All Activity

Have been using mine the fourth day in the row now. Having a blast. It's a very pure experience, having to be set with four puny batteries, which last for about 30 to 35min of footage. Today I was using the 12-32 zoom, on the first three days a 25mm C-mount lens, the latter with a 360 shutter unfortunately! Not using Nds at all is a pretty big confession to choosing a desired depth of field. It provides me with some challenges I have to master and which make me reflect a good deal about my framing and sujet. Handheld panning and tilting with the 25mm is quiete an exercise as well.

To play devil's advocate (because that's what we do around here!), it's never been easier or more economical to plug a camera into a v-mount battery, which can also power a monitor. If you are using manual lenses, your shooting experience will probably not be that different regardless of the camera body that you use... so you might as well use one that captures an interesting image, right? Also, my M2 Mac really takes the sting out of MLV app. Sure, it adds 20-30 mins of export time, but it also means that I can dial in the color balance and exposure of each shot before I even start editing. Not saying that this is the right way to go for everyone. For me, I like the idea of a camera that has a slight IQ pitfall to take away the pressure of capturing a perfect image, and to add a little gentle pressure to tell a compelling story so that the audience doesn't study your image too much. This is debatable. Many people do love the D200. I haven't shot with one myself, but I've used the Olympus e500 and Sony a390. I prefer the e500, but the a390 has better and more affordable lens options. Many swear by the earlier Pentax cameras, Fujifilm's S series, or Canon's 1D classic. I think that half of the point of an old CCD DSLR in 2024 is not to spend too much.

That's probably very common in all camera and smartphone promos. It may have to do with the AD Agencies and Panasonic's advertising division just be stupid, disorganized and lazy, instead of anything else. Contrary to us assuming that the Great Gerald has dented Panasonic's image and given them a bad name, cause they didn't send a Rolls-Royce and a private jet to receive him, people seem to calling him out and others like him, who've suddenly become self appointed demi-Gods. On youtube, influencers are shameless deleting comments, but on regular forums and sites where it's discussed, the discussions actually highlight the problem quite succinctly. https://petapixel.com/2024/05/28/panasonic-reacts-to-controversy-concerning-its-lumix-s9-event/ These two guys have highlighted all issues with Panasonic. Which is a pretty long list, according to them. But there is a certain dignity and maturity to their review and criticism. Something obviously lacking in some others. https://petapixel.com/2024/05/22/panasonic-s9-initial-review-small-pretty-and-confusing/

I think the S9 marketing has worked then 😉. Talking of remembering releases for the wrong reasons, something I remember from the original OM-1 launch was OMDS getting a professional filmmaker to use it for a promo video. Except it also included BTS footage showing the camera (as far as I could tell) rigged out with non-OMDS/Olympus lenses, matte box, cage etc. mounted on a tripod for some of the time, surrounded by a crew. It was the very opposite of the 'rugged outdoor adventure' usage the rest of the OM-1 marketing was pushing. They should have got someone much closer to the target market to make the video promo content, using OMDS lenses and showing off how good it can be hand-held. Content that potential customers can relate to and think 'yes, I could do that and the camera looks a good tool for it'.

And there is my other option… I wish to reduce the sheer amount of kit I have, use and need and am alternative solution is to trade 2 existing 24mp stills cameras and 3 lenses, for one single high MP stills camera and just two, or even one lens. The Hassie R2D2 or whatever it’s called is my ‘dream’ but way above my pay grade, the 45mp Nikon’s not much point, the Sony A7RV a good ‘budget’ option used (and I have the lenses) but after the Hassie, I’d most like the GFX 100S. The issue with medium format is there are no decent zoom lenses. Yes, there’s the 45-100mm f4 but it’s a bit slow in low light and is big, heavy and extends. I’m going down a rabbit hole now I know, but keeping my options open as follows: A. Exploring frame grabs from 6k 30p video. B. Waiting to see what the Nikon Z6iii turns out to be. C. Waiting to see what any S2H or S2R might be for either the frame grab approach, or the high MP stills. D. If none of the above have worked out, maybe just trade my 2 Nikons (using with) adapted E Mount Tamron glass) and just do the Sony A7RV ‘budget’ route, shut up and get on with my life…

This is interesting… So right now, I only shoot raw stills and log video. Based on multiple tests, I can always get a quantifiably better image out of the raw file… as I’d expect to! But having said that, always liked playing with Fujis film profiles (or whatever they call them), especially Classic Chrome. For video, I moved over to log just as I did from Jpeg to raw for stills though that happened with video last year and Jpeg to raw about 12 years back. Raw video looks interesting, but the absolutely humungous file sizes and storage does not! And that might be a sticking point for me as in if the best I am going to get out of 6k or 8k log is something akin to a decent 24mp equivalent camera Jpeg, when I am used to raw quality, might not be enough…and would I really want to go the raw video route? For the sake of raw video alone, god no. For the sake of a more streamlined workflow of only shooting video and pulling stills, maybe… For now, I am going to have to content myself with trying out the 6k 30p mode in my S1H and S5ii and to see if I can ‘get away’ with shooting all footage at 1/250th of a second which is borderline freezing action in say a confetti walk for frame grabs and if the footage for video purposes looks ok at 80% speed ie, very mild slow mo and on a 25p timeline… If that works out OK…and it’s a big if as I don’t really know, then I can maybe consider whether: A. It’s good enough or, B. Almost but 8k would be better or, C. Only 8k raw is really going to cut it, or, D. Junk the whole thing and just stick to shooting stills and video at the same time as I already do and have done for the last 14 or so years… The Fuji XH2 does seem to be the cheapest way into this if it works…and requires 8k. Canon have 6k raw in the R3 and prices have dropped back again to nearer 4k euros when they could not be had for less than 5k from MPB just a few month back. It would be a BIG investment though to switch to Canon and roughly double that of Fuji. Nikon Z8 and Z9 also have 8k raw and I am already in that system for stills and have 3 lenses… I could buy a used Z8 or Z9 and then return it within 30 days. A bit cheeky but it’s near impossible to rent camera gear in rural France. Or stoopidly expensive…

Biggest problem of this the ump's was for me the weight and the dreaded fpn (god I hated the fpn). I just like to shoot smaller camera's, which require less heavy tripods/sliders/gimbals/battery's. Just more efficient. + I like the full frame sensor. But I would just buy the blackmagic cine 6K. Because I hate adding more monitors to my camera and the pyxis monitor seems to suck. (allthought the blackmagic cine 6K formfactor also sucks).

I've certainly done stills grabs from 6k and 8k cameras to put on social media or similar. I'm not sure what I could possibly tell you about it that you don't already know, though. If doing it from 10-bit video, it'll be a lot like a jpeg from a decent mirrorless. If doing it from raw video (as a tiff or similar), in most cases, it will be a bit like a raw from a moderate/decent consumer camera (12-bit). One big difference is that when shooting still images, I usually just leave the camera in aperture priority all the time and adjust ISO up/down as computed shutter speeds suggest. In video, I'm much less likely to use an automatic mode and always manually expose (and if I did use an automatic mode, it would be shutter priority). One thing I haven't done/tried yet is to take out the K-X and use it as a motion-photo camera. The raw video files seem to be a little more flexible than what I get from most of my mirrorless stuff. There's no way it's going to compete with my GFX 100 II, but maybe it's enough for just stepping out and goofing around/street stuff. I have an EF-S 24/2.8 on the way - might give that a try with the EF-RF adapter with internal vari-ND.

Thinking about this even further, that really just adds fuel to this fire. It's pretty much a storm in a teacup though and this weeks media drama to be replaced next week by something equally as ephemeral (such as Gerald undoing himself), but they really are not doing themselves any favours with this launch are they. Except for one thing and that is for it's ACTUAL MARKET, it's actually quite a good thing. A little over-priced perhaps, but otherwise ticks a lot of boxes. It wouldn't stop me from buying it if it's the right tool for me, despite what a bunch of hysteria queens think, do or say...

Honestly, I'm more at ease after watching the livestream for the S9 with Sean. I think he explained better and smoothed it over a bit. It's easy to get caught up in the hoopla of M43 is finished, Panasonic is getting axed, "this is the best they could do". Maybe it's me, but I can't remember the releases of any camera manufacturer, but I think I'm not the only one to remember the S9. Almost universally, people like the looks of it but are disappointed with specs, except for the people that this camera was designed for, camera phone users. I'm also rather disappointed but recognize it isn't really aimed at me.

Because it's 2024 and everyone is entitled, including to be upset about something that has no bearing on them whatsoever. Really? Someone's head is coming off at Lumix Towers! That's almost as bad as some wedding photographers using others images until such time as they can shoot their own. Another form of 'entitlement' that exists.

Having used neither so based entirely on images and specs, I would take the UMP over the Pyxis any day. I gain a screen that makes sense, internal ND filters, redundant media (2xCF and 2xSD and USB-C), and a crapload of buttons and I lose 6K (but still have a little extra for cropping in post to 4k)? I guess the mount options for the Ursa are also less good - EF, PL, F, and B4 - so no good way to use most vintage lenses (except Leica R and Olympus OM (and of course Nikon F since it includes vintage))... but I bet I could design and 3d print something for that. That's what I did for the Z Cam flagship series before they released some useful mounts. Anyway. I still haven't used either camera so it's really just navel gazing... but for me, if you set both in front of me and said to pick one, I would hesitate for less than 1/10 second.

Actually, I suspect the S9 has got more coverage online and on social media than they hoped, even if it hasn't happened as planned. A lot of the adverse comments fueling this seem to be coming from a photography enthusiast base it isn't really targeted at anyway, and from video enthusiasts who seem disappointed it's not the S2H or S2R they'd prefer to be discussing. (Not referring to people on this forum) I don't really understand why so many people seem to be upset/annoyed by the S9 - it's just a consumer camera at the end of the day.

The discover that Pansonic used stock photos (even one from a Nikon Ambassador) in the S9 brochures is not helping either. Tie this PR disaster with the Asahi reports that Panasonic camera division could be axed...

But no for goodness sake! Don't misunderstand me. The idea is also cute, since I fell for it. It's just that watching dozens of videos and hundreds of comments posted after GU's video I see that everyone tries to disguise the problem. then I don't know that youtuber so I couldn't appreciate his ironic streak.

Also, anyone who has made stills quality frame grabs from any brand 6k or 8k 4k you can keep to yourself. Been there done that and it’s not quite good enough for my purposes 😛

Would you buy this instead of a Pyxis? Hmmm... maybe not, I guess that's why Blackmagic has had the price reduction! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1464917-REG/blackmagic_design_ursa_mini_pro_4_6k.html

I thought it was funny.... If this whole YT thing has managed to remove peoples sense of humour then I think some lightening up needs to be done 🙂 I mean, if you want to be pissed at someone, I'd be starting with billionaires getting rich off slave labour in third-world countries, but you know, you do you!

Edit: I realize it was a joke (sort of). So now all these YTs are trying to reposition themselves from the GU video. I personally believe that this business model is rotten to the core, and these witty videos are not going to change the substance. I don't think it will change anything. In some time the dust will settle and the circus will resume as usual. GU only spit in the pot it was eating in because it had long since repositioned itself from pure reviews. Time will tell

From Italy, this video, after the introduction in completely blank. tested on desktop and app

Perhaps it's just me but the search function didn't throw up any topic that I could find so starting this one. The XH2. Not the S, model, but the 40mp 8k capable one. Anyone have one and been using it in this mode, ie, 8k? And specifically, in one of the film profiles such as Eterna? I am back to musing over pulling stills from video at either 6k 30p full frame (which I currently have) with Lumix and potential other options... Not interested in BM Cameras, - too many compromises for my needs. Canon has options as does Nikon, but at 8k only. I came from Fuji X cameras (2011-2020) and the XH1 was one of my favourites of all time for both video and stills, but things have moved on quite a bit since then... The XH2 intrigues me with specifically 8k 30p Eterna, the profile I used to shoot with the XH1 and then the XT3 as a 'one and done', minimal grading required, wedding video option and 8k would allow me to pull stills. As above, any experience appreciated! And nope, not bothered about anything external or rolling shutter, just the quality of the output 🙂

Meanwhile, not all reviews are the same.....

Still loved.

Ouch! I think there's also a difference in approach of what you shoot. One on end of the spectrum there's this idea that you have a camera with many limitations and you either create the shots you want or you look for the shots that work. This is the idea of shooting with only a prime lens. A lot of people who use cameras that are limited have this mentality. You either get what you get but you get enough good shots that it's worth it (like a photography walk) or you change what is there to make sure you get the shots you want (directing a scene). The other end of the spectrum is you shoot what is there. This means the camera has to capture what is there, like wedding shooters have to get certain shots, ENG crews have to capture whatever is happening, etc. For me, my priority is capturing what happens, so I want the camera to fit the scene, rather than the other way around. This aligns very much with the cinema vs video camera priorities, but it's a different way of looking at it. Either way is fine, but the differences are a big source of why people from the first camp give really dismissive and condescending advice to the people in the second camp, like "just use a phone" or "who cares if your image looks like crap".

Yeah in the context of what else existed back then, then Magic Lantern was amazing. Especially for the cost (if you couldn't afford a RED Epic). But in 2024??? You need to either be insane, or doing it purely for the fun of the process, or have zero clue whatsoever about the bigger picture needs. As we're spoiled with so many choices today that could be a better fit for your project. Yikes!!! He badly needs to upgrade from a Zoom H Series to a Zoom F8n. I think rather than dealing with a ML raw then if I wanted a hybrid camera that's weather sealed I'd go instead with a Canon 1D C or a Nikon Z8 or Panasonic S1H / GH6 or Sony FX3 / FX30 (or perhaps a7Smk3) or Fujifilm X-H2s or Canon R6 mk2 / R7 / R8 etc Because raw is over rated, and 10bit is good enough 99% of the time. Especially if you're working in an environment where weather sealing / low visibility / run & gun / etc matters! As you likely don't have a tonne of card space with you, along with a 1st AC, and DIT on set, to handle the data offloads and to be checking the footage. Rather you want something simple, reliable, and fast. Which isn't what describes ML raw, but does fit the use case of the Canon 1D C / Nikon Z8 / S1H / X-H2s / GH6 / FX30 / etc