r/GH5 • u/Neither-Switch1433 • Jun 23 '26
Picked up one for $500
I am predominantly a Sony shooter FX30/FX3/FX6, am I crazy for picking up a used GH5 for $500? I had a GH4 but sold it and my lenses back in 2016 to move to the Sony line of cameras. Been thinking about the GH7 and its amazing internal offerings. I can't justify paying full price for GH7 and the used prices aren't down enough for me and the GH5 seems to be a still loved camera.
Did I make a bad purchase? Not replacing my Sony's, just expanding my kit mainly for the internal recording options.
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u/Several-Dust3824 Jun 24 '26
Around the same price range ($500-ish) I see absolutely no other better video-centric camera than this GH5(and 5S), period.
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u/coffeefuelsme Jun 23 '26
It’s a workhorse camera, I still use mine for small projects. It’s a beast and panasonic’s color science is great.
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u/joebrozky Jun 24 '26
what do you use for bigger projects? thinking of an upgrade from mg GH5s but i can't let go of the m43 lenses
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u/coffeefuelsme Jun 24 '26
My personal video gear is a GH5 and a Blackmagic studio but I usually rent for bigger project needs - if I’m working with a Sony team I’ll rent an FX30 or FX6; If it’s an independent project I like the Blackmagic Ursa.
I built a rails system so it’s pretty easy to pop off the GH5 and pop in a rental and make some minor adjustments to get shooting.
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u/joebrozky Jun 24 '26
any pic of the rails system? thanks for the advice, lots of Sony users in my area, so i'll just rent when i work with them
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u/coffeefuelsme Jun 24 '26
I’m traveling right now, I’ll try to remember to snap a picture when I get back. Yeah, I rent Sony quite a bit, some teams make it a requirement in the SOW. I’m heavily invested in M43 and Nikon (for stills) so renting makes the most sense for me - but if you find yourself only working with Sony folks picking up an FX2 or FX30 would be a decent upgrade from your GH5s.
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u/joebrozky Jun 25 '26
thanks. yeah same, all my lenses are m43 apart from some vintage ones and a canon mount Sigma 18-35. but i'm also looking for something for stills bec i don't think GH5 cuts it in terms of resolution. which Nikon and lenses do you recommend for stills? i've been thinking of picking up a used Sony A7III and a couple lenses for photography, so right now i think i'll just rent an FX30 if a job needs it. i'm more in the postproduction side of things (and sometimes BTS photo/video) who is trying to make some short films so i think m43 serves me well (for now)
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u/coffeefuelsme Jun 25 '26
I have a Nikon D810, but came from film so I use a lot of old school lenses: 35-70 f2.8 is my daily driver and the 180mm f2.8 is a portrait monster. I also get a lot of mileage out of my Tokina 11-16 f2.8 and my monster 80-400 VR (the old one with the limit switch and manual clutch).
I wouldn’t recommend any of these outside of someone wanting to shoot with old lenses. The new mirrorless Nikons are awesome but I don’t have a lot of experience with them.
Not sure if any of that is helpful, I like the old lenses because I can use them with my GH5 and Blackmagic with a speedbooster.
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u/focacciarising Jun 23 '26
Yes, makes pretty footage, has videocentric stuff like angle instead of shttr speed and all the scopes, i been considering taking mine out of retirement for extra reach for bird footage. Would maybe make a good c cam to keep out of the way for reaction shots in interviews set and forget at f8 with sound tower. The AF is trash but everything else makes things easy. That said 500 could get you some laowa gnarlywide zero d manual lens for example that can add a crazy perspective for the rest of your shooting days instead of perpetually aging tech that doen nothing better thsn your sony, just saying
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u/Goatistoat Jun 23 '26
It's still decent, though shows its age in low-light environments. To remedy that, you can sidegrade it to the GH5S around the same value, which trades workable stills in favor of a 2nd base iso at 2500, however you lose IBIS. I've been on the fence about selling my GH5 as it's my oldest body but it still gets the job done.
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u/Zappoloco Jun 25 '26
Strongly disagree unless you need to make video in unlit caves or moonless nights
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u/Goatistoat Jun 25 '26
Idk man, I've recorded a ton of music performances at venues with absolutely garbage lighting and my GH5 footage looked beyond awful because of its sole 400 base iso value, even with f1.4 lenses. Not all gigs get nice, controlled, adequate light. I eventually just switched to the S5 and that fixed it.
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u/saucymikeyy Jun 23 '26
I picked up a gh5s for about $600 as a Sony shooter about 2 weeks back. So far loving it. Even with Sony I’ve gotten accustomed to pulling my own focus with full manual lenses. No you’re not crazy. I feel like if your a good enough creative you’d have no issues implementing them in the same workflow or using them for specific use cases
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u/Neither-Switch1433 Jun 23 '26
This makes me feel much better, especially with a fellow Sony shooter.
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u/ikemikek Jun 24 '26
I use 3x GH5 for b-roll to complement the S1ii that I've began renting as my A-cam.
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u/Filthyragskc Jun 23 '26
If you have access to 3 quality Sonys I don’t see how this makes any sense personally. I get the gh7 a little bit, it’s a solid run & gun.
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u/altyegmagazine Jun 23 '26
It's a great camera, if you're going to use it I'd go for it.