Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings?

Chris Harding · July 8th, 2015, 04:36 AM

Brilliant Roger

Soon you can play to your hearts content! I did two Realty shoots today and the footage is excellent!!

Once you have fiddled a bit I have some questions for you and if you have any I will gladly do my best to answer them!

Anthony McErlean · July 8th, 2015, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Gunkel

My FZ1000 is out for delivery today, I hope they've sent the right camera this time!!!!!!

Roger

:) Surely, it has to be Roger.

Jack Walsh · September 16th, 2015, 09:19 PM

Uummh, bump!
Great thread!
Anything else I should know before dropping my hard earned cash on one?
Or is there another thread with more info?
Cant get the search function to work on my android tablet, which is all I have to use at moment.

Chris Harding · September 16th, 2015, 10:45 PM

Hi Jack

Brilliant cameras and awesome footage too!! You can pickup a few wedding highlights shot on the FZ1000's on my You Tube channel if you need to see the sort of result you get.

https://www.youtube.com/user/softweigh

Roger started another thread right here which you also might find useful .... a bit more recent than this one but if you have any questions feel free to ask!

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...ix-fz1000.html

Chris

Jack Walsh · September 17th, 2015, 03:31 AM

Thanks heaps for that, Chris!
Definitely nice footage there, has made my decision easier.
Some interesting reading in the "Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000" thread.
Might head over there, to ask questions!

Robert Benda · November 18th, 2015, 06:19 PM

Could anyone tell me how long this will record? Panasonic's website has this:

Continuous recordable time (motion pictures)
MP4Approx. 110 min

Actual recordable time (motion pictures)
MP4Approx. 55 min

Is that true? Rather than the usual 30 minute time limit?

I am considering picking up a pair of these to shoot 4K at weddings as stationary cameras. Sort of like I use my 4K GoPro...

Chris Harding · November 18th, 2015, 06:33 PM

Hi Rob

Sadly no! The camera is crippled to record 30 minutes at a time in AVCHD then it needs to be reset. In MP4 which I prefer to use it's actually a bit less ...At 25P it does runs of 27 minutes as the MP4 format has a maximum file size of 4GB and recording stops when you get to EITHER 30 minutes OR the file size exceeds 4GB

Is a GH4 out of your budget? That has continuous recording and interchangeable lenses and, of course 4K ... I haven't had any issues with the time limit so far even with Catholic ceremonies but if you need a camera stuck up on a Church balcony that needs to run 15 minutes before the ceremony right thru to once the bride has exited then it isn't going to work ... It seems a shame to also use something as good as the GH4 just as a safety camera!! I still use my Chinese SJ4000's for set and forget cameras and found they are cheap as chips and don't give me hassles the GoPros used to give me...but again no 4K

Robert Benda · November 18th, 2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Harding

Is a GH4 out of your budget? That has continuous recording and interchangeable lenses and, of course 4K

I'm hoping to find something cheaper since I want two of them. Largely, I like the idea of 4K for the up front side aisle cams where I can digitally zoom in for the vows later. I can get two of these FZs ready to shoot for the same price as just one GH4 Body.

I don't mind the 30 minute time limit. Most ceremonies I make one lap to refresh everything now (70Ds up front), but will be shooting solo from now on. Instead of 3 DSLRs and a GoPro, I was thinking 4 cameras (maybe 2 camcorders and 2 DSLRs) and a GoPro for the ceremony, then 2 DSLRs with decent low light at the reception.

Chris Harding · November 18th, 2015, 10:53 PM

Hi Rob

I have no issues with the limit .. I wonder how the Panasonics will mix with the Canons? The footage from them is nicely saturated and incredibly sharp compared to my old Sony cameras ... I'm using two at ceremonies and they really are amazing value for money and have way more features than I expected ... I only found out a few weeks ago that you also have a "resume zoom function" so if you are zoomed up a bit on the couple and turn the camera off while the couple sign the register, you can turn it back on and it reverts straight back to your previous zoom setting ...I got tired also of changing lenses so the 25-400 zoom covers everything! Yeah, 4K will blow you away the resolution is mind blowing!!! Have a look at some samples on YouTube ..Just search for FZ1000 4K

Jack Walsh · November 19th, 2015, 05:31 AM

I normally use two 70Ds up front, same as you Robert. With a Sony FX1000 running in the aisle, Seem to be able match the colours OK with those three. But mixing the "FZ1000" presents more of a challenge, got lots of green to deal with. Have tried mixing with the 70Ds, with some success by dialling the white balance more to the red and yellow side, then have a play in post, using "resolve". that gets it close...

I really need to have at least three cameras the same, preferably without the time limit thing. Or at least the one in the Aisle have no time limit, also, be 4K for cropping later

Just reading this thread, I can see I'm not the only one trying to sort this out.

Chris Harding · November 19th, 2015, 06:18 AM

I must admit I have always gone for matched cameras so I have never had the problem. To be honest I would rather shoot with just two cameras //one locked on the couple and running all the audio and a second for cutaways and reverse shots and of course bridal entry/exit and register signing. I do run the action cam as a "semi-aerial" static on a light stand high above the main camera and it's great to keep photogs out of the shot and makes a nice occasional super wide cutaway but if I can I only use it if I really have to as there is a fair amount of extra colour correction involved and I'd rather have the time for myself!

There is nothing wrong with using your B-Cam handheld and doing the odd cutaway to keep the first half of the ceremony from getting boring then during vows you can move to the side and behind to grab some nice reverse angle shots. ... and it only needs two cameras which are my FZ1000's

Roger Gunkel · November 19th, 2015, 09:05 AM

Jack asked in a different thread about how far away the Wifi remote app works on the camera. I have used it at 20 feet, but could maybe be longer especially if line of sight. Can be very useful to restart, or just stop/start when needed. You can also view the footage live on pad or phone and adjust zoom, aperture etc. Can be extremely useful in the right situation.

Roger

Robert Benda · November 19th, 2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Harding

To be honest I would rather shoot with just two cameras //one locked on the couple and running all the audio and a second for cutaways and reverse shots and of course bridal entry/exit and register signing.

We don't have a signing here. However, my main issue is that I want opposite side cameras for the vows. Then the aisle cam is a safety to those. The entire rest of the time, I pretty much only use 2 cameras. However, moving to solo shooting, I was thinking I"d have more stationary, unmanned style cameras pre positioned for certain moments (my GoPro, in the balcony, is pretty much just for the processional and recessional, for instance), and then I'd have one camera on a mono pod for cutaways and such.

With the wifi remote app.... hmmm, that would be nice.

Well, I can pick up FZ1000s for about $700 (refurbished or gently used). Maybe I'll get 2 now, and consider more later. That would still leave an issue for receptions.

The low light performance isn't all that great, though, right? If we're comparing to Canons, is it about like the 70D, which is fine til ISO 1600, but really, really should be pushed past 2500?

Steve Burkett · November 19th, 2015, 03:40 PM

Kind of depending what your tolerance is. I've known many Videographers who'd never go beyond 1600, whereas I'll shoot 6400 and damn the noise. Bright noisy vs dark and clean. I'd rather see what's going on through grain than squint in a gloomy image.

The fz1000 has a variable zoom so you lose 2.8 once you zoom in. Noise levels at 2.8 I see from samples compare to the GH4, not too unsurprising. So good until the lights are low, then I'd think you'd see a difference to the 70d. You can always pick up one and try it out. If you don't mind the time limit and looking for extra cameras on a budget, its worth your while. Not sure how easy it'll match the look of your 70d though.

Robert Benda · November 19th, 2015, 04:06 PM

Thanks, Steve, Roger.

I found a good video laying out its issues.

It looks like the low light is about the same as my Canon 70D. At receptions I already use my 5d Mark ii as my primary, and pretty much by itself once the dancing starts. These are cheap enough I could buy two, and keep my current cameras. Matching problems be darned.

The only other thing I have real issue with is the battery/card door being blocked by the quick release plates. However, if the battery will get me past an hour, these will do their job just fine. If its a Catholic mass, my only possible hour+ stretch without a break, I can change batteries/cards during communion.

F/4 at 500mm (in 4K) would be a wonderful problem to have. Boo hoo. Right now I have a cheap STM leans with 250mm reach (so... 300+mm equivalent) at f/5.6 and the same 30 minute time limit. At least with these I can link each to a cheap android tablet and restart them as appropriate.

I glanced at some camcorders, but it looks like what I'd want is a lot more expensive.

July 8th, 2015, 04:36 AM	#166
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Brilliant Roger Soon you can play to your hearts content! I did two Realty shoots today and the footage is excellent!! Once you have fiddled a bit I have some questions for you and if you have any I will gladly do my best to answer them!

September 16th, 2015, 09:19 PM	#168
Jack Walsh Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Valentine NSW, Australia Posts: 91	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Uummh, bump! Great thread! Anything else I should know before dropping my hard earned cash on one? Or is there another thread with more info? Cant get the search function to work on my android tablet, which is all I have to use at moment.

September 16th, 2015, 10:45 PM	#169
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Hi Jack Brilliant cameras and awesome footage too!! You can pickup a few wedding highlights shot on the FZ1000's on my You Tube channel if you need to see the sort of result you get. https://www.youtube.com/user/softweigh Roger started another thread right here which you also might find useful .... a bit more recent than this one but if you have any questions feel free to ask! http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...ix-fz1000.html Chris

September 17th, 2015, 03:31 AM	#170
Jack Walsh Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Valentine NSW, Australia Posts: 91	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Thanks heaps for that, Chris! Definitely nice footage there, has made my decision easier. Some interesting reading in the "Using the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000" thread. Might head over there, to ask questions!

November 18th, 2015, 06:19 PM	#171
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Could anyone tell me how long this will record? Panasonic's website has this: Continuous recordable time (motion pictures) MP4Approx. 110 min Actual recordable time (motion pictures) MP4Approx. 55 min Is that true? Rather than the usual 30 minute time limit? I am considering picking up a pair of these to shoot 4K at weddings as stationary cameras. Sort of like I use my 4K GoPro...

November 18th, 2015, 06:33 PM	#172
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Hi Rob Sadly no! The camera is crippled to record 30 minutes at a time in AVCHD then it needs to be reset. In MP4 which I prefer to use it's actually a bit less ...At 25P it does runs of 27 minutes as the MP4 format has a maximum file size of 4GB and recording stops when you get to EITHER 30 minutes OR the file size exceeds 4GB Is a GH4 out of your budget? That has continuous recording and interchangeable lenses and, of course 4K ... I haven't had any issues with the time limit so far even with Catholic ceremonies but if you need a camera stuck up on a Church balcony that needs to run 15 minutes before the ceremony right thru to once the bride has exited then it isn't going to work ... It seems a shame to also use something as good as the GH4 just as a safety camera!! I still use my Chinese SJ4000's for set and forget cameras and found they are cheap as chips and don't give me hassles the GoPros used to give me...but again no 4K

November 18th, 2015, 10:53 PM	#174
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Hi Rob I have no issues with the limit .. I wonder how the Panasonics will mix with the Canons? The footage from them is nicely saturated and incredibly sharp compared to my old Sony cameras ... I'm using two at ceremonies and they really are amazing value for money and have way more features than I expected ... I only found out a few weeks ago that you also have a "resume zoom function" so if you are zoomed up a bit on the couple and turn the camera off while the couple sign the register, you can turn it back on and it reverts straight back to your previous zoom setting ...I got tired also of changing lenses so the 25-400 zoom covers everything! Yeah, 4K will blow you away the resolution is mind blowing!!! Have a look at some samples on YouTube ..Just search for FZ1000 4K

November 19th, 2015, 05:31 AM	#175
Jack Walsh Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Valentine NSW, Australia Posts: 91	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? I normally use two 70Ds up front, same as you Robert. With a Sony FX1000 running in the aisle, Seem to be able match the colours OK with those three. But mixing the "FZ1000" presents more of a challenge, got lots of green to deal with. Have tried mixing with the 70Ds, with some success by dialling the white balance more to the red and yellow side, then have a play in post, using "resolve". that gets it close... I really need to have at least three cameras the same, preferably without the time limit thing. Or at least the one in the Aisle have no time limit, also, be 4K for cropping later Just reading this thread, I can see I'm not the only one trying to sort this out.

November 19th, 2015, 06:18 AM	#176
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? I must admit I have always gone for matched cameras so I have never had the problem. To be honest I would rather shoot with just two cameras //one locked on the couple and running all the audio and a second for cutaways and reverse shots and of course bridal entry/exit and register signing. I do run the action cam as a "semi-aerial" static on a light stand high above the main camera and it's great to keep photogs out of the shot and makes a nice occasional super wide cutaway but if I can I only use it if I really have to as there is a fair amount of extra colour correction involved and I'd rather have the time for myself! There is nothing wrong with using your B-Cam handheld and doing the odd cutaway to keep the first half of the ceremony from getting boring then during vows you can move to the side and behind to grab some nice reverse angle shots. ... and it only needs two cameras which are my FZ1000's

November 19th, 2015, 09:05 AM	#177
Roger Gunkel Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LIncolnshire, UK Posts: 2,213	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Jack asked in a different thread about how far away the Wifi remote app works on the camera. I have used it at 20 feet, but could maybe be longer especially if line of sight. Can be very useful to restart, or just stop/start when needed. You can also view the footage live on pad or phone and adjust zoom, aperture etc. Can be extremely useful in the right situation. Roger

November 19th, 2015, 03:40 PM	#179
Steve Burkett Trustee Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Romsey, UK Posts: 1,261	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Kind of depending what your tolerance is. I've known many Videographers who'd never go beyond 1600, whereas I'll shoot 6400 and damn the noise. Bright noisy vs dark and clean. I'd rather see what's going on through grain than squint in a gloomy image. The fz1000 has a variable zoom so you lose 2.8 once you zoom in. Noise levels at 2.8 I see from samples compare to the GH4, not too unsurprising. So good until the lights are low, then I'd think you'd see a difference to the 70d. You can always pick up one and try it out. If you don't mind the time limit and looking for extra cameras on a budget, its worth your while. Not sure how easy it'll match the look of your 70d though.

November 19th, 2015, 04:06 PM	#180
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	Re: Anyone using the FZ1000 for weddings? Thanks, Steve, Roger. I found a good video laying out its issues. It looks like the low light is about the same as my Canon 70D. At receptions I already use my 5d Mark ii as my primary, and pretty much by itself once the dancing starts. These are cheap enough I could buy two, and keep my current cameras. Matching problems be darned. The only other thing I have real issue with is the battery/card door being blocked by the quick release plates. However, if the battery will get me past an hour, these will do their job just fine. If its a Catholic mass, my only possible hour+ stretch without a break, I can change batteries/cards during communion. F/4 at 500mm (in 4K) would be a wonderful problem to have. Boo hoo. Right now I have a cheap STM leans with 250mm reach (so... 300+mm equivalent) at f/5.6 and the same 30 minute time limit. At least with these I can link each to a cheap android tablet and restart them as appropriate. I glanced at some camcorders, but it looks like what I'd want is a lot more expensive.