Enter LUMIX stage right

Shooting high quality video in theatre light levels has always been problematic. Areas of the stage can be really dark compared to actors faces lit by spotlights, and most cameras struggle with this sort of contrast level. Film maker Matthew Cawrey who was already a LUMIX user was relieved to discover the solution to his problems was a good deal closer to home than he thought when faced with a particularly challenging project.

‘I was asked to film a stage performance put on by Flexus Dance Collective which was to be live-edited and streamed out on the same day. I usually use the Lumix GH5 for this sort of event, but to work with the theatre’s production set-up I needed to provide an SDI signal. I looked at HDMI-to-SDI adapters, but really wanted to keep everything as streamlined and reliable as possible, so I needed to find a camera with SDI built-in. It was a great relief to be introduced to the Lumix BGH1 when I went to Panasonic with my requirements, as I hadn’t known it existed. Not only does it have SDI-out but it also offers Panasonic’s Dual Native ISO sensor that allows particularly high ISO settings with greatly reduced noise. And an extra stop of dynamic range compared to my GH5 was a welcome bonus.’

Matthew was able to connect directly to the theatre’s infrastructure via the LUMIX BGH1’s 3G-SDI and know that the signal would cope with the distance between the camera and the production suite, and that it would fit seamlessly with the venue’s systems. Being able to run the BGH1 on mains power was also real benefit, he says, as he and his team often have to leave cameras running unsupervised during performances.

‘The fact that I was able to switch to a system with this flexibility, without having to invest in lots of new equipment, was a massive plus,’ says Matthew.

‘I can use the lenses and peripherals I already have, and am familiar with, from the GH5 system. As I’ve been relying on Lumix kit for this type of project for the last couple of years I was confident to make the switch to the BGH1 at short notice.’

‘Being a LUMIX user anyway getting the camera set up was straightforward – and aside from some time going through the menu system it all felt very familiar. Getting used to the button positions will take a little time, but it’s always a challenge when working with new equipment.’

Matthew has been very pleased with the way things worked out and is delighted with his switch to the BGH1 – and not only for the added quality it offers in the difficult lighting conditions he is constantly working under.

‘The end results for this project totally exceeded expectations,’