tomastancredi

I found this video to be a breath of fresh air.....

I agree and that is why I have the A7RV as my workhorse and previously a S1R.
I have been a full-time pro photographer for over 1/4 of a century but cannot put my finger on exactly what it is, but there is definitely a ‘something’ the larger the sensor and the higher the pixel count.
”It all looks the same on social media”.
Does it? I’m not sure whether I subscribe to that one. In fact, I don’t and it may just be marginal, but I can see that certain ‘something’ in my own work.
But it also exists between brands.
Take the results I get from my Zf and compare them with those from the S5ii and there is something I cannot define but just ‘is’.
Possibly there is an element of lens ju ju going on, but I am not one of those who simply believes in hype or others opinions, but rather based on my own experience.
This year, two facts exist for me and that is because of, or despite my use of, but probably the former, I have produced my best ever work and not simply because I have moved my own game on in any other way.
Or maybe I have and that is a factor, but it’s not the only factor, ie, I am adamant there is a tech element.
The second fact is I have experienced the same thing with the Nikon Zf which is why I have made this pairing of cameras my workhorses for stills.
I confident that if I brought one of the 100mp medium format cameras into the mix, I’d see another ‘step up’, but for a variety of reasons, mainly cost, I can’t see me going there any time soon. If ever.
Summary = great tools do not an artist make, but I do firmly believe that using the best tools that you have access to, does allow you to create an better end result than working with lesser tools.

good question. Colour rendition, depth and resolution. Actually I still struggle to identifiy what specs would make a better camera and definettelly not totally objective. But I love the raw files that come out of my ricoh GR. I also feel like the benefits of a higher megapixel camera is not only cropping, but is there a perception of resolution increase (not digital sharpening)? I am seriously asking this. I have not done or seen comparison but maybe the A7C and S5 24mpx are sharper than my EOS R ? so what comes into play?  I would like to have a sharp camera for digital visualization( so no pixel peeping, rarelly printing, no pixel peeping) in that case, did you see the benefit of a A7R over say the S5? 
the used A7RII is so cheap now, almost for 600 pounds. I considered buyint it for stills and an xm-5 for video 
Thanks for all other considerations. ZF looks amazing, a bit bulkier for me though, checked one at the store yesterday. 

 
c70 most of times now  because of canon colors and sometimes even using the EOS R as a second camera. But also BMPC6K
I usually have good EF glass at my disposal and only own one 35mm 1.8 RF and one sigma 24. 1.8 EF
 
Do you like it so far?
 
yes, makes sense, I am looking at it, not sure if more megapixels make sense for me though if I am not cropping, no pixel peeping and not often printing. If it does increase the perpection of resolution than I would be in.People say 24 megapixels is "enough", I wonder if it is as good as  - if you are not printring croping etc.. 
if it doesnt make such a difference I should either put more money on the a7CII or
10 Bit would make me rent much less defintelly. Colours make a huge difference for me and I do see a drastic difference. I could even shoot 1080p. I see the s5 can shoot beautifully in 1080 10bit, and I know I could achieve a good result with sony 8 bit slog 2, I have done that, but it would not be for any kind of shooting since it is more demanding. But then, if megapixels do matter i could only have a A7RII, if megapixels dont matter thaat much and for lower a A7C with the befenits of poecketporatbility. 
 
thanks for pointing out this, it was not on my radar. I will have a look at a store. the RF lenses options are not great but yes, the 28mm 2.8 would fit perfectly. I have the 35 1.8 which has terrible autofocus, hunting all the time. from what I read the R8 would be perfect apart from battery which seems to be quite bad

Mine will arrive in the next days. I will do the initial tests with the kitlens and take it from there. Thanks for the overview! I will get back to it!

What's the compact lens you've got for every day carry with the Fujifilm X-M5?
As I've got a Fujfilm X-A3 (yeah, I know, old!) and I've been thinking what is the best lens for it for everyday everynight (out in nightclubs/pubs/events) carry.
Definitely don't want anything too expensive, as the risks it could get lost/stolen/broken within the next couple of years are quite high. 
TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 is top of the list, but I worry f2.8 might be too slow? But it is only US$149
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1732752-REG/ttartisan_af2728_x_b_af_c27mm_f_2_8_lens.html
Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 is also only US$149, but being 50mm is definitely too long. However if I'm to bring along a second lens, then I think this could be perfect. (or the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7? Or the Meike 55mm f/1.4 AF Lens? 
Could go with a genuine Fujifilm lens, with the Fujifilm XC 35mm f/2 at the surprisingly low US$199. But hmm... tough and go about 35mm, probably is going to be not wide enough. (and the Meike 33mm f/1.4 and Tokina 33mm f/1.4 can be similarly ignored, only 2mm difference)
Tokina 23mm f/1.4 could be the perfect lens for both FoV and F-stop, but price is creeping up at US$249 and maybe it's too bulky? 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1608878-REG/tokina_atx_m_af23x_atx_m_23mm_f_1_4_x.html 
And for only a little more at US$279 there is the Sirui Sniper 23mm f/1.2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1798104-REG/sirui_23as12x_b_sniper_23mm_f_1_2_aps_c.html 
Keeping on creeping up with the price to US$299 we see the Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1581754-REG/viltrox_af_23_1_4_xf_23mm_f_1_4_lens_for.html 
As the price keeps on going up, then there is the Sirui Sniper 16mm f/1.2 at $319:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1836434-REG/sirui_16as12x_b_sniper_16mm_f_1_2_autofocus.html 
And then finally for the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens for $399 (minor mention to the Fujfilm 35mm f/2 R WR & 16mm f/2.8 R WR Lenses which are also US$399), which is definitely the most compact of all the autofocus lenses being considered so far:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1618892-REG/fujifilm_16670168_xf_27mm_f_2_8_r.html 
But four hundred USD is definitely beyond the absolute max I'd consider splurging on such a lens for a frivolous purpose. 
The other option is forgetting about autofocus (how well are these third party lenses going to be focusing anyway in a dark environment at night on an old X-A3 body???), and go manual focus:
TTArtisan 25mm f/2 for US$64:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1725977-REG/ttartisan_c2520_b_x_25mm_f_2_aps_c_compact.html 
(and the TTArtisan 50mm f/2 for US$69, it's cheap and compact enough I could indeed be always carrying around a second lens: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1718063-REG/ttartisan_f5020_b_x_50mm_f_2_full_frame.html 
Or spend a little bit more for a little extra speed, the TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4 for US$99:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1675251-REG/ttartisan_a35bs_x_23mm_f_1_4_aps_c_lens.html 
Or go wider, TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4 for US$118:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1644040-REG/ttartisan_a23b_17mm_f_1_4_aps_c_lens.html 

I am having similar needs regarding the camera i am currently looking for. I am trying the X-M5 route but one other camera that i would love to test is the Canon R8. It seems to check all the boxes you need. Combined with the 28mm pancake it is really small while still usable. You can use all the lenses you have. Basically a R6II without ibis. I guess for video work you put it on an small gimbal anyway...
I haven't fully watched the following video, but you can see how the combination of R8 and 28mm looks. (It's around 2:40 - the rest of the video he is holding an R6 or R5)
 

Is this even strictly necessary? You said for anything that isn't personal work you could just rent when it comes to video work. 
Also what are you usually renting, Sony FX6 / FX9? If so it might make sense for your personal camera to also be a E Mount. 
I'd be inclined to go with the oldest Sony a7R you'd feel happy with (seeing resolution for architecture photography seems to matter a fair bit to you), you could go fairly old with it, seeing as you don't care about AF much. 
The a7R mk1 is 36megapixels like the Nikon D800, which is heaps, still is lots more than most stills cameras are. Or go a little more recent for the a7R mk2 for 42.4 megapixels. (or just splurge out for the Sony a7RV if you must have 10bit video, and also get a 60MP sensor for stills)
Then get a handful of lenses for it to cover every situation, such as the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 FE Lens makes it kinda pocketable.  (or the faster / less wide Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 lens, or the much cheaper Rokinon AF 35mm f/2.8 , both of which are rather slim lenses to use for street photography)
Or the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for doing architectural photography. Or the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 lens for portraits. 
If you don't care about Sony E Mount in particular, then expand the scope to consider Panasonic S1R and Nikon Z7. 
Honestly not a bad idea to have your main stills camera and your pocketable camera be two different options.
With your pocketable / everyday carry camera being something like a Fujfilm X100, or Sony RX100 (or even go more extra... Sony RX10mk2???), or Sony ZV-1, or very compact MFT / APSC mirrorless camera. (such as a Nikon Z30 or Sony EV10 or Panasonic GX850 etc)
While your main stills camera is a beefier Panasonic G9mk2 / Nikon Z7 / Panasonic S1R / Fujifilm X-H2 / Sony a7R / etc
 

Define 'better'...
Personally, I went from XT3 to S5.
It was going to be XT4, but Covid got in the way and as a result, I tried an S5 and liked it enough.
For me, it was slightly better video but noticeably better stills.
Video I was shooting S35 mode with either so not so much difference, but the stills, due to being full-frame over APSC, definitely better low light and the raws had a bit more latitude in post.
Tried S1R and S1H and S5ii since and of them all, I actually liked the video-orientated S1H files the best.
The S1R obviously had more detail being 45mp over 24mp, but there was something I preferred with the S1H files.
The S5ii I didn't much care for as a stills unit.
Video yes, but not so much for stills. Mostly due to the shutter mech feel and sound.
Step forward Nikon Zf.
Tried it and loved it.
Bought 3x Tamron zooms and the Megadap adapter.
Loved the zooms but not the quirks of using non-native lenses in the edit so reluctantly went Sony (A7RV) for stills.
But as per that post, regretted selling the Zf though it was the right thing at the time.
Now it's back.
It's a bit of a Marmite camera for some...
It's not as small or as light as some would hope and the screen is somewhat controversial for some folks but my only criticisms are yes, I wish it was smaller (lighter I don't care about as it's only 700g for heavens sake) and it's ergos do not suit bigger primes or zooms for all day use.
Can you use them? Sure, but a Z6iii would make more sense.
My own use case for re-purchasing is simple, - it will have 4 roles.
1. Personal camera with manual focus only Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 
2. As above for low light scenarios at weddings
3. Candid camera at weddings with the Nikon 40mm f2 SE where AF will be used for speed and accuracy
4. Flips to longer form video mode on tripod with adapted Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 for ceremonies and speeches.
But pocketable it is not, regardless of the lens other than maybe a very large jacket pocket!
S9 or Sigma FP would be my picks for something small for stills and video with the S9 if IBIS and AF are important. And a tilt screen, better battery life, and probably a few other things but the FP can arguably shoot produce 'nicer' video and stills in certain modes.
My only question now is do I flip my remaining S5ii and sole remaining lens for a Nikon Z6iii because I already have the equivalent lens for it and 2 systems are better than 3 right...??
 

Mmm, maybe the Fujifilm XT-4 or 5 or X100 XI, or the Panasonic S9? 

The pocketable part is the trickiest bit...
Best of luck getting an S5 or R5 or anything of that nature in your pocket. Unless you are Matt Granger.
S9 springs to mind and maybe with that new 18-40?

Even then, still need a decent sized pocket!
I've been guilty of it myself and that is chasing a 'grail' solution that does not exist and you probably are better off with that S5 + GX85 combo?

FWIW, the S5 and R5 are nearly identical in size and while the R5 is 10-bit 4:2:0 in H.265 mode, it also shoots raw internally - and unless you're doing special effects work, you won't miss it - that or just record in 8K and when you downsize it to 4K, you'll have all the luma/chroma info that you need anyway.
Regardless, sounds like you chose the S5. It's a great camera and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!  Happy shooting!

Why not just get a used EOS R5 and keep using whatever lenses you already own?  45 megapixel stills and decent video, as long as you're not rolling super long takes.  Pair it with some of the plastic Canon RF consumer lenses and you'll have something that's just about as pocketable as many other cameras.  You can find them used for right around $2k now too.

I just re-bought one 🤑
I've had regrets ever since I sold mine because despite a couple of compromises (ergos not the best, especially without a grip and it could be smaller, but that is about it), it is one of my favourite cameras of all time.
I have a policy which is if it does not have a place in my life/work, it doesn't exist.
I originally bought it as both a personal camera and as a work workhorse with a trio of adapted e Mount zooms, but had too many niggly issues with the edit on the files due to the in camera corrections not being available as they are with a native Sony camera.
So 'swapped' it for an A7RV which arguably is a more capable camera.
It's just not as fun, or quite as good in low light, or for my video needs.
The Sony I don't use for video anyway and my rationale to buy this back was:
I like Sony for stills, but not for video.
I like Lumix for video, but not for stills.
The above has been my combo this year with 3x Lumix and 1x Sony.
I just off-loaded 1x S5ii because it was overkill having 3x video units.
I'm about to offload another and going for a 'hybrid' unit instead, ie,
1x pure stills = Sony A7RV + 1x pure video = Lumix S5ii + 1x hybrid = Nikon Zf.
So the Zf will now offer me the following:
A. Personal camera with 40mm f2 SE lens. Perfect combo but as above, ideally if the body was a little smaller, but it isn't but very well balanced and is an utter joy to otherwise use.
B. Low light stills for work, ie, this combo is better than my 61mp Sony with f2.8 lens, so fills a need.
C. Paired with adapted 70-180mm f2.8 compared with S5ii with Lumix 70-200mm f4, offers me a smaller and lighter static combo with better low light capability.
I've always said I'd rather have everything within one brand but my 2 brand/zero cross-compatibility approach has been fine this year and the fact that the Nikon can lens share with the Sony whilst replacing a Lumix is a win for me.
Ultimately, same number of bodies (3) and lenses (6) for next year, but more capable in so many ways.
That's my justification anyway!
Plus 37% off on Amazon UK and I snagged the last one 🤩

I got my iPhone 15 Pro Max (upgrade from 13 Pro Max) and some early observations:
 
Quality is good when in shooting good conditions but breaks quite quickly if you miss exposure, in low light, etc.
Log files can be graded easily and have no over-sharpening, can take some post processing but way less than R5c RAW files, the difference imo is night and day as it should be. The same for details compared to R5c is just worlds apart.
BMD does not allow you to use 2x lens, zooming 2x with the 24mm lens the quality is quite bad (very blotchy, full hd at max). I did not test yet with the apple camera and the 2x “cropped” lens to see if is better.
No Log + Cinematic in either Apple Camera or BMD
H265+Log is a good compromise size vs. Quality and you can record all fps internally.
120mm lens I find it a bit better quality than the 77mm of the 13, and a more useful focal range for what I normally cover.
I have BMD set to save to Files, then I connect a USB-C CFexpress or SSD and move the files in Files, is the quickest and easier method for PC users. Much better that the previous phone that was a nightmare to get the footage out from a PC.
Action button is useful as you can set to start or even start recording in the BMD.
Still need to get use to the BMD UI, with no hw button/wheels changing things rapidly is a bit of a pain for me.
 
Overall, with Log and the 120mm is big update and I will use it even more than my previous phone, especially as B or C cam.
Using it as a main camera is a big stretch and I think I will be mostly disappointed.
 
Frame grab 4k Log 120mm.

Thanks but I am hoping for something that will keep it on pocket. Otherwise Ill use my camera. 

this design is closest I saw but probably not so good. It is terrible that there is a always a huge imagetic industry of people showing off their rigs and things are really cumbersome. 
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005005066512401.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=768-202-3196&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&albcp=17283575038&albag=&trgt=&crea=pt1005005066512401&netw=x&device=c&albpg=&albpd=pt1005005066512401&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjMKqBhCgARIsAPDgWlwMKj4hJWeKLAWHLzRknXDDVPTeSN4rkrnvqitahpu-zYYYa3YUT4gaAgLNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&aff_fcid=4a6efd8e6754473297cf1d451e700c5e-1699796407150-01741-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=4a6efd8e6754473297cf1d451e700c5e-1699796407150-01741-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=ed021bd9ce8e43198ef17c8d6f1aa4ec&afSmartRedirect=y
 
this one would be interesting if their UV was their ND 

https://www.polarpro.com/products/iphone-15-case

 

OK, I just came back from a 2 day one-man band shooting in the amazon. I shoot with a c100 doc style and have a Eos R for b roll. I had found myself in similar occasions with a iPhone 13, many times  before,  occasionally using it for a b roll scene and always regretted it because it was rarely usable. Seeing the footage I got with the 15pro max in log now I was really happy to see it will be useful for my kind of work. Specially the 120mm and 24mm. Having the action button to the black magic app and quickly recording in log was very nice. I actually didn't use the eos R. Ill share it here once I've edited it. 
by the way does anyone has a nice nd filter minimal solution for iPhone? 
 
P.S: usb c also made by life much easier both for offloading footage directly to SSd and getting imagens from people on the road

Thanks but I am hoping for something that will keep it on pocket. Otherwise Ill use my camera. 

this design is closest I saw but probably not so good. It is terrible that there is a always a huge imagetic industry of people showing off their rigs and things are really cumbersome. 
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005005066512401.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=768-202-3196&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&albcp=17283575038&albag=&trgt=&crea=pt1005005066512401&netw=x&device=c&albpg=&albpd=pt1005005066512401&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjMKqBhCgARIsAPDgWlwMKj4hJWeKLAWHLzRknXDDVPTeSN4rkrnvqitahpu-zYYYa3YUT4gaAgLNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&aff_fcid=4a6efd8e6754473297cf1d451e700c5e-1699796407150-01741-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=4a6efd8e6754473297cf1d451e700c5e-1699796407150-01741-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=ed021bd9ce8e43198ef17c8d6f1aa4ec&afSmartRedirect=y
 
this one would be interesting if their UV was their ND 

https://www.polarpro.com/products/iphone-15-case

 

OK, I just came back from a 2 day one-man band shooting in the amazon. I shoot with a c100 doc style and have a Eos R for b roll. I had found myself in similar occasions with a iPhone 13, many times  before,  occasionally using it for a b roll scene and always regretted it because it was rarely usable. Seeing the footage I got with the 15pro max in log now I was really happy to see it will be useful for my kind of work. Specially the 120mm and 24mm. Having the action button to the black magic app and quickly recording in log was very nice. I actually didn't use the eos R. Ill share it here once I've edited it. 
by the way does anyone has a nice nd filter minimal solution for iPhone? 
 
P.S: usb c also made by life much easier both for offloading footage directly to SSd and getting imagens from people on the road

I found that the BM app had a bit of lag while using it on really hot conditions. Sometimes it was 2 seconds behind. Not sure if the same would have happened standard. It may also be related to shooting h265 and log. I don't know. 

OK, I just came back from a 2 day one-man band shooting in the amazon. I shoot with a c100 doc style and have a Eos R for b roll. I had found myself in similar occasions with a iPhone 13, many times  before,  occasionally using it for a b roll scene and always regretted it because it was rarely usable. Seeing the footage I got with the 15pro max in log now I was really happy to see it will be useful for my kind of work. Specially the 120mm and 24mm. Having the action button to the black magic app and quickly recording in log was very nice. I actually didn't use the eos R. Ill share it here once I've edited it. 
by the way does anyone has a nice nd filter minimal solution for iPhone? 
 
P.S: usb c also made by life much easier both for offloading footage directly to SSd and getting imagens from people on the road

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjlvuSPyL6CAxXoS0cBHSSnDlsYABANGgJxdQ&ae=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjMKqBhCgARIsAPDgWlzQYZ_HfYVTBwi-egOvjMzdFeUkllaXPl28F0MVosbJ41DHSt5L6EsaAl8FEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESVeD2XfM3irqE9M93UhizXblk495KelCQV2CKWQArdp4OPlOsnOqBilFvGjLjVnkoujL5xawqo9LMvT589ZL9xKgwiBD-CBawI6b5bf3CeRP0nq0wWOo&sig=AOD64_1wCOgWjMU6ZookOaSCUls0JZYt8A&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwivpdyPyL6CAxX7lYkEHam5BMgQwg8oAHoECAQQDA&adurl=

I enjoyed this showcasing that the iPhone 15 pro can be your phone and an excellent travel camera. 
 
BM app has now updated to include internal and baked in LUT which is also enhancing this as a solution for many. 

OK, I just came back from a 2 day one-man band shooting in the amazon. I shoot with a c100 doc style and have a Eos R for b roll. I had found myself in similar occasions with a iPhone 13, many times  before,  occasionally using it for a b roll scene and always regretted it because it was rarely usable. Seeing the footage I got with the 15pro max in log now I was really happy to see it will be useful for my kind of work. Specially the 120mm and 24mm. Having the action button to the black magic app and quickly recording in log was very nice. I actually didn't use the eos R. Ill share it here once I've edited it. 
by the way does anyone has a nice nd filter minimal solution for iPhone? 
 
P.S: usb c also made by life much easier both for offloading footage directly to SSd and getting imagens from people on the road

Hey @SRV1981, im interested in your posts about 15pro,  but won’t check every video. So if you can just point what interested in each video it’s nice for us to decide wether to watch it.. thanks! 

great breakdown