IronFilm

2 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

And the creativity you need to complete an MBA... Mindblowing.

They don't call it creative accounting for nothing

4 hours ago, Alexis Fontana said:

No that’s makes it possible to use LPL-lenses on a M-mount camera. Guy needs it the other way around which can’t be done. Flange distance on m-mount is 18mm and on LPL-mount it’s 44mm so impossible to do. 

whoops! My bad, you're totally right

Am sure this is the first and last time I'll ever see rifles being used to construct a diff frame!

As on the weekend I was working on a friend's little short film, he was the Director / DoP / Writer / Editor / Gaffer / DIT / 1st AC / "Everything" (even acting in some of it!), except for Sound (which I of course did. Although I helped out a little teeny bit sometimes in other areas too, such as lighting). 

Due to the nature of the shoot (almost no crew, basically no budget, and out in the middle of nowhere) we had very limited amounts of gear at our disposal. So while a couple of combo stands with a proper diff frame was constructed for the first scenes of this film we shot down at the beach (which even that took a fair bit of hiking through the bush to get to), later on when we went further up the hill/cliff, then the heavier stuff was ditched. As wasn't viable to keep on carrying everything with us (and even a little dangerous? A little further on up from here is where one of our actors ragdolled their way down when they slipped and fell. Luckily they're still ok! Pity that moment wasn't caught on camera).

Thus you see the improvised situation here! Making the best out of what we had at hand in the moment. 

On 3/21/2025 at 4:44 AM, eatstoomuchjam said:

Now I just wish there were a way to get a Leica M mount on it - none of the mounts made for the camera (EF, PL, LPL) can take M mount with an adapter. 

The "XPimage Locking adapter for ARRI LPL Mount lens to Leica M" adapter exists, US$365.75:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134641448107 

On 3/19/2025 at 10:45 PM, Andrew Reid said:

but feels and looks a bit different. Niche artistic tools.

I'd love to get a Pentax 645D or 645Z, but even at their greatly reduced secondhand prices (vs their original RRP) I still can't justify buying one for what they're going for today. (just checked out their prices again, they seem to have gone up?? Has a youtuber/influencer started talking about them again???)

On 3/20/2025 at 1:06 PM, EduPortas said:

 

Now I'm having a blast with a tiny Nikon ccd point and shoot from about 20 years ago. 

Cheap as beans, fits everywhere, has flash, a nice wide to tele lens and the gf likes it. Of course the battery is mediocre, is very slow in operation and has glacial autofocus.

BUT once you print an image created with those ccd sensors you realize the hype is real.

I have NEVER seen skins tones as natural as the ones produced by these old Nikons (3300, 3400, etc). 

Am also a little tempted to get the Nikon D200 or D2X, simply because it was "the best" CCD camera that Nikon ever got. 

But more realistically, rather than a 645D/645Z/D200/D2X, then I see the Nikon D700 as being the most likely old camera I'm possibly going to get this year or next, depending on if I can spot the right super bargain or not here in NZ. 

On 3/20/2025 at 8:12 AM, MurtlandPhoto said:

My latest fun-factor obsession is the Epson R-D1. It's the closet thing to a film-like shooting experience you can get on digital. As far as I know, it is the only digital camera in which you must cock the shutter manually... for sure it is the only digital rangefinder in which you must do so. Seiko made the automotive inspired gauges at the top, which are very fun. To me, it's the full, unapologetic ode to film cameras that Fuji wishes it could do. It's feeling very old at the moment though at 6MP and the images themselves aren't particularly spectacular on their own SOOC.  

Yikes, their ebay pricing is through the roof! (especially so for a 2004 camera. At around two grand USD, or a little more or a little less)

I'm going to keep on dreaming of "a FX60" (the FX6, but with the smaller/cheaper sensor of the FX30. Because S35 is still plenty!). 

On 3/21/2025 at 3:23 AM, eatstoomuchjam said:

If not a new sensor design, if they'd just put the A7 V sensor in an old RX1 body and sell it for $2,800, they'd steal a lot of Fuji's X100RF thunder.  One would assume that somebody in Sony's product management team noticed at some point that their camera was just a few years too early and now the market is crazy for high-end compacts.

Would also be competing against the new Fujifilm GFX100RF as well. 

On 3/21/2025 at 4:27 AM, MrSMW said:

I'd be interested!

I was very interested in the A7CR except for the not so great rear screen and a couple of other things so went with the A7RV which IMO, other than size and form factor, is quite a big step up.

Especially as the A7RV with a trio of compact zooms is my main stills camera with a sidekick Nikon Zf with 40mm f2.

I love my Zf and use it as a fixed lens camera, but it's not that compact and something like an RX1R, but preferably more modern, would be able to better pairing.

Maybe I should actually go and look up used RX1R's myself...

Wonder if Nikon might bring out a full frame version of the Nikon Z30 one day. Might be kind of a competitior to the likes of the a7C mk1 / a7C mk2 / a7CR

On 3/17/2025 at 11:54 PM, Ninpo33 said:

I figured it might go the way of the X100V. Sales paused on the tiny but mighty X-M5 for now. Wonder if I should flip mine on the black market for big $$$$$$
 

https://fujiaddict.com/2025/03/14/fujifilm-x-m5-sales-paused-overseas/amp/

Yes, I did a short film recently and the DoP (who also works in a camera retail store) said that the high demand for the X-M5 has been going absolutely crazy off the charts. 

On 3/19/2025 at 8:11 AM, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

Thom Hogan said something about camera shortages that makes a lot of sense - it is a sensor supply problem.

Thom Hogan writes really good articles, he's part of my regular rotation of websites I check out to read. 

https://bythom.com/newsviews/an-industry-problem.html

On 3/16/2025 at 12:37 AM, MrSMW said:

Thing C = not all older movies look great. Some...a lot even, look shit to my eyes.

Thing D = not all modern movies look shit. Some...a lot even, look superb to my eyes.

Summary, I think there is too much rose tinted spectacle nostalgia about 'The Good Old Days' and that everything today is trash. Everything today is not trash, - it's just different times.

Exactly. it's much easier today to make with digital a film today that's above the average quality of pre-digital film. 

Not every film in the pre-digital era looked like Barry Lyndon. Many looked every worse than what Roger Corman was making. 

On 3/16/2025 at 12:37 AM, MrSMW said:

They also make a lot of shit today. Probably 19+ out of every 20 movies released today I would not wish to see, but they do still make some gems when the right people are involved.

Ditto 19+ out of every 20 films released in the pre-digital era I would not wish to see either. 

On 3/16/2025 at 5:51 AM, fuzzynormal said:

Might be a bit of survivor bias here. 

The older movies that were shot on film might seem to be of a nicer IQ standard, but those are the ones that are still acknowledged.

As an dude that went to the local 1$ 'grindhouse' theater rather regularly as a kid, I assure you that the quality of the image for the forgettable films were often nothing remarkable. 

Bingo, most of us look back and remember only the films from the past that are worth remembering. 

(obligatory inclusion of an image of the most famous example of survivorship bias)

13 hours ago, BTM_Pix said:

Not a camera obviously but Behringer released a new mic pre-amp/compressor today and I was having a look at the review.

German company but now do all of their manufacturing in China.

Behringer is "a German company" but in reality they've been an ultra low cost dirt cheap audio company since forever ago, would have always been using China (or maybe perhaps something similar like Thailand or whatever). 

10 hours ago, MrSMW said:

Looking for something more discrete for travel and galleries and museums etc, maybe better off with something like one of the cropped mirrorless bodies from Canon or Fuji or something like the A6000 range from Sony?

An XT3 would be an excellent choice and something like the XS-20 (under 1k used) would also make a good option.

Fujifilm X-M5 would be the winning for top notch image quality and maximum discreteness / compactness. 

6 hours ago, MrSMW said:

OK. Then lighting lighting lighting.

With some stage management, so mostly likely, multiple lights.

Don't forget the light you remove is just as important as the light you add! (especially these days with our very sensitive cameras)

Is why I included a few floppies and C Stands from B&H in my previous post in this thread. 

Also, bouncing a light can often be just as good / better than adding an extra light. 

6 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I get it, but you can get fine audio from almost any mic, as long as it's close enough to the source.

I get it, but you can fine tune almost any image in post, as long as you have enough light in a shot. 

6 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

Add some tweaking in post if needed and 99% of those watching aren't gonna notice the difference between a $100 mic and $500+ mic.

99% of people watching on YT can't tell the difference between a well-shot GH2 and an ARRI Alexa. 

6 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

As long as it's not peaking, there's no hum or other noise, it will be sufficient for YouTube.

An iPhone will be a sufficient camera for YouTube. 

Every point about audio, also applies just as well to cameras 😉 

6 hours ago, MrSMW said:

How much are used Sony FX30’s?

We will have to wait for a FX30mk2 (or maaaybe a FX3mk2 might have a big enough knock on effect) before the FX30 prices will come down 😞 Because the professional range of Sonys are just in too much high demand. 

6 hours ago, MrSMW said:

Pair one of those with Sigma’s excellent and tiny 18-50mm (27-75 in FF equivalent) f2.8 and that would be a superb pairing.

Or the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 I reckon is even nicer, slightly wider, and even more reach while staying f2.8

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1609642-REG/tamron_afb070s_700_17_70mm_f_2_8_di_iii_a.html 

4 hours ago, alsoandrew said:

Yup. That is why I am allocating half (at least) to lighting and accessories. 

Takes a lot to learn how to use them well though 

2 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I get it, but it's probably the best mic under $100 that he can get and better than the Deity he was considering. 

For someone just shooting YouTube videos that aren't generating revenue it's more than enough. 

It's more the extreme mismatch in equipment that grates me, picking a camera with an 8 out of 10 image quality but choosing for audio a 3 out of 10 (as sure, 3 out of 10 is good enough audio quality for casual YT videos, but then again so is a 3 out of 10 quality video camera.... such as a cellphone or a T3i)

56 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

I was just going by what he wrote in his original post! He mentioned wanting a camera and a 50mm. I'd recommend he goes with the 20-60mm kit lens too. f3.5 isn't bad at all on the wide end and it's a really good quality lens to the point that it's kinda insulting to call it a kit lens when compared to every other kit lens out there. I use it on almost every professional shoot I do.

I was going by what was said by OP in their first person:

9 hours ago, alsoandrew said:

Mainly looking at full frame as I used a Fujifilm XT-2 for mostly street photography while traveling and felt like the sensor size limited my framing options and depth of field. This also might be down to the 18-55mm f2.8-4 kit lens tbh.

Usually when a newbie says something like that then this is a strong hint they lacked a wide angle lens, due to saying the sensor "limited my framing options". Which as you'd know, is nonsense! You can have any framing with any sensor. 

(Although....  there is the point about DoF, which is a bit of a red flag if they also think AF is totally irrelevant while expecting to shot at very shallow DoF???) 

48 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

Also, instead of the Deity I would go with the RODE VideoMic GO II. It will sound pretty good as a boom mic if boomed close enough and is surprisingly decent directly plugged into your computer if you need to do voice overs, since it has a USB-C connection.

Both of these pain me so much. 

2 hours ago, Walter H said:

If full-frame is a requirement for you, the Panasonic S1 has no record time limit but the S5 does - 29:59 (although that limit might now exist with an external recorder). But the S5 does have a screen that flips out and twists so that you can see yourself and see your framing once you get to work and make any adjustments. Helpful. 

 

@alsoandrew could use a remote record button to start / stop the recordings with, such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/Including-Trigger-Compatible-Panasonic-Fujifilm/dp/B0CP1PGWPX

That way they don't need to worry about their dirty hands touching their camera!

2 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I don't see why you couldn't get a used Lumix S5, a used 50mm f1.8, a tripod, mic, and lights for $1.5k.

Just a 50mm? Probably won't be wide enough for everything they want to do. Thus why I suggested they get three lenses. 

1 hour ago, alsoandrew said:

Meant to say sub $1k for body + adapted 50mm vintage lens. Tbh I am not sure if I need that level of audio and lighting yet at the moment. I feel like you give too much away with the GH5/4 in photo. This guy is doing pretty well and his setup is 5D MkIII, Canon Primes, LED panel lights from amazon, Manfrotto 055 Tripod, and natural light. IDK if he even color grades his videos. I have a tendency to overcomplicate things tbh.

If that's the standard you've set your expectations to, then yeah, a Panasonic GH5S/G9/etc is easily good enough.

1 hour ago, alsoandrew said:

 

If you're seriously committed to the idea of going FF, no matter what, then at least go for a S5mk1 instead of a Z6mk1.

15 hours ago, Django said:

Sony's dominance comes at a price, to me they are the overpriced and under spec'd cameras today.

Sony has turned into what Canon was, overpriced for the specs they're deliverying. 

12 hours ago, MrSMW said:

If I did, it would more likely be the FX30's over the FX3. 

I kind of got the price when it came out, but now... Seems over-priced IMO.

Rumors are of a FX6mk2 later this year. 

If so, then a FX3mk2/FX30mk2 comes out afterwards? Next year? 

Might be what it takes for a FX30mk1 to truly become affordable enough for me to consider. 

13 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

Have you thought about a full frame camera to replace those Nikons? D700 can be had for $200 these days.

I certainly have been thinking about that a lot! Especially as I'd like to use my Sigma 50-500mm sports lens with something better than a D90.

Unfortunately shipping all the way to NZ means I might need to add as much as nearly 50% extra on top of that sale price after purchasing it. (there are benefits but also drawbacks to living in the world's most remote city)

Currently keeping my eye out for a keenly priced D700 locally, but pickings are slim and most people want too much for it. (such as nearly three hundred USD for a well used and only semi functional D700)

But that's ok, the longer I wait, the more affordable the D750 will become 😉 

13 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

A Canon 5D Mark II for video perhaps? Magic Lantern Raw still very nice looking today.

Ehhh... OG BMPCC / FS7 is preferable in my personal opinion / preferences. (which reminds me, I've got a Canon 50D for ML Raw, I probably should ditch it and pass it along to someone who'd like it. Doesn't work for stills!)

13 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

I would also sell the GH4, X-A3, X-T2 and get an X-T3 which is a big step up from both and under $600 used.

I would like having two Fuji cameras, either to use them for quite different purposes, or so I can use them both at once. 

Although I agree, the X-T3 is a big step up! But overkill for my needs.

13 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

Not sure what the price is in Aussie dollars though 🙂

I also have no idea what the pricing is over on The West Island 😉 😅

11 hours ago, MurtlandPhoto said:

It's a pretty good infrared camera if you're into that. I dust mine off every few years for it.

It's great also for high speed flash photography , if you're into that. 

The Nikon D50 does 1/500!! Not even the latest and greatest Sony A1 can manage that, instead the Sony A1 "loses" to the ancient and lowly D50 due to its 1/400 speed. For further comparison the Nikon Z9 is only 1/200

3 hours ago, alsoandrew said:

Mainly looking at full frame as I used a Fujifilm XT-2 for mostly street photography while traveling and felt like the sensor size limited my framing options and depth of field. This also might be down to the 18-55mm f2.8-4 kit lens tbh.

Sensor size is not your issue. 

Just get yourself the battery grip (to unlock longer recording times) for the X-T2 and you've got a good starting setup at a very low cost. 

3 hours ago, alsoandrew said:

Unfortunately I gave that camera to my brother so need to get a new one.

oh well, that crosses out the X-T2 option.

Get a Panasonic S5 mk1?

3 hours ago, alsoandrew said:

Sub $1k for body, sub $1.5k including lenses, tripod, mic, basic lighting, storage

$1.5K in total once you include everything? So only $500 for lenses/tripod/mic/lighting/accessories/etc??

Gee, spending $1K on the body is waaaaaaay too much. Especially as you're not making any money at all on this. 

Honestly I'd suggest you instead spend your money on getting a dirt cheap Panasonic GH4 (or perhaps a GH5S if you can stretch it, as I see the cheapest are nearly six hundred bucks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126984184008 )

Then put the rest of the money into: lighting, tripod, lenses, media, audio. You'll find that money will very quickly disappear. 

Panasonic 7-14mm f/4 => https://www.ebay.com/itm/146362468802 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1725975-REG/ttartisan_c2520_b_m43_25mm_f_2_aps_c_compact.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1732932-REG/7artisans_photoelectric_a010s_m_35mm_f_1_4_lens_for.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1774976-REG/smallrig_3751b_ad_01_heavy_duty_tripod_with.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1852610-REG/tascam_fr_av2_32_bit_float_recorder_timecode_generator.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/850444-REG/Impact_ls_ct40mbk_Turtle_Base_C_Stand_Kit.html (two or even four+ of these)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1606022-REG/auray_bp_59a_5_section_aluminum_boom_pole.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242661-REG/Audix_SCX1_HC_SCX1_HC_Microphone.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1155648-REG/rycote_037340_universal_shotgun_mount_for.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488633-REG/trp_worldwide_4848uf_48x48_ultrabounce_floppy_with.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1484381-REG/aputure_lantern_360_degrees_softbox.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1753989-REG/amaran_apm022da10_amaran_cob_200d_s.html 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1387572-REG/genaray_blt_60_bullet_led_focusing_spot.html

etc etc etc

For a $1.5K total budget then a secondhand GH4 seems like the right way to go, or maybe a GH5S.

2 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

I'll ask him, but my honest guess is he's expected to provide his own camera and is using what he had. If it's what he had, or if it's what he could afford, I get why he uses it over his phone. He can still get decent shallow DOF when doing interviews, and good enough quality footage. After all, Vermont is a very small television market!

IF I was in his shoes, I'd still be getting something like a FS5 / C100 on the cheap, even if the local TV market is not demanding anything better from me. For three reasons:

1) providing a bit higher quality footage than expected will help reduce the odds he gets fired/cut at some point over the next 5yrs+, even if it just improves the odds slightly by 10%, that still makes it worth it 

2) this next point is kinda the same as the previous point, because having a proper video camera means there is less fluffing about, and he'll be able to get the shot / get better shots when under pressure, thus "getting better quality shots" (in terms of content that is, not just image quality)

3) he can diversify out and dabble in doing videography work too for local companies / events

Yes, the  more companies that are using a sensor, then the cheaper it will be. But prices of full frame cameras were dropping when even just only two companies were using FF sensors (just Canon and Nikon,  long before either Pentax or Sony had brought out their full frame DSLRs)

On 3/11/2025 at 4:16 AM, MrSMW said:

There is an argument that the FF market is already saturated so maybe they should not try and compete in that arena, but then MF is 'sexy' over FF which most want over APSC which most want over 4/3.

I suspect in the long run then Fujifilm might be proven right in their decision to target differently both Medium format and APS-C. And to not try to attack so called "Full Frame" head on. 

Fujifilm has APS-C so that people who want highly portable kit (smaller lens!) or very cheap kit (such as the X-M5, or an upcoming X-T300 or X-A8) then they can get a Fujfilm for that. 

But for those who insist on "the best" then the ever decreasing prices of sensors means we'll see Medium Format drop down into reach of more and more people. 

Just like with what happened in the DSLR Era. Initially nobody could afford Full Frame DSLRs (they didn't even exist!), then only the very richest hobbyists or working pros could afford it, but with time, eventually anybody could afford a Full Frame DSLR. (Nikon D600 / D700 or Canon 6D / 5D mk1 goes for pennies these days!) 

I predict the same will eventually happen for Medium Format as well. And who will be positioned the best to take advantage of this? Fujfilm will be. 

Sony FS7 & F3 , low budget videography / corporate / etc types of shoots. 

OG BMPCC, probably should sell this maybe. Ditto the handful of GH1/G3/GF3/etc bodies I still have from when I started out with doing multicam wedding shoots for a handful of years, but haven't done that in ages!

Nikon D90 / D50 / Nikon D5200, to use with my collection of Nikon lens for casual photography fun / hobby. D50 was my first ever camera, worthless now, so why sell it? Keep it for sentimental value. D5200 is my "best" Nikon camera, but won't work with the AF-D lenses I have, but the D90 will. 

Fujifilm X-A3, I'm digging this camera the most for my casual fun photography I'm doing. It's fun to use. I've even doubled down and got a cheap Fujifilm X-T2! Hasn't arrived yet though. 

Panasonic GH4, I used this a bit for vlogging, and even thought this should become my main non-cine camera. But dunno, maybe I should ditch it and the rest of MFT, and have the X-T2 not just for photos but video? If I get the battery grip for the X-T2 (to unlock longer recording times). 

Yeah I know the X-T2 video quality and features isn't up to the highest standards by modern day expectations, but for the needs here I've not got much, and I'm merely comparing it up against the performance of a Panasonic GH4. So, it makes sense, perhaps?

https://www.eoshd.com/news/shooting-fuji-x-t2-italy-samsung-nx1-sony-a6300-beater/ 

21 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

Yeah, by the time they released the C70 (for $5500) the landscape had radically changed. It was only three months later that Sony released the FX3 for $1600 less than the C70 and 18 months later that they released the FX30.

Unless you were a loyal Canon user there weren't many reasons to buy one of their overpriced cinema cameras when there were more affordable and, arguably, better options.

If Canon had released the C70 for $3500 things might be a bit different today. 

Doubt Canon would ever have priced it that cheaply right from the start. 

Maybe if Canon had announced their C70 six months (or even better, a full year plus) before the Sony FX6 (rather than what happened is the C70 was announced me weeks before the FX6) then maybe Canon could have at least made a substantial move in closing the market share gap between Sony and Canon.

Although, I am doubtful, remember back in 2020 then Canon's RF lens lineup was pitful, while Sony E Mount ecosystem had been built up over years and years. 

18 hours ago, Django said:

The C70 wasn't that overpriced in the sense that its an actual cine camera with pro I/O, ND filters, large battery etc. It also had a pretty singular DGO sensor from the top of the line C300 mk3. FX3 was basically a rehoused A7S3.

I agree, the C70 wasn't a FX3 direct competitor, it was a FX6 competitor. 

18 hours ago, Django said:

The main issue is that C70 was RF S35 but with zero APS-C RF lenses so you had to get the speed booster to adapt old EF glass. Really convoluted approach.

I agree again, there was a severe lack of great lens choices for C70 at launch in 2020. 

10 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

While I understand what you're saying and somewhat agree, there are more people using FX3s than C70s, and there are plenty of reasons people went for it instead of the C70, namely lenses, full frame sensor, and price.

I think simply price was the #1 dominant reason.

Today they're a similar price, with a C70 only marginaly more expensive. But at launch, who is going to spend 50% more on a camera when they're already stretching to buy the FX3 as their first (or perhaps 2nd) camera?

The second biggest reason I reckon is simply the dominant nature of the Sony FX/FS series in general, if you already have a FX9/FX6 then you're not going to consider anything else than a FX3 as your B Cam. Or if all your friends are shooting with a FX9/FX6 already and you want to try and jump in as well, then of course you're going for a FX6 over a C70.

10 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

Between sports, weddings, conventions, festivals, commercial shoots, news gathering, and docs etc. I really can't emphasize enough how few people I see using Canon these days, let alone the C70 or C80. Compared to 10 years ago or so when I'd do these same events and there were tons of C100s and camcorders, it's really night and day.

Yup, there has been a big shift over the last decade.

4 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

The Panny DVX200 was pretty ubiquitous up here as far as station cameras were concerned but those all went away and now my bud uses a T3i and a $40 wireless mic system haha. Wild times.

It really is quite sad, when you could pick up a Panasonic DVX200 or a Sony FS5 (with a lens) or a Canon C100 (with a lens) or a Sony PXW-X70 or Canon XC15 for just a thousand bucks or less.

2 hours ago, Django said:

I think a big part of why Canon lost to Sony in the low/mid segment is the change of mount & lenses. 

Canon were super slow to update their cine line to RF and still have this problem were only C70/C80 are RF and the rest is EF. On the Sony side its just E-mount through & through for over a decade. This consistency makes it a lot stronger to build and invest in the ecosystem. Not to mention RF mount has almost no S35 lenses and is closed to third-parties. That whole strategy just backfired on them big time imo. I still like Canon cameras and lenses but it's a much weaker ecosystem than Sony. 

Now Nikon have a chance to enter this market with Z-mount RED/Nikon cine line. Fuji are attempting with the Eterna but I feel that's going to flop, should have gone with a Fuji X APS-c sensor like the one inside XH2S.

I fully agree the lack of RF cameras and lenses does harm Canon both now and recently. But the big shift over from Canon to Sony happened in the 2010's, and I think back then the lens/camera mount was less of a big deal. 

In fact arguably Canon's EF mount was a "strength" of Canon, on their side. (and I'd say is linked to why they were then so slow to transition away from EF, which is not to their detriment) 

On 3/10/2025 at 7:22 AM, Andrew Reid said:

Maybe that's where you all come in 🙂

Would some of you be willing to post a few links here and there in popular Reddit groups, on DPReview and on social media groups?

I'll quite often link to your past content when it's relevant, for instance when I talk about how Nikon was better in the past at video than people normally give them credit for, I'll link to your D5200 coverage (it's what made me get an D5200 back then!), or even the D750 review. 

On 3/10/2025 at 7:22 AM, Andrew Reid said:

But rather than have rules around this, which I don't want to do, it would be great if we could encourage people to join who will use the forum a bit like having their own blog - Posting original hands-on opinions and content about cameras and shooting... Our own insight is better than constantly referring to that of others - It would be good for the community.

Maybe invite people to do guest blog posts?

On 3/10/2025 at 8:53 AM, Andrew Reid said:

I want to see Facebook groups die a death.

I'm saddened that all of the facebook group discussions are behind a Walled Garden, thus in the long run they're doomed to an extremely high risk of being lost to the mists of time. 

https://justapedia.org/wiki/Walled_garden_(technology)

Vs what's out in the open here on forums such as this, are more likely to saved by Archive.org and similar. 

Also searching social media posts is horrible, while searching forum posts via Google is still somewhat quite good. 

14 hours ago, zerocool22 said:

The void gap that can be filled is business talk. I fear it is too tech / creative oriented. And the business side is ignored. Openly communicating about prices/locations/jobs seems a bit taboo at times. While that part is the part that feeds their kids( most important. ) and I feel most creatives arent naturally gifted in that division.

100%, I'd love to see more of this. 

It's one of the reasons I really like watching Tin House Studio, even though I'm not working in the photography industry but in a totally different niche, a lot of the business talk concepts he discusses are largely transferable to any other niche that's also an artistic field / freelancer. 

https://www.youtube.com/@TinHouseStudioUK  

9 hours ago, Django said:

Also S-Log3 is kind of the standard in production houses. C-log is acceptable too. Other log formats can be problematic to hand in.

I wonder if Panasonic's collaboration with ARRI means we'll see a resurgence in popularity in Panasonic mirrorless being used. 

It's a smart move by both Panasonic and ARRI. For obvious reasons by Panasonic, but it helps out ARRI too. 

At the moment it's too easy to go with VENICE as your A Cam, and be able to use FX6/FX3/FX30 cameras as chash cams, or even a B Cam. Or if you need to go do a week of pick up shots, but you're running out of budget, it's no big deal to use a FX9/FX6 instead, or even slum it with a FX3/FX30.

Does ARRI have these easy options?  Not really. If you've been shooting with an ARRI 35 then what is your crash cam? Or a B Cam on the cheap? Ok, you might say "BMD Pyxis" or whatever, but that then introduces new workflow hassles you have to be careful about. It's not quite as seamless as Sony's ecosystem. 

What if you need to run out of funds and need to do pick up shots for a week, what will you use? Get an old ARRI Alexa Classic on the cheap? But that requires a fairly substantial supporting crew... if only you'd shot on a VENICE you could now be grabbing quickly the shots on a FX6!

Thanks to the ARRI / Panasonic collaboration then a lot more people will be seriously thinking about Panasonic for crash cams / C cams / etc, and feeling more confident in shooting on ARRI on a shoestring budget knowing it will be relatively seamlessly easy to do pick up shots on a Panasonic if the worst happens and they run out of funds. 

Also for ultra low budget shoots, where you think you might be doing post in house, thus it could be argued "it doesn't matter" what camera you are shooting with, as whatever quirks the workflow has then you have the dedication to iron out the kinks, but....  what if you have hopes and aspirations that maybe you'll get an injection of funds so you can the finishing touches done by a proper Post House? It's going to be a lot easier if only you'd gone with say a Sony FX6/FX3/FX30 than if you were using a Nikon Z6mk2 / Fujifilm X-T3 / Panasonic S1H / whatever. 

So likewise they might now be giving more serious consideration to say a Panasonic GH7 over a FX3/FX30. 

9 hours ago, Django said:

I think it just confirms the on-going trend that in the broadcast/videography world Sony is the leader with Canon still present but trailing behind. Panny, Nikon & Fuji are so far behind they're basically absent although that could potentially shift in years to come.

I've noticed the Sony dominance within my own local docu/concert/event scene. Its to the point where if you don't show up with Sony gear, people look at you funny. If you want work in that scene you basically just gotta be a Sony operator. I'm not sure how to explain it other than Sony FX ecosystem is really popular and yeah they have a head start with a FF range from A7 to FX3 to FX9. Also the A7S3/FX3/FX6 sensor is a lowlight champ with super low rolling shutter which helps a lot for run & gun docu style work.

Exactly. This chart is no surprise to me whatsoever. I've been saying for years on EOSHD that Sony is dominating in the low / mid budget professional market. (with some exceptions for particular niches or parts of the world)

Basically ages ago then C300mk1 dominated the low / mid budget professional market (with the C100 mk1 / mk2 or even the 5D mk2/mk3 or similar being the even cheaper options people would do if a C300mk1 was out of reach). 

The Sony FS700 struggled to be as popular for various reasons, really only finding a thriving niche as being the #1 go to option for low budget slow motion shoots. (is why I'd even sometimes see both a FS700 and a C300 on a shoot, with the bulk being on a C300 but some specialist shots with the FS700). 

Plus there was the Sony PMW-F3, a fantastic camera, but in pure sales number it just couldn't compete against the much cheaper C300mk1. Or the cheap FS100, likewise when the street price of the FS100 and C100 are so close together, then almost nobody is going to be choosing the FS100 over the C100mk1! (although by mid 2010's Sony had aggressively dropped the street price of the FS100)

So Canon really had a lock on the low/mid budget market. (although yeah, the C500mk1 was a bit of a failure to truly launch, ditto the C700 at the end of the 2010's)

But once the Sony FS7 launched in the mid 2010's then it was almost "game over" for Canon, as the FS7 was so very far ahead of the competition, it wasn't even close.

By the time the C300mk2 was released the FS7 already had a substantial lead, but perhaps Canon's huge market presence with the C300mk1/C100 means it could have caught up? But the C300mk2 was priced quite a bit higher than the FS7, and it just wasn't beating the FS7 in specs by enough to justify its price (heck, in some ways the FS7 was better than the C300mk2. Such as Sony still remained the best option for slow motion). The C300mk2 simply couldn't overcome both the  early lead the FS7 had built up and it's handicap of being double the price! wtf

Eventually Canon did bring down the price down by a lot to be kinda closer to the FS7, but by then it was too little, too late. 

And as more time went by, Sony just further fleshed out their ecosystem, with the FS5 (a cut down FS7, not perfect, but a very reasonable Sony alternative for the C100 crowd), the a7S series, and even the VENICE above it on the higher end. 

What was Canon doing? The C700 was a flop. C500mk2 came out very late in this product cycle (more like a FX9 competitor? Kinda, they both launched roughly at the same time). The C200? An interesting but kinda flawed product (no TC?? No 10bit 4K???). & Canon didn't have a response to the a7S series during this time period either. 

It's no surprise that Sony so dominantly ran away with the low/mid budget professional market. 

Eventually in the 2020's then Canon came out with quite nice cameras like the C300mk3/C400/C70/C80/R5C, but after giving away most of the 2010's to Sony to do as they wish, it's a nearly impossible uphill battle on their hands that Canon has.