The Panasonic Lumix DMC-Gh2

by Matsumoto, Brian; Roullard, Carol F.

• ISBN13: 9781933952895
• ISBN10: 193395289X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-21
• Publisher: Rocky Nook

Summary

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide provides a wealth of information and professional insights for owners of this powerful HD camera. With its electronic viewfinder and interchangeable lenses, the GH2 is capable of not only recording professional-quality still images, but has the added ability to record HD video as well. The mirrorless design enhances the camera's versatility beyond that of most digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. With the appropriate adapters, it can use virtually any manufacturer's manual focus, legacy lens. It is smaller than a typical DSLR in both size and weight, and retains automatic focusing while recording videos capability that is missing in many DSLR cameras. With the GH2, Panasonic has significantly expanded the video capabilities beyond those of previous models. Among the improvements is the ability to adjust the frame rate and shutter speed when filming video, giving users greater control over the movie-making process. In this guide, authors Brian Matsumoto and Carol F. Roullard explore and explain the features and capabilities of the GH2 camera in detail, as they cover everything from the basic features of the camera to numerous advanced photographic applications. The informative text is illustrated with example images throughout.Readers will learn how to: Control the most basic camera functions-focus and exposure Navigate the camera's menu system Achieve a range of artistic effects using various camera settings Use the camera's automated controls, and override those controls to obtain better exposure Use the GH2 in its video mode to obtain HD videos Post-process images and videos on a computer Expand the camera's use by mounting it on a telescope or microscope And much more...

Table of Contents

Getting Started	p. 2
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2: New Features	p. 3
Using This Book	p. 3
Setting Up Your New Panasonic GH2 Camera	p. 5
Battery	p. 6
Memory Card	p. 7
Protecting the Lens	p. 9
Viewing Menu Commands	p. 10
Touch Screen	p. 15
Information and Error Messages	p. 16
Important RESET Command	p. 16
Cleaning the Sensor	p. 16
Setting the Clock Date and Time	p. 17
The Dual Viewing System of the Panasonic	p. 18
Recommendations	p. 19
Basic Photographic Ideas and External Buttons	p. 20
Introduction	p. 21
File Formats	p. 23
Shutter-Release Button 26 Focusing	p. 26
Exposure (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO)	p. 33
White Balance and the Appearance of Color	p. 36
Drive Mode Lever	p. 37
Videos	p. 40
Recommendations	p. 41
Exploring the Power of Two Electronic Displays	p. 42
Introduction	p. 43
The LCD Screen	p. 43
The Viewfinder	p. 44
Framing Pictures	p. 45
Reviewing Pictures, Burst Groups, and Videos	p. 58
Altering the Playback Display	p. 61
Deleting Saved Pictures, Burst Groups, and Videos	p. 65
Recommendations	p. 66
Automatic Settings	p. 68
Introduction	p. 69
Face Recognition	p. 70
Mode Dial	p. 76
Intelligent Auto Mode	p. 77
Predefined Scene Modes	p. 84
Recommendations	p. 91
Setting the Camera Using Shortcuts	p. 94
Introduction	p. 95
Quick Menu	p. 95
My Menu	p. 97
Setting the Function Buttons	p. 98
Custom Modes	p. 100
Setting Color Schemes	p. 102
Recommendations	p. 108
Taking Control of the Camera	p. 110
Introduction	p. 111
Three Semiautomatic Modes: Shutter-Priority AE (S), Aperture-Priority AE (A), and Program AE (P)	p. 111
ISO	p. 115
White Balance	p. 119
Revisiting Aspect Ratio and Pixels	p. 124
Customizing Automatic Focusing	p. 126
Automatic Focusing: Speeding Up Focusing at the Expense of Battery Power	p. 129
Automatic Focus in Dim Light	p. 130
Locking Focus with AF/AE	p. 131
Manual Focus: Overriding Automatic Focusing	p. 131
Manual Operation of the Camera	p. 134
Introduction	p. 135
Manual Exposure Mode Controls	p. 135
Manual Focusing Overriding Automatic Focusing	p. 140
Manual Focusing of Four Thirds Lenses	p. 140
Manual Focusing Any Lens	p. 141
Focusing Using the Touch Screen	p. 141
Fine-Tuning White Balance	p. 143
Intelligent Resolution	p. 145
Getting More Magnification from the Lens	p. 146
Choosing File Formats: JPEG	p. 148
Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.)	p. 149
Auto Bracketing	p. 151
The System Approach to Expanding the Camera's Utility	p. 156
Introduction	p. 157
Optical Accessories: The Micro Four Thirds Lens	p. 157
The Four Thirds System	p. 160
Legacy Lenses, Discontinued Lenses	p. 163
Research Microscopes	p. 167
Laboratory, Teaching, and Home Microscopes	p. 168
Cable Release	p. 170
Tripods	p. 170
Telescopes	p. 172
Recommendations	p. 174
Flash Photography	p. 176
Introduction	p. 177
The Built-in Flash	p. 177
The Flash Icons on the Display Screen	p. 181
Additional Controls for Preflash and Internal Shutter	p. 181
External Flash	p. 185
Recommendations	p. 186
Videos	p. 188
Two Roads to Video	p. 189
Part 1: General Video Setup	p. 190
Part 2: Advanced Settings: Creative Motion Picture Mod	p. 200
Recommendations	p. 205
Playing Back Your Pictures and Videos	p. 208
Introduction	p. 209
Playback Terminology	p. 210
PLAYBACK Menu	p. 210
Working outside of the Camera	p. 235
Recommendations	p. 237
Common Error Messages and Resolutions	p. 238
Intelligent Auto Mode Menu Options	p. 246
Acknowledgments	p. 252
Index	p. 253
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