Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Gotcha, Nigel. Not to be a pain, but I prefer the ungraded version. This one is over saturated, and the red channel is overrepresented. Just my opinion, though.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Me too which is why I posted the other mildly graded version. I am also not keen on the faux widescreen cropping with black bars top & bottom. However that was the way that our colleague wanted it.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Newbie question...

I use Adobe CS5..

In the monitor window you can click the safe area button and get the rectangles on the screen. Useful for making sure your "titles" are seen on TVs. Do you resize the complete video to fit into the safe area.?

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Hi Jeff,

I would never recommend doing that . . . the title/action safe guides are just that: guides. Some TV's/display devices will crop somewhat, and it's usually a good idea to keep all the highly important stuff inside these guides, just in case (however rare it may be that significant cropping actually happens). However, for display on a computer screen or the web, no cropping will occur. So if someone puts the DVD into a computer to play it, and you've resized your whole video to fit inside the title safe area, a black box will appear around the whole video.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Corey...
Thanks for the info. Won't do that then.

I have seen people that their video has a "cinemascope" look to it. How are they doing that without cropping the vertical. Is it shot that way or done in post.

Another question....
I want to shot in the manual mode with my GH2 for some still portraits. Id like the LED and EVF to reflect WYSIWYG. But it's not doing that. I have checked to make sure the auto brighness level of the display is not on. The only thing I can do right how is shoot,review and reshoot the pic.
Id like to have the display show exactly or close to what I will get with the settings. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Are you talking about letterboxing (black bars on the top/bottom)? If so, I don't believe there's any sort of in-camera technique for this. This has likely been achieved in one of two ways:

1. It's shot in HD, then converted to SD without cropping any of the original footage. Since HD is 16:9 and SD is 4:3, black bars appear on the top and bottom to fill in the rest of the SD frame.

2. It's shot in HD, but they crop the vertical by placing black bars on the top and bottom, as you mentioned.

Hope this helps!

I can't really speak on this, as I use GH1's and still have a hard time bringing the LED/EVF to the point where I can consistently rely on it to be a true representation of the video being captured.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Re the display....
Surely there's a way to do WYSIWYG...other wise it's trial and error...not great expecially for video at a wedding ha.
Thanks will keep on trying.


update: I found some settings.... if I put the lcd on its lowest brightness setting, AND there's a setting call Live View that you toggle on and off, Im now seeing what I shoot.
Dunno if that's the way to do it or not, but its working for me until I find a better way.
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Jeff, one frustrating thing about shooting stills in M is that if you take the shutter speed past 1/1200 or so, there's no resultant effect in the evf/lcd. The picture remains constant even though as you increase the shutter speed the actual pictures come out darker. This is infuriating.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

My only experience has been video...
Im quickly gaining a lot of respect for photographers....sooooooooo many options to deal with.
I still don't have a handle on it, but Im shooting everything with my GH2. I just wish the LCD would be closer to the actual shot. Im shooting stills in manual only, just so that I can get the correlation between A,S,ISO, etc.
Ive taken some great shots all in natural light....just cant remember how I did it. haha

Thanks for the tip,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Im in trouble...

I shot outside for the first time today using both the XA10 and GH2.

I CANT SEE A DAMN THING USING THE SCREEN....and very little using the EVF.
Guess Im gonna have to put a cover over my head. haha

Im gonna need a large eyecup for both cams outside. I don't see how you folks are seeing enough to compose and focus outside with the sun behind you.

Am I blind or do I need an attachment. I dont think those small clip on shades will be enough for me.

What are you using?

Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Is this with the viewfinder menu option (I wish I could remember what it is called and the camera is at the office) set to display the actual results of the camera not to artificially change it for the viewfinder (this is useful for flash photography in dark places).

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Wear a hat with a wide brim.

Stand between the sun and LCD.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Ha...yep probably the best thing to do.
Found one at B&H.com ...the GH2 BullRider on sale. $1199.00

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/members/...652-gh2hat.jpg

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Jeff - I use the in bright sunlight (Amazon has the wrong picture posted).

Here is what it looks like on my GH2: GH2 in the park | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

It works, but it's no substitute for a viewfinder.

I'm looking seriously at the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/229358-REG/Raider_ICUFFDV_i_cuff_PRO_Viewfinder_Hood.html for critical focus situations.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Bill....
Will check those out.

I like the look of your GH2 rig...tell me more. Is that a recorder you have mounted instead of a mic? I found a similar left grip with extra shoes, but I like yours better.

I will explore the LED menu more....maybe I didnt have it on the highest brightness setting. Since Im trying to learn both the XA10 and GH2 at the same time, I get the menus confused.

Seems everyone here is having no problem shooting with the LED or EVF....so it's just my inexperience...gotta shoot more.

Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Personally I think using a loupe on the LCD screen is a retrograde step as the EVF of the GH2 has a much higher resolution. All you are doing with a loupe is enlarging fewer pixels. I have shot quite a lot with the GH2 in the bright sunshine of the South of France & found the EVF perfectly satisfactory.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

I use DIY hoods around my LCD's during sunny outdoor shoots, and they work like a charm. I made them myself, so they cost next to nothing. Velcro, cardboard and gaff tape. If you do it right, they look great and function wonderfully.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Jeff,

The bracket is a $9 Adorama C Bracket.

The recorder is an with a .

The cable is a $36 Sescom attenuating cable (w headphone monitoring jack) from the recorder to the GH2's mic input. You will also need a due to the Panasonic's proprietary mic input jack.

I did a blog post (with how-to video) on this here: Hybrid Camera Revolution: Using the Zoom H1 recorder as an external mic for the GH2

Here is another picture with a rechargeable LED and the recorder both on the bracket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45061726@N00/5389124079/

The extra cold shoes are really useful.

Hope this helps,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Hey Bill,
I like the (poor man's) rig......looks good.
thanks for the tips.

I have a recorder that I can mount on my current handle w/cold shoes...a
Tascam
p.s. Shot this yesterday with my GH2 rig in a small room
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

I need some advice on shooting close-up "face shots" with the GH2 and XA10. ...mainly on shooting music videos.

The ability to sharp focus on both cameras is unforgiving for flaws on skin. Especially on acne and liver spots etc. I can take some of that out with software on the stills, but on video I have to use some disffusing effect which messes up the rest of the video.

Any advice on shooting better face shots is appreciated.

thanks,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Tiffen makes filters that diffuse skin tones while leaving other colors alone. While I can't remember the filter name right now, I have used then on older standard definition video cameras with success, especially with older people with fine wrinkles and people with acne. The filter will give a faint glow to faces that is noticeable against black backgrounds. Don't use the filter if you intend to do any chroma key work.

There are software NLE filters as well but I find that they impart a cartoonish effect when they actually get rid of acne or fine wrinkles.

Nothing beats a good makeup artist plus some careful lighting. You can also experiment with lowering the detail levels in the camera.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Thanks William...!!

I will check out the filters. Like you said, I dont care for the NLE filters Ive tried either, there may be better ones out there though. Im trying to find a makeup lady to help me out...can't afford a pro.

Have a great day,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

The Tiffen site is horrible but here's a start:

52MM SOFT/FX 1 FILTER

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Hey that sounds exactly what I need...not expensive either as some I looked at.
Thanks William for the tip.

Hey Im selling my XHA1..please help me pass the word...look for my post on the XHA1 forum

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Great work, Jeff. What a wonderful era for artists to live in!

Bill

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Thank you Bill !

Yes a great time for creative people. What great tools are available for every venue nowadays.
Wish I were 21 again. Just imagine what's coming in the decades ahead.

Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

UPDATE:

Ive been playing with my two new cams for a couple of weeks now (GH2 & XA10). Trying to get familiar enough with them to have the confidence to shoot weddings.

The XA10 was the easiest to work with because of prior experience with video cameras. The GH2 has taken longer, but I feel I have a good handle on it now. I still have to check and recheck if I lay off a day or two, but using it will become easier with more experience. I actually love shooting with the GH2, although I know I should use the XA10s as run and gun during weddings. I can have "fun" with the GH2 at the receptions, knowing the wife is backing me up with XA10s. I love shooting with the Panny 25mm 1.4, the video looks nice.

My goto on the GH2 is still the Program Mode if I want less stress...thanks to Jeff Parker's advice. Im getting better shooting in manual and A,S too. In studio Ive got some good shots/clips with the GH2 with both the 25mm and the 14-140 kit lens. But I would not feel confident using anything other than P or auto during a ceremony. Takes too long for me to set exposure/focus.

Im rambling now....

Thanks for all the help from you guys/gals. Im hooked on both the GH2 and the XA10... good investments IMO.

Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Jeff - glad to hear that your equipment choices have worked out for you. My journey has been similar, and decided to complement my GH1/GH2 with a Panasonic TM900 (instead of the VG20) for quick reaction/run & gun stuff.

My challenge is a little different from yours. I have had the GHs longer, so I am more comfortable with them - while I find myself a little frustrated with the camcorder's control layout. I have even thought about sending it back a couple of times.

I'll get over it, but there's a reason why people who grew up with camcorders like camcorders and people who grew up with still cameras like DSLRs.

Let us know how the weddings turn out.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Hey Bill,

Actually, I love to use the GH2 more than a camcorder....Im just not good enough with it yet...especially for run and gun. I just love the feel and small size of using the GH2.

The XA10 (always used the larger XHA1), is a great little camcorder, you may want to check it out. The video matches nicely with the GH2, and the XA10 is easy to operate and user friendly.

For weddings, during the ceremony, I will use two XA10s as the "A" cams and the GH2 for a wide shot of the ceremony. During the reception I will put the GH2 to work, and let the wife shoot with the XA10...in case I screw up. ha

The GH2 is my "A" cam though for music videos,stills, and studio work. I wish I knew more about photography. I've gained a lot of respect for photographers by working with the GH2

Good Luck with your projects,
Jeff

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

UPDATE:....

Nothing has changed...XA10 for video and GH2 for stills and "B" video cam at weddings.

I love using the GH2 and loving photography "more' than video...thanks to the GH2 learning curve.

I almost purchased a Canon 5Dmkii, since I'm liking photography so much...but I'm gonna give myself another year with the GH2...maybe the GH3 or 4 will be out by that time.

anyway...life is good.
Happy Easter to All,

Jeff H.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

I'm still getting used o the GH2 Jeff. Follow focus on it is giving me a fit in run and gun. My eyes just aren't that sharp anymore. I do love the little camera for video but I'm glad I kept the 7D.

I've found as you said, the XA10 AND G1O blend beautifully with the GH2's video. Very little post to get a match.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Yes, no way I can use the Gh2 for run/gun for events such as weddings. Like you, I have to use the VF most of the time. I've tried a loupe but it did not have a diopter. I find the LCD screen useless in sunlight even with sun shade. XA10 for R & G, Gh2 for stills & controlled movie clips.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

The GH2 is just too fidgety for run and gun although I have managed. I used it last night for a play and had a devil of a time with the follow focus as I was placed in the front row off to the side. The LCD with or without a diopter, is just not sharp enough for accurate follow focus. The viewfinder is the only reliable way, however after an eighty minute play I found a puddle of breath condensation on my tripod plate! Still, it's a beautiful image.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

@William...
Ha...on the condensation/perspiration :>)
It would be great if the VF extended back a little further.

If the GH2 only had focus peaking like the Sony Nex 5n & 7 run and gun would be less stressful. Ive used focus peaking on the 5n and it really helps.

Im sticking to the XA10 for R&G, maybe with more practice, my focusing skills with the GH2 will improve.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

Everyone has a different definition of run and gun Jeff.
For me, autofocus is a must but for others manual focus is manageable. It really depends on what's being videoed and if you can use both hands and or have the time to concentrate on the subject.

Re: HELP THE NEWBIES THREAD.....please.
 

The face recognition auto-focus is very nice but it tends to vacillate too much for video in low light situations. It would be nice to have it track faces but only engage the lens when the operator presses the shutter button.