Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

I purchased the GY-LS300 camera a couple of weeks ago, and I am very happy with it so far. I have a Panny GH4 and Sony PMW-300 as well.

I bought a Lumix G Vario 14-140 3.5 HD lens that works very well on the LS300. Obviously not the fasted lens, but not too shabby either using it on this camera. The zoom range is great, especially combined with the VSM. All functions seem to work, although I am not sure about the OIS as it is greyed out on the JVC's menu screen. Picked up the lens for $400 on ebay.

I have only used the camera on one job so far, a two camera shoot with the PMW-300, shooting in HD. I was very happy with how the footage turned out, and was really surprised to see that the PMW-300's footage actually looked a touch soft in comparison to the JVC. I had the detail on the LS300 set to minus 2, shooting in ITU709. I'm looking forward to trying out the J-Log1 next.

One feature that I miss from the Sony XDCAM menu is "Last Clip Delete". I use this frequently and would love to see this added to the LS300 in a firmware update. Another small gripe is that when turning on the Histogram, it covers up the audio meter display on the LCD. I know there's only so much real estate on the screen, but I would like to be able to see both at the same time.

Again, very happy with the camera. Being a Sony user for many years, I started out looking at the FS5, but the kit lens problems scared me off, especially at $6K. Looked at the Panny DVC200 as well - a fine camera, but I wanted a removeable lens. Which led me to the JVC. Back in the day, I owned JVC S-VHS cameras, then a DV500 mini-DV shoulder mount. Those cameras had their quirks, but worked well for me. So I am back to this JVC, and glad to have made the move!



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Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Hey everyone,

Apologies for not following up sooner. I can't thank you guys enough for your input and feedback.

The short version is that I'm still on hold per the LS300 - but I may be able to work something out with my local dealer, per the unit they have on hand. Plus, given that $3K is a lot of money on our really tight budget...I'd rather not be rushed by the instant rebate deadline/promo...but luckily the deal seems to still be holding for the moment.

The short version is that last week, I was able to check out the LS300 for the first time in person...and it was pretty incredible. Here's the short version of my impressions:

* Plastic-y as everyone said, but the cam was pretty lightweight
* Larger than my XF100 (I thought it would be smaller), but not too big
* Gorgeous DoF with the Rokinon T 1.5 - but a tripod/monopod would be a must
* A genuine, built-in ND filter was a godsend and how I have lived without it. Wished I had more than three options there, though
* Coming from EF lenses, the declicked aperture was nice on the T 1.5 and I could really used to that
* There's no way for me to handle a prime cleanly without IS - the footage seemed far shakier when I viewed it in the editing bay than on the monitor
* I couldn't test our stable of EF lenses w/ IS, as they didn't have a Metabones adapter available
* The Panasonic 12-35 and the 70-300 were great. The real-time AF worked, but it struggled to determine what to focus on if it was close up - I'd probably grab a 12-35 for all our run-n-gun footage and use EF for everything else
* The internal mics were surprisingly clean
* I didn't test 4K footage (I didn't have capable SD cards on-hand) but the 1080p was great
* I'd totally go for an EF Metabones 0.71x Speedbooster (I heard back from Metabones per definitive compatibility)
* Unlike the XF100, very concerned about hitting focus as the EVF/LCD weren't good enough...next time I'll learn how to set up the focus peaking
* The fact that it can turn every lens into a zoom? That blew my mind. Totally a game changer. I'm trying hard not to just buy the camera for that function alone.

I'll keep you guys posted; hopefully I may even have a chance to borrow the camera for next weekend to test out more comprehensively and in the store.

Regardless, I'm glad that this discussion is provoking some thought and is helping others here who are bravely jumping over to JVC! I'm all about a good underdog - and this camera may be the best kept secret out there right now.

Cheers and thanks!

- Seth

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Any camera that has no inbody stabilization has this problem, it's not jvc specific.

I use the 12-35mm for all run and gun work at weddings and it's the best lens you can get right now for that purpose, I use a mixture of auto and manual focus depending on the situation, if I shoot at 12mm the autofocus works fine but like you said you need to be careful if you shoot at f2.8 and shoot a subject up close or when you zoom up to 35mm, the autofocus will do it's job but not always reliably.

I have the opposite experience, I find them very noisy and don't use them, the supplied shotgun mike is also not good, instead I use my own audio technica shotgun which is a lot better.

If you don't use peaking, which btw is very good and reliable, you cannot use the screen to determine if you are spot on. For critical focus in darker venues I use peaking, black/white screen and magnification which works very well.

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Hey Noa - Thanks for your responses!

1) You're absolutely right about that per primes. We first tried on our 24-70L on our 5D MkII...only the 24-105L with IS made it useable. For whatever reason, I guess I had been hoping that my handheld technique had improved over time!

2) Per the Lumix 12-35, I think those results I achieved matches what you're saying here. But it was pretty stellar, and I think we'll grab one if we do go the LS300 route as it was just so useful!

3) I'll have to listen super-carefully per the internal mics next time with my monitor headphones. I read that the JVC external mic is junk; which AT mic do you use? I'm would save my AT875R from the XF100 and throw it on there.

4) Good to know per peaking on the LS300. Critical focus is key...never had that problem with the XF100...but we're talking a much more shallow DoF here with a larger sensor...which means a smaller window of getting focus right.

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

I have a at897 and eventhough it sounds great I find it too long.

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Just out of curiosity, Noa - How's your off-axis rejection with your AT-897? I wouldn't mind more length if my short shotgun was more directional.

Again - So many thanks for all your input and feedback...All your posts online on dvinfo.net per the LS300 have been incredibly, incredibly helpful!

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

All natural sound I recorded at my last wedding, except for the ceremony which where external recorders, was recorded with my at897, that trailer I posted in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/jvc-4k-p...ml#post1910061

The mike takes just enough sound from the sides as well to make it useful as a general purpose mike but still I'd like it to be the same length as the stock mike. I almost poked out someones eye at the last wedding. :)

That wedding was also for a large part shot with the 12-35mm, eventhough it's pricey it is worth every cent. Yesterday I also used the lens on a day out and that trailer can be seen in the same thread here: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/jvc-4k-p...ml#post1911983

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

The wedding footage was outstanding, Noa! Very cool that you used that AT mic...The sound was fantastic.

Looking forward to checking out your other video as well!

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

When I saw an image of the PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 I wrongly assumed the switch as the Power OIS switch! I was totally wrong!


When I looked for LUMIX lenses for the Pocket Cinema there was one thing to look for. It needed an EXTERNAL Power OIS switch -- otherwise the camera couldn't turn On/Off OIS. The 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom has a switch. I'm not sure why the switch made a difference nor in which setting the camera could turn On/Off OIS. Noa?

So the LS300 OIS switch should work.

It has a zoom ring and a focus ring. Even though Panasonic talk about it being for shooting video, I'm pretty sure only the ring controls Zoom. No power zoom on a video camera !?!

Despite no servo for zoom, there is servo for focus. When on the LS300, if it is in AF, can one still use the ring to focus? In non-AF, I assume one must use the Focus ring.

There is also a servo for aperture, but no ring! So the LS300 is used for both AE and non-AE.

The LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. and LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8 ASPH. lenes have OIS switches.

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The LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 seems to be a reverse design. A review states, "you CANNOT turn off the Power O.I.S. on the zoom lens!" So I assume the LS300's OIS switch is blanked-out. Correct? Which means don't put the camera on a tripod !?!

It has ring for zoom and a servo for Power Zoom by means of the tiny switch on the lens. But can the LS300 control Power Zoom? I assume yes.

There is a ring for Focus. When on the LS300, if it is in AF, can one still use the ring to focus? In non-AF, I assume one must use the Focus ring.

There is also a servo for aperture, but no ring! So the LS300 is used for both AE and non-AE.

Are there any lenses that have Power Zoom controlled by camera and by ring/switch, Power OIS (with ON/OFF switch), Power Focus controlled by camera and by ring, and Power Aperture controlled by camera?

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Might belong elsewhere by my Green Screen / Chroma Key results and initial testing of the camera is here:

https://medium.com/@krispii_p/jvc-gy...f61#.9h7diaxat

It was too long to format for a forum post. Also, it's flowery, fair warning.

Re: LS300 - On the fence...
 

Just wanted to fire out a quick note to you guys to follow up on this thread. The short version is that due to a few immediate financial constraints on my end, I'm going to need to hold off for a bit, no matter what I do.

Luckily, it looks like the price (plus the free Rokinon lens) deal appears to be holding for now, particularly at the end of April and post NAB '16. The good news is that I'm waiting on my my local dealer rep to lend me the LS300 for weekend to demo, but I gather that he's still swamped right now so that's the next step.

All this being said, I'm not going to be surprised if I jump on board with the LS300 in the next few months...but unfortunately I just can't add this as an A-cam right this minute.

A huge thanks again for everyone taking the time here to weigh in about the LS300. Cheers!