Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Probably a stupid question but why don't you get a second 5DIII body? You get exactly the same image, you know the camera and it will be cheaper then getting a c100.

Edit: ok, I saw you want longer then 30 min recordings, can't you just start one camera a few minutes after the other? For the type of recordings you do it does seem an option to record in that way. Weddingvideographers have been shooting ceremonies in that way for years, if you have the cameras standing side by side then it's actually very easy to follow-up on remaining recording times. I also don't think you need to worry about overheating, unless your shooting outside in the summer and the sun is shining right onto your camera's but even them you could put a small umbrella or something like that over your camera.

About getting shallow dof on the gh4, you just need fast enough lenses such a the voigtlanders if you want to get really shallow dof but also any other f1.4 like lens will do, unless you want one cm in focus and all the rest blurry, then you need a full frame camera. The example video you referred to was shot with either slower lenses or just with the iris wider open. If you want to know how it looks like just google voigtlanders, plenty of very shallow dof videos to find.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Michael,

Thanks for answering those questions, it was helpful.

Firstly, on the quote stuff, when you're editing, add a close quote [ / quote ] (remove the spaces) after the part you want to answer, then following your answer add an opening quote [ quote ] (remove the spaces) and it will begin quoting again from there on. The '/' is the only difference between an open and close quote. You'll see them in the text you're quoting already, so you can just copy / paste. Hope that helps.

From your answers the choice for me would be a very simple one. The C100. Why?

• It has better indoor low light abilities

• Easier to record longer events without breaks at all supported frame rates

• Better meters (e.g. waveforms etc) for checking lighting situations

• Slightly more dynamic range (in certain profiles)

• Dual cards means instant backup for those long non repeatable events

• Better audio pre-amps if you want to feed from your recorder in to the camera.

• Mounting points for external monitors / Ninja / Samurai etc if you ever need them.

Really, the only two things that sour the C100 for me are the fact that we only get a 2x punch in, I really would have liked a 5x or 10x, and the fact that I have to make the interlaced / progressive change for every clip in FCPX (same in Premiere Pro etc). It's just something you get used to doing. I actually talked with Apple engineers about this and they were initially open to the idea of 'fixing' it, but then decided against it. I really wish Canon would stop using this crazy PSF encoding scheme.

The 4K, 60/96fps slo-mo, small size and articulating screen probably aren't as important to you.

Don't be lead in to thinking the GH4 can't get shallow DOF, it absolutely can, just like the C100 is a crop sensor and won't offer the same shallow DOF as the 5D3, but you can still do shallow.

With all things considered, in your situation I think the C100 would be the better camera.

There is one big gotcha though. I absolutely hated trying to mix C100 and 5D3 footage. I could never make the 5D3 look as good as the C100 so always ended up dumbing down the C100 footage to look as bad as the 5D3! Having 2xC100 would have been awesome.

The GH4 matches the C100 better than the 5D3 because it's similarly sharp. There are some pretty nasty edge artefacts coming from the 5D3 that you probably don't even notice until you put the same shot side by side with something like the C100, then you can really start to hate the 5D3 footage! Arrgghh!!! Sorry if that just threw another wrench in the works!

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

to add and clarify, the GH4 is a DSLR that happens to shoot video, the C100 is a functioning video camera......I like to re-iterate to our clients the big 4 as I call them......chip. codec, FUNCTIONALITY, reliability....those are the key items to make decisions on...the rest plays into personal choice and the needs/requirements of the people you are working for.
BTW, both cameras are great (and well sell them) but you must look at the day to day in what makes your job harder or easier.

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I have a couple of C100s for my video work and I have recently got the GH4 as a 'going out and about' camera.

If I was in your position what would i do? I'd wait and buy the C100. I'm consistently pleased with the images from it and it's great to use in corporate doco and narrative work I do, so overall I'm very happy with it. Above all, I 'trust' it to get the quality images I need when I'm working. I know it'll perform under all sorts of difficult situations and with the ergonomics, it's easy to work with quickly and efficiently for when I'm shooting on my own.

The GH4 is also a lovely camera. I'm blown away by the image quality in the ol' 4k downsized to 1080' routine. It's not as good in low light maybe, and perhaps the dynamic range isn't quite as flattering to an image as the C100 but in good light, it's simply a lovely image. Add to that all the bells and whistles I wish the C100 had, (codec choice, slo mo, stop motion, 4K) it's a great little camera that punches above its weight for its price.

I also have a 5D3 which I only ever use for stills now. Always found it too soft for video and it seemed to me that in order to defeat the moiré and artefacts, Canon just softened the image too much.

So this is my two penneth to add to the discussion: which camera do I reach for when doing serious work? The C100 every time. Which do I reach for when I want to do a fun project? The GH4.

Hope this helps.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Thanks to everyone for the incredible help! I feel like I've seen the light! C100 it is!

Trying to fall in love with the GH4 image is like going on a date with a frigid women, I want a sexy bombshell.

I've narrowed it down I think. The GH4 image is full of amazing detail but with no depth, or breath, some refer to this as a digitalized image, or a broadcast camera image.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Here is a short 4K UHD clip I shot yesterday with my GH4 :

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I just came across this which, despite all the fancy crossfade/editing malarkey, shows quite a cinematic image for the GH4 I thought (Just personal opinion)


As nice an image as my C100s easily, I would have said.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I follow a few persons on Vimeo that deliver outstanding work, below is one done by one of them on a gh4, everyone saying that you can't get a shallow dof or a "cinematic" image from a gh4 either has not shot with the camera and/or does not have the knowledge or experience to use the camera capabilities to it's full extent. Like any other camera it does have it's pro's and cons but in the right hands it can produce some very good results.


He did the same with the GH3

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I like the videos Noa linked. The GH4 looks good there. Perhaps at some point a GH4 is in the cards for me, but for now I'm getting the C100....... in fact, I'm getting one today, with a Samuri blade..... the long hunt is over, at least for the time being.

Thanks again for everyones help!

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I was not trying to convince you to change your mind Michael :) Just showing you that what I have been saying all along that it's the man behind the camera who knows how to use it that makes the difference.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Remember, whatever you do, do NOT shoot PF24!

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

Thanks Gary, I won't.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

I'm waiting for the day Hollywood takes your wisdom seriously and starts replacing the big boys with iPhones.

The truth is Noa, most people besides the ones on this forum wouldn't know the difference between a camcorder and a Red Scarlet or C100. Yes, content is king, and video is two thirds audio.

Re: Looks like I'm getting GH4
 

They could probably make that iphone footage look better then what most can do with their c100 or any other videocamera. :)