Dr. John R. Brinkley

Doyle is like a crazy drunk who also happens to tell the truth.

Andrew's post about the Hackintosh for editing RAW files got me thinking about how to approach an editing system for the GH3 I'll be using (once it finally ships to the US).
 
 
I'm curious how much power and storage I would when shooting with a GH3. (Keep in mind I'm not thinking of a PC system, but open to the idea if someone feels they have great results).
 
Would a Mac Mini with quad core and 8gb RAM suffice? And has anyone done any DIY upgrades to a Mac Mini that works well?
 
I've been leaning towards a new Imac but can't stand the lack of adaptability and higher cost, which is why I was wondering if I could get away with a Mac Mini and getting my own monitor at a cheaper price. Tweeking a Mac Mini may be an exercise in stupidity I realize, but you can at least get into the guts and people seem to do various unauthorized upgrades, like putitng in an extra hard drive and such. But will this be worth it considering the cost?
 
I assume a laptop would not be enough power but maybe not?
 
Curious what others thought based on what you know about the GH3 and the file sizes and demands that will be required...
 
 
Cheers,
 
Dr. John
 
 

Andrew's post about the Hackintosh for editing RAW files got me thinking about how to approach an editing system for the GH3 I'll be using (once it finally ships to the US).
 
 
I'm curious how much power and storage I would when shooting with a GH3. (Keep in mind I'm not thinking of a PC system, but open to the idea if someone feels they have great results).
 
Would a Mac Mini with quad core and 8gb RAM suffice? And has anyone done any DIY upgrades to a Mac Mini that works well?
 
I've been leaning towards a new Imac but can't stand the lack of adaptability and higher cost, which is why I was wondering if I could get away with a Mac Mini and getting my own monitor at a cheaper price. Tweeking a Mac Mini may be an exercise in stupidity I realize, but you can at least get into the guts and people seem to do various unauthorized upgrades, like putitng in an extra hard drive and such. But will this be worth it considering the cost?
 
I assume a laptop would not be enough power but maybe not?
 
Curious what others thought based on what you know about the GH3 and the file sizes and demands that will be required...
 
 
Cheers,
 
Dr. John
 
 

From what I understand the only image stabilization with the GH3 is through the lenses, specifically lenses made by Panasonic. 
 
Assuming this is true, I'm curious how people have fared with the GH3 when using legacy glass and/or non Panasonic lenses in regards to image stabilization.
 
 
 
Just curious what people thought was wise/reasonable in how to maximize a stable image when shooting with the GH3. Obviously a tripod helps but was looking to see if anyone had thoughts on this issue.
 
 
 

From what I understand the only image stabilization with the GH3 is through the lenses, specifically lenses made by Panasonic. 
 
Assuming this is true, I'm curious how people have fared with the GH3 when using legacy glass and/or non Panasonic lenses in regards to image stabilization.
 
 
 
Just curious what people thought was wise/reasonable in how to maximize a stable image when shooting with the GH3. Obviously a tripod helps but was looking to see if anyone had thoughts on this issue.
 
 
 

I've been shooting with a GH3. I have fotodiox adapters for Pentax K mount and Minolta MD mount. And yes, with both adapters the focus gets soft when going to infinity. (Pentax SMC 50/1.7 and 28/2.8; Minolta MD 24-35/3.5 and 35-70/3.5)
 
Do others have this issue as well with fotodiox adapters...or just adapters for legacy glass in general? Fotodiox claim their adapters don't have this problem.
 
Curious is this issue is rampant and to be expected or I got some bad luck...

Having good onboard audio is always a plus. With quality increasing and price dropping the lines have been blurred between what is professional and what is prosumer. I think many of the complaints are not taking into account a perspective outside your own.
 
I know that many documentarians will love this camera as it has some sense of spirit and life to it, rather than being a dull functional box, and having audio will allow people to be a one man band, which is where everything is headed anyways.
 
I think the pistol grip is kind of cool. It is an aesthetic allusion to the old home movie cameras. I think most normal non film people would say this camera looks cool and actually looks like a camera, not a hard drive with a hole for a lens.
 
Also, if you read their blog you will notice that they are taking their time instead of releasing a version that then later needs to be immediately updated, like something Apple would do.
 
It's hard for me to see anything wrong with this camera. And if it never makes it to market, it will still have an impact because it's another warning shot across the bow of the big camera companies. The market is changing.

MY PRE-ORDER IS FINALLY IN AT B&H. Checked my order status and it's in stock and should be shipping soon.

B&H just has way higher demand than any other camera store. Manufacturers do favor them because of this, and they often times get more product than other stores, but not at a scale relative to the massive skew in customer base. There is no way for them to keep up with basically the entire country turning to them first for new equipment.

Anyways, I took gravitatemediagroup's advice and was able to snag one from Samy's. Canceled my order at B&H after they told me that I would likely not get one from their current shipment.. Excited to finally get this thing all up in my gob.

I'm about to get a GH3. Other than a few old SMC Pentax lenses I plan to use via an adapter, I'm really starting from scratch. Hence, I'll need to buy several different things to get started and would like people's informed input if possible. Of course opinions will vary, but I'm curious to hear some thoughts if anyone would like to share.  :)
 
A few different things I'll need to purchase:
 
1) Editing software: Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere?
 
2) Color correction software: ?
 
3) Tripod set up: ideally something that balances compactability with a decent amount of quality
 
4) ND filter
 
Thanks, compadres. Like I said I'm starting from scratch. Lots of decisions to be made to get up to speed. Any input is much appreciated.  :)

I saw this tripod: http://www.adorama.com/SIBSRT2005.html: holds 26 pounds
 
And this one:http://www.adorama.com/SIBSRN2004.html: holds 33 pounds
 
...and was curious if anyone had experience with them and thought they were any good?
 
They both seem to hold a good amount of weight and fold down fairly small and seem like the best of both worlds.
 
I'm trying to find a tripod that could hold a fluid head, possibly the Accratech leveler Andrew likes, and even a slider on top, and yet somehow be portable enough to put in a backpack.
 
 
Update: I ended up getting the Sirui N 2004. It can fold down to 18" for storage. One of the legs can actually become a monopod.. It weighs about 3.5lbs...and yet can hold 33 pounds. 6 year warranty.  It was $184 on Adorama. Not cheap for just legs, but to me it sounds like everything you would want for a travelling tripod.

Check that. I called Kenmore and they still had some in stock. No sales tax outside of WA. Forget B&H for the moment. No reason to keep waiting. I grabbed one. Finally!

Kenmore Camera has them in stock.

http://www.kenmorecamera.com/p-21889-panasonic-lumix-gh3-body-black.aspx
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350695486591?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_fspt%3D1%26LH_CAds%3D%26_udlo%3D%26_sadis%3D%26_sop%3D12%26_sacat%3D%26_fpos%3D%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udhi%3D%26_nkw%3D350695486591%26_rdc%3D1

I was tempted to buy from Samy's but they do charge tax, around $116. I called B&H and they said a shipment is coming on January 20, so hopefully for us on back order this will finally be it.

I was tempted to buy from Samy's but they do charge tax, around $116. I called B&H and they said a shipment is coming on January 20, so hopefully for us on back order this will finally be it.

Konica AR 40mm/1.8 and 85mm/1.8 are highly recommended... the 85 is difficult to find at a good price but well worth the effort...

Andy,
 
I'm curious to get your opinion on some lens questions if you're open to it (or anyone else for that matter.
 
1) I"m about to get the GH3 and feel open to getting one of the Voigtlanders. Do you have a preference for the 17mm vs the 25mm in regards to what would be more useful?
 
2) If one was to use old manual 35mm slr film lenses for the GH3 do you think the Canon FD line is the best to go with considering price, quality and adaptability to m43? For example, I have a few old Pentax K mount lenses but wasn't sure if there were issues adapting this to m43.

I really have enjoyed reading this blog. I've been on a ten year hiatus from filmmaking. I started shooting Super8 film and tried to work my way up to larger film formats but in the end debt on my credit card became too much. The recent advances in affordable video cameras has pulled me back in. I haven't bought a new camera yet. It seems that in one year there will be several great options for under $4k. This is the best blog I've found that offers both updates on new technology as well as great insight. Thanks for all the work keeping this blog going! I, for one, greatly appreciate it.

I really have enjoyed reading this blog. I've been on a ten year hiatus from filmmaking. I started shooting Super8 film and tried to work my way up to larger film formats but in the end debt on my credit card became too much. The recent advances in affordable video cameras has pulled me back in. I haven't bought a new camera yet. It seems that in one year there will be several great options for under $4k. This is the best blog I've found that offers both updates on new technology as well as great insight. Thanks for all the work keeping this blog going! I, for one, greatly appreciate it.