John Matthews

On 9/5/2024 at 9:06 PM, eatstoomuchjam said:

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but some of the smoke signals from the Dolomites have been talking about the possibility of an upcoming Fuji X-M5. 

That put me in a rabbithole of "What other X-M" bodies were there?  Seems to just be X-M1 previously, but then somebody mentioned that X-M series are X-Trans processor unlike the X-A series which have basically the same body, but Bayer sensor.  That led me to learning about the X-A7 which looks really pretty tiny.  According to the pictures on cameradecision, it's even smaller than the GX85 (barely - 3mm in each dimension, but surprisingly about 25% lighter).  They're also not horribly expensive at about $600 used.

Has anybody here used one / have feedback on it?  I'm guessing not since I couldn't find any reference to it when re-skimming this thread (and putting x-a7 in the search box got no results).  I'm just about to start poking around in YouTube to see if it's worth keeping an eye out for a good deal on a used one.  I keep thinking about getting a little Fuji X camera as a daily carry sort of thing - maybe a really little one could be an option.

Back when I saw this release, it looked compelling. Then, I heard the audio hiss. On, paper this camera seems great with its big 3.5" screen (nearly viewable in sunlight), mic jack (albeit 2.5mm), PDAF, S35 sensor, some sort of IBIS, and decent codecs. I'm not certain if they fixed the audio problems or it was a faulty unit. Here's the review:

Listening to the story and watching the video on a 4.5k screen, I found I was taken out of the story at 288x144 pixels. Any less, I thinking something is wrong with my monitor, my connection, or compression. Interesting.

1 hour ago, MrSMW said:

Best image of the lot, Lumix 6k 25p, especially in open gate.

Does the 6k mode reduce IBIS ability slightly? Maybe but as Lumix already has arguably the best IBIS as a starting point, it's probably comparable at least with Canon and better than the Sony which most reckon is still a bit behind.

Lumix 6k 25p open gate for the win then. I prefer 30p for various reasons.

The point of IBIS cannot be understated. How many people are there who practically never use a tripod? I bet the answer would be very high. Also, what surprised me the most was the 1080p, which is what I really care about. I think the S5ii bettered the others at 25fps in FF. I'm fairly certain it's a 6k-ish downsampled image, making it the best of the bunch, but they're all fairly good at 200%.

I thought I might share this. It would be interesting to hear some thoughts on resolution, moiré, aliasing, etc.

Markuspix just compared some video cameras:

44 minutes ago, IronFilm said:

But when the D750 itself is only a hundred (maybe two hundred) bucks more, I'm not sure it's worth saving the pennies over. 

Yeah, you're probably right.

6 hours ago, Dan Wake said:

After many years of using my Canon 7D, I’m considering upgrading to a new camera body. I’m looking for at least an APS-C sensor, but I’m open to full-frame options as well. My budget is around €600, though I can stretch it a bit if necessary. The most important feature for me is clean ISO performance for night photography. If I can’t find a camera that meets this requirement, I might as well stick with my Canon 7D.

My lens collection is quite small, so I’m open to building a new set of lenses if needed. If you think my budget is too low, please let me know, and I can consider increasing it. Any suggestions for a good used camera that fits these criteria? Thanks in advance!

 

I also think it would be hard to beat the D750 for anything photography at $600 budget. The used market is absolutely flooded with that body with all the wedding/wannabe wedding photographers moving to mirrorless. Granted, I'm not 100% sure you'll be able to sell it; so, the "cost" comes with a heavy caveat.

6 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

But looking at the way the used prices for GX85/GX9/E-M5 iii and OM-5 are holding up, at present there's obviously demand for that size/weight of M43 camera.

Panasonic aren't really playing to their strengths in some ways. To think they were the creators of the GM1 over 10 years ago; now, they can't seem to make it work. It baffles me that they would agree to lose so much money to Fuji and Sony. Meanwhile, OM System keeps selling out of the E-P7 and the OM-5 (a much more capable photo camera than the S9) is going for over 1149 euros. Did Panasonic also shut down the group of engineers who know how to design something small? I swear the S9 was designed by someone in the fashion industry because all the camera engineers were busy. It's as if their prototypes were given to the YouTubers and no engineer (who shoots photos) ever tried.

15 hours ago, Ninpo33 said:

If you want to talk about trust fund cameras I think you are really talking about flagships and Leica's. For someone that has a Rolex or better watch, a little $1,500 Lumix is probably a joke. Yet none of these except the GFX shoot Anamorphic or have the built in LUT's or IBIS the S9 has.

Fuji GFX100ii - $6,700

Fuji 100V - $2,700

Leica Q3 - $6,300

Sony A 1- $6,500 

Hasselblad X-Pan - $5,000 used

There are certainly more expensive cameras, I just can't think of any at that price with so many glaring omissions for photography. $1500 was a significant stretch IMO.

2 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I want the green one and I wants it now!

But reality... I sent mine back for a full refund and then bought a used S5ii which also put €200 back into my pocket and aesthetics aside, it's a better camera.

I wish they had launched the S9 at €999 and then I could have swung one as an 'additional camera' and maybe one day I will (I have an unopened box Smallrig cage for one thing) but that simple reality is, as my primary video unit, it's too high risk.

But autofocusing M Mount lenses! 

 

It's really a shame that the pricing is wrong for enthusiasts. It's even worse that Panasonic doesn't really offer any real lenses either. Still, they're selling a bunch; so, someone must be buying them. My guess- people look at it and buy it, never mind the lack of some major photography features. It just looks cool. I'm sure there are lots of trust fund babies who have this camera because they can.

4 minutes ago, ac6000cw said:

I also had a quick play with an S9 - ergonomically I'm not impressed, it really needs a grip of some sort and the SmallRig baseplate+grip that was attached to it adds weight and height so you loose part of the point of the smaller body. I think it's a bit too much 'style over usability' for me to be interested in it anymore.)

The S9 seems like a winner... EXCEPT (this list is long). We all wish it were just slightly better in some way, but it's not. Still, Panasonic is selling tons of them I believe. Sadly, it's at the detriment of the MFT line IMO. As you said, the EM-5/GX85 lines just need some small updates. I think the sensor and battery are the major hiccups to get that 25MP sensor in a small body. I'm sure they've been trying, but they haven't had success on getting something "releasable". 

5 minutes ago, kye said:

Interesting observations.

I've mentioned my priorities elsewhere previously, but the first one is to get the shot.

What this means in reality is having a camera with you that you actually take on the trip.  Then that you take with you when you leave your accommodation.  That you take out of your bag / pocket and turn on.  That has the right lens to get the shot you want.  That can focus and expose and compose fast enough to capture the moment.

There's lots of pitfalls along that road for cameras to fall into and result in not getting that shot.

Packing a smaller MFT with a long zoom and a faster lens option for low-light is a master-of-none package that threads the needle pretty well to get the shots you want.

Do they look like a Cooke on an Alexa 35? - hell no.  But if I had one of those on a trip and pulled it out in public the only thing I would be able to film would be people looking at the bozo who was shooting a movie, that is until security stops me asking for permits.

If it were to only take videos, I could make do with the camcorder and a phone. However, I find the phone too limiting and ergonomically a black hole of no return. Like you say, "thread the needle" is the name of the game on holiday and travel. Don't want to get too noticed by family or others. There are a couple of lenses that can make the MFT system unique for this purpose:

1. Olympus 75-300mm, at only 423g, it covers a lot;
2. Panasonic 12-32 kit lens, at 70g, why wouldn't to take it?;
3. A favorite fast prime; there are many- just pick and choose your favorite(s).

There are lots of options and I often find myself in the weeds.

I'm back from holiday. In retrospect, although the camcorder was fun, I suffered from "camera paralysis", a horrible disease where you don't know what to take with you. In the middle of my stay, I realized the GX800's display couldn't cut the mustard in any sort of bright conditions on the beach or in the Palouse area of Washington State. I did the right thing by obtaining a E-m5 iii, an old fav from a few years ago that I had sold. I'm now reconverted to MFT. I'm not sure what to do with my S5ii. I'll probably sell and pay down my car. Might sell the GX800 too (though it's a fun camera). Or, not sell anything.

Next time, I will be bringing MFT lenses that cover ultra-wide to 600mm equivalent and I'll have no need for the camcorder.

49 minutes ago, Davide DB said:

There's always the beloved old LX10...

 

 

 

Funny enough, the LX-10 is more expensive than the E-m5 iii (if you already have M43 lenses) on the used market. Also, no EVF.

So, something came up during holiday... I need some more serious landscape photos and... I bought a used e-m5 iii. I'll be making some high-res shots of various houses my family used to live in going back to the 1850's in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. I don't intend on going back to that area anytime soon.

The E-M5 iii is a camera that I've used before (for over 2 years). It's amazing how great that camera still is and all the features it has over the GX800:

• An EVF (I've been really struggling on the beach, only seeing the histogram and just trusting the camera finding a face)
• Shutter going up to 1/8000, 1/250 for flash vs. 1/500 mechanical and a ridiculous 1/50 for flash 
• Proper down-sampled 4k covering the entire sensor
• High-res photo mode on a tripod
• Great IBIS
• Dials and buttons galore (comparatively speaking)

The only major things I miss on the GX800 are the flip-up screen and the fact it's 145g lighter. I'll still be keeping the GX800 until I get back to France or maybe longer.

Something strange: the Panasonic GX880 is going to be back in stock on July 27, 2024 at Fnac.com, a major French retailer. It's listed at 449 euros with the kit lens. This makes me believe no small M43 cameras are set to be released. It's understandable as the sensor is probably more expensive than a FF one. Still, I want some (not all) newer features.

https://www.fnac.com/Appareil-Photo-Hybride-Panasonic-Lumix-GX880-Noir-et-Argent-Objectif-Lumix-G-Vario-12-32-mm-f-3-5-5-6/a14139329/w-4

Here's Richard Wong's take on it:

20 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

I read the title and thought your S5ii had been naughty.

Haha! Clearly, the S5ii had been filming the wrong things.

21 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

On my next holiday, I’m taking the camera and buying the lens when I get there.

So, I’ll be taking the Sigma Fp and buying the Panasonic 28-200mm lens for the typical used price in Tokyo of around £400.

I was also contemplating this option until I realized the price of the 28-200mm in the USA (and it's sold out almost everywhere) because that would be an option. One lens to do it all, the ultimate travel setup IMO. You still need to worry about getting mugged, just not in Japan. That's a crazy good price. I'm sure you'll get remarks about how you should have to pay taxes on it.

Please let us what you think of the OIS and Sigma FP. Judging from that video, it looks great, especially for micro-jitters. 

2 hours ago, kye said:

Equipment:

• GX85
• 14-140mm F3.5-5.6
• 12-35mm F2.8
• primes: 14/2.5 and 7.5/2 and 17/1.4 and ~50mm F1.4
• iPhone
• <unknown second camera>

Setups:

• Daytime tourist mode
  GX85 with 14-140mm, and iPhone wide
   
• Night tourist mode
  GX85 with 12-35mm, and 7.5mm F2
   
• Compact / pocket mode
  GX85 with 14mm
   
• Night low-light mode
  GX85 with 7.5/2 and 17/1.4 and ~50mm F1.4

The unknown second camera is still something I'm thinking about.  Options:

1. GH5
   Great AF-S and modes.  EVF.  It's better than the GX85 at lots of things, but not by a great deal.
    
2. OG BMMCC
   Much better DR than GX85, which is super-useful for sunsets.  Larger.  No AF.  Slowest to shoot with.
    
3. OG BMPCC
   Much better DR than GX85.  Compact.  Has slow AF.  Slow to shoot with.  Screen difficult to use in daylight.

Now that the kids are grown and moved out it'll be me and the wife travelling, so I'm contemplating adopting a dual-purpose for equipment, shooting for myself but also shooting 'street cinema' videos for public release.  The BM cameras would make a much better option for that.

You're definitely more serious than me. I understand kids leaving the home as I'm down to a 12-year-old who's not always keen on being photographed or filmed. 

2 hours ago, kye said:

shooting 'street cinema' videos for public release

That sounds interesting, especially nowadays. I'd be scared of significant confrontation (even when it's legal). It would seem you can do anything with a phone, but when it's a "camera", people think the worst.

4 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

For such a trip, I would take something with an hour interchangeable lens and my perfect combo for that would be an OM-1 with the 12-40mm f2.8 so real world FF equivalent of 24-80.

Last time I went on the same trip, I took my E-M5 iii and a GX880. I also had the kit lenses with a couple of primes. They worked great. My only "problem" was indecision- I would go out not knowing what to take, first world problem for sure.

Some are right in saying I could just leave the camcorder at home. I'm going to take it, but I don't use it much, I'll sell it when I get back. I don't think that'll be the case though. 

1 minute ago, MrSMW said:

His family.

Crap, I knew I forgot something! Thanks for the reminder!

7 minutes ago, kye said:

Blasphemy!

Don't you want the FF cinematic look?

Here's me in NY:

Here's me in Seattle:

Here's me in LA:

Here's me in Texas:

(appols for the DOF, I'm saving for the F0.95 version of my lens)

What are you going to take on holiday this year, Kye?

38 minutes ago, ac6000cw said:

Sounds sensible to me - small, light, unobtrusive and take 'good enough' video and stills.

There's something about a camera that doesn't "look serious". People tend not to notice them as much. I figure that the camcorder allows me to look like the old guy who couldn't afford a phone or something.

22 minutes ago, mercer said:

The XA50 I've been messing around with for the past few weeks has brought a new joy to filming that I haven't experienced since I first started shooting with my 5D and an IS lens. The top handle and the hood with its flip switch lens cap makes carrying and shooting a pleasure. With other cams, in between locations, I'd take off my VND filter and then put the camera back into my bag. With the camcorder, it just sits in my lap until I'm ready to shoot again... which is such a quick process... flip open the lcd, flip the lens cap switch, check exposure, record... I can grab shots from standby mode to record in about 3 seconds or so.

Yes, the XA50 looks like a great setup that don't really have to fuss too much with. The internal ND is a huge bonus. Camcorders, in general, are so easy to use. For the VX-981, I got a magnetic VND filter for it and just slap it on to get the shutter speeds down a little. It's certainly not a perfect camcorder (lack of any exposure tools, even no histogram), but it's small.

41 minutes ago, PannySVHS said:

You could leave your VX981 at home too.

That camcorder is just so much fun and it has decent IBIS, something that the GX800 lacks. I'm going to take a mini tripod for it for that reason. To get out to 600mm equivalent, it would require the Olympus 75-300mm, which I also have. The problem is that it's the same weight as the VX-981 and it's near unusable on the GX800 unless on a tripod. The only thing that could "replace" the VX-981 is the 14-140mm or the 100-300mm due to their OIS. Also, I just love camcorders now because how versatile they are. I should also add that the audio on the GX80/85/800 are not great whereas the VX-981 has great audio.

So, I've been racking my brain trying to choose between taking my Panasonic S5ii and a couple of lenses or a combination kit of my trusty camcorder (Panasonic VX-981) and M43 camera (Panasonic GX800). I'll be going to the Seattle, WA area. I've decided to take the latter due to these primary reasons:

Weight

If I take just the Panasonic S5ii with the kit 20-60 lens and nothing else, it comes to 1090g. However, I'll need my ND filters, a strap, an extra battery, and cables, bringing the total to about 1500g. The GX800 with the kit lens is 450g (including an extra battery), and the VX-981 is roughly 500g (including an extra battery and accessories). This leaves room for an audio recorder and my Olympus 17mm f/1.8 for low-light photos.

Concerns about theft

Seattle is usually a very safe place. Still, the unexpected can happen. I spent roughly $2000 on the S5ii, whereas the GX800, VX981, and lenses were only $1000 (and used).

Convenience for photos

Hand anyone a camcorder, and they'll know what to do with it. The flip-up screen on the GX800 is perfect for selfies with family.

Greater depth of field

I want to see the environment much more than familiar sights from home. Not having a big-sensor camera means I need to be more careful about framing, but I get to see everything there.

Versatility with more equivalent focal lengths

The kit lens on the GX800 is a 12-32mm (24-64mm equivalent), and I also have a 0.79x wide-angle adapter for video that works well. The VX-981 has a 30-630mm integrated lens. The S5ii, even at pixel-to-pixel, won't reach anywhere near that. Enough said.

It's for fun, not work (who cares so much about quality, yeah, "only" 4K)

Without a doubt, the S5ii blows away the other combo in every way in terms of image quality from 20-60mm. I even reckon the proxy files are better than the 4K files on the VX-981, but somehow, I have more fun shooting with the VX-981 and the GX800. Maybe it's the challenge of it; I'm not sure, and I don't even understand it myself.

Any thoughts? Is this a huge mistake?