Panasonic GH2 - Any one have one

[loftus 42]

I've been reading a bit on the Panasonic GH2; looks like a pretty sweet camera and probably a really nice underwater camera. Does anyone own this camera, and has anyone taken one underwater. Housings?

Panasonic seem to have done the best job of video / still integration from what I read, better than Nikon, and even better than Canon.

Edited February 22, 2011 by loftus

[Deep6 7]

I've been reading a bit on the Panasonic GH2; looks like a pretty sweet camera and probably a really nice underwater camera. Does anyone own this camera, and has anyone taken one underwater. Housings?

Panasonic seem to have done the best job of video / still integration from what I read, better than Nikon, and even better than Canon.

I have the gh1. I use it for my non-dive travel camera and my grandson's football games. I prefer the Nikon interface, but the panny is better and closer to that than others I have handled. You may have checked these guys out. Others might want to have a look.

Thom Hogan link see 21 Feb. and Michael Reichmann link really like the GH2 video compared to other still cameras.

Bob

[derway 2]

I'm dying for one. The best live view auto focus available. So you have more flexibility underwater...

 

I'm still waiting for some more reviews. The micro 4/3rds certainly is not quite as good IQ as dx. But not far off.

 

I'm betting the the sony nex 7 will be released within a few months, and it will be a gh2 killer - same functions, EVF & live view, and great contrast detect auto focus, all on a dx sensor. Likely the same sensor as the nikon d7000 and sony a580.

 

But then there are even fewer E lenses, than micro 4/3rds... What to do?

[Deep6 7]

I'm dying for one. The best live view auto focus available. So you have more flexibility underwater...

 

I'm still waiting for some more reviews. The micro 4/3rds certainly is not quite as good IQ as dx. But not far off.

 

I'm betting the the sony nex 7 will be released within a few months, and it will be a gh2 killer - same functions, EVF & live view, and great contrast detect auto focus, all on a dx sensor. Likely the same sensor as the nikon d7000 and sony a580.

 

But then there are even fewer E lenses, than micro 4/3rds... What to do?

I would almost take that bet. The max. 1/160 sync is slower than I prefer. If you are right, we could always get an E to F mount adapter

Bob

Una mas, Sony needs to really redo the UI.

Edited February 22, 2011 by Deep6

[loftus 42]

I would almost take that bet. The max. 1/160 sync is slower than I prefer. If you are right, we could always get an E to F mount adapter

Bob

Una mas, Sony needs to really redo the UI.

Hmmm, max 1/160 synch, that's a problem, I need faster synch not slower.

[DrMark 0]

I've been reading a bit on the Panasonic GH2; looks like a pretty sweet camera and probably a really nice underwater camera. Does anyone own this camera, and has anyone taken one underwater. Housings?

Panasonic seem to have done the best job of video / still integration from what I read, better than Nikon, and even better than Canon.

 

I have my eye on this camera too. I especially like its size and weight. It is likely that if there is ever a housing for it, it will be nice and compact (read: airline friendly).

 

I really want a camera I can use for both still and video under water, but there doesn't really seem to be a good solution yet. I am very tempted by the Canon 7D, but IMO the video side is too weak. Until something better comes out, I guess I'm stuck lugging along two cameras and two housings. Whenever I go diving, the other divers all want to know if they should shoot wide angle or macro; I always ask if I should shoot still or video

 

--Mark

[Deep6 7]

I have my eye on this camera too. I especially like its size and weight. It is likely that if there is ever a housing for it, it will be nice and compact (read: airline friendly).

 

I really want a camera I can use for both still and video under water, but there doesn't really seem to be a good solution yet. I am very tempted by the Canon 7D, but IMO the video side is too weak. Until something better comes out, I guess I'm stuck lugging along two cameras and two housings. Whenever I go diving, the other divers all want to know if they should shoot wide angle or macro; I always ask if I should shoot still or video

 

--Mark

From ReefPhoto:

 

GH1

 

Maybe a GH2 housing form Nauticam soon.

Bob

[TheRealDrew 0]

From ReefPhoto:

 

GH1

 

Maybe a GH2 housing form Nauticam soon.

Bob

 

 

That housing looks like it is for a GF1, not the GH1. (All of the numbers are beginning to sound the same to me at this point anyway )

 

Ran some DXO scores for fun DXO and included the Canon 40D

 

The camera (GH series) seems to split the size between dSLR and things like the GF series. Now if the GH performance can be put in the GF size body

[JackConnick 76]

I just talked to LC Ng at 10Bar the other night and they will be shipping the new GH2 housing within a couple of weeks. I will be importing them, prices and features are similar to the present 10Bar GH1 housing. I have heard rumors of a Nauticam Gh2 housing, but it is a ways off from what I understand.

 

I'll post photos when I get them.

 

Jack

[derway 2]

Sounds great Jack.

 

Also seatools is listed as providing a gh1 housing, so likely the gh2 will not be too far behind.

[Deep6 7]

That housing looks like it is for a GF1, not the GH1. (All of the numbers are beginning to sound the same to me at this point anyway )

 

Ran some DXO scores for fun DXO and included the Canon 40D

 

The camera (GH series) seems to split the size between dSLR and things like the GF series. Now if the GH performance can be put in the GF size body

(weitwinkel), (weitwinkel), (weitwinkel), my bad! It was Recsea/Seatool

GH1 Link

 

I must go out and commit seppuku immediately

(weitwinkel), (weitwinkel), (weitwinkel),

Bob

[derway 2]

I really want a camera I can use for both still and video under water, but there doesn't really seem to be a good solution yet. I am very tempted by the Canon 7D, but IMO the video side is too weak. Until something better comes out, I guess I'm stuck lugging along two cameras and two housings. Whenever I go diving, the other divers all want to know if they should shoot wide angle or macro; I always ask if I should shoot still or video

 

Mark,

 

I agree with wanting about wanting a single cam that will do great video and stills. I'd rather have an optical view finder, and a great live view with fast auto focus. So far the gh2 is the closest to providing all that.

 

Are you aware of the magic lantern bootable firmware for canon SLRs? It runs on the 60D and T2i, (not 7D), and lets you set the video compression down, and data rates as high as you like, given the throughput of your memory card.. And it gives you manual control of audio, live audio meters, and blinking zones for over/underexposure, etc:

 

http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_L...n_Firmware_Wiki

 

There is some similar firmware from tester13 for the panasonic gf1 and gh1, which lets them run full hd res at 30p, and dial in video data rates up to the limits of your memory card.

 

http://www.gh1-hack.info/

 

All of these can go up to 25-50 mbps!

 

It appears that panasonic has gotten the word, and the gh2 provides great video with no hack. Around 25 mbps...

 

Sony knows they are competing with panasonic here, so the next nex is projected to be a full photographer friendly camera, with knobs and buttons and evf, and I'll bet they will be forced to through in great video...

[diggy 54]

Hi Guys,

 

Does the Oly EPL 2 not fit in here ?

 

Cheers,

 

Diggy

[derway 2]

Does the Oly EPL 2 not fit in here ?

 

The olys have great image quality. But oly's contrast detect autofocus is not a good implementation, and never has been. About 1 full second total shutter lag, compared to .3-.4 for the panasonic and sony.

[JackConnick 76]

Don, while I agree that the contrast AF isn't as good, I'm not quite sure where you're seeing 1 sec times. Early testing last year had it as slow, but Oly did a revise of the firmware and using the 9-18 with a motor and the new kit 14-42 that's motorized, it is much, much faster. Also tweaking the AF to spot/non-3D helps a lot. Still for best results this is a platform that needs a good focus light.

 

Jack

[ardy01 0]

Don, while I agree that the contrast AF isn't as good, I'm not quite sure where you're seeing 1 sec times. Early testing last year had it as slow, but Oly did a revise of the firmware and using the 9-18 with a motor and the new kit 14-42 that's motorized, it is much, much faster. Also tweaking the AF to spot/non-3D helps a lot. Still for best results this is a platform that needs a good focus light.

 

Jack

 

 

Hi Jack dont have a problem with af but if there is an upgrade to my E-520 and/or 14-42 + 50mm macro would love to know about it as there was nothing listed last time I looked in January.

[davephdv 0]

Not quite the question, but I went down to Sammy's and tested the:

 

GF2

LX5

NEX5

Pen2

 

I liked the GF2 with the 20 mm lens best, followed by the LX5.

 

The rep at Sammy's said that the Sony was easily the best. But the shots were lousy quality and the menu so poor we couldn't make it take a decent shot. The GF2 and 20 mm lens were great. LX5 nice, but could't see a big advantage over my LX3.

[kkfok 24]

I am really interested at gh2 too, but I doubt if it has the ability to MWB at depth without using filter just as 7d/5d2 do.

[derway 2]

Are you talking about WB for video? For stills, everyone would want raw...

 

I dunno, it gives manual control of everything else in video mode.. It may well do MWB.

 

I note that the gh2 does 1080 24P, but lacks 30P in 1080 mode..

[derway 2]

panasonic 7-14 fisheye...

 

I see this lens and it looks like about the same as the tokina 10-17.

 

But the closest focus is 9.6 inches, rather than 5.5.

 

Does that mean it will not work well with a small dome?

 

Are domes available for the gf1 and gh1 housings already out there?

[kkfok 24]

Are you talking about WB for video? For stills, everyone would want raw...

 

I dunno, it gives manual control of everything else in video mode.. It may well do MWB.

 

I note that the gh2 does 1080 24P, but lacks 30P in 1080 mode..

Yes, I was talking about MWB for video as I prefer taking video to still. I just bought a GH2 and a 14mm pancake lens, I think it is a good idea to use it for WA shot and ETC for macro.

[derway 2]

Cool! So does it allow MWB for video?

[kkfok 24]

Cool! So does it allow MWB for video?

Yes it does on land but I have yet to try its performance underwater, awaiting for housing by Nauticam or RecSea.

[Kevster 6]

I am also looking to buy a new set –up . Been looking at the (EPL2,NEX5,)GH2 & D7000.

 

D7000 + 10-17mm+60mm; Cost=$2539, Weight= 1559 g

GH2 + Lumix 8mm fisheye + Lumix 45 mm macro; Cost=$3070 , Weight= 784 g

 

Guessing the Nauticam housing for the GH2 will be similar to the canon 550 as they are similar dimensions, Cost=$2500 Weight=2500 g

Nauticam D7000 housing, Cost=$3200 Weight =2600 g

 

Underwater set up excluding ports/strobes/arms that will be similar for both systems.

GH2 = $5570, 3.3 Kgs

D7000=$5740, 4.1 Kgs

 

Unfortunately the Panasonic lens are very expensive(ebay prices), the fisheye($1080) & macro($940) are more expensive than their Nikon & Tok counterparts.

The lumix 7-14 mm wide angle is even more expensive than the fisheye.

 

Panasonic system will be 1-2 Kgs lighter than the Nikon. No real difference in price.

 

GH2 much better for video & liveview, D7000 likely to be better for stills???

The GH2 movie samples on the Panasonic website are really fantastic.

 

I will be looking forward to see the Nauticam GH2,EPL2 & Nex7??? housings.

 

If the GF2 had similar specs to the GH2, the smaller GF2 would be perfect & i would definately buy one.

Edited March 1, 2011 by Kevster

[Alex_Mustard 0]

I had a play with Peter Rowlands GH2 last week and saw some of the files he has shot. They were very impressive.

 

Looking forward to seeing some underwater results from this camera.

 

Alex