Anybody shooting with the Panasonic GX80/85/GX7II?

[ScubaBob 35]

Bob. Very many thanks for this. Does the 12-50 Olympus lens work with the GX85 IBIS? I like Ikelite housings, especially so given they are a lot less expensive than Nauticam.

Sure thing! No OIS on the 12-50, so no Dual IS but you still get the IBIS. The GX85 housing by Ikilite does look nice, but I've loved my Nauticam housings (GH2, GH4 and now GX85).

 

 

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[spudgun 4]

OK, last pester on this GX80/85!! I think I have solved SOME of the problems and created more!!

 

Ikelite, officially, do NOT offer a port option for the Lumix 14-42mm Vario PZ lens, as:

 

" Physically the PZ lens could fit behind a port, but you would not be able to access the zoom feature. We cant access it in our housing because the zoom is controlled by a toggle switch that is too close to the camera body, right in line with the port mount".

 

Of course, now that I have pointed out to them that the ZOOMING of the lens can be operated via the camera and a 'sleeve' is not necessary, they are probably going to change their mind.

 

Sooo....final lens choice. Should I stick to the 14-42mm PZ option, OR go for the Olympus 12-50mm. AND, If I DO; should I choose a flat port or a dome. As I film in ambient light, (fairly shallow waters of the Red Sea, down to around 25 metres/80 feet), I need to Manually WHITE balance using a Red Filter, something easily done with a flat port of course.

 

Please note that my interest is purely VIDEO, although I am learning some stills.

 

Thoughts and advice most welcome.

 

Edited April 1, 2017 by spudgun

[ScubaBob 35]

I would only recommend the 12-50 over the 14-42PZ if you are using the Nauticam port that allows you to use the macro button.

 

 

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[spudgun 4]

Bob. You're a true gentleman. Can't thank you enough for your help and thoughts. There's so little info out there about this camera and it's capabilities, which is surprising given the length of time the housing has been available. I guess you're the 'pioneer', and I shall be joining you this summer with my own efforts in Egypt. I have ordered the IKELITE housing in a dome port, which accommodates a lot of lenses, including the 14-42mm Lumix Vario PZ, the 12-32kit lens AND the Olympus 12-50mm should I elect to get that lens too.

[kmhanson 6]

I always use MWB for video. The results on the GX85 for MWB with video light and ambient light worked perfectly as it did with the GH4. With only 2 dives I was not able to push the limits (depth and low light) to see if there was an improvement over the GH4.

 

 

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You mention that manual WB worked perfectly on the GH4. I've always struggled to get good WB for ambient light with the GH4. It always pushes the blues too far toward magenta/purple. I'm hoping the GH5 is better with the 10bit 4:2:2. Just waiting for the GH5 housing to be released.

[ScubaBob 35]

I got that too, depending upon the shot and ambient light. Light is lost between the camera and the subject much in the same way light is lost between the surface and the bottom. So if you are white balanced on sand 8' from the camera, anything beyond (or below) that point is going to get more blue/green, and anything above or closer than that point is going to have more reds. MWB locks in white so if you change your shot you are bound to have unpredictable results on exposure and white balance.

You see how the shots here go from more blue to more magenta when I start to pan up with the sea lions (shot with GH4):

https://vimeo.com/119429211

 

I can't see how 4:2:0, 4:2:2, or even 4:4:4 will change this.

 

 

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[Susa 0]

Hi all GX80 underwater shooter,

 

how often do you have to change akku? After one dive? Is it good enough for one dive (Macro pictures with flash)?

 

I'm looking for a camera after my RX100 III (Accu was fine for two dives almost without video), and I'm interessted in GX8 or GX85 or G81 (with new Ikelite housing)

 

thanks!

 

LG

Susanne

[ScubaBob 35]

Akku = battery?

 

Two dives is pushing it for GX85 - battery life is my only issue with camera. My dives do tend to be long-ish (50-80 minutes) so I have been switching batteries between dives.

 

I leave LCD on and have been averaging 50 flash fires per dive, approximately 10-15 minutes of recording time.

 

 

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[Susa 0]

yes sorry, means battery.

 

Many thanks for your answer which helps ...

 

Is gx8 better with battery? Or g81?

Edited April 20, 2017 by Susa

[ScubaBob 35]

Four years of German in HS you think I would know that hah!

 

 

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[Corrinek 0]

Was hoping you could tell me if the GX85 accurately white balances at depth or if it requires a red filter to do so?

Thank you,

Corrine

 

I have the GX85 in the Nauticam housing. Only 2 dives with it so far, but love the camera so far (save for the short battery life). Here's a few pics taken with the camera (first time using strobes in 15 years, so not the best). I will be using the camera primarily for video.

 

 

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[ScubaBob 35]

Was hoping you could tell me if the GX85 accurately white balances at depth or if it requires a red filter to do so?

Thank you,

 

You know, I still haven't done much testing around this, I've mainly been using artificial lighting. I have a 3 day trip this weekend so I will do some tests and get back to you next week.

 

Bobby

 

 

 

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[ScubaBob 35]

I did test the MWB on the GX85 on the 3 day. I was able to get a good MWB at a very dark 45fsw. That being said, the camera is not great in low light and both shots are a bit noisy. I will post these shots in the next couple of days.

 

 

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[pedrosana 0]

For those who have the Nauticam housing for GX85:

 

Could you measure the size & weight of housing without port & tray?

It is not indicated on Nauticam site.

 

thanks

[ChrisRoss 119]

Unfortunately small cameras tend to have smaller batteries and life is not so good. If you are after more battery life you might like to consider other m43 cameras. The GX85 battery is 1025 mAhr, I had an EM-5MKII with 1225 mAhr battery which would do 3 dives and probably 150 images or so. I now have an EM-1 II which has a 1750 mAhr battery, yet to test it out but has loads of battery capacity after 2 dives taking 100-120 images.

[Interceptor121 348]

Unfortunately small cameras tend to have smaller batteries and life is not so good. If you are after more battery life you might like to consider other m43 cameras. The GX85 battery is 1025 mAhr, I had an EM-5MKII with 1225 mAhr battery which would do 3 dives and probably 150 images or so. I now have an EM-1 II which has a 1750 mAhr battery, yet to test it out but has loads of battery capacity after 2 dives taking 100-120 images.

If you don’t shoot ttl and set the flash to minimum you can extend your battery life considerably

Video and TTL will kill a small battery in less than two dives from what i have experienced

 

 

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[pedrosana 0]

For those who have the Nauticam housing for GX85:

 

Could you measure the size & weight of housing without port & tray?

It is not indicated on Nauticam site.

 

thanks

 

I get an answer from Nauticam

NA-85 is 1.1kg.

[pedrosana 0]

I opened a topic to find solution to extend battery of GX9. It also apply to GX80/GX85/GX7II.

You can find it here:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62108

I'm looking for available room in Nauticam housing to place a secondary battery.

Battery size is 42x37x14mm

It seems to me that on the right side of camera the free space should be ~16mm wide, 43mm in height: to be confirmed

I don't know if the depth is higher than 37mm?

[dlvolk 0]

I love my GX85, just wish there was an affordable housing for it.

[aviator8 6]

Video from the same dive.

 

 

 

 

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I have the same camera. Love the detail here. I need to find a housing for it so I can get started.

[ScubaBob 35]

I have the same camera. Love the detail here. I need to find a housing for it so I can get started.

You should be able to find them - both Ikelite and Nauticam made them. The Nauticam housing is nice. Not as good as the GH 4/GH5 housings, but also much smaller. I still love mine - just been too busy with work to dive! (Blasphemy I know).

 

 

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I have the same camera. Love the detail here. I need to find a housing for it so I can get started.

Thanks by the way!

 

 

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