Getting More From The GH4

I just bought used on Amazon the Panasonic 45-175 power zoom lens, I got it for $290 and it's in excellent new condition it's also part of their X series lenses. I bought this lens so I could zoom while filming and it easily does that, so it got me thinking about the wifi capability of the GH4 using this lens. I have a family of wild Foxes living near my house so I'm planning on using this combo as a remote filming unit. I downloaded the Panasonic app on my iPad and iPhone and very quickly set up so I can use this app to fully control the camera, zoom, focus, change exposure, wb etc. I also turn my iPad into a wireless monitor so I see what the camera sees. It's remarkable that Panasonic includes these features free with their cameras. Now I'm looking at the Bescor remote pan tilt head to add the movement I need along with the zoom function of the 45-175 lens.

sounds awesome! how responsive is the ipad, in terms of delay/lag.

There is no delay that I can see or just milliseconds.

That is a great setup Norm. The one thing I haven't tested is the distance of the wifi that it can transmit.

I have only been around thirty feet away and still OK, I only set up everything yesterday so I have more testing to do, but am blown away that with a power zoom lens Panasonic gives you this wifi and app free. In 4K video mode it looks like you are getting something like15 fps display on the iPad.

I have just tried again, the camera outside with me indoors with an iPad on wifi, 30 feet is the most reliable, after that 35 feet it freezes comes back then drops the connection, 10 to 25 feet it is rock solid no dropped connections.

The display frame rate on the iPad is better in good light more like 30 fps.

I wonder if a wifi extender would work.
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-range-extenders/

Worth a look at great idea, one of the advantages of M4/3 is the sensor multiplier so the lens I'm using is a 350mm in full frame equivalent, so you don't have to have the camera that far in front to fill the frame with an animal or bird. For studio use it's no problem at all.

Can you program the start/stop of the zoom with ease in and outs? That would great with the remote app.

No but the zoom is smooth and if you zoom in then focus, back out the lens acts as a parfocal and remember the touch screen allows you to focus.

So this lens actually lets you zoom automatically instead of having to use your hands? Sorry if my question borders on the silly!