GH1 vs. 7D vs. ?

[Wesley Scoggins]

Realistically, how difficult is it to get Zeiss-Panasonic Adapters, compared to Zeiss-Canon adapters?

I would like to start ordering Zeiss ZF lenses, as i've seen the tests for them and they are just about the best I can find in the price range, and i've been told that they should theoretically work great for the Scarlet.

Or would it be better to just start investing in motorized lenses from Canon (Someone mentioned the L-series), seeing as how Scarlet is supposed to have a Birger like interface that'll allow you to Autofocus?

 

[Kenn Michael]

Kenn, when we say banding, we are talking about the low light vertical streaks, perhaps attributed to fixed pattern noise in the sensor, right? (Not the 8 bit color banding that Graeme is speaking of?).

Exactly, it's the fixed pattern noise in the sensor - low light vertical streaks. What's particularly bad about them is that they're colored streaks, not just light and dark.

 

[Augusto Alves da Silva]

GH1 Noise

GH1 Noise

Exactly, it's the fixed pattern noise in the sensor - low light vertical streaks. What's particularly bad about them is that they're colored streaks, not just light and dark.

I have been using the GH1 since I got hold of one (about 8 months ago). At first I saw the banding you talk about only at high ISO with the kit lens, but then I started "learning" the camera. It is not so easy to learn but once you manage to understand the sensitivity the shutter etc...the images are perfect, obviously taking into account the cost-efectiveness of the camera... I use it on a daily basis with Zeiss ZF lenses, Cooke PL lenses etc..and never had problems with vertical streaks or other artifacts. The aliasing is hardly noticeable and now I know how to avoid it in extreme situations and how it shows...Of course we have to use fast lenses like you do with the RED or any other top of the range camera...the faster the lenses the better the sensitivity. I also own a 7D and a 5D which I bought because I really wanted to test them on my own and to talk from my own experience. The 5D is worthless to video work...only 30fps, moving cars forget it and although people say it is excellent in low light still the highest ISO I can work without being really annoyed with the artifacts is 1600.(absolute limit). 7D has 24,25 fps but the 720p mode has more moiree and aliasing than video...sometimes I panic!!! No way to avoid aliasing and moiree. Obviously we can use both the 5D and 7D to shoot nice close-ups and still objects, otherwise we take the risk of not knowing the outcome...The aliasing is really unpredictable and difficult to know when it will ruin your shot.
People like to say that Canons have better low light than the GH1...For starters side by side with the exact same lenses, aperture, resolution, the GH1 is set at 100 ISO and the 5D or 7D are set at 640 to have the same apparent sensitivity...No wonder people say they can shoot at 2500 on the Canon ( greaaaaat) which would be around 640 on the GH1. I DIDN´T BELIEVE UNTIL I TRIED. PLEASE TRY IT. So what can I say about it? Well I have the 3 of them, I live with the problems of each camera but don´t complain. I am saving huge amounts of money just by not having to buy a SI-2K to do the same job. I am not comparing of course but I can assure you that these VDSLR´S perform much better than most conventional broadcast cameras. If you manage to find a nice image setup that suits you and you have the knowledge and equipment to grade your footage you won´t need to get better than this most of the times...At least that´s what I have been experiencing not only with my own work but with my colleagues too...I have extremely nice lenses that surely outlive the camera bodies but I am happy with it. I don´t mind spending $2000 every 6 months to have the latest VDSLR and to be able to upgrade. If I sell my 7D for $700 right now many people wuld love to buy it...so the remaining money to the next camera will be the difference
I prefer buy a camera body than a camera every year...just because the manufacturer changed one circuit making the 2500 obsolete by releasing the 2500ACFDX...That´s my money we are talking about!!! I am very pleased with this DSLR revolution with all its pros and cons and when Scarlet arrives I will buy one like I will surely buy any other camera that performs the way I expect it to.

NOTE: I AM NOT REPRESENTING ANY BRAND OR MANUFACTURER. MY STATEMENTS WERE TAKEN FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND EXPRESS MY PERSONAL OPINION.

 

[Augusto Alves da Silva]

http://www.kamera-express.nl/index.php?page=product&product=29260

Is this what you are looking for?

 

[Vince K]

I am waiting for the Scarlet (Most likely the 2/3 interchangeable or S35) and I would like to start getting used to the DSLR form-factor, and would like to start stockpiling lenses that I can use for it, and have something I can possible use as a B-Cam once the Scarlet is released.

I grabbed a 7D and a couple of lenses last week for that exact reason and I am so glad I did. :smiley:
For me, it was the perfect prep-camera for the upcoming Scarlet, and now I can immediately start to test shoot certain scenes for upcoming projects I have as well as projects I've been wanting to shoot for years.

I also have a pretty kick ass stills camera now too. :smiley:

Either camera you get, I'm pretty sure you won't regret it.

Happy shooting!

 

[Dave Blackham]

Realistically, how difficult is it to get Zeiss-Panasonic Adapters, compared to Zeiss-Canon adapters?

I would like to start ordering Zeiss ZF lenses, as i've seen the tests for them and they are just about the best I can find in the price range, and i've been told that they should theoretically work great for the Scarlet.

Or would it be better to just start investing in motorized lenses from Canon (Someone mentioned the L-series), seeing as how Scarlet is supposed to have a Birger like interface that'll allow you to Autofocus?

Which Zeiss mount ? I think there are convertors readily available.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Which Zeiss mount ? I think there are convertors readily available.

GH1 adapters listed:

Adapter LEICA M for MICRO FOUR THIRDS ( m4/3 )

Adapter CANON EOS for MICRO FOUR THIRDS ( m4/3 )

Adapter NIKON F for MICRO FOUR THIRDS ( m4/3 )

Adapter CANON FD or MICRO FOUR THIRDS ( m4/3 )

Hot ROD PL mount for GH1


And you gonna find the best still lenses Leica M & R, Cosina Voigtländer for Leica M, Canon EF, Zeiss ZF, Canon FD, Nikon F, Contax Zeiss, Angenieux, etc...

also counts the same for best cine glass.

 

[albert rudnicki]

When tested I was very pleased with a G1 and s16mm superspeeds. especially in 720p delivery.
I own 5d and use it with zf lenses, and today I would go with G1 and Pl mount for the price of 5D. Have not use the 7D, but besides the crop and 24p I imagine they are the same.

 

[Mohammed El Sharqawy]

Ok, we've got a lot of people that really know their video here so I thought this would be a good place to ask for some opinions.

I am waiting for the Scarlet (Most likely the 2/3 interchangeable or S35) and I would like to start getting used to the DSLR form-factor, and would like to start stockpiling lenses that I can use for it, and have something I can possible use as a B-Cam once the Scarlet is released.

Well, I have a event that I have to film in January, and I need to get a camera and start getting used to it's workflow now.

I have narrowed it down to the 7D or the GH1, both of them fit my budget, and take lenses that I can use on the Scarlet.

The reason I want to utilize a DSLR (instead of a dedicated video setup), is because I need something that can handle lowlight really well, AND I need to take good stills at the event I have to film. It also seems like nothing else in the sub-$2000 range really can do both of these as good as these cameras.

Besides being used for this, I am also going to be using it for personal short-film work.

Looking at as many sample videos as I can, I have noticed a bunch of things, and I was wondering if I could get this verified by users of them here.

GH1:
CONS:
- It doesn't seem to be as good in low-light, and it's stills while still really good don't seem to be as good a the 7D.
- There is the "mud", which I feel like won't be a major problem for me since I am not going to be doing any rapid pans like that.
-The Low Bitrate of the codec (which i've heard isn't really a problem.)
-Having to unpack the 24P mode from the 60i wrapper is a step that is kind of annoying.
-No 30P mode in full 1080P.

PROS:
-Seems to have better/more accurate color.
-Less moire/aliasing.
- I have heard that it can resolve a little bit more detail, but haven't seen actual resolving numbers.
-I have heard it has more resolvable dynamic range.
-AF-Mode while shooting video, which could be a big help for event shooting.
-Motion looks "better" and a little more "cinematic". I don't know how else to say it. Also don't know if i'm just imagining things.

7D:
CONS:
-More moire and aliasing than the GH1 (as far as I have heard.)
-The image seems to be overly saturated in many cases, and tends to look more "contrasty".
- The skin tones seem to be a little more "plasticky".
-12 Minute record time could be iffy while filming an event, if it goes down at the wrong time I could miss something important.
-More expensive recording medium.
- More expensive camera.
-Worse stock lens.

PROS:
- 24P without being in a 60i wrapper.
-Better low-light.
-Higher bitrate.
-Better stills.


That is all I can think of off the top of my head.

I feel like the GH1 would be better for the event shooting, and I think the color looks pretty good. But I have heard questionable things in regards to "lines" being in the image during low-light, but most of the low-light I can find looks really awesome.

The 7D, has a higher bitrate, and the highlight priority mode which can help keep that under control. So it seems like 7D should on paper have a higher potential dynamic range, and more CC leeway in post.

So I guess, I wanted to get some input on what is the better overall camera, and what the people who've used it here think?

not to forget that with Canon you get the option of electronic mount support for Scarlet.. touch tracking focus option etc.. so, canon lenses are usable with scarlet.. RED didn't announce four thirds electronic mount yet.. don't know if they cover image area for S35 scarlet but i don't think so..