Top products from r/gh4

Rigging it is easily the best way to make it usable for sure. The downside to rigging is that it gets bigger. (which for some is a downside, not really for me)
I'd start with the camera, if you're running just the camera I'd look at the smallrig cage. I've been really happy with their stuff. I would however take a look at what you're rigging onto it and ask yourself which cage to get, they have the gh4 cage, but they also make a "universal" small dSLR cage. I personally like the universal style (though I've not used it so take it for what its worth) because it has a clamping plate on the bottom and a hot shoe clamp. this secures the camera to the cage in 2 spots. I like the rigidity. (but I run heavy stuff on my rigs).
If you are running the GH4 with a YAGH the only option is the Wooden Camera kit. I've beat mine for 3 years on the road and its great. 100% recommend it. I went the YAGH rout because I was dropping this into a production environment, I needed the SDI out, XLR in and audio DAC, as well as teh TC for multi cam sync.
Now regardless of what cage you get the next and most important thing you can buy is the HDMI cable clamp. Dont skip this. if you want to use a monitor you'll need an output. I don't really care who makes the camera they all are flimsy and break. they are all expensive to have repaired. and Panasonic isn't repairing GH4s anymore to my knowledge.

Next I'd look at mounting. what are you putting the camera on? Its nice to set cameras down from time to time, even if you're just shooting handheld B-roll. I'd look at the CAMVATE quick release mount base. For like $40 you you get quick lease plate for your cage setup and a height adjustable rod clamp. you can then throw any tripod plate on the bottom of it and you're up and running. The rods give you the starting platform for future rigging.

With the camera now in a cage and on sticks. I'd look at a top handle. I'd get a smallrig again, but one with a nato slide. quick release is always the best option. so figure about $15 for the nato plate and then $60 for a handle. I like the handles with rod mounts so you can run an evf on them. I also would stay away from handles with leather or leather like wraps. they get hot and slippery with sweat.
alright we're getting there. this is where it gets more use case specific, what kind of audio are you running? also what kind of batteries are you running? and then do you use an external monitor or an evf?

For audio, if you're running externally, I'd look at getting some sort of battery plate that you can mount the audio to. CAMVATE again has a nice setup for a Vlock battery with all sorts of various regulated power on it. Its also built on a nice cheese plate.

After that, I'd look at a mattebox, then a follow focus, then monitors. but that gets pricey very quick.

so for links to everything:

Cage - $70.00
Rod Base and riser - $39.00

Nato Plate - $13.00

Top Handle - $60.00

Battery Plate - $100.00

Rods - $13.00

The last thing, if you have a monitor that you want to run on the rig, don't waste your money on the friction arms. they fall apart so fast. for about the same cost of a manfrotto arm you can get one of smallrig's double ball arms. I run this like 3 times a week and its great.

Monitor Mount - $50.00

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So all in total you'd be looking at about $300.00 and you'd have a solid base to start working with. You can probably do better digging around on amazon, or even going to ebay. but I don't have the time right this second to do that. but when you are looking at things make sure that everything is either quick release or thumb screws. trust me you do not want to have to carry a set of allen wrenches to build your camera every time.

The GH4 can record excellent audio from an external mic. I use mine with the [Shure VP83 microphone.] (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/966007-REG/shure_vp83_condenser_shotgun_microphone.html) I've done a lot of broadcast programming and commercials with this mic. Don't put the mic on the camera, put it on a boom and get it close to the person talking. This little boom is great for interviews.

Be sure to set the camera microphone gain to minimum and use the gain setting on the mic to get a good level. Also, be sure to get a shielded microphone cable (not a headphone cable) to minimize noise. As with any unbalanced mic connection, keep your mic cables away from power cables.

If the VP83 is too expensive, I've had great luck with the AT 829 which is built for Audio Technica's wireless system but works great with the GH4. Normally the mic is powered by the wireless transmitter, but the GH4's mic input also supplies the necessary power. Since this is a cardioid mic, it works great on a lightweight boom (I use a carbon-fiber fishing pole!) just above the talent's head. I've also used this mic on broadcast projects. The quality is very good.

/u/ jaejones - I recommend a 3-axis brushless gimbal rather than a traditional counterweight balanced stabiliser for the GH4.

My [Flycam 5000] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BJ1ULNK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00BJ1ULNK&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21) is sitting on a shelf in the cupboard because balancing it and flying it are such a challenge.

For less than the price of a [£465.96 Glidecam HD-2000] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0020LB0MO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0020LB0MO&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21), you can get a [£429.99 Beholder MS1 3-axis pistol grip gimbal] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014II2URU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B014II2URU&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21).

A brushless gimbal will give you a much more compact and easy-to-use solution - plus smooth handheld shots like these:

• [Limor & Moshiko Preparations by Vadim Action] (https://vimeo.com/132641600) (shot with Panasonic 15/1.7 and 7-14/4 lenses; Olympus 12/2, 45/1.8 and 25/1.8 lenses and a Sigma 60/2.8 - all with autofocus, no follow focus)
  
  
• [beholder 3 axis gimbal with panasonic gh4 by NOA Films] (https://vimeo.com/137750652) (shot with the Oly 12/2 - autofocus, no follow focus)
  
  
• [Installation for St Petersburg State Ballet on Ice by Vadim Action] (https://vimeo.com/133876085)
  
  The MS1's payload is only 850gm - so you will be limited to small lenses. If you want to fly the GH4 with larger lenses (e.g, with a Speed Booster and DSLR glass), you might want to step up to the [Beholder DS1 - which costs more at £560] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0194XFPZS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0194XFPZS&linkCode=as2&tag=hybrcamerevo-21), but is rated up to 2kg and can produce results like this:
  
  
• [The Amala, Seminyak - 4K Panasonic GH4 - Beholder DS1 by Head North Films] (https://vimeo.com/156789257)
  
  
• [Kerst met Anton Pieck Begijnhof Breda by Ton van de Merwe] (https://vimeo.com/149587808)
  
  
• [Voorjaar in ‘t Annahofke (4K) by Ton van de Merwe] (https://vimeo.com/164136005)
  
  Hope this is helpful and best of luck finding the right stabiliser!
  
  

Two suggestions:

1. Better follow-focus: I tried the one you're buying and it did not feel solid. The cheapest, good FF I found is this one: http://www.amazon.com/upgrade-DP500IIS-Rlease-dampen-follow/dp/B00EAJK2CS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410786393&sr=8-1&keywords=fotga+dp500ii
   
   Even though it's under $200, I'd put it up against any FF at any price for general use.
   
   
2. What do you want to accomplish with the external monitor? It's resolution is so low and it's color so bad that you're better off with the built-in flip screen. It's going to be nearly useless for focusing. Personally, if I couldn't squeeze the SmallHD 7 into my budget, I'd either wait or maybe get the SmallHD 4

I would start with the PANASONIC LUMIX G X Vario Lens, 12-35mm, F2.8 for ~$700. MFT makes this more like the 35-70mm Canon EF for focal/zoom range. Plus when shooting 1080 video you can use the digital zoom (accesses the full 4k sensor) which makes it act like a 70-200mm lens. So you can get a lot out of one lens.

Next I would look at the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO for ~$1.1k. this would be for a wide fisheye lens if you do steady cam stuff.

Remember all cameras and lenses are just tools. You're the one that makes your content great. Those are my recommendations, good luck.

EDIT: added links.

Sure! i used this one the fluid head is really nice and build as well
http://www.amazon.com/Fancierstudio-Professional-Camcorder-Tripod-FC270A/dp/B003UOMWOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458536372&sr=8-1&keywords=fancier+studio+tripod

Just keep in mind everything in that kit is going to be cheap. The sd card, lens and the camera are probably the only thing worth it. Everything else you can buy later for cheaper.

GH4 Grey Market

Transcend 64gb

Personally, I'd save some money and just wait on most of that other stuff.

HDMI to RCA requires an active converter which means it needs its own power source. I am wondering why SDI? Some sort of old-school SD monitor? Also, the GH4 can output analog to RCA with this cable.

Yeah the reviews are not exactly inspiring me to upgrade yet either. I wouldn't be shocked if the GH5 gets some sort of a patch or Mark II or something, I'm going to wait it out.

You could always get an extension bracket take off the mount and screw one side directly into the H1, and on the other side run a shotgun mic. Believe it or not this can hold its own with the Rode for the price points. I have one I've used as backup before and used the audio professionally. Also if you get a mini tripod you can set that zoom up places and let it roll, or put the windcap on and let your kids play news reporter.

Hondo Garage's Complete travel bundle might just be the thing you're looking for. If you don't need the rods or follow focus, you could consider the Pop & Lock mini rig

It comes with no cage, but I guess you could adapt it to a 3rd party cage

I personally use the mini rig with a Manfrotto Base Plate Clamp instead of a cage so that I can remove the GH4 from the rig and mount on a video head tripod quickly.

You can also attach monitor attachments
with an optional rosette to the mini rig should you need a monitor option.

My set up involves another 3rd party attachment, the Cullman Magnesit Copter with the ball head removed and attached directly below the Mini Rig's pistol grip. This gives you a way to do stable static shots with the same rig as long as you have a flat surface to place the rig on. Also lets you rest the rig on a table without taking it apart and without resting your rig on its side as you sit at a street side cafe sipping coffee.

To do the same with the default set up, you have to remove the pistol grip, and reconfigure it with the stock in an overhead grip configuration, then put every thing back together again before you leave. I'm a lazy person. I like to just travel light with just the rig and a travel video tripod

Alternatively, you could buy a Pop & Lock Pro which is just the mini rig minus the pistol grip, buy an Arca Swiss clamp, attach it to the Cullman mini tripod and do away with the pistol grip altogether. With this setup, you can use it as a ghetto slider as demostrated here by Dave Dugdale.

Film City rigs are decent for their price. I had one a few years ago and then upgraded to a VariZoom rig.

This one looks promising:

Neewer Portable FilmMaker System With Camera/Camcorder Mount Slider, Soft Rubber Shoulder Pad and Dual-hand Handgrip For All DSLR Video Cameras and DV Camcorders https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GTMBA7K/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_iazPwbWHDGHJH

As far as I know Rokinon does not make any cine lenses compatible with micro 4/3. What you have is probably a standard 4/3 mount, which is different than micro 4/3.

I use the exact same lens a lot, but the Canon mount version. If you get this 4/3 to micro 4/3 adapter it will work on your GH4 just fine:

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer%C2%AE-Plastic-bayonet-Adapter-Panasonic/dp/B00CHZ44SA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417759880&sr=1-1&keywords=4+3+to+micro+4+3+adapter

Really? I checked amazon http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-GH4KBODY-Mirrorless-Cinematic-Camera/dp/B00I9GYG8O

It's selling for $1497 new and starting at $1025 used

It's a Transcend 64GB UHS Class 3 SD card off Amazon.

I'll have to look through the settings. This has been happening even after I reverted all settings to defaults and only changed the system frequency and file type though.

For reference: http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Battery-Panasonic-DMW-BLF19/dp/B00BUXERJQ

https://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Shoulder-Mount-Camera-Canon/dp/B005KQ6B52 dirt cheap and ultra portable!

Found this. Solved the problem.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CYLLOHQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Transcend 64GB. 50 bucks cheaper than the SanDisk. I have both cards, the Transcend works no problem.

I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ9CQ50/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I have had no issues with it, other than a small screw the I had to fix because it came lose from so much use.

Still don't see the need for an expensive focal reducer, it's not high tech gear.

I would suggest having both a focal reducer and a regular adapter so you can get twice as much out of your lenses.