The "look" on this trailer finally made me pull the trigger on a GH2 (that and the promotion price at B&H w/14-140)

Musgo Trailer

wow. No RED required. That looks amazing. If you sell the 14-140 you basically got the GH2 for next to nothing!

thats the theory, I did this once before when I got the AF100, 14-140s move quickly

I keep reading about promotions and coupons over at Adorama for GH2 body only for under $700 but I've never been able to get a coupon code to work. I couldn't resist the B&H price.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the "Musgo" trailer, according to the director in the comments he shot it with a Gh2, Tokina 11-16, Nikkor 28, Nikkor 50, zoom Hn4 in 7 days, post on CS5.5/ Colorista

Hey jporto, I see youre interested in the video side of things. The GH2 is certainly fantastic in that regard, proving to outperform many cameras over its class and the hacked footage is something to be seen to be believed. I did a 44mbit hack project a while back and since then my agency have become true believers in the camera (hacked at least). You really should not hesitate if video is your thing

Quote from: lisandra on February 03, 2012, 08:50:29 AM

Hey jporto, I see youre interested in the video side of things. The GH2 is certainly fantastic in that regard, proving to outperform many cameras over its class and the hacked footage is something to be seen to be believed. I did a 44mbit hack project a while back and since then my agency have become true believers in the camera (hacked at least). You really should not hesitate if video is your thing

Sounds like fun.  I haven't been able to see any of the footage becuase videos are restricted on most of these computers, but I have seen ''stills'' compared to 60d, so I can assume it's going to look much better than my 550d. .  For your project did you use the 14-140mm , and is the hacked video 'much' better than original in your opinion?   Thanks for the info.

the video side of the Gh2 is much better than the stills, while it might look comparable to the 60d in comparison (stills mode) in video the GH2 simply outresolves a 5Dmk2. For my project I used a leica prime and an adapted fujinon 50mm f1.4. BUT, i do own the 14-140 and its the sharpest super zoom Ive seen or owned, its super sharp up to 100mm. Ive used that lens for weddings and a number of other paid stuff with great success.
In my opinion, the hacked video looks a million times better than the compressed original. It actually depends on where are you gonna view the footage. If its on a laptop screen the out of the box performance will do you fine, for an HDTV larger than 40" or a projector display the hacked footage will make a huge difference. Difference in terms of detail, noise behavior, tonality, you name it.

Quote from: lisandra on February 03, 2012, 10:57:59 AM

Quote from: JPorto on February 03, 2012, 09:05:16 AM

Quote from: lisandra on February 03, 2012, 08:50:29 AM

Hey jporto, I see youre interested in the video side of things. The GH2 is certainly fantastic in that regard, proving to outperform many cameras over its class and the hacked footage is something to be seen to be believed. I did a 44mbit hack project a while back and since then my agency have become true believers in the camera (hacked at least). You really should not hesitate if video is your thing

Sounds like fun.  I haven't been able to see any of the footage becuase videos are restricted on most of these computers, but I have seen ''stills'' compared to 60d, so I can assume it's going to look much better than my 550d. .  For your project did you use the 14-140mm , and is the hacked video 'much' better than original in your opinion?   Thanks for the info.

the video side of the Gh2 is much better than the stills, while it might look comparable to the 60d in comparison (stills mode) in video the GH2 simply outresolves a 5Dmk2. For my project I used a leica prime and an adapted fujinon 50mm f1.4. BUT, i do own the 14-140 and its the sharpest super zoom Ive seen or owned, its super sharp up to 100mm. Ive used that lens for weddings and a number of other paid stuff with great success.
In my opinion, the hacked video looks a million times better than the compressed original. It actually depends on where are you gonna view the footage. If its on a laptop screen the out of the box performance will do you fine, for an HDTV larger than 40" or a projector display the hacked footage will make a huge difference. Difference in terms of detail, noise behavior, tonality, you name it.

Just got off the phone with a sales rep at Samy's and once he e-mails me shipping info I'll be placing my order.  Looking forward to shooting with the 14-140.  That hack sounds all good, but i just might wait on it, I read one of your other posts saying that it may be 'too much' for the camera to handle if not used properly.  Besides for now, just want to get my hands on one and get used to it....perhaps start thinking about another lense to team up, any sugg's?

I've been very happy with my GH2. I've never been crazy about the "super zoom" concept and keep selling the 14-140s that I seem to accumulate. I like the 14-45 Panasonic as a "walk-around" or "run and gun" lens, the 14-45 and either my Canon FD 135 F2.5 or the FDn 200 F4 is just about all I ever need for a lightweight combination that I can shoot high quality video with (I also have another 7 lenses, Tokinas, Leicas and Canons). I still haven't got around to testing any of the hacks, I am using the recent firmware upgrade though. I will get around to hacking but the drawbacks for me are that often in-camera playback is impossible and I don't like transcode steps when I go to edit. People rave about the hacks but the hacks really don't address the fundamental problems with the GH2 as a video camera: color space, dynamic range and image skew. Even so, I've seen some stunning work with the GH2 used in several productions.

Quote from: JPorto on February 03, 2012, 11:33:44 AM

Quote from: lisandra on February 03, 2012, 10:57:59 AM

Quote from: JPorto on February 03, 2012, 09:05:16 AM

Quote from: lisandra on February 03, 2012, 08:50:29 AM

Hey jporto, I see youre interested in the video side of things. The GH2 is certainly fantastic in that regard, proving to outperform many cameras over its class and the hacked footage is something to be seen to be believed. I did a 44mbit hack project a while back and since then my agency have become true believers in the camera (hacked at least). You really should not hesitate if video is your thing

Sounds like fun.  I haven't been able to see any of the footage becuase videos are restricted on most of these computers, but I have seen ''stills'' compared to 60d, so I can assume it's going to look much better than my 550d. .  For your project did you use the 14-140mm , and is the hacked video 'much' better than original in your opinion?   Thanks for the info.

the video side of the Gh2 is much better than the stills, while it might look comparable to the 60d in comparison (stills mode) in video the GH2 simply outresolves a 5Dmk2. For my project I used a leica prime and an adapted fujinon 50mm f1.4. BUT, i do own the 14-140 and its the sharpest super zoom Ive seen or owned, its super sharp up to 100mm. Ive used that lens for weddings and a number of other paid stuff with great success.
In my opinion, the hacked video looks a million times better than the compressed original. It actually depends on where are you gonna view the footage. If its on a laptop screen the out of the box performance will do you fine, for an HDTV larger than 40" or a projector display the hacked footage will make a huge difference. Difference in terms of detail, noise behavior, tonality, you name it.

Just got off the phone with a sales rep at Samy's and once he e-mails me shipping info I'll be placing my order.  Looking forward to shooting with the 14-140.  That hack sounds all good, but i just might wait on it, I read one of your other posts saying that it may be 'too much' for the camera to handle if not used properly.  Besides for now, just want to get my hands on one and get used to it....perhaps start thinking about another lense to team up, any sugg's?

I've been very happy with my GH2. I've never been crazy about the "super zoom" concept and keep selling the 14-140s that I seem to accumulate. I like the 14-45 Panasonic as a "walk-around" or "run and gun" lens, the 14-45 and either my Canon FD 135 F2.5 or the FDn 200 F4 is just about all I ever need for a lightweight combination that I can shoot high quality video with (I also have another 7 lenses, Tokinas, Leicas and Canons). I still haven't got around to testing any of the hacks, I am using the recent firmware upgrade though. I will get around to hacking but the drawbacks for me are that often in-camera playback is impossible and I don't like transcode steps when I go to edit. People rave about the hacks but the hacks really don't address the fundamental problems with the GH2 as a video camera: color space, dynamic range and image skew. Even so, I've seen some stunning work with the GH2 used in several productions.

I just ordered the GH2 w 14-42 kit.  Found a nice deal on Amazon.  I will definitely be looking into the lenses Lisandra and Tamoio mentioned.  By the time I get the camera, I might only have time to play with it alittle before heading back home.  Once I'm there, I'll be grabbing another lense or 2, and also do the firmware update.  If you (tamoio) end up installing the hack in the near future, please let me know how it works out for you! 

Still waiting for my GH2 to arrive.  Meanwhile,   Started bidding on lenses.

-Lumix 14mm/f2.5
-Canon FD 50mm/1.4
-Zeiss 45mm/F2
--Jupiter-9 85mm/F2
and placed an offer for a Lomo 35mm/f2. 

hope I win a couple.

The CZ G 45mm f/2 is a GREAT lens... Value around $350.00 To $400.00  in "E+" condition in KEH rating
The 35mm f/2 is the costly lens used, not the 45mm f/2

The J9 in Chrome (older and closer to the Zeiss Sonnar Glass Blocks) value around $150 in the LTM mount.. The one to get, not the M42 mount.
Black Versions may not be Zeiss Clones, and are a less durable casing. S# from around 65xxxxx and below, (1965) or their about, should be better than latter models.
But, Early 1950's is the best S# 51xxx to 59xxxx  Chrome.
And spend the $25.00 to $50.00 to have it re-lubed and the blades cleaned off from oil. The elements can also cleaned up. That is, the 4 elements that are at each end of the Optical Blocks.
The Original Lub thickens and can freeze in under 40* temps.

Canon FD, and FD SSC, Value Under $100.00 (Early FD was a 2 layer coating, SSC added a purple layer. This lens in not like the early FL that is a Modified 6 element Zeiss Planar, it is a 7 element design, and offers better contrast, and edge sharpness wide open.

Hope this helps.

A great selection of classic lenses to have and use!

The CZ G 45mm f/2 is a GREAT lens... Value around $350.00 To $400.00  in "E+" condition in KEH rating
The 35mm f/2 is the costly lens used, not the 45mm f/2

The J9 in Chrome (older and closer to the Zeiss Sonnar Glass Blocks) value around $150 in the LTM mount.. The one to get, not the M42 mount.
Black Versions may not be Zeiss Clones, and are a less durable casing. S# from around 65xxxxx and below, (1965) or their about, should be better than latter models.
But, Early 1950's is the best S# 51xxx to 59xxxx  Chrome.
And spend the $25.00 to $50.00 to have it re-lubed and the blades cleaned off from oil. The elements can also cleaned up. That is, the 4 elements that are at each end of the Optical Blocks.
The Original Lub thickens and can freeze in under 40* temps.

Canon FD, and FD SSC, Value Under $100.00 (Early FD was a 2 layer coating, SSC added a purple layer. This lens in not like the early FL that is a Modified 6 element Zeiss Planar, it is a 7 element design, and offers better contrast, and edge sharpness wide open.

Hope this helps.

A great selection of classic lenses to have and use!

your input is much appreciated.  So far I secured the Canon 50/1.4 and Lomo 35 f/2.  Still awaiting auction end on the Zeiss 45/f2 and lumix 14mm.  I did place a bid on a J9 for about $108, and it was black casing.  I did see plenty of chrome ones though...might have to retract....   I've been reading through the GH2 shooters guide for this lens selection, and I will be looking to add others in the future.   But this is why I post here, for the great advice I get and intimate knowledge you all possess.

Quote from: tamoio on February 04, 2012, 06:02:56 PM

I would sell mine and get an Olympus 12mm F2 if I knew the Olympus worked worth-a-damn on Panasonic bodies.

What do you mean by that?  It works just fine on Panasonic bodies.

There have been a lot of problems reported in the past with Olympus lenses on Panasonics when shooting video.  I need my lenses to work on both the GH2 and the AF100. The most common problem I've heard of is aperture clicking and stepping. The 12mm f2 is pretty new and so far the only problems I've read about are with the manual focus feature.

Well, I own the GH2 and the 12/2...what tests would you like me to perform?  I of course can't vouch for the AF100, but I can handle the GH2 side.  I have not heard any aperture clicking on the 12/2 in video mode.  I just tested mine right now, shooting at 1/50s in shutter priority (24p) with the 12/2...started focusing on a bookcase, then tilted the camera up right at the light...the camera closed the aperture down to keep the shutter speed constant.  Upon playback you could not hear a thing from the aperture (was taken in a quiet office).  It did close down in discrete steps, so if that's an issue then I guess it does that, but I don't know how else it would do it.

What problems have you heard about with manual focus? The GH2 works just great with the manual focus ring (allowing you to even switch between AF and MF during a video by pulling the ring).  The GH2 recognizes the two state ring and operates as you'd expect.