D90 vs Lumix GH1 ??? at DVinfo.net

James Millward · September 30th, 2009, 11:35 AM

The EOS 7D will be far to expensive for me. Im not a pro, just a casual hobbyist who want to play around shooting with 35mm dof and doesnt want the hastle of adapters.

The Whilst the D90 has terrible rolling shutter, i can live with it, but the lack of manaul contorl bugs me.

I keep things simple, an dont require a huge number of features. If I was learning film making 'back in the day' I would have had a limited camera, I would have chosen a lens, a film stock (ie iso), and most likely shot at 24fps.

I dont need more than that really!! like I say, I keep it simple.

In the UK a D90 kit is £750. A Gh1 is £1150 so thats a £450 price difference.

The GH1 has full manuall control, but if I can loick the iso/shutter on the d90 i can use a manual app lens and stop up an down (at least as is my understanding).

How does the Dof of the GH1 compare to the D90?

Does the GH1 have rolling shuter issues?

What u reckon guys?

Thanks
James

Stephen Mick · September 30th, 2009, 11:41 AM

I can't speak to the D90, as I've never used it, but I really like the GH1. I used it off and on for a week in Costa Rica, and got some amazing stuff…

NYL: A Day on the Rio Parismina on Vimeo

In all of the shots I took, there were maybe two or three that had obvious rolling shutter issues, but I was fully-zoomed and handheld…the perfect storm. Manual controls worked perfectly and were really nice to have.

The GH1 passed my testing for sure.

--SM

Tony Davies-Patrick · September 30th, 2009, 02:09 PM

I really liked the footage, Stephen, and very impressed at the smooth GH1 footage, especially during the waves (when compared to a lot of shakey handheld 5D clips posted lately).

I'm not so keen on the hard corner vignetting during the tarpon jumps, though.

The only thing missing from the "Day on the Rio Parismina" for me was 'sound'...at certain stages during the action it just screamed out for the noise of the spinning reel, the line being stripped, the tarpon crashing through the waves...and the soft sounds of the water combined with the laughter and thrill from the anglers.

David W. Jones · September 30th, 2009, 02:41 PM

I shot with the D90 but was not impressed. I bought an EOS 5DII, which was great for stills but so so for video so I sold it. I now own a GH1 which is much better than the D90 & 5DII for video. I will also purchase a EOS 7D when available.

For what its worth, the 7D body & the GH1 Kit are about the same price.

John Wyatt · October 24th, 2009, 05:19 AM

Stephen -- great footage; nice example of what's possible with these little cameras. I've been shooting with a GH1 for several months (nothing as nice as your footage though!) but I can see the difference compared to my previous HDV video (has a more mature look and highlights don't seem burnt out, plus the shallow DoF option). Thanks for posting your film.

Bruce Foreman · October 25th, 2009, 12:42 PM

James,

If you haven't made a decision yet take a serious look at the Canon T1i (Rebel 500D). Although video is full auto only (as designed by Canon) there are some workarounds. You can set aperture manually using the "unlock and twist" method, and you can effect some control over shutter with a set of inexpensive ND filters. I use .6 and .9 for 2 and 3 stops reduction respectively. Stack them together and you have 5 stops reduction.

The "kit" lens, while not one of the best is not a bad starter, and a 50mm F1.8 lens sells for around $100 here in the US and is a tremendous value both as a sharp portrait length/perspective lens but also for great DOF control.

And I have no "rolling shutter" issues with anything I've done with it including video from moving vehicle.

If you have'nt seen this video yet check out this short thread on shallow DOF with the T1i:

More T1i...DOF control with Canon EF/EF-S lens

I also have a 7D but chose to keep the T1i.

September 30th, 2009, 11:35 AM	#1
James Millward Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: England Posts: 27	D90 vs Lumix GH1 ??? The EOS 7D will be far to expensive for me. Im not a pro, just a casual hobbyist who want to play around shooting with 35mm dof and doesnt want the hastle of adapters. The Whilst the D90 has terrible rolling shutter, i can live with it, but the lack of manaul contorl bugs me. I keep things simple, an dont require a huge number of features. If I was learning film making 'back in the day' I would have had a limited camera, I would have chosen a lens, a film stock (ie iso), and most likely shot at 24fps. I dont need more than that really!! like I say, I keep it simple. In the UK a D90 kit is £750. A Gh1 is £1150 so thats a £450 price difference. The GH1 has full manuall control, but if I can loick the iso/shutter on the d90 i can use a manual app lens and stop up an down (at least as is my understanding). How does the Dof of the GH1 compare to the D90? Does the GH1 have rolling shuter issues? What u reckon guys? Thanks James

September 30th, 2009, 11:41 AM	#2
Stephen Mick Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 41	Gh1 I can't speak to the D90, as I've never used it, but I really like the GH1. I used it off and on for a week in Costa Rica, and got some amazing stuff… NYL: A Day on the Rio Parismina on Vimeo In all of the shots I took, there were maybe two or three that had obvious rolling shutter issues, but I was fully-zoomed and handheld…the perfect storm. Manual controls worked perfectly and were really nice to have. The GH1 passed my testing for sure. --SM

September 30th, 2009, 02:09 PM	#3
Tony Davies-Patrick Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 938	I really liked the footage, Stephen, and very impressed at the smooth GH1 footage, especially during the waves (when compared to a lot of shakey handheld 5D clips posted lately). I'm not so keen on the hard corner vignetting during the tarpon jumps, though. The only thing missing from the "Day on the Rio Parismina" for me was 'sound'...at certain stages during the action it just screamed out for the noise of the spinning reel, the line being stripped, the tarpon crashing through the waves...and the soft sounds of the water combined with the laughter and thrill from the anglers. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.WILDERNESS-PHOTO.co.uk

October 25th, 2009, 12:42 PM	#6
Bruce Foreman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 932	James, If you haven't made a decision yet take a serious look at the Canon T1i (Rebel 500D). Although video is full auto only (as designed by Canon) there are some workarounds. You can set aperture manually using the "unlock and twist" method, and you can effect some control over shutter with a set of inexpensive ND filters. I use .6 and .9 for 2 and 3 stops reduction respectively. Stack them together and you have 5 stops reduction. The "kit" lens, while not one of the best is not a bad starter, and a 50mm F1.8 lens sells for around $100 here in the US and is a tremendous value both as a sharp portrait length/perspective lens but also for great DOF control. And I have no "rolling shutter" issues with anything I've done with it including video from moving vehicle. If you have'nt seen this video yet check out this short thread on shallow DOF with the T1i: More T1i...DOF control with Canon EF/EF-S lens I also have a 7D but chose to keep the T1i. Last edited by Bruce Foreman; October 25th, 2009 at 05:23 PM.

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September 30th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
David W. Jones Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 897	I shot with the D90 but was not impressed. I bought an EOS 5DII, which was great for stills but so so for video so I sold it. I now own a GH1 which is much better than the D90 & 5DII for video. I will also purchase a EOS 7D when available. For what its worth, the 7D body & the GH1 Kit are about the same price.

October 24th, 2009, 05:19 AM	#5
John Wyatt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Country, UK Posts: 138	Stephen -- great footage; nice example of what's possible with these little cameras. I've been shooting with a GH1 for several months (nothing as nice as your footage though!) but I can see the difference compared to my previous HDV video (has a more mature look and highlights don't seem burnt out, plus the shallow DoF option). Thanks for posting your film.