Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera?

Jim Forrest · March 6th, 2011, 08:35 AM

In the Movie Mode 24p Cinema setting you can set your ISO, shutter speed and f-stop ahead a time.
I have not seen any spot mode.
To have a floating iris you would need to be in 'S' to lock the shutter and would be shooting at 1080i.

Jeff Harper · March 6th, 2011, 09:22 AM

I wonder, would it be better to have ISO on auto, and exposure set rather than the reverse? I guess it would depend on the scenario, wouldn't it?

John Vasey · March 8th, 2011, 11:39 PM

Thanks to all for answering my additional questions on the GH2....extremely helpful and much appreciated...John

Eric Lagerlof · March 9th, 2011, 02:52 PM

John, there is no SPOT type feature that I know of on the GH2. I shot a high contrast theater piece in just such a situation, dark on the sides, main talent spotlighted, with both a GH2 and my Sony FX-1 HDV camcorder. The GH2 was somewhat contrasty in parts and I got some blown out highlights and noisy darks. That said, it still looked pretty good.

I would be wary of using auto iso, at anything over 800, iso gets noisy and I did get most of the noise in the darker parts of the frame. I used the kit 14-42mm f3.5 lens, and I've quickly learned that indoor lighting and darker shots really need a faster lens. I've seen other indoor and contrasty footage from the GH2 and it looked great, I clearly don't have a great understanding of the camera yet. It's a different beast then a video camera! (And FWIW, I engineer video multi cam sytems, matching cameras for live switched shows, so I do know my video.)

This post may not help a whole lot. Just letting you know my experience. It will give you great images and it's a very good camera. It can be used for lock-off shots, but was not really designed for that in mind.

Dan Asseff · March 9th, 2011, 08:22 PM

I am in the same situation. I have the NX5 an was wanting the GH2 for a second cam and for bridal prep work. How is the low light for reception work? Is there an adapter for Nikon lenses?

Dan

John Vasey · March 9th, 2011, 09:50 PM

Eric,

Thanks for your input regarding your experience in shooting a theatre show with spotlights. One of the issues I face in running an unmanned wideshot video camera is can the camera compensate for the varying lighting conditions, especially high contrast work and low light. A camcorder like the Sony CX550 and 560 apparently have some real flexibility here based on posts in the NX5U forum...using AE shift and the "spotlight" function. So it sounds as if the GH2 may be limited in this respect for compensating for varying lighting conditions on it's own as an unmanned camera, though for an evenly lit scenario, say, a wideshot of a press conference, I think it would definitely excel there. Thanks again for the info you contributed...it is very helpful on my end...John

Eric Lagerlof · March 10th, 2011, 11:08 PM

John, at this point, I basically agree. Easier and possibly better overall with a dedicated video camera in this particular situation. However, if I were to use a faster lens, like the f1.7 pancake lens, I might be giving you a whole different review. This is one of the big differences. People have made suggestions about using not only low contrast filters but even pointing to lower/higher contrasting lenses.

It's not so much that the GH2 might not do a good job being a lockdown camera, but I'm just not sure how it's done yet.

Jeff Harper · March 11th, 2011, 01:04 AM

John, an ideal camera for you would be the FX1000. I was too quick to endorse the GH2 for your work. You cannot depend on a f/4.0 kit lens, probably, and with a prime you'd have no zoom ability. It would be probelmatic, I would think.

The GH1 I received yesterday is a nice camera, but in low light it doesn't quite compare to the GH2, so I was mistaken to endorse it so fast...unless you can use a fast prime lens, and know what size you need, cool.

I am considering an FX1000 (I've owned two in the past) to give me what I need from the rear, maybe use it in conjunction with a prime lens on the GH1.

March 6th, 2011, 08:35 AM	#16
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? In the Movie Mode 24p Cinema setting you can set your ISO, shutter speed and f-stop ahead a time. I have not seen any spot mode. To have a floating iris you would need to be in 'S' to lock the shutter and would be shooting at 1080i.

March 6th, 2011, 09:22 AM	#17
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? I wonder, would it be better to have ISO on auto, and exposure set rather than the reverse? I guess it would depend on the scenario, wouldn't it? __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 8th, 2011, 11:39 PM	#18
John Vasey Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 75	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? Thanks to all for answering my additional questions on the GH2....extremely helpful and much appreciated...John

March 9th, 2011, 02:52 PM	#19
Eric Lagerlof Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 348	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? John, there is no SPOT type feature that I know of on the GH2. I shot a high contrast theater piece in just such a situation, dark on the sides, main talent spotlighted, with both a GH2 and my Sony FX-1 HDV camcorder. The GH2 was somewhat contrasty in parts and I got some blown out highlights and noisy darks. That said, it still looked pretty good. I would be wary of using auto iso, at anything over 800, iso gets noisy and I did get most of the noise in the darker parts of the frame. I used the kit 14-42mm f3.5 lens, and I've quickly learned that indoor lighting and darker shots really need a faster lens. I've seen other indoor and contrasty footage from the GH2 and it looked great, I clearly don't have a great understanding of the camera yet. It's a different beast then a video camera! (And FWIW, I engineer video multi cam sytems, matching cameras for live switched shows, so I do know my video.) This post may not help a whole lot. Just letting you know my experience. It will give you great images and it's a very good camera. It can be used for lock-off shots, but was not really designed for that in mind. Last edited by Eric Lagerlof; March 9th, 2011 at 04:03 PM.

March 9th, 2011, 08:22 PM	#20
Dan Asseff Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Port Orange Fl Posts: 317	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? I am in the same situation. I have the NX5 an was wanting the GH2 for a second cam and for bridal prep work. How is the low light for reception work? Is there an adapter for Nikon lenses? Dan

March 9th, 2011, 09:50 PM	#21
John Vasey Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 75	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? Eric, Thanks for your input regarding your experience in shooting a theatre show with spotlights. One of the issues I face in running an unmanned wideshot video camera is can the camera compensate for the varying lighting conditions, especially high contrast work and low light. A camcorder like the Sony CX550 and 560 apparently have some real flexibility here based on posts in the NX5U forum...using AE shift and the "spotlight" function. So it sounds as if the GH2 may be limited in this respect for compensating for varying lighting conditions on it's own as an unmanned camera, though for an evenly lit scenario, say, a wideshot of a press conference, I think it would definitely excel there. Thanks again for the info you contributed...it is very helpful on my end...John

March 10th, 2011, 11:08 PM	#22
Eric Lagerlof Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 348	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? John, at this point, I basically agree. Easier and possibly better overall with a dedicated video camera in this particular situation. However, if I were to use a faster lens, like the f1.7 pancake lens, I might be giving you a whole different review. This is one of the big differences. People have made suggestions about using not only low contrast filters but even pointing to lower/higher contrasting lenses. It's not so much that the GH2 might not do a good job being a lockdown camera, but I'm just not sure how it's done yet.

March 11th, 2011, 01:04 AM	#23
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Advice on using GH2 as a locked off wideshot video camera? John, an ideal camera for you would be the FX1000. I was too quick to endorse the GH2 for your work. You cannot depend on a f/4.0 kit lens, probably, and with a prime you'd have no zoom ability. It would be probelmatic, I would think. The GH1 I received yesterday is a nice camera, but in low light it doesn't quite compare to the GH2, so I was mistaken to endorse it so fast...unless you can use a fast prime lens, and know what size you need, cool. I am considering an FX1000 (I've owned two in the past) to give me what I need from the rear, maybe use it in conjunction with a prime lens on the GH1. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."