...not that there is anything wrong with that...

This is raw humour Lol!

Yes,

I got that autofocus problem too, and even worse on the lumix g vario 12-35 mm lens

Got my GH3 end of last year, traded in my EX1R for it. So far I'm happy with the picture quality and am still exploring, my main opinions are about the controls:

• want more options for function buttons (eg zebra)
• want less clicks on function buttons (eg Tele Conv as simple on/off, not a sub menu)
• want more options on dials (eg ISO, or WB colour temp)
• want dials on body and grip to be independent (eg ability to have F, SS, ISO and WB on each wheel)
• want to be able to allocate no function to a control

other random thoughts:

• instant ISO would be handy (equivalent to instant SS) just to see what the computer is thinking
• picture profile controls seem limited
• it's cool!

Or its only my GH3?

@konjow that cannot confirm, but there are plenty free utilities, useful for many purposes, that batch rename and relocate files. Anyway, you may get more context response/feedback at GH3 issues topic :-)

My 12-35mm Vario behaves similarly, but I've only ever shot in the shade or on overcast days (haven't been able to locate any decent ND filters here in Vietnam). But your samples are the most seriously bad examples of focus hunting I've ever seen. For sure the camera should have been able to keep the subjects in focus, esp. given the DOF in bright sunlight. My Panny TM 900 autofocus performs better, but that may also be because of the tiny sensor? I'd say it's best to use manual focus, but then why oh why did I spend so much for two Panny zooms with IOS if they can't even lock on a bright contrasty subject that fills 80% of the frame? Again, I have never experienced anything nearly as bad as what you shot though.

@thepalalias Yes, I should have said OIS... And it's true it has nothing to do with the focusing ability, I only meant that I was paying for all these bells and whistles, but it still struggles to focus. I had never used an interchangeable autofocus lens before getting the GH3 and the 2 zooms, so I can't really make any comparisons between other models, but after seeing so many glowing reviews, I think I was expecting something a little better - not only a little more accurate, but faster as well. But I also need to experiment with some of the other focus modes before placing all the blame on the camera.

To the GH3 and Davinci Resolve users, do you have any good LUTs to share like Captain Hook's LUT for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera?

@jonpais, @thepalalias, I'm the OP with the AF problems and I can assure you I got it again today on an event with the same lens/camera combination. But, I see several people are having the same problem which is unacceptable for such a camera. Maybe we should complain to Panasonic (with samples) through support and demand a firmware update? Anyone knows the support form for Europe?

The GH series from Panasonic does not do continous AF well (AFC). We do not film in AFC and instead film in AFS, half shutter for focus adjustments or pulling it manually.

This way you have more control over what the camera does.

The day a camera comes out with a large sensor and a shallow DOF and can pull focus better than a manual operator is the day I worry about my job.

@thanos I understand that it's a very common situation, but I guess my first question is once again "what are you comparing it to"?

The camera is appropriate for video - in fact it is very, very good for it. But it is not good for shooting with continuous AF (and that is true practically every "hybrid" camera out there) and there have been videos that demonstrated that ever since it was released. There are a lot of camcorders out there that can do better.

I would tell Panasonic how you feel (it's good for them to know that people care about this) but in terms of getting the work you want done as quickly and easily as possible, I would definitely look into camcorders.

For me personally, video AF is one of the least important features on a camera - I prefer to have manual focus. In fact I'd say I shoot manual focus about half the time even when shooting stills (and that includes using telephoto lenses for wildlife photography).

But when I use it, I like it to be as good as possible. And if the AF on less expensive still camera models were closer to the stills AF on Canon 1DX or Nikon D4, I would probably use it more often.

@thepalalias I'm comparing it to AF systems of lesser and much cheaper mirrorless cameras in the 500€ range (I won't mention brands here) that do video much better. Of course priorities dictate the buying decision so maybe you don't care about AF but I do and I think I've been royally fooled by Panasonic since they make so much fuss about videography and AF capabilities in their marketing material: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh3/still_response.html#contrastaf and http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh3/video_shooting.html

Anyway since I've seen many people share the same problem I'm relieved that the problem is not mine and after this season is over I'll kick this camera down really fast. I don't really have any hopes that Panasonic will correct this in a new firmware.

Yet another one of the AF failures I had yesterday:

@thanos

I've looked at your stuff and find that you are whining for nothing. Most of your scenes are low in contrast: beige frond against neutral bkg... white shirts against overexposed sky... The GH3 is the only pro level DSLR that even gives you the remote possibility of AF while shooting. Under your shooting circumstances you should be locking focus as you would with most other cameras.