Tim Frakes Productions

New Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

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by

timfrakes
in ,

After a six month wait, my Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 is on the way! The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 is a micro four thirds mirrorless camera that represents a significant upgrade to my existing camera package.

The camera was released in small quantities by Panasonic back in September 2012. Actually getting my hands on one has been difficult. I pre-orderd one on December 19, 2012, but never was able to get an answer as to when it would be available. Finally, I found Samy’s Camera in California. Samy’s had a shipment of 60 cameras which sold out over night. I got the 55th one and look forward to its arrival next week.

Features include:
– 16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor
– Contrast AF with a high level of response
– Magnesium Alloy Frame
– 1080/60p 50Mbps IPB and 24p 72Mbps ALL-I
– Venus Engine Image Processor
– OLED Monitor and Live View Finder

Comments

6 responses to “New Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3”

  1. Rev. Lawrence Becker Avatar
    Rev. Lawrence Becker

    Sorry to bump in here – I was looking at a video that a DPReview user, mpgxsvcd, posted on the GH3, and I saw a name I recognized in the comments – Tim Frakes. I’ve been a Lutheran Pastor for almost 30 years (yikes!), and have used lots of video resources and your name pops up now and again on them. I was just looking at one that Rick Steves did on the Life of the Apostle Peter for the old ELCA/Mosaic series, and there you were.
    I just wanted to say that as I go deeper into my own journey as a videographer, I got to know your style and techniques and have really appreciated it.
    I started out with a little HD Sony Handicam (early AVCHD editing – YECH!), then started using my Canon 5DII (difficult to get sound right), and moved on to a Canon XF300 and now use also a Panasonic GH3. I’ve been doing productions for my own congregation and the ELEA (Evangelical Lutheran Education Association) – it’s a blast! Getting a bit better at Adobe Premiere Pro, but that’s the tough part.
    I also got my GH3 from Samy’s Camera – it’s near to where I live, and I just called them randomly last month to see if they had any – they had one and I grabbed it. It’s a really enjoyable camera to use…
    Anyway, just wanted to put a note out there to say that your work is appreciated. I have shown the Rick Steves videos to DOZENS AND DOZENS of confirmation students, as well as used them in adult classes as well.
    Thanks so much!
    Larry Becker

    Reply
    1. timfrakes Avatar
      timfrakes

      Larry, what a delight it is to read your note on this Ash Wednesday when we are reminded that from dust we came… Still, it’s always nice to hear that someone noted the work along the journey. Loving my GH3. Recorded an interview with the premier Billy Graham scholar, Grant Wacker at Duke Divinity School today. The GH3 worked like a dream.

      Blessings on your day.

      Tim

      Reply
  2. Lawrence Becker Avatar
    Lawrence Becker

    Tim, yes, Blessed Ash Wednesday to you, too. Getting ready for services tonight and making a hospital call on the way. I was wondering what you use with the GH3 for sound- I ended up with the Panasonic MS2 mic made for the GH3, and it seems to work well. I did a series of brief Lutheran principal interviews in Indianapolis last week – noisy room, lots of commotion, and the MS2 did a good job of pulling the voices out. I haven’t sorted out how to use my Sennheiser lav on the GH3 yet, but probably will- it is much better for interviews I shoot on my XF300.

    Larry

    Reply
    1. timfrakes Avatar
      timfrakes

      Larry, The GH3 requires external mics to have phantom power. Meaning, a mic with some kind of power source. I use an aray of external handheld, lavalier and shotgun mics. I also rely heavily on two H4N Zoom Recorders to record sound separately.

      Reply
  3. Rev. Lawrence Becker Avatar
    Rev. Lawrence Becker

    Hi Tim – I’m aware of the phantom power issue – Both my Canon cameras (XA10 and XF300) offer it, as does the Zoom H4n (also got, to use with my 5DII) – but I’ve found it REALLY zaps the battery life of the Zoom if you make it provide phantom power). One of the interesting things about the little Panasonic MS2 mic is that it is powered by the camera. It also has its own mount, comes with a “dead cat” that fits it, and is switchable in-camera between shotgun and stereo mode. Kind of made for the camera, I guess, as I doubt it will work with anything else (at this time, anyway. It may be usable with yet to be released Panasonic cameras…).
    I have a Rode NTG 1 for my XA10 (needs phantom power) and an NTG2 (phantom or battery) that I’ve used on my XF300 or on a boom. They seem ok and weren’t too expensive.
    You use the H4n to record sound separately on a routine basis? Isn’t it a lot of trouble to sync the audio and video? I’m a PC guy using Premiere Pro 6 and something lilke Pluraleyes doesn’t yet support my platform. I’ve manually sync’d audio (and video from a 2nd camera) and it takes a while! Thanks so much for your input to a budding videographer!

    Reply
  4. Rev. Lawrence Becker Avatar
    Rev. Lawrence Becker

    Hi Tim – I was mentioning our conversation to one of my ELCA pastor friends out here in So. Cal., and he said he’s worked with you a bit and asked me to say “Hi” for him – Pastor Bill Hurst from First Lutheran in Torrance. Small World…

    Reply

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