Cinegain

Each camera has a certain things it does well. The GH2 was great and I just can't get myself to part with it. The GH4 takes it to a whole different level, love it. The BMPCC is really exciting once you get passed the issue of powering it. They're all great, but having a bunch of full manual lenses and the Veydra set coming up... IBIS is quite a valuable feature to have as well. Now, the E-M1 was the only one really nailing that, but as a hybrid shooter, living in a PAL region, wanting to use the camera for filming stuff as well, being stuck with 30p only... it's something you'd happily see getting changed. And I've been praying to several gods to make it happen. So when a E-M5II comes out that gives me that more video friendly vari-angle display and a more usable video mode with various framerates... that for me does it, it is what I had aspired the E-M1 to be for my personal use. Of course... it's still wait-and-see how this plays out. But I wouldn't mind getting rid of the E-M1 in favor of the E-M5II the way things are looking out right now.

​I love the IBIS and with some effort the EM1 can deliver nice video especially for close up's (at least for my needs) But the Sony A7S took over the leading role and I am very happy with that..but ohh I would like to see a stronger codec and 24p on the EM1..The EM1 is smal, light and easy, great for traveling and playing second violin. In a few weeks I am on my way to Berlin, it would be nice to have some new firmware in the EM1. 

​Well if you want usable video without a rig, the new E-M5ii will be the choice. 
I don't shoot professionally and a rig is not something I carry with me every day. Moreover, a rig does not make it easy to follow children around. Don't underestimate a perfectly usable video in a small run&gun camera. If you are a professional, think of it as a secondary camera which will get you shots that your main cam sitting on a rig will never be able to, most probably because it will not be with you all the time. 

Exactly!! Selling my E-M1.
Wish Olympus would release both their flagships at once, to save me the eBay fees time and time again
How long will I be an E-M5 II owner before I am an E-M1 II 4K owner!?
Looking forward to it though, at least it is interesting, unlike a Canon!

If you read the comments there you'll find out that the one you're linking to, some of the parts it consists out of are plastic. I also have Ginirigs stuff. All metal everything.
Just threw two examples together real quick for ya. The first one below is one of these offset dual rod setups, is more rigid and well-built than all the really cheap stuff and much more modular. So you can get some parts from Lanparte for example and throw it on there. Yeah, haven't thrown any counterweights on it, but it's easy to adapt to. With a small lens it's nice 'n easy, but that 80-200mm for example does get to you a little. Follow focus is the Kamerar one (FF3 if I remember correctly).


2nd one is more of a run 'n gun thing (ABCRig). It's more of a cage with handle that has some shoulder rig abilities than a shoulder rig per se. It's nice 'n basic though.

​25p on the EM1 and EM5, how hard can that be...

If he is a 100% novice, I would stick to a 1080p solution. A used 550D or 600D is a great inexpensive starting point, and you can get a wide range of glass and accessories. Factor in some ML hacking goodness and it can extend the usefulness of those little workhorse cameras. By the time 4K becomes prevalent enough to really justify, he will probably be yearning for a newer camera, and prices on the current generation of 4k will have dropped significantly.
The TV/Monitor sales among consumers aren't there yet for 4k. And unless he intends to go big quick, anything above 1080p is a bit overkill for online distribution at the moment.

Another factor to consider: can his current computer/editing setup handle a 4k workflow? or will he need to upgrade that as well? 4K editing can be a hog.

You said it's your friends first camera and he is a 100% novice but at the same time you ask if a certain camera is right for cinema, I think he first needs to learn the basics of shooting video and the cheapest camera he can find will be more then fine for that purpose, you can shoot "cinema" with a second hand 550d and one 35mm lens if you want, he first needs to learn how to tell a story. 

I just hope E-M1 gets the video improvements because I would hate to sell it. Coupled with the 25/T0.95 is a joy to use.  

Yeah, I was gonna suggest that. Fotga makes decent filters. I had one 62mm that I used on the 14-140mm back in the day with the GH2 that works pretty okay. They go for very cheap on eBay. If you're on a bit of a budget and pick the FZ1000 over an interchangeable lens system, I already take you expect your audience not to pixel peep that much.
Because it's a variable ND, so you might run into some weird behaviour (saturation, reflections, patterns), especially stopped down close to the maximum, but otherwise, it doesn't even lose that much sharpness. Color is ok too. Gives you a bit more flexibility, on-the-go control and ease of use.

People are easily tricked by numbers when looking for something new. That is why you see cameras with 60x zoom, 24MP and tv's with 800Hz, this and that, etc.
If his wish is 4K without even considering 'why', just because it's the latest and hottest issue... I'm not sure that's the right choice. Of course 4K has tons of benefits and I would be the last to say you shouldn't, but given you need to work with somekind of budget, putting everything in a camera body because of 4K... meh. Might want to reconsider that there. How about glass, fast cards, a tripod with fluid head, audio gear, tons of other accessories.
But maybe he has been borrowing or renting gear and this is his first camera to actually own... and purposely has a use for 4K, then I agree with the above, the FZ1000 is one fine camera. It's like a lite GH4 14-140mm kit. The LX100 has great image quality and up to ISO1250 noise is really well controlled, but yeah, is a little less flexible to use. The 4K GH4 and NX1 can be bought as well, but remember you're gonna need glass, cards, et cetera. Not to mention processing power and storage solutions (although with the GH4 not as bad as with some other 4K cameras). You can get a focal reducer from eBay and some cheap vintage/legacy glass to not stretch the budget too much. But if there's no real purpose to having 4K... there are some great 1080p choices out there.

Yeah, you've been telling many things. Specs were already rumored, by no means does this seem groundbreaking either and what about lowlight... What about video? So I would say hold your horses.
Also... ALL CAPS... RLY?

Hi JazzBox,

Great to hear you enjoyed Crete, Vamos.... that's very close to where they shot the film "Zorba the Greek"!. But I see you came around, ...yeah Elafonisi is fantastic!
I am not a native Cretan though, just taking time off to get some projects done ;-)

Thanks for your "experience-talking", in the end I ended up buying a 10€ china ND filter, variable. If it doesn't work out then it's just 10€, after your post I am even less willing to buy an expensive one.

Cheers!!

Panasonic FZ1000 or LX100.

I'm going to make the crazy suggestion that perhaps he doesn't need 4K

So instead a few to consider are: Panasonic G6/GX7, Sony A5100/A6000, or Nikon D5200/D5300/D7100.

Still secretly hoping V2.2 will be availlable one of these days soon and feature V-LOG ( http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/7466-v-log-on-gh4-is-coming/ ).

And the dremel worked! It was risky for sure but I covered it with a lens cloth and rubber band. Blew everything off the back lens and then took the cloth off. The back of the lens is fine. Thanks for the help!
And now my the lens works fine in the Gh2- but people should know if they buy the metbabones contax g to micro 4/3 adapter, with a biogon carl zeiss 28mm lens, they will need to cut the ears off to make it work.

Dremel, as in the rotary tool, used for smoothing surfaces, engraving and surely cutting too, depending on the attachment used.
Cover the optic elements with a piece of cardboard and attach some tape to fix it in place (protect the glass). Then use one of these tools and cut away carefully.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/CategoryProducts.aspx?catid=2013

It's now available for download - - http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index2.html

If you read the comments there you'll find out that the one you're linking to, some of the parts it consists out of are plastic. I also have Ginirigs stuff. All metal everything.
Just threw two examples together real quick for ya. The first one below is one of these offset dual rod setups, is more rigid and well-built than all the really cheap stuff and much more modular. So you can get some parts from Lanparte for example and throw it on there. Yeah, haven't thrown any counterweights on it, but it's easy to adapt to. With a small lens it's nice 'n easy, but that 80-200mm for example does get to you a little. Follow focus is the Kamerar one (FF3 if I remember correctly).


2nd one is more of a run 'n gun thing (ABCRig). It's more of a cage with handle that has some shoulder rig abilities than a shoulder rig per se. It's nice 'n basic though.

I remember vividly 4K was rumored by that very site to be coming. Just to backpeddle on that stating the source however may not be that legit. Finally, it was taken back but things looked as if the video mode would be approved quite significantly... well, in the end all we got for video ironically was a dust & scratches filter... such a pity, the E-M1 is a dream of a camera in most aspects and I wouldn't require 'em to give us 4K at all, but we've yet to see 24 and 25p which kinda was anticipated by quite a few people... and perhaps they could squeeze a little bit more out of the sensor performance (bitrate/codec) wise. But I have a feeling they have a fear of being known for great video...

​Thanks Andrew, and all the other members who took the effort to give me advice..I decided to buy the Sony A7S and will start with my old (FD, 28, 35, 55) lenses.
I have a good feeling that I made the right choice, maybe someday I will film in 4K, but for now I will use the 1080. Happy!
 
​

You could peek around the corner at Zacuto, see what they're doing on the Fast Draw: http://store.zacuto.com/images/products/secondary/z-dfd-4.jpg .
So, to mimic that to a certain degree you could get the FOTGA / NEEWER DP3000 shoulder pad for example. Then get a second rod and a counterweight. For parts check Jag35, Kamerar, Tarion, Bandc, Fotga, Neewer, et cetera.
But a 2 rail offset (not straight to back) setup imho is king. I know you have your solution because it probably kinda works and was cheap. But there's pretty affordable stuff from the likes of ProAIM/Filmcity and Ginirigs for example, that would be much nicer to work with I feel like, also without breaking the bank (I mean, who doesn't want a rig from Vocas/Lanparte/Redrockmicro/Letus/Trusmt/Zacuto/Cinevate/Kinomatik/ARRI... but you know #topdollahdollahyall$$).

I found this little video: http://vimeo.com/116044343
A7s, Canon 24-105 EF, Metabones Adapter(Not Speedbooster). Shot with Autumn Leaves creative style, contrast -3, sat 0, sharpness -3. Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO) Level 4. Some CC done, he does not specify how or with what.
What a great little piece, I like what this guy does with the A7s.
 

that is funny.
​Yes I have. The A7s has arrived but not the lens(Sony FE 24-70 f4). Will get it around the end of this month. The NX1 just was not for me, I guess it was an impulse buy. I have been thinking/reading/looking at footage about/shot with the A7s for some time. I had a small hope that the NX1 would fulfill my needs cause the price on that camera is so sexy.
But it makes more sense for me to go the Sony path. Cause there is another cam on the market with a sexy price: Sony Fs7. And I can get good support from Sony rep's here(Iceland). And those two make a very sexy combo(I think! Have not shot with these cam's yet)