Oh, very nice... thanks VK!
I'm not sure if this is of interest to anybody else but while researching a compact audio solution for this camera I stumbled across the Tascam DR-10SG. http://tascam.com/product/dr-10sg/overview/
Aside from being $100 less expensive than the Sennheiser recorder mic this unit also features a programmable recording slate for audio sync. It can be set to emit an audible tone for cameras with just an on-board mic or it can be sent over the line out jack. For only $200 it seems like a pretty good deal, IMO.
Anyone on here already using this mic?
@Scot i use the coupler for my LX100. The GX80 uses the same battery as the LX100,the BLG10. The GF3 coupler will only work if it takes the BLG10 battery, I believe the GF3 takes the BLG9, so It would not work.
@DrDave Thanks just what I needed to know. I am a happy owner of a G7 but want IBIS so badly for the way I like to shoot. So is the coupler the one for the GF3 I have the one for the G7 from when I had a GH2? I think I can work around the ergonomics it will probably need a cage anyways. Given it's weighty feel I'm sure dropping it would be very bad for it. Kind of why I like the light plastic bodies thru the years I've reluctantly found they tend to bounce more break less than metal : )
@Scot I have done several shoots using the DC fake battery & AC adapter with no issues so far. Unlike some cameras, the cord needs to be threaded through the bottom of the battery/card door. There's a hole just big enough to thread the adapter, then you attach the cord to the power supply (the hole isn't big enough for the power supply, so you just need to fit the battery, then attach the PS). The reason I dislike this is because I like to solder the battery to the power supply. I've seen them come apart in the field. You can just wrap it with gaffer tape and it will hold. The second reason I don't like this is that it is a pain to get it on a tripod with a big, flat base. Again, the work around is to use a tripod that is narrow enough for the cord, or just shave off a corner. You can also drill a hole through the base if you want a big base. I have several tripods that work, but the aren't the big monster tripods. Anyway, there's several workarounds. The older system, where the cord threads through the side, allowed any tripod, but then you couldn't, for example, swap the battery for the fake battery easily. A minor issue, IMHO. The camera is kind of a no brainer, although I slightly prefer the G7 for the grip and the controls. I can't see a difference in the IQ, and the IS is cool on the GX85. Photos are better on the 85. Like I said, it's a no brainer for the price and the kit lens is surprisingly good.
Have a few questions for owners of this camera.
I have read that unlike the G7 the GX85 has clean HDMI out with audio? conflicting reports on quality 4.2.2 vs 4.2.0 and 8 vs 10 bit can any one confirm?
I have also read it can use a DC coupler and uses the one for GF3 but lacks the notch so you can't close the battery compartment door. Not a deal killer about the notch but panasonic what the heck :(
The DC coupler will allow me to make up for the small battery. The HDMI out has it's obvious advantages and also can be used with the Black Magic video assist 4k and record audio thru mini xlr inputs. Any other recorders do audio?
If these are true I am totally sold the positives far outweigh the negatives for me.
@scotchtape If you want good 1080p and MP4, then 4K downsampled to 1080p will absolutely give you superior 1080p in all respects. I can't imagine anyone not going this route since it is so simple. Also, AVCHD sometimes gives weird results, you have to combine the files with a filejoiner to be assured of zero problems.
Just received the GX85, very impressed with the build quality and stabilization performance thus far. My favorite zoom is the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 and to be able to run it stabilized for video is just awesome. Can't wait to try it with the 40-150mm.
For 4K, but not 1080p
MP4*[4K] 3840x2160: 4K/30p 100Mbps, 4K/24p 100Mbps
MP4*[Full HD] 1920x1080: FHD/60p 28Mbps, FHD/30p 20Mbps
MP4*[HD] 1280x720: HD/30p 10Mbps
MP4*[VGA] 640x480: VGA/30p 4Mbps
I shoot 24p in mp4.
@scotchtape You are right; I misread what you said - sorry. But blaming the problems that your software (or operating system) has with using AVCHD on AVCHD itself is misplaced. AVCHD is a universal standard (e.g., BluRay); the audio codec AC3 is a universal standard. Neither is some obscure proprietary setting exclusive to Panasonic. Software should be able to work with video standards. My software has no problems dealing with it. So, it's a limitation of the software you are using (I am assuming it is not you). Why do you not blame your software?
If you read my comment properly it means you can't shoot 24p in mp4...
Anyways I used the g6 and avchd in a project and had problems with audio, not to mention the many other people who do run into problems using it (many other posts all over the net).
@ scotchtape - Now I get it. FCPX cuts through the AVCHD structure and offers the files directly in its import browser, which is why I never experienced the problem. When directly viewing the files with something else, OSX does force the user to navigate, but it marks the container as a package. This is like finding your way through a suburb that you don't know - follow the speed bumps.
@scotchtape "and even on gx85 you can only get 24p if you use avchd."
No, you can shoot 50p (60p), 50i (60i), 25p (30p) or 24p when AVCHD is selected. See the GX85 manual (or the camera menus).
AVCHD uses standard AVC H264 video compression and AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio compression. Nothing odd about that. The file structure is odd, but if you just get and use the video files (you can forget all the other folders and files in them) they will work fine in almost any editor. You can move the video files anywhere you want. And you can certainly rename them, but not the extension (as is usual). The only exception is if the (continuous) video shot is very long and broken into separate files, in which case you may need to use the file structure.
MP4 and MOV files also use AVC H264 compression, but different audio compression (like AAC). There are variants of H264, but no one has shown they make a great difference. So worrying about using MP4 or AVCHD seems unwarranted. There are, however, differences in bitrates that may matter. AVCHD has restrictions on those.
@scotchtape If you edit on a Mac you can use ClipWrap (or EditReady as it's called now) to change AVCHD files to a .mov container without transcoding. http://www.divergentmedia.com/clipwrap
They don't appear to offer a Windows version, unfortunately.
@scotchtape "finally a GX85 video that looks professional and not super saturated with weird panny colors."
Wow, we can make videos that look "professional" just by using Picture Profile 'Natural' and reducing sharpness and contrast by -2 instead of 'Standard.' This is easy!
Let's keep this "professional' - you like dull looks rather than colorful accurate looks. That's great. That does not make dull-patina video "professional" and colorful contrasty video unprofessional or "weird." I did like that video too, but it was not because of the missing contrast and color, or the lack of resolution. If weird means not lifelike, then the video you liked was weird too. Most films are weird.
@4cards Yes I had issues with sound not playing back in premiere etc. If I didn't import the files properly (which I never learned to do since I didn't need audio on those projects).
From what I read you can't really rename and move files around easily and I don't have time for that.
On previous Panny cams avchd had the best quality , and even on gx85 you can only get 24p if you use avchd.
The file structure for avchd is truly stupid
So Best Buy had an open-box unit w/lens up on eBay for $680. Lumix cameras are worse than any drug, my mouse finger added it to the cart without any input from my higher brain functions.
I hope the 5 axis IBIS is a solid step up from the LX100 OIS. I just shot a bunch of train ride footage handheld and saw far too much rolling shutter distortion after applying stabilization in post.
Common sense tells me this would not have been an issue with the GX85. Please God, let this be the one.
@ scotchtape - I have heard this complaint about AVCHD before, and I don't experience it. Is it a problem importing?
Thanks, scotchtape! Really appreciate that. I used AVCHD for those shots. I'm not heavy into grading yet, just colour correction as I like things looking natural so don't have experiencing working the files hard. However, I have admitted to myself that sensitive grading can really bring a lot of emotion to imagery and it's good for your films to have a 'look' (people love looks!) so I've actually downloaded Davinci Resolve and signed up for a tutorial to get me started on the journey. Will report back once I have more experience in this department.
Thanks, ironfilm! I own the standard VP83 for my GH4 (great mic) and have considered ponying up for the F version. But I think I might limp on by with what I've got (placing Olympus recorder close to bride during prep for example) until the GH5 comes along.
Or even this, if you don't want to buy yet another device:
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
If you don't mind syncing, then consider this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966010-REG/shure_vp83f_condenser_shotgun_mic.html
Or this from Saramonic: http://www.saramonicusa.com/products/saramonic-vmic-recorder-microphone-with-lcd-monitor
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