Considering a switch

I am considering moving to a Panasonic body. I have an EPL-1 with VF2 and I like it quite a lot. I am using it to do some small project work I have and I am thinking of moving to a Panasonic body for better video (the small projects have a good deal of video and I can't afford having multiple bodies). The project work is tied in with a much larger initiative I am working on that will hopefully turn into doctoral research so it's pretty important (to me at least). So far the video from the EPL-1 has been fine but I have started to see it's limits in some of the stuff I've done. I can see where it might be problematic down the line.

Additionally, I may be fast approaching unemployment (They've announced significant job cuts at the university I work for and being at the bottom of the seniority pole means I likely have a small window that I can make any kind of purchases in).

I have always shied away from Panasonic bodies because I used to shoot almost exclusively with legacy lenses and IBIS was a big deal. Vision problems have forced me to move largely to AF so it's less of an issue. I have a Panasonic 20 and Olympus 14-42 and 40-150. I REALLY like the beautiful JPEGs that I get from the EPL-1 but I suppose I can get used to shooting RAW. Since I do not like working with the rear LCD and from my limited experience with Panasonic m43 cameras the external VF is much less stellar than the Olympus VF2 so I figured I'd be looking at something like a used G2 or GH1 as opposed to the GF1 or GF2 (can't afford a GH2).

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Sound advice, that's definitely part of the decision process. IF (notice the all caps) I were to do it, it would have to be something that I could sell what I have and pick up whatever new thing and not have any out of pocket expenses. Perhaps even come out ahead. I noticed the Panasonic blowout of the G2 bodies for $299. I'm pretty sure I could sell the EPL-1+VF2 and come out ahead.

Worst part of the job front is that my wife and I both work for the same university and we're BOTH in danger of getting cut.

 

You know, the more I think about this the more I think I'll just make do with what I have. I agree that the GH2 is the way to go but I can wait. I have a lot of photography to do before the video hits and I'll know about the job situation in May. I also realized that these are wilderness locations so I don't have any access until the weather changes around here so I might be able to wait it out.

I think sitting tight is wisest. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Primarily it was the 720. Ordinarily it would be fine but one of the projects will be played back on a large HD screen (I may try to talk them out of that) so 720 is not ideal. Most of what I do is podcast size so it's seen on an iPod, iPhone or iPad (sometimes a laptop) 720 is fine. In fact 480 is fine. The MPEG file format is a pain in that it takes up more space but it's a pretty minor annoyance. I suppose I could also use the 720 to my advantage and go for a slightly grainy film look.

...then again I could always rent a 1080 video camera for that one part of the project. It's cheaper than a new camera.

 

No film program...but I did find out that they have some nice Panasonic P2 camcorders and the manager of the video services department is a good friend so I asked if I could borrow them and he said it would be fine.

That's feeling like a better solution.

Kevin

 

Yep, I'm liking the sound of that. Thanks for the good advice. That's one of the reasons I like this board.