Finally an underwater housing for the GH1 and GF1!

It looks like a manufacturer called http://www.10bar.com/ has released underwater housings for both the Panasonic GH1 and GF1.  It appears they are located in Hong Kong, so I am not sure how you would buy one.  Possible dealers in the USA.  The housings are rated to 300' deep and allow for full control.  I am assuming the GH2 would work as well.

http://www.10bar.com/new_home.htm

To hack or not to hack? Hacking the Panasonic GH1

By now you've probably heard that you can hack a Panasonic GH1 DSLR camera to increase it's resolution.  The GH1 is a video capable 1080/24P 720/60i dslr camera that uses the AVCHD compression format.  The GH1 came from Panasonic with a maximum of 17 mbps (megabytes per second) codec.  This turned off a lot of potential purchasers and the camera was not considered professional by many.

     All has changed and history must be rewritten.  Now you can hack you GH1 to result in a codec as high as 50 mbps in AVCHD and 100 mbps in mjpeg mode.  This is huge drastically changes the resolution.  Previously, end users would encounter "MUD" (pixelation and artifacting) when using the stock GH1 in panning shots or high detail scenes.  It would just look ugly.  On a side note; the stock GH1 can still produce incredible HD for slow moving shots.  Even the hacked GH1 is only recording at 17 mbps in slow or static shots most of the time.  Look at this video to see an unhacked GH1 in mjpeg mode.  But "MUD" is no longer an issue using the hacked GH1 or GH13 (name users gave the hacked GH1 by the person that created the software hack, "tester 13").  The footage can now rival the 7D and yes, even the 5D.  There is an excellent video here comparing the 7D and the hacked GH1.  The results are astonishing!

     How to hack? The process of hacking your GH1 is relatively simple.  First, you need a GH1 with firmware version 1.2.  Panasonic recently changed their firmware, probably to stop the hack, so newer camera's are currently unhackable.  You would then download a software called Ptools and the firmware release from Panasonic.  You can then pick what settings you want, 32mbps, 44mbps, 100mbps in mjpeg mode, have real 24P (no pulldown needed), change the language, etc.  Save it to your SD card, pop it in you camera, your camera updates and your done.  You now have a hacked GH1.  For full instructions go here.

     Not to hack?  There aren't too many reasons to not hack your GH1.  They have yet to find anyone that has damaged their camera from hacking.  It may void your warranty, but you can now put back the factory settings if you have to send it in.  Other reasons are memory card write error in highly detailed scenes or fast movement.  This can be reduced by using a class 10 card.  I personally use the Transcend 8GB class 10 SD card, which is available from Amazon for about $20.  I have only had one failure in 720/60i mode and never in 1080/24p mode.  The failure happened when I was filming underwater on a reef with a lot of fish swimming over it.

     Panasonic stopped manufacturing the GH1 in lieu of the GH2, which was just released.  So finding a hackable GH1 will increasingly get more difficult.  If you do get one, it may not be the older firmware version.  This may cause a spike in used GH1's.  Hack the GH2?  Only time will tell.

     To hack or not to hack?  Hack.

New! Micro Motion Slider Introduced!

We had a lot of requests for a smaller camera slider that could easily be taken anywhere.  So after some development we've finally launched the Micro Motion Slider to fit the bill.  Weighing in just under 2lbs, the Micro Motion Slider adds portability while still allowing smooth pans.  65% smaller that our standard Motion Slider and a total length of 20".  Great for Gorilla shooting or throwing in a backpack while hiking up a mountain.  Since the Micro Motion Slider is smaller, we've added legs as an option for increased stability when using on flat surfaces.  The slider will also mount to a tripod head or base via 1/4" and 3/8" holes on the bottom of the rail.  All aluminum construction and self lubrication bearings will insure your slider will last for years.   Video's soon to follow.