GH3 – from camcorder to DSLR – advice

[Bill Bruner]

Hi Gilles – here is a good piece from camcorder shooter Philip Johnston on shooting with the GH3:

https://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2013/09/24/why-i-used-the-lumix-gh3-for-ibc/

Personally, I avoid dual system sound. If you have a battery powered pro mic with XLR out, all you need is a $17 Hosa MIT-156 line matching transformer/adapter and you can plug a high quality mic straight into the camera. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the sound quality you can get from the GH3’s preamps.

Here is my Audio Technica AT835b plugged directly into the GH3 via the Hosa:

You can also avoid the focus challenges that Philip describes if you use a parfocal power zoom lens such as the Panasonic PZ 14-42 and 45-175.

Are there other challenges you’re struggling with?

Good luck,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Gilles Gagnon]

Hi Bill,
Thanks a million for the fantastic resources!
I’m just about to read the Johnston article.
For sound, I was going to purchase a Rode video mic pro but after your tip, since I have a Rode NTG-2, I may just purchase the adapter and use this. As long as it doesn’t stick out too far and creep into the top of the frame.

Would this approach be feasible?

The main chalenge is that I’m used to shooting with a camcorder where I don’t really have to worry about such aspects as follow focus, ISO, aperture, depth of field. SuddenlyI have much more control but also not sure how practical shooting is different with a GH3 than with a camcorder (Panny HMC-150).

I acquired quite a few DSRL/video books to start me off. Still somewhat overwhelming.

By the way, I have the 12-35 lens.
G

Gilles

[Bill Bruner]

Hi Gilles – mounting the Rode on the camera should be OK. Your 10.94″ long NTG-2 is about 3.5″ shorter than the 14.53″ long Audio Technica AT-835b pictured above.

The GH3 does a pretty good job of mimicking a camcorder if you set the autofocus to AFC and the exposure to iA. With a pistol grip plugged into the remote socket, all you have to do is hold the EVF up to your eye and pull the trigger.

You only have to fool around with manual focus, ISO, aperture and depth of field of you want to.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks a lot Bill.
I’ll definitely try this suggestion today. I’ll have to wait to try the mic as I need to purchase the adapter cable.

Q1. Do I need a pistol grip? or can I mount it on top of the GH3 using this shockmount that I have:? :
https://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/rode_ntsm3

Q2. Would I get good sound for an interview using the ntg-2 mic mounted on the camera as you suggested?

Thanks again Bill,
Gilles

Gilles

[Bill Bruner]

Gilles – to answer your questions:

Q1: yes, your shock mount should work. It is highly rated at Amazon UK and seems to be close in form and function to the Campro Deluxe that I use

Q2: you should get good sound if you are within a meter of your subject and minimize the potential for handling noise by putting the camera on a tripod. Otherwise you may need to put the mic on a pistol grip or boom.

Again, hope this helps,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Gilles Gagnon]

OK.
Thanks Bill. I’ll purchase the cable adapter and give it a whirl.
Thanks again,

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

Hi again Bill,
I really like your suggestion of iA with autofucus on AFC.
Problem is that I don’t want the exposure to be automated.

Is it possible to disable the Autoexposure (aperture?) when in iA mode?
Cheers,
G

Gilles

[Bill Bruner]

Hi Gilles – autofocus and exposure control are completely separate with the GH3.

You can use any autofocus mode (Manual, AFS or AFC) in combination with any exposure control mode (iA,P,A,S or M).

Hope that makes sense and is helpful.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Bill,
but can I adjust the exposure in iA mode?

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

my last question should have read.. how can I change exposure in iA mode if iA mode automatically controls the exposure?

Gilles