Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 08:23 AM

Dan, thanks for your feedback. I edited my previous post to be clearer, I should have said I know nothing about the Canon except it is phenomenal, as I wrote it seemed I was referring to the GH2.

My main issue with the GH2 is the size, probably above all else. It is much too small to work with in wedding scenario comfortably. The small size has some advantages, but they outweigh the cons. It is too easy to hit a button accidntally, and that happens a lot, particularly when hand held. The number of people that pop in front of the camera when I'm filming who think I'm a photographer is a bit odd, but it shows the greater comfort level the folks have with the camera, as opposed to a conventional videocamera, which people will run from.

Nigel Barker · April 14th, 2011, 09:15 AM

I too find the small size irritating. For the last couple of years I have mostly been using a Canon 5DII with a battery grip & that now feels exactly the right size that a camera should be.

It's crazy to put the shutter & aperture adjustment on that single wheel . It's so easy to be adjusting the aperture & press a little too hard & suddenly you have changed the shutter speed. For video use I really would like to be able to lock the shutter speed at 1/50 & know that I couldn't accidentally change it.

Jim Snow · April 14th, 2011, 11:37 AM

I have had to learn to be careful when picking up or handling my GH2 to avoid accidentally pressing the menu, ISO and other buttons on the back. That is true in one way or another with other cameras as well. The size aspect wasn't an issue for me since I haven't been using a DSLR. My main camera is an EX1R and the transition to the GH2 was huge, almost scary. The mere fact that a new camera represents a new and different ergonomic challenge is just 'dues to pay' for the change. I can understand that those who have used a 5D Mk II for example find the GH2 to feel different in hand. I remember when the Canon 7D was introduced I read the exact same comment about the diminutive side of the 7D. With that said, I didn't expect the GH2 to feel like my EX1R when I picked it up. I suppose those accustomed to the Canon 1D Mk IV found the 5D a bit cramped in hand as well.

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 11:41 AM

Heck Jim, as a former 40d user the GH2 feels miniscule, and that is a pretty small camera. As someone somewhere posted, it seems to be made for a child's hands! But then again it's called micro four thirds, isn't it.

Jim Snow · April 14th, 2011, 11:52 AM

To varying degrees, people tend to resist change to anything that is different or unfamiliar. The switch to the GH2 from my EX1R was nearly traumatic. ;-) It's all related to what one is familiar with. An associate has been using a GH1 since it was introduced. Their comment at a recent videographers association meeting was the reverse when they picked up a 5D Mk II - "Ugh, I would hate to handle this hog all day long." It's the different part that gets people. I suppose some would find the transition from driving a school bus to a sports car a bit traumatic as well. I wouldn't spend a lot of energy listening to them telling me how much better a school bus is than a sports car though.

Jim Forrest · April 14th, 2011, 02:03 PM

" I can record 1.5 hours straight with my 16gb SDHC cards. And I would trust it as a backup camera in the event my DSLRs were not operable or available. It's perfect. Plus, I will use it for personal photography and video while on vacations."

Curious, shooting 1.5 hours with the GH2 if you found it overheating and shutting down like the 7D as been known to do?

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 02:32 PM

Jim, I forget why the other cams overheat, but that is not possible with the GH2.

I have run a GH1 for 2 hours, stopping only to change batteries, no problems.

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 04:51 PM

Another thing about the size Jim. If you are using the camera (GH2) as a lock down, size is not an issue. Buttons not so much an issue, accidentally hitting things not an issue.

However, if you are shooting handheld, it's different story.It is nearly impossible to get through a session of run and gun without hitting a button by accident.

It happens most often when picking up the camera. If you pick it up by the correct side, you can easily hit the wb, iso, or f2 button, which I have done a zillion times. You almost have to pick it up with your fingertips, because it's the fleshy area on the hand below where your thumb is attached that hits the button.

It really is not suited for run and gun, but it will get me through till the next thing.

William Hohauser · April 14th, 2011, 06:16 PM

OK, here's a real serious GH2 temporary shortcoming: no AC adapter, anywhere! Listed on the Panasonic web site but no retailer in NYC has it even listed in their inventory except Adorama that has it as backordered. But they never have seen one.

Has anyone noticed the battery life while feeding a HDMI monitor? The same as using the LCD? Sort of need to know before Monday, I only have two batteries for a full day shoot.

Jeff Wallace · April 14th, 2011, 07:22 PM

I had to buy a GH2 for our company to shoot long lectures, and I have to say I really can't stand this camera. The menus are just completely annoying and non-intuitive, and why on earth would they only offer 24p at the hi-res setting?

I feel sorry for anyone who bought this camera for wedding work. My God... trying to run and gun with this thing must be a nightmare. Not to mention if you shoot in 24p good luck trying to get the footage to look good on DVD unless every single shot is on a tripod.

I think it's manageable for corporate work, but its shortcomings are too many to list.

Dan Carter · April 14th, 2011, 08:23 PM

I hate not to flog this dead horse, but I find the GH2 a wonderful tool for creating stunning images. I currently own a Panasonic HMC40, TM700, GH2 and Canon 7D. They all can create wonderful video, and are all different in respect to how I must operate them for best result. They all have issues that challenge my abilities, but for the most part, my shortcomings are what prevent these cameras from producing good video.

I do believe, at this point in time, we would be hard pressed to find another $900 camera that is as versatile and capable as the GH2.

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 09:21 PM

Come on Dan, can't you think of ANYthing bad to say? (kidding of course!).

William, you will likely want to have some batteries over-nighted. The AC coupler is also not available, I've been waiting for it for awhile!

B&H does have the generic batteries which reportedly last longer than than the OEM versions. If you bought two or three of them you'd be in good shape, just take your charger with you!

Jeff Harper · April 14th, 2011, 09:31 PM

Jeff, if you can't shoot 24fps for any reason, 720p is a perfectly acceptable mode for most work. We would all love to have 1080 60p, I am chief among them, but 720p is pretty darn nice with this camera.

Dan Shallenberger · April 14th, 2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Forrest

Curious, shooting 1.5 hours with the GH2 if you found it overheating and shutting down like the 7D as been known to do?

Nope, it's never overheated at all. Jeff H is right that it won't. It was designed to better dissipate the heat.

Jeff Wallace · April 14th, 2011, 11:24 PM

I concur with the non-overheating issue. I've recorded up to 90 minutes continuous footage with no problems whatsoever. However, the only reason we use the GH2 is for the long recording times. Anything that doesn't require length, we'll use the Canon 5D, 7D or 60D.

The GH2 is clunky and difficult. I sum it up as being a dumbed down "consumer" camera that 'can' produce a professional image under the right circumstances, but it sure is a pain in the ass to get there.

April 14th, 2011, 08:23 AM	#46
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Dan, thanks for your feedback. I edited my previous post to be clearer, I should have said I know nothing about the Canon except it is phenomenal, as I wrote it seemed I was referring to the GH2. My main issue with the GH2 is the size, probably above all else. It is much too small to work with in wedding scenario comfortably. The small size has some advantages, but they outweigh the cons. It is too easy to hit a button accidntally, and that happens a lot, particularly when hand held. The number of people that pop in front of the camera when I'm filming who think I'm a photographer is a bit odd, but it shows the greater comfort level the folks have with the camera, as opposed to a conventional videocamera, which people will run from. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 09:15 AM	#47
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming I too find the small size irritating. For the last couple of years I have mostly been using a Canon 5DII with a battery grip & that now feels exactly the right size that a camera should be. It's crazy to put the shutter & aperture adjustment on that single wheel . It's so easy to be adjusting the aperture & press a little too hard & suddenly you have changed the shutter speed. For video use I really would like to be able to lock the shutter speed at 1/50 & know that I couldn't accidentally change it.

April 14th, 2011, 11:37 AM	#48
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming I have had to learn to be careful when picking up or handling my GH2 to avoid accidentally pressing the menu, ISO and other buttons on the back. That is true in one way or another with other cameras as well. The size aspect wasn't an issue for me since I haven't been using a DSLR. My main camera is an EX1R and the transition to the GH2 was huge, almost scary. The mere fact that a new camera represents a new and different ergonomic challenge is just 'dues to pay' for the change. I can understand that those who have used a 5D Mk II for example find the GH2 to feel different in hand. I remember when the Canon 7D was introduced I read the exact same comment about the diminutive side of the 7D. With that said, I didn't expect the GH2 to feel like my EX1R when I picked it up. I suppose those accustomed to the Canon 1D Mk IV found the 5D a bit cramped in hand as well.

April 14th, 2011, 11:41 AM	#49
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Heck Jim, as a former 40d user the GH2 feels miniscule, and that is a pretty small camera. As someone somewhere posted, it seems to be made for a child's hands! But then again it's called micro four thirds, isn't it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 11:52 AM	#50
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming To varying degrees, people tend to resist change to anything that is different or unfamiliar. The switch to the GH2 from my EX1R was nearly traumatic. ;-) It's all related to what one is familiar with. An associate has been using a GH1 since it was introduced. Their comment at a recent videographers association meeting was the reverse when they picked up a 5D Mk II - "Ugh, I would hate to handle this hog all day long." It's the different part that gets people. I suppose some would find the transition from driving a school bus to a sports car a bit traumatic as well. I wouldn't spend a lot of energy listening to them telling me how much better a school bus is than a sports car though.

April 14th, 2011, 02:03 PM	#51
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming " I can record 1.5 hours straight with my 16gb SDHC cards. And I would trust it as a backup camera in the event my DSLRs were not operable or available. It's perfect. Plus, I will use it for personal photography and video while on vacations." Curious, shooting 1.5 hours with the GH2 if you found it overheating and shutting down like the 7D as been known to do?

April 14th, 2011, 02:32 PM	#52
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Jim, I forget why the other cams overheat, but that is not possible with the GH2. I have run a GH1 for 2 hours, stopping only to change batteries, no problems. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 04:51 PM	#53
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Another thing about the size Jim. If you are using the camera (GH2) as a lock down, size is not an issue. Buttons not so much an issue, accidentally hitting things not an issue. However, if you are shooting handheld, it's different story.It is nearly impossible to get through a session of run and gun without hitting a button by accident. It happens most often when picking up the camera. If you pick it up by the correct side, you can easily hit the wb, iso, or f2 button, which I have done a zillion times. You almost have to pick it up with your fingertips, because it's the fleshy area on the hand below where your thumb is attached that hits the button. It really is not suited for run and gun, but it will get me through till the next thing. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 06:16 PM	#54
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming OK, here's a real serious GH2 temporary shortcoming: no AC adapter, anywhere! Listed on the Panasonic web site but no retailer in NYC has it even listed in their inventory except Adorama that has it as backordered. But they never have seen one. Has anyone noticed the battery life while feeding a HDMI monitor? The same as using the LCD? Sort of need to know before Monday, I only have two batteries for a full day shoot. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

April 14th, 2011, 07:22 PM	#55
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming I had to buy a GH2 for our company to shoot long lectures, and I have to say I really can't stand this camera. The menus are just completely annoying and non-intuitive, and why on earth would they only offer 24p at the hi-res setting? I feel sorry for anyone who bought this camera for wedding work. My God... trying to run and gun with this thing must be a nightmare. Not to mention if you shoot in 24p good luck trying to get the footage to look good on DVD unless every single shot is on a tripod. I think it's manageable for corporate work, but its shortcomings are too many to list.

April 14th, 2011, 08:23 PM	#56
Dan Carter Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 366	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming I hate not to flog this dead horse, but I find the GH2 a wonderful tool for creating stunning images. I currently own a Panasonic HMC40, TM700, GH2 and Canon 7D. They all can create wonderful video, and are all different in respect to how I must operate them for best result. They all have issues that challenge my abilities, but for the most part, my shortcomings are what prevent these cameras from producing good video. I do believe, at this point in time, we would be hard pressed to find another $900 camera that is as versatile and capable as the GH2.

April 14th, 2011, 09:21 PM	#57
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Come on Dan, can't you think of ANYthing bad to say? (kidding of course!). William, you will likely want to have some batteries over-nighted. The AC coupler is also not available, I've been waiting for it for awhile! B&H does have the generic batteries which reportedly last longer than than the OEM versions. If you bought two or three of them you'd be in good shape, just take your charger with you! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 09:31 PM	#58
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming Jeff, if you can't shoot 24fps for any reason, 720p is a perfectly acceptable mode for most work. We would all love to have 1080 60p, I am chief among them, but 720p is pretty darn nice with this camera. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 14th, 2011, 11:24 PM	#60
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Re: Serious, MAJOR GH2 Shortcoming I concur with the non-overheating issue. I've recorded up to 90 minutes continuous footage with no problems whatsoever. However, the only reason we use the GH2 is for the long recording times. Anything that doesn't require length, we'll use the Canon 5D, 7D or 60D. The GH2 is clunky and difficult. I sum it up as being a dumbed down "consumer" camera that 'can' produce a professional image under the right circumstances, but it sure is a pain in the ass to get there.