GH-1 Bundle Ideas?? at DVinfo.net

Andy Shipsides · June 11th, 2009, 05:52 PM

Hey guys,

So AbelCineTech is getting into selling video accessories for the GH-1 and I'd like to get your feedback. I'd like to make bundles that lower the price overall for you guys, something similar to what we did with the Red User Group. I'm talking bundles aimed at the DSLR filmmaker - Tripods, Camera Support, Mattebox/FF, audio gear, etc. It worked out really well with the Red users because we were able to rally special deals from manufacturers. DVinfo users can do the same thing. We just need to know what you are after. I'm a DSLR owner myself, so I have an idea, but I'd like to see what you guys think. Any ideas?

Miller / Manfrotto Systems - The Miller DV Compass system is pretty awesome.
Chrosziel / Zacuto / Arri Matteboxes and Support systems?
Z-Finder, HoodLoupe?
Monitors?
Audio Gear?
Bags?

Any ideas would be great. I can't promise anything at this point, but the bigger the response the better the package.

Andy

Ken Ross · June 11th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Andy, are you guys selling the GH1 itself? If so, do you have an inkling of an arrival date?

Andy Shipsides · June 11th, 2009, 06:59 PM

We are going to be selling them. I'll let you know when we get them in.

Andy

Andrew Reyna · June 12th, 2009, 12:56 AM

Andy,

bundle the GH-1 with:

- DSLR backpack
- Batteries
- Beachtek-like XLR audio adapter
- Nikon F-mount & Canon FD adapters

I believe that the bulk of people buying the GH1 that would be targeted from this forum would want all of those accessories built into a single kit.

Paulo Teixeira · June 12th, 2009, 08:14 AM

You might as well take off the monitor from that list since you cant use it on this camera.

You can add the official GH1 microphone and although it might not come out until September, the 20mm f1.7 lens is another good addition.

Robert Fierce · June 13th, 2009, 11:31 AM

I've heard the Panasonic mic isn't that great. For around the same price (about $125) the Rode Videomic is probably the better buy. RØDE Microphones - VideoMic

Paulo Teixeira · June 13th, 2009, 06:16 PM

So where are you hearing that the Panasonic version isn’t that great compared to a similarly priced Rode especially when on a GH1?

Robert Fierce · June 14th, 2009, 11:41 AM

Probably a poor choice in words. They're actually two different mics. The Panasonic mic is stereo while the Rode is a directional single channel mic. The nature photographer I talked to naturally liked the Rode better because it had a better reach, but if you want to record in stereo the Rode is obviously not the mic you want to use. However, when it rates 4.5 stars from 29 reviewers on Amazon, you know the Rode Videomic should definitely be considered when putting together a package.

Rich Wells · July 24th, 2009, 11:03 PM

Would it be possible to put a Beachtek type audio adapter on the GH-1?

Barry Green · July 26th, 2009, 02:23 PM

Yes, we used one that was marketed for the Canon 5D Mark II. You have to pull out a couple of locator pins, but other than that it works.

With that said, I'd much rather use the Zoom H4N instead of a Beachtek. The Zoom is a standalone 4-channel recorder, you can use it for double-system sound but you could also just pipe the headphone output from the Zoom into the GH1; use the GH1's audio for a scratch track and import the Zoom's audio in your final project.

The Zoom has two built-in mics that aren't half bad, and two combo 1/4"-XLR ports that can take either input. I'm not saying it's the greatest recorder in the world, but it did very well for the price point, and sometimes it's just so convenient to mount a planted mic at the scene rather than running XLR cables all over the place, etc.

Another big factor for the Zoom over a Beachtek is that the GH1 doesn't have a headphone jack! You can't monitor your audio on playback (other than via the camera's speaker). Whereas with the Zoom you could hear exactly what your audio sounded like.

We used both (for 4-channel recording, 2 lavs into the Beachtek into the GH1, and a lav & boom into the Zoom) and since they cost about the same, I'd vote for the Zoom over the Beachtek if I could only buy one.

D.R. Gates · July 26th, 2009, 05:33 PM

Bundles are lame.

People just want to buy the camera at a reasonable price from a reputable dealer and get their own accessories.

Bundles are mostly associated with sketchy dealers who throw in a bunch of cheap Chinese made crap and call it a "pro package". Then they hit you with inflated shippings fees to mail all that junk to you.

June 11th, 2009, 05:52 PM	#1
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	GH-1 Bundle Ideas?? Hey guys, So AbelCineTech is getting into selling video accessories for the GH-1 and I'd like to get your feedback. I'd like to make bundles that lower the price overall for you guys, something similar to what we did with the Red User Group. I'm talking bundles aimed at the DSLR filmmaker - Tripods, Camera Support, Mattebox/FF, audio gear, etc. It worked out really well with the Red users because we were able to rally special deals from manufacturers. DVinfo users can do the same thing. We just need to know what you are after. I'm a DSLR owner myself, so I have an idea, but I'd like to see what you guys think. Any ideas? Miller / Manfrotto Systems - The Miller DV Compass system is pretty awesome. Chrosziel / Zacuto / Arri Matteboxes and Support systems? Z-Finder, HoodLoupe? Monitors? Audio Gear? Bags? Any ideas would be great. I can't promise anything at this point, but the bigger the response the better the package. Andy __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com Last edited by Andy Shipsides; June 11th, 2009 at 07:04 PM.

June 11th, 2009, 06:59 PM	#3
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	We are going to be selling them. I'll let you know when we get them in. Andy __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

June 12th, 2009, 08:14 AM	#5
Paulo Teixeira Trustee Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,773	You might as well take off the monitor from that list since you cant use it on this camera. You can add the official GH1 microphone and although it might not come out until September, the 20mm f1.7 lens is another good addition. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/PhotoVi...esEtc/featured https://www.pond5.com/artist/paulot

June 13th, 2009, 06:16 PM	#7
Paulo Teixeira Trustee Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,773	So where are you hearing that the Panasonic version isn’t that great compared to a similarly priced Rode especially when on a GH1? __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/PhotoVi...esEtc/featured https://www.pond5.com/artist/paulot

July 24th, 2009, 11:03 PM	#9
Rich Wells Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oakland Posts: 27	Audio adapter? Would it be possible to put a Beachtek type audio adapter on the GH-1?

June 11th, 2009, 06:55 PM	#2
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	Andy, are you guys selling the GH1 itself? If so, do you have an inkling of an arrival date?

June 12th, 2009, 12:56 AM	#4
Andrew Reyna Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 34	Andy, bundle the GH-1 with: - DSLR backpack - Batteries - Beachtek-like XLR audio adapter - Nikon F-mount & Canon FD adapters I believe that the bulk of people buying the GH1 that would be targeted from this forum would want all of those accessories built into a single kit.

June 13th, 2009, 11:31 AM	#6
Robert Fierce New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Albany CA Posts: 15	I've heard the Panasonic mic isn't that great. For around the same price (about $125) the Rode Videomic is probably the better buy. RØDE Microphones - VideoMic

June 14th, 2009, 11:41 AM	#8
Robert Fierce New Boot Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Albany CA Posts: 15	Probably a poor choice in words. They're actually two different mics. The Panasonic mic is stereo while the Rode is a directional single channel mic. The nature photographer I talked to naturally liked the Rode better because it had a better reach, but if you want to record in stereo the Rode is obviously not the mic you want to use. However, when it rates 4.5 stars from 29 reviewers on Amazon, you know the Rode Videomic should definitely be considered when putting together a package.

July 26th, 2009, 02:23 PM	#10
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Yes, we used one that was marketed for the Canon 5D Mark II. You have to pull out a couple of locator pins, but other than that it works. With that said, I'd much rather use the Zoom H4N instead of a Beachtek. The Zoom is a standalone 4-channel recorder, you can use it for double-system sound but you could also just pipe the headphone output from the Zoom into the GH1; use the GH1's audio for a scratch track and import the Zoom's audio in your final project. The Zoom has two built-in mics that aren't half bad, and two combo 1/4"-XLR ports that can take either input. I'm not saying it's the greatest recorder in the world, but it did very well for the price point, and sometimes it's just so convenient to mount a planted mic at the scene rather than running XLR cables all over the place, etc. Another big factor for the Zoom over a Beachtek is that the GH1 doesn't have a headphone jack! You can't monitor your audio on playback (other than via the camera's speaker). Whereas with the Zoom you could hear exactly what your audio sounded like. We used both (for 4-channel recording, 2 lavs into the Beachtek into the GH1, and a lav & boom into the Zoom) and since they cost about the same, I'd vote for the Zoom over the Beachtek if I could only buy one.

July 26th, 2009, 05:33 PM	#11
D.R. Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 111	Bundles are lame. People just want to buy the camera at a reasonable price from a reputable dealer and get their own accessories. Bundles are mostly associated with sketchy dealers who throw in a bunch of cheap Chinese made crap and call it a "pro package". Then they hit you with inflated shippings fees to mail all that junk to you.