Thpriest

I have the same access as any/everyone...
It used to be (6 years ago), I lived in the UK and travelled to Europe or beyond.
These days I live in France and mostly get booked for France, but do still get jobs outside of such as this year, I have clients for weddings in Germany and Switzerland.
I only have enough gear to do the job, nothing surplus.
Actually, having said that, I do have a Sigma 45mm f2.8 I received for free when I bought the S5. I have used it a couple of times but it just does not fit in with anything now I have finalised my 2022 kit.
I also have Panny's own 85mm f1.8 and again, have used it, but it doesn't fit it in anywhere. Currently, I am keeping it for the few times I get stuck at the back of a church and need something longer than the 65mm f2. I may switch this out for the Sigma 90mm f2 at some point just to keep the consistency of an all Sigma lens lineup.
I just need this season to get going in early April so I can actually crack on with everything I had planned back in 2019!
2018 was the first year I felt I had really cracked hybrid coverage, but still had a huge amount of refinement and polishing to do.
I thought I'd cracked that in the 2019 season, but ended up somewhat frustrated when I realised I was still well short in so many areas.
2020 was going to be 'The Year', but it turned out to be 'The Year That Wasn't' apart from one solitary, compromised wedding.
2021... Nah, really limited and just could not get any momentum.
2022 is going to be the year 😉

C
and thanks, I hope so!
33 couples booked in with an average 2 days coverage each mostly and away 60+ nights during the Summer.
So as long as there are no new super-variants, Russia doesn’t invade Ukraine or aliens invade, it should be a good creative year.
That’s been the worst part for me, the near stagnation of creativity for 2 years.
Yes I could go shoot other things, but the reality is I have little to no interest in shooting ‘other things’ so that would just be forced and doing something for the sake of it.
No, I need to be back in my proper saddle again, have a good, (if stupidly busy) year and then next year settle back into my normal routine of max 24 jobs per annum.

I use an Anker 10k job which I’ve had for a couple of years now.
They cost around 100 Pounds/Dollars/Euros and just work.
In my experience anyway.

The Canon EF-S 10-18 does not work with the S5. You can see the barrel of the lens with that lens on the S5. I was going to use that lens for real estate work since I already had it for a Canon Rebel T6S and I discovered it does not work. I ended up getting a 24mm F2.8 instead.  I also have a 16-35mm F4.0 but its a bit big and heavy for gimbal work.
I don't shoot much real estate these days since real estate agents in my area have continued to refuse to pay more despite the fact everything else is costing more, but if I still shot a lot of real estate I would probably get the  Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM for the S5.  With that lens at 4K30FPS it would be 14mm and at 4K60FPS it would still be a 21mm. 
 
 
Turns out it was something wrong with the camera. I sent it in for repair and got to experience Panasonic's repair service first hand. No status, no information, nothing at all, but 3wks later it showed up fixed. The shutter button was also sticking and they fixed that as well. Nothing more infuriating than a sticking shutter button when you are trying to half press to focus.

I think all of this shows that if Panasonic were to fix their AF they could really start taking a larger share of the market. They have got just about everything else right, ergonomics, colours, image, reliability, price...the L range of lenses is starting to grow. If the S5 had good AF it'd sell bucket loads.

I think price also plays an important part. 
For the price of a Sony A7SIII you can get a Panasonic S1 and S5. If you add in a A7IV then you could get a couple of lenses and sd cards for the Panasonics.
 

I think price also plays an important part. 
For the price of a Sony A7SIII you can get a Panasonic S1 and S5. If you add in a A7IV then you could get a couple of lenses and sd cards for the Panasonics.
 

You've nailed it, I'd probably have two S5's and all L mount lenses right now and possibly an S1R as a dedicated photo body. Panasonic has everything else as you mentioned....accessories, XLR options, reliability, no overheating, no record limits, dual slot video recording, WFM, VLOG Varicam color science, right price, perfect size, great build quality, great photography features, etc. But none of it matters if your footage is not in focus or you are constantly dropping to manual focus when it just won't focus on something that should be simple. Even their focus peaking leaves much to be desired.

I think all of this shows that if Panasonic were to fix their AF they could really start taking a larger share of the market. They have got just about everything else right, ergonomics, colours, image, reliability, price...the L range of lenses is starting to grow. If the S5 had good AF it'd sell bucket loads.

Why not their latest Rode Go with internal recording?
  
Do consider instead the Zoom F2-BT (or Tentacle Track E), they're still very very affordable, but all round much much better designed as bodypack recorders. Plus they've both got timecode functionality, making it easier (extra safety net) to sync it up with your timecode capable Panasonic S1H. 

I'm glad you've started getting weddings again! What a relief!
I've missed a couple of opportunities to buy a cheap second hand S1 as they were for sale a few hours drive away and I haven't been able to organise that.
But I think you are right that having 2 cameras that are the same has it's advantages, especially cards and batteries. So I'll probably go for another S5 unless I come across a bargain closer to home.
I'd love a S1H but the only one I've seen for sale a reasonable price is in the Canary Islands so once you factor in a flight it's not worth it. 
I agree that a S5H would be excellent. Pretty much an S5 with a fan, filter thingy (no moire) and no filming limits. The S1H2 would be a S1H with eND and 6k 50p, Prores and some internal raw contraption.
I have found the 24-105 to be a very handy video lens. It covers a lot of ground. The 50 1.8 is very nice but it's a shame that they have brought out the 2 longer lenses first rather than say the 85 and 35 or 50 and 24.
I like the look of the Sigma 28-70 2.8 but as I'm mainly shooting video I wonder how well the AFS and linear MF holds up compared to the Lumix lenses.
 

I've now done 5-6 weddings (as well as quite a few corporate videos) with the S5 and I have hired a S1 as a B-cam/emergency cam for a few jobs. 
S5:
I like the camera but if I'm going to nit pick I find that the button on the front of the camera is very easy to touch without meaning to (in my case set to IBIS). The IBIS is not as good as the S1 (probably due to weight). I wasn't bothered about the EVF until I tried the EVF of the S1. Wow! What a difference (I use the EVF 80% of the time).The light weight is a pro and a con. A con for IBIS but half way through a long wedding changing from the S1 to the S5 is a notable difference in weight which can be a pro. It doesn't get in the way of the mic and headphones and is central. IBIS, really good and better than the S5. 2 SDs is a great feature.
S1.
EVF. Wow. Just brilliant. I have now realised I prefer the S1's tilt screen as well. IBIS is excellent. Best I've used (coming from GH5). Weight is pro and con like the S5. Prefer the S1 until I get tired then a stint with the S5 is a relief! 2 different card types is a bummer.
So, at first I wondered if I had made a mistake buying the S5 after trying the S1 but I realise that's not the case. I alway have 2 cams and there's no way I'm lugging about 2 S1s! So I think having an S1 (or S1H) and a S5 makes total sense as a A Cam/B Cam kit. Both are capable of being A or B cam depending on you needs. Now I need to find an S1 on offer like those I missed our on over the summer!
Lenses:
20-60 : Nice walk about lens for photo or as a wide 20 F3.5 for video (I dislike variable iris for video).
24-105 f4 - great all round lens with really good macro.
50 f1.8 - Really light in both senses. Weighs nothing and can see in the dark. Very happy with this lens.
Next:
Look out for a Lumix 24-70 f2.8 and a S1 or S1H to buy second hand!

Saw them playing "Man with a movie camera" live to the film in Glasgow when it came out. Fantastic experience.

Music is very personal to the writer and the listener for different reasons, and for me, this song can never be beaten. 
The whole album is fantastic and I urge anyone who hasn't heard it to give it a go at least once.
EDIT: they also soundtracked the 1929 film 'Man With a Movie Camera' and that's a great album too, especially if you can find it synced to the film.

New gear is great but if you have nothing to shoot what is the point? I think that sums up the sentiment we've all been through this past year and a half. It's been brutal for a lot of us independent pros. I sold a lot of cine gear and lost a lot of money in the process. Seriously considered leaving the industry as well. Fortunately for me, business has picked up again and that's really all it takes to get excited about shooting. Because for me its really all about shooting, gear is just means to an end. Too much gear can also be a buzzkill. I saw a great video the other day shot with just a G7 and a macro lens. I'm a strong believer in limitations spark creativity. Not just in filmmaking but all creative areas. Its a hard motto to live by these days within a gear-driven industry. Speaking of apple and tech GAS, I had to resist the urge for the third year in a row to get the "pro" model. My phone died so I did cop the iPhone 13 but went with the mini. Love the form factor and my phone will remain just that a phone. Photos & videos shot with it will remain on social media. No ProRes on smartphone for me, oh well. Also thinking about getting the iPad mini, it feels like a Moleskin notebook. I hate big tablets, might as well just use a notebook at that point (also just got the M1 MBA). Just waiting to see how the A15 compares to M1 as I would like to do some basic editing on it and need HEVC support. 
Anyways I'd be sad to see this place disappear. I haven't been around since the start but it's been an incredible resource and community, even with all the riffraff and drama. I think we all owe Andrew a big thanks no matter the outcome. I don't always agree with his views but at least he has a freaking opinion unlike 99% of the internet shills. As a primarily Canon shooter I also thank him for being so outspoken on the overheat-gate issue that got us solutions and even got Canon to somewhat address the situation. Who will have the clout & balls to do so if this independent voice disappears? Keep going Andrew, your doing the community/industry a great service by being vocal on matters that matter!

Keep the site. Look at what happened today....Facebook, IG, WhatsApp all down.  Decentralized content will make a comeback.

Yep, it's not EOSHD that's the problem it's me! I need to get my enthusiasm back. It's been a tough time.
Thanks for the comments guys, it is helping me figure things out a lot.

The main reason why your blog has become more and more obsolete is in my mind that the revolution with affordable cameras to shoot “cinematic” pictures with is over. It doesn’t really matter which one you buy these days, and that’s why the reviewers have changed to influencers pushing products. They’re all more than good enough to shoot films that can easily be accepted on to film festivals and streaming platforms. I usually shoot on Alexa mini LF, I’m familiar with the camera, it’s rock solid, easy to navigate, works with my ac’s WCU-4 follow focus, all that stuff. But that’s on commercials and the latest studio feature I’ve been fortunate enough to DP. I bought the pocket 6 pro this spring to use for personal projects and apart from less dynamic range in the highlights I’ve been able to match with my colorist to the Alexa 95%. That’s a 2500 $ camera. I’ve shot a no budget feature over the last 2 months on that camera. 25 shooting days, in all conditions, using only available light sources. It’s looking amazing. Can people outside of the industry tell a difference? Absolutely not. So - we’re in a situation where the gear doesn’t really matter anymore. Reliability, durability and support is still much better on the 60k+ camera systems, but the gear is not the obstacle anymore. 
 
Now - the advertising jobs still has clients and agencies that needs to feel like they’re money is well spent and love to see a big camera and wireless monitors on set. Big lights and stands and 12x12 frames and lots of assistants working. “We make real movie” attitudes. 
Depending on the client I sometimes ask the gaffer to put up extra lights and just turn them away so it looks more “professional”.
But all that unnecessary performance doesn’t bother me. I get to try out new lenses, new support systems, new lamps, and I never went to film school so I use any and every opportunity to learn and develop new skills.
And when someone pays me 2500$ a day I’ll put on a smile and try to make them as happy as possible.
Which leeds to my final point. I can understand bitterness, it runs in my fathers family so I’m prone to it. But working with bitter people only makes me avoid any future relations. It’s destroying creative energy and closing doors to potential collaborators.
Eoshd felt like it came from the heart, from true joy. Hasn’t felt like that for years. Whatever you need to sell, close down, pass on to move to a new place with joy and passion - go for it.
 
Life’s too short bro. 

Do whatever is best for your health.

A few people will create videos in a new genre with this...perhaps, but the vast majority of the billion or more phones being sold will be used to make cheesy rack focus tiktok memes.
Personally, the trend towards short social media content is disturbing. Spend 5 days straight swiping through instagram reels or tiktok and then step back. You will be less patient, dull, and be addicted to instant gratification.
Shits toxic.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that the auto focus has been the deciding factor for many people on YouTube to switch from Panasonic to other systems. At this point I think Fuji is as popular, if not more popular, than Panasonic is with that market. 
As someone that's heavily invested in Panasonic and the M43 system, auto focus is a big thing for me not because I need it (the cameras I have meet my needs) but because I'm interested in the long term health of the system. A move towards AF that is on par with the competition gives me more confidence in the viability of the system and company long term. Knowing the system I'm in has a future is important to me and my business decisions. I realize that there are people who think that's crazy, I don't really care to argue over it. 

Please keep this conspiracy nonsense to yourself. 

Why would you need v90 cards? V30 works fine for me in all the recording modes including 4k 60p and 6k.

I find myself using those exact same two lenses the most as well. I use the Sigma EF 50mm 1.4 for lowlight, detail shots, and shallow DOF shots, I use the 24mm EF 2.8 Prime lens for all gimbal work, and I use the EF 24-105mm for everything else. All of that gets cropped by a factor of 1.5 when filming 60FPS which I frequently do.
I'm with you on the media as well, it is so annoying to have mismatched cards or bitrates at 400mb/s requiring 2x+ more expensive media. The footage from the S5 more than meets the needs of my type of client.
As far as shooting over 30min, the S5 still has the 8bit modes to shoot longer, and they really are good enough for most situations. I shot with the GH5 and only 8bit for years; as long as you nail the WB and exposure 8bit is plenty for most situations. I do also love the VLOG, if you haven't tried it yet you really are missing out; its incredible how much you can push and pull the LOG footage in post even though it is compressed.
With my Davinci Resolve workflow, I can grade VLOG footage in seconds.

Well 2 weddings in approx 2 weeks time, 1 remaining Sep that has not postponed/cancelled and ditto 1 Oct so the absolute max for this year will be 4 from what should have been 30.
Still better than last years 1 single job that actually happened!
The only thing you don’t have really with another S5 is unlimited recording which personally doesn’t bother me, even with a church ceremony as at a convenient point, I just press stop and then immediately start again.
Or you can just drop to 8 bit I think which for something static…??
An S5H with even a modest AF improvement would be killer…except Panasonic Lumix continue to frustrate me in a couple of areas…
The AF, or perception of, is of course their principal Achilles heel.
The negativity and misconception especially on YouTube is so grossly wrong but Panny have done nothing in my eyes to address this.
Which leads into their marketing in general, but especially with YouTube which just cannot be ignored or underestimated these days.
Compared with all the other major brands, they are by far the weakest in the area of marketing.
Add AF to marketing and no wonder their sales are lowest if the big 5.
And then these 4 prime lenses…
85 first was a bit odd.
I would have gone 35, 50, 24, 85…or better still, just launched them all together.
WTF is taking so long?!
Had they been available, I would have bought all 4 and used the pairing of 24 + 50 indoors and 35 + 85 out.
They look visually a bit crap, but the performance is superb, especially for the money.
But I have been driven into the arms of Sigma.
Drop .2 of a stop in aperture, but real world the f2’s are the same.
Looks are a personal thing, but IMO they visually look superb as is the quality of image coming out of them.
The 28-70 gets mixed reviews. It seems the Sony users/reviewers seem to rate it anywhere from average to good but L Mount users as good to excellent.
I love it and use it as a twin prime lens using it only as a 28 or a 70 indoors (takes some self-discipline!) or in APSC crop mode outdoors as a ‘40mm’ or a ‘105mm’ with the crop only being in camera and then in post if you want it (with stills) because of course with raw, you are getting the FF file to work with.
It’s not quite as ‘jewel like’ as the 35mm f2 or 65mm f2, but not far off and the zoom extension is very minimal. I hate externally zooming lenses! 
In conclusion, as I said above, Lumix continue to frustrate me as a company.
On paper and I think in reality, they do have the best pound for pound cameras currently available in the S5 and the S1 line, but they only have themselves to blame sales-wise they are not sitting at the top table with Sony & Canon.