LUMIX GH5 *Successful* Autofocus Tests!
Photo Moment - April 06, 2017
OK folks, you've seen all the FAILED GH5 autofocus tests… now watch the video where I took the time to make it work.
**READ THE PINNED COMMENT BELOW**
Hey everyone… this video was recorded externally to the Ninja specifically so you could see the the on screen display, face tracking, etc. I wasn't aware that the autofocus performance changed when recording vs not. I haven't watched all of Max's videos so if he's said that, great, but I didn't know. This wasn't recorded this way to “deceive”, so to any of you saying that, you're wrong (and if you don't believe me, a) I don't care, and b) I don't care). I am completely honest that I am sponsored by Panasonic so YES I am biased. But I'm not setting out to deceive you, so wipe that idea right out of your head. I will do some more tests recording internally, starting with the settings I ended up with here, and tweaking (if necessary) from that. However I'm probably not going do to anymore tests following this format… it's boring and unrealistic. I will go out and shoot some real content and check AF as I go, and tweak as necessary. No one shoots real world footage like the tests you are seeing. So I'll start shooting real content. Stay tuned for more tests, and again I reiterate… relax, people. It's a camera. Not a religion. Quit watching reviews and go out and shoot. (update) Oh and by the way, shooting to an external recorder is far from invalid. It's a totally legitimate way to shoot and how many, many people do. So from that regard, this is a totally legit test, too.
Scary If some GH5 AF work and some not.🤔
PhotoJoseph, love your viseos on the GH5. I pick mine up tomorrow and will be using to shoot (indoor) high school and local youth basketball games. What would be your recommended Auto Focus settings for shooting basketball game from the side line at center court?
+Shawn Gordon Probably 225 and custom off but you'll need to play a little
you are awful.. don't critic other's work.. especially if is it better than yours
"the GH5 has great autofocus" LOL compared to what, a potato? I'm sorry but I shoot with Nikons, Sonys, and now just purchased a couple of GH5 to replace my GH4s, and while the GH5 is an impressive camera in many other aspects, continuous autofocus for video is certainly not one of them. I will continue to use the A6500 for gimbal use and in situations when manual focusing is not practical. I've always enjoyed and learned from your past videos, PhotoJoseph, but you must just own up to Panasonic's marketing deception that the GH5's AF is a "significant improvement" over the GH4. It's not. It's barely an improvement and in some cases I still prefer the GH4. Or perhaps becoming a Lumix Luminary means honesty and credibility totally goes out the window and you have to resort to condescendingly calling out other more honest reputable youtubers like Max Yuryev's exhaustive testing of the GH5's AF as merely an attempt to get more views. LOL. The irony. If anything it's you PhotoJoseph that are being dishonest in saying the GH5 has great AF, and continuing to back up Panasonic's deceptive marketing tactics when owners of the GH5 like myself have already seen its AF shortcomings in the flesh. Not good man. Not good.
There is no such thing as a bad camera!! Just buy a camera than you can use and create content. To me I prefer Sony cause they are what I love using. The GH5 is a good camera for me its a little over priced being MFT.
Auto focus problems will always be fixed as its mostly user errors. With lighting subjects correctly the camera will know that is your main focus point and lock on, Same with Sony same with Canon. Learn the camera or move to a system you find easier to learn simple stuff.
Auto focus problems will always be fixed as its mostly user errors. With lighting subjects correctly the camera will know that is your main focus point and lock on, Same with Sony same with Canon. Learn the camera or move to a system you find easier to learn simple stuff.
I'm seeing a touch of James Yeager here, Lovin' Your Work!
Any 2k$ camera should auto focus out of the box. Having options to change the way it focuses should make focusing better, not having to work like crazy to have it work at all. Your videos are a joke.
Dear PhotoJoseph, I am very grateful for you having turned Closed Captions on in this video! I am not a native speaker and even worse I am very hard of hearing. With the help of the Youtube auto CC it would be a lot easier for me to enjoy your very interesting shows! Your series make me now even learning a lot more about my GH4 (it already has a lot of the GH5 functionality) and gave me inspiration to explore its possibilities even more. Thank you very much and keep up the good work!
Would it be possible to turn on CC in previous videos?
Would it be possible to turn on CC in previous videos?
seems to be the only reviewer i've seen so far that is praising the autofocus of the GH5. now i know why. you are sponsored!!!!
Autofocus of this cam is useless, just doesn't work, no matter what setting you user. I have seen several vieos testing this now and it was unbelievable bad. So I won't buy this, I'm totally disappointed of this cam.
I just watched your last video and when you're in the field you are very interesting to watch. That video picked up a sub from me. Very well done and very well explained.
Ok but were you recording when you did that previous test? Seems like it was just capturing live-view.
+Croo ookie I'm recording on an ATOMOS Ninja Assassin so the audience can see the interface
tough to follow. dialogue is disjointed. autofocus shouldn't be that hard ...
So basically this camera sucks compared to EVERYTHING else on the market that isn't 2-3 years old. G85 is a better camera for 1/3 the price.
MuahMan if you have any evidence for your statement, please share lol. I own a T3i and am saving up for a G85 but I'd kill for a GH5
MuahMan So basically your logic sucks compared to EVERYTHING else in the comment section
I'd like to use your affiliates as you give us so much of your time but because we are at the arse end of the planet most of your affiliates are not in the land of Oz (straya) which is a bugga
+sector9films Yeah sorry and thanks. Amazon might carry through but I honestly don't know. Appreciate the thought though!
"Someone aske me on Twitter..." pffffff "someone" =p
(Also... Dont forget... Most interested in 60p internal with 24p external, not 60 30.)
(Also... Dont forget... Most interested in 60p internal with 24p external, not 60 30.)
You're my brother from another mother.
4k 60p internal
24p external
10bit
highest Mbs available.
V-log with any LUT applied you desire.
Really just want to see if we can get those two frame rates captured it'll be a big deal for us.
I'm curious if battery wears down slower if you're running a Vlog file and also applying an LUT. Don't really need to know ... But if you're looking to do a test that probably no one else will. That might be a good one.
For us, we are shooting on a Ronin M. So IF you have one round or access to one... It would be great to see if any of your focusing settings of choice, allow for a moving subject and camera to keep up.
And I'd go further to say. At a narrower than human eye field of view... So something like 35-40mm on that new Lecia glass. Because wide open, more things would be in focus at the same f-stop. And that's too easy. It also is too typical a Gimbal like shot, something we don't want any part of (looking or feeling typical.)
Moving subject should be moving moderately... Say.. Dancing in place, not running or skateboarding around. But just rockin out to some tunes... And the camera. Moving in and out and around.
THOSE are the conditions under wich we will be using these little beasts.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the 3 cameras we will be using that won't be on Ronins, but will be mounted on sticks and will be used to roll for over an hour. I fear with the 400mb update, we won't be able to run off of one battery. Test showed up to 2 hrs in 4k on one battery, but I'm not sure if that will be even remotely close recording 400mb a sec. So I think all three might need grips and maybe just run those with DC power and take their batteries and use them for backups on the 3 cameras in the Ronins. Though probably never will be used as those cameras will only be running for the length of a song. It's a one take ordeal. Talk about nerve wracking! Take a world famous celeb.. And you get one song worth of time. To make SIX images of for all of history... Maybe I'll shoot it on film every once in a while just to really intensify it!
I may just have to personally cook you lunch when you visit the studio once were up n running.
4k 60p internal
24p external
10bit
highest Mbs available.
V-log with any LUT applied you desire.
Really just want to see if we can get those two frame rates captured it'll be a big deal for us.
I'm curious if battery wears down slower if you're running a Vlog file and also applying an LUT. Don't really need to know ... But if you're looking to do a test that probably no one else will. That might be a good one.
For us, we are shooting on a Ronin M. So IF you have one round or access to one... It would be great to see if any of your focusing settings of choice, allow for a moving subject and camera to keep up.
And I'd go further to say. At a narrower than human eye field of view... So something like 35-40mm on that new Lecia glass. Because wide open, more things would be in focus at the same f-stop. And that's too easy. It also is too typical a Gimbal like shot, something we don't want any part of (looking or feeling typical.)
Moving subject should be moving moderately... Say.. Dancing in place, not running or skateboarding around. But just rockin out to some tunes... And the camera. Moving in and out and around.
THOSE are the conditions under wich we will be using these little beasts.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the 3 cameras we will be using that won't be on Ronins, but will be mounted on sticks and will be used to roll for over an hour. I fear with the 400mb update, we won't be able to run off of one battery. Test showed up to 2 hrs in 4k on one battery, but I'm not sure if that will be even remotely close recording 400mb a sec. So I think all three might need grips and maybe just run those with DC power and take their batteries and use them for backups on the 3 cameras in the Ronins. Though probably never will be used as those cameras will only be running for the length of a song. It's a one take ordeal. Talk about nerve wracking! Take a world famous celeb.. And you get one song worth of time. To make SIX images of for all of history... Maybe I'll shoot it on film every once in a while just to really intensify it!
I may just have to personally cook you lunch when you visit the studio once were up n running.
+Jason Joseph Right on man. Tell me exactly what you want to test and I'll run it. 4K60p… autofocus on or off? LCD open or closed? Anything auto or all full manual?
Don't be silly brother. I'm just razzin ya. I'm very grateful to have you to reach out to. Dug the photo tests! I'm curious.. (I was literally just in my Google drive typing in the search for the GH5 manual I'd downloaded when you replied..) Curious to know if the GH5 has the ability to draw a box around your subject that you want it to focus? Much like what's available on the new Canon 5dMk4 models. This will suit our needs more as with Six Beats, the subjects will no doubt often have their face not pointed at the camera while rocking out to music...
Also, I spoke with The Camera Store again to get a grip on what battery life will be like shooting 4k at 60p(though I think I told them 24p and I'm betting it matters..) Needed to know if I'll be safe to roll for just over an hour. (If so this saves us from having to add battery grips to three camera$) They reported back (again I believe though they were judging based on 24p) that 2 hrs of the recording could be expected per battery.
HOWEVER. What I failed to find out (they were curious too and said they will get back to me.. Haven't heard from them yet though.) is if you are ALSO recording externally while recording internally. If that 2 hrs drops !?
Am I giving you enough ideas for new videos....? =)
Also, I spoke with The Camera Store again to get a grip on what battery life will be like shooting 4k at 60p(though I think I told them 24p and I'm betting it matters..) Needed to know if I'll be safe to roll for just over an hour. (If so this saves us from having to add battery grips to three camera$) They reported back (again I believe though they were judging based on 24p) that 2 hrs of the recording could be expected per battery.
HOWEVER. What I failed to find out (they were curious too and said they will get back to me.. Haven't heard from them yet though.) is if you are ALSO recording externally while recording internally. If that 2 hrs drops !?
Am I giving you enough ideas for new videos....? =)
+Jason Joseph oh my god dude I'm sorry… my brain has been pulled in fifty directions this week I'll get it sorted.
You claim that the AF system is great for video but it just requires more work; knowledge how to set the parameters. But this is just not true. The video C-AF system of the GH5 is awful, no matter which parameters you use!
The absolute minimum requirement of C-AF in video is to be able to follow a target moving reasonably slowly towards or away from the camera. AFAIK there is no set of parameters that would make the GH5 do this without it also "hunting" at some point, which looks absolutely horrible.
The absolute minimum requirement of C-AF in video is to be able to follow a target moving reasonably slowly towards or away from the camera. AFAIK there is no set of parameters that would make the GH5 do this without it also "hunting" at some point, which looks absolutely horrible.
Hi Joseph, absolutely love all your stuff mate, you do such a great job I pick up my GH5 tomorrow Wooohoo! BTW I have come across this audio system Boya Dual Channel Wireless System for around $400 Australian and I am looking at purchasing it. I am curious if you or any other of your subscribers have seen it or tested it? It seems pretty good. Plus you get 2 transmitters and and 1 receiver
Thanks I appreciate your input cheers, John
+sector9films I have not! Sounds great; I'll check it out. My experience with low cost Wireless audio has NOT been good so I'd love to find one that works!
PhotoJoseph, I appreciate your videos. I have learned more about the GH5 from you than anyone else on YouTube. Thank you. No one can deny the value per dollar you get with the GH5 when it comes to video recording. I know you are a Lumix luminary and I have no problem with that. But please be careful not to berate those who value and rely on continuous autofocus when recording video.
+Cactus Tweeter That's fair, and you're right
To be blunt, it seems like a lot of reviewers are hoping for an idiot proof setting.
People want an idiot-proof autofocus setting. This is true. Because what's what the competitors already provide. Panasonic's autofocus system is unrefined, underdeveloped, and too complex in comparison. You can't blame the users of a mass consumer product if that was the target market. You should be shooting in manual anyway.
The only way to idiot proof it, is for the manufacturer to refuse to sell to idiots... Problem solved. =)
That would be great, but even cumbersome settings that would enable people to do what they want to do would be welcome. Panasonic has provided neither. There is no combination of settings that would make the video C-AF on the GH5 acceptable for even simple scenarios. (Now, if you turn off C-AF then it's different, I'm not commenting on that.)
...automatic everything. -Panasonic listened to their users and gave us something great! And the freedom and magic of the arts are being lost by simple settings that are warranted by those who want it now and fast.. Joseph, you have done a fantastic job with the GH5. Please continue to post for the video conscious minded out here. For those who want faster autofocusing have them review the "RED SCARLET" or the many other high end brands if they would so acquire.Thanks Josrph
PPL! This camera has great photography! and Video! If the auto focus is the reason to not get it, then that is pretty sad. Auto focus might be slightly off from other cameras but not enough to make me not buy the camera. I'll try an post a video soon. It wont be a review because I don't do those, but more of a random story video. Some shots will have AF on and I'll label it. If you're looking for just a Vlogging camera then just use your iphone or a DJi Osmo. Pretty much any new camera will work great nowadays, so just pick one and shoot.
PhotoJoseph, the one big misconception I see out there is that people say AF Sucks! AF has traditionally been pressing the shutter button. That is perfect and super fast with GH5. Furthermore, touch to focus is great with it too! The difference is the Continuous AF, which apparently is now the definition of autofocus (for reasons I don't understand!) So, people should differentiate and say the AF Single is awesome, if you want continuous AF, then you have to customize it for the exact conditions you want to use it. The camera can not decide what kind of a situation you're in. I have my Continuous AF off and use AF Single. But if I were to have it on I would have it on AF Speed -2 and Sensitivity -3. If it's a Face, then I would have Face Detection, but otherwise, it should be Focus Area and based on the zone I want it to work. Best situation, however, is to have Continuous AF off and use Single AF, then have focus area selected and drag the Area Focus with finger and drop it on any area you want while shooting! For that the track pad has to be turned on for focus. The change in focus is instantaneous.
The AF in GH5 is fine for 90% of shooting types. If someone wants the best in continuous AF then they should buy a 5DMKiv for $3500 instead of $2000 GH5.
The AF in GH5 is fine for 90% of shooting types. If someone wants the best in continuous AF then they should buy a 5DMKiv for $3500 instead of $2000 GH5.
I like your videos but when you tried to compare the GH5's AF capability to the GH5's ability to edit video and do makeup, you lost me. :) Can't we just all agree that AF on the GH5 requires more effort than other systems and just be ok with that?
For me, I plan to identify the best settings for my use cases. Hopefully we can save custom settings so that I can quickly switch between them.
For me, I plan to identify the best settings for my use cases. Hopefully we can save custom settings so that I can quickly switch between them.
No, we can't. It's not that it requires more effort. It's that video C-AF simply doesn't work no matter how much effort you put into it. (Now, some people are OK with not having C-AF in video, and some people are OK with having results with horrible AF hunting, but that's a different matter.)
Yeah, I was just making a point that so many people expect the camera to do everything for them. It gets a little tiring, that's all.
CDAF is not suitable for this kind of video af... the camera is great, but pany has to change the focus system. Canon, sony and now Fuji did it. And they are great in CAF in video.
You are correct Sir! All these tests are unnecessary. Single touch AF and Shutter Half Press AF is awesome on GH5, but the Continuous AF Sucked in GH3, GH4, and now in GH5. But why have a camera in continuous AF?! Best setting is Single AF and turning continuous AF off. If anyone needs continuous AF they should probably use a Canon with DPAF.
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