Anybody shooting with the Panasonic GX80/85/GX7II?

I TOO, am planning to use this camera, (GX80/85) purely for VIDEO in an IKELITE housing.

However, I have been labouring under the impression that Ikelite provided a suitable port for the 14-42mm PZ Panasonic lens. I wanted to use this lens as I was hoping to operate the zoom mechanism via the cameras up/down keypad function. It would appear, from my limited research, that this lens cannot be used with Ikelite housings, which I can't quite understand, given that it is just a small, pancake type lens. I'm not a great macro freak and I don't like the idea of trying to rig up 'zoom gears', so any thoughts on other zoom lenses that may be operated via the camera controls, that will work with the Dual IS?
Many thanks.

I have a Panasonic G7 and the Olympus 12-50 PZ and you can use the arrow keys to electronically zoom the lens, same as on the Olympus bodies. Ikelite have a dome for this lens and the lens is cheap New or second hand. You can also use it behind a flat port and put a diopter e.g. Nauticam CMC on it for near macro (0.8 life size). I used the 12-50 behind a flat port with my EM1 in Ningaloo and got a giant Manta and small nudi shots on the same dive. The CMC diopter really sharpens up the lens a lot too.

I tested this on the GX85 and it works fine on both the Panasonic PZ 14-42 lens and the Olympus 12-50 (but cannot trigger macro mode, nor will it work in macro mode). I can't remember if the GH4 worked the same (I thought I used the up/down arrows), but the custom memory option is "Zoom Control". I assigned it to my Fn1 button. Once assigned, pressing the Fn1 button will bring up the zoom range on the screen and allow you to zoom with the left and right arrows. After a few seconds without pressing either arrow the zoom control ends until you press the Fn1 button again.

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Bob. Very many thanks for this. Does the 12-50 Olympus lens work with the GX85 IBIS? I like Ikelite housings, especially so given they are a lot less expensive than Nauticam.

Thanks Griff. I am a seasoned videographer, and shooting video with these mirrorless or DSLR type cameras is all new to me. I'm not that conversant with diopters, and the 14-42 Panasonic PZ lens seemed the ideal option to me until I discovered there's no DOME port for it, although I would have thought a flat port would have worked. I can't understand why not, if not, but certainly this lens isn't listed on the Ikelite PDF that I have read. May have to look at other options, including diopter. Once again, many thanks for your input and help.

Bob. Very many thanks for this. Does the 12-50 Olympus lens work with the GX85 IBIS? I like Ikelite housings, especially so given they are a lot less expensive than Nauticam.

Sure thing! No OIS on the 12-50, so no Dual IS but you still get the IBIS. The GX85 housing by Ikilite does look nice, but I've loved my Nauticam housings (GH2, GH4 and now GX85).

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OK, last pester on this GX80/85!! I think I have solved SOME of the problems and created more!!

Ikelite, officially, do NOT offer a port option for the Lumix 14-42mm Vario PZ lens, as:

" Physically the PZ lens could fit behind a port, but you would not be able to access the zoom feature. We cant access it in our housing because the zoom is controlled by a toggle switch that is too close to the camera body, right in line with the port mount".

Of course, now that I have pointed out to them that the ZOOMING of the lens can be operated via the camera and a 'sleeve' is not necessary, they are probably going to change their mind.

Sooo....final lens choice. Should I stick to the 14-42mm PZ option, OR go for the Olympus 12-50mm. AND, If I DO; should I choose a flat port or a dome. As I film in ambient light, (fairly shallow waters of the Red Sea, down to around 25 metres/80 feet), I need to Manually WHITE balance using a Red Filter, something easily done with a flat port of course.

Please note that my interest is purely VIDEO, although I am learning some stills.

Thoughts and advice most welcome.

I would only recommend the 12-50 over the 14-42PZ if you are using the Nauticam port that allows you to use the macro button.

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Bob. You're a true gentleman. Can't thank you enough for your help and thoughts. There's so little info out there about this camera and it's capabilities, which is surprising given the length of time the housing has been available. I guess you're the 'pioneer', and I shall be joining you this summer with my own efforts in Egypt. I have ordered the IKELITE housing in a dome port, which accommodates a lot of lenses, including the 14-42mm Lumix Vario PZ, the 12-32kit lens AND the Olympus 12-50mm should I elect to get that lens too.

I always use MWB for video. The results on the GX85 for MWB with video light and ambient light worked perfectly as it did with the GH4. With only 2 dives I was not able to push the limits (depth and low light) to see if there was an improvement over the GH4.

 

 

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You mention that manual WB worked perfectly on the GH4. I've always struggled to get good WB for ambient light with the GH4. It always pushes the blues too far toward magenta/purple. I'm hoping the GH5 is better with the 10bit 4:2:2. Just waiting for the GH5 housing to be released.

I got that too, depending upon the shot and ambient light. Light is lost between the camera and the subject much in the same way light is lost between the surface and the bottom. So if you are white balanced on sand 8' from the camera, anything beyond (or below) that point is going to get more blue/green, and anything above or closer than that point is going to have more reds. MWB locks in white so if you change your shot you are bound to have unpredictable results on exposure and white balance.

You see how the shots here go from more blue to more magenta when I start to pan up with the sea lions (shot with GH4):

https://vimeo.com/119429211

I can't see how 4:2:0, 4:2:2, or even 4:4:4 will change this.

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Hi all GX80 underwater shooter,

how often do you have to change akku? After one dive? Is it good enough for one dive (Macro pictures with flash)?

I'm looking for a camera after my RX100 III (Accu was fine for two dives almost without video), and I'm interessted in GX8 or GX85 or G81 (with new Ikelite housing)

thanks!

LG

Susanne

Akku = battery?

Two dives is pushing it for GX85 - battery life is my only issue with camera. My dives do tend to be long-ish (50-80 minutes) so I have been switching batteries between dives.

I leave LCD on and have been averaging 50 flash fires per dive, approximately 10-15 minutes of recording time.

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yes sorry, means battery.

Many thanks for your answer which helps ...

Is gx8 better with battery? Or g81?

Four years of German in HS you think I would know that hah!

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Was hoping you could tell me if the GX85 accurately white balances at depth or if it requires a red filter to do so?

Thank you,

Corrine

I have the GX85 in the Nauticam housing. Only 2 dives with it so far, but love the camera so far (save for the short battery life). Here's a few pics taken with the camera (first time using strobes in 15 years, so not the best). I will be using the camera primarily for video.

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Was hoping you could tell me if the GX85 accurately white balances at depth or if it requires a red filter to do so?

Thank you,

 

You know, I still haven't done much testing around this, I've mainly been using artificial lighting. I have a 3 day trip this weekend so I will do some tests and get back to you next week.

Bobby

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I did test the MWB on the GX85 on the 3 day. I was able to get a good MWB at a very dark 45fsw. That being said, the camera is not great in low light and both shots are a bit noisy. I will post these shots in the next couple of days.

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For those who have the Nauticam housing for GX85:

Could you measure the size & weight of housing without port & tray?

It is not indicated on Nauticam site.

thanks

Unfortunately small cameras tend to have smaller batteries and life is not so good. If you are after more battery life you might like to consider other m43 cameras. The GX85 battery is 1025 mAhr, I had an EM-5MKII with 1225 mAhr battery which would do 3 dives and probably 150 images or so. I now have an EM-1 II which has a 1750 mAhr battery, yet to test it out but has loads of battery capacity after 2 dives taking 100-120 images.