Category Archives: Uncategorized

Apple has released a new version of Final Cut Pro X.  10.0.6 adds many new features.  I have upgraded already and will report back on FCPX in a future post.

So let's take a quick look at the list of new features.

• Expand multichannel audio files directly in the timeline for precide editing of individual audio channels
• Unified import window for transferring media from both file based cameras and folders of files
• Redesigned Share interface for exporting projects and range selections to one or more destinations
• RED Camera support with native REDCODE RAW editing and optional background transcode to Apple ProRes
• MXF plugin support that allows you to work natively with MXF files from import through delivery using 3rd prty plugins.
• Dual Viewers each with video scope display, let you compare shots to match action & color
• Option to add chapter markers in the timelinefor export to video files, DVD and Blu-ray disc
• Range selection now preserves start and end points in the Event Browser andd allows you to create multiple range selections on a single clip (good)
• Paste attributes window lets you choose specific effects to copy between clips (about time)
• Flexible Clip Connections allow you to keep Connected Clips in place when slipping, sliding or moving clips in the Primary Storyline
• Add a freeze frame to your timeline with a singel keystroke
• Drop shadow effect with intuitive onscreen controls to adjust position, edge falloff, angle and more
• New controls for combining audio from multiple angles within a Multicam Clip
• Compound Clip creation in the Timeline now saves the clip in the Event Browser for re-use in other projects
• XML 1.2 featuring metadata import and export for richer integration with third party apps.

Apple have released a Knowledge Base article and it should be essential reading before anybody upgrades to 10.0.6.  The article recommends backing up not only projects and events, but also the app as well.

I read a rather silly article over at PetaPixel: Photog Denied Park Permit Because His Mirrorless Camera Lacks a Mirror.  Having gone mirrorless since last December with the GH2, I took offense at this nitwit in charge at a Navajo Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon. I got miffed when I was not allowed to take my Olympus E-3 with a old Tamron 300 f/2.8 into so called public stadium called SafeCo field.  It is a private team that plays there so I guess they have the right to rule who shoots there.  They told me I looked to professional with my big lens.  I guess the Navajo's got it in reverse.

The photographer, Gordon Laing, the founder of Cameralabs, found out the hard way that you should not bring a mirrorless camera there if you want to be treated as a professional.  He was using a Panasonic GX-1.  Only professionals are allowed to go and shoot unescorted.  Never mind according to wikipedia.org, “Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest.”  He said when he had been there before he had bigger camera with mirror.  To see if he was a professional the goon asked hime if his camera had a mirror.

I guess most places don't realize that our mirrorless cameras are just as good as our mirrored brethren.  May be this is a good thing for must situations as in stealth.  I hate permits anyway because I take pictures or video anyways. (with or without permission)

Lumix 35-100mm In Use with Lens Shade

The new GH3 is almost a revolutionary camera, if it was not for the GH2. The GH2 was the first hybrid camera. A camera that was designed for both stills and video equally. The GH2 set new standards for stills and video in one box. It does not compromise at a price that won't break the bank. The Canon still cameras are compromised for video. The Nikon still cameras are compromised for video. The new Sony A99 looks very good but it is in a much more expensive and larger camera. The sensor is a full 35mm so it does not match the aesthetics 35mm motion pictures. We will have to see how it performs. Both the Sony NEX cameras and  Olympus OM-D have some problems as well.

This article is based on what I have read online after the introduction by Panasonic of the GH3 at Photokina. The GH3 adds features that all photographers will like. To begin with it has weather sealed robust construction with magnesium as the choice of body material. There is a new 16.05-megapixel digital Live MOS sensor with reportedly better low noise performance and dynamic range. As rumored, a new Venus engine is being used with four cpu's for improved performance. Panasonic has added an electronic shutter function on the front and rear curtains for vibration-free operation. A big benefit for low shutter speeds. The battery has been enlarged for longer operation.

GH3 Back

Both the viewfinder and back LCD have been improved with OLED displays. The pixel count has been increased for clearer viewing. 1.7 million pixels on the EVF and 614k on the 3 inch rear screen. The camera readout has been increased to 240 frames per second for faster focusing and less lag in the viewfinder.

Another nice new feature is WiFi. Panasonic will be releasing both IOS and Android apps for control, viewing and downloading. I miss the USB control on my old Canon 60D.

But as many have said, the video portion of the camera is where the GH3 shines and Panasonic has addressed the needs of the videographer very well. The GH3 ads much higher bit rates (up to 80mbs ALL-I) than its AVCHD brethren. It has higher frame rates, audio monitoring and control all in a weather sealed body unlike the GH2. This has the benefit of recording every frame like the Canon 5D Mark III, costing $3000 and with better sharpness too. The 5D has less than 720p resolution because of its line dropping. The video picture quality of the GH2 is as good as cameras costing 10 times as much with none of the typical HDSLR problems of moiré and false color and lack of resolution. The camera has a newly designed low-pass filter so sharpness should not be an issue like the Canon's. If Panasonic keeps the good sharpness, they will have a winner.

Lumix G X 35-100 on a GH3

The GH3 catches up with other cameras that offer 1080 60p recording at a maximum bit rate of 50Mbps. Canon does not ofter this in any of their cameras including the expensive C (Cinema) series. This higher frame rate will help those who like slow motion or those who want less judder in movement. Some like 720 60p for its clear motion and this new camera will give this at a higher resolution. I have read that Panasonic has kept the telephoto crop mode of the GH2 but we will have to wait to see.

Besides AVCHD, Panasonic now offers MOV and MP4 format for recoding video. The 80Mbps ALL-I format is only available in the MOV wrapped which is a lot easier to work with AVCHD and its file structure. With ALL-I format records every frame so there is no motion interpolation between frames. Offering All-I encoding means the GH3 has caught up with the Hacked GH2. Also available is the IPB (interpolated) format which has had its nitrate increased from 24Mbps to 50Mbps, again like the GH2 Hack). The maximum bit rate for AVCHD is 28Mbps at 1080 60p.

GH3 Audio

Another area the GH3 improves is audio with Linear PCM recording. Panasonic smartly added the standard audio jack 3.5mm we are used to on most cameras that don't feature XLR. They also added a 3.5mm headphone jack as well for audio monitoring. Reportedly there is also better control over the audio. I don't like double system audio and record in the camera.

Speaking of control there are 3 control dials. One wheel on the front next to the shutter button. One wheel in the back top right hand corner and a central control dial on the back around the four way controller.

By far the most controversial aspect of the GH3, is it's size. Panasonic has said they wanted to build a camera aimed at more serious users and they feel they had to make the camera bigger with more room for controls. The GH3 is the largest m43rds camera to date. It is about the same size of a Canon T4i which is a bit bigger than the GH2. A lot of people have flocked to the m43rds format because it is small. The GH2 is small, so small it does not fit my hands. My bottom finger does not know what to do. I did not mind the size of my 60D and the GH3 is smaller than it. I think it will fit my hands better. it is not much heavier either: 19.40 oz vs. 14 oz for the GH2. The 60D is 26.6 oz. When you include all the changes to the GH3, increased size and weight is not much to pay for.

This new camera only validates how good the GH2 is. I plan to keep my GH2 for a long time. If I want small and inconspicuous, I will grab the GH2. If I want more capable then I would have to choose. But actually the more important news out of PhotoKina was the launch of the Lumix G X 35-100 f/2.8 O.I.S. We will cover that at a later date when I have one.

By the way the GH2 is a great stills camera as well and the GH3 will be as well. I love seeing the exposure, focus, white balance and depth of field in the viewfinder. Also not having to take my eye away from the viewfinder to see playback is absolutely the best. Not even my excellent Olympus E-M5 does this.

Thank you Panasonic for listening.

I don't know if you have had as much trouble with cheap SD cards as I have. I have a couple of Patriot 16gig cards that have fallen apart or are very cracked. The write protect switch has fallen off so the card can't be written too. My ADATA cards don't keep speed even though they have a Class 6 on them. Flimmsy little guys. I have even had problems with Kingston and Transend cards with the hack. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
A Different Card
I decided I wanted to be dealt a different card, one that is durable, fast and will last. Enter the Hoodman RAWSTEEL SDHC Card. It is an ULTRA HIGH SPEED card that meets UHS-1 Specifications.  They are the World's only Steel Plated/Ruggedized SDHC Card.
Hoodman claims that they are waterproof and they come with a Lifetime warranty. The SDHC cards come in 8, 16, & 32 GB sizes. I bought the 16 GB cards. My first one was $89 a little while ago and the latest was $49. Like all memory, prices change.
How have I been dealt
These cards are great. They seem very durable in that the contacts and the memory are one unit unlike other cards. The plastic feels harder. With the old cards, most GH2 hacks would burp and the camera would stop or freeze. With these Hoodman cards I have not had any problems. I can use the 44mb hack in the GH2 without any problems. I have recorded over an hour continuously on the card with a problem. I have reserved these cards for demanding assignments and most of my video shooting. I highly recommend these cards as they are not really that expensive for a peace of mind.

Hoodman's website.

I find using the old Apple Quicktime Player 7 is one of the fastest ways to convert HDSLR video for Final Cut. Just use the Export command for the clips. Save them to your favorite codec. Once the clip is started converting, you can open another clip and convert it as well. Repeat for the number of cores on your mac. Each will process in that core. With Compressor and MPEG Streamclip, only one clip can be done one at a time. This applies to Canon or any footage that has a .mov wrapper. Fortunately Panasonic now supports their .MTS files in Quicktime Player so I do convert GH2 footage as well besides my friends footage from Canon.