gh3

• 19 Comments

•

IMG_3622

The GH3 has been a tough little camera to find at normal retail price. I've been thinking about a second camera body, and when I saw a deal listed under retail price, I just had to jump in on it. I've been really putting the GH3 to work lately, and it will be nice to have a second camera angle that can match up easily in post. These cameras have been backordered and out of stock at retailers, but not impossible to find. The ones that are available are marked up or on auctions via eBay (click here).

Panasonic GH3 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 Digital Camera

• 2 Comments

•

The Panasonic GH3 camera is still out of stock via Amazon and BHPhoto, but you can find dozens available for overly marked up prices on eBay. Every now and then you can track one down at normal retail price, and there just so happens to be one available right now. Looks like a listing for only one GH3 at normal retail price (click here)

Panasonic GH3 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 Digital Camera

• 2 Comments

•

Just caught this listing for a few Panasonic GH3 camera bodies while I was searching for a second GH3 camera (NAB 2013 coverage). The listing does not show a photo, but the description has everything about the GH3 camera for sale. The eBay seller appears to be from the super store Buy.com, and has 99.7% positive ratings with about 2.5 million Feedback ratings (crazy!).

I just checked the Buy.com website and they show a few kits in stock with lens bundles. This looks very much legit and the best part is they are only selling it for $1211 while others who are still out of stock list the retail for $1299. If you've been trying to hunt one down, this seems like a legit buy. Check out the listing (click here).

Panasonic GH3 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 Digital Camera

Don't forget about the Sigma Lens Deal for Micro Four Thirds cameras that is still available, which gives you two fast F/2.8 prime lenses for the price of one (here)

Sigma 19mm 30mm M43 mount GH3
find-price-button Micro 4/3 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

• 22 Comments

•

If you think your GH3 camera needs and LCD View Finder, here's how Scott Pendleton modified the Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View Finder to fit [Thanks Scott]. Typically the GH3 body is too short, so you'll need to have the GH3 Battery Grip to start.

GH3 Carry Speed VF3VF-3 GH3

The next problem is that the GH3 battery grip relocates the tripod mount to the right (not centered). This causes a problem for the VF-3 not being able to shift far enough to the left to line up properly. Scott then grinded the alignment plate and drilled a new hole that will allow the Loupe to align properly. You can figure it out from the images below but keep in mind this will definitely void any product warranty.

GH3 LCD View FinderModded VF-3 Carry Speed

Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View Finder GH3P1170485

Click any of the images (above) for a larger view. You can find the Carry Speed VF-3 LCD View finder at the CarrySpeed.com website (here).

Carry Speed Swivi LCD View Finder
find-price-button Carry Speed VF-3 DSLR LCD View Finder with Quick Release

And if you're wondering what Eye Cushion Scott is using on the Carry Speed VF-3, it is specifically the Blue Star Oval Long (not oval large) found via B&H below
Blue Star Oval Long View Finder Eye Cushion
find-price-button Blue Star Eye Cushion Oval Long for Carry Speed VF-3.

• 6 Comments

•

Right now there is a Sigma Lens deal which includes the 19mm F/2.8 and 30mm F/2.8 prime lenses bundled into one discount price. You can choose either a set for Sony E Mount cameras, or the set for Micro Four Thirds cameras. I have the 30mm on my Sony NEX7 and really enjoy this lens. I may have to get a set for the new GH3 at these prices.

[Update] These sold out quick and the listing shows a Back-ordered status, but I have just verified with B&H you can still place an order if you want to take advantage of these prices and it will ship when it is back in stock. Click through the links below for the deal.

Sigma 19mm 30mm M43 mount GH3
find-price-button Micro 4/3 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

Sigma Sony E Mount 19mm 30mm
find-price-button Sigma 19mm F/2.8 + 30mm F/2.8 Sony E Mount Lens Discount Bundle

• 4 Comments

•

If you're planning for longer run times on the new GH3 camera, here's the DC Coupler needed to work with an external power source. This dummy battery is required to work with many different external power solutions, or with the Panasonic DMW-AC8 Power Adapter that connects directly to an AC outlet (wall). This is the first DC Coupler adapter i've seen made available for the GH3 and found via eBay (click here).

Panasonic DC battery Coupler Adapter External Battery
find-price-button Panasonic GH3 DC Battery Coupler External Battery

• 15 Comments

•

One of the exciting accessories Panasonic has brought with the new GH3 is an official battery grip. Since the new Panasonic DMC-GH3 is targeting more professional shooters, they are offering this Panasonic Battery Grip for Lumix DMC-GH3 Digital Camera (found here). Finally, longer run times with dual batteries, but it comes with a near $300 dollar price tag.

GH3 Battery Grip-96GH3 Battery Grip-103

The grip attaches under the Panasonic DMC-GH3 camera body and uses an 18 pin connection for communication. One neat feature is that the original battery door can remain on the camera, so you can quickly move from 'gripped' body to 'non-gripped' body simply by unscrewing the grip.

GH3 Battery Grip-98GH3 Battery Grip

The grip can only house one battery, so if you're looking for additional run-time you would leave one battery in the camera body and one in the battery grip. This will take just a few seconds more to swap out the internal battery, but nothing overly cumbersome for the benefit of more battery life. Note: If you only plan to run one battery, it can be store either in the camera or in the grip, and the camera will still power on.

GH3 Battery Grip-99

The grip will add a bit more balance to the Panasonic DMC-GH3 along with some quick function buttons, and scroll wheels when holding in portrait orientation. Mostly photographers will benefit from a grip like this, but video shooters looking for more area to grip on the small camera, or looking to double their battery life will find this a must have also. Price is high on this grip, but let's hope there are more affordable aftermarket versions available soon.

Panasonic Battery Grip GH3 dmc-gh3
find-price-button Panasonic Battery Grip for DMC-GH3

• 31 Comments

•

Here's a few video clips from the new Panasonic GH3 camera taken while I was hanging out at the San Francisco Academy of Science. Most of the video clips were shot in high ISO due to low lighting, and everything was shot handheld (no tripods allowed in the building). I also took a few still images that I've posted in an earlier article (seen here).

The Image Stabilization on 12-35mm F/2.8 Lens proved to work very well even with some of the close up shots. Unfortunately, this video will not showcase the true abilities of the Panasonic GH3 camera as sharpness is lost when shooting through the thick plexiglass aquariums.

For the video, the only gear that was used is found below.

Panasonic GH3 Camera
find-price-button Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3K Mirrorless Camera

Panasonic 12-25mm
find-price-button Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8

• 27 Comments

•

The GH3 is fun little camera so far, but i'm still not super comfortable focusing or stabilizing the little camera just by holding the body itself. I tried putting together a small stabilizer using a few bits from the Prime Rig, and here's where it's at so far.

GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-1  GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-2

Without the unique folding hybrid Shoulder/Chest pad from the P&C Prime Shoulder Rig, this little setup would be nothing more than a baseplate and set of rails. Attached under the base plate is the P&C Pistol Grip which makes for a very stable mini gun-stock target stabilizer for small cameras such as the Panasonic GH3.

GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-3  GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-4

GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-5  GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-6

GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-7  GH3 Prime Pocket Rig-8

With these few pieces i'm able to carry the camera with one hand, focus or zoom with the other, and use the wide Hybrid Chest/Shoulder pad pressed against my body for stabilization. The bits and pieces from this kit are all part of the P&C Prime Video Shoulder Rig and one P&C Pistol Grip

target-prime-rig_1024x1024
find-price-button P&C Prime Video Shoulder Rig Kit

pistol-grip-1_1024x1024
find-price-button P&C Prime Video Shoulder Rig Kit