Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I have the Panasonic 14mm F/2.5 for use when it's a locked off wide shot. With the maximum ISO of 3200 it's going to be good enough for all but the darkest of venues. The only wide MFT lens available with a larger aperture is the Olympus 12mm F/2 which is much more expensive & while it is a little wider it's light gathering ability is only marginally better. The Panasonic 20mm F/1.7 is not as wide but does have a better low light.

I am not too bothered about shallow DoF & bokeh from my MFT cameras as I am using my Canon 5D3 as my A camera for all the beauty shots.

There is an Israeli guy shooting some amazing wedding videos with a GH2 & an OM-D that are as good as any that I have seen. When I saw what he achieves with MFT cameras it inspired me to try for myself.


Check out all his videos as there is some fantastic work there both camera work & editing.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Yes, great camerawork and editing though he probably could do that with any type of dslr, there are some great looking shots in there and some not so great. Especially outside there are several very overexposed shots.

I have a wedding this Friday where everything will be on one location which gives me much more time to prepare and setup, was really thinking to use my gh3/g6 and my ea50 for the ceremony which would be the first time. For the ceremony I always use my small handicams for their ease of use and great image quality but they don't have that dslr look. I am quite nerveous though about using the g6 as I haven"t used it for longer continuous recording before. Might take the risc if I have easy access to all 3 camera's.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Noa, did a wedding Saturday. Canon 60d morning prep, 60d arrivals, ceremony main cam hfg25, Panasonic g6 b-roll on bride another angle, 60d on guests parents. 60d exit and photo shoot, reception hfg25 on glidecam and also using on the glidecam on thigh when needing static shots.used to use the 60d but focus was every where. Entrance g6 locked of on tripod one angle, hfg25 glidecam in... Speeches g6 one angle hfg25 main cam 60d moving around 50-150 sigma...close ups. Mingling into dance sigma 30mm 1.4 on the 60d, 50mm 1.4 locked on tripod. glidecam and hfg25 dance. g6 coped well. steve

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Steve, don't you have problems matching up the look of three very different cameras? What picture styles do you use?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Nigel, canon hfg25 p mode settings all down -1 apart from brightness, 60d neutral contrast down -2, sharp down -2 sats down -1, Panasonic g6 neutral all down -1 or -2, leave in auto white balance all three and adjust in prem pro cs6 on the white balance and I move the colour sliders if any adjustment is needed. Seems to be working great. This was the other week same cameras. Regards Steve

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Nice highlights reel, Steve. Very good job of "blending" camera looks. I could not pick out any specific cameras.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Thanks Bruce... Hope your well...

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

low light lens micro thirds but the 45mm 1.8 has no stabilization, the 25mm 1.4 has no stabilization, so what gives, what lens can I get then for low light, I don't think the 12-35 2.8 will cut it? Anyone

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

You do have autofocus on some fast primes but no stabilisation as far as I know. Don't think that even other manufacturers have this, I guess stabilization is only possible with lenses from f2.8 and slower?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Cheers Noa, see this is my point holding back on a gh3, if I get the 5d mark iii I can use a 24-70 vc with 3200 iso and get a clean result. Surely there must be a low light lens with is os vc. The gh3 does not seem to get results low light? am I wrong?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Does anyone know if this lens has stabilization?

Amazon.com: Panasonic Lumix G Micro 4/3 LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm f/1.4 Leica Aspherical Lens: Camera & Photo

D

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

nope, only autofocus.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

The gh3 is quite clean at 3200 iso but the 5DIII can go much higher then that before it gets ugly, you"ll start to see the difference between both camera from 6400 iso and up, the gh3 only can do 6400 iso max but I"m sure the 5dIII would be much cleaner at that stage. I have used 6400 iso on the gh3 plenty of times though and it's much cleaner then my 550 was but depending on the lights used (especially red light) it can happen I need to use neatvideo to clean up. That however works great as the image is quite sharp, neatvideo on my 550d footage would turn it into a bit of a mush as it was much softer.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Like I said before, I don't think there exist a F1.4 stabilized lens, guess it must be a design limitation, I think you need to make a list of "must haves" when it comes to buying a camera with the most important on top, then you need to add a price behind it so you"ll see how that adds up in the end.
If lowlight performance is THE most important on top and you have the budget, get the 5dIII or even better, buy a canon c100.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Yep think your right Noa. Still siding 5d mark iii but will hold out till February before the season kicks in...

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

You better should buy now, I always buy mine when the season ends so I have enough time to practice :)

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Steve - yes, there are wide, fast Panasonic micro 4/3 lenses with stabilization.

With the micro 4/3 crop, the stabilized Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 with Power O.I.S. is comparable to the Canon 24-70mm f2.8L USM.

I would save my money (and my back) and get the GH3 and the Panasonic 12-35 instead of the significantly heavier and more expensive Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 24-70.

The Panasonic camera/lens combination is so light you can put it on a copter. Here's the GH3 on a Cinestar multirotor with the 12-35 f2.8 lens in low light at ISO1600. Looks pretty clean to me:




Good luck,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I think Steve means with fast a f1.4 lens and that doesn't exists with stabilization as far as I know.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I have and use the 20mm f1.7, 25mm f1.4, 45mm f1.8, and the 75mm f1.8.

None of them have IS and that doesn't cause me any problems. If I'm going handheld I use the lightweight SpiderBrace (shoulder unit with 3 grip handles) and with a bit of attention to what I'm doing I have no real problems holding them still enough. Low light performance is great with all of them.

Admittedly, stabilizing the camera even on the SpiderBrace does begin to get more critical with the 45 and 75 but I love what those lenses are capable of.

Now for stabilization built in, I'm beginning to watch used prices on clean Olympus OMD E-M5 bodies. The built in the body 5 axis stabilization approaches the results of a Steadycam, I've seen some great footage where the stabilization is as clean as can be with little or no shake walking and moving the camera around. The only thing that kept me from buying one of those brand new is that Olympus seems to think we need only one frame rate (30fps).

But I'm looking to pick one of those up if the used (but clean) price drops a bit more, just for where I need stabilization. I shoot mainly at 30p anyway.

Steve, watch the micro four thirds forum sites (several have a lot of UK participants) buy/sell sections for used Lumix 20mm f1.7. Here in the US they seem to be going for $300 and a bit under. You'll maybe find out you need not be dependent on IS especially with the shorter focal lengths.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Hey Bill how are ya...
Cheers for your info, the trouble is Bill, the receptions are getting darker and the past couple I have been running the 60d in 2500 iso at 1.4 and its terrible. The hfg25 is fairing slightly better at 6db but to dark a footage. The reason I want upmost stabilization is that weddings are becoming faster with no time to relax and every wedding is a rush these days. After the meal and mingling the venues seem to want to reduce light that much its annoying but? So I want the GH3 to work and yes its cheaper but I have seen results in dim lit places that a 5d would get better results. Yes its heavier and more costly for sure. Still the gh3 and a 20mm 1.7 may do it I can use my monopod for sure and its better than a rig as chest breathing makes it difficult for me.
I am thinking 5d mark iii with a tamron 24-70 2.8 vc and my 70-200 keep for the full frame I have the 50mm 1.4 job done and with the vc tamron would stop those little jitters and I could work at 6400 iso. Now the gh3 I would need the body the 12-35 2.8 then the 25mm 1.4 or 20mm 1.7 and a long range maybe 30-150 2.8 so both ways its expensive...Both ways would be £2500. Steve

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

It's not a design limitation it's just the fact that on a 24mm-50mm lens stabilisation is not required for stills & AFAIK there are no F/1.4 lenses longer than 50mm. The rule of thumb for a sharp picture free from camera shake is to use a shutter speed which is at least as fast as 1 divided by the focal length of the lens e.g. on a 50mm lens 1/50 is sufficient On a longer lens IS can be useful in lower light e.g. shoot with a 200mm lens at 1/50 rather than 1/200

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I have an OM-D E-M5 & the IBIS is absolutely staggeringly amazingly good & far better than any other stabilisation I have seen even on a proper camcorder. The video quality is OK but I have seen evidence of the CODEC breaking down when stressed e.g. the typical terror subject of rustling leaves on a tree can turn to mush. I am in PAL-land so am shooting at 25p with my other cameras but Premiere Pro does a good job mixing in 30p along with 25p (as does FCP). I shoot at 1/50 to avoid any flickering of lights & haven't encountered any problems. For me the advantages of a camera that fits in my pocket that doesn't need a tripod, monopod, slider, crane or Steadicam to produce usable footage outweighs the 30p & less than perfect video which is excellent most of the time.

The OM-D (or OMG as my wife refers to it:-) is becoming my goto camera. I probably need to invest in the 25mm F/1.4 (possibly 20mm F/1.7) plus the 45mm F/1.8 to complete the package as I already have the 14mm F/2.5 as a wide lens. I don't really want to invest in big heavy manual lenses like a Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F/0.95 or the various SLR Magic lenses or old Nikon or Canon FD lenses as I like the modern small light plastic lenses with AF actually designed for these cameras.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

You'd likely be better off with the 25mm f1.4 rather than the 20mm f1.7 for the OMD EM5, I'm seeing multiple references to banding issues with the 20mm at high ISOs on that camera. So far I've seen nothing like that but all I have right now are Panasonic Lumix bodies.

The Olympus 45mm f1.8 is an outstanding performer, you'll love it!

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

This is what I've read on other forums when the E-M5 first came out. You've just "nailed it" for me as I found a well cared for body with 736 shutter actuations on another forum for a price I felt was fair.

[quote=Nigel Barker;1819880]vI'm in the U.S. and 30p is what I'm used to working in. I have the 60p and 24p options with the GH3's, but not any stabilization except what's in the lenses so I'll look forward to doing some testing with the OMD E-M5 when it gets here.


I'm with you on this all the way, that's why I made the switch from Canon. I love how sharp these lenses are and if necessary I have the diffusion filtration I might need to "soften" them. But at 75 yrs. the light weight of the lenses is sure appreciated.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Panasonic has a 24mm full frame equivalent that is stabilized, I can understand that for stills it might not be required but I always wondered why stabilization doesn't exist on fast primes, surely it can't be the case that all manufacturers think it's not necessary, for video stabilization is even on wide angle lenses a advantage when you shoot handheld.

A 85mm f1.4 exists, or do you mean something else?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Yes, indeed there is Noa. In fact there is also an 85mm F/1.2. Amazing lens. The F/1.2 was not fun to use at receptions, it was a bear to focus manually at F/1.2. Lots of fun to play with with, however. With no IS it was kind of worthless handheld.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I was referring to native MFT lenses & in fact I see that neither Olympus nor Panasonic make an F/1.4 lens longer than 25mm although I see that there is actually a 50mm F/0.95 from SLR Magic but that is a manual lens.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Panasonic don't have a 12mm prime with IS they have a 12-35mm zoom with IS (24-70mm FF equivalent)

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

That was the lens I was refering to meaning at 12mm it's a 24mm full frame equivalent that is stabilised. Olympus also has a mft 75mm f1.8 but that one is unfortunaltely not stabilised.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Olympus don't have any stabilised lenses because they have no need for them with their fantastic patented 5-way in camera IS.

I was round visiting colleague at the weekend & had the opportunity to compare hand holding his Panasonic 100-300mm lens on my OM-D. With Olympus IBIS I could hand hold it at 100mm (200mm FF equivalent) absolutely rock solid whereas with the Panasonic OIS in the lens I could not as it wavered about.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I thought the Olympus only had 30p as option? How do you edit this on a 25p timeline, does it not slow down the footage when you go from 30 to 25p?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

No...But it is CRAZY sharp and has beautiful image tones. I tried to avoid the cost of it by buying a Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine lens, the Rokinon was OK - I did like it - but I wound up selling it and ordering the Olympus 75mm. Good decision for me, it's a great lens.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Yes, but it's also crazy expensive :) I"m sure it's worth every penny but I do have a 85mm rokinon which is 290 euro while the Olympus is 1000 euro. I"m planning to buy a fast prime soon for my gh3/g6 but I find it hard to choose, if I go for a MFT lens I"m stuck with that format with no option to mount on any other camera ever.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Noa, I'd highly recommend looking into Olympus OM Zuiko vintage lenses. I have a quite a few of them from over the years. They have super high contrast and sharpness with none of the yellow muddy colors of the Nikkor AIS's or Canon FD lenses.

The 24mm f/2, the 28mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 are particularly incredible lenses. The 28mm and 50mm are quite cost effective as well.

If you take your time I think it's possible to find some of these lenses in the $50 - $80 USD range. I have quite a few vintage lenses and my Olympus OM's are by far and away the finest you can get.

In any case, the Olympus vintage lenses are an incredible option if you can live without IS and autofocus. Surely for a savings of 500+ euro's per lens you can do some truly unbelievable work on the GH3 or G6.

With the 10x zoom function for focusing on the G6, it makes using these vintage manual lenses quite manageable when on a tripod. For stabilizer work and truly wide angle the 12-35mm f/2.8 with IS is still the ticket.

Cheers,
Pete

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Thx for the tip on the vintage Olympus OM Zuiko lenses! Initially I was thinking on getting a Olympus 45mm f1.8 new and a panasonic 20mm f1.7 as both are cheap but optically good performers, I also need a zoom with a bit larger range where the panasonic 45-200 f4/5.6 came to mind which is also very cheap. All 3 lenses have autofocus capability which I use a lot just to initially point my camera to what I want to have in focus and then press the shutter button half, also when a subject moves pressing the shutter button to make it refocus has proven to be accurate enough and I switch to manual whenever needed. But I do like a all manual lens as well, particular the Samyang cine lenses with their clickless aperturering, I got a 24mm f1.4 e mount for my sony camera to find out later there doesn't exist a adapter for any other camera.

A quick search on ebay I see the 28mm f2.0 starts from around 150 to up to 450 dollar, there I also need to see it doesn't come from the states as the sending costs are high + I need to pay additional custom costs and added taxes. I have a set of vintage tamron adaptall II lenses which I like as they render a image with a lot of "character" but they are not usable in combination with my new lumix lenses as they render a very clean, sharp image and you clearly see the difference. That's why I am a bit wary of vintage lenses as they would be perfect for my personal projects but not so for my paid projects.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Nigel,

I wrote this a week or so ago.

Last night I shot a test with the 20mm on the OMD at ISO 12,800 just to see how visible any banding might be. In a badly underexposed portion of wall I could see a banding pattern I've seen associated with the GH1, but I really had to "look" for it. So I wouldn't be afraid of using the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 with this camera. The degree of underexposure it would take to show banding is unlikely in most high ISO exposures.

I've also read on the old e-p1.net that firmware update 1.5 drastically reduced the banding anyway, that's the version I have on my camera.

The 5 axis IS is absolutely amazing, like you said.

The GH3s remain my primary video equipment but I'll put this OMD to good use.

With video limited to a high ISO of 3200 I really see no reason to avoid this lens, although the OMD E-M5 is "crazy light" and "tiny" with the 20mm mounted on it.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I guess the OMD E-M5 would be only limited to the use of creative footage for users living in PAL land? Since we have to convert 30 to 25p that should slow down footage, not so sure what that would do to a talking person?

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

I have only done a couple of weddings with the OM-D E-M5 & haven't converted anything. I just drop it all on the timeline & Premiere Pro does the right thing. FCP X will do all necessary frame rate conversion too. Here is a link to a Handfasting (Neo-Pagan New Age thing) that I shot the other week. It's a mixture of 30p, 25p & 50p. Danny and Nyssa - Handfasting Highlights Video @ Alice Barker ImagesAlice Barker Images

I think that people make too much of the problems of mixing frame rates when a good NLE will handle it for you. I do shoot at 1/50 rather than 1/60 when using 30p to avoid the flickering lights with 50Hz mains problem.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Correct me if I am wrong but that is not entirely correct, I do mix all kind of framerates as well, like 50i, 25p and 50p in a 25p project, I don't have to do one thing either as Edius handles this all behind the scenes, when I make a 25p project and Edius will output a 25p file for me, no matter what source footage framerate was. Only 30p will be changed to 25p as well but here the speed will change slowing the footage down, it's not the same as going from 50p to 25p when you output the file as far as I understand as the speed remains the same, that's why I wanted to know what this will do with 30p footage from someone giving a speech and you output to a 25p file.

Re: Panasonic lumix g6, wow
 

Premiere & FCP both fix the frame rate by dropping frames or interpolating frames anyway they do some sort of magic. If I drop a 30p clip onto a 25p timeline it plays normally just the same as a 50p clip does. If I wanted to slow down a 30p clip I would use Cinema Tools to conform it to 25p but that is a different operation.

I haven't tried adding 30p footage when doing a multi cam sequence but where I have used it with cutaways & just mixing with other footage it all seems to work quite seamlessly (with Premiere or FCP X anyway).