Burning Crow Pictures

Test 2 with Color

This is where the difference is very noticeable between color and B&W. Running through all of the film modes didn’t help too much. Almost looks as if Dynamic was best in the background but Smooth was better in the skin tones, least in my eyes. Today there was much less light coming through the window because of an overcast so I put up a light in front of the window and tried to get the same intensity. There isn’t any light bouncing off the walls or ceiling so it is quite different but it was just to get some noise anyway. B&W looks much more appealing to my eye at this high ISO setting than color. I wouldn’t come close to this ISO with color but you get much more range with the B&W. You will have to see the video in 720p to see the noise clearer.

Testing With Daddy Pt. 2

So what is the point? Well it was to see just how far you could push the B&W modes and to me they look pretty good. I think you could be safe going 1600 ISO for web stuff. So if you are out with your GH1 and absolutely must capture something in low light but want the best image I think you can go B&W and it still look pretty good. Milage may vary of course.

Panasonic GH1
720p 60p @ 1/125 shutter conformed to 23.98fps
1600 ISO @ f5.3 Stock Lens set to 35mm (70mm equivalent)
Light source one 6500K fluorescent light 8 feet away (100W equivalent).
Black & White Film Modes
Standard: Contrast 0; Sharpness 0; Saturation 0; Noise Reduction 0
Dynamic: Contrast 0; Sharpness 0; Saturation 0; Noise Reduction 0
Smooth: Contrast -2; Sharpness -1; Saturation -1; Noise Reduction -2
Nostalgic: Contrast 0; Sharpness 0; Saturation 0; Noise Reduction 0
Nature: Contrast 0; Sharpness 0; Saturation 0; Noise Reduction 0