Panasonic GH3 $998 Deal Ends Tonight!

According to this Gold Box Deals page at Amazon, the $200 off, $998 Panasonic GH3 deal ends tonight.
If you want the best still/video camera on the market today - and you don't want to spend more than $1000, you may want to pull the trigger on this deal today.

Pocket Cinema Camera In Stock - Panasonic GH3 On Sale!

After months of waiting, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is actually in stock at Adorama.  And perhaps coincidentally, the Panasonic GH3 is again on sale at Amazon for $998.

For those who need two high quality video cameras, this is a good pair. I was out shooting with these cameras this past weekend, and it was great to be able to swap lenses and use the same cables and connectors for sound setups - because both cameras use the same lens mount and the same 3.5mm connectors for mics and headphones. To be fair, I did have to crank the mic output up for the Pocket Camera.  More on this later.

I was pleased to discover that the Pocket Camera does a pretty good job of controlling autofocus and aperture for standard 4/3 lenses through the Panasonic DMW-MA1 adapter - so my Oly 11-22mm 4/3 lens worked very well.

That said, if you need to choose one camera or the other, your decision will depend on how much control you want over your images when you're done shooting.

For casual and family video with the ability to produce serious amateur or professional video when needed - the GH3 is the right choice.  It is easier to use in the field (its auto modes just work), and its in-camera color control is more than adequate for most amateur and professional needs.

On the other hand, serious video shooters on a limited budget who don't need a hybrid still/video camera, are frustrated with the limited dynamic range of 8 bit codecs - and who want an exquisite level of image control in the editing suite - should get their hands on the Pocket Cinema Camera.  Yes, shooting with this camera will take more work, but for those who need "filmic" dynamic range and maximum flexibility in the editing suite, the results are worth it.

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Blackmagic Fixes "Black Sun" - but for Pocket Cinema Camera Only

The subtitle of this post could be "Original Blackmagic Customers Left Out in the Cold".

There was an interesting thread over on the Blackmagic Forum yesterday.

• First, Kristian Lam of Blackmagic Design announces that the Camera v1.4.2 update addresses the "Black Sun" effect


• Next, BMPCC shooter David Talbert tests it out:

• It seems to work. Thanks and kudos all around.


• But BMCC shooters soon realize that the fix is for the BMPCC only and does not fix their camera's similar problem.


• BMCC shooters are not amused.


• Thread devolves into angry ad hominem insults and oaths to 'never buy a BM camera again'.

I have been tempted over the past few days to turn around and sell my pre-ordered (April 26th) BMPCC at a mark-up as soon as it arrives (they're selling for $1300-$1400 right now on eBay) in order to "upgrade" to a $1995 BMCC.

But why sell a camera that the company is actively working to fix -  in favor of a camera the company has ignored for over a year?

Upon reflection, I think I'll go ahead and open the Pocket Cinema Camera when it gets here - at the very least so I can shoot the detailed side-by-sides with the GH3 I've promised everyone.

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