What does "Auto" mean mechanical vs e shutter in GX9?

[G1Houston]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

For example, when very high shutter speed is needed, how does it know whether rolling shutter, banding etc won't be a problem? How about the use of flash, built-in and hot-shoe mounted? I don't remember if the flash sync speeds in GX9 are different when using one type of shutter vs another.

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

 

[John Bean (UK)]

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It's not "smart", it just uses the mechanical shutter at all times it can and uses electronic otherwise. Basically this just means when the shutter speed is too high for the mechanical shutter.

 

[richj20]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

See:

https://help.na.panasonic.com/answers/how-to-select-the-shutter-type-dc-gh5s-dc-gx9/

what do you do with the setting?

I use electronic shutter except when using flash, or dealing with the rolling shutter effect. I have custom modes configured for e-shutter and m-shutter.

 

[G1Houston]

Sounds like I should leave it at "Auto" with no major adverse effects.

 

[jeffharris]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

For example, when very high shutter speed is needed, how does it know whether rolling shutter, banding etc won't be a problem? How about the use of flash, built-in and hot-shoe mounted? I don't remember if the flash sync speeds in GX9 are different when using one type of shutter vs another.

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

If you want to leave decisions like that up to the camera, you’re welcome to do it.

Personally, I use the electronic shutter as much as possible. I only use the mechanical shutter to avoid banding with certain light sources or the jello effect when shooting fast moving objects.

Otherwise, it’s Silent Mode and e-shutter all the time.

 

[John Bean (UK)]

Sounds like I should leave it at "Auto" with no major adverse effects.

That's what I do

 

[G1Houston]

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

I knew some Panasonic models use this to reduce shutter shock but I am not sure whether GX9 needs it. The reason I skipped the previous versions of the GX-ish series is because of the shutter shock problem. I recall when GX9 came out, DPR here stated that the problem has been fixed. I don't remember whether GX9 just has a more robust shutter system or mainly uses the e-shutter to get around the problem. If the latter, I should either do what you do or leave it at Auto. Currently i left mine at mechanical s because I often use GX9 indoors.

 

[Satyaa]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

For example, when very high shutter speed is needed, how does it know whether rolling shutter, banding etc won't be a problem? How about the use of flash, built-in and hot-shoe mounted? I don't remember if the flash sync speeds in GX9 are different when using one type of shutter vs another.

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

If you want to leave decisions like that up to the camera, you’re welcome to do it.

Personally, I use the electronic shutter as much as possible. I only use the mechanical shutter to avoid banding with certain light sources or the jello effect when shooting fast moving objects.

I recently started doing that.

When I first got my GH5ii, and was shooting at a dance rehearsal, I got a shock. The place was using LED lights and my first few photos looked like they had window blinds. After recovering from the shock, I switched to mechanical shutter and everything was fine.

I shied away from ES for a long time.

Now I am venturing out again. There was no LED lighting or related problems at the recent two events. So, I have the cameras on silent shooting by default but test out a few shots first.

Otherwise, it’s Silent Mode and e-shutter all the time.

 

[jeffharris]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

For example, when very high shutter speed is needed, how does it know whether rolling shutter, banding etc won't be a problem? How about the use of flash, built-in and hot-shoe mounted? I don't remember if the flash sync speeds in GX9 are different when using one type of shutter vs another.

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

If you want to leave decisions like that up to the camera, you’re welcome to do it.

Personally, I use the electronic shutter as much as possible. I only use the mechanical shutter to avoid banding with certain light sources or the jello effect when shooting fast moving objects.

I recently started doing that.

When I first got my GH5ii, and was shooting at a dance rehearsal, I got a shock. The place was using LED lights and my first few photos looked like they had window blinds. After recovering from the shock, I switched to mechanical shutter and everything was fine.

I shied away from ES for a long time.

Now I am venturing out again. There was no LED lighting or related problems at the recent two events. So, I have the cameras on silent shooting by default but test out a few shots first.

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

Otherwise, it’s Silent Mode and e-shutter all the time.

 

[Isola Verde]

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

I knew some Panasonic models use this to reduce shutter shock but I am not sure whether GX9 needs it. The reason I skipped the previous versions of the GX-ish series is because of the shutter shock problem. I recall when GX9 came out, DPR here stated that the problem has been fixed. I don't remember whether GX9 just has a more robust shutter system or mainly uses the e-shutter to get around the problem. If the latter, I should either do what you do or leave it at Auto. Currently i left mine at mechanical s because I often use GX9 indoors.

Panasonic had introduced a fix for that years before the GX9 arrived - in the GX8's successor, their GX80 [ aka GX85, GX7 Mk II etc].
.
In their own Press Release, "The LUMIX GX85 adopts a new electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit. The shock caused by the movement of shutter diaphragm is dramatically reduced and the shutter sound is also minimized. "

.

... with these two quotes coming from DPR's review thereof...
.
"[The GX85...] also has a redesigned shutter mechanism. Shutter-induced blur ('shutter shock') was an issue we encountered on the GX8, which used a motor and spring arrangement in its shutter mechanisms. The new electromagnetic shutter found in the GX85 resolves this problem."
.
and
.
"Shutter shock or not?
The big question we had when it came to image quality from the GX85 was whether or not shutter shock issues that have plagued previous Panasonic Four Thirds cameras have been neutralized by a redesigned shutter mechanism, as Panasonic claimed.
Looking at a comparison of the mechanical shutter side by side with the electronic shutter you'll notice slightly less aliasing when using the mechanical shutter, meaning it is ever so slightly less sharp. But the difference is negligible, meaning shutter shock is effectively a non-issue on the GX85. This is a serious improvement over the GX8 and G7."
.
If only they'd then followed that by a version that offered the 20MP sensor and a fixed OLED viewfinder?

Peter

 

[Satyaa]

In GX9, we can select "Auto" for the choice of mechanical vs e-shutter. How does the camera decide which one to use?

For example, when very high shutter speed is needed, how does it know whether rolling shutter, banding etc won't be a problem? How about the use of flash, built-in and hot-shoe mounted? I don't remember if the flash sync speeds in GX9 are different when using one type of shutter vs another.

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

If you want to leave decisions like that up to the camera, you’re welcome to do it.

Personally, I use the electronic shutter as much as possible. I only use the mechanical shutter to avoid banding with certain light sources or the jello effect when shooting fast moving objects.

I recently started doing that.

When I first got my GH5ii, and was shooting at a dance rehearsal, I got a shock. The place was using LED lights and my first few photos looked like they had window blinds. After recovering from the shock, I switched to mechanical shutter and everything was fine.

I shied away from ES for a long time.

Now I am venturing out again. There was no LED lighting or related problems at the recent two events. So, I have the cameras on silent shooting by default but test out a few shots first.

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

I haven't used it that way. I will try. Thanks.

Otherwise, it’s Silent Mode and e-shutter all the time.

 

[jeffharris]

It was a setting to try to avoid shutter shock when using the mechanical shutter at slower shutter speeds, roughly 1/60 to 1/320, give or take, with certain lightly constructed kit lenses.

I knew some Panasonic models use this to reduce shutter shock but I am not sure whether GX9 needs it. The reason I skipped the previous versions of the GX-ish series is because of the shutter shock problem. I recall when GX9 came out, DPR here stated that the problem has been fixed. I don't remember whether GX9 just has a more robust shutter system or mainly uses the e-shutter to get around the problem. If the latter, I should either do what you do or leave it at Auto. Currently i left mine at mechanical s because I often use GX9 indoors.

Panasonic had introduced a fix for that years before the GX9 arrived - in the GX8's successor, their GX80 [ aka GX85, GX7 Mk II etc].
.
In their own Press Release, "The LUMIX GX85 adopts a new electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit. The shock caused by the movement of shutter diaphragm is dramatically reduced and the shutter sound is also minimized. "

.

... with these two quotes coming from DPR's review thereof...
.
"[The GX85...] also has a redesigned shutter mechanism. Shutter-induced blur ('shutter shock') was an issue we encountered on the GX8, which used a motor and spring arrangement in its shutter mechanisms. The new electromagnetic shutter found in the GX85 resolves this problem."
.
and
.
"Shutter shock or not?
The big question we had when it came to image quality from the GX85 was whether or not shutter shock issues that have plagued previous Panasonic Four Thirds cameras have been neutralized by a redesigned shutter mechanism, as Panasonic claimed.
Looking at a comparison of the mechanical shutter side by side with the electronic shutter you'll notice slightly less aliasing when using the mechanical shutter, meaning it is ever so slightly less sharp. But the difference is negligible, meaning shutter shock is effectively a non-issue on the GX85. This is a serious improvement over the GX8 and G7."
.
If only they'd then followed that by a version that offered the 20MP sensor and a fixed OLED viewfinder?

I’d forgotten that the GX80/85 had the older 16MP sensor. It was definitely a

Had Panasonic waited to release the GX8 with the improved mechanical shutter it would have sold much better. The tilting EVF is a fantastic feature.

 

[G1Houston]

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

Does it drain the battery sooner? I never tried it, but I do use the GX9 indoors (with a tiny fast prime lens) a lot.

 

[jeffharris]

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

Does it drain the battery sooner? I never tried it, but I do use the GX9 indoors (with a tiny fast prime lens) a lot.

I have no idea. Probably no more than any other settings.
I always carry a couple extra batteries.

The ease of use Constant Preview brings makes using it very intuitive.

I set ISO, then aperture and adjust shutter speed to get the exposure I like the look of.

I do have a tendency to underexpose a bit, but that’s easily adjusted if I want in Capture One or Lightroom.

 

[Bassam Guy]

Basically, I am asking how smart is the "Auto" and what do you do with the setting?

It's not "smart", it just uses the mechanical shutter at all times it can and uses electronic otherwise. Basically this just means when the shutter speed is too high for the mechanical shutter.

"Not smart" to you but much smarter than I am because I always forget to switch to mechanical shutter for flash and for fast shutter speeds.

 

[Satyaa]

...

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

I was shooting a dance rehearsal in somebody's basement past weekend. It was a decent sized finished basement with good amount of bright LED lighting. As soon as I took the first test shot, I saw the result, turned off silent shooting, and immediately thought of your comment above (and similar in another thread).

I have constant preview turned ON. When I looked through the EVF, or on the rear LCD, it doesn't show scrolling lines or anything similar to banding. it does show in the shot.

I am trying to understand what you mean by, "I'll immediately see banding."

I'd like to see that in the viewfinder, but I only see it on the shot. Why is my G9ii not showing it?

Same behavior on my Z7ii. No banding noticeable on the LCD or EVF, but only in the shot.

Thanks.

 

[jeffharris]

...

I always shoot in M Mode with Constant Preview activated.

When composing, I’ll immediately see banding, so I can deactivate the electronic shutter and use the manual shutter. It’s pretty easy. No chimping necessary.

I was shooting a dance rehearsal in somebody's basement past weekend. It was a decent sized finished basement with good amount of bright LED lighting. As soon as I took the first test shot, I saw the result, turned off silent shooting, and immediately thought of your comment above (and similar in another thread).

I have constant preview turned ON. When I looked through the EVF, or on the rear LCD, it doesn't show scrolling lines or anything similar to banding. it does show in the shot.

I am trying to understand what you mean by, "I'll immediately see banding."

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a show of prints by Edvard Munch in the Busch Reisinger Museum at Harvard University. In one of the galleries I could suddenly see banding in the EVF and LCD. It was minor, but having seen it numerous times, with varying intensity, I decided to switch to the mechanical shutter. Sure enough, no more banding.

It really depends on the situation and light source. Sometimes the banding is intense. Other times, it’s barely noticeable, but if it looks a bit suspicious, I may try shooting with the mechanical shutter, or review the shot to confirm.

I'd like to see that in the viewfinder, but I only see it on the shot. Why is my G9ii not showing it?

Same behavior on my Z7ii. No banding noticeable on the LCD or EVF, but only in the shot.

Thanks.