HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.

[William Hohauser]

Originally Posted by Patrick Janka

Jeff, one frustrating thing about shooting stills in M is that if you take the shutter speed past 1/1200 or so, there's no resultant effect in the evf/lcd. The picture remains constant even though as you increase the shutter speed the actual pictures come out darker. This is infuriating.

Is this with the viewfinder menu option (I wish I could remember what it is called and the camera is at the office) set to display the actual results of the camera not to artificially change it for the viewfinder (this is useful for flash photography in dark places).

[Dan Carter]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

Im in trouble...

I shot outside for the first time today using both the XA10 and GH2.

I CANT SEE A DAMN THING USING THE SCREEN....and very little using the EVF.
Guess Im gonna have to put a cover over my head. haha

Im gonna need a large eyecup for both cams outside. I don't see how you folks are seeing enough to compose and focus outside with the sun behind you.

Am I blind or do I need an attachment. I dont think those small clip on shades will be enough for me.

What are you using?

Jeff

Wear a hat with a wide brim.

Stand between the sun and LCD.

[Jeff Hinson]

Ha...yep probably the best thing to do.
Found one at B&H.com ...the GH2 BullRider on sale. $1199.00

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/members/...652-gh2hat.jpg

[Bill Bruner]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

Im in trouble...I CANT SEE A DAMN THING USING THE SCREEN....What are you using?

Jeff - I use the

$20 Hoodman HD300

 

$20 Hoodman HD300

in bright sunlight (Amazon has the wrong picture posted).

Here is what it looks like on my GH2: GH2 in the park | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It works, but it's no substitute for a viewfinder.

I'm looking seriously at the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/229358-REG/Raider_ICUFFDV_i_cuff_PRO_Viewfinder_Hood.html for critical focus situations.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Jeff Hinson]

Bill....
Will check those out.

I like the look of your GH2 rig...tell me more. Is that a recorder you have mounted instead of a mic? I found a similar left grip with extra shoes, but I like yours better.

I will explore the LED menu more....maybe I didnt have it on the highest brightness setting. Since Im trying to learn both the XA10 and GH2 at the same time, I get the menus confused.

Seems everyone here is having no problem shooting with the LED or EVF....so it's just my inexperience...gotta shoot more.

Jeff

[Nigel Barker]

Personally I think using a loupe on the LCD screen is a retrograde step as the EVF of the GH2 has a much higher resolution. All you are doing with a loupe is enlarging fewer pixels. I have shot quite a lot with the GH2 in the bright sunshine of the South of France & found the EVF perfectly satisfactory.

[Corey Graham]

I use DIY hoods around my LCD's during sunny outdoor shoots, and they work like a charm. I made them myself, so they cost next to nothing. Velcro, cardboard and gaff tape. If you do it right, they look great and function wonderfully.

[Bill Bruner]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

...tell me more. Is that a recorder you have mounted instead of a mic? I found a similar left grip with extra shoes, but I like yours better...

Jeff,

The bracket is a $9 Adorama C Bracket.

The recorder is an

$86 Zoom H1

 

$86 Zoom H1

with a

$20 Furryhead Windscreen

 

$20 Furryhead Windscreen

.

The cable is a $36 Sescom attenuating cable (w headphone monitoring jack) from the recorder to the GH2's mic input. You will also need a

3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter

 

3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter

due to the Panasonic's proprietary mic input jack.

I did a blog post (with how-to video) on this here: Hybrid Camera Revolution: Using the Zoom H1 recorder as an external mic for the GH2

Here is another picture with a rechargeable LED and the recorder both on the bracket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45061726@N00/5389124079/

The extra cold shoes are really useful.

Hope this helps,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Jeff Hinson]

Hey Bill,
I like the (poor man's) rig......looks good.
thanks for the tips.

I have a recorder that I can mount on my current handle w/cold shoes...a
Tascam

Amazon.com: Tascam DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder: Musical Instruments

 

Amazon.com: Tascam DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder: Musical Instruments

p.s. Shot this yesterday with my GH2 rig in a small room

SHELBY ADKINS SCREEN TEST on Vimeo

Jeff

[Jeff Hinson]

I need some advice on shooting close-up "face shots" with the GH2 and XA10. ...mainly on shooting music videos.

The ability to sharp focus on both cameras is unforgiving for flaws on skin. Especially on acne and liver spots etc. I can take some of that out with software on the stills, but on video I have to use some disffusing effect which messes up the rest of the video.

Any advice on shooting better face shots is appreciated.

thanks,
Jeff

[William Hohauser]

Tiffen makes filters that diffuse skin tones while leaving other colors alone. While I can't remember the filter name right now, I have used then on older standard definition video cameras with success, especially with older people with fine wrinkles and people with acne. The filter will give a faint glow to faces that is noticeable against black backgrounds. Don't use the filter if you intend to do any chroma key work.

There are software NLE filters as well but I find that they impart a cartoonish effect when they actually get rid of acne or fine wrinkles.

Nothing beats a good makeup artist plus some careful lighting. You can also experiment with lowering the detail levels in the camera.

[Jeff Hinson]

Thanks William...!!

I will check out the filters. Like you said, I dont care for the NLE filters Ive tried either, there may be better ones out there though. Im trying to find a makeup lady to help me out...can't afford a pro.

Have a great day,
Jeff

[William Hohauser]

The Tiffen site is horrible but here's a start:

52MM SOFT/FX 1 FILTER

[Jeff Hinson]

Hey that sounds exactly what I need...not expensive either as some I looked at.
Thanks William for the tip.

Hey Im selling my XHA1..please help me pass the word...look for my post on the XHA1 forum

Thanks,
Jeff

[Bill Bruner]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

Shot this yesterday with my GH2 rig in a small room SHELBY ADKINS SCREEN TEST on Vimeo

Jeff

Great work, Jeff. What a wonderful era for artists to live in!

Bill