GH4 Firmware V 2.0 (Photo Mode) is now available...

[levisdavis]

Aspect ratios including 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1. Limited to 29.97P for U.S and 25P for 50Hz shooting.

 

Shooters have the ability to shoot in Cine Picture profiles with full-manual controls. No 23.98 or 24P in PhotoMode.

 

The 1:1 aspect ratio with a 2x anamorphic is a native 16:9. Internal recording at 100 Mb/s. HDMI output is still enabled! Might be a huge advantage to shoot anamorphic with a ShoGun after all! Will the GH4 embed the 1:1, 3:2, and 4:3 in a 3840x2160?

 

I'm noticing a completely different grain structure in PhotoMode... Shot a 16x9 in 3840x2160 in Movie Mode and a 16x9 at 3840x2160 in PhotoMode and the grain texture in PhotoMode shows signs of compression artifacts not found on professional video or film cameras. Sorry. It's almost as if the sensor is acting differently. It's possible to notice the grain-structure change in 10x LiveView. The codec already has issues with recording in low-light, as seen by Dave Dugdale's GH4 vs. A7S demonstration (Dave's video mentions how a white background in low-light causes strange codec issues... I'm in a similar circumstance and it's helping to distinguish the new noise-floor patterns). This new grain texture appears to be present at ISO 320 and above. The white backdrop is close to 35 - 45% luminance values and not 80 - 95%). Needs more testing and proper lighting. Also, I'm under a 5200k CFL and not a professional non-strobing video light. However, this may be distinguishable in future tests with proper lighting and at low ISO values. Keep an eye out for it.

 

Other info about 2.0 firmware...

 

- - No new Gamma Picture profile.

- - No 23.98 in 4096x2160.

[Julian]

Have to try the 4:3 mode out with my 2x anamorphics! Is there any recording limit in the 4K Photo Mode? Also no audio I suppose?

[levisdavis]

There is audio in PhotoMode...

 

The whole concept of "PhotoMode" appears to be an attempt to make the most out of the MP4 video codec. A 2880x2880 is roughly 8.3 megapixels. The other aspect ratios are nearly the same, but do differ. I wonder if this is a "last-minute effort to combat H.265?"

[JohnVid]

Hmm at least they are trying to improve things, will have to see more info & video's, surely the noise & low light is better than the 550D.

[nahua]

You can check out my night shots on Vimeo.  All 4:3 mode with Kowa B&H 2x anamorphic shot at F1.4:

 

 

[Julian]

Nice tests. Amazed it works this wide, cool!

 

Aspect ratio is a bit off though. Looks like you stretched to 2,35:1, but it should be 2,66:1 when using 4:3 mode.

[nahua]

@Julian Oops you're right.  I'll re-render to 1920x720.  Wait, 4:3 for 2x is 2.66, so that means if I use the Isco 1.5x then 4:3 is good for 2.35.  Then 3:2 for 2x will be 2.35?  

[Julian]

The math is simple :) 4:3 x2 = 8:3 (2.66:1) 1:1 x2 = (2:1) 3:2 x2 = 6:2 = (3:1).

 

For 2.35 with a 2x anamorphic you would need something close to a 6:5 aspect ratio (12:5 = 2.4:1). If you want 2.35:1, using 4:3 and cropping a bit from the 2.66:1 image is most effective.

 

For 1.5x lenses just replace x2 by x1.5 - 3:2 would probably best, resulting in 4.5:2 = 2.25:1, needs a small crop for 2.35:1

[nahua]

Thanks Julian!  I've re-rendered the test and it's the correct aspect ratio.  Now I have to test 3:2 with my Iscorama.