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ThomHaig

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  1. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Trek of Joy in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    @kye yes, for sure! I totally appreciate that asking for 'just' solid AF in low-light is a huge ask, in reality.
    Maybe the best, most cost-effective option is to stick with the Coolpix A and introduce sedatives into my kid's diet! 😅
    I'll see if I can find anywhere with a good returns policy to try them out. The X100F is totally the one I love in terms of stills IQ, how I expect it to handle, and the look of the thing. Been trying to convince myself it's the one, but looking at the dimensions, it's likely juuuuust too big for what I'd really like.
    Damn, when will manufacturer's wake up to my needs and make a credit card sized full-frame fixed lens f1.8 camera with lightning fast AF?!? 😤
  2. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Trek of Joy in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    @Trek of Joy @kye - thanks guys. You both make good points about whether or not the smaller, pocketable gear is 'good enough'.
     
    It was actually @Mattias Burling's videos on youtube that turned me on to the idea of tiny cameras. One of his vids compelled me to pick up a Nikon Coolpix A. The size is great, really small, despite it having an APS-C sensor. I'd be happy with it, but the autofocus and video are really bad. (The high ISO isn't the best either, but given the cost and age of the thing, that's nit-picking) After coming back from a family holiday, the pictures selected to share were determined by the (relatively few) ones in focus.
     
    Regarding focal length, really anything around the 28-35mm range if a prime / fixed lens camera is the way to go.
     
    'Thankfully' it's pretty cold were I live 😉 - so I'll be wearing a jacket with decent-sized pockets for the next few months!
  3. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to kye in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    The fundamental challenge you have is the one that we all have - there's no perfect camera.
    The second, very unfortunate, challenge you have is that the 'simple' task of having a small, light-weight camera that can keep up with your kid and how you live your life.
    What this translates to, and why I put 'simple' in quotes, is that you want a camera that can:
    be small and pocketable, likely implying a smaller sensor have autofocus that can keep up with a small child (otherwise known as 'world-class' - watch some AF tests if you're unsure of this) can do that AF in the lighting that you find yourself in, which after the sun goes down, will be extreme low light has the kind of IQ that you deem acceptable Basically, the above is a very difficult set of requirements, unlikely to be met by anything, so you'll have to choose which things you are willing to compromise on.
    Parents getting a camera for pics of their kids running around think it seems like a reasonable request, but in reality it's kind of like saying you want continuous eye-AF at f1.4 in pitch-black.  Cameras are getting way better than they used to be, but we're not there yet.
  4. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to Trek of Joy in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    I've gone back and forth on a RX100 or a X100 for something more compact and I always wind up just carrying my a7's with a single lens - usually a 24mm or 35mm, but sometimes a small zoom. I had one of the x100's and the a7III with a small prime was much better so I got rid of it. If you have the XT3, maybe something like the tiny xa7 with a pancake? Though I don't carry anything including my phone in my pocket since its too warm where I live to wear a jacket most of the year, and I don't find "pocketable" cameras comfortable to carry in pants/shorts pockets. So I always have at least a small sling or shoulder bag or I just walk around with the camera around my neck. I've tinkered with the RX100's dozens of times over the years in Best Buy but can't seem to actually get one because of the IQ compromises and the fact for me - they won't live in a pocket. But that's just me.
    Chris
  5. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to MrSMW in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    Well actually, my list would be:
    1: Leica Q2
    2: Leica QP
    3: Fuji X100V
    But none are really that 'compact'.
    A compact for me would need to fit in my pocket and that's exactly what the Sony RX100V I had did.
    I used it for B roll at weddings and it was good for that, just not great above 800 iso.
    My last 'personal' camera was the Fuji X100f but that was dual purpose as I also used it as a 35mm lens at weddings, but for the last 2 years my personal camera has been my iphone.
    That is now changing and my new personal camera (again dual purpose as I will be using it at weddings for both stills & video) will be the Sigma FP with 45mm f2.8 lens and that is relatively 'compact', but only pocketable for jackets.
  6. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to kye in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    See if you can borrow one (or buy it with a return option) and do a bit of a stress test.
    I say this because I have a friend who is into stills and has an old DSLR that he hates lugging around, but he's repeatedly tried going on trips with only the latest iPhone and has kept going back to the DSLR.  His reason....  none of the iPhone photos are good enough for him to print and put on the wall.
    The moral of the story is that the best of the convenient options may still not be good enough, and you might be better off trading some of the convenience in order to get something that will work for you.
    In the end we only remember the footage, not the camera gear, so as long as the equipment is as minimal as it can be for the required results, and as long as it's minimal enough that you actually take it and use it, then that's the way to go.
    You haven't talked about what focal lengths you're interested in using, and how you actually shoot.  A MILC and pancake prime isn't a bad option and I've done that as a (barely) pocketable option in the past to great results.
  7. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from PannySVHS in Help Me Choose a Compact, please!   
    Hey, thanks for chiming in @noone @Snowfun @MrSMW - unanimous votes for the RX100 V so far! And great to it's low-light isn't so bad against the other APS-C ones. I'd miss those top dials, for sure, but if the Fujifilm AF can't keep up on these older cameras, they'd be no good to me!
     
  8. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to Andrew Reid in Find the best video quality for under $200 - fun challenge   
    I win!
    https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail/?id=sdigpandcgx800bob&categoryName=cameras-compact-system&superCatName=electronics&title=panasonic-lumix-dc-gx800-(body-only)-b
    4K for £135
    But this got me thinking as well... What if we have a fun "EOSHD Challenge" where we all trawl the bargain bins in our local towns and online, pick something for super cheap, could be $50, $100, no more than $150 or $200...
    Make a video with it.
    Then the winner is judged in a poll - on artistic merit, and technical image quality (can be 1080p of course)
    The winner, wins the camera of the last place guy ?
    Plus a special bonus camera from EOSHD.
    What do you think? Worth setting up a challenge like this?
  9. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from buggz in Panasonic GH5 - all is revealed!   
    Apparently the GH5 / GH5s & G9 are getting firmware updates that improve autofocus & stabilisation. Interested to see them work in pracitce
    https://***URL removed***/news/1701988268/leaked-panasonic-firmware-update-is-made-official
  10. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to AaronChicago in Phantom Thread Camera + Lens test   
    Super cool to see this, and hear PTA's thoughts.
     
  11. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to tellure in Sony a7 III discussion   
    As much as I want 4k60p and as much as some of the competition is doing it so I'm sure Sony is feeling the pressure, I'm not super optimistic we'll actually get it, given that they can't even get 30p without cropping on the A7III.  That does not bode well for going all the way to 60p at 4K.  I'm guessing maybe we'll get a higher bitrate and maybe 10bit..
  12. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Aussie Ash in Is a7R II in Super 35 Better than a6500 / a6300?   
    Hey Mark,
    Thought I'd chip in. From what I've seen, a6500 and a7rii at S35 footage look, in practice, Here's a pretty detailed IQ test that might help:
     
    My a6500 is actually up on ebay at the moment. It's a good little camera, but whilst I thought I'd be able to get over the awkward ergonomics, I never truly did. It took all the fun out of using it, and when I got a decent shot it felt more like pot-luck that I got the setting right, rather than capable of being confident that it was doing what I wanted!
    Plus, as someone who shoots with their left eye to the viewfinder, I really came to be frustrated with the off-centre EVT, and ended up sometimes changing focus region with my nose. Would much rather their APS-C bodies had the same shape as their full-frame ones.
  13. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Kisaha in Is a7R II in Super 35 Better than a6500 / a6300?   
    Hey Mark,
    Thought I'd chip in. From what I've seen, a6500 and a7rii at S35 footage look, in practice, Here's a pretty detailed IQ test that might help:
     
    My a6500 is actually up on ebay at the moment. It's a good little camera, but whilst I thought I'd be able to get over the awkward ergonomics, I never truly did. It took all the fun out of using it, and when I got a decent shot it felt more like pot-luck that I got the setting right, rather than capable of being confident that it was doing what I wanted!
    Plus, as someone who shoots with their left eye to the viewfinder, I really came to be frustrated with the off-centre EVT, and ended up sometimes changing focus region with my nose. Would much rather their APS-C bodies had the same shape as their full-frame ones.
  14. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Mark Romero 2 in Is a7R II in Super 35 Better than a6500 / a6300?   
    Hey Mark,
    Thought I'd chip in. From what I've seen, a6500 and a7rii at S35 footage look, in practice, Here's a pretty detailed IQ test that might help:
     
    My a6500 is actually up on ebay at the moment. It's a good little camera, but whilst I thought I'd be able to get over the awkward ergonomics, I never truly did. It took all the fun out of using it, and when I got a decent shot it felt more like pot-luck that I got the setting right, rather than capable of being confident that it was doing what I wanted!
    Plus, as someone who shoots with their left eye to the viewfinder, I really came to be frustrated with the off-centre EVT, and ended up sometimes changing focus region with my nose. Would much rather their APS-C bodies had the same shape as their full-frame ones.
  15. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from kidzrevil in More love for the Sony A6500?   
    @kidzrevil - nice! - looks similar to what I've been using. I agree, the battery grip and eye-cup do tons to make it nicer to work with. I'm curious, what that accessory that looks like a lever coming out of the hotshoe? Don't think I've seen that before.
  16. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to IronFilm in Nikon Customers   
    IIRC it has the standard 30 minute limit?
  17. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to mercer in Is Mitakon f0.95 +Speedbooster on MFT possible?   
    I've only used the ai-s version, but the non-ai and ai version should have a similar look. I have never used any of the modern 35mm Nikkor lenses. 
  18. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Orangenz in gh4, g7 or g80?   
    Hey. yeah the G7 / GH4 / G80 all have different advantages and disadvantages.
    I've owned a G7 for a while, and think it's incredible value for money. However in comparison to your GX85 I think all it offers is a mic input and the Cine D / V picture profiles.
    I wanted to pick up a second panasonic body, and was also choosing between the G80 and a 2nd hand GH4. I actually went for the GH4, when I found a good deal on one. The headphone jack is useful for me, as I'll be shooting some casual interviews / vox pops with a minimal set up. It's nice to have the 98fps slow motion option too, though the image quality does suffer in this mode. The lack of stabilisation is a disadvantage, for sure. I figured I'd get a lens with stabilisation for now, for the times I want to shoot handheld.
    The G80 with those Nikon Primes & speedbooster should be capable of capturing nice look images, I imagine. One thing to look out for- If you're planning on using Nikon G primes (like the 35mm f1.8) on a speedbooster, make sure you use a speedbooster with it's own aperture. I don't think you'll be able to close down the lens aperture since it's done electronically on Nikon Gs. I know the Metabones Nikon - MFT does this (though is expensive) - I think Fotodiox do one with an aperture also. Since you're looking to use un-stabilised primes, the G80's stabilisation will be of a huge benefit shooting handheld. I've seen Panasonic are looking to update the firmware to improve the stabilisation at some point hopefully soon. The G80's rolling shutter is significantly worse than that of the GH4 (& the G7), for what it's worth. The iso performance is also slightly better on the G7 / G80 over the GH4.
    Sadly there's no clear winner. On paper the GH5 looks like it might be best of both and more, but there's no indication as to when it'll be out, and it will cost significantly more than either of these options. Hope that's of some help!
     
  19. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to Cinegain in Warning about Panasonic g85/80 & lens   
    True, but cars don't magically slow down either.
    @Grimor, great news! Matt Frazer and the Panasonic US team always show they listen and care. Then they'll have to pull some strings to actually get something going overseas, but they really come through for us! I think they're the main reason we've seen features added on the GH4.
  20. Like
    ThomHaig reacted to aldolega in BH Photo Video lists the GH5 without price or release date   
    I agree about the waiting game. If they fix the IBIS in the G85 I'll probably be perfectly happy shooting with that, with an external recorder, through the end of the summer. And who knows what Sony will do.
    If the rumors of the GH5 price being around $3K are true, I think that will put a bit of a dampener on the excitement for it. I think it needs to be no more than $2500. $2000 would be pretty killer. And at any of these prices, IBIS is a must.
    If Sony does an 8-bit 4K60 A7III, at say $2000, or the A7S/RIII is 8-bit 4K60 at the same price as the current R and S, or goes 10-bit at say $4K, the GH5 may not be as much of a coup as it would have been all by itseld in Q1.
  21. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from j_one in Does anyone have experience with motion blur added in post? How credible is it?   
    Reelsmart Motion Blur can be pretty handy. I typically work in motion graphics, and it's a common tool for 3d artists (where motion blur can take ages to render out of 3d) - and the plugin is marketed to be used in both footage and motion graphics. I've always seen is as a compositing aid really, and it's got me out of some tight spots and helped achieve a more realistic looking composite a handful of times. I'd never consider Reelsmart MB as a replacement to in-camera motion blur though. I can see how that pipeline makes sense in a green-screen heavy project like the Hobbitses where compositors will want a pretty hard edge key on the green screen to avoid spill, and then MB can be added in post to blend everything together. If it's not a green screen project, I'd just base your shutter speed on the amount of MB you want: It's a hassle to do it in post, and you'll be looking at some long render times.
  22. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from IronFilm in Set of lenses - Nikon D, Canon FD, Minolta or others?   
    I'm not well versed with many of the lenses that have come up here, I can vouch for a couple of Nikon lenses that are your desired focal lengths being very light though:
    The Nikon 35mm f1.8 G- although it felt a bit plasticy out the packaging, that plasticy-ness translates to it being light. It's a metal mount still. It's built for aps-c sensor sizes. I use it on a G7 with metabones XL and can confirm there's no vignetting in video modes. Possibly slightly for stills. Weighs under 200g.
    The Nikon D 50mm f1.8 is even lighter still. In your budget you could get the f1.4 version, which is still lightweight.
    I also have the Nikon D 85mm f1.8. Seems like a great lens from my use of it so far.
    Hope that's of some use.
  23. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from Fredrik Lyhne in Pistol grip 3-axis gimbal stabilizer   
    Thanks for the info, Fredrik.
    I found an MS1 pretty cheap. The G7 + 12-35mm comes within it's weight limit, so hopefully ought to do the job.I think the main practical difference is that it might not function in inverted mode. I'll give it ago and post how I get along here. The weight limit being what it is, I'll be limited almost exclusively to micro 4/3 lenses since they're so compact.
  24. Like
    ThomHaig got a reaction from jase in Pistol grip 3-axis gimbal stabilizer   
    Thanks for the info, Fredrik.
    I found an MS1 pretty cheap. The G7 + 12-35mm comes within it's weight limit, so hopefully ought to do the job.I think the main practical difference is that it might not function in inverted mode. I'll give it ago and post how I get along here. The weight limit being what it is, I'll be limited almost exclusively to micro 4/3 lenses since they're so compact.
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