Critique my GH2 setup! (video only) +K

[DG.3]

SPARKNOTES AT BOTTOM

sooo I currently have an Olympus EP2 with a kit lens. Its awesome for the little photography I do, but want to urgrade to something with 1080p 60fps and most customizable features fot video.

This is going to used mainly for short films and the like, hardly any skiing. But hopefully this setup is versitile enough to function all around.

I am not too much of a gear-whore, but I do feel it is a good time to upgrade. I've done a bunch of research, and I was having a tough time deciding between a prosumer camcorder (like the HVX) and a DSLR, but I found out the school I am attending next year has HVXs, etc for students to use, so I am going with a DSLR to get the best of both worlds. For video only, it looks like the GH2 was the way to go. And please dont post any of that "its not the gear its the artist" stuff. If I am spending this much money, I want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck.

CAMERA:

Pansonic GH2, hacked (if anyone can recommend a hack, that would be amazing)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043VE27Y/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0043VE31O&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WP4DWA0R23C4DXJP4EC#productPromotions

-I could buy the camera new with kit lens, body only is about $50 cheaper, and buying from amazon warehouse deals in "like new" condition is another $50 cheaper. for the $50 should I just buy new orrr are warehouse deals really good?

LENSES:

-as I said, not much of a gear-whore, so for now I am going with a kit lens for usual filming, (with the gh2s EXtele mode i dont think i need a telephoto atm), and i am using the prime for when i want a really shallow dof. I also know nothing of all that crop sensor stuff. if someone could enlighten what that means with these lenses thatd be great.

Kit Zoom:

-I still have the kit lens for the olympus pen, same focal length and apature as the gh2 kit lens. But I can get the GH2's kit lens for $60ish. Is it worth it to get the panasonic kit lens? or is there another kit lens under $200 that will blow them both away?

http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1463&page=overview

vs.

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_14_42.html

Prime:

as I said, only used for shallow dof shots and low light shots. is something like this okay?

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/pho/3023838884.html

Adapter:

and a cheap adapter

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-Olympus-Panasonic-AG-AF100/dp/B003EAVUMK

AUDIO:

Rode VideoMic Pro (not enough money for it currently, buying it down the road)

-I do not want to use an external recorder at the moment and have to sync audio in post, so it would be plugged straight into the gh2, sometimes on a boom sometimes in the hot shoe

STABILIZATION:

usage: 70% tripod, 20% stationary shoulder rig, 10% handheld/tracking/steadycam

Tripod:

(i have a best buy gift credit so this is kind of the only option, upgrading from a $20 tripod)

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/velbon-velbon-fluid-head-tripod-c400-c400/10145473.aspx?path=164535ea37f217413aaa73b150da1e78en02

Steadycam:

(only really using this for the occasional tracking or following shot, not my main form od stabilization)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hague-MMC-Mini-Motion-Cam-Camcorder-Stabilizer-/380354337248?pt=UK_Tripods_Monopods&hash=item588ee299e0#ht_2496wt_903

RIG:

Now before you say it, I know alot of ppl use a huge rig with a mattebox and all the stuff, alot of which is useless for their purposes. Honestly, I dont really think I need a rig. BUT, I really enjoy building and tinkering with things so I'm making a DIY rig a bit of a summer project, and I am really excited about the building process.

Following the design in the first photo:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?185853-DIY-Gearless-Follow-Focus

Adding some diy handles and a cheap shoulder mount similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S

Congrats if you actually read all that!

__________________________________________________________________________________________

SPARKNOTES:

QUESTIONS:

Which is better?

http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1463&page=overview

vs.

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/lens/g_vario_14_42.html

is something like this good with an adapter?

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/pho/3023838884.html

Are amazon warehouse deals reliable?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks so much NS!!!

 

[Legion]

http://www.eoshd.com/gh2-patch-vault

 

[[~_~]]

I would suggest looking on DVXuser for a used body; they can be had for about $600.

I would suggest you ditch the idea of a kit lens if you're new to this. I say this because prime lenses really force you to think two-dimensionally and with a kit lens its easy to just zoom into everything. FD, Takashi, and Zuiko lenses are great for m4/3. Since your focal length nearly doubles, a 50mm will almost be a 100mm lens and will serve better as a tele prime than a practical lens. The Panasonic 20mm 1.7 is an amazing lowlight/walkaround lens. For a 50mm, the Pentax SMC 50mm 1.5 is great, as are the Canon FD primes. Good wide lenses are the Tokina 11-16 and the Olympus 12mm f2.

About the steadicam: you're setting yourself up for disappointment. The GH2 is so small and lightweight that it doesn't work with steadicam systems unless weighed down with auxiliary weights. The product you linked will not be any better than a rubber band attached to your belt loop.

 

[B.Taillefer]

What kind of weights would you suggest weighing it down with?

Couldn't one also just get a smaller steadicam system, like the Glidecam 1000 as opposed to the 2000 which could potentially work with lower weight cameras?

 

[[~_~]]

No, it's simple physics. Lighter objects are more susceptible to movements exerted by outside forces, and are less able to keep a steady momentum due to being lightweight. People have told me that shooting steadicams using a RED ONE or Varicam is almost effortless compared to using something small like a video camera, let alone a DSLR. The smallest/cheapest Glidecam I'd recommend is an HD2000, even for something small like a GoPro provided you have top weights added (they come with the glidecam).

There will be many products that claim to work. Don't believe them, because when it comes to glidecam systems, "work" is a subjective term, and the consensus regarding such budget systems is that "work" means "doesn't do jack shit."

 

[remster]

Interesting. I am thinking about getting one for my Nex-5n.

Will definitely go for the hd2000 then.

 

[DG.3]

Good call, DVXuser seems to have some good options.

I wouldnt say I'm new to filmmaking, but I am definetly new to alot of the gear. I get what you are saying about prime vs. kit lenses, I'll keep that in mind. The panasonic you posted looks sweet but is unfotunatly out of my current price range . Anything cheaper in that apature and focal length? or is a used manuel prime off craigslist the best value option?

And thanks for the advice on the steadycams. A friend has a couple cheap models so I'll buy the GH2 ans test em out before buying anything.

 

[VT_scratch]

i have the panasonic 14-42 on my GH1, check this edit i shot the whole thing with it. no color correction.

Summer Swag Episode 2 from Max Bailey on Vimeo.

definitely a cool lil lense. the auto focus works well too if ur following a skier or some shit

 

[[~_~]]

Good glass will cost you, unless you go with vintage photography primes, but those tend to be more oriented toward longer focal lengths. The best/closest thing I know of is the Olympus Zuiko 28mm f3.5 ($65), though it isn't as fast.