Nice forum! Finally getting around to make my first post here. Been a lurker for a while, although I have spoken a little with Christian over at Vimeo. He has been kind enough to add some of our videos to the pretty Digideep channel.

There seems to be a lot of buzz surrounding the new Panasonic GH1:

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=332733&modelNo=Content030

What do you reckon? Will this be next best thing to bring underwater since the invention of the aqualung?

I´ve been reading quite alot about the camera lately and for me the key selling points are:

1. Price. Weighing in at “only” 1600 euro. That´s with the monster 14–140 mm. I haven´t checked how much the 7–14 mm will cost (which is what I need).
2. 4/3” sensor. Hopefully that means the camera will work well in low-light environments.
3. The ability to shoot 720p. See 1.
4. Shallow depth of field, interchangeable lenses and the ability to control exposure,
all while shooting video.
5. Full auto focus while shooting video with both the 14-140 and 7-14.

Unfortnately there doesn´t seem to be any housings in the pipeline. Has anyone here heard anything else?

Hi Jorgen!

Well it looks like a really nice camera to me.

The continous AF is plus, also the AV and TV modes while filming.
Depth of field will not be that extreme as the 5D MKII because of the smaller sensor.
But still better then any normal camcorder.

If not yet seen a housing announcment for this camera but guess there will be one in the future....

Yes I might get the 5D MKII if I manage to dig up $4000 to spend, but I am primarily looking for a viable option for shooting video under water.

What´s up with the 12 minute recording limit on the 5D MKII I am reading about, and have you tried shooting video with the Canon under water?

I would love to see some footage.

The limit PER clip is 29:59 min. and on a 16GB card fits 50-60 minutes of HD footage.
So in reality there is absolutely no problem with that…

There are some clips on the internet. Even in our digideep channel there is a nice 5D movie:
http://vimeo.com/5636884

I am in the progress of completing my first effort but it is not ready for the public yet.

Christian F. - 20 July 2009 09:40 AM

The limit PER clip is 29:59 min. and on a 16GB card fits 50-60 minutes of HD footage.
So in reality there is absolutely no problem with that…

Ok, so what I have been reading is just FUD. Have you found the lack of automatic AF on the Canon to be limiting?

Apparently Seatool have a housing, at least a prototype, for the GH1. It´s “only” rated to 60m thus excluding us unfortunately.

http://www.seatool.net/list/GH1.html

Anyway, hope someone buys it and puts some footage up on the web so we can see what this neat little camera can do.

Hey, GOOD DISCUSSION,…

There is a lot of Buzz about the GH1 and it seems more price-worthy than
the EOS 5D Mk II. Have you already evaluated to options of fisheye lenses
for the Panasonic GH1 and how much that might increase the price vs. a
underwater setup for the EOS 5D Mk II ?

Andi Voeltz - 28 July 2009 11:11 AM

Hey, GOOD DISCUSSION,…
Have you already evaluated to options of fisheye lenses
for the Panasonic GH1 and how much that might increase the price vs. a
underwater setup for the EOS 5D Mk II ?

It´s a bit difficult to evaluate a setup of lenses since there is no housing with specifications available.

My primary concern is getting good video and the GH1 comes with the 7-14 mm (114 - 75 degrees) which is optimized for the camera, but since it is a Micro Four Thirds camera you should be able to fit a variety of lenses on it.

I haven´t really looked into alternative lenses but please post if you know of other lenses that would be ideal for this camera (under water).

It would be sweet if housing manufactures could come up with an alternative that would allow you to bring the GH1 with 7-14 with you underwater.

Here is a nice video comparing RedOne/Canon/Panansonic camera output in a short funny and stylish movie:

http://vimeo.com/5981422

I can’t tell the difference.. from that output..

/lars

Nice enough vid, allthough quality on Vimeo is hardly good enough to show the difference.

Why would you compare two prosumer cameras with Red One? It doesn´t make sense.

Seatool now have a housing for the GH1. You can read more about it @ Seatool and they also have some clips available for download.

There´s one clip (AVCHD1920X1080) here that is shot at with the 14-140mm although they have, rather lamely, compressed it for the web at 640x480.

What do you think? Is anyone here using equipment from SeaTool?

Hi! 

Great forum!

Do any of you know about a UW-video-comparisson between the GH1 and the more compact M43-camera Panasonic GF1? 

I really look forward to see some UW-footage by this camera

Regards,

Even