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Accessories for the new Panasonic GH2 - suggestions !?

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Dipkat

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For those waiting on their Panasonic GH2 pre-orders (me included), what are your plans for additional accessories?

1. Tripod -

I am new to shooting video's, however, I realize the need for a good tripod to shoot video. Sony has some good tripods that provide exceptional price value -

Sony VCT-50/60/80AV Remote Control Tripod for use with Compatible Sony Camcorder

The remote function is very valuable for shooting home videos and hands free operation to minimize shudder while zooming and panning. Any suggestions for something similar for the GH2 (without braking the bank of course :-) )?

2. Remote

Panasonic offers the DMW-RSL1, remote shutter release. Are there other options that allow for wireless remote without breaking the bank?

3. External Flash

Panasonic has 3 external flashes that will fit on the GH2 - the FL-220, FL-360 and Fl-500. For me, the FL-220 is out of question as it does not tilt/turn for bounce. I haven't seen an good reviews about the other two. However, I understand that these flashes have not been designed for m43 and as such have reduced efficiency - e.g. - The AF assist does not work on a m43 body. Any opinions ? Any suggestions for other branded external flashes that will work well with the GH2 in auto mode?

4. Battery pack

The OEM battery with the GH2 has a CIPA rating of 320, which is one big drawback of the GH2. I would definitely want a spare. Any suggestions for a aftermarket spare battery for the GH2?

5. Other Accessories ?
 
I would expand this very good accesories question to eventual commings.

And since I'm pretty sure Panny or Oly will not offer sort of 400mm (800 equiv), 500mm (1000 equiv) or 600mm (1200 equiv) m4/3 prime lenses in the near future to birders and wildlife observers, at least I would ask for a real 2x high quality m4/3 TeleConverter (pancake lens) to put in between the GH2 and the 100-300mm (200-600mm equiv), which has to consider appropiate OIS adjustment.

Remote Capture would be a very nice addition too.
 
Have you ever tried to take a picture of a bird at 1200mm+(35mm equivalent)? I can barely keep the moon in frame much less a moving bird.

Your best bet is to use the fact that the GH2 shoots 16 megapixel shots and crop more. I can't imagine shooting at 1200mm with F12+ being a better option than cropping. You couldn't possibly get an appropriate shutter speed with that little light getting in the lens.
Condor said:
I would expand this very good accesories question to eventual commings.

And since I'm pretty sure Panny or Oly will not offer sort of 400mm (800 equiv), 500mm (1000 equiv) or 600mm (1200 equiv) m4/3 prime lenses in the near future to birders and wildlife observers, at least I would ask for a real 2x high quality m4/3 TeleConverter (pancake lens) to put in between the GH2 and the 100-300mm (200-600mm equiv), which has to consider appropiate OIS adjustment.

Remote Capture would be a very nice addition too.
Click to expand...
--
GF1 & ZS3 Sample movies
http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgxsvcd#play/uploads
http://vimeo.com/user442745
GF1 Pictures
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4222674355/albums
 
The EZ zoom works really well, but i would like to see that 2x tele converter too.

Mark.
Condor said:
I would expand this very good accesories question to eventual commings.

And since I'm pretty sure Panny or Oly will not offer sort of 400mm (800 equiv), 500mm (1000 equiv) or 600mm (1200 equiv) m4/3 prime lenses in the near future to birders and wildlife observers, at least I would ask for a real 2x high quality m4/3 TeleConverter (pancake lens) to put in between the GH2 and the 100-300mm (200-600mm equiv), which has to consider appropiate OIS adjustment.

Remote Capture would be a very nice addition too.
Click to expand...
--
Mark.
 
I don't think there is one available, but I would really like some kind of intervalometer or timer accessory to allow for time lapse shooting...
I don't know why panasonic hasn't built this function into the body.

Quite a major oversight in the system in my opinion. Especially with its focus on video production.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/memoki/
 
Never use the EZ zoom for pictures. Cropping in post processing does the exact same thing. However, cropping takes away the shaking do to zooming factor.

For video the EZ zoom is extremely necessary since the max resolution for video is 1920x1080. Blurring due to camera shake is not really visible in video.
mark1000 said:
The EZ zoom works really well, but i would like to see that 2x tele converter too.

Mark.
Condor said:
I would expand this very good accesories question to eventual commings.

And since I'm pretty sure Panny or Oly will not offer sort of 400mm (800 equiv), 500mm (1000 equiv) or 600mm (1200 equiv) m4/3 prime lenses in the near future to birders and wildlife observers, at least I would ask for a real 2x high quality m4/3 TeleConverter (pancake lens) to put in between the GH2 and the 100-300mm (200-600mm equiv), which has to consider appropiate OIS adjustment.

Remote Capture would be a very nice addition too.
Click to expand...
--
Mark.
Click to expand...
--
GF1 & ZS3 Sample movies
http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgxsvcd#play/uploads
http://vimeo.com/user442745
GF1 Pictures
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4222674355/albums
 
If you are planning on doing video i would consider an external mic as a minimum. The MKE-400 seems like a nice compact option.
 
Yup. A good external mic is also a must have. There are quite a few of them priced between anywhere between $50-$200 in the entry level. I have read some fantastic reviews about the Rode Videomic. I am waiting on Phillip Bloom revealing the external mic he is using currently with his Gh2, which he claims is the best in class and relatively inexpensive.
 
The one issue I have seen with the Rode videomic is that the suspension system makes it larger and less robust than the all metal MKE400. The rubber band on the Videomic seem to be easy to break.

I wonder how much that new mic will cost?
Dipkat said:
Yup. A good external mic is also a must have. There are quite a few of them priced between anywhere between $50-$200 in the entry level. I have read some fantastic reviews about the Rode Videomic. I am waiting on Phillip Bloom revealing the external mic he is using currently with his Gh2, which he claims is the best in class and relatively inexpensive.
Click to expand...
 
mpgxsvcd said:
Have you ever tried to take a picture of a bird at 1200mm+(35mm equivalent)? I can barely keep the moon in frame much less a moving bird.
Click to expand...
If we are not talking about BIF, well then I always use my SX30 handheld in the 2.1x Tele Conversion Mode (M2 size), which is a 1764mm 35mm equivalent, with no problem at all. When I add my Sony 1.7x TC, which actually act just as a 1.5x TC, meaning 2646mm aprox, I use my Monopod, no problems again. I'm talking about on the floor, on the water or on branches, cables, etc. birds

New IS devices and software are very powerful and gives you unbelievable stability. Don't really know how good is GH2 Power OIS compared to the amazing SX30 IS performance, but it can't be that bad.

If SX30 (0.28cm2 sensor size, 50 MP/cm2 Pixel density, CCD Sensor, 1600 max ISO, 1/3200sec Max shutter, "AiAF TTL" Auto Focus, 0,6 fps) whit all its limitations can handle 2646mm equiv, then I suppose that GH2 (2.43cm" sensor size, 6.6 MP/cm2 Pixel density, CMOS Sensor, 12800 max ISO, 1/4000 Max shutter, "Contrast Detection" Auto Focus, 5 fps or 40 fps at 4 MP) could easily handle 1200mm equiv.

I have also realized that when the SX30 uses its 2.1 TC mode, IS sensitivity is adjusted to consider that new scope. That's why I also asked that that eventual 2x TC to ..."which has to consider appropriate OIS adjustment".

Ed
 
Hi,

I have Sony VCT-50 tripod. I think that those Sony tripods have "remote control" features to control Sony camereras, they don't have motor to control the tripod itself.

For the price the tripod is pretty good, but at least my tripod is not so smooth with panning or tilts.

Cheesycam.com is a good source for video DIY and accessory information.

Pekka
 
mpgxsvcd said:
Never use the EZ zoom for pictures. Cropping in post processing does the exact same thing.
Click to expand...
Not for a birder or a wildlife observer. EZ sometimes makes the difference in allowing the camera to really focus and AE in that far distant animal or flower.
mpgxsvcd said:
However, cropping takes away the shaking do to zooming factor.
Click to expand...
At least my SX30 seems to adjust IS when using EZ (increasing movement correction)
 
apekkpul said:
Hi,

I have Sony VCT-50 tripod. I think that those Sony tripods have "remote control" features to control Sony camereras, they don't have motor to control the tripod itself.

For the price the tripod is pretty good, but at least my tripod is not so smooth with panning or tilts.

Cheesycam.com is a good source for video DIY and accessory information.

Pekka
Click to expand...
Thanks. That's what I thought so. I wish there was a Panasonic tripod on the same lines. I am also bummed that Panasonic does not have a wireless remote.
 
Any suggestions for a good high capacity SDXC card or a high speed SDHC card? This is very important given the fact that the GH2 will be used to shoot videos.
 
I've been looking at buying a GH2, and these are some of the accessories I'm considering. I haven't used any of these, though.
Dipkat said:
2. Remote

Panasonic offers the DMW-RSL1, remote shutter release. Are there other options that allow for wireless remote without breaking the bank?
Click to expand...
There are third party remote shutters, including some with an intervalometer for time-lapse photos. This one is wired, like the Panasonic RSL1:

http://www.amazon.com/Studiohut-Remote-Control-Shutter-Panasonic/dp/B002MVOYCK/

This one is wireless:

http://www.amazon.com/RainbowImaging-Panasonic-DMC-FZ50K-DMC-FZ30S-DMC-FZ30K/dp/B003TE34U2/

You can find several others by searching on eBay for "panasonic remote shutter" (or "panasonic timer remote" for the intervalometer feature).
Dipkat said:
3. External Flash

Any suggestions for other branded external flashes that will work well with the GH2 in auto mode?
Click to expand...
The Metz 48 is reportedly a good flash and a good value.

http://www.amazon.com/Metz-Olympus-Panasonic-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00117DOEU/

--
Joe
 
I just have my GH2 with the Rode SVM. Still have to start shooting. The first thing I notice however, is that the mic only fits halfway the camera shoe.



 
Hey ... Firstly congratulations on your new GH2. After doing a lot of research, I have decided not to go with Rode mics. As one of the earlier posters has suggested, I have it narrowed down to the Sennheiser MKE 400. The small size is just perfect when you consider all the other gear that ones has to carry.

For the tripod I just put in a order for the Sunpak 6200Dx. Limited time deal on buy.com for $25 only.

http://www.buy.com/prod/sunpak-61-2-h-platinum-plus-deluxe-tripod/q/loc/111/217595437.html

I decided to stick with a "fluid effect" like tripod as a start. Someday I will probably graduate to Manfrotto tripod with a fluid head. I almost bought a Manfroto 190xb at B&H

For the memory card, I got myself a Transcend 32gb SDHC class 10 for $51 at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Ultimate-Speed-Memory-TS32GSDHC10/dp/B003P3MCXW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292144071&sr=8-1

I still have no clue on a high capacity spare battery for the GH2.
 
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