XF100 I bought several years ago for a carry-on.

The zoom feature is a great addition. Too bad I have to use the rocker because handheld, shoulder mounted, it just isn't practical for an in-shot zoom. But it is good on a tripod, it's a fast way to set the VSM, and handheld it works well to zoom in to focus, which in itself is worth the price of admission.

I shot some 2K at 23.976 and the judder is really bad (remember, I normally shoot 24P so I know what it should look like), I guess I need to experiment with the shutter.

Try as I can, I'm not seeing any FPN in my footage shooting 1080, cine gamma and cine color subdued. I've set the black to 0 and chroma to +2. The picture is clean, even up to 43% (I think that's the #) on the VSM zoom. I've even tried crunching the blacks with FilmConvert to force artifacts and can't see anything. Maybe I'm just not knowing what to look for (old film guy) but in any case, it's not going to bother an audience if it is there.

September 29th, 2015, 05:54 PM	#61
Steve Rosen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 895	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced Okay, so I got my audio issue worked out... DON'T SHOOT 24P IF YOU NEED TWO DISCREET CHANNELS OF AUDIO... for instance an on-camera mic and a boom or wireless. TEST FIRST and learn from my experience. It took me nearly 4 hours to figure this one out because it's not until you load it into a computer that you discover CH2 isn't there. Bummer. So I moved on to lenses again and am amazed to discover that my little f2.8 12-40 Olympus Pro at 87% (4K setting), 80% (normal MFT) and 52% (S16) is noticeably sharper than the EF 24-105 and EF-S 17-55 at 100% (with both Metabones and the adapter with the iris, don't remember the name). Go figure. There may be some noise in there with the lower VSM settings, but it's not really noticeable unless you're hunting for it. Pixle-peep away if you want... BTW, I did most of the lens tests at ISO800 because I figure real world, right. But even at 1600 the Olympus beats the Canons. I said this before, but I reiterate, I am very surprised because I like both those lenses, especially the 17-55, on my C100, which is also theoretically at "100%". This camera seems to handle lenses differently than any other I've used.

September 30th, 2015, 07:07 AM	#63
Dave Bittner Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Columbia, MD USA Posts: 27	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced The 2.0 firmware is available. I've downloaded and installed it, and I'll report back after I've had some time to play with some of the new settings.

September 30th, 2015, 08:49 AM	#64
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced It's hassle trying to find the update isn't it? This fools you into believe it the right place: JVCPro-MSIS Eventually Google found this page: JVC Professional Customer Support - Firmware Upgrade __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

September 30th, 2015, 09:39 AM	#65
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced Now I just need an FCPX + El Capitan update for J-Log... __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

September 30th, 2015, 02:33 PM	#66
Steve Rosen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 895	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced Duncan - another thing I like about the Olympus is that it has a focus ring that slides forward and back to activate/de-activate auto focus. If you ever, as I do, like to hit auto focus momentarily, for instance when wide, this feature means you don't have to fiddle with the button on the camera. Be it known I am not an Olympus advocate - nor am I a JVC advocate - In fact this lens and this camera are the first I've ever owned from those respective manufacturers. Many are discounting and badmouthing the LS300.. Well, it deserves some badmouthing, at least JVC certainly does. They could have made real waves if they'd put as much into manufacturing and support as they have in R&D. Oh well, it still shouldn't be discounted. It'll do more than a C300 MKII at less than a third of the price (except, of course, low light - the LS is pretty weak there, that's why I've kept my C100). BTW, that 2.0 firmware isn't the zoom VSM feature is it? I thought it was an older one.

October 1st, 2015, 04:41 AM	#67
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced According to the download page this new firmware is: Version: V0200-0118, Release Date: 2015-09-29 What's new: Added new features: Cinema 4K recording formats 70 Mbps mode at 4K Histogram Spot meter VSM Zoom JVC LOG (Cinema Log) with 800% dynamic range Native resolution format on HD-SDI output ZIXI Adaptive Bit Rate and Fast FTP Multicast Streaming in UDP mode Zebra icon on LCD screen Support Clip Continuous recording in AVCHD Here's a link for EU users: http://www.service.jvcpro.eu/public/...el=GY-LS300CHE __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

October 1st, 2015, 05:49 AM	#68
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced I've installed it... The update went fine. The prime zoom function is working well with my Sigma 24-70 2.8 on a Fotodiox dumb adapter. It's variable speed on the zoom rocker, so you can feather the speed quite nicely. I've tried my Vari-Zoom LANC controllers, and while they will trigger record they won't control the Prime zoom feature, which is a shame. Mine are Sony LANC and IIRC remember there's a couple of different variations on the LANC protocol, so perhaps someone else can test their LANC kit? J-Log is there, and there's a 1D-LUT option in the LCD/VF menu so you monitor the recording with a LUT applied. My LCD still looks sub par, but I can learn to live with it. 70Mbps 4k is there. I've mapped the histogram to the joystick and it works well. You can set upper and lower 'percentage pointers' on the histogram, from 0% right up to 110% in 5% increments. (The lower actually goes from 0-105%). These pointers are shown as red vertical bars on the histogram. When you set the camera to J-Log, the histogram options change to F-Stops and I'll profess my utter ignorance about how to use this setting. The default 'pointer' setting in J-Log are a very narrow range on the histogram scale. Is that normal? I'll try and shoot some tests, to see if the fixed pattern noise has improved at all. EDIT. Quick update. On my first recording (in 709) the noise is still there. Yuk. __________________ FCPX/LS300/EX1/FS100/GoPro/Vinten/HotHead/Jib/Track/Dedos/Lightstorm/Coollights

October 1st, 2015, 08:42 AM	#69
Steve Rosen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 895	Re: Upcoming New Features for the GY-LS300 Announced Right after I posted I went to the JVC site and did the same... No joy with my LANC controller either, don't know the brand, came free with a Canon XF100 I bought several years ago for a carry-on. The zoom feature is a great addition. Too bad I have to use the rocker because handheld, shoulder mounted, it just isn't practical for an in-shot zoom. But it is good on a tripod, it's a fast way to set the VSM, and handheld it works well to zoom in to focus, which in itself is worth the price of admission. I shot some 2K at 23.976 and the judder is really bad (remember, I normally shoot 24P so I know what it should look like), I guess I need to experiment with the shutter. Try as I can, I'm not seeing any FPN in my footage shooting 1080, cine gamma and cine color subdued. I've set the black to 0 and chroma to +2. The picture is clean, even up to 43% (I think that's the #) on the VSM zoom. I've even tried crunching the blacks with FilmConvert to force artifacts and can't see anything. Maybe I'm just not knowing what to look for (old film guy) but in any case, it's not going to bother an audience if it is there.