this $100 video camera is STILL good in 2024

The Panasonic Lumix GH1 was the first mirrorless video camera ever made. I wanted to pay homage to it by testing it in 2022 to see if the image quality still holds up to modern standards. I was lucky enough to have Philip Bloom as a guest in this video. He tested the camera when it originally came out in 2009, which gives this video a unique perspective. Enjoy!
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#retroreview #lumixgh1 #philipbloom

[@ZachMayfield]

Thanks for watching my intervention with Dr Phil!!! What retro tech should I look at next time?

[@philipbloom]

It has to be 35mm adaptors, they will truly challenge you and make you so grateful that you use an a7s iii! All you need is an old or newish camcorder, one of the adaptors like the Letus 35 or Redrock Micro M2. Get a Nikon mount and a cheap old Nikkor lens!

[@chrisw443]

@@philipbloom I have a letus 35mm dof adapter. It was great, I wish it resolved 4k, as someone who loves camcorders. Alas. One day I might pull it back outta the bag and use it for something. lol.

[@tuckerandersonfilms]

“From someone who has reviewed more camera’s than RED’s quality control team” LMAO that one got me 🤣

[@ZachMayfield]

hehehehe

[@unbroken1010]

And now nikon owns red.

[@Democratiser]

Mate - this is an excellent example of filmmaking and storytelling you have produced here! Clever, engaging, fun and informative. Well done!

[@ZachMayfield]

really appreciate that lukey!!

[@Democratiser]

@@ZachMayfield Also delighted to see Mr Bloom chiming in as a cameo. He is a living legend and has an eye for talent 😉. Someone should appoint him to the House of Lords in the UK. ‘Lord Bloom’ has a ring to it, don’t you think?

[@NigelBarros]

Another banger Zach! I still remember my old Gh1, the footage still looks kinda crispy for the money

[@ZachMayfield]

Dude thank you!! Would love to make a video with you at some point man

[@NigelBarros]

@@ZachMayfield Dude that would be killer! And I'd be honored!

[@clayton8816]

I pulled the GH1 out of the closet of my dads studio since he found the quality to be terrible but that was because he had the worst possible lens on it. Swapped it out for a $85 35mm manual focus lens and it’s pretty solid now. Oh and our GH1 was given to us free of charge from an old friend.

[@unbroken1010]

I bet he had some great photos from. Epstein Island 😂

[@ItsDrewsif]

A little trick for y’all trying to read menus in different languages- the Google Lens (on android) or Google (on iOS) app translates a number of languages to English in real time! I bought an LCD screen controller board on eBay that came in Chinese, using the live translation I was able to find the language setting and change it to English with no difficulty! This video was great, man! I thank you for sharing.

[@taylorpearson6266]

This video is great man! Rocked me to my core seeing ol’ phily bloomski hangin’ with the mayfam 😭

[@ZachMayfield]

it's so wild for me seeing that too hahah

[@henriquenakandakare]

This intro hahahahaha, amazing. Edit: My first thought was: Why I will watch this? GH1 broo? ahhahaa But man, this video was the best, I loved it.

[@WasionKey]

The quality of your work, the effort you put into this, your humor. Everything is perfect. Thank you.

[@Jon-Chan]

Great video. With everyone else posting all the newest latest and greatest gear, it's refreshing to watch a review on retro gear, because let's face it, not everyone can afford the latest and greatest. Oh and by the way I'm home, safe and sound...😄

[@ZachMayfield]

I feel you so much on this! I would get way more views if I always reviewed the newest stuff, but it's genuinely hard to give a shit about all those cameras. Old stuff is way more fun for me right now. Glad you're home safe!!!

[@filipmarkk]

This video brings back major memories - killer job Zach!

[@jonaszczyszczon]

What a great Vid! Thanks for your hard work man 👍🏻 You’ve made my day (watching it after the hard day at work)

[@Rennie6666]

GH1 was Great But the GH2 really was my go to small form factor Mirrorless Micro 4/3 with the Driftwood Firmware hacks and lots of older Manual Nikon lenses via an adaptor. Still have it and don't think ill get rid of it.

[@ZachMayfield]

Love that. Might have to snag one some day!

[@Rennie6666]

@@ZachMayfield Phil Bloom loved his soooo much he threw it in the sea.

[@MarcioK]

Still have my GH2, got an external monitor to have focus peaking, and will give it a go soon. When was my only camera, do not have very fast / big SD cards, and got light with the hacks - used the Sanity hack, image much better than stock without a very big bitrate. Now that I have big and fast SD cards, will load Driftwood ones and see what happens.

[@itwasme2435]

Epic stuff here. As usual, congratz =)

[@SourceAwareness]

😂 Truly Epic, Zach!! Your editing is Magnificent, hehe. I still own a hacked GH2, but plan to get a classic GH1 as well. Thanks, Man, and Best Wishes and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Family. You rock, Bro! 👍🏾Carlos from Detroit

[@achmadmarendes]

Love your edit and story telling. Nice review.

[@paulsellen3876]

Great video - I had the GH1 and enjoyed messing around with all of the different hacks. Thanks for the video.

[@ZachMayfield]

trying to find the right hack was a bit overwhelming, but it's a crazy cool option!

[@russellbrown2279]

Hey Zach, I love your video, very informative with a hilarious style. Blessings!

[@DJILLEE]

I started with the GH2 and I remember seeing the footage from Phillip. It made me buy the camera. I immediately hacked it and the firmware was super solid. It still looks great today. Rolling shutter wasn't great and moire could be a problem but at the time having control on your depth of field was literally everything. Everyone was trying to do the depth of field adapters and they were terrible lol. I used vintage glass on mine and images were WAY ahead of its time.

[@whoismatt]

I love this. I love you. Viva la revoloosh

[@ZachMayfield]

You're handsome and good at videos

[@TedNemeth]

Yessss! Two of my fav tubers in one bangr vid.

[@connormccaskill]

This was incredible!

[@grammata312]

excellent video !

[@unimog404]

a few years ago Philip was in the Netherlands giving a talk. The whole talk he was mentioning me and roasting my choice for panasonic :D Fun times :D

[@ZachMayfield]

I hope to someday be roasted by the legend himself

[@SoundSpeeding]

lol

[@AdamMurtland]

Fun fact: the K in GH1K means "black" :) Also I'm so happy you made this.

[@SoundSpeeding]

I KNEW it didn't stand for "Korean"!

[@dark-california]

Enjoyed watching it Awesome to see Philip here ... 😉👌

[@craoladair]

Awesome video. Classic comedic camera-derie..

[@TwoOneSe7en]

I still have my original GH1. Kit lens and the 20mm f1.7. It changed everything for me back then. Complimented my HMC150’s perfectly for wedding films.

[@ZachMayfield]

heck yesssssss

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

This is pretty cool - the fact that this cheap old camera works well!

[@gabeminetti]

Great content man.

[@FashionableFather]

Fantastic video!!

[@kylelowe]

I interned for Dr. Phil for a weekend of his training tour in the US for his SF stop. Great to see him in ur vid!

[@K-Dizzo]

So crazy, I live in Cookville! Great video, super helpful!!

[@ElianaDAngelo]

Love my GH1, stepped up from my HV20 back in the day. Loved being able to hack it for more codec options. It was very affordable when the GH2 came out and allowed me to film on a budget with some FD primes.

[@SourceAwareness]

👍🏾👍🏾 Awesome! I LOVE FD lenses. Still have my hacked GH2. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

[@jamessonfield]

I’m home and safe and that was indeed a very entertaining video! Slightly shocked how good the footage looked out of that thing! 👊👊👊

[@ZachMayfield]

I know right!! Also very glad you're home safe

[@1ovich749]

Good work! Thanks

[@kenjohnson1028]

you're blowing my mind right now. I still rock my gh3 to this day.

[@ZachMayfield]

hell yeah!! so cool that these older cams can still put out great images

[@benfromatlantis]

What a super perfect funny crazy gaga video. Thank you so much. Watching this with my Lumix Gh1. Close. At the fireplace.

[@Chris-gh3om]

Dude, you video is so intersting, I like it !

[@TheHudsonValleyWanderer]

That sunset footage on the beach looks amazing

[@EricShoots]

this was a certified hood classic

[@joseacarrasm]

You are back with the videos I like

[@ZachMayfield]

this one is dedicated to your undying support

[@fabipuello]

Very cool video man! Shoutout to the one and only Dr. Phil(ip Bloom)

[@caprature]

I have a gh1. Was looking for where you found the 100mbps ptool hack. I tried some of the links but they are down. Is there a chance you know where to find them? Thank you.

[@ShafreelCosmos]

Fantastic short film. I would absolutely be celebrating until the day I expire over the fact that Mr. Bloom was in my video. Also the A7SIII is my favorite camera ever so far.

[@agentfortyseven5102]

Bro you’re easily the most entertaining photography KZbinr

[@David-uk7sm]

I have both the GH1 and Gh2 from 2009 and still use them today for family events. The video quality still surprise me today.

[@filmrollstroll2003]

The image at 7:10 compared to the Sony actually looks a lot better skin tone wise. Makes me miss my GH1/G85/GH5. The FX3 is a great tool I’m getting used to, but Panasonics color science is pretty randy

[@DontaeWatson]

Where do you find the p tools download?

[@nefrace]

1:43 But GH1 wasn't the first mirrorless camera. It was G1.

[@ZachMayfield]

dammit sry

[@SoundSpeeding]

@@ZachMayfield GH1 was the first mirrorless that could do video! The Panasonic G1 could not.

[@HDCAMAN]

Sensational video

[@franzjosefstakes]

Hi Zach, the guy who took over the Kinotika channel deleted your video on the X-T4 & Sigma 18-35 where you talk about the ideal AF settings for that combo. Would you mind telling us them, I have the same combo and would appreciate it a lot :)

[@bro-omar]

still have and use it till now...hacked GH1. Got it for prety good price..stil run smoothly. btw, love your video man, very entertain 😁

[@Ed_Scott]

Modern. Warfare. 2. Bloom (with his theme music)!!! This is a masterpiece!!!! And your work ethic is inspiring…..ice cream and all

[@christineburnett4430]

1. Intro song: Inspired 2. Editing: Delicious 3. Your word choice: SUBPAR 4. I have no idea what any of the words me but I love you and will always be impressed with the work you do

[@therealcalebrz]

you said thank the lord in this video, frick in another video, and you tell a great story, quick sub from me, brother!

[@jolladevices]

3:49 this part is lol! It feels like a part of the Jinda theme from Death Note

[@madedigital]

I do have a hacked gh2...the bit rate is at 160...its nuts..fast sd cards only

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

It was not the first mirrorless camera that would go to Epson with a Leica mount. First Micro Four Thirds camera was the Panasonic Lumix G1 and then I think the Olympus PEN E-P1.

[@TheJ_G]

My man… there are AR translators on phones now haha. Awesome video though. It was a fun revisit of this camera.

[@LeonhardWindecker]

great video

[@danriordan6395]

Nothing felt better than when I finally figured out how to update my Zacuto Z-Finder EVF pro to work on 4k cameras. Still cant monitor 60p signals tho...

[@JKFLASH]

I had one wish i kept it. great little camera for vlogging or budget film making.. with the Hack

[@FashionableFather]

Dude that SD case?! I want one.

[@jabezriosdesabato1657]

reminds me of the canon EOS SL1 i got for 110$, Magic lantern Raw works wonders. I heart camera hackers making old cameras new

[@Danny_Boel]

I still want a cheap M43 camera like the G1 to play around with an 800mm mirror lens and some Takumars 😊

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

Dunno if anyone else has said this but Google Lens Translate would also work with cameras stuck in another language. K in cameras usually means "key" as in black like CMYK

[@cooltraicer]

Omg, man, u r awesome

[@x0j]

I think camera evolution hit a wall around then. They're worth collecting at these low prices.

[@halbourneutube]

hey Zach, open google translate, choose the camera option in the bottom right corner of where you enter the text (on the left side of the screen). It will then superimpose English over your camera's image

[@xray111xxx]

I had a G7, other than the wobbly background focus, it did well. A GH5 would be great. The DFD is a bust for me. I think I wait for the S5 mk.2. Other than that, Panasonic is solid. The GH4, and GH with manual focus pulls, and so on is fine. The auto focus is not to be trusted. I do have their professional 4K UHD camcorder. No record limit, no overheating. Also have a C100 cine camera too. So not sure how buying a mirrorless Panasonic fits in anymore. My eco system revolves around Canon EF mount. So the GH5 and such are a curiosity, but not something I would really use. MFT is a 2.0 crop too. Great for reach, not so much all else for me. The MFT travels well mostly. Best part of my G7 was it was a tiny 4K camera with the mental focus and all.

[@Jake12399]

Haha! Loving it! Halo theme. ahaha

[@themellowhost]

6:15 - 100 "MPBS" be working hard.

[@TheAaronalden]

The GH3 was my first real camera in 2013... if I had known the GH1 existed, I would have been in the game earlier and wouldn't have shot so much crap on hi-8.

[@kingsamvisuals]

It kept up pretty well. Watching on a phone screen

[@amirulhakim2858]

Any tutorial or step by step to hack?

[@albino7367]

Home! Thanks for asking.

[@ZachMayfield]

gosh I was worried, thanks for the update

[@davidsorrell1895]

wait wait wait, you know matt?!?!?! You live close to cookeville? Holy moly I live in cookeville, I also know Matt! crazy!

[@Chrisjones-zr7lr]

Picking one up from Facebook marketplace here in a few hours I'll let you know how it goes

[@johnhizzle22]

This was my first ever camera!

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

I have a GH2 and that camera has two really bad bugs I tell people not to buy unless you know what your getting. There is a really bad banding issue once you hit ISO 640 sometimes you can see it but its can really be seen at ISO 800. When in low light when you hit record there is a huge green shift to green but only for video. You can go into the color settings and try to fix this by playing with the color so when it shifts to green its not that bad. Maybe try pushing it to magenta? There is a work around for the banding issue and that's for dropping the shutter speed to 30th or 25th of a second. I only film at 24p so if yo film at a high frame rate the banding problem I think is higher on the screen and it might not get removed by dropping the shutter speed. Its been a long time since I used my GH2.

[@travisminneapolis]

The biggest reason i see for modern cameras is the AF performance and low light.

[@thungyot2electricboogalo625]

Just FYI, google translate can use your phone camera and translate menus in real time!

[@alessioavezzano]

GH1 was my first video camera. This was the first decent thing I made with it going on 10 years ago now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpbMh6mahMlpgrM A year later I would upgrade to the GH3 and then GH4 and you know how the rest goes.

[@hotshot5231]

hope you snagged some Ralphs on your quest

[@JeffBourke]

The GH-ONE? I thought the series started with the GH5?

[@crazyclefproductions]

Cool!

[@ZachMayfield]

no u

[@caliel3417]

Hey, I'm looking to get into filmaking and I'm wondering if I should stick with my Iphone 12 pro max to start with or if I should pick up the GH1. Any advice? I'm not super big into photography so the video quality and options are the main thing that I'm looking at atm.

[@ebcooper]

"Many of you in this room are my children" 😂😂

[@ZachMayfield]

I couldn't resist

[@user-ns4fp6xg7d]

Bussin !! LOL

[@JeffBourke]

Just had a look on eBay. They are not going cheap!!! Much better value in other used cameras.

[@ellyomondi6613]

how much with two lenses

[@letsLearntheBible]

"Parents 2009 recession" now same 2 guys giving your Generation their 1st recession too 🤣, but seriously I have to have one

[@rarefactionmedia]

5:06 Is that you otis? did you kill her? DID YOU TAKE HER

[@unbroken1010]

I bought one used, the SD card still in it. Has some weird photos of Tony Northrop on epstein Island..... . .. 😂Allegedly

[@jordantimothy97]

"The body, although small, feels nice" 🤔

[@adokapo]

There was cheap and good cameras for video long before gh1 and Canon 5D II. Maybe not as blurry background.😊

[@CleanBlackRaiser]

I had a GH1 which I hacked to get 2K bitrates. But if I moved the camera too fast it would lock up and require removal of its battery. So I got a GH2 for fifty dollars more. I can hack it to 6K bitrates and I am happy....

[@MikePGuitars]

I don’t give even the tiniest bit of a shit about the GH1 but this was epic.

[@ZachMayfield]

hahaha love that

[@gbwalther3198]

Before u get to the Ra, Ra on this recording: I'm at 9:04 out of 14:50, let me tell u, I have right on my table next to my laptop an amazing LUMIX camera which is ancient & even smaller than yours. It shoots Video, 16 Mega Pixels, with Leica Lens. This camera is: Lumix DMC-FH27. Have used it for an art video, Super Bison-Blue Babe, birds-in-ponds videos, Santa Claus House, you name it. Now, that's been said, I'll go back to your monster Lumix GH1 camera video. 😎😎

[@matango1979]

The video is great, but the camera looks very cheap. Couldn't they put some rubber on it? Is it really aluminum alloy, or is it just plastic.