I doubt you could go very wrong with either models, both are very nice.

A few points:
I don't think the GS180 has a high-resolution native 16:9 mode. I just looked at the manual and it makes references to "the picture quality may deteriorate" and "Images are vertically stretched". See the manual for more details and/or get input from owners, but this sounds like the CCD gets cropped to a 16:9 shape and the image is then digitally stretched. If that is the case, the Optura's 16:9 video will be noticeably sharper.

Also, I don't think the GS180 has manual audio control. When (not if) you add an external microphone, that will be a useful tool.

www.philipwilliams.com

Need help with dv953 (Never mind, I got it)
 

Never mind, I found the answere. Thank you.

Film Look With The Gs-400?
 

Hi guys i'm about to attempt to make a low, low, ultra low budget music video, I'm going to be using the NVGS-400 for this and I was wondering if anyone knows of any low cost lighting solutions? Or similar ways to create a film like look. I'm going to be using "pro cinema" mode, does anybody see any difficulties with this?
I know i'm asking alot of questions but replies would, as always, be appreciated!
Thanks,
Eddy Strickland

I can't say anything bulletproof about Your camera but i have used several times Panasonic NV-MX500. And in most cases i prefer it to many sd prosumer camcorders.
I use 35mm adapter and important thing is there minimum focusing distance mx500 has very low value for this characteristic. So i don't have to use any condenser which is very often source of another problems.
I use PAL version(i guess You have that privilege as well ) so there's no problem with framerates. mx500 has progressive scan... anyway if You just didn't switch on You can do it in post.So those panasonics pre-prosumer sd cameras are really good stuff.

Dust inside lens module
 

Recently I discovered that there is a small dust particle located inside my GS400's lens module near the center of the lens. I can see it behind the glass. In the video footage it's obviously visible, when there are very bright lighting conditions, on higher F-numbers, I guess because of the very high DOF.

Does anyone have a good advice how to remove this particle? Is the GS400's lens module even servicable or a closed unit, which only could be exchanged completely, like on some Sony cams? Thanks in advance!

GS500 question on gain and etc
 

hi all,

just bought a PAL version GS500, and I notice that when i try to manually control the shutter and irs, the camera seems to adjust the gain by itself although there is no increase in the gain value (0DB)

eg, i wanted to PURPOSELY unexpose a scene, and set a very fast shutter and small iris, but as i set the iris smaller, the scene got darker and then adjust back by itself, only when the iris is at its smallest, then the scene starts to get underexposed. anybody has the same experience?

also, what is the best way to shoot a scene if i want to make it slow motion is post? is it shooting in high shutter speed and change the shutter in post?

cheers

Panasonic PV-GS320
 

Hi everyone.

I'm considering buying Panasonic's PV-GS320. It's $499, has a manual focus ring, 3ccds, 16:9 aspect and screen, and seems to be great. Only problem is there is no mic jack. Whoever decided that should be shot. Should I still get this camera and try another audio solution? In the same price range, what camera can I get that has all these features AND a mic?

Thanks.

Have a look at my other reply about the GS500's 'manual control'.

If you want to under-expose the scene you must first put the camera in full manual, and have the shutter speed and the aperture displayed on screen. Then you can either shorten the shutter speed ~ go from the (PAL) default of 1/50th to 1/100th to under-expose by a stop, or close the aperture from an indicated f/5.6 (say) to f/8.

As I explainned, this won't altrer the iris blades at all, it'll simply introduce more internal ND filtration, but (apart from DoF issues) the effect will be the same.

For slo-mo in post I'd keep the shutter speed at 1/50th sec. Raising it badly affects the CCD smear on cameras with such tiny chips, so avoid it at all costs.

If you shoot at 1/50th then everything that happens in front of the lens is recorded to tape. If you shoot at 1/100th, then only half of everything is captured. Slo mo means extending real-time, so you need to give the computer as much info as possible to start with.

tom.

That's a bit harsh. Panasonic marketing make a 'camera for everyone' and you're complaining? Sony are the same - their HC3 has no mic input - and that's on an HDV, CMOS 16:9 cam.

Simple answer - the 320 is not for you, and good job you read the spec sheet before handing over the dosh. Many others have been caught by the shiny 3-CCD logo, only to find their audio's stymied.

Wash cars, but get the 500 or 400.

tom.