Took the GH2 plunge

[cucco]

So, I'm on travel this week in San Diego and took my E-PL1 with the kit lens and the Panny 45-200 along with me. Well, I also took a nearly dead battery and no charger. I saw a photo shop in Little Italy and stopped in hoping they carried M4/3 accessories. They did, but didn't sell a charger for my Oly. However, they did have a GH2 kit sitting on the shelf next to a 20/1.7 lens. I talked myself into buying both. I primarily shoot video with the camera, but also like to shoot quality stills too.
I'm hoping that, while I'm here, I can give it a great workout.
I'll try to post my impressions and samples soon.

 

[jalex]

Looking forward to seeing your photos with the new camera.

 

[cucco]

Here are some of the sample grabs from today. Not my best compositions, but a good example of detail and color. Absolutely NO post production has been done on these photos. These are straight out of the camera JPEGs. No filters were used and all of the pics were handheld except the twilight scene of the skyline.

So far, I'm quite pleased. I've also taken a 20 second twilight video clip. Other than autofocus lagging, I'm VERY pleased with the video!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369454896/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155943 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

20mm/1.7

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369452900/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155944 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

20mm/1.7

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5368842645/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155945 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

Panny 45-200

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369450384/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155946 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

Panny 45-200

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369448568/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155947 "375" height="500" alt="" /></a>

20/1.7

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369445730/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155948 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

45-200

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5369443362/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr"> View attachment 155949 "500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

45-200

Cheers!
Jeremy

 

[bilzmale]

Congrats on the expanded kit.

 

[demiro]

Nice move "forgetting" your charger... I will remember that one.

Really curious if you can talk about JPEG quality SOOC. Your E-PL1 is still the king of that hill; wondering how close the GH2 gets.

Also be curious to hear how you like shooting video with the 20/1.7. I've read a lot of complaints about how noisy it is (AF), but it's hard to tell with the GH crowd because so many are hard core video shooters looking for even the slightest issue (that likely wouldn't bother typical users).

Thanks.

 

[cucco]

@Demiro,
The charger story - when my wife gives me hell over it.... I'm sticking with that story!
So, to answer your other questions, I'm actually quite pleased with the OOC JPEGs. After buying the new body, I stumbled across the post about lower quality OOC Jpegs on the GH2 and was mildly concerned. Although video is my primary focus (pun not entirely intended), I still want great images. I've only taken a few pics so far, but the IQ appears excellent to me so far. In fact, I'm not convinced that I've given up any ground to the EPL1 yet.

As for the noise from the 20, I haven't noticed yet and truthfully, it won't impact me. My videos will almost always be synched to external audio. If it's not, then it falls into the category of "personal video" for which a little noise won't kill me. I'll post updates to this thread when I have more definite answers.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[ZephyrZ33]

First time in San Diego?

Regardless, Welcome!
You made it just in time for mid-seventy degree weather.

 

[cucco]

Thanks Zephyr!
It is my first (official) trip to SD. I did go to the Wild Animal Park for a day last spring, but I don't count that as a visit to SD. While this is my first visit to SD, it won't be my last. What a beautiful city!

 

[cucco]

Here are a couple more images from the GH2. Only the bird photo was edited (converted to quasi black and white by lowering the saturation). Info:

Building photo - panny 20/1.7 handheld at 1.7 for 1/30th of a second.
Skyline photo - tripod mounted panny 20/1.7 for 1/4th of a second
Bird photo - tripod mounted panny 45-200 - at 200mm F5.6 for 8 second exposure! Yup - 8 seconds (hence the strange lighting effect.) What a patient bird!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5372252476/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5371646091/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremycucco/5371644531/" title="Untitled by jeremycucco, on Flickr">

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

"500" height="375" alt="" /></a>

Cheers-
Jeremy

 

[ZephyrZ33]

J, Nice shots, you did our skyline some justice incorporating the Coronado bridge. Looks like you spent some time close to Linbergh Field and Seaport Village.

Have you made your way to Balboa Park yet? If you still have some time, it's usually a popular spot for traveling photographers.

 

[cucco]

Thanks!
I haven't made it over there yet and sadly my plane leaves at 4.
If I can, maybe I'll swing over there before then.

 

[theflyer]

cucco - nice SD skyline.

how are you finding the GH2 as far as usability? focusing? does it sit better/worse in your hand than the EPL1?

thanks from a new M43 user.

 

[cucco]

Hey there theflyer!
Good questions -
I've only had a little chance to play around with it for a couple days, but so far, I'm thrilled. I do love the form factor of the EPL1 and for that reason, I may decide to keep both cameras. However, the raised hand grip on the GH2 is awesome. It does make me feel like I'm shooting one of my larger SLRs yet it's still small enough (with the 20/1.7) to fit in a jacket pocket. Focusing has been my biggest gripe with the 4/3s system. It's no different on the GH2. It takes getting used to. However, I'm just about used to it and know what to expect.

Usability wise, it's great! I love the viewfinder. I've been going crazy taking pics and not having to use the LCD has saved my eyesight and my battery.

So far, I have nothing but positive thoughts with regards to the GH2. People that complain about image quality between the EPL1 to the GH2 - I just don't see it. If exposed properly, both cameras put out awesome images. In fact, I'd say that, where the EPL1 is virtually unusable above 800 ISO, the GH2 can go to 1600 without killing the image. 3200 is acceptable but not great - good for computer screens, not good for prints.

Cheers-
Jeremy

 

[bbq797]

How would you say the two cameras compare in producing skin tones? I'm considering the e-pl2, I've tried the pl1, but can't seem to get my hands on a GH-2 to check it out.

I've owned other Panasonic cameras and there always seems to be some kind of magenta cast on skin tones

Thanks!

 

[cucco]

Honestly, I haven't taken any photos of faces yet...
While I do like true "candids," I haven't been in the position yet to take one.

I'll snap a few pics of my other favorite subject - my son - and report back.

Truthfully, if a "pink" tone on skin is the biggest issue with the camera, I can definitely live.

I'll report back.