incamera stabilisation
 

This might belong more in the camera section but I find it very valuable to use at weddings, not sure if anyone has been following the announcement of the updated Olympus omd-em5? John Brawley did a excellent review about the camera (https://johnbrawley.wordpress.com/20...ng-wilderness/) and his curiousity video that can be found on vimeo looks very good but what interested me most was his BTS video which you can see below.

At 02:35 he shows the effectiveness of a 45mm prime shot handheld with and without IBIS and that is simply ridiculous, you can also see several handheld shots from his film where he just walks backward while only holding the camera in his hands with no other rig and the result is just amazing.

Since I heavily invested in M4/3 camera's and lenses I always wanted to get the em5 or 1 for video, just for its amazing stabilization but it was the non pal framerates and bad codec that held me back so far.

Now they added pal frame rates and added bitrates comparable to what the GH3 delivers, their codec might still be a generation behind on the current offerings but their stabilization is like unseen in any camera that is available today.

Just the thought of using a cheap 45mm f1.8 prime or even my 75mm f1.8 and shoot handheld without having to use a monopod is making me dream :)

The only concern I have is the fact that you can't change exposure while shooting using the dials and you have to go into the menu to make changes on the touch lcd screen, as I understand it's exactly the same limitation the older EM5 had but not the EM1 so maybe it's Olympus way of protecting their EM1 sales? The em5 II body has a starting price of 1100 euro while the old version is 800 euro.

Is anyone considering getting this camera for weddings?

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Noa,
I am absolutely buying the EM-5ii. As you know, I shoot on two GH3s and have a EM-1 as a backup cam, even though it is limited to 30fps and the codec isn't that great.
I plan to trade up my EM-1 to get the EM-5 and will probably wind up using it more than my GH3 because it apparently has 1 stop better low light performance to boot!
The stabilization in the EM-1 was phenomenal. I use it with my 75mm 1.8 all the time and it is just a perfect combination.
For me, M4/3 is the perfect balance between getting that DLSR look while maintaining a nice balance of weight, size, and functionality.

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The problem is they might introduce the EM1 not so long after this but I expect it to be at least around 1600 euro, there where some rumors that it would support 4K but that all remains to be seen. Fact is that beside this annoying expsoure change limitation while shooting the EM5 has finally matured to a camera that is ready to shoot a bit more serious video, good enough for weddings I think. I will just wait and see how it does based on the first user vids that appear but there is a big chance one of my dslr's will be sold in favor of this one.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

It is interesting. I also use GH4s now. I will wait and see as well.

Really, I'm hoping the GH5 will have IBIS. It will be great for use with manual lenses.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

I wouldn't count too much on IBIS in the GH5, but then again, you"ll never know. It almost looks like there is some kind of agreement between Panasonic and Olympus, something like "you keep the IBIS but we want better video"
Before the GH4 camera came out Olympus refused to update their camera's with better codecs and I"m sure they are not that stupid knowing they'd sell a boatload more EM5's and even EM1's if they had the same videoquality when the GH3 was popular.
Now the GH4 is out they are suddenly able to make the long asked improvements but not up to the level of the GH4, it still is one generation behind.
Also the way they cripple the fact that you can't change exposure while recording looks intentional, I read the EM1 can change exposure while recording? If that is true they again seem to deliberately cripple a important function which might be reserved for a updated EM1 so it has enough reasons for people to upgrade, it could also mean the EM1 is not getting 4K as some rumors said.

A lot of "if"s" :) There are slowly more videos coming out and they all look better then what I saw from the first em5, I only need to have some more confirmation about low light performance, I would hope at least the same performance as the GH3, some users said 1600iso would be the highest they would go but I hope someone will do a iso comparison with the GH3 or 4.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

The GH4 and EM1 are currently my favourite cameras, to the point I rarely pick up the C100 anymore.

The EM5II looks interesting, though I'm waiting for more substantial reviews before spending the money.

The IBIS is awesome, but not perfect.

I'm not expecting the GH5 to have IBIS because Panasonic said they had to add better heat sinks to the GH4 to run in 4K mode and it's unlikely they could do that and still float the sensor with IBIS.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

I have seen that the IBIS can create some wobbly effect that looks like plugin stabilizers can cause when you see the entire image deform a bit. Does the EM1 display that behavior as well? The sony a7 II inbuild stabilization did seem like a good option but from the samples I have seen it's nowhere near as good as what Olympus can do, it still is very jittery.

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It's not perfect by a long way, but it's better than no IBIS at all. The biggest issue for me is the codec / frame rate combination.

If you want Easy + Good then the DJI Ronin is probably better, albeit bigger, heavier, and more expensive.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

I have a Ronin and I agree it gets some great tracking shots, but it's not the right tool for every job. The IBIS would be beneficial on a monopod. While the monopod keeps it relatively still, the IBIS would help to stop the small movements I get while using manual lenses.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Haha I nearly made this post on announcement day, then held back from doing so because it's just 'weddings and events'. Nearly emailed Noa as well, as I knew this would be his dream!

The EM1 will come next January / February if Olympus continues its release schedule with the EM10 follow up in 2017 and EM5 III in 2018.

As for the camera itself, I also found the one problem that Noa has found - you still can't change the exposure. For me, this makes the camera perfect for prep shots of objects etc. but less so for important parts of the wedding day.

The EM1 II is the camera that I'm waiting for. Under Noa's theory that they have to stay a step back from the GH series, we can only expect the EM1 to have 4K and hopefully a better codec still - say 100mb, rather than 60+ that the EM5 II has currently.

It's really exciting to see Oly finally blowing up the video section, but they're still a step behind. For me, I'm waiting for the EM1 MK II. That should be a blowaway camera in terms of stills and video.

Ultimately, the EM5 II has THE best IBIS to date in an Olympus camera. It really is epic. I have shot a few times with my EM5, particularly in the summer break when I headed to Berlin, but it's nowhere near as enjoyable to shoot with as a GH camera, namely for its lack of options, inability to change exposure etc.

At least you can change the aperture / shutter speed etc. through the LCD during record time. It's close to being THE camera to get, but not quite.

To me, if GH4 stood for 4K, then GH5 stands for 5 axis. Olympus and Panasonic have formed an amazing partnership, I see no reason why we can't eventually see the 5 axis come to Panny, even if they have invested most of their 'pro' lenses to have IS built in.

Also, for the EM5 II, I've seen amazingly clean ISO 6400 shots coming from it - I really think this sits on a par IQ wise with the EM1 with cleaner low light performance - which the original EM5 had over the EM1 anyways. It's just PDAF and a few other features, particularly form that the EM1 beats the EM5 in. If you add in the fact that you need the battery grip to fully realise the EM5 MK II, I'd rather wait for the EM1 MK II anyways.

*EDIT* Also Noa, I am chuft to see the G2x in motion - that's the gimbal that I want to buy next! I'm getting the 12-40 Olympus 2.8 lens, and later, the 40-150, followed by the G2x. Can't wait to start using it! Looks amazing and perfect as a gimbal for the GH4!

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

That surprises me a bit because when I see those demo's from the mark II where they switch between no IBIS and with the difference is very large, maybe the improvement now is more visible?

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Yeah, that exposure change thing, a way around that would be to get a lens with a iris ring but it's quite stupid they still have crippled that part. During bride prep I currently use my sony rx10 and gh4, the rx10 is always used for run and gun, my gh4 doesn't come near to the rx10 flexibility in quickly choosing the right f-stop or ISO + I can make changes while shooting with very gradual exposure changes, very easy to change even under time pressure. I might end up selling my gh3 for the em5 though not sure what I still will get for it, prices for a new gh3 are down to 800 euro so more then 400-500 euro I can't be asking for it. But I still have some time to read more user reviews.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Yeah, someone on Facebook said the same - they'd use an aperture ring. I'm not interested in using one, unless I'm using the M4/3 42.5mm f1.2 lens - which I don't own!

Hopefully Panasonic will go on a run of making f/2 12-35mm pro lenses with aperture rings and 35-100mm ones too... seems like a good way to compete with Olympus' Pro line.

Either way, I am equally amazed by the footage that you're able to capture during a ceremony. Your full lengths put mine to shame. Really love them. How does the RX10 offer better changes than the GH3 in run and gun situations? Is it mainly due to the small steps in the exposure? I could see you using the EM5 MKII to brilliant effect because you're a great videographer. I think its flexibility would really well for you and you should eventually get it - either this one, or the new EM1 when it arrives.

I'm going to wait for the EM1 though.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

That 42.5mm f1.2 I find a bit pointless not to mention very expensive if you can get a 45mm f1.8 which probably will give you a better stabilization with the use of the camera's IBIS, sure the 42,5mm will optically be better but I doubt you really will notice that difference on a Olympus camera while you shoot 1080p.

The RX10 has a declicked iris ring on the lens and the large menu wheel on the back on the camera you can rotate easily with your thumb and while you do that it scrolls through all iso values and that all while you are shooting video. Shutter stays locked all the time so changing exposure is a almost instant thing. The button layout and videofunctionality is brilliant on that camera.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Yes there is a very large difference, it makes most hand held shots at least usable.

What I said was it's not 'perfect' ;) Walking shots can get some artefacts if you're not careful.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Sounds amazing, Noa.

Whilst you're online - GoPro Hero 4 is at £211 at Amazon UK - don't know if you can buy there - but it's the best price I've seen! It's out of stock, but will deliver once in stock: GoPro HERO4 - Silver Moto Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

As for the 42.5... all very true... I just would love the ability to shoot images with that lens in my own time... it's very much a treat.

I will stick to my current list to purchase:

A Zoom / Tascam / insert recorder here to mic from the board + cables
A stand to put in front of a speaker to record audio
A 12-40 and 35-100 or 40-150 lens
And an AX100.

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If you all are interested in 42.5 focal length, you should check out the voigtlander. I have it and it's my favorite lens for the gh4.

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If you're looking for a portable audio recorder to connect to a sound board, the Tascam DR-40 has been amazing. It has a line level input and also records a backup audio track at -12 db so that you can get by even if you don't have anyone monitoring the audio.

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Can anyone confirm the recording time limit on this new Olympus camera. I'm referring to an Australian PAL model.

So far the unlimited recording time is the one thing that the Panasonics have over all the other brands of cameras.

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So, starting to see more em5 II videos, what I do see that I don't like is the image looks a bit like my nex-ea50 I once had in terms of detail, not "that" good and in terms of moire and aliasing, only a bit worse.

It was the moire and aliasing the tempered my enthusiasm a bit, but the stabilization is nothing but spectacular, below video is a good example, there are some 45mm f.18 Oly lens shots at the beginning around 00:50 which look really good.

I do see a place for it in my gearbag though, especially coupled with the 45mm and 75mm while shooting handheld at f1.8, by blurring out the background moire and aliasing is not much of an issue, unless they are wearing fine striped pattern clothes, something I learned while using my canon 550d.

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Over at personal-view.com a user has posted some framegrabs from a em5II and a gh4, both in 1080p mode and even then the detail differences is very obvious, quite disappointing actually and from the looks of it mixing both camera's wil cause issues, lets see what Olympus has in store for the EM1.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Hi,

have been following this thread as well as other discussions and reviews of the EM-5 II. As you've made out, and especially with Andrew Reid's impressions, video is not at all up to expectation.

Shooting handheld is particularly important to me as I shoot both images and video, alternating between the two during events, so I can not and will not have a cage or gimbal. This is the main reason why I still shoot with a Pentax K-5 which utilises mechanical SR, and if used properly with the camera's movie mode limitations still produces some excellent footage. I have also worked with a Canon 5D Mk III but find it too heavy, especially with any Canon IS or Tamron VC lens, and I really need a body with tilting screen. I have therefor been using a Canon 70D, and even though the touch screen combined with dual pixel AF is excellent, it is only useable in 24/25 fps at 1080p, the 50/60p has terrible aliasing.

So now I'm looking forward to the recently announced Pentax full frame DSLR which will come out at the end of the year. If Ricoh have enabled mechanical SR (as opposed to electronic SR) and it will indeed have an articulating screen as the prototype shown at CP+ seems to indicate, this will most likely be my perfect companion.

Until then I might pick up the Nikon D750, which has it all except IBIS, so I'd like to ask anyone here shooting video with Nikon which stabilised lenses they suggest for Nikon.

Cheers!

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

I have seen a better video from a user that didn't look bad at all, it is this one: vimeo.com/122338262
I personally would take anything Andrew says with a big grain of salt, I recall when he tested the sony rx10 there where a couple of shots where he said he was not able to use in the edit because they looked too bad because of codec break up (back then the rx10 only had 28mbs avchd). I have been using the rx10 for weddings for several months now and all my images looked good, ofcourse if you take a scene with a lot of motion, take a frame from that, blow it up in photoshop and stick your face against the screen, you will notice codec break up, but to say the footage become unusable is just plain silly, especially when you are talking about a cheaper then 1k camera.

For my use the em5 II would be good enough but I decided to wait, just to see what they have in store for the em1 and I"m sure the em5 II will drop about 200 dollar in a few months.

Re: incamera stabilisation
 

Thanks a lot Michael! I looked heavily into the DR40... but eventually purchased a Zoom H5 for the same reasons - and it's supposedly got a better codec... but the DR40 looks great and I do like my TASCAMs! I'll be sure to comment about its performance the first time that I'm able to record to a board. The next wedding I'm at, the groom has stated that he doesn't like microphones and having to pass them around, so I'm only going to be able to mic the board in the church - and that's if they're using mics... so it may end up redundant for my next wedding. I'm fairly certain my two weddings in the summer will allow me to use it though. I think it'll pay me back the moment it secures perfect audio at a wedding. I am trying my hardest this season to perfect audio - an impossible target - but if it's twice as good as last season, I'll be really pleased!

Great to see that you waited in the end, Noa! I am waiting alongside you... I think they really could blow us out of the water with the EM1 MKII... here's to hoping!!!

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From what I have read Omympus has no plans on making the EM1 a better videocamera, they want it to be their top photocamera and leave the better videofucntionality to the EM5.

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Really? I am surprised if the EM1 doesn't turn out to be a better video camera than the EM5 MKII, because a lot of people will likely consider the cheaper EM5 MKII if the stills don't improve vastly, which to be honest, I don't think they will following the latest update for the continuous autofocus on the current EM1. Either way, we'll wait and see... I got one shot with the EM5 at my latest wedding and tried to replicate the movement through the dress that you usually do with shallow depth of field to show off the pattern of the dress. It worked really well, so when I finish the video in a month or two, I'll be sure to post it!