Problem taking pictures with GL2 at DVinfo.net

Richard R Rivera · November 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM

Hello every one i wanted to know if its me or the GL2 thats having the problem.

the GL2 can take still pictures, so they say. I have done so and when i take a look at them thru zoom browser to adobe they seam to have a grainey look to them. im taking the pictures by the largest format the camera allows at fine settings. i use a try pod so that its still.ive done this in manual mode and auto expose and still get the same results. can any one help me out with this problem.

Ken Tanaka · November 11th, 2003, 11:43 AM

Richard,
Questions about the GL2's still photo capabilities must be one of the top 10 types of questions we get here. So you're not alone.

The still photo feature is on the GL2 as more of a marketing "me too" feature. But the fact is that video cameras are quite different than still cameras and the GL2's still photo facility does not have anywhere near the control or quality that even the least expensive digital still camera features. My sugestion is to forget about this feature entirely. If you want reasonably good still photos, shoot a well-lit, properly exposed subject in frame mode and then grab still frames from the footage from your editing system.

Regarding grain, however, it sounds like you are shooting a dim subject and are not controlling the camera's exposure and gain settings.

Trig Simon · November 11th, 2003, 10:19 PM

If still pictures are shot at 1.7 mp, what is the comparable mp of the still taken from the frame mode shot.

Ken Tanaka · November 11th, 2003, 10:46 PM

The GL2 claims a 1.7 megapixel still image. But shooting stills onto the card does not offer the level of exposure control that the video section offers. That's why I remarked that you will generally get a better image, although at only a 720x480 resolution, by simply grabbing good frames from the GL2's frame-mode video.

As I noted above, don't get the GL2 for its still photo ability. To be blunt, it sucks compared to even basic digital still cameras today. Use the GL2 for great video, use a digital still camera for still photos. You'll be much happier.

Chris Fangio · November 12th, 2003, 02:42 AM

If money doesn't matter, this is the right forum.

Peter Moore · November 13th, 2003, 09:24 AM

I agree with Ken except that in good lighting conditions, stills from the GL2 are gorgeous. It is ludicrous that the still image mode doesn't have the same exposure control as movie mode. If it did it would be one fine 3 CCD still camera, rivaling the color quality (though not resolution, I admit) of the best still cameras. What a shame they crippled it.

Steve Olds · November 13th, 2003, 08:40 PM

The photos that I have with my gl2 look great but it is a 1.7 mp keep that in mind. So for email to let someone know what the footage is about I think it works great. But it is not a still camera for weddings. Just a nice side car to have.
Steve

November 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM	#1
Richard R Rivera New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 22	Problem taking pictures with GL2 Hello every one i wanted to know if its me or the GL2 thats having the problem. the GL2 can take still pictures, so they say. I have done so and when i take a look at them thru zoom browser to adobe they seam to have a grainey look to them. im taking the pictures by the largest format the camera allows at fine settings. i use a try pod so that its still.ive done this in manual mode and auto expose and still get the same results. can any one help me out with this problem. __________________ If you dont use it , you'll just loose it!

November 11th, 2003, 11:43 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Richard, Questions about the GL2's still photo capabilities must be one of the top 10 types of questions we get here. So you're not alone. The still photo feature is on the GL2 as more of a marketing "me too" feature. But the fact is that video cameras are quite different than still cameras and the GL2's still photo facility does not have anywhere near the control or quality that even the least expensive digital still camera features. My sugestion is to forget about this feature entirely. If you want reasonably good still photos, shoot a well-lit, properly exposed subject in frame mode and then grab still frames from the footage from your editing system. Regarding grain, however, it sounds like you are shooting a dim subject and are not controlling the camera's exposure and gain settings. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

November 11th, 2003, 10:19 PM	#3
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	Ken, mega pixels? If still pictures are shot at 1.7 mp, what is the comparable mp of the still taken from the frame mode shot. __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

November 11th, 2003, 10:46 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The GL2 claims a 1.7 megapixel still image. But shooting stills onto the card does not offer the level of exposure control that the video section offers. That's why I remarked that you will generally get a better image, although at only a 720x480 resolution, by simply grabbing good frames from the GL2's frame-mode video. As I noted above, don't get the GL2 for its still photo ability. To be blunt, it sucks compared to even basic digital still cameras today. Use the GL2 for great video, use a digital still camera for still photos. You'll be much happier. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

November 12th, 2003, 02:42 AM	#5
Chris Fangio Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Koblenz, Germany Posts: 70	If money doesn't matter, this is the right forum.

November 13th, 2003, 09:24 AM	#6
Peter Moore Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 1,034	I agree with Ken except that in good lighting conditions, stills from the GL2 are gorgeous. It is ludicrous that the still image mode doesn't have the same exposure control as movie mode. If it did it would be one fine 3 CCD still camera, rivaling the color quality (though not resolution, I admit) of the best still cameras. What a shame they crippled it.

November 13th, 2003, 08:40 PM	#7
Steve Olds Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rolla, Mo Posts: 116	The photos that I have with my gl2 look great but it is a 1.7 mp keep that in mind. So for email to let someone know what the footage is about I think it works great. But it is not a still camera for weddings. Just a nice side car to have. Steve