Andrew Reid

I agree the X-S20, X-M5, X-T5 all contenders for value champ. If you look at just full frame cameras under $1000 then it gets less complicated. APS-C and crop sensor cameras have always been plentiful bargains. There's a lot of them to choose from.

My Nikon 28mm F1.4 AF-D will like that. AFD still very popular in Germany.

Beyond the CPU capability for 10bit. Sensor can do 8K/60p so open gate 8K 30p would be no issue for it. CPU encoder that's on the limit, i.e. HEIF and HVEC.

I'd take 4k120 over 60p for slow-mo any day

Since I had the Z9, Nikon seems to have been on a firmware update rampage. This is just for the Z8... ■ Still Photography • Added [Pixel shift shooting] to the photo shooting menu. • Added new picture controls. • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting menu. • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%. • Added [Auto capture] to the photo shooting menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected). • The length of time the camera will continue to buffer frames before cancelling shooting during the Pre-Release Capture phase of high-speed frame capture + has been increased from 30 to 300 seconds. • Added [Large] to the size options available for [Secondary slot function] > [JPEG primary - JPEG secondary] in the photo shooting menu. • Added new bracketing increments for use during auto bracketing with [AE & flash bracketing], [AE bracketing], or [Flash bracketing] selected for [Auto bracketing set]. This change also applies to [Interval timer shooting] > [Options] > [AE bracketing] > [Increment]. ■ Video Recording • Added new picture controls. • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the video recording menu. • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%. • Added [Auto capture] to the video recording menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected). • Added low ISO sensitivity options to [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity (mode M)] for use during N-Log video recording. • Changed the range of speeds available for Hi-Res Zoom. • The color of the in-focus AF-area brackets shown on the shooting display when Hi-Res Zoom is enabled has been changed. • Hi-Res Zoom operations can now be performed using the sub-selector. • Added slow-motion video recording. ■ Playback • Added [Playback speed] in the video playback “i” menu. • Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu. • Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu. • Made changes to the [Select for upload to computer] and [Select for upload (FTP)] items in the playback “i” menu and added [Select for priority upload to computer] and [Select for priority upload (FTP)]. ■ Controls • Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d18 and g17. • Added [Focus point border width] to a11 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. • Changes have been made to how a full format is performed with [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU]. • White balance and exposure compensation can now be adjusted while recalling the shooting function settings. • Added support for the power zoom feature on power zoom lenses. • Added an [Exposure delay mode] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position d6. • Added to the custom controls and roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. New reset options have also been added. - f2[Custom controls (shooting)] - f3[Custom controls (playback)] - g2[Custom controls] Choose [Prefer focus point] or [Prefer focus point (face priority)] for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance zoom position]. The settings for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance] can now be applied during playback zoom. • Made updates to [Non-CPU lens data] in the [SETUP MENU]. • Increased the character limit from 3 to 256 for “Category” entries in IPTC presets. • Restructured the [Camera sounds] item in the [SETUP MENU] with the addition of new options, including new sounds and volume level adjustment for the electronic shutter. ■ Displays • Added focus-distance information to the focus distance indicator displayed during manual focus. • The option selected for [Viewfinder display size] (formerly [Finder display size (photo Lv)]) in the [SETUP MENU] now also applies in video and playback modes. ■ Network (Also NX Field) • A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted. • ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together. • Made changes and additions to the [Connect to FTP server] item in the [NETWORK MENU]. • Changed the procedure used when configuring the camera for synchronized release, increasing to twenty the number of groups that can be created, while the number of cameras in each group that can be controlled from the master camera has been increased to sixteen. • Added [Overwrite copyright info] under [Connect to other cameras] in the [NETWORK MENU]. ■ App-Related Changes With NX MobileAir: • the camera live view display for photo mode now shows NX MobileAir status, and • camera settings saved to a memory card using [Save/load menu settings] can now be downloaded to the smart device or copied from the smart device to the camera memory card using NX MobileAir. ■ Other Changes • The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter. • Improved the accuracy of [3D-tracking] for small, fast-moving subjects when [Auto], [People], [Animal], or [Vehicle] is chosen for [AF subject detection options] and no subject of the selected type is detected. • Improved focus lock-on with flicker detection in low-speed continuous release mode. • Made other improvements to the autofocus operation and its reliability. • Fixed an issue that sometimes resulted in the viewfinder darkening during playback when [Auto] was selected for [Viewfinder brightness]. • It is now easier to obtain the correct exposure from the first shot during interval-timer photography in high-contrast settings or settings dark enough for starlight view. • The histogram display is no longer available when starlight view is enabled. • Changed the video low-capacity warning so that it is now displayed in white on a red background when there is less than one minute remaining. The warning is now also displayed when recording is not in progress. • Users now have more precise control when scrolling through videos during playback using the progress bar. • When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point. • The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d11 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. • Fixed the following issues: - Photos taken with interval-timer photography could sometimes be underexposed. - Flash may not sometimes fire during focus shift. - The focus position unintentionally returned to the position saved using [Save focus position] if standby timer was expired while power was supplied via USB and a WR-R10 was attached. - Optimal exposure could sometimes not achieved in burst or focus shift shooting. - Pressing the AF-ON button immediately ended playback when [Playback] was assigned to [AF-ON button] and [Prioritize viewfinder (2)] was selected for monitor mode. - Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed. - Focus point selection using the multi selector and sub-selector was unavailable if a touch operation was performed using [Position focus point] when [3D-tracking] was selected for AF-area mode. - Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode]. - With some lenses, the shutter release was sometimes disabled in burst photography if the lens zoom ring was rotated. Changes from “C” Firmware Version 1.00 to 1.01 • Changed the timing of the high-temperature warnings appearing when the camera’s internal temperature increases mainly during video recording. • Changed the position where the memory card high-temperature warning is displayed in video mode. • Fixed the following issues: - The battery would draw down more quickly while the camera was off if [ON] was selected for [Connect to smart device] > [Wi-Fi connection] in the [NETWORK MENU] even if [OFF] was selected for both [Bluetooth connection] and [Upload while off]. - Focus could still be adjusted using the focus ring when [Disable] was selected for a15 [Manual focus ring in AF mode] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] if an option other than [Non-linear] was chosen for f9 [Focus ring rotation range] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

D800 and Pentax K-1 Best stills image quality from 10 years ago I agree there's been a plateau. The main difference between 2015 and 2025 if we're talking stills is that the GFX 100 II now exists. 100mp, and larger than full frame. That's quite a good advance. In video the progress has been much more noticeable due to the speed and less heat of modern CPUs and sensors.

Looks good https://digitalproduction.com/2025/02/10/redcine-x-beta-embraces-nikon-n-raw/

Now you are making a lot of sense. I like it when there's a hard realism to my fantasy worlds... HDR V-LOG is not how we see.

I don't think Leica deep down like the alliance. It's a bit of a recipe for some brutal competition within their own ecosystem isn't it? Whereas Canon can pick and choose by themselves who makes lenses for R mount, it seems Leica, Sigma and Panasonic have a democracy and vote on it. It must be tricky for Leica to sell their own overpriced L-mount lenses to their own customers (SL2, SL3) when most of these users knows quality of Sigma's stuff is equal or even better.

Another comparison between a high dynamic range scene in 2049 vs similar shot from the original... I personally think the HDR 2049 scene looks too peaceful and clinical, milky, hazy. Whereas the high contrast in the old film looks far more dramatic and in keeping with the brutality of that dystopian world.

Fast forward to 2049 and the modern Alexa era.. This shot looks like it needs 15 stops but it could have been shot with a GH2 actually. That's because they have 100% control over the yellow light source. And yet still they chose to blow out the top of his head to give the figure some shape and tonality. It would be weird if it looked like he wasn't under a strong glare because they wanted to maximize the dynamic range. Wouldn't suit the scene.

I still think that ETTR and trying to max out dynamic range leads to a worse overall look. It is one of the reason people complain about the colours on CMOS sensors and the flat tonality. The cinema look even in uncontrolled light is to prioritise what part of the shot is the most important. I really like my contrast Take the original Blade Runner for example, there would be no benefit in bringing up the shadows in this shot. The silhouette of the figure and the walkway is what the shot is about. So here 7 stops better than 14. In this one even though it's film the neon is blown out. There would be no benefit having an Alexa 35 here because if the neon mess behind him was bright colours and details it would be distracting us from the main subject. It is also supposed to look bright... because lights are... erm... bright Like the sun is bright. Today I don't know why people want to make lights look dark and shadows look bright, it makes no sense.

Or maybe not actually because although the parts outside the metal fencing are not blown out the entire back of her head is, and there's no detail in the hair. I would be tempted to prioritize the colour, detail and tonality of the inside of the barn and let the small bit of outside blow in a graceful way to absolute white, which looks like sunlight flooding in and would be quite nice.

Yes and lifting shadows is exactly the reason not to go 4 stops underexposed. I've seen shoots where they are trying to protect a highlight to the extreme and the rest of the shot is so noisy when they lift the exposure back up, looks like camera was at ISO 25,600 or similar. I also think that a high dynamic range look on an SDR display looks like it has no tonality. You have done a good job with the cow shot though. So maybe it's a moooooot point.

Just an observation... These latitude tests are daft. Nobody should be exposing a CMOS sensor 3-4-5 stops under. Just let the fucking window blow out. Colours, skintones, the entire look is more or less best when the multi-metering is on default. Sometimes I like to go 1 stop under maximum. When you have to dig the mids out of the blacks they look like crap.

You mean it is good at focusing sideways then? 🙂 I would choose S5 over anything pre-A7 III as well as 2012 cameras aren't my bag. Do you mean a7 IV? I just think the a7 IV is superior to the S5 in so many ways. And not in the small stuff but big... The autofocus. The viewfinder. The mount. The resolution. The lens adapters. The ergonomics. No-phase-detect-AF is a no-go for 2025. I just don't know why you'd want to put yourself through the inconvenience especially for video. For stills with native Panasonic glass you can usually get away with DFD just fine though. The Z6 is like $650 used now, probably one of the all-time great bargains as far as bang for image quality goes.

The 40mm F2 is on my list, it's dead cheap. Tamron not so much as the Nikon 28-75mm f2.8 exists Does it not transfer the E-mount geometry metadata via the adapter? I thought it did. Will have to try that. A7R V is about the same price as Z8 used at the mo. It's more of a stills camera in my view. Whereas Z8 is a hybrid, with lots of speeeeed. If the a7r V just had a faster sensor it would tick a lot of boxes and beat the a1. But then it would beat the a1 and Sony would not allow that. So the a7r series might forever remain quite slow, and I dare say they will increase the pixel count again with the next one... 100mp anyone? Certainly a place for that but it doesn't make for speeeeeeeeeed.

I asked Foto Meyer if they had any S1R II as well. Apparently they sold out within days, but it's not clear whether this initial shipment was 3 units or 300. So will have to wait a bit longer to try one. By the way I did notice again how soft the Leica M mount lenses inc. Voigtlander were on the Sony at fast apertures vs the Nikon Z8.

This is the plan. I have shot some various formats today around the Tiergarten in Berlin... Most cinematic duck shot ever. Will upload later to a Google drive folder. I am very happy with it so far. There are a few quirks, nothing major. Finding myself nailing manual focus on the Voigtlander 40mm at F1.2. So the slightly lower-resolution EVF vs Z9 might actually help, as it has a bit of aliasing on the focus plane. The main LCD is sharp as tack. Mega detailed and bright. Small thing but you can't assign movie recording to the movie recording button. Better explain further... In stills mode the movie recording button acts as a func. button, none of the functions are to start/stop movie recordings in stills mode. So it's a good job it has that quick to reach stills/movie lever isn't it? Size is fine. Weight is barely any different to the Sony a1. I actually prefer the ergonomics especially in cold weather with gloves. Incidentally the a1 itself popped up later in the day on same shelf I picked Z8 from yesterday. For a good price too. It's a bit smaller, but it feels just that little bit more dated compared to the Z8 with just a little bit less charm. Still a damn good choice for under $4000 though.

Yeah I have heard it doesn't like the hand grenade cards. Which is understandable. Personal opinion: 8K is a cinema thing and 60p is video/TV. So not too bothered about the 8K/60p. 8K/24p I will definitely be using.

To be honest 6K H2.65 ain't to be sniffed at... It's very nice. I am sure it does have 24/25p.

Hopefully SLR Magic.

Ah, if you toggle Silent Mode it doesn't keep parking and unparking the IBIS when entering and exiting the menus. Much nicer. It does still do so when cycling the power.