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Thpriest

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  1. Like
    Thpriest got a reaction from IronFilm in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    If Lumix wants to blow everyone out of the water ( now they have decent AF) they should release a S1H2 and a GH7 with some kind of ND. The S2 would be fine being a high res photo centric version without ND.
    Also 6K open gate 50p no crop.
    If they can do that for around 4000€ along with all their other strong points then I’m in.
  2. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    GH7 or S1 replacement for sure.
    I hope it’s the latter because it’s far more interesting. To me anyway 😉
  3. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    I was just skimming the news this morning and the verdict was:
    Ukraine vs Russia
    South vs North Korea
    Israel vs Hamas...and maybe others
    China vs Taiwan/Japan/US
    A straw thatched buffoon vs an old man
    The United Kingdom.
    YouTube comments
    Other assorted fuckwits
    Random shit
    I think I'm going to go back to doing what I did during Covid and that is stop looking at the news completely. Because it's utterly depressing.
  4. Like
    Thpriest reacted to BTM_Pix in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    Sorry to hear about your medical issues and great to hear you are on the road to recovery.
    I echo your thoughts about this place.
    My last few weeks have been spent at my Mother’s bedside as she drifted away to her passing.
    In times like that of huge change and trauma we look for constants to keep us connected to “normal” life.
    In that respect, checking into here every now and again to find everyone having the same circular arguments was oddly comforting.
    And I honestly mean that with love.
  5. Like
    Thpriest reacted to newfoundmass in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    So...
     
    I was diagnosed with kidney cancer on September 5. I had my right kidney removed on October 13 and am now cancer free (and if my scans show nothing in April I'll be considered cured!). During that entire period though, I didn't do any jobs and just focused on recovering, but had decided to dip my toe back into the water and had a small job planned for a friend this week.
     
    As I was just going through my equipment in preparation of getting back into the swing of things my pup Teri knocked over my main S5 and IT BROKE. Now, it doesn't impact my job because I have two extras of the same cameras, but obviously it left me needing to get a new camera. Sooo...
    I bought the Lumix S5IIX instead of getting another used S5. I swore I'd never buy a camera brand new again, but the used price isn't that much less, and I was able to get a decent deal on it with a lens. With all I've been through (having my kidney removed was, without a doubt, the most painful thing I've ever experienced, just FYI) I figured I'd treat myself. 
    This is a long way to ask a couple questions while I wait for it to arrive tomorrow:
    1. how easy is it to match the original S5 straight out of camera or with a little tweaking using the standard or natural color profile? I will use log, but for certain jobs it's just easier to skip that part.
    2. why is there no third party battery grip? has anyone heard why? 
    3. I have a couple third party batteries. Wasabi and Newmowa brands. Has anyone encouraged any problems with third party batteries? I have like six OEM batteries but I've heard the S5II and S5IIX's battery life isn't as good as the S5.
    4. what are the best settings? I've seen tons of YouTubers but I'd prefer to hear it from people that do more than film themselves in their spare bedroom/garage and actually are out there getting the most out of their camera.
    5. This one is most important: I just want you all to know I love you all. My ordeal has given me a greater appreciation for life, the interactions I have with other human beings, and just everything, really. Thank you @Andrew Reid and everyone else that makes this place special.
  6. Like
    Thpriest got a reaction from sgreszcz in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    You can push the S5mk2 to 6400-12800. I had m4/3 before and you just can’t do that.
    i agree that the Sigma 28-70 f2.8 is a great option even if i miss 24mm. That being said, I recently had to shoot with the 24-105 f4 for some hand held almost macro shots of a wedding ring being made. The duaL ibis is great and i was shooting at f4 6400 in 6k (downscaled to 4k) with no problem. 
  7. Haha
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Rode Wireless Pro - 32bit float, timecode, locking connection   
    Oh dear.
    Not US and was waiting until the Spring of ‘24 to replace my original set but maybe I should get it sooner rather than later just in case…
    There are alternatives, but the Rode WG just worked for me.
    When I remembered to switch both units on anyway…
    I hate that long hold on, long hold off system. I’d rather just a flick switch and a lock.
    Ditto for my little Sony pocket recorders. Forever switching recording on just touching my bag sometimes. Then trawling through 10 hours of recording the interior sounds of my camera bag before eventually finding 2 minutes of Captain Correllis facking Violin being read by cousin Karen 🤪
  8. Thanks
    Thpriest reacted to kye in 2024 Plans   
    The tips for networking I've learned for networking in the corporate world (which is likely to be broadly similar) are:
    Be brief - people like it when you respect their time Say something in the message that is unique to them - this shows them you haven't copy/pasted to a million people Tell them why they might contact you Tell them how to contact you Tell them how to check out your previous work A message as simple as "Hi - I loved your work on project X, I do sound on similar projects.  I'd love to work with you - if you have something coming up get in touch! <link to bio>".  
    What I learned about networking:
    People hire people they get along with, skills are necessary but are a secondary consideration When meeting people, establish rapport with the other person first, ask questions about their own work and projects, don't talk about yourself or pitch unless they ask If you can solve a problem for them or give them advice (that is welcome!) then you'll stand out and be seen as useful If they ask about your work, don't embellish or diminish it - successful people can often tell when people are bending the truth (even on gut-feel) and its an instant fail Focus on understanding their situation and challenges and try to help You probably know much of this, but in case you didn't, and also for the lurkers, thought I'd elaborate.
  9. Thanks
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in 2024 Plans   
    Very true. As someone who has fielded 5000+ enquiries and booked 800+ of them over 20+ years, I can identify with the process.
    Provided your work is of a standard and potential clients can find you, it very much comes down to; price, first point of contact, followed by connection.
    I have a question on all my contracts which asks why they specifically chose me and the result is a pretty consistent:
    "Love your work, exactly what we are looking for", (happens prior to any form of contact or me even being aware of their existence, ie, them finding my on-line or social portfolios).
    "Speed of response". If I am still awake and an enquiry comes in, I will at the very least personally acknowledge receipt and interest and a promise to get back to them at a specific time such as "first thing tomorrow AM". I know some use auto-response software, but I never do and keep it personal at all times.
    "Clarity of information including pricing provided". When you reach the point someone asks, 'how much?", simply tell them how much or more often than not, you will lose them at that point.
    "Personality, - we felt we clicked with you straight away". Often the job will go to the person/company they click with first, or at least gives you a massive advantage going forward.
    The above are not necessarily the exact words or phrases used, but more or less exactly what they are saying every time.
    And in case you think 800 from 5000 is only 16%, "so what about the 84% you lost?!", there are many reasons but no excuses including;
    Price. Cost is the biggest one by far. The vast majority enquire (or inquire if they are American) often with little to no idea what my type of services might cost. For most, it is above their at the time projected budget and that's fine.
    Style. Extremely rare. They are unlikely to even make contact in the first place unless they liked your shit.
    Not a good fit. That one is a hard one for me as in it's very difficult for me to put off, never mind say no to a potential client, but it happens occasionally.
    Simply not available in the first place. That is around 20-25% of all enquiries.
    Finally, I don't like the sound of their job so turn it away at their first point of contact. Currently, over 50% of enquiries immediately go politely in the bin.
    My enquiry to booking ratio of the actual jobs I want is somewhere between 75-90% so I think quite good actually.
    As Kye said, if this kind of info helps anyone, particularly noobs trying to get into business, good.
    Quite simply, showcase what you want to be booked for. Keep clarity a priority. Don't put obstacles in the way for clients you'd like to book. Always be honest (as you can be) and certainly not deceptive or desperate and accept you can't book them all!
  10. Like
    Thpriest reacted to Andrew Reid in Remarks on Israeli / Gaza war   
    Last weekend was shocking. Absolute pure evil and terror. A brutal loss of life in Israel.
    It is understandable they are out for revenge, but it should be Hamas and terrorist groups that get wiped off the face of the earth. Not women and kids.
    A lot of binary views out there, with people taking sides, that's the nature of war I suppose.
    This isn't my war.
    And it isn't even many of theirs. There are so many civilians in that part of the world who want nothing to do with Hamas and just want to live peacefully in their home without the threat of Israeli bombs falling and occupation.
    Surely we can all agree on this - that women and children should be spared.
    The Israeli government doesn't seem to want to do that.
    Many of the young Israeli victims at the music festival who were slaughtered in the prime of their lives also sympathised with the NORMAL people in Gaza who are NOT terrorists. Most people are not in nodding-dog mode USA-government style total adoration of the Israeli government and their politics.
    I also think it is darkly ironic that so many on the extreme socialist left of Western politics and even many in the LGBTQ community seem to want to think of Hamas as heroic freedom fighters. Actually if these people ever came face to face in reality with Hamas they would be the FIRST in line to get beheaded.
    I despise the actions of both Hamas and the Israeli government. Palestinian civilians as mere collateral, the occupation of their land, it is all so wrong.
    Before wiping out terorism in Gaza there should have been a MASSIVE humanitarian effort to evacuate the civilian women & children population by sea.
    By going ahead with a ground-invasion possibly as early as this weekend, is the Israeli government comfortable to be seen in the eyes of the world to be committing genocide? Does it want the death of nearly 2 million innocent people on their hands and to lose the support of the world's public?
    Yes they are entitled to destroy Hamas and defend themselves so that what happened last weekend will not be repeated.
    No, they cannot be allowed to take senseless revenge on Palestinians by bombing kids in their beds, it is the stuff of war crimes.
    Hopefully people in a binary view, blindly supporting ONE SIDE against the other will be able to come to terms with the fact that no binary argument is ever valid in war.
    As for the West, we seem to be standing by without any plan whatsoever to get the civilian population out of Gaza to safety. We are sending the navy, warships, no rescue boats, no proper safe corridor into another country, nothing.
    Of course it would be a big logistical effort, with massive number of security checks, but even a few large ships could save thousands of lives, even if you just take children or those under the age of 18 and their mothers, sisters, brothers.
    Leave the Hamas hardcore fanatics to fight, and get the kids out of there...
  11. Haha
    Thpriest reacted to BTM_Pix in 2024 Plans   
    In 2024, I will be releasing five new products.
    Two for live production, one for virtual production and two for music production.
    In 2025, I will be having a series of long naps and returning to capturing images.
  12. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S series battery problems (including S5 II)   
    Well confession time and that is I am doing a complete 180 on letting them go and instead cancelling my Zf pre-order…
    I would rather flip to Nikon but the finances don’t stack up and I did fluff up my own limited S5ii (photo) test by having a LUT burned in to my raw files.
    Forgot to reset that feature. Doh. I did wonder why they were so bad…🤨
    Been having a play today with my wounded one. Another doh, - I sent off the fully functioning one to be fixed 🤪
    But otherwise, initial start up time not brilliant but after that, not too bad or I am used to it so no big deal.
    Not a fan of the shutter button feel or sound, but that is coming from the ‘in another league S1H’.
    I would also rather have the rear screen from the S1H. And its build. And battery life. And OLPF. 
    The S1H, which is the better stills camera IMO, is however going in to the static video role, ie, on a tripod with the biggest and heaviest lens.
    The pair of S5ii’s are going from video roles into hybrid with various max 750g lenses so no single big heavy unit (my S1H combo was 2.8kg) which was a bit much on a typical 12+ hour shoot, so no single in the hand unit will ever be above 1.5kg and most options well under that.
    Cost? Nothing. In fact I’m going to sell a couple of lenses so taking a hit on depreciation, but putting something back in the bank and lightening the load which is a primary aim.
    I still think the Nikon/Lumix combo I was considering (Z9 + Zf + S1H) would suit me better, but my man maths says it’s at least 5k to change and that aside, I can’t be arsed to go through the rigmarole, especially after ironing out a few kinks in the set up.
    I like my video output, though it could be improved.
    I like my stills output (just need to make a few tweaks from S1H to S5ii).
    I’m familiar with the system and actually hate change unless something needs to be changed or fixed or the new thing is quantifiable better.
    It’s more than decent kit. Niggles yes, but actually easily the best kit I have ever had or anyone in my position could ever need, so remaining Lumix for bodies and Sigma for lenses.
    For the time being at least…😉
  13. Like
    Thpriest reacted to octoplex in Will The Creator change how blockbusters get filmed?   
    Absolutely this.
    A very insightful observation.
    I re-watched Shallow Grave (Danny Boyle, 1994) the other day. If anyone here is curious about what can be done with three good actors and an apartment, I'd definitely recommend revisiting this masterpiece.
    Shallow Grave is one of the most powerful demonstrations of how script, characters, and quality-of-acting can allow a low-budget filmmaker to out-shine anything Hollywood can muster.
    Shallow Grave was director Danny Boyle's (Trainspotting; 28 Days Later) first feature-film and stars a (then unknown) Ewan McGregor; who is stunningly adept as a young actor.
    Modern-filmmakers could benefit a lot by focusing less on technology and spectacle, and more on craft. The most valuable profits made by a movie are intangible: The extent to which the movie challenges, inspires, and changes society for the better.

     
  14. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Sony Burano : a groundbreaking cinema camera   
    I can.
    My project for 2024.
  15. Haha
    Thpriest reacted to BTM_Pix in Sony Burano : a groundbreaking cinema camera   
    Not sure I could stop myself turning into Vic Reeves every time I had to say Burano though

  16. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Leica SL3 / S2H and current S1H bargains   
    I’m hoping to wake up one morning to find that my YouTube feed is stuffed full of embargo lifted first reviews of the new S2H/S2R pairing.
    Every fcuking morning Lumix….
    To be fair, the S5ii’s are doing just fine in their roles but I need news re. what I am going to do about replacing my previous S1R’s and current S1H for stills.
    AF is the Achilles to my heel…
    The non-PDAF units are just a little ‘early days of Fuji X’ hit & miss.
    Flipping back to using the S5ii’s as hybrid units for the remaining 7 jobs of the season as the S1H is missing maybe 5-10% and that is 5-10% too much.
    Or as previously, Leica or Sigma can throw me a bone also, but it needs to be PDAF going forward as sideways or backwards is not my thing.
    Any time now would be good…
  17. Like
    Thpriest reacted to hyalinejim in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    New firmwares today 
    "NEW Firmware 13th June 2023
    The LUMIX S5II v2 firmware update will offer RAW data
    output over HDMI (Requires Software Upgrade Key
    DWW-SFU2). In addition to ProRes RAW, Blackmagic
    RAW will now be available.
    Improved image quality when shooting with V-log.

    Live View Composite, which is pre-installed on the
    LUMIX S5IIX, is also among the new features included
    in the firmware update.

    Lumix S5IIX v1.1
    Improved performance
    - Improved image quality when shooting with V-log.
    - Improved compatibility with some SD cards.
    - Improved operational stability.

    See:
    https://www.panasonic.
    com/global/consumer/lumix/s/firmware_update.html
    or
    https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.
    com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index4.html
    "
  18. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    Well now here’s a curve ball…
    So back whenever it was that the X was officially announced, I preordered a pair.
    The wait time for France was long so I cancelled and bought another used S5ii.
    But I just received notification that my new X came into stock, they took the funds and arrives tomorrow.
    I thought I had cancelled both but what with them being French and all…
    Aaaaaaargh…
    I could send it straight back, or keep it, order a battery grip (needs it for the 70-200 f4) and sell the S1H with its battery grip.
    Financially, it’s little difference, just the cost of the grip really.
    The pros are; smaller, lighter, faster, newer camera plus all 3 bodies identical (except aesthetically) and I can bake in my preferred LUT.
    Cons; can’t think of any actually other than it would mean saying sayonara to my S1H.
  19. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    7 weddings in and impressed with the S5ii.
    Getting used to the flip out screen but would still rather have the multi angle tilt from the S1H.
    Prefer the files coming out of the S5ii over the S1H. Those from the S1H are just a little too soft for my taste in comparison, probably due to the OLPF.
    However, possibly due to the OLPF, I prefer the photo files from the S1H. The exact opposite of what is supposed to be…
    Moiré, only seen one single mild instance in one single clip and not a single time in a still photo.
    AF has been great but not perfect. No AF is and I still prefer to use AF to acquire initial focus and then flip to manual. Unless tracking where I have to rely on it.
    Conclusion to date:
    For me, S1H is the ‘better’ stills camera and the S5ii is the ‘better’ video unit.
    I don’t miss my S1R’s at all. I thought I might, but do not. 24mp is more than enough for my needs.
    What is still ‘missing’ for my needs?
    I have come to the conclusion that as much as I’d like to go to a 2 camera set up, unless I can rely heavily on pulling stills from video…and for that I’d need 6k 50/60p 422 10 bit as a minimum, the 3 camera approach works best.
    On that basis, I would like 3 things in the future:
    1. 3x identical bodies rather than 2 + 1
    2. 6k 50/60p 422 10 bit internal (min)
    3. A smaller and lighter lens to replace the Lumix 70-200mm f4, even if it topped out at 150mm. I will continue to use it until either Lumix or more likely Sigma does, but it’s the one lens I ‘need’.
    All things considered, the S5ii has to be the best overall camera I have ever owned and the only thing I’d change it for at this point in time is an X model purely for the aesthetics.
  20. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    This for me and this only. It has to be quantifiable.
    I just traded 2x (used) S1R’s plus 65mm and 24-105mm lenses, for another (used) S5ii and a (used) 70-200 f4 because it will both make my actual shoot workflow better and improve my end output.
    Ie, less kit to carry (2 bodies + 2 lenses swapped for 1 body + 1 lens) and fumble about with, but extends my focal range from what was capped at 105 up to 200.
    Less fumbling about = both less fatigue and more focus which = greater creativity which = more/better material to then work with…which should lead to an elevated level of output that will increase my own job satisfaction plus attract an ever higher quality of client with ever higher budgets.
    It all boils down to making decisions that either have a high probability of, or even better, a guarantee of making ‘everything’ work better for you.
    But if it ain’t broke… and in your case @Geoffrey it sounds like it ain’t broke.
  21. Like
    Thpriest got a reaction from Geoffrey in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    Agree with kye. 
    In my case the EVF, AF, punch in to check focus while recording and 6K were compelling reasons. The fan a bonus piece of mind although I’ve never had problems with over heating even when filming in 35-40 degrees for long periods of time.
  22. Like
    Thpriest reacted to kye in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    I'm not across the details of the S5 vs S5ii, but as a general rule I think you should only upgrade equipment when the upgrade will fix an issue that you routinely have when using your existing equipment, or it would increase the quality of your output in some way that matters to you (e.g. can you charge more, or get the same result in less time, etc).
    This philosophy helps cut out the temptation to upgrade because the grass seems greener, the manufacturers marketing looked enticing, or you are playing 'what if', which are all normal human reactions and completely understandable, but don't actually help in being more effective/efficient.
  23. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    Oh yes, forgot about the SSD... 🤪
    And what it came down to in the end for me was I only wanted the S5iix over the standard 5ii for personal aesthetic reasons, otherwise it doesn't offer a me a single thing I want or need.
    I'd add a Q3 into that numberbet soup. And surely, an X2D100C should be added into that mix? Not for it's video capabilities of course, because it has precisely zero, but just because it is an image making beast.
    But I am honestly honestly honestly happy with my body and lens line up now.
    It took some sorting out along with shooting modes and all manner of factors, but I have the whole kit and caboodle now nailed down from shooting through edit to delivery.
    Until anything future L Mount appears in the wild whether it be Lumix, Leica or Sigma... 
    But even then, it will need to be something pretty special as there is currently nada on my shopping list in terms of needs or requirements.
    Well, except for I'd still like Sigma to make me a constant aperture f2.8 50-150mm or even just a Contemporary version of the 70-200mm f2.8.
    Otherwise spent up and done for '23!
     
  24. Haha
    Thpriest reacted to BTM_Pix in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    The recording to SSD and ProRes of the S5iiX (with a minor mention of the connect to phone for streaming) are big differences that might persuade me if I was looking to buy an S5ii.
    Not that I am of course as I'm completely adamant that I'm not interested as I am dead set on a Z9/Z8/A1/X-H2S purchase next week.
    Absolutely nailed on.
    Not going to waver in the slightest.
    Honestly.
  25. Like
    Thpriest reacted to MrSMW in Panasonic S5 II (What does Panasonic have up their sleeve?)   
    It's really good. 
    Despite being in a PAL region, I've switched over to shooting 6k 30p and 4k 60p and my second S5ii paired with the 16-28 is set to shoot exclusively 4k 60p so will be that 24-42mm equivalent. Which is great as the '24' for me, is for dancing stuff and the '42' is for everything else which = entrances, exits, gimbal couple stuff. So I only think of it as being a 24 or a 42.
    The other two cameras and lenses are set up as 6k 30p exclusively, so their respective lenses to me, photo or video, are what they are supposed to be, ie, 28, 70 and 200. I don't shoot anything in between, just the extreme ends of any/all zooms, ie, single lens, but 'twin prime' set up.
     
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