Underwater Adjustments for Panasonic GH6 Camera
The Panasonic GH6, a popular choice for underwater video, offers numerous customisation options, making it an ideal tool for capturing stunning marine life. One such feature is the Q menu, which provides quick access to important settings. Here's a guide on the top recommended custom settings to assign to the Q menu for efficient underwater workflow.
White Balance Controls: Quickly adjust white balance to compensate for colour shifts underwater, such as blue or green hues. Preset white balance or fine-tune Kelvin temperature and tint for different depths and lighting.
Focus Mode and AF Area: Assign AF mode switching (e.g., Single AF, Continuous AF) and AF area selection (e.g., flexible spot) for fast subject tracking underwater.
ISO and Exposure Settings: Quick access to ISO adjustments and exposure compensation to deal with changing light conditions underwater.
Shutter Speed and Aperture: Enable rapid aperture and shutter speed changes to control motion blur and depth of field.
Photo/Video Mode Toggle: Fast switching between photo and video modes can be vital when shooting mixed content underwater.
Custom Picture Profiles or Styles: Assign to toggle between colour profiles optimised for underwater (e.g., flat log profile for later grading or vibrant profile for direct use).
Focus Peaking and Zebras: Enable/disable focus peaking and zebra pattern overlays for manual focusing and exposure assistance.
Metering Mode: Quick access to metering modes (spot, centre-weighted, matrix) can help with tricky underwater lighting.
Image Stabilization: Toggle in-body or lens stabilization settings relevant for underwater housing use.
Burst Mode and Frame Rate: Quick adjustments to continuous shooting or video frame rate settings.
By setting these functions on the Q menu, underwater shooters can make fast adjustments without delving deep into menus, which is critical in the challenging underwater environment.
In underwater photography, it's recommended to use M mode, while in underwater video, it's recommended to use the movie mode. The recording file format can be set to MOV or ProRes for editing in professional software. The video icon on the mode dial represents movie mode, and it's recommended to set the image quality in RAW for best results when editing photos.
The mode dial on the GH6 is photo-oriented, with customisable C1-C4 modes. The joystick under the AF-ON button is used for moving focus points, but compatibility issues may arise with some underwater housings. The Red Movie Menu offers options for Image Quality 1, with M mode for manual shooting and V-Log for Log shooting.
For macro shooting, it's recommended to use the autofocus single mode to lock focus on the subject before recording. The Recording quality can be set to 5728 x 3024, 59.94p, 4:2:0/10-L for macro if you want to crop in post-processing; 3840 x 2160, 59.94p, 4:2:2/10-I for standard underwater video; 3840 x 2160, 119.88p, 4:2:0/10-L for slow-motion video. Dynamic Range Boost is a setting in the Red Movie Menu that allows you to increase your dynamic range but requires a higher base ISO.
The focus button and switch on the right side of the EVF allows for manual focus, single autofocus, and continuous autofocus. The Audio settings should be left as default, with audio usually removed from clips underwater. The Focus AF Detection Setting can be turned on if you are able to in your chosen recording format, with Detecting Subject set to Animal + Human. The focus limiter and AF assist light should be turned off, while focus peaking and moving speed should be set to fast.
The GH6's main menu is extensive and loaded with features, with many settings that can be left on default. The disp. button on the bottom right of the back panel allows for flipping through different LCD layouts. The camera accepts micro four thirds lenses, with options like the Olympus 60mm macro, Olympus 7-14mm wide angle, and Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens.
If you're looking for housing recommendations or related expert tips, Nauticam or Gates housings are top choices for underwater use, often used by professional underwater videographers. If you want very specific presets or button assignments, consulting underwater videography forums or Panasonic GH6 user groups dedicated to underwater shooting might provide preset files shared by other users.
- For optimal underwater photography, assign M mode to a custom Q menu setting on the Panasonic GH6, ensuring manual control over camera settings.
- In underwater video, set the mode to movie mode on the GH6's mode dial for smooth and fluid footage.
- For efficient editing, set the video file format to MOV or ProRes in the GH6's settings, this makes it easier to work with professional editing software.
- Customize white balance settings in the Q menu to account for blue or green color shifts in underwater environments, adjusting Kelvin temperature and tint as needed.
- Adjust focus mode and AF area in the Q menu for faster subject tracking in underwater conditions, choose options like Single AF or flexible spot.
- Assign ISO and exposure compensation settings to the Q menu, allowing for quick adjustments in challenging underwater light conditions.
- In the Q menu, enable rapid aperture and shutter speed changes for controlling motion blur and depth of field, crucial for underwater photography and video.
- To make personalized adjustments for underwater shooting, explore the GH6's extensive main menu, consider using Nauticam or Gates housings, and engage with underwater videography forums or Panasonic GH6 user groups for shared preset files.
