Comments on: EU launch of GH1 and new GH1 short, Joshua TreeD http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/ Filmmaker, DP, Director Mon, 14 May 2012 23:01:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: pbloom http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-30156 pbloom Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:43:52 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-30156 it won't fit as it's four thirds and the gh1 is micro four thirds, hence the adaptor! it won’t fit as it’s four thirds and the gh1 is micro four thirds, hence the adaptor!

]]> By: Vforce http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-30067 Vforce Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:44:52 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-30067 did you ever check and see if the :"Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC" work without the panasonic adapter? If so can you post some footage. Thanks. I really enjoy your work. did you ever check and see if the :”Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC” work without the panasonic adapter? If so can you post some footage. Thanks. I really enjoy your work.

]]> By: pbloom http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-14291 pbloom Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:13:44 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-14291 yeah, i think i will finally get mine next week. yeah, i think i will finally get mine next week.

]]> By: Marcos http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-14234 Marcos Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:22:09 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-14234 Your information and videos about this camera made me actually consider purchasing and I did order mine from Amazon on May 5th. Thanks for all the stuff you posted on it. It is unfortunate that Panasonic has been so bad informing its consumers about actual delivery dates. Amazon is in the dark about when they are getting any. Hopefully I will have it before my trip to Alaska. Thanks again for all the info! Your information and videos about this camera made me actually consider purchasing and I did order mine from Amazon on May 5th. Thanks for all the stuff you posted on it. It is unfortunate that Panasonic has been so bad informing its consumers about actual delivery dates. Amazon is in the dark about when they are getting any. Hopefully I will have it before my trip to Alaska.

Thanks again for all the info!

]]> By: tommy http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-13801 tommy Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:53:29 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-13801 i found this on the net at http://www.imaging-resource.com/ Doing the Math: AVCHD Compression Ratio. It should really be no surprise that AVCHD loses a lot of image detail under some conditions. Let's look at how the output bit rate of 17 Mbit/s compares to the input data rate: For the Panasonic GH1 in FHD mode, that'd be 1,920 x 1,080 pixels x 3 (RGB color planes) x 8 (bits per color plane) x 24 frames/second = 1.19 Billion bits/sec! At the 60 fps playback rate, it's 2.9 Billion bits/sec. That's a compression ratio of 70:1 at 24 fps, or 175:1 at 60 fps. i found this on the net at http://www.imaging-resource.com/ Doing the Math: AVCHD Compression Ratio. It should really be no surprise that AVCHD loses a lot of image detail under some conditions. Let’s look at how the output bit rate of 17 Mbit/s compares to the input data rate: For the Panasonic GH1 in FHD mode, that’d be 1,920 x 1,080 pixels x 3 (RGB color planes) x 8 (bits per color plane) x 24 frames/second = 1.19 Billion bits/sec! At the 60 fps playback rate, it’s 2.9 Billion bits/sec. That’s a compression ratio of 70:1 at 24 fps, or 175:1 at 60 fps.

]]> By: pbloom http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-13430 pbloom Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:44:36 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-13430 yep, i added 2:35 to 1 crop but the other two pieces are native 16x9. you won't lose a stop with that adaptor, just get the 2x conversion. I myself have bought a 4/3rds to micro 4/3rds adaptor and a Sigma 4/3rd 30mm f1.4 lens (60mm equivalent) for the GH1, should be a great combo! The artifacts I am afraid are the downside to the 1080p 17mbps codec. For some reason it's not a robust as the 17mbps AVCHD codec used in their camcorders. I don't know why, somebody did explain it to me in technobabble but i got lost! But the 720p is really good! yep, i added 2:35 to 1 crop but the other two pieces are native 16×9.

you won’t lose a stop with that adaptor, just get the 2x conversion. I myself have bought a 4/3rds to micro 4/3rds adaptor and a Sigma 4/3rd 30mm f1.4 lens (60mm equivalent) for the GH1, should be a great combo!

The artifacts I am afraid are the downside to the 1080p 17mbps codec. For some reason it’s not a robust as the 17mbps AVCHD codec used in their camcorders. I don’t know why, somebody did explain it to me in technobabble but i got lost! But the 720p is really good!

]]> By: Domonic White http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-13428 Domonic White Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:35:31 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-13428 Cool beans. I've been buying FD lenses off eBay of late for my own attempt at a 35mm adapter for my HG10. I have a 1.4 50mm which I love and I've seen a FD-GH1 adapter on eBay for about 80 quid - I suspect that might lose me a stop but should still be quite nice. Getting something fast and wide will be more of a challenge given the 2x conversion from the small chip in the GH1. It looks to me like you may have added black bars top and bottom on Joshua Tree to make it feel more cinematic / wide - was that the case? Conversely - part of my LV story lends itself to including some lunar shots, so if I can find myself a reasonably priced FD 400m at F4 or so, with a 2x converter and the 2x multiplier from the chip size - I reckon I'll be close to filming close ups of moon dust :) You're a true gent for helping guide us all through this stuff, and we really appreciate your work and the info, so thanks for that! ...now if you (or anyone else) can shed a little more light on these 'artifacts' and what causes them...? Thanks again, Domonic Cool beans.

I’ve been buying FD lenses off eBay of late for my own attempt at a 35mm adapter for my HG10. I have a 1.4 50mm which I love and I’ve seen a FD-GH1 adapter on eBay for about 80 quid – I suspect that might lose me a stop but should still be quite nice.

Getting something fast and wide will be more of a challenge given the 2x conversion from the small chip in the GH1. It looks to me like you may have added black bars top and bottom on Joshua Tree to make it feel more cinematic / wide – was that the case?

Conversely – part of my LV story lends itself to including some lunar shots, so if I can find myself a reasonably priced FD 400m at F4 or so, with a 2x converter and the 2x multiplier from the chip size – I reckon I’ll be close to filming close ups of moon dust :)

You’re a true gent for helping guide us all through this stuff, and we really appreciate your work and the info, so thanks for that!

…now if you (or anyone else) can shed a little more light on these ‘artifacts’ and what causes them…?

Thanks again,
Domonic

]]> By: pbloom http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-13338 pbloom Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:51:23 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-13338 saying the 1080p is a novelty feature is a bit strong, but yes the 720 is much more robust to use. I don't know about increasing the 17mbps via firmware. This is the max ALL Panasonic camcorders have. You can use 800 ASA, just. But you need to make sure you don't underexpose. ASA 400 is better. With the 5d, I can use ASA 1600! The GH1 would work for you, but you would need to buy a faster lens or two for low light stuff. I bought a Sigma 30mm f1.4 with four thirds adaptor, it's on one of my GH1 blogs somewhere! saying the 1080p is a novelty feature is a bit strong, but yes the 720 is much more robust to use. I don’t know about increasing the 17mbps via firmware. This is the max ALL Panasonic camcorders have. You can use 800 ASA, just. But you need to make sure you don’t underexpose. ASA 400 is better. With the 5d, I can use ASA 1600!

The GH1 would work for you, but you would need to buy a faster lens or two for low light stuff. I bought a Sigma 30mm f1.4 with four thirds adaptor, it’s on one of my GH1 blogs somewhere!

]]> By: Domonic White http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-13319 Domonic White Sun, 31 May 2009 22:33:25 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-13319 Phil / anyone, Please can you help me fully understand the following in this article - " It’s a shame the 1080p 25p/24p codec is so weak at 17 mpbs, it is quite susceptible to artifacts as I found . It’s usable as you can see in Joshua Tree but the 720p 50p mode is way more robust, especially for grading. " Just what sort of artifacts appear, where, under what conditions and how often? I also read in another article that the 1080p is nothing more than a novelty really and that only the 720p is useable! If this is true, my decision between the 5D and GH1 very much swings in the direction of the 5D - especially with the recent firmware update. Speaking of firmware updates - would it in theory be possible to improve the 17Mbps bandwidth and resolve the artifact problems in firmware, or are these hardware limitations of the camera. 5D is out of my reach really - so was really hoping the GH1 would be good, but after everyone's initial excitement the dust doesn't seem to be settling as favourably anymore. Sounds like low light performance is only 'ok' and using anything above 400ASA (sorry ISO) runs the risk of icky grain and even yellow banding.... I was hoping to use the GH1 to get some shots for a short film I'm writing around a trip to Vegas I'm soon due to be going on... at the moment I'm wondering if hiring a 5D might be the better option until I can afford to buy one... Anyone - thoughts on whether I'm suffering from excessive review reading syndrome... Is the GH1 really worth the money or will I be disappointed if I take the plunge and end up wishing i'd saved longer for the 5d (or a 50D replacement that might come along with video...) Thanks, Domonic Phil / anyone,

Please can you help me fully understand the following in this article -

” It’s a shame the 1080p 25p/24p codec is so weak at 17 mpbs, it is quite susceptible to artifacts as I found . It’s usable as you can see in Joshua Tree but the 720p 50p mode is way more robust, especially for grading. ”

Just what sort of artifacts appear, where, under what conditions and how often? I also read in another article that the 1080p is nothing more than a novelty really and that only the 720p is useable! If this is true, my decision between the 5D and GH1 very much swings in the direction of the 5D – especially with the recent firmware update.

Speaking of firmware updates – would it in theory be possible to improve the 17Mbps bandwidth and resolve the artifact problems in firmware, or are these hardware limitations of the camera.

5D is out of my reach really – so was really hoping the GH1 would be good, but after everyone’s initial excitement the dust doesn’t seem to be settling as favourably anymore. Sounds like low light performance is only ‘ok’ and using anything above 400ASA (sorry ISO) runs the risk of icky grain and even yellow banding….

I was hoping to use the GH1 to get some shots for a short film I’m writing around a trip to Vegas I’m soon due to be going on… at the moment I’m wondering if hiring a 5D might be the better option until I can afford to buy one…

Anyone – thoughts on whether I’m suffering from excessive review reading syndrome… Is the GH1 really worth the money or will I be disappointed if I take the plunge and end up wishing i’d saved longer for the 5d (or a 50D replacement that might come along with video…)

Thanks,
Domonic

]]> By: Jamie Abbott http://philipbloom.net/2009/05/21/eu-launch-of-gh1-and-new-gh1-short-joshua-tree/comment-page-1/#comment-12559 Jamie Abbott Fri, 22 May 2009 12:50:21 +0000 http://philipbloom.co.uk/?p=3236#comment-12559 Great work, Philip. Best looking GH1 footage I've seen yet. You wrote "He said all Panasonic camcorders record at 17mbps due to something about dvd backup for consumers?" Funny. The specs for the Panasonic HMC150 say 21mbps for AVCHD in PH mode, and it looks great. So if they can't go the full 24mbps maybe compromise at 21? Thanks for your time, talent, and hard work! Great work, Philip. Best looking GH1 footage I’ve seen yet.

You wrote “He said all Panasonic camcorders record at 17mbps due to something about dvd backup for consumers?”

Funny. The specs for the Panasonic HMC150 say 21mbps for AVCHD in PH mode, and it looks great. So if they can’t go the full 24mbps maybe compromise at 21?

Thanks for your time, talent, and hard work!

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