T1i vs GH1 - which makes more sense?

Eric Stemen · October 18th, 2009, 12:09 AM

I've used my GH1 for two weddings so far. Unfortunately I'm still delivering in SD and using my vx-2000 as my main camera for the ceremony since I can zoom with it easily and know how to work the audio on it. For the reception I'm using the gh1 with a 50 1.4 as the main camera, hv-30 with a .5 wide angle as my B camera, and VX-2000 with a .55x as my C camera.

Robert St-Onge · October 28th, 2009, 07:48 PM

Can the exposure, iso and shutter be locked in movie mode before you begin recording on the T1?

Bruce Foreman · October 29th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Yes.

However unless you are using one of the aperture control "workarounds" all parameters are set automatically by the camera. F stop, aperture, and ISO. If using one of the manual aperture "workarounds" the camera sets shutter and ISO to try for correct exposure based on the light coming through the lens.

To then "lock" exposure, whether allowing full auto or using one of the "workarounds", press the ISO button. Then as you pan around exposure will not change to accomodate changes in lighting. To "bias" locked exposure hold the AV button down while you turn the control wheel on top, the exposure indicator in the viewfinder will show how far you've gone. You have two stops in either direction.

To change the "locked" exposure point the camera at the area you wish to effect a "new lock" on and press the ISO button again.

To see what your aperture and shutter are at any time, light pressure on the shutter release will cause those settings to appear in the lower left of the viewfinder.

Hope this info helps answer your questions.

If you need info on the "workarounds" mentioned above, do a search for "T1i" and "DOF". I have 2 threads in this forum with video examples.

Robert St-Onge · October 29th, 2009, 08:19 PM

Thanks so much Bruce for all the info!

This is great since you do have control over the auto modes.

I was also wondering how is the aliasing on the T1 at 720p?

How does it compare to a 7D at 720p and 1080p?

Rob

Bruce Foreman · October 30th, 2009, 08:20 PM

Robert said: "This is great since you do have control over the auto modes."

I replied: Being able to "lock" and "bias" exposure is only partial control. Video on the T1i has only one mode, full auto. If you use a manual lens (such as Nikkor AI-S with an adapter) you can set the aperture but ISO and shutter are still auto with no direct manual control. You can still affect the amount of light coming in with ND filters and thereby have an effect on shutter and ISO.

The same is true if you use the "unlock lens mount button, hold DOF prevue in, and twist lens slightly until F stop on the LCD is 00" method to set aperture with a Canon EF or EF-S lens.

Robert: "I was also wondering how is the aliasing on the T1 at 720p?"

Me: I haven't really noticed any. Colors and tones look very clean to me, and I am intercutting 720p out of the T1i with 1920x1080 30p in Cine mode from the HF100 with good results.

Robert: "How does it compare to a 7D at 720p and 1080p?"

Me: I don't use 1080p in the T1i due to the 20fps frame rate. Motion can look "stuttery, and I don't use 720p in the 7D because I use its 1080p at 30fps. With the 7D 1080p footage displays very solid tonal values and that to me gives it more of a film like look.

I like the looks of the output from both cameras.

Hope this helps.

October 18th, 2009, 12:09 AM	#16
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	I've used my GH1 for two weddings so far. Unfortunately I'm still delivering in SD and using my vx-2000 as my main camera for the ceremony since I can zoom with it easily and know how to work the audio on it. For the reception I'm using the gh1 with a 50 1.4 as the main camera, hv-30 with a .5 wide angle as my B camera, and VX-2000 with a .55x as my C camera.

October 28th, 2009, 07:48 PM	#17
Robert St-Onge Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mtl, CDN Posts: 77	Can the exposure, iso and shutter be locked in movie mode before you begin recording on the T1?

October 29th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#18
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Yes. However unless you are using one of the aperture control "workarounds" all parameters are set automatically by the camera. F stop, aperture, and ISO. If using one of the manual aperture "workarounds" the camera sets shutter and ISO to try for correct exposure based on the light coming through the lens. To then "lock" exposure, whether allowing full auto or using one of the "workarounds", press the ISO button. Then as you pan around exposure will not change to accomodate changes in lighting. To "bias" locked exposure hold the AV button down while you turn the control wheel on top, the exposure indicator in the viewfinder will show how far you've gone. You have two stops in either direction. To change the "locked" exposure point the camera at the area you wish to effect a "new lock" on and press the ISO button again. To see what your aperture and shutter are at any time, light pressure on the shutter release will cause those settings to appear in the lower left of the viewfinder. Hope this info helps answer your questions. If you need info on the "workarounds" mentioned above, do a search for "T1i" and "DOF". I have 2 threads in this forum with video examples.

October 29th, 2009, 08:19 PM	#19
Robert St-Onge Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mtl, CDN Posts: 77	Thanks so much Bruce for all the info! This is great since you do have control over the auto modes. I was also wondering how is the aliasing on the T1 at 720p? How does it compare to a 7D at 720p and 1080p? Rob

October 30th, 2009, 08:20 PM	#20
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Robert said: "This is great since you do have control over the auto modes." I replied: Being able to "lock" and "bias" exposure is only partial control. Video on the T1i has only one mode, full auto. If you use a manual lens (such as Nikkor AI-S with an adapter) you can set the aperture but ISO and shutter are still auto with no direct manual control. You can still affect the amount of light coming in with ND filters and thereby have an effect on shutter and ISO. The same is true if you use the "unlock lens mount button, hold DOF prevue in, and twist lens slightly until F stop on the LCD is 00" method to set aperture with a Canon EF or EF-S lens. Robert: "I was also wondering how is the aliasing on the T1 at 720p?" Me: I haven't really noticed any. Colors and tones look very clean to me, and I am intercutting 720p out of the T1i with 1920x1080 30p in Cine mode from the HF100 with good results. Robert: "How does it compare to a 7D at 720p and 1080p?" Me: I don't use 1080p in the T1i due to the 20fps frame rate. Motion can look "stuttery, and I don't use 720p in the 7D because I use its 1080p at 30fps. With the 7D 1080p footage displays very solid tonal values and that to me gives it more of a film like look. I like the looks of the output from both cameras. Hope this helps.