Panasonic gx80 for weddings

Andrew Maclaurin · August 1st, 2016, 12:46 AM

Do you dial the green down in camera or leave it until post?

Noa Put · August 1st, 2016, 01:25 AM

Actually no :) I have become so used to Panasonic colors that beside whitebalancing and shooting in a natural preset (with contrast and saturation dialed a bit down) I don't make a other color corrections in post.

Andrew Maclaurin · August 1st, 2016, 02:26 AM

Haha - I have used the same preset as you more or less! I guess I'm going to have to try and get used to it! This little camera has made me become very interested in the GH5. If it has a bit better low light and much better sound they could be a great light weight combination. I love the little lenses, so lightweight although manual focus takes a while to get used to.
I have the 1.7 25mm, 1.7 42.5mm, 12-32mm kit and a SLR magic 1.6 12mm. They are all enjoyable to use! I find I use the 25mm the most.

Noa Put · August 1st, 2016, 03:50 AM

The size of the gx80 and little 42,5mm f1.7 lens has caused a guest at a wedding to come up to me asking if it's a 'special" camera because it's so small :)
I"m also waiting for a gh5 hoping it will have ibis, the onboard sound on the gh4 is a lot better then the gx80 so I would expect the gh5 to be similar. It's not on the same level as a camera with xlr and a shotgun but it's perfectly usable for ambient sound but also to record general chit chat during brideprep.
Low light on the GH4 is not like a c100 and I doubt the GH5 will be that much better, probably "clean" up to 6400 iso but I have found 6400 iso in combination with f1.7 lenses fast enough to handle any low light venue I have come across. You won't turn night into day but you can show it like you see it with your own eyes.

Andrew Maclaurin · August 1st, 2016, 04:01 AM

From what I've read the GH5 will have a better processor which is likely to help low light. If they don't put in the wonderful IBIS then they are crazy!
Adding a metabones or even better, those nifty 0.95 lenses should overcome any low light problems.
Having a lighter camera really frees you up to become more creative!

Andrew Maclaurin · August 6th, 2016, 06:53 AM

Noa, do you find you have to apply Neat video to many low light shots to clean up the noise? 3200 and 6400 iso?

Noa Put · August 7th, 2016, 05:32 AM

No, never do, the gx80 is cleaner then the gh4 at 6400 iso but is most likely achieving that by compressing the blacks a lot more, you can see more in the shadows on the gh4 but the noise is also more visible.

Noa Put · September 1st, 2016, 08:59 AM

Thought I"d give another update on using the gx80 at weddings, It's been said before that the gx80 sound is not good, it's usable if you have no other choice and for voices it's actually not that bad as it records these clear but it's the absence of low tones and especially the grinding noise in the background which in quiet spaces will make it sound much worse.

I had an issue recently at a wedding when I was shooting at the hairdresser, in below clip you can hear that the noise in the background suddenly became very loud and at the end of the clip you here how it disappears. I found this issue in about 4 clips all shot at that same time and after that it did not appear anymore.

Not sure what has triggered it but if it happens your sound recording is ruined for sure so for anyone shooting withe the camera and planning to use the sound, I would add a small audiorecorder on top so you at least have something more reliable even if it means syncing up later.

Another issue I have noticed which only happened 3 times so far and each time with a stabilized lens is that the stabilization acts up, I have noticed it once when I just had the camera:

and it did not appear again after that until last wedding where I got a jarring effect while I was holding the camera still and even weirder when I had a close up of the bride when she was brushing her hair, I was holding the camera still and the stabilization would move in the same way as her hand while she was brushing her hair. Never saw something like that, it almost looked like I was following her brush movements but it actually was the camera stabilization that was reacting to that movement, also only saw that once.

Mark Rosenzweig · September 2nd, 2016, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noa Put

Another issue I have noticed which only happened 3 times so far and each time with a stabilized lens is that the stabilization acts up, I have noticed it once when I just had the camera:

and it did not appear again after that until last wedding where I got a jarring effect while I was holding the camera still and even weirder when I had a close up of the bride when she was brushing her hair, I was holding the camera still and the stabilization would move in the same way as her hand while she was brushing her hair. Never saw something like that, it almost looked like I was following her brush movements but it actually was the camera stabilization that was reacting to that movement, also only saw that once.

This seems to be a general problem with stabilization. I once shot flowers up close that were blowing gently in the wind. The stabilization detected that as camera movement and attempted to offset the movement. The resulting clips had the flower rock-solid still and the background swaying back and forth!

Andrew Maclaurin · September 6th, 2016, 04:47 PM

I had 3 unimportant shots with weird IBIS movements. No idea why. Everything else with the IBIs has been great. The camera is unforgiving with exposure coming from a Canon C100. The sound amazes me as to how bad it can be! A sequence of shots from the same place and each with a different sound, some pick up things closer, other back ground music, etc. I have a simple rig with a Zoom H1 for moments when I need half decent sound.

Noa Put · September 7th, 2016, 12:40 AM

I think it's safe to say that the ibis can act up at a few random times and that the sound recording can be very unreliable.
Do you mean with a unforgiving exposure that you can see small exposurejumps while turning the dial?

Andrew Maclaurin · September 7th, 2016, 03:50 AM

Hi Noa, there are definitely jumps if I change the iris but my main problem is judging the exposure. The histogram seems to change a lot even though I'm filming the same scene. If I get the exposure right the images look great but if it's a bit off they quickly begin to suffer. With the C100 I have a lot of margin to correct exposure. Filming here in Madrid can be tough. Incredibly bright sunlight and really dark shadows. Lots of extreme contrast so having that flexibility is a bonus when filming live events like weddings. The lack of DR compared to the Canon is noticeable. It's quite a learning curve coming from a camera that has been specifically designed for video like the C100 which makes life very easy for the user. Manual focussing is also quite a lot harder on the GX85.
I'm very interested to see what the GH5 is like and whether it will take these cameras to the next level. I'm waiting to see if I get a XC10 to pair with the C100 or I go for a GH5 and GX85 combo next season.

Andrew Maclaurin · September 7th, 2016, 03:54 AM

Noa, another thing. Your colours always look great on this camera and mine not quite as good. Do you have a secret? :)

Did you get the cheap batteries?

Noa Put · September 7th, 2016, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Maclaurin

Hi Noa, there are definitely jumps if I change the iris but my main problem is judging the exposure. The histogram seems to change a lot even though I'm filming the same scene. If I get the exposure right the images look great but if it's a bit off they quickly begin to suffer. With the C100 I have a lot of margin to correct exposure. Filming here in Madrid can be tough. Incredibly bright sunlight and really dark shadows. Lots of extreme contrast so having that flexibility is a bonus when filming live events like weddings. The lack of DR compared to the Canon is noticeable. It's quite a learning curve coming from a camera that has been specifically designed for video like the C100 which makes life very easy for the user. Manual focussing is also quite a lot harder on the GX85.
I'm very interested to see what the GH5 is like and whether it will take these cameras to the next level. I'm waiting to see if I get a XC10 to pair with the C100 or I go for a GH5 and GX85 combo next season.

I use a combination of the histogram and the zebra's to determine if my exposure is right and this does give me good results, I still need to make adjustments in post but these are always very minor. The problem with the gx80 is that it compresses the blacks a lot and I already have dialed back contrast in camera for that reason, I also noticed that outside in very bright sun light exposing for the bright parts takes a lot of detail out of the shadows.

I never manual focus by using the lens ring, I always let the camera focus by pressing the shutterbutton halfway, here also it's rare I have out of focus shots.

I think you will be better of with a xc10 as prices will go down a bit because of the xc15 and I"m sure the images will match a lot better compared to a gh5. I prefer to shoot with camera's from the same brand as colormatching will be a lot easier, my sony's match pretty good with panasonics but my jvc ls300 has a bit different look.

I don't have any special secret for my color :) I shoot in natural setting with the contrast and saturation dialed down a bit, I do notice the biggest difference when I manually whitebalance, leaving it on auto never gives good results.

Andrew Maclaurin · September 7th, 2016, 07:20 AM

My choice will be either a xc10 to go with the C100 or to change completely and go lightweight with the 2 Panasonics. A big choice awaits!

The autofocus on the panasonic is ok using the technique you mentioned. The only problem is that if it doesn't get it right straight away it hunts like crazy and can ruin vital shots.

August 1st, 2016, 12:46 AM	#61
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Do you dial the green down in camera or leave it until post?

August 1st, 2016, 01:25 AM	#62
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Actually no :) I have become so used to Panasonic colors that beside whitebalancing and shooting in a natural preset (with contrast and saturation dialed a bit down) I don't make a other color corrections in post.

August 1st, 2016, 02:26 AM	#63
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Haha - I have used the same preset as you more or less! I guess I'm going to have to try and get used to it! This little camera has made me become very interested in the GH5. If it has a bit better low light and much better sound they could be a great light weight combination. I love the little lenses, so lightweight although manual focus takes a while to get used to. I have the 1.7 25mm, 1.7 42.5mm, 12-32mm kit and a SLR magic 1.6 12mm. They are all enjoyable to use! I find I use the 25mm the most.

August 1st, 2016, 03:50 AM	#64
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings The size of the gx80 and little 42,5mm f1.7 lens has caused a guest at a wedding to come up to me asking if it's a 'special" camera because it's so small :) I"m also waiting for a gh5 hoping it will have ibis, the onboard sound on the gh4 is a lot better then the gx80 so I would expect the gh5 to be similar. It's not on the same level as a camera with xlr and a shotgun but it's perfectly usable for ambient sound but also to record general chit chat during brideprep. Low light on the GH4 is not like a c100 and I doubt the GH5 will be that much better, probably "clean" up to 6400 iso but I have found 6400 iso in combination with f1.7 lenses fast enough to handle any low light venue I have come across. You won't turn night into day but you can show it like you see it with your own eyes.

August 1st, 2016, 04:01 AM	#65
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings From what I've read the GH5 will have a better processor which is likely to help low light. If they don't put in the wonderful IBIS then they are crazy! Adding a metabones or even better, those nifty 0.95 lenses should overcome any low light problems. Having a lighter camera really frees you up to become more creative!

August 6th, 2016, 06:53 AM	#66
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Noa, do you find you have to apply Neat video to many low light shots to clean up the noise? 3200 and 6400 iso?

August 7th, 2016, 05:32 AM	#67
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings No, never do, the gx80 is cleaner then the gh4 at 6400 iso but is most likely achieving that by compressing the blacks a lot more, you can see more in the shadows on the gh4 but the noise is also more visible.

September 1st, 2016, 08:59 AM	#68
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Thought I"d give another update on using the gx80 at weddings, It's been said before that the gx80 sound is not good, it's usable if you have no other choice and for voices it's actually not that bad as it records these clear but it's the absence of low tones and especially the grinding noise in the background which in quiet spaces will make it sound much worse. I had an issue recently at a wedding when I was shooting at the hairdresser, in below clip you can hear that the noise in the background suddenly became very loud and at the end of the clip you here how it disappears. I found this issue in about 4 clips all shot at that same time and after that it did not appear anymore. Vimeo Not sure what has triggered it but if it happens your sound recording is ruined for sure so for anyone shooting withe the camera and planning to use the sound, I would add a small audiorecorder on top so you at least have something more reliable even if it means syncing up later. Another issue I have noticed which only happened 3 times so far and each time with a stabilized lens is that the stabilization acts up, I have noticed it once when I just had the camera: Vimeo and it did not appear again after that until last wedding where I got a jarring effect while I was holding the camera still and even weirder when I had a close up of the bride when she was brushing her hair, I was holding the camera still and the stabilization would move in the same way as her hand while she was brushing her hair. Never saw something like that, it almost looked like I was following her brush movements but it actually was the camera stabilization that was reacting to that movement, also only saw that once.

September 6th, 2016, 04:47 PM	#70
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings I had 3 unimportant shots with weird IBIS movements. No idea why. Everything else with the IBIs has been great. The camera is unforgiving with exposure coming from a Canon C100. The sound amazes me as to how bad it can be! A sequence of shots from the same place and each with a different sound, some pick up things closer, other back ground music, etc. I have a simple rig with a Zoom H1 for moments when I need half decent sound.

September 7th, 2016, 12:40 AM	#71
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings I think it's safe to say that the ibis can act up at a few random times and that the sound recording can be very unreliable. Do you mean with a unforgiving exposure that you can see small exposurejumps while turning the dial?

September 7th, 2016, 03:50 AM	#72
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Hi Noa, there are definitely jumps if I change the iris but my main problem is judging the exposure. The histogram seems to change a lot even though I'm filming the same scene. If I get the exposure right the images look great but if it's a bit off they quickly begin to suffer. With the C100 I have a lot of margin to correct exposure. Filming here in Madrid can be tough. Incredibly bright sunlight and really dark shadows. Lots of extreme contrast so having that flexibility is a bonus when filming live events like weddings. The lack of DR compared to the Canon is noticeable. It's quite a learning curve coming from a camera that has been specifically designed for video like the C100 which makes life very easy for the user. Manual focussing is also quite a lot harder on the GX85. I'm very interested to see what the GH5 is like and whether it will take these cameras to the next level. I'm waiting to see if I get a XC10 to pair with the C100 or I go for a GH5 and GX85 combo next season.

September 7th, 2016, 03:54 AM	#73
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings Noa, another thing. Your colours always look great on this camera and mine not quite as good. Do you have a secret? :) Did you get the cheap batteries?

September 7th, 2016, 07:20 AM	#75
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	Re: Panasonic gx80 for weddings My choice will be either a xc10 to go with the C100 or to change completely and go lightweight with the 2 Panasonics. A big choice awaits! The autofocus on the panasonic is ok using the technique you mentioned. The only problem is that if it doesn't get it right straight away it hunts like crazy and can ruin vital shots.