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A Komodo and a Pyxis are much closer aligned with each other in terms of the shoot style / market niche they're targeting, than a Komodo and a Sony FX3 / a7Smk3 is as they're even further apart. The probably is that ZCam is still positioned in the same place in the market as where Blackmagic was a decade ago. So moving to ZCam is an even riskier bet.

I don't think I ever said "wild." Just "weird." It's a lot less weird to me to go from Red to Sony (or almost anybody else). It's just weird to me that anybody would move from any non-Black Magic brand to Pyxis, in particular - I just think Pyxis is pretty lame and there are a lot of better options at the same price or lower. Heck, other than "shoots internal raw" and "has lame high-res touchscreen on the side of the camera," the E2-F6 from more than 5 years ago is a far more capable camera. Anyway, this isn't a Pyxis thread so I'll stop. Anyway, for a certain YouTuber crowd, it seems like their business really is making videos every few months about why they're changing to a new camera from the old one. Then they make a series of videos extolling the benefits of the new camera and selling their guide for it and/or lut pack or whatever. Then a few months later, they move to the next shiny new camera and repeat. Videos about "Why I sold my ________ and changed to _______" are right up there with someone calling their camera a "beast" in terms of things that will inspire me to ask YouTube to stop suggesting their channel to me. 😅

Cheers for sharing this new YouTuber! I've been watching some more of his videos, he's quite good / entraining. Am surprised he only has a few hundred subs. I mean he makes some decent points why the Pyxis is "better". And if he is in financial strife, and is underwater with the Komodo-X, then is he necessarily going to admit that to his followers? And as he mentions in a more recent video, for his client base he doesn't need a RED Komodo-X: I mean if you think it is wild to sell a Komodo to get instead a Blackmagic Pyxis, then you'll blow your mind if you watch these videos of people selling their RED Komodo for instead a Sony FX3 (or an a7Smk3, or even a FX30):

Don't tell me they don't have DPAF in it? If not, it would sell only because it's a Leica.

Has anyone heard about the S9 have or not having Adobe to Cloud (frame.io) features? I know it doesn't have the proxies, but I wasn't sure about the Adobe connectivity. Also, with Adobe Lightroom CC, is it possible to have jpeg's directly go into your library on your iPhone? I'm not a user, but I thought someone might know. Finally, can you set it up to send photos directly to the phone after each shot, much like tethering? So far, I've only seen people selecting thumbnails. For me, that is rather difficult and this is the part of the process that I've always dreaded. You simply cannot see wether it's a good shot or not. I think it would be better to send everything automatically and delete later the ones I don't want... much like you can currently do on the S5ii with the integration of frame.io.

You’d have to question the business wisdom of such a trip that took out at least 7-8 days out of working time when you factor in prep, travel and jet lag recovery. Yes the travel, accommodation and likely some sort of PD was involved but without an actual fee, how is the loss of earnings for those days covered ? Even if you factored in the “long term” loan of the camera being so long term that they allow you to sell it then a $1000 spread over 7 days isn’t much of a day rate. I don’t think the argument of exposure and views compensating holds up either. The gold rush era of making YouTube camera videos and becoming relatively rich is in the rear view mirror now. Thats why so many of them are pivoting to other areas. The days of these get rich quick Beverley Shillbillies will hopefully be a thing of the past pretty soon.

Plus there is this thing that ‘no publicity is bad publicity’…and whilst I am not sure I entirely agree with that sentiment, in this case it has probably raised more awareness of the S9 than there might otherwise have been. I didn’t really care about the release initially but since the controversy, have looked a little deeper (more at the camera than the shenanigans BTS) and could make a case for it in my lineup. Not a strong enough case at this time, but that otherwise I would not have bothered with had their not been the controversy. Also, the CC’s can make ‘reaction’ videos 🤪

I agree. I would hope that most people are not gullible enough to believe that product reviews are 'warts and all' - they are subjective to varying extents, including what to put in and leave out. If you're getting paid to do it (including payments in kind, like 'free' trips) there is always going to be some 'don't bite the hand that feeds you' pressure around, even if it's not overt from the marketing dept. Magazines need advertising revenue, professional social media content creators need sponsorship income. It's nothing new...

I went for a walk with my og Bmpcc yesterday, mounted with a 25mm lens. Handheld shooting without rigging was quiete a challenge and a lot of fun. Color response in grading is still impressive. I imagine the 5D3 to be on par with it. In that case I would prefer it over any Sony or Pana dslm in regards of sheer beauty under natural light or 5600K fixtures. S1 and S1H impressed me in lit scenarios though under tungsten btw. I bought a 5D3 1.5 years ago and it's waiting for party time.

It's interesting that the Leica D-Lux 8 has just been announced - https://www.dpreview.com/news/3471020867/leica-continues-compacts-with-d-lux-8-featuring-four-thirds-type-sensor - (looks like same 20MP 4/3 sensor as LX100 ii/D-Lux 7), but with OLED EVF and higher res rear screen, plus USB-C charging). The D-Lux series have always been Leica versions of Panasonic 'enthusiast' compacts, so might an LX100 iii be on the way (as LX100 ii was discontinued a while ago)?

For those who remember, what's happening to the S9 is vaguely similar to the release of the GX850. It seemed like EVERYONE wanted that GX850 to be a tiny GX85 and it almost was except for the IBIS. People said they could live with that due to the form-factor. People said they could live with the 5-minute recording limit in 4K. However, people seriously started bitching about that camera when Panasonic removed manual video mode- it was the line that couldn't be crossed and so many people were angry at it for that. In actuality, it does have a pseudo manual mode in 30fps with 4k Photo Mode and multiple aspect ratios. Panasonic also has a long history of not having full sensor readout on cameras (whereas Olympus did), which is another major point of contention. One does have to wonder what they're thinking sometimes. If they have reasons, you'd think they'd explain, but they never seem to. In fact their silence on the matter of the S9 isn't really doing much good. Sure, they might wait for it to blow over (and it will, eventually), but it would seem good to release a statement of some sort. Maybe they don't want to admit anything? Maybe they're saying it was a good launch, job done? I'm not sure.

Who even trusts these reviewers.

The funny thing about all of this for me is that until now, I always thought and said that Lumix didn’t do enough marketing of this nature. This time they seem to have invited every CC out there…and it’s all got a bit controversial. Upon reflection, the S9 although perhaps a little overpriced, looks a decent enough thing…for it’s market. Whether this current shitstorm will make any difference in regard to YouTube marketeers remains to be seen, but probably not so more storm in a teacup probably.

What I understand now is that working with these YouTubers is extremely hard and I feel sorry for marketing people of camera brands who have to work with them.

I’ve heard that MrSMW would have preferred the Tamron version because it’s a bit more compact, lighter, less ugly and doesn’t suffer so much from lens creep…but that ship has sailed anyway. What MrSMW would prefer to exist is something like a 40-120mm f2.8 that does not extend and weighs sub 1kg/2lbs. And an S1R mk II and then he would happily hop over back to L Mount for his stills needs, but at this point in time, Nikon bodies with flawless adapted Tamron E Mount lenses is doing a sterling job 👊

You got me curious enough to watch it. "I'm just gonna sell my Red Komodo-X because this is absolutely fire." He mentions that it's a cheaper camera near the end, but he really seems to be pumped for the Pyxis. Like I said, still seems like a weird choice to me - but he's welcome to do what he wants for a camera.

I'd imagine this would make MrSMW very happy! https://www.l-rumors.com/samyang-is-recruiting-influencers-to-be-the-first-to-experience-and-own-samyangs-first-l-mount-lens/ There might also be a Sigma f1.8 full frame zoom coming? https://www.l-rumors.com/worlds-first-f-1-8-full-frame-autofocus-zoom-lens-is-coming-soon-from-sigma/

Nah, they are quite different cameras the BMD CInema 6K vs Panasonic S9. It certainly has some overlap. (probably even more overlap than you'd think) But they're definitely different niches. Slow paced vs fast paced. Haven't seen that video, so I don't know their reasons, but I'm not at all surprised to see such a switch. In a way both Komodo-X and Pyxis exists in a kinda similar space. They're not in the premium space of ARRI. They're not in the mid budget mainstream videography / camera op space, which is dominated by the Sony FX6. (well, depending on the part of the world you're in, some places have the FX9 being the more common default than the FX6) And the Canon C70 / C300mk3 / C500mk2 mops up everything that the Sony isn't selling to. Komodo-X and Pyxis both exist in that same space of "a good camera, but not one that a person specifically hires you for" (unlike a FX6/FX9 or an ARRI). DoP / Cam Ops usually get hired on a mix of: connections / camera they own / ability. ARRI and Sony FX6/FX9 (& to a lessor extent, C70/C300mk3/C500mk2) can get hired on the strength of the camera they own being a significant factor. (although networking and talent always are far more important factors to focus on!!) RED or BMD owners? Nah, usually that's going to be a very small or non-existent factor. Usually people are buying those cameras (RED or BMD) for themselves. Because they need "a camera" to shoot with, and they've decided to not go down the bread and butter Sony/Canon jobs (usually because they're chasing the narrative filmmaking path, or shooting for the high end). But they can't afford the likes of an ARRI! But from a brutal financial analysis aspect, it probably wouldn't make much difference to their overall income for the year if they got a secondhand $1.5K RED Raven brain vs the latest brand new RED Komodo-X. Which is quite different to the Sony or ARRI shooter, as there will be for them be a massive difference if they pick up a $1.5K Sony FS5 secondhand vs a brand new Sony FX9 (or an old ARRI Alexa Classic vs an ARRI 35). So if this YouTuber was feeling the financial pressure, then it makes a lot of sense for them to sell the Komodo-X while it still is holding up in value on the secondhand market and instead get a cheap Blackmagic Pyxis. Or maybe they're not under intense financial pressure, but they simply feel their investments need to be shifted around and reprioritized. Maybe rather than a Komodo-X they'd benefit more from having a Dana Dolly and an Aputure 1200D? So they sell the RED and swap it out for a cheaper BMD, then overall they've got themselves a better camera / lighting / grip package than before. I've seen both types of scenarios happen.

I like this conspiracy theory! Sounds fun. Wasn't there a rumor recently about the Panasonic S1H mk2 being not too far away? https://www.4kshooters.net/2023/03/23/leak-suggests-panasonic-s1h-ii-may-have-8k-phase-detection-autofocus/ https://www.l-rumors.com/l2-first-rumored-panasonic-s1h-ii-specs-8k24p-and-built-in-nd/ Oh noes, don't kill the fun with facts before it has even started! 😞 In a hopeless attempt to keep the conspiracy alive.... maybe there was a leak from BMD themselves? Someone outside BMD knew they were planning a big price cut to move out old stock after the launch of the Blackmagic Design PYXIS Yeah, that's how we first saw for sure confirmation of the S9, because an Amazon listing for handgrip/cage was up for it. Yes I would have thought then it makes more sense to be doubling down on the Panasonic LX15 / LX100 series. Bring out their next generation of them. They're "large sensor" P&S cameras, but to be fair, still smaller than the X100 sensor. But if Panasonic brings out an APS-C sensor camera, that's very unusual, it would be a bit confusing for Panasonic branding? They've never had recently an APS-C camera (wellll... technically the Varicam LT I guess was the most recent one?? ha), as Panasonic has been all about MFT or "Full Frame". It's just a backlash against the slick looking perfect images, and looking backwards to go retro. That's why those old CCD P&S cameras are selling for sky high prices.

Because a mirrorless sensor is huge, which thus needs a HUGE lens to have a comparable zoom range as the typical camcorder has. The vaguely closest thing might be the smallest of the mirrorless sensor, a MFT, in a camcorder. And we've had that, the Panasonic DVX200. It's very compact! But yet still a lot bigger than what your typical family (grand)parents / tourist holidaymakers / etc would like to use. I'd say the modern camcorder of today is the fairly awesome Sony PXW-Z90V, it's a (semi)professional grade camcorder. And super compact. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1362802-REG/sony_pxw_z90v_pxw_z90_4k_hdr_xdcam.html Or if looking for a cheaper consumer grade camcorder, then the equivalent is the Sony FDR-AX700. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1362622-GREY/sony_fdr_ax700_b_fdr_ax700_4k_camcorder.html This. Even though compact cameras (be they P&S or superzooms) have also been squished by smartphones and mirrorless, they still are quite an appealing alternative to a camcorder today. Back in the day old school camcorders made sense partially because the video from P&S cameras were so terrible (or non-existent!). But today if I wanted better video than my cellphone, but wanted something smaller / less obvious than a mirrorless / DSLR, then why would I pick a camcorder?? I'd probably go with a camera such a Sony RX100 or Panasonic LX100 or Fujifilm X100 or Nikon Coolpix A Then I get better video and a great stills camera too, and it's more compact / more incognito than a consumer grade camcorder is! If I need more zoom than one of these P&S cameras, I'd probably go for a Nikon Coolpix P900 / Panasonic FZ1000 / Sony RX10 / Nikon Coolpix A900 / Panasonic FZ80 / etc instead. They're super cheap on the secondhand market, and again, they're good stills cameras too! I have good news for you! You can get a Sony HDW-F900R for less than a thousand bucks these days, far less than the hundreds of thousands of dollars they used to cost: https://www.ebay.com/itm/226158157074

You're right friend, but if he intends to buy or rent gear by himself then he'll transform into a "retro gear reviewer" outside the consumerist agenda of big camera brands. I've left him a message in his comments section saying he wants to be treated like a tech journalist when companies like Canon and Panasonic classify his and his collegues chanells in the Marketing department. Those are two very different beasts. Tech journos want to review the product ASAP. Marketing guys want you to be 100% positive with your piece to produce more sales. It's that simple. He didn't play nice with the Marketing guys and they cut him. By their logic that's valid. By youtuber logic it's a travesty.

It's all branding and marketing, including this video from Gerald. I'm surprised so many people buy into it. Look, the dude humble bragged about how he takes these trips and then just hangs out instead of filming anything, but he gets most passionate when he starts talking about how he wasn't invited on the last Japan trip for the Lumix S5II and now this trip, with Lumix directly telling him that they just didn't think he'd like the camera. Most of the rest of his video was just acknowledging what we've all been saying for years and what Gerald himself has benefited/profited from, he just thinks it's an ethical problem because he's no longer on the list of people Lumix wants to play nice with. There's absolutely truth in what he is saying, but let's be clear: if Gerald cared about ethical camera reviews he'd still be getting cameras from a local camera shop to test instead of having relationships with these companies. If he'd still kept doing that he'd never had been able to make a living doing YouTube though. Did he really ever think these companies viewed him as anything other than a mark they could exploit to market their products to people or was he just happy to be part of the game until other companies not named Sony decided to allocate their marketing resources to other reviewers? Today it's easy to put Panasonic on blast. He sees the writing on the wall. He really has nothing to lose, his channel has predominantly been Sony focused for the last several years anyway and, honestly, it wouldn't shock me if this marks a change in his channel in general as the YouTube camera reviewer bubble seems to have burst or bottomed out for a lot of people. Views are down even on his Sony videos. If nothing else he has seemingly successfully branded himself as the lone moral voice in the camera/gear space, as far as YouTube is concerned.

Can you control the gimbal with the phone gyro (like the Ronin) or only with the virtual joystick?

Sounds about right…also being a resident 🤪

All hobbies are like this.