Re: Camcorders only
 

I'm hearing you Chris, seriously considering an LX-100 for Low light, "Dance floor. etc" for that reason. Lens and body in one, sorta thing! 15 minute 4K pretty useless though...
They seem to be getting cheaper too!

Re: Camcorders only
 

Good point. I'm trying to get accurate info on the functionality of canon primes with the GH4, seeing that I do have some useful canon lenses.
Those adapters aren't cheap.

Re: Camcorders only
 

Sure, I have a nice selection of Nikon mount lenses but I'm lazy!! I prefer to use AF on the camera or at least half shutter press to focus. I ran my EA-50's with Nikon mount lenses and manual focus and it's a lot harder work than push the shutter to focus .. I do like to seek the easy way out and apart from bridal entry I use the FZ1000's without continuous focus ..it's much easier to just half press the shutter ..see what's in focus and record!!

Re: Camcorders only
 

Yeah, if I was to get the GH4s I would be using AF compatible only.
So that would mean selling my Canon and going to Panasonic lenses!!!??

Gotta start somewhere I guess!

Re: Camcorders only
 

Some useful points. GH4 in 4k mode has poor af. Compared to the HD mode, where it is much more reliable, I find in 4K it can find focus then lose it. Even in situations outdoors where you think a deep depth of field would help, it can go in and out of focus. As I predominantly shoot 4k, I do a lot of manual focus, often just setting focus using af before hitting record, then adjusting as and when. Some micro 4/3 lenses like slr magic and voigtlander are manual focus anyway.

In 4K mode, focus becomes even more critical. Indoors especially, its important to check rather than rely on af. Unless you're shooting with a high aperture, I find I have to set focus to a point in the room to ensure as many of the guests are in focus, as the larger sensor and low aperture can contribute to a narrower depth of field even in wide angle. This can end up looking terrible if you're cropping the 4K image in post production. In some ways a smaller 1" sensor can have an advantage there, as depth of field is naturally deeper.

Although I use a GH4r as a B camera, and benefit from easier colour matching in edit, unless you're running a GH system throughout, like I am, more flexibility can be had with something like an AX100, unless low light is a serious issue for you. By all means trade in your main camera for a GH4, but for a B and C camera, you may wish to look to camcorders.

Re: Camcorders only
 

Good info Steve, food for thought.
We can be too reliant on auto focus. been caught out even with camcorders. Learnt the hard way!
Been using a Sony FX1000 for the Aisle cam for ceremonies, then fixed on main speaker at reception, recording Pro Res to Ninja Star. Can get in to trouble if I forget to switch it to man focus after setting in auto.
Will replace the FX with something smaller that shoots 4K, and is good in low light.

Is there a quick way to change the GH4s back to manual focus during recording?
I've done absolutely no research on the GH4, so time to start I guess.

Re: Camcorders only
 

There's a switch on the GH4 that allows you to go from auto focus to manual; it can be used during recording, so I can sometimes use it to get a lock then switch to manual.

Re: Camcorders only
 

I set my G7 up for BBF, I then use it to acquire focus with one press and as soon as released you are in manual

Re: Camcorders only
 

Noa if you don't mind me asking what model is that Varavon? Is it the low angle EX Supporter for the Canon 60D? Looks like a reasonable setup for bright outdoors.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Camcorders only
 

I'd add the Samsung NX1 into that mix. 4K. Somebody just announced they were easily able to eliminate the recording time limit entirely in its firmware. You can charge it via USB (while recording, I believe), which seems super nice. It also got the best reviewed focus tracking between it, the GH4 (which did OK), and the Sony A7r (which got terrible video focus tracking reviews... might have been the A7r 2).

My main hesitation is that its a whole new lens system for me. *sigh* Darn it, Canon, stop being so terrible. I love my 70D,but rumors don't mention the upcoming 80D having 4K.

/just saw Steve's info about the GH4 doing poorer with focus tracking in 4K. Good note. Thank you.

Re: Camcorders only
 

The Samsung NX-1 does get forgotten. In fact I hear Samsung are withdrawing the camera from some European countries. I'd be reluctant to invest in a camera system that its manufacturers are scaling down.

As for Canon, bare in mind they like Nikon have no big interest in 4K; unlike Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, they don't have a line in 4K TV's to push this function. Primarily they see their DSLR's as Photographic tools, with video as a sideline. There's talk the new 5D when it turns up may have a photo and video version, the latter offering 4K, but that's just a rumour. Until then I don't see Canon introducing 4K in DSLR's before it appears in the 5D.

Re: Camcorders only
 

If you are willing to deal with a 29:59 minute clip length limit (and you can instant restart), you could add the Sony RX10MkII to the list. RX10 "mark 1's" can produce a very nice sharp (HD, but looks very good on a 4K monitor) image, and are available very inexpensively in the used market. Not a bad option, particularly if you also wanted stills from time to time.

I was looking at Samsung for a while, the rumors that they are exiting the imaging/camera market made me stop looking, though they seem to make a very nice camera....

Re: Camcorders only
 

That NX1 has gotten a serious price reduction, went from 1500 euro to 1000 euro, about the rx10, I do have it but I never would trust it to run unmanned, I probably have one made on a Monday because it has displayed behavior that could cause failed shots, the weirdest thing is I cannot replicate it, it just happens randomly, by far the most unreliable camera I have in my gearbag.

Re: Camcorders only
 

@Noa, -
You've definitely got the black sheep of the lot, mine has never given me grief, and I know a lot of people use 'em.

I haven't had the time I'd like to give the Mk2 as good a good workout as I'd like, but I wouldn't be too worried about running it as a unmanned camera. Of course if mine were acting up randomly... I'd feel differently!