G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit)

Paul Ekert · January 16th, 2015, 10:36 AM

So I've been thinking about getting a DSLR to record in low light (a dance at a wedding for example) and I've seen the GH3 or G6 seems to be a good idea to get, but only if they can be bought without the 30 minute record limit.

So, G6 or GH3?

And where can I order one from so that it comes without the record limit?

Thanks in advance.

Paul

Roger Gunkel · January 16th, 2015, 11:38 AM

I could be wrong Paul, but I believe that DSLR cameras for purchase in Europe are restricted in recording time to avoid VAT. I believe that with no recording limit it would be classed as a video camera and subject to tax.

Roger

Noa Put · January 16th, 2015, 11:41 AM

Yeah, you need to order outside the EU to avoid that recording limit, not sure though which countries you need ot buy from.

About low light performance, the g6 only has 3200 iso max but is cleaner then the gh3 at that same level, the gh3 can go to iso 6400 but gets quite noisy but not up to a point I would consider the footage useless, 6400 iso on the gh3 looks better then 3200iso on my first dslr I had, canon 550d.

Paul Ekert · January 16th, 2015, 03:10 PM

Which way would you go Noah? G6 or gh3?

Anyone recommend a supplier for a non restricted model of either? Or do I need to haunt eBay and search for far east sellers?

Noa Put · January 16th, 2015, 03:22 PM

I"d buy the gh3, the g6 does have some advantages like peaking and you can use etc mode in 50p as well and is a great camera for the price,I only didn't like it's button layout and ergonomics compared to the gh3 and for whatever reason it's softer in 1080p 50P compared to the gh3. I checked using a resolution chart and the difference was obvious to the eye, not only on the chart but also in footage I shot using both camera's. Only in 25p it's equally detailed. Then you also have better codecs on the gh3.

Dave Partington · January 22nd, 2015, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Gunkel

I could be wrong Paul, but I believe that DSLR cameras for purchase in Europe are restricted in recording time to avoid VAT. I believe that with no recording limit it would be classed as a video camera and subject to tax.

Roger

That's a 14% import duty, not VAT, though of course VAT is then charged on top! As I recall it was to protect the french VHS industry back in the early 80s.

Bo Skelmose · January 23rd, 2015, 05:43 PM

Yes it was to protect the video industri in europe. First of all Thomson - do not know if they exist anymore and make recorders

Noa Put · January 26th, 2015, 04:24 AM

I wish there was a simple firmware hack to disable the recording limit, it would make a big difference when recording ceremonies.

Anthony McErlean · June 1st, 2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas Andreou

For anyone interested we can supply GH4 without the 30 minute recording limit.
Andy

Hi, sorry if its been asked before but I cant figure it out, can the Panasonic GH4 record longer than 29 mins, continuous, providing of course there is a big enough card in the camera?

Noa Put · June 1st, 2015, 02:26 PM

It appears to depend from which part of the world you buy it, mine has a recording limit.

Luc Spencer · June 1st, 2015, 02:49 PM

Paul, I'd suggest you invest more in the lens you'll be using in low light situations rather than the camera. Filming even on a GH4 with an f/2.8 lens can produce (very slightly) worse looking footage than a GH3 with an f/2 lens.

[Off topic] - Noa, sent you 2 mails again, check your inbox :D

Anthony McErlean · June 1st, 2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noa Put

It appears to depend from which part of the world you buy it, mine has a recording limit.

It look like that to me too Noa, then I read somewhere it would record in 29min chunks, one after the other until the card is full.

Noa Put · June 1st, 2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc Spencer

Filming even on a GH4 with an f/2.8 lens can produce (very slightly) worse looking footage than a GH3 with an f/2 lens.

Huh, where did you get that? My gh4 gives me better (less noisy) low light footage then my gh3.

checking my mailbox now...

Luc Spencer · June 1st, 2015, 03:17 PM

You mean to tell me that the footage obtained using your 12-35 on your GH4 looks better than the footage obtained with your 12mm f/2 on the GH3?

I did this test before, but I just repeated it to be sure. Currently, in my room, at f/2.8 I need to be at ISO 3200 to get a proper exposure. When I took it down to f/2 (same lens), I could drop down the ISO all the way to 1600 to get the exact exposure back. Now... I know the GH4 is better in low light, but come on, it's not THAT much better :D unless maybe you shoot in 4k and downscale.

Noa Put · June 1st, 2015, 03:21 PM

I misunderstood you, the 12mm f2.0 gives better results ofcourse when it gets dark but there is a definite difference when I shoot in 4K and downrez to 1080p where my gh3 clealry shows more noise at exact the same settings, 6400 iso looks cleaner on the gh4 (4k->1080p downscaled) compared to the gh3 with the same lens and settings.

January 16th, 2015, 10:36 AM	#1
Paul Ekert Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oxford Posts: 66	G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy So I've been thinking about getting a DSLR to record in low light (a dance at a wedding for example) and I've seen the GH3 or G6 seems to be a good idea to get, but only if they can be bought without the 30 minute record limit. So, G6 or GH3? And where can I order one from so that it comes without the record limit? Thanks in advance. Paul

January 16th, 2015, 11:38 AM	#2
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy I could be wrong Paul, but I believe that DSLR cameras for purchase in Europe are restricted in recording time to avoid VAT. I believe that with no recording limit it would be classed as a video camera and subject to tax. Roger

January 16th, 2015, 11:41 AM	#3
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy Yeah, you need to order outside the EU to avoid that recording limit, not sure though which countries you need ot buy from. About low light performance, the g6 only has 3200 iso max but is cleaner then the gh3 at that same level, the gh3 can go to iso 6400 but gets quite noisy but not up to a point I would consider the footage useless, 6400 iso on the gh3 looks better then 3200iso on my first dslr I had, canon 550d.

January 16th, 2015, 03:10 PM	#4
Paul Ekert Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Oxford Posts: 66	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy Which way would you go Noah? G6 or gh3? Anyone recommend a supplier for a non restricted model of either? Or do I need to haunt eBay and search for far east sellers?

January 16th, 2015, 03:22 PM	#5
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy I"d buy the gh3, the g6 does have some advantages like peaking and you can use etc mode in 50p as well and is a great camera for the price,I only didn't like it's button layout and ergonomics compared to the gh3 and for whatever reason it's softer in 1080p 50P compared to the gh3. I checked using a resolution chart and the difference was obvious to the eye, not only on the chart but also in footage I shot using both camera's. Only in 25p it's equally detailed. Then you also have better codecs on the gh3.

January 23rd, 2015, 05:43 PM	#7
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy Yes it was to protect the video industri in europe. First of all Thomson - do not know if they exist anymore and make recorders

January 26th, 2015, 04:24 AM	#8
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy I wish there was a simple firmware hack to disable the recording limit, it would make a big difference when recording ceremonies.

June 1st, 2015, 02:26 PM	#10
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy It appears to depend from which part of the world you buy it, mine has a recording limit.

June 1st, 2015, 02:49 PM	#11
Luc Spencer Major Player Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 201	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy Paul, I'd suggest you invest more in the lens you'll be using in low light situations rather than the camera. Filming even on a GH4 with an f/2.8 lens can produce (very slightly) worse looking footage than a GH3 with an f/2 lens. [Off topic] - Noa, sent you 2 mails again, check your inbox :D

June 1st, 2015, 03:17 PM	#14
Luc Spencer Major Player Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 201	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy You mean to tell me that the footage obtained using your 12-35 on your GH4 looks better than the footage obtained with your 12mm f/2 on the GH3? I did this test before, but I just repeated it to be sure. Currently, in my room, at f/2.8 I need to be at ISO 3200 to get a proper exposure. When I took it down to f/2 (same lens), I could drop down the ISO all the way to 1600 to get the exact exposure back. Now... I know the GH4 is better in low light, but come on, it's not THAT much better :D unless maybe you shoot in 4k and downscale.

June 1st, 2015, 03:21 PM	#15
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: G6 or GH3 for low light (with no recording limit) - where to buy I misunderstood you, the 12mm f2.0 gives better results ofcourse when it gets dark but there is a definite difference when I shoot in 4K and downrez to 1080p where my gh3 clealry shows more noise at exact the same settings, 6400 iso looks cleaner on the gh4 (4k->1080p downscaled) compared to the gh3 with the same lens and settings.