Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen at DVinfo.net

Jeff Wallace · August 11th, 2011, 10:49 PM

I'm curious if anyone else is having this problem. I've bee using the GH2 for a lot of corporate work -- either in the studio or outdoors, and I'm finding that the LCD screen gives a completely inaccurate display of color temperature. Here are some scenarios:

In the studio using 3 point lighting, white balancing to a warm card. Image looks great on the LCD screen... perfect in fact. When I pull up the footage in Final Cut Pro, it looks nothing like it did on the screen... way too orange or too yellow.

Another scenario... shooting outdoors, and using the Kelvin white balance settings of 56k or 54k... image looks great on the screen. Perfect in fact.

I pull up the footage in the edit bay and it looks like crap.

WTF? Am I missing something here or is this a major flaw with these cameras? I mean, if you can't tell what the image really looks like, then what's the point?

I've used the Canon 5D and 7D and their LCD screens are definitely WYSIWYG.

Martyn Hull · August 12th, 2011, 01:00 AM

The LCD screen on my GH2 gives the exact same color as watching on on HD monitor TV.

Jeff Harper · August 13th, 2011, 01:17 AM

Could the issue be with the settings on you monitor? I have found the GH2 preview to vary at times, but it depends, sometimes it's perfect, other times not, but I've learned when those times are and can usually compensate.

There are those that do have issues with preview on the cam, you are not the only one, but I don't know why the issue varies from person to person, it's weird for sure.

Kevin McRoberts · August 13th, 2011, 08:23 AM

I've never noticed this... usually, it looks /worse/ on the LCD than in edit.

One setting which may affect this is in the "custom" menu, "constant preview." Typically this is more an issue when taking stills, but I still like to keep it on.

Jeff Harper · August 13th, 2011, 08:49 AM

Kevn, refesh my memory, what does contant preview do? I used to know, but have forgotten already, and my manual is hiding from me.

Kevin McRoberts · August 13th, 2011, 09:07 AM

It makes preview constant... or rather, it makes the LCD show a little more accurately what's going to happen once you hit the shutter button. Effects are a little more obvious at times when taking long-exposure stills...

Not sure if that's anywhere hear what's happening in this instance, but maybe.

Jeff Harper · August 13th, 2011, 09:29 AM

Thanks Kevin. I have it turned on, I only remembered it seemed to be better somehow from other threads, so I just left it on.

Jeff Wallace · August 15th, 2011, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the tip on Constant Preview. Mine in fact was turned off, so I set it to on. I'm about to head into a studio shoot right now, so I'll let you all know if it makes a difference or not.

August 11th, 2011, 10:49 PM	#1
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen I'm curious if anyone else is having this problem. I've bee using the GH2 for a lot of corporate work -- either in the studio or outdoors, and I'm finding that the LCD screen gives a completely inaccurate display of color temperature. Here are some scenarios: In the studio using 3 point lighting, white balancing to a warm card. Image looks great on the LCD screen... perfect in fact. When I pull up the footage in Final Cut Pro, it looks nothing like it did on the screen... way too orange or too yellow. Another scenario... shooting outdoors, and using the Kelvin white balance settings of 56k or 54k... image looks great on the screen. Perfect in fact. I pull up the footage in the edit bay and it looks like crap. WTF? Am I missing something here or is this a major flaw with these cameras? I mean, if you can't tell what the image really looks like, then what's the point? I've used the Canon 5D and 7D and their LCD screens are definitely WYSIWYG. Last edited by Jeff Wallace; August 11th, 2011 at 10:55 PM. Reason: typo

August 12th, 2011, 01:00 AM	#2
Martyn Hull Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 444	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen The LCD screen on my GH2 gives the exact same color as watching on on HD monitor TV.

August 13th, 2011, 01:17 AM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen Could the issue be with the settings on you monitor? I have found the GH2 preview to vary at times, but it depends, sometimes it's perfect, other times not, but I've learned when those times are and can usually compensate. There are those that do have issues with preview on the cam, you are not the only one, but I don't know why the issue varies from person to person, it's weird for sure. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 13th, 2011, 08:23 AM	#4
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen I've never noticed this... usually, it looks /worse/ on the LCD than in edit. One setting which may affect this is in the "custom" menu, "constant preview." Typically this is more an issue when taking stills, but I still like to keep it on. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

August 13th, 2011, 08:49 AM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen Kevn, refesh my memory, what does contant preview do? I used to know, but have forgotten already, and my manual is hiding from me. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 13th, 2011, 09:07 AM	#6
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen It makes preview constant... or rather, it makes the LCD show a little more accurately what's going to happen once you hit the shutter button. Effects are a little more obvious at times when taking long-exposure stills... Not sure if that's anywhere hear what's happening in this instance, but maybe. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

August 13th, 2011, 09:29 AM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen Thanks Kevin. I have it turned on, I only remembered it seemed to be better somehow from other threads, so I just left it on. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 15th, 2011, 10:41 AM	#8
Jeff Wallace Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 79	Re: Problem with Color Balance on GH2 LCD Screen Thanks for the tip on Constant Preview. Mine in fact was turned off, so I set it to on. I'm about to head into a studio shoot right now, so I'll let you all know if it makes a difference or not.