GF2 Video

[Cebu_Boy]

I heard good things about GF2 video quality. I took some videos using 14mm lens and the video is not smooth at all. The video is kinda jumpy/jerky. Anybody with GF2 14-42/45 lens and canon hf100/20 videocam and compare the videos. maybe with this lens the GF2 video is on par with the canon videocam i mentioned. thank you.

 

[453C]

If playback is jerky or there's some other recording issue, what memory card are you using?

If the video itself is ok, but you're having camera stability issues, you can try different techniques for holding the camera, but a tripod will offer the best support. Handheld video can be a real challenge, and smooth capture seems to be highly dependent on the videographer. I try to tuck my elbows in and keep the camera centered on my upper chest. With that position, I can see the screen reasonably well, but I've made my body more stable. I also tend to pan slowly, and turn my whole torso as one. When possible, try not to zoom while recording, or edit it out later.

DeShaker is a software shake reduction application I've seen recommended here, and there are others. Worth a shot if all else fails and your video still has the shakes.

 

[anthonyhnj]

I am using a class 10 PNY card with my gf2 and the video is very smooth. What card are you using?
--
Somewhere, Someday, I'll get it right
http://www.youtime.com

 

[SF Photo Gal]

Maybe you ought to switch to decaf. j/k

Not sure why, but seems like camera shake is more noticeable on DSLR video than a camcorder. Maybe it's the higher resolution.

I use a tripod, monopod, or chestpod when I shoot video. One advantage I have with the GH-1, is the articulatig screen so I don't have to hold it up to eye level. Holding the camera down with my arms pushed against my sides seems to keep it more steady.

Also, if you have the camera in automatic and shooting at 1080, it's much more subject to rolling shutter effect if you move the camera too fast.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3

 

[Cebu_Boy]

im using 8GB sandisk extreme III class 6

What memory card are you using?

 

[453C]

I just edited my earlier post quite a bit. Please take a moment and see if any of that applies.

 

[Cebu_Boy]

i dont mind the camera shake coz i know my lens doesnt have IS. but the jumpy/jerky video is my concern. i was thinking maybe because my lens is not design for video like the 14-42/45 or the 14-140. but i doubt if this is the case. ill try to buy class 10 card tomorrow from frys and see if the video will be smooth. im planning to sell my HD Canon videocam if i can get "about" the same video from my GF2.

Maybe you ought to switch to decaf. j/k

Not sure why, but seems like camera shake is more noticeable on DSLR video than a camcorder. Maybe it's the higher resolution.

I use a tripod, monopod, or chestpod when I shoot video. One advantage I have with the GH-1, is the articulatig screen so I don't have to hold it up to eye level. Holding the camera down with my arms pushed against my sides seems to keep it more steady.

Also, if you have the camera in automatic and shooting at 1080, it's much more subject to rolling shutter effect if you move the camera too fast.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3

 

[Cebu_Boy]

its not the shake, the video is jumpy/jerky. the video is not smooth at all.

If playback is jerky or there's some other recording issue, what memory card are you using?

If the video itself is ok, but you're having camera stability issues, you can try different techniques for holding the camera, but a tripod will offer the best support. Handheld video can be a real challenge, and smooth capture seems to be highly dependent on the videographer. I try to tuck my elbows in and keep the camera centered on my upper chest. With that position, I can see the screen reasonably well, but I've made my body more stable. I also tend to pan slowly, and turn my whole torso as one. When possible, try not to zoom while recording, or edit it out later.

DeShaker is a software shake reduction application I've seen recommended here, and there are others. Worth a shot if all else fails and your video still has the shakes.

 

[453C]

its not the shake, the video is jumpy/jerky. the video is not smooth at all.

To clarify, are you saying video playback isn't smooth?

Here's a recent thread on memory cards. Guy Parsons provided a link to a memory tester he relies on, and there's some other good advice for you:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=37885709

 

[Cebu_Boy]

exactly. playback isnt smooth at all.

its not the shake, the video is jumpy/jerky. the video is not smooth at all.

To clarify, are you saying video playback isn't smooth?

Here's a recent thread on memory cards. Guy Parsons provided a link to a memory tester he relies on, and there's some other good advice for you:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=37885709

 

[453C]

exactly. playback isnt smooth at all.

Copy the entire file to your hard drive and see if playback is smooth. If so, the camera is sending video to the card properly, the card is writing it properly, but your card reading method is the bottleneck.

You also might wan to test your memory with that program and see if the tested speed is fast enough. You may want to try testing it in two different computers and/or card readers to determine if a card reader is the bottleneck.

 

[panpen]

Are you recording 1080 60p or 720 30p? 30p tends to stutter if you pan fast. Are you recording in P, M, A or S? Is your speed between 1/30 and 1/50?

Try S mode, set the speed to 1/30, lowest posible ISO, and 1080 60p and see how it looks!

 

[Cebu_Boy]

copied the video file to my hard drive and played = same thing

exactly. playback isnt smooth at all.

Copy the entire file to your hard drive and see if playback is smooth. If so, the camera is sending video to the card properly, the card is writing it properly, but your card reading method is the bottleneck.

You also might wan to test your memory with that program and see if the tested speed is fast enough. You may want to try testing it in two different computers and/or card readers to determine if a card reader is the bottleneck.

 

[Cebu_Boy]

i was using P mode, 1080

Are you recording 1080 60p or 720 30p? 30p tends to stutter if you pan fast. Are you recording in P, M, A or S? Is your speed between 1/30 and 1/50?

Try S mode, set the speed to 1/30, lowest posible ISO, and 1080 60p and see how it looks!

 

[jenz]

What's your machine? I had the same issue trying to play 1080p off my Sandisk Extreme but no issue when played off my 7200rpm HD.

 

[Cebu_Boy]

Intel I5 quad core, 512MB video, 7200rpm HD, 4GB memory

What's your machine? I had the same issue trying to play 1080p off my Sandisk Extreme but no issue when played off my 7200rpm HD.

 

[453C]

Intel I5 quad core, 512MB video, 7200rpm HD, 4GB memory

I'm guessing that should be able to handle the files, but someone else might have more experience with system requirements.

You still haven't said if you're having problems playing files from your hard drive. If so, and your system can play other, similar video files ok (I'm sure someone can give you a link), I think another owner may need to walk you through some camera settings.

 

[Cebu_Boy]

yes i tried copying the files to the hard drive and played. same thing. my machine can run Hi def files from my HD canon videocamcorder with no problem at all.

Intel I5 quad core, 512MB video, 7200rpm HD, 4GB memory

I'm guessing that should be able to handle the files, but someone else might have more experience with system requirements.

You still haven't said if you're having problems playing files from your hard drive. If so, and your system can play other, similar video files ok (I'm sure someone can give you a link), I think another owner may need to walk you through some camera settings.

 

[mpgxsvcd]

Post a sample to youtube Vimeo and we can tell you if there is a problem or not. Memory card write speed is never the issue. The maximum bit rate for the GF2 is 17 mb/sec. Any card can write at that speed. That is equivalent to class 2.
--
GH2, 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

 

[RobL]

Is the video jumpy when you view it on the GF2 (LCD)? If it's fine there, but then gets jumpy on your computer, then it could be an issue with the player. Have you tried VLC? It's freely downloadable.