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gh2-usage:gh2-usage [2012/04/15 09:02]
balazer
gh2-usage:gh2-usage [2014/02/14 05:41] (current)
balazer added GH4 to sensor coverage table
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   * The answer to that depends entirely on you:  what you're trying to do, how you like to work, how you evaluate video quality, etc.  No one can answer this question for you.  Check out what's been posted to Vimeo (search for 'hacked gh2'), and do your own testing.   * The answer to that depends entirely on you:  what you're trying to do, how you like to work, how you evaluate video quality, etc.  No one can answer this question for you.  Check out what's been posted to Vimeo (search for 'hacked gh2'), and do your own testing.
 == The GH2's video modes == == The GH2's video modes ==
-  * Manual movie mode, AVCHD(1080i):  AVCHD 1920 x 1080, 25 or 30 fps interlaced, FSH=16 Mbps, FH=12 Mbps +^ Mode ^ Format ^ AR ^ Resolution ^ i ^ fps ^ Bit rate (Mbps^^ Notes ^ 
-  * Manual movie mode, AVCHD(720p): AVCHD 1280 x 720, 50 or 60 fps progressive, SH=16 Mbps, H=12 Mbps +|High Bit Rate   | AVCHD 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | p | 30 or 25* | 24     ||  [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_segmented_frame|interlaced encoding]]Firmware v1.1  
-  * Manual movie mode, MJPEG MJPEG .mov 1280 x 720, 30 fps progressive +|24p Cinema      | AVCHD | 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | p | 24       | 24H=24 | 24L=17 | | 
-  * High bit rate: AVCHD 1920 x 108030 or 25 fps progressive, 22 (?) Mbps The video is converted to and stored as interlaced. (Progressive Segmented Frames) HBR mode is available in Panasonic firmware version 1.1 and higher. +|Variable Movie Mode| AVCHD | 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | p | 30,15,12, or 8| 24H=24| 24L=17 | no sound. 24 fps playback |    
-  * 24P cinemaAVCHD 1920 x 108024 fps progressive, 24H=22 Mbps, 24L=16 Mbps +|MMM AVCHD(1080i)| AVCHD | 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | i | 30 or 25* | FSH=17 | FH=13  | | 
-  * Variable movie modeAVCHD 1920 x 1080, at 30, 15, 12, or 8 fps progressive with no sound. The recordings play back at 24 fps with a bit rate of 24H=22 Mbps or 24L=16 Mbps.+|MMM AVCHD(720p) | AVCHD | 16:9 | 1280 x 720  | p | 60 or 50* | SH=17  | H=13   | 
 +|MMM MJPEG, HD   | mov   | 16:9 | 1280 x 720  | p | 30       | | | |  
 +|MMM MJPEG, WVGA | mov   | 16:9 | 848 x 480   | p | 30       | | | |  
 +|MMM MJPEG, VGA  | mov   | 4:3  | 640 x 480   | p | 30       | | | | 
 +|MMM MJPEG, QVGA | mov   | 4:3  | 320 x 240   | p | 30       | | | |
  
-  In 1080i, 720p, and HBR modes, the frame rate is determined by whether you have a PAL-country or NTSC-country camera body.  With a hacked firmware image, you can switch between PAL and NTSC shooting modes See the GH2 hacking FAQ for more info.+ *30 / 60 fps on NTSC-country cameras; 25 / 50 fps on PAL-country cameras.  Selectable on hacked cameras(see the[[http://www.personal-view.com/faqs/gh2-hack/gh2-hack-faq| GH2 Hack FAQ]]) 
 + 
 + †AVCHD frame rates denoted as 24, 30, or 60 fps are actually that value times 1000/1001 - approximately 23.976, 29.970, or 59.940.
  
 == Camera settings for shooting video == == Camera settings for shooting video ==
-  * Set the top dial to Creative movie mode+  * Set the top mode dial to Creative Movie
-  * For general shooting, use HBR or AVCHD(720p).  HBR mode at 30 fps matches YouTube's and Vimeo's highest quality modes.  Choose HBR when you want more detail, and 720p when you want smoother motion.+  * For general shooting, select HBR or AVCHD(720p) in the Creative Movie mode menu.  HBR mode at 30 fps matches YouTube's and Vimeo's highest quality modes.  Choose HBR when you want more detail, and 720p when you want smoother motion.
   * 24p should be reserved for people who have some special reason to shoot 24p.  The lower frame rate means there's more motion judder, and you need to be careful to not pan too quickly.   * 24p should be reserved for people who have some special reason to shoot 24p.  The lower frame rate means there's more motion judder, and you need to be careful to not pan too quickly.
-  * Set the exposure mode to M (manual) or S (shutter priority). +  * Set the exposure mode to M (manual) or S (shutter priority) in the Motion Picture menu
-  * For 24p, 25i, 25p and 50p, set the shutter speed to 1/50 s.  For 30p 30i, and 60p, set the shutter speed to 1/60 s.  Setting the shutter speed to less than that when shooting 1080i or 720p cuts the effective field or frame rate in half+  * Shutter speeds of approximately 1/40 s to 1/60 are normal for film and video.  Choose 1/60 s for 60p and 1/50 s for 50p. 
-  * Noise goes up at higher ISO settings (with [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/2078/gh2-iso-noise-tests.-lows-mids-highs.-magic-iso-#Item_13|minor exceptions]]), and dynamic range goes down.  Everyone's noise tolerance is different, so just do some testing to find what your tolerance is.+  Setting the shutter speed slower than the frame rate reduces the effective frame rate. (e.g. a shutter speed of 1/50 s in 60p mode reduces the effective frame rate to 30 fps) 
 +  * Noise goes up at higher ISO settings (with [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/2078/gh2-iso-noise-tests.-lows-mids-highs.-magic-iso-#Item_13|minor exceptions]]).  Everyone's noise tolerance is different, so  do some testing to find what your tolerance is.  Shadow range gradually diminishes starting at ISO 2000.
   * An ISO setting of 320, 640, or 1250 may result in increased noise depending on the camera's previous setting. To avoid this, switch the camera to the ISO setting 1/3 stop higher, and then back down.  (i.e., 400 to 320, or 800 to 640, or 1600 to 1250).  If you turn the camera off while in ISO 320, 640, or 1250, you must repeat the ISO switching after turning the camera back on to avoid higher noise.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1280|discussion]]   * An ISO setting of 320, 640, or 1250 may result in increased noise depending on the camera's previous setting. To avoid this, switch the camera to the ISO setting 1/3 stop higher, and then back down.  (i.e., 400 to 320, or 800 to 640, or 1600 to 1250).  If you turn the camera off while in ISO 320, 640, or 1250, you must repeat the ISO switching after turning the camera back on to avoid higher noise.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1280|discussion]]
-  * Set the film mode to Standard with -1, -2-2, -2.  That is a suggested starting point.  Adjust as necessary.+  * Set the film mode to Standard with noise reduction to -2
 +  * Set sharpness to -2 for Lumix lensesand 0 for manual lenses. 
 +  Adjust contrast and saturation as necessary.
 == Extra Tele Conversion (ETC) mode == == Extra Tele Conversion (ETC) mode ==
 +  * ETC mode is an in-camera crop mode with one-to-one pixel mapping.
   * With ETC mode turned off, the GH2 uses a 14-megapixel (4976 x 2800 pixel) area of the image sensor covering its entire width, downsampling it to an output of 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixels.     * With ETC mode turned off, the GH2 uses a 14-megapixel (4976 x 2800 pixel) area of the image sensor covering its entire width, downsampling it to an output of 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixels.  
   * With ETC mode turned on, the camera uses a 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixel area of the center of the image sensor, mapping each pixel 1:1 from the sensor to the output video.     * With ETC mode turned on, the camera uses a 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixel area of the center of the image sensor, mapping each pixel 1:1 from the sensor to the output video.  
-  * ETC mode gives you a narrower field of view - 2.6 or 3.9 times narrower, a picture that's slightly less sharp, has less aliasing, less of a rolling shutter effect ("jello"), and is much noisier for the same ISO setting - equivalent to raising the ISO setting by 2 and 2/3 stops. [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1353/gh2-etc-mode-noise-penalty|discussion]]+  * For the same lens, ETC mode gives you a narrower field of view - 2.6 or 3.9 times narrower, a picture that's slightly less sharp, has less aliasing, less of a rolling shutter effect ("jello"), and is much noisier for the same ISO setting - equivalent to raising the ISO setting by 2 and 2/3 stops. [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1353/gh2-etc-mode-noise-penalty|discussion]] 
 +  * AVCHD recording in ETC mode is subject to electrical impulse noise that depends on the ISO setting.  [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1280/gh2-iso-noise-bug-at-320-640-and-1250/p3#Item_54|explained]]
 == Low-light shooting == == Low-light shooting ==
   * With Auto ISO and the exposure compensation value set to +/- 0, the camera goes up to 6400. With the exposure compensation value set to the maximum, auto ISO goes up to 12,800.   * With Auto ISO and the exposure compensation value set to +/- 0, the camera goes up to 6400. With the exposure compensation value set to the maximum, auto ISO goes up to 12,800.
   * With "Maximum ISO limit removal" set in PTool, you can manually select an ISO setting of up to 12,800.   * With "Maximum ISO limit removal" set in PTool, you can manually select an ISO setting of up to 12,800.
   * For an unhacked camera, the maximum manual ISO setting is 3200.   * For an unhacked camera, the maximum manual ISO setting is 3200.
-  * Increase the exposure time to 1/30 s (or 1/25 s for 24p and 25p).   But doing so increases motion blur, so try to hold the camera steady and don't pan too quickly.+  * Increase the exposure time, up to 1/30 s (or 1/25 s for 24p and 25p).   But doing so increases motion blur, so try to hold the camera steady and don't pan too quickly.
   * Use manual focus and manual exposure and increase the exposure time even more - up to 1/2 s in 24p, 1/15 s in VMM 160%, 1/12 s in VMM 200%, or 1/8 s in VMM 300%.   * Use manual focus and manual exposure and increase the exposure time even more - up to 1/2 s in 24p, 1/15 s in VMM 160%, 1/12 s in VMM 200%, or 1/8 s in VMM 300%.
-  * Setting the film mode to Smooth or Nostalgic, and/or reducing the contrast setting will lighten the shadows, increase dynamic range, and lower the contrast.+  * Setting the film mode to Smooth or Nostalgic boosts mid tones. 
 +  * Reducing the contrast boosts shadows.
   * Shooting at high ISOs (above 1000 or so), it will help to use a high quality video hack, so that the noise is captured accurately instead of being discarded in the compression along with some picture detail.   * Shooting at high ISOs (above 1000 or so), it will help to use a high quality video hack, so that the noise is captured accurately instead of being discarded in the compression along with some picture detail.
   * You can use [[http://www.neatvideo.com/|Neat Video]] to remove noise in post processing.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1986/how-to-improve-low-light-image-quality-from-iso-12800-and-6400|discussion]]   * You can use [[http://www.neatvideo.com/|Neat Video]] to remove noise in post processing.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1986/how-to-improve-low-light-image-quality-from-iso-12800-and-6400|discussion]]
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   * Media Player Classic Home Cinema   * Media Player Classic Home Cinema
   * VLC   * VLC
 +  * If you wish to preview videos via USB to AV cable, sometimes it is necessary to hold the Erase button for five seconds to turn AV on.  This does not apply to HDMI which is a separate output.
 == How to edit GH2 videos == == How to edit GH2 videos ==
   * Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD  - native h.264/MTS   * Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD  - native h.264/MTS
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   * Final Cut Pro 7 - transcode using [[http://rarevision.com/5dtorgb/|5DtoRGB]] or ??   * Final Cut Pro 7 - transcode using [[http://rarevision.com/5dtorgb/|5DtoRGB]] or ??
   * Final Cut Pro X - native AVCHD: copy the Private folder in its entirety, and then File>Import From Camera>Open Archive.  Or, rewrap MTS to MP4 using [[http://www.divergentmedia.com/clipwrap|ClipWrap]]   * Final Cut Pro X - native AVCHD: copy the Private folder in its entirety, and then File>Import From Camera>Open Archive.  Or, rewrap MTS to MP4 using [[http://www.divergentmedia.com/clipwrap|ClipWrap]]
-  * Grass Valley Edius 5.51 or higher - native AVCHD+  * Grass Valley Edius 5.51 or higher - native h.264/MTS
   * Grass Valley Neo 2.5 or higher - native AVCHD   * Grass Valley Neo 2.5 or higher - native AVCHD
 == How to cut/trim GH2 videos without re-encoding == == How to cut/trim GH2 videos without re-encoding ==
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     * [[http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate/|Final Mate]] - works, but the resulting files crash Vegas Pro 10     * [[http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate/|Final Mate]] - works, but the resulting files crash Vegas Pro 10
 == Lenses for the GH2 == == Lenses for the GH2 ==
-  * Any Micro Four Thirds lens, or Four Thirds lens (with an adapter) will work with the GH2.  These lenses will be the only ones to support auto focusing, electronic aperture control, and image stabilization if available on that particular lens+  * Any Micro Four Thirds lens, or Four Thirds lens (with an adapter) will work with the GH2.  These lenses are the only ones with electrical connections to support auto focusing, electronic aperture control, and image stabilizationif available. 
-  * The only lenses that will provide image stabilization are (somePanasonic Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds lenses.+  * So far the only lenses with image stabilization are some Panasonic Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds lenses, and Tamron Micro Four Thirds lenses.
   * Just about any lens that has manual focusing and manual aperture control can be used on the GH2 with an adapter.  Look on eBay for adapters.   * Just about any lens that has manual focusing and manual aperture control can be used on the GH2 with an adapter.  Look on eBay for adapters.
-  * Lenses for full-frame 35-mm cameras project an image circle that is more than large enough to cover the GH2's sensor, but since the GH2's sensor is smaller than full frame 35-mm, the resulting images have a narrower field of view than if you were using the same lens a full-frame 35-mm camera - 1.times narrower in video mode. +  * Full-frame 35-mm camera lenses project an image circle that more than covers the GH2's sensor, but since the GH2's sensor is smaller than full frame 35-mm, the resulting images have a narrower angle of view than if you were using the same lens on a full-frame 35-mm camera - 1.times narrower in 16:9 mode. 
-  * Most C-mount lenses don't project an image circle larger enough to cover the GH2's image sensor without at least some darkness in the corners.  Different C-mount lenses are meant for several different film and video formats: 8-mm, 16-mm, 1/3", 1/2", 2/3", 1", and rarely, 4/3".  To use these lenses you will probably need to do some amount of croppingin the camera (ETC mode or 2x zoom), and/or in post processing.+  * C-mount lenses are meant for several different [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format#Table_of_sensor_formats_and_sizes|film and video formats]], and generally require some cropping in the camera (ETC mode or 2x zoom) or in post when used with the GH2.  Note that c-mount adapters for m43 have a recessed c-mount flange, so not all c-mount lenses will fit without modification.
  
   * Specific lenses:   * Specific lenses:
-    * The Panasonic Lumix G 14-42, 14-140, and the Lumix G X 14-42 are all good, with fast and accurate focusing and image stabilization.  You really can't go wrong with these lenses. +    * Panasonic Lumix lenses with an "HD" designation are all good, with fast and accurate focusing.   
-    * The Lumix G 20-mm f/1.7 is great optically, and brings in a lot of light. But it focuses slowly, has no image stabilization, and using a wider aperture gives you shallower depth of field, which means you need to be more precise with your focusing.  Super wide aperture lenses are not a cure-all for low light+    * The Lumix G 20-mm f/1.7 is great optically, and brings in a lot of light. But it focuses slowly, has no image stabilization, and using a wider aperture gives you shallower depth of field, which means you need to be more precise with your focusing. 
-    * Wide aperture zoom lenses with stabilization are rumored to be coming from Panasonic in 2012.  [[http://www.43rumors.com/ft4-upcoming-x-lenses-will-be-weather-sealed-there-will-be-a-weather-sealed-camera-too/|rumor]] +    * [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/106/lenses-for-canon-fd-mount/p1|Canon FD-mount]], manual focus Nikon F-mount, and [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/4780/minolta-md-and-mc-lenses/p1|Minolta MC/MD lenses]] are popular choices.  Note that the focus rings on Nikon lenses turn opposite that of most other lenses.
-    * Canon FD-mount and Nikon AI/AI-s/non-Ai 50-mm f/1.4 manual lenses are popular choices.+
  
   * Big list of [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/859/video-friendly-lenses-for-lumix-dslrs/p1|video-friendly lenses]]   * Big list of [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/859/video-friendly-lenses-for-lumix-dslrs/p1|video-friendly lenses]]
 +
 +== Sensor Coverage ==
 +Format diagonals in millimeters are calculated from the camera apertures. Sensor mode diagonals in millimeters are calculated from the pixel pitch and 16:9 mode resolution. Only combinations of lenses and sensor modes are shown here that yield at least 720p.
 +^ ^                 ^ GH2 & GH3         ^^ GH2       ^ GH3 & GH4  ^ GH4                     ^^ BMPCC      ^ BMCC       ^
 +^ ^                 ^ 720 ETC ^ 1080 ETC ^ non-ETC   ^ non-ETC    ^ 3.8k       ^ Cinema 4k   ^ 1080p      ^ 2.4k       ^
 +^ ^                 ^(5.51 mm)^ (8.26 mm)^ (21.41 mm)^ (19.83 mm) ^ (16.52 mm) ^ (17.36 mm)  ^ (14.32 mm) ^ (18.13 mm) ^
 +^ 1/3" ^(6.00 mm)   | 108%    | 73%      |           |            | 36%        |             |            |            |
 +^ 1/2" ^(8.00 mm)   |         | 97%      |           |            | 48%        |             |            |            |
 +^ 2/3" ^(11.00 mm)  |         | 133%     |           |            | 67%        |             | 77%        |            |
 +^ 1"   ^(16.00 mm)  |         | 194%     | 75%       | 81%        | 97%        |             | 117%       | 88%        |
 +^ 4/3" ^(22.00 mm)  |         |          | 103%      | 111%       | 133%       | 127%        | 153%       | 121%       |
 +^ 8 mm ^(6.11 mm)   | 110%    | 74%      |           |            | 37%        |             |            |            | 
 +^ Super 8 ^(7.04 mm)| 128%    | 85%      |           |            | 42%        |             |            |            |
 +^ 16 mm ^(12.70 mm) |         | 154%     |           |            | 77%        |             | 89%        |            |
 +^Super 16^(14.55 mm)|         | 176%     | 68%       | 73%        | 88%        |             | 102%       | 80%        |
 +^Super 35^(31.11 mm)|         |          | 145%      | 157%       | 188%       | 179%        | 217%       | 172%       |
 +^APS-C    ^(28.4 mm)|         |          | 133%      | 143%       | 172%       | 164%        | 198%       | 157%       |
 +^35 mm FF ^(43.23 mm)|        |          | 202%      | 218%       | 262%       | 249%        | 302%       | 238%       |
 +* Different 4/3" formats define image circles varying in diameter from 21.5 to 23 mm.  Super 35 is the ANSI Super 35 4:3 silent aperture.  APS-C is Nikon DX, which is slightly larger than Sony and Canon APS-C. 35 mm full-frame is 36 x 24 mm.  The GH2 and GH3 non-ETC mode sensor areas differ because of the GH2's oversized multi-aspect ratio sensor.
 == GH2 audio recording == == GH2 audio recording ==
-  * The GH2's built-in audio recording is said to be pretty good.  It's semi-automatic: you choose one of four recording levels.  All levels have some amount of automatic gain control and auto limiting.  Use the on-screen audio meter to monitor levels in real time. +  * The GH2's built-in audio recording is pretty good.  You choose one of four gain levels.  All settings have auto limiting, and little or no automatic gain adjustment.  Use the on-screen audio meter to monitor levels in real time. 
-  * A 2.5-mm microphone jack accepts stereo audio and provides plug-in power of approximately 2.5 V (open circuit) for condenser microphones.+  * A 2.5-mm microphone jack accepts stereo audio and provides plug-in power of approximately 2.5 V for condenser microphones.
   * [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1152/gh2-audio-hacks/p1|GH2 audio hacking discussion]]   * [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1152/gh2-audio-hacks/p1|GH2 audio hacking discussion]]
   * For the best audio, use an external audio recorder, and then sync the audio after the fact manually, or with [[http://www.singularsoftware.com/|Plural Eyes or Dual Eyes]].  [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/930/what-are-you-guys-using-for-audio-recording-with-your-dslr/p1|discussion]]   * For the best audio, use an external audio recorder, and then sync the audio after the fact manually, or with [[http://www.singularsoftware.com/|Plural Eyes or Dual Eyes]].  [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/930/what-are-you-guys-using-for-audio-recording-with-your-dslr/p1|discussion]]
gh2-usage/gh2-usage.1334480573.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/04/15 09:02 by balazer