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Hacked GH1 vs. Hacked GH2
  • MrAnthonyMrAnthony
    I couldn't find any existing topic on this matter. I have a hacked GH1 and I'm very happy with it. The hack and firmware settings seem rock steady (thanks LPowell and Vitaliy!). But now that the hack for the GH2 seems to be on the verge of getting perfected, settings-wise, what advantage would a hacked GH2 offer over the hacked GH1?

    The obvious ones seem to be the teleconverter feature and the possibility of live HDMI out. But what else? Are the videos better? Is the 24p a better codec and worth the upgrade? Is high ISO performance dramatically better? Or am I better off dropping $1000 towards lenses, lighting, stabilizers, focus followers, rig, etc? Or is the GH2 so sweet that I should be getting that body?

    Opinions?
  • 86 Replies sorted by
  • tinyrobottinyrobot

    I dont know.I couldnt live with the fpn on the GH1.

  • endotoxicendotoxic

    The more days pass for my big buy on equipment, and the more i think about getting again a GH1 for cinematography reasons.

    GH1 has the best sensor at low iso from the 3 ones. The image is just better.

  • tetakpataktetakpatak

    @kronstadt
    The GH1 has ca 0.6 EV bigger DR than the GH2, is better for still photography and in well-lit conditions about as good as the GH2.

    I prefer it in many situatuons to GH2 and find it to be more reliable workhorse, especially for the long takes.

    Sharpness of the GH2 is causing in many situations disturbing moiré, which is difficult to avoid even when set to -2 and by using vintage lenses. Sharpening of the GH1 in post looks also as sharp as the GH2 can be.

    I avoid to say one GHx is "better" than the other GHx, they are just different and one suits your needs often better than the other one.

  • mrbillmrbill

    Using lpowell patches on my gh1 and gh2, I don't see a huge difference in quality between the two cameras. I'll use the GH2 in lower light conditions and if I need a client monitor feed. Otherwise, I trust the GH1 more - less workarounds (iso bug, green tint blah blah). I also like the smaller file sizes I get with the GH13 :). But the dynamic range of the BMCC is something to behold..

  • kronstadtkronstadt

    @Vitaliy_Kiselev What's the dynamic range of a hacked GH1 and GH2? I can't find this information anywhere on internet. Please help.

  • lenuisiblelenuisible

    @simurg it's possible with GH2 for sure (even without hack I think), not sure about GH3, but you're right, impossible on GH1. I asked @Vitaliy_Kiselev a few months back about it, he says he'll try to look at it, but obviously he has other bigger priorities right now

  • kronstadtkronstadt

    Okey, we all know that hacked GH2 is a better camera than GH13, and GH3 is better than GH2.

    BUT... here is a provocative question:if you forget about the price and put the same glass on all cameras, which one will look most cinematic??? Please note, I did not ask "which camera is the sharpest, or which camera has the best statistics or technical properties" ... my question is more like the one asked during the 2012 Zacuto shootout -- just look at the footages and ask yourself which one FEELS most like a film??? Which one feels most cinematic? GH13, GH2 hacked, GH3 or BMC

    Personally, from the footages that I've seen, yes BMC has great latitude/dynamic range (!), but somehow GH2 footages feel a bit more cinematic. And when comparing GH2 with GH13, very often there are situations where the less crispy image of GH13 delivers a much more cinematic feel than the GH2. Has anyone else noticed this? (Once again - please forget about the price differences and technical data -- and just look at comparison footages with that in mind)

  • simurgsimurg

    I wonder, why do not the shutter speed 20,15,10, 4,2 at Gh1 (FHD Mode) ? Is it possible to Gh2 and Gh3? Is there a solution with ptool?

  • tetakpataktetakpatak

    @rrivkin
    You posted in wrong thread here. Spend bit of time reading the topics- especially those for beginners, FAQ and topics with patches. Those questions have been answered many times, there you will find your answers.

  • juljul

    @endotoxic Yes I'm agree, gh1 is not dead ! We juste finalise a 52 minutes documentary all shooted with a Gh1.. Maybe it is the first one ( and the last too ). A teaser coming soon here..

  • DrDaveDrDave

    There's a window of ISO values where you get a nice grain from the GH1 indoors. And slightly less aliasing. But the GH2 with flowmotion patch you can push it a bit better in post. No question you can take some great vid with the GH1.

  • rrivkinrrivkin

    Hi guys, I have recently bought the GH2 with the basic 14-42mm lens with sandisc 32gb 95mb/s & now I'm looking for the right patch for me... I don't have previous experience with cameras & specifications so all this PHRASES that u use here at the forum to explain about a specific PATCH & what is it doing not clear at all (FOR ME). 1) Can somebody make me a favour & explain the most common phrases (as much as it possible) 2) Can u recommend me what hack file to use? (maybe 2-3 to get different options) tnx in advance.

  • MRfannyMRfanny

    recently shooting with both gh1 and gh2 for a short film. to my surprise the gh1's look alot better in low light indoors than the gh2 for some reason. that and theres no green colour shift in the gh1's. Im glad i kept onto them.

  • endotoxicendotoxic

    GH1 still alive and roking!!

  • tetakpataktetakpatak

    Great GH1....cinematic look, with sharp lens: sharp, with smooth: smooth, no problems with moiré....the GH5 will return here back again and only improve high ISO performance and allow full gamma control, nothing more to desire. In daylight, hacked GH1 still performs like the king:

  • juljul

    All I remember about my GH1 hacked is that it was not so bad...

  • DrDaveDrDave
    @blackout I prefer the GH1 slightly indoors and the GH2 slightly outdoors. Not a big difference from what I can see. I see the GH13 as having less noise, up to ISO 1200, but others see it the other way 'round, or like the quality of the noise. The dilemma is that the difference is small. I would be willing to pay more to have the difference be clear cut. The fence sitting is painful for long stretches. The fake sharpness looks nice. In this way, it is like reverb. Reverb sounds good, but it is fake.
  • MattMatt
    @Blackout

    Can a GH1 do this whilst retaining detail in the deepest shadows, and remaining 100% stable?


    That's a serious question, I'm not being sarcastic. :) I think the hacked GH2s are GREAT!
  • rigsrigs
    @stonebat "I think GH2VK is a far better than unhacked GH2, and it will get better"
    True- but is it better than a hacked GH1? Which to me it depends on how you use the two.

    @Blackout I use both of them and find the GH2 to have a bit more noise and the sharpness does seem a bit enhanced. I still prefer the look of the GH1 but love the HDMI monitoring option of the GH2. They are both a good combo to have.
  • stoneystoney
    Why not trying out one? IQ evaluation is subjective matter. I think GH2VK is a far better than unhacked GH2, and it will get better.
  • BlackoutBlackout
    I have been watching this a while. Deciding if it is worth going to GH2s or not. They do seem slightly sharper sometimes but it also seems a sort of enhanced fake sharpness that isn't real detail and they exhibit worse aliasing the GH13s hacked properly.

    I have a big project coming up and have to decide which to shoot on.

  • RamboRambo
    With Max lat V2 1080 patch the few failures I've had have only been record stopping, data up to that point including the clip recording is saved. Power off only required, no battery pull. Same with 75 peak reliable patch 720p but only fails in NTSC not PAL.
  • MrAnthonyMrAnthony
    When a crash occurs on my hacked GH1, I've only lost what was in the process of being recorded. The older material that was safely recorded does not disappear. The camera itself will lock up for a period of time, before going to a grey screen. When the camera locks up, turning off the camera or pushing buttons doesn't do anything; you have to pull the battery and reinsert to get the camera to work. However, if you're willing to wait about a minute (it feels like forever), once the camera displays a grey screen with a memory error message, you can turn the camera off and on.
  • NicNic
    What happens when a crash occurs? Is it only the current shooting that crashes or all the material on the memory card?
  • svartsvart
    I have to disagree. We were going over rough edits last night and the gh2 scenes were noticeably more sharp and much less noise than the GH13 shots were.
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