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Exilearts’ Panasonic GH2 Rig

Posted by on Jan 26, 2012 in Equipment, Product Reviews, The Blog | 4 comments

So here I am going over and cleaning equipment, and have decided to share my thoughts about the components that make up my camera package. First off, let me say that this is not the first iteration of the package, not by any means. This is about the fourth iteration and it took some time and some minor inconvenience to get here. For now, I am satisfied with the overall functionality of the camera package. Although, I would change a few things – I will get to those things at another time.

First up, let me begin with the Panasonic Lumix GH2. I must say right off the bat and that in my opinion the Panasonic GH2 is the best bang for the buck buy out there for any kind of image acquisition. Of course, the Canon 5D MKII is an awesome camera and Canon glass is always superb. These things are given. Nevertheless, dollar for dollar, the GH2 will run circles around the 5D MKII with its superior “un-hacked” video quality and stereo audio capture.

However, the straw that breaks the MKII back is that with a hacked GH2, so many features are opened up to improve the quality even more. For instance… How does AVC-Intra sound at nearly seven times the bitrate as the MKII? Improved low light options such as 12800 ISO, the ability to use classic Canon FD lenses and with more and more companies jumping on the Micro Four Thirds format, even more high quality glass is to come from companies like Zeiss and Voightlander.

To be honest, this is not a contrast and compare article. Many other shooters and writers have already done that. This article is to let other independent filmmakers know, if they are looking into buying a new DSLR or video camera and are looking for high quality image acquisition that can rival even a Red Scarlet or Canon C300, the GH2 is definitely worth your consideration. Besides, with all the money you save, you will have enough to buy more lenses or even a few lighting kits for your kit rental. In the end, it really comes down to purchasing equipment that is going to allow you to get out there and shoot with confidence so that you can represent yourself and your talent professionally. I believe the GH2 will help you do that. Good luck out there!

Here are a few pics of the rig.

GH2 Rig

GH2 Rig

Notice the customized Cinevate Folow Focus Gear Ring for the "Pancake Lens"

More GH2

SmallHD DP4 Awesome little monitor!

Sexy little GH2 and Berkey System rig!

Stay tuned, more equipment articles to come!

  • mr.castillo

    How are you capturing Audio?
    How much did your rig coast?
    Follow focus price?
    etc…

  • mr.castillo

    You didn’t mention anything else about your rig!

  • http://twitter.com/TRM_Exilearts Thomas R. Monette

    Hey there Mr. Castillo,

    Yeah this wasn’t really a full blown review about the rig, it was more about the pictures and what a great buy the GH2 is. I was planning on doing something more comprehensive in another article when I had more time. But to be courteous, I’ll answer your questions.

    To capture audio, I use the Tascam DR-05 Recorder, and man do I love it! It’s as good as the Zoom h4n in my opinion. The audio is crisp and clean, it just doesn’t have as many channels as the higher priced recorders. The Microphone I use is the Adzen ECZ-900. It’s not bad at all for more of a bargain microphone. I really have no complaints about it at all. For now, this audio setup suits my needs fine.

    As far as how much the rig would cost, it really depends on what you require for shooting. Depending on which company you by from, you can spend just a couple of hundred dollars or in upwards of a couple of thousand. I pieced mine together from Berkey System for just over a thousand. I thoroughly love the Berkey System components, they are top notch! The machining is of superior quality and being aircraft quality aluminum, the rigidity and light weight is immediately noticed. Also, I am running HD carbon fiber and aluminum rods of varying lengths. I went through the frustration of owning cheaper rigs until I tried the Berkey System. Having to deal with poorly fitting, almost impossible to tighten properly, poorly made rigs, was something I could not tolerate any longer. It was imperative to find well made gear so that the gear actually enhanced my ability instead of taking away from it.

    The follow focus price is also as varying. The follow focus on this rig is a D|Focus. It runs about a hundred and fifty dollars at Jag35.com. I am not really thrilled with it, as it isn’t made all that well. Although for now, I do get by with it. I will be replacing it as soon as the funds can be raised.

    If you are looking to purchase gear for your film-making needs, please remember this… You get what you pay for more times than not! If you can afford the higher price gear, I suggest that you spend your money doing so. Not only will you receive a higher quality product and reduce your frustration factor, you can more than likely expect a better resale value when you go to upgrade your gear.

    I was planning on writing a more elaborate article in the next week, so please stay tuned! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

    Take care,
    Tom

    • mr.castillo

      Thank you! I appreciate your wonderful insight!