GH2 Focus sharpens when pushing record? at DVinfo.net

Steve Montoto · May 26th, 2011, 08:41 AM

I can say I have never noticed this until today when I was doing some tests with my Vivitar 28-105 on the GH2. When focusing there is a definite shift in sharpness after you press record, its especially noticeable when using the Ex Tele option. The both LCD and Viewfinder sharpen after pressing record, I tested the footage and it looks good but is annoying.

Are you guys experiencing this also, I read about the color shift but not sharpness.

Thanks!

Patrick Janka · May 26th, 2011, 12:02 PM

Yeah, I noticed that since day 1. The camera is in no way WYSIWYG. It's even worse when taking pictures. Try taking the shutter up past 1/1500...the screen stops responding to shutter adjustments after that and remains bright even though the pics come out dark. When I hook up my Jag35 monitor the colors are totally skewed, as well. The colors are off and it's not HD. I got it to pull focus mainly, but even that isn't 100% accurate. You get what you pay for.

Jeff Harper · May 26th, 2011, 02:58 PM

One has to learn the idicosynracies of the camera, and they are many. Just as you guys are, I'm learning them too. It's a long struggle, but is paying off, finally.

As Patrick has pointed out, with photos it's really crazy; I find it particularly when using FD lenses, depending on the mode I choose.

I have settled on using Program Mode for photos. Works fine for my purposes, as I'm concetrating on video at present, since that is how I pay my rent. If I'm using a killer lens, the photos come out great.

For video, regardless of mode, I find as long as the meter thingy at the bottom of the screen shows perfect exposure, video comes out close to perfect, and doesn't shift as much. When there is a significant shift after hitting record, it means my exposure or other setting is off, and I stop and re-set things.

The focus thing I've noticed, a bit, and it has just made me hyper careful about focusing now. I shot a commercial today, and each shot took too long, relatively speaking, as every time we moved from one room to another, things had to be reset. For most shots today I just went with manual. With the Panasonic lens, I love the focus assist, and use the hell out of it.

In the end most of the video came out great, some a tad darker than I expected. After I'm done reviewing my footage I'm going to calibrate my screen, it's seems a bit bright compared to what I end up with.

Steve Montoto · May 28th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Thanks guys, and your right Jeff about all the little quirks. Im trying to sift through them and pretty much learn something new all the time.

May 26th, 2011, 08:41 AM	#1
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	GH2 Focus sharpens when pushing record? I can say I have never noticed this until today when I was doing some tests with my Vivitar 28-105 on the GH2. When focusing there is a definite shift in sharpness after you press record, its especially noticeable when using the Ex Tele option. The both LCD and Viewfinder sharpen after pressing record, I tested the footage and it looks good but is annoying. Are you guys experiencing this also, I read about the color shift but not sharpness. Thanks!

May 26th, 2011, 12:02 PM	#2
Patrick Janka Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 623	Re: GH2 Focus sharpens when pushing record? Yeah, I noticed that since day 1. The camera is in no way WYSIWYG. It's even worse when taking pictures. Try taking the shutter up past 1/1500...the screen stops responding to shutter adjustments after that and remains bright even though the pics come out dark. When I hook up my Jag35 monitor the colors are totally skewed, as well. The colors are off and it's not HD. I got it to pull focus mainly, but even that isn't 100% accurate. You get what you pay for.

May 26th, 2011, 02:58 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: GH2 Focus sharpens when pushing record? One has to learn the idicosynracies of the camera, and they are many. Just as you guys are, I'm learning them too. It's a long struggle, but is paying off, finally. As Patrick has pointed out, with photos it's really crazy; I find it particularly when using FD lenses, depending on the mode I choose. I have settled on using Program Mode for photos. Works fine for my purposes, as I'm concetrating on video at present, since that is how I pay my rent. If I'm using a killer lens, the photos come out great. For video, regardless of mode, I find as long as the meter thingy at the bottom of the screen shows perfect exposure, video comes out close to perfect, and doesn't shift as much. When there is a significant shift after hitting record, it means my exposure or other setting is off, and I stop and re-set things. The focus thing I've noticed, a bit, and it has just made me hyper careful about focusing now. I shot a commercial today, and each shot took too long, relatively speaking, as every time we moved from one room to another, things had to be reset. For most shots today I just went with manual. With the Panasonic lens, I love the focus assist, and use the hell out of it. In the end most of the video came out great, some a tad darker than I expected. After I'm done reviewing my footage I'm going to calibrate my screen, it's seems a bit bright compared to what I end up with. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 28th, 2011, 06:39 PM	#4
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	Re: GH2 Focus sharpens when pushing record? Thanks guys, and your right Jeff about all the little quirks. Im trying to sift through them and pretty much learn something new all the time.