Jimbo

Nice post, @Cinegain. Very true. It's very tough in this consumer world where we are all gearheads-cum-filmmakers not to get pushed and pulled by marketing at every turn (especially these last 5 crazy years), researching until our eyes are bleeding, when we could be jotting down some ideas for a short film or practising our lighting/camera work/grading etc. instead.
I am constantly having to slap myself out of it, remind myself to stay on target, and ask myself these questions when I've been scrolling and refreshing all day and working out how I can possibly afford something:
- What's my long term goal with this work?
- Will this time/money spent on researching/changing gear help my long term goal?
Now, if you are just here for fun and have no money problems then hell, enjoy the ride! If you are like me, making a small living with my work and trying to carve as much time as possible for speculative, creative work then I have to keep a keen eye on my time/money.
Therefore, getting around to the OP. @dvcrn, I would suggest stick to your Canon for now, especially if DPAF either gives you great enjoyment or helps you achieve the results you want the fastest. There is nothing comparable to this tech yet. However, given you mentioned the EM5II, I think medium term you should keep your eyes on the EM1 Mark II, because you know full well someone will do a comparison (probably against the 80D specifically) regarding autofocus. If you like what you see, then in your position I would be super tempted to hop fully into the Olympus world and have 2 cameras that hopefully play well together in terms of colour/usability/lenses if two camera setup is useful to you.
Top priorities for me when choosing cameras 5 years ago when I started my business were small, reliable cameras with lots of features so it's been GH series all the way. They've never let me down, incredible battery life and I can adapt pretty much any lens on the planet on them meaning I can prioritise investment in lenses. Also, I know Panasonic are really in touch with users so the upgrade path has been fantastic! This has given me more confidence to invest in m43 lenses and suitable rigging for these size cameras and have really enjoyed the progress through GH2-3-4 and undoubtedly 5. I feel sorry for Canon users who really love the DSLR form factor and have invested in loads of Canon glass. DPAF aside, they have not been looked after well from my perspective.

Nice post, @Cinegain. Very true. It's very tough in this consumer world where we are all gearheads-cum-filmmakers not to get pushed and pulled by marketing at every turn (especially these last 5 crazy years), researching until our eyes are bleeding, when we could be jotting down some ideas for a short film or practising our lighting/camera work/grading etc. instead.
I am constantly having to slap myself out of it, remind myself to stay on target, and ask myself these questions when I've been scrolling and refreshing all day and working out how I can possibly afford something:
- What's my long term goal with this work?
- Will this time/money spent on researching/changing gear help my long term goal?
Now, if you are just here for fun and have no money problems then hell, enjoy the ride! If you are like me, making a small living with my work and trying to carve as much time as possible for speculative, creative work then I have to keep a keen eye on my time/money.
Therefore, getting around to the OP. @dvcrn, I would suggest stick to your Canon for now, especially if DPAF either gives you great enjoyment or helps you achieve the results you want the fastest. There is nothing comparable to this tech yet. However, given you mentioned the EM5II, I think medium term you should keep your eyes on the EM1 Mark II, because you know full well someone will do a comparison (probably against the 80D specifically) regarding autofocus. If you like what you see, then in your position I would be super tempted to hop fully into the Olympus world and have 2 cameras that hopefully play well together in terms of colour/usability/lenses if two camera setup is useful to you.
Top priorities for me when choosing cameras 5 years ago when I started my business were small, reliable cameras with lots of features so it's been GH series all the way. They've never let me down, incredible battery life and I can adapt pretty much any lens on the planet on them meaning I can prioritise investment in lenses. Also, I know Panasonic are really in touch with users so the upgrade path has been fantastic! This has given me more confidence to invest in m43 lenses and suitable rigging for these size cameras and have really enjoyed the progress through GH2-3-4 and undoubtedly 5. I feel sorry for Canon users who really love the DSLR form factor and have invested in loads of Canon glass. DPAF aside, they have not been looked after well from my perspective.

The new Olympus E-M1 mark II sounds sweet as fuck. Hope it's any good, but who knows. We all know that Canon's DualPixel AF and Sony's 4D AF is up top. A lot of AF systems still progressively focus to the back and then discover 'ah, that was one step too many' and go back to lock the focus in place just before that. That looks so silly. In the end you can make anything work, these are just tools. But it's either the budget, features, process or results that pushes you in a certain direction. A choice is the result of eliminating the other options, so pick your poison... what's worth to you the most?
If you say you love mirrorless and use an E-M5II right now... I'd say, stick around for the E-M1 mark II. They've got some stuff up at https://www.youtube.com/user/getolympus/videos and sure does look impressive.
Nothing wrong with Canon either. Although, usually it's the people that stick to Canon that have been using it for years and years. Not sure that many people make it their top pick these days. But, it gets the job done... if the job is to tell a story with visual imaging. If you tell your story right, it shouldn't matter what it was shot on, you can just use a potato. But what do you enjoy using the most to get it done? What gives you the best possibilities? For some it's a high frame rate, so they can do better slowmo. For some it's a bigger sensor with low megapixel count for light gathering and bokeh. For some it's color and ease of use. For some it's having something compact yet powerful. It all depends. Don't think you need to be all too worried about the glass. You can buy second hand and it will probably sell for roughly the same if you've got a change of heart...

I completely fail to see this. A GH4 is vastly preferable to use than a Canon DSLR. 
Strongly suspect that the massive majority of preferences for Canon's so called "ergonomics" is just to the *huge* number of ex (or current) Canon shooters, thus saying "ergonomics" is just a code word for "familiar". There is nothing truly great about Canon's DSLR ergonomics for filming with, it is just "what we are used to" (personally I'd rather take a Nikon for stills!).

I think there is a place for gimbal and IS. A gimbal is fantastic for following subjects and in the right hands can produce longer, steadier cinematic moves than IS can. However, with IS you can execute smaller cinematic moves with longer lenses much more easily and with no rigging at all it's very discrete for public/wedding/performance filming etc. I adore the IS on my GX85, I can work more unobtrusively and I can get shots I couldn't before due to time constraints.

I think there is a place for gimbal and IS. A gimbal is fantastic for following subjects and in the right hands can produce longer, steadier cinematic moves than IS can. However, with IS you can execute smaller cinematic moves with longer lenses much more easily and with no rigging at all it's very discrete for public/wedding/performance filming etc. I adore the IS on my GX85, I can work more unobtrusively and I can get shots I couldn't before due to time constraints.

I think there is a place for gimbal and IS. A gimbal is fantastic for following subjects and in the right hands can produce longer, steadier cinematic moves than IS can. However, with IS you can execute smaller cinematic moves with longer lenses much more easily and with no rigging at all it's very discrete for public/wedding/performance filming etc. I adore the IS on my GX85, I can work more unobtrusively and I can get shots I couldn't before due to time constraints.

I think there is a place for gimbal and IS. A gimbal is fantastic for following subjects and in the right hands can produce longer, steadier cinematic moves than IS can. However, with IS you can execute smaller cinematic moves with longer lenses much more easily and with no rigging at all it's very discrete for public/wedding/performance filming etc. I adore the IS on my GX85, I can work more unobtrusively and I can get shots I couldn't before due to time constraints.

Both are relatively niche needs. Besides, I just recorded a wedding at ISO 3200 and fast lenses on a speedbooster in similar conditions. No problems at all.

Do you not own any lights? Besides, f/2 and ISO 3200 is enough for HFR in most reasonably lit areas, not just bright sunlight.

I don't shoot primarily documentary, but outside some fringe cases, it just doesn't seem necessary for 95% of users. That 5% might need a camera that shoots a clean 12,800, and they can buy A7S', but the rest of us really have no excuse beyond measurebating.

Is depressing reading on other places on the internet how quick the anti-MFT trolls are out, and of course their first red herring is "but it sucks at low light".
This low light argument reminds me of the megapixel race, sure there was big benefits from going from 2 megapixels to 5 megapixels, 12 megapixels, but then at around 16 megapixels to 24 megapixels range... the arguments got a *lot* weaker. And for 99.9% of users we don't need 50 megapixels!Ditto low light, not being constrained by 50 ISO film is *AWESOME*, then getting to 200 ISO... great! And now we can do workable 800 and 1600 and even 3200 ISO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyeKIOV-EZw
Let's assume GH5 carries on and is one stop better even than that? How is that not a very workable ability to handle?
Do we NEED to have clean 100,00 ISO?? Nah, that is over the top in nearly all cases. 
I'd rather pass on the unnecessary over the top extreme high ISO capabilities and have instead the well polished and extensive range of features that the GH5 will have.

Ha, his reasoning for lack of C-Log is complete BS. As Squig says, he's basically just told everyone who paid 5k for a C100, or more for C300, that they paid for a 'sticker'. Right... and there was me contemplating paying for that sticker...
The probable reason is that Canon cheaped out on the processors to save money, or haven't worked out how to draw the heat away from their DSLR, so in 4K it's not possible due to extra processing step. Or – and call me cynical – Canon left it out on purpose to protect C-Line and save development costs .
Fine, it's primarily a stills camera, but just say it as it is (like Matt Frazer from Panasonic would - he's awesome and honest). Enough of the BS, Canon, it's like listening to a politician not a camera manufacturer, and trust me, we've all had enough of that 
Can't wait to see what Panasonic deliver with the GH5!! You know that everything they can put in, they will put in, in order to deliver the best tool they can for filmmakers. Paid update for VLOG like last time? Maybe, but will still be way less than half the price of the Mark IV. I feel so happy with my decision to stick with Panasonic bodies, investing in lenses and equipment to go with their cameras, as I know when it comes to the next upgrade cycle they will have my back.

Ha, his reasoning for lack of C-Log is complete BS. As Squig says, he's basically just told everyone who paid 5k for a C100, or more for C300, that they paid for a 'sticker'. Right... and there was me contemplating paying for that sticker...
The probable reason is that Canon cheaped out on the processors to save money, or haven't worked out how to draw the heat away from their DSLR, so in 4K it's not possible due to extra processing step. Or – and call me cynical – Canon left it out on purpose to protect C-Line and save development costs .
Fine, it's primarily a stills camera, but just say it as it is (like Matt Frazer from Panasonic would - he's awesome and honest). Enough of the BS, Canon, it's like listening to a politician not a camera manufacturer, and trust me, we've all had enough of that 
Can't wait to see what Panasonic deliver with the GH5!! You know that everything they can put in, they will put in, in order to deliver the best tool they can for filmmakers. Paid update for VLOG like last time? Maybe, but will still be way less than half the price of the Mark IV. I feel so happy with my decision to stick with Panasonic bodies, investing in lenses and equipment to go with their cameras, as I know when it comes to the next upgrade cycle they will have my back.

I really hope 6K isn't the GH5's defining feature.

Hogwash. The GX85 has IBIS in 4K, no extra crop when using IBIS, and no 30 minute limit. And it is much smaller than the GH4. It does not overheat, ever. In fact, Panasonic engineers have revealed that one of the reasons the GX85 is so heavy given its size is that there is a massive heatsink inside.

Love it.  FT4 rating...  That's like changing your relationship status on FB, so you know it's legit.  No crop in 4K.  
 
http://www.43rumors.com/ft4-first-panasonic-gh5-spec-4k-422-10-bits-internal-recording/

I saw this on Facebook. Really cool! I look forward to seeing some footage from it. I sold my Glidetrack back in the day as you needed monk like zen to get consistent moves, and the Kesslers were a little out of my price range.

Here's a list of great things about the 5D Mark IV...
Read the full article to see the list

Guys, come on. If Anley Kubri can get behind the 5div, we can too. I for one can't wait to see 00 Space Ody

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

Received my GX85 last week in time for a Friday wedding and just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the camera (being a GH4 and GX7 owner) and a short teaser film I made for the couple I filmed with the camera on Friday. Heads up: this is the same post I put on personal-view to avoid any duplicate reading time ;-)
Firstly, operationally, this camera with its stabilisation is a gem. For a number of years now, every time I've wanted to go handheld at a wedding I've had to remove my baseplate and attach my Zacuto target shooter and z-finder (I don't keep the Zacuto baseplate on permanently as I value the GH4s flippy screen way too much). Weddings being as they are, this meant I only used my mini rig at strategic times of the day when the switchover meant I wouldn't miss anything. So having it built in meant I could go handheld whenever I wanted; and I did. I had it slung around my neck most of the day, operating my GH4 on tripod and mono as my A Cam and then choosing certain moments to use the GX85. As the day progressed I began using the GX85 more and more and it gave me a photography-like framing freedom to the height and angles I could get to without having to hoist up my beloved monopod or put my tripod down into low leg move. I can see the pitfalls of a device making shooting so easy... you get lazy... but on Friday I felt a freedom and creativity I haven't felt in a long time. I started looking with my eyes more knowing that my gear wouldn't stop me getting into position (and quickly at that).
And the quality of the stabilisation? Well, you can probably already tell from the videos that it's incredible. And where I wouldn't normally go handheld with anything over 25mm on my Zacuto, by the end of the day I had my Nikon 105mm and speedbooster (making it 75mm) and it was fantastic, allowing me to grab shots that normally I'd have to set a tripod up for. And with some practise I felt quite comfortable panning gently with it too, it doesn't come to a hard stop like the Olympus stabilisation seem to, it tapers off nicely.
I won't comment too much on image quality at this stage as I haven't had time to pore over the footage. My initial feeling is that in terms of DR, detail and colour it is on par with the GH4 with a slightly different colour signature. I feel it is definitely less noisy than the GH4 at high ISO (which is a boon for my work, although I'm really not afraid of noise as much as some people) but detail and DR like normal still seem to struggle once you hit 1600. Also, I don't think the slow-mo (50p/100 shutter on a 25p timeline) is as good as the GH4, doesn't seem as fluid. The GH4 has fantastic 50p. Again, please take this with a pinch of salt as I've scanned my footage for all of an hour and never have time or inclination to pixel peep (too busy editing bloody weddings!). It's just my feel.
Now the cons to the camera.... instantly the moment I took it out of the box and put it up to my face I was disappointed. I love the left-side EVF, it means guests can see more of my face and I can smile to put them at ease and more easily talk to the bride and groom if doing any direction. However, that damned left strap lug just sticks into my nose. The GX7 has the correct placement of this lug and I cannot believe Panasonic engineers changed it and then didn't think about the consequences. Anyone else notice this? I want to hold the camera to my nose for additional stabilisation and can't do it comfortably now. I can live with it, but found myself pushing the viewfinder upwards into my eye socket so I didn't have red marks on my nose all day. It's workable, but the GX7 lug placement was perfect.
Secondly, no battery charger included. You have to charge the battery in camera which is less handy when you want to have your second battery on charge while using the first. I do this a lot.
Obviously it's a real shame it doesn't have mic input, but I understand this isn't a pro model. I just have to choose wisely when I use it for my work until the GH5 comes out as audio clips are so important to the way I edit (I use natural, candid audio whenever I can, especially in my longer edits). However, I really will have so much pleasure using it for my work in the meantime, and it is now the perfect personal camera for me too.
So here is a mini teaser video I put together for my bride and groom from Friday. Shots 1, 2 and 4 at 50mm, shots 3 and 5 (cliff ones) at 75mm. Yes, I have slowed them down, but I would be more than happy (and will) use them at normal speed too. The 75mm on the cliff was a bit of a wow moment for me. With the wind the way it was, there is no way I would have been able to get the shot on a monopod that steady, and I would have never been able to get the variety of shots I did if I were using a tripod (there was no time for a tripod anyway). The GX85 is opening my mind up to new possibilities.
All shots straight out of camera, natural w/ -2 contrast, -4 sharpness, -3 NR:
 

My first project with the GX80. Since size / weight does matter and securities are kinda picky, i had no choice but to leave my lovely Voigtländer 25 lens at home and put the Panasonic 20mm on it. I had mixed feelings especially I did not use this lens for a very long time but in the end, I am satisfied with the result. Grading was a breeze, skin tones need little to no adjustment and also this lens works quite well with the Tiffen Ultra Contrast Filter.