SRV1981

26 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

Loved the build and form factor, it just felt ‘right’ in the hands.

Stills OK but I thought the video was meh.

Maybe because I tried mixing it with that from the S1H and it was not even in the ballpark.

On that basis alone, no choice but to send it back for a full refund (ie, it cost me one way postage to test it for a couple of weeks).

APSC is my minimum really, but that is speaking personally.

What didn’t you like about the xh2?

what do you like about the s1H  and how does it compare to Sony?

All excellent points - I’m an enthusiast but wanted to discuss ideas for both pro and non pro alike so I think both views are warranted here. 

3 hours ago, bjohn said:

Last time I checked there were two pretty active discussion threads devoted to the FX30 on this forum.

My apology then, I didn’t see and will find it to engage! Thanks 🙏 

3 hours ago, IronFilm said:

Because the FX30 has greater appeal to professionals? As it is the perfect camera to shoot as a small additional camera alongside a FS7/F5/F55/FX6/FX9/VENICE (and there are very few shooters of these cameras on this forum, as a percentage of the whole). 

Understood. I’m wondering if it could be good for non-pros as an A-Cam if photos aren’t a factor. 

3 hours ago, MrSMW said:

As above, several threads about the FX30 but also though it can take stills, it’s a bit more video-orientated compared with those others which are arguably a bit more ‘hybrid’.

Agreed. So more folks here prefer hybrid ? 

1 hour ago, Django said:

Most Alpha Sony shooters are FF at this point. Sony kind of abandoned APS-C even on the FX line. Its only now making a return mainly thanks to FX30 and some new APS-C lenses. But with speed boosters its actually kinda more versatile than FX3/A7S3 which cannot shoot Super35 crop modes due to 12MP sensor. 

No EVF and no mechanical shutter does mean its not a great hybrid and Sony for some silly reason doesn't give FX3/30 shutter angle or WFM. And no DCI options either. Still as Ironfilm says its the ideal side-kick to a FS/FX camera (has TC) and a great compact video option for the Sony ecosystem. 

I'd have already bought one if it wasn't for XH2S. Stacked sensor, 6K Opengate & ProRes is just so hard to overlook. Plus with EVF and solid stills performance. It ticks so many boxes. But the Fuji look is an acquired taste and won't play friendly with most production houses. Its pretty much relegated to indie or standalone shooting. Resolve doesn't even support F-Log2 yet for an ACES workflow. And yet despite all those rational reasons to avoid Fuji and stick with Sony, I'm still VERY tempted by XH2S.

Agree on acquired look. Not sure if the LUTs or what, but the fx30/3 footage appeals to me more on YT than the xh2s footage or even S5II. 

Curious, why do you think this camera isn’t mentioned frequently alongside xh2s and others for video? Seems quiet on the forum. 

1 hour ago, markr041 said:

Yes you can, up to 16 LUTs can be imported and can be baked into clips, or just used to display. True for fx30 and fx3.

For prosumer or quick turn around makes the Fx and s52 lines juicy 

1 hour ago, PPNS said:

They just call that s cinetone

To clarify, can you upload a custom LUT like Phantom LUTs into the fx30 and bake that look in for quick turn around?

32 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

Indeed, though as more time passes they'll become cheaper and cheaper! That's when you find the bargains!

Is it possible to bake in a Lut look in camera for fx30? That would be wild if true. 

1 hour ago, newfoundmass said:

Internal ND is nice, but is it worth paying 2 or 3 times as much? Audio is less of a problem these days, since you can buy the hot shoe audio adapters that are available and can grow with you.

If you are going the Sony route I think the FX30 is an excellent option and competitively priced. I think if you wanted full frame the A7IV would be a better deal than the FX3. For me, it's better to spend less on the camera body because that's what loses value quickest. The second you open that box for the first time your camera is worth less than it was when it was closed. And with every day the value goes down more and more. That's part of the reason I have trouble recommending people drop serious coin on a camera, because unless they are going to be generating a lot of income because of it, it's just not a great long term investment. 

Like I could afford to buy the Lumix S5ii right now but I'm not going to because in a year or two it will be significantly cheaper on the used market, meaning I keep more money in my pocket even when using it to generate income. 🙂

Right and we can also buy an fx30 or fx3 used. 

46 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

What does the C70 or FX6 give you that a mirrorless camera half the price doesn't? If you have the money to spend then I guess I'd say go for it, but honestly there's not a ton of good reasons to purchase a cine camera unless you're a full time DP who can benefit from being an owner/operator, and thus get more work and charge more since it eliminates the need of renting a camera.

For most of us it just isn't a good investment.

Internal ND, audio upgrades etc. 

do you think an fx3/30 is a better middle ground?

Are we the point where high-end phones can be used for most photo and video needs when using for personal use and outputting to YouTube?  
 

does it make more sense to use a high-end phone for that and invest in a cinema camera for video work for personal stuff being output to YouTube? Also frame grabs for small prints and socials? 
 

c70? FX6?

21 minutes ago, fuzzynormal said:

I like to use longer focal lengths.  Not necessarily tight shots.  A person filmed head to toe with a longer lens just looks better, imo.

Agreed actually. 

49 minutes ago, A_Urquhart said:

For 'run n gun' I'd say the camera is MORE important than if you are taking the time to light.

You wan't something robust, that has most of the controls at your fingertips and allows you to plug in and control/monitor a microphone easily. You also want something that has good Image quality, a good codec and good dynamic range to handle the vast variables that Run n Gun has to deal with.

When you have more time and control over the scene, you can get away with less Dynamic Range as you can light for the camera.

I wouldn't run n gun with an iPhone but after that, C70, R5, Pocket 6K,FX30, S1, S5, GH6 etc etc are all great cameras and will not hold you back.

IDK what camera you have but if looking to buy, I'd recommend the Pocket6k Pro or G2 for it's BRAW Codec and super intuitive menus. RAW for Run n Gun is not necessary but does give you more of a chance of recovering a shot when it comes to exposure and white balance in post. There is a reason why most productions I work on shooting Alexa 'only' shoot ProRes, big crews can light accordingly so RAW is not required but for Run n Gun it comes in handy.

I also personally don't recommend AF for Run n Gun. If you have one chance to get the shot, you don't want to risk the AF losing the subject and throwing focus off wildly while it searches for it again. AF systems are getting better and better but the viewer would rather see a shot where you might lose focus momentarily and pull it back organically that a shot where AF goes crazy looking for the subject. AF has a time and place, but manual focus is my pick for Run n Gun work.

This is also why I prefer APS-C sensors, for the same light gathering, you get a slightly deeper DOF to work with that is still shallow enough to look pleasing by today's standards. 

Most importantly, choose a lens that is easy to work with. For fast paced doc work, a Par focal zoom will make your live easier.

 

Manual focus makes sense I’d have to practice.  As I’ve said before, iM not dying to buy a camera. I enjoy convo regarding the topics im

intetested in. 

3 hours ago, fuzzynormal said:

FWIW, aside from the pro stuff, I'm pretty close to being camera body agnostic now that we're into the 2020's.

My preference is to use a 40-50mm prime lens on M43.  Or 85 on FF.  It just looks more cinematic to my eye.  Anything in the "portrait" regions of focal length.  Not a fan of wide angle filming unless it's very considered shots.   I don't like a lot of different focal lengths in my videos.

DOF I prefer modest, but not ridiculously shallow.  bleh.   f4 on FF and F2'ish on m43.

I also use a tripod when I can.

Just those choices alone makes the stuff I shoot look wildly different than most 'content' online.

I've been sticking with that for awhile now.  I like it.  I shoot natural light mostly.  Learned to take advantage of the situation rather than putting up my own lighting.  For instance, I almost always shoot now by turning off the lights in a room and using window light; repositioning my camera/subjects to get the best lighting angles in those situations.

It's always funny when I turn off the lights, the client turns them back on thinking a mistake has been made "Don't you need lights?"  Nope. "The natural light from the window looks wonderful, let's give that a try."  And I turn the overheads off again.

Even a horrible office room can look decent with natural light and a little repositioning.

Interesting take! Any particular reason you prefer tight shots ?

3 hours ago, MrSMW said:

For me, the actual camera bodies remain consistent regardless of any shooting situation.

The only physical variables that I change are focal length choices and lighting with the latter very much depending on the specific scenario such as:

Church ceremony, although it’s a reasonable length thing to shoot, setting up any form of lighting would be a step too far. For me.

But a low light entrance or exit, or any other low light ‘run and gun’ situation, I might use an onboard video light.

Other more static situations in lower light such as say bridal prep, I might use a bounced constant light source, or a spot for something like speeches.

Otherwise as above, the actual camera ‘choice’ remains constant regardless, so my only choices are focal length and lighting, plus some in camera choices such as shooting log or a profile.

So what dictates camera choice? Again if the context is YT output and it’s run and gun style work? Does it really make a difference what camera it is ?

8 hours ago, herein2020 said:

 

I have gotten to where I shoot almost exclusively with the R7 for events and hybrid photo/video work. For talking heads, long form content, concerts, etc. where the camera can be locked down and audio is more important then I use the C70. For commercial shoots and things like music videos I typically combine the C70 with the R7 as the b-cam.

For audio when running and gunning I typically use just a shotgun mic, the Canon EF 24-105mm F4.0 lens and get pretty close to the subject to try to reduce background noise. When I am working with an onscreen personality doing impromptu interviews at events then I use a Sennheiser handheld mic and G4 receiver. For talking head work I use a Sennheiser G4 transmitter and receiver combined with a mini-XLR shotgun mic into the C70.

Some of it is depending on budget as well. If the budget is pretty low I will just use the R7 simply because I don't see the point in bringing the C70 to a lower budget shoot unless it will drastically improve my workflow. If the budget is high enough then I will use the C70 even for shots that I would typically shoot with the R7 (i.e. I will rig up the C70 on a gimbal if the budget is high enough, and forgo the R7's IBIS for the C70's improved DR/IQ when shooting handheld). 

At the end of the day I definitely make my camera selections based on the project type. If the project is 90% photography and 10% video then I will probably use the R5. If its 50/50 photography/video then I will use the R7, if I need two cameras then I will pair the R7 with the C70, if its 100% video then the budget and audio requirements will make me choose the C70 or R7, etc. etc. 

The great thing about the R7, R5, and C70 is that none of them need much rigging to work and all of them will produce great quality with or without rigging/lighting. I know BM cameras tend to need more rigging/lighting to get the best results which is why with my setup I can use any camera for anything from run and gun to studio work.

Very cool and thanks! But what about image? Do you feel the c70 image is distinguishable when watching YT versus the R7 let’s say? 

If you’re not lighting your subjects or scenes, doing more documentary style shooting and display on YouTube - is there much of a difference between what you use to shoot? (ie - iPhone 14 pro, fx30, BMPCC6K, C70?) 

Curious the thoughts on this when using just a camera and lens with hot shoe mic. 

2 hours ago, Marcio Kabke Pinheiro said:

I would add the Fujifilm X-S10 to the list. Small, have IBIS, good colors, paired with the 18-55 kit is a good video combo. 

What about autofocus 

Great info! Sometimes I post for just discussion.  I like the banter and interaction. I don’t necessarily need to buy these devices.  
 

I was recently looking at the A7C and curious how that would be compared to an xt4 for compact, ease of use and performance . 

4 hours ago, Kisaha said:

I tend to shoot a lot less when I have only my phone.

When I have a dedicated camera I will take more, and 99%, better photos and videos.

Is the ZV-1 really equal to a phone?

my investigations say no

5 hours ago, MrSMW said:

For me, an easy choice. Phone.

Not necessarily an iPhone (though I do have the 13), but any photo/video-orientated one.

Single bit of kit and most of my end result ends up on or being posted from my phone so May as well start there!

This is where my independent research is leaning.  If I get an iPhone 14 Pro and add an external Tele Lens (BeastGrip, SandMarc, etc.) the images i'm seeing on my 85" projector from YouTube is honestly good enough for me.  I believe you'd have to A/B it to see and feel the difference from a dedicated video camera.  

What i've noticed on my last roadtrip is that having to take out a fairly large body (compared to a phone or P&S) then attach a lens, have a dedicated memory card, then get it to a computer etc. removed my creativity and desire to create.  A pocketable P&S or iPhone 14 Pro is where i'm leaning.  

Am I that naive to think this looks really good considering:  

this too looks stunning:

Was considering the S5 II but the size and accessories seems excessive for travel (i.e. the quality difference between this and a compact system may not be as notable for basic travel/family documenting).  

Video is primary importance and photo is secondary - don't need Log!

1. iPhone 14 Pro

2. ZV E10

3. XT4

4. ZV-1

5. RX 100 VII

Other?

38 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

On full frame I think I'd have to go 35mm. The ability to switch from FF to APSC would give me the ability to use it as a 35mm and a 50mm, and those are two of my most common focal lengths. A 50mm would come close, since then I'd have some telephoto capabilities but I think the 35 would win out.

Well said! Hard to beat that logic.  I was wondering about 24 for the wide aspect and APSC with it for a regular FOV

Congress refuses to raise the debt ceiling and the value of the dollar crashes. You have to sell your items just to buy some Ramen Noodles.  But, you need to keep 1 lens for your full-frame hybrid camera to shoot video and photo. 
 

Which prime focal length do you choose? Sure, your camera can shoot FF and APSC to give you variety but which focal length is your go to?

You still want to shoot your mini-docs, talking heads, and travel so versatility is key. 
 

choose wisely …

18 minutes ago, Django said:

Just catching up with the S5II announcement. This is actually the first Panny mirrorless I'd consider as I'm slaved to DPAF since C100 almost a decade ago. A big kudos to Panasonic for finally getting proper video AF.

The specs and price of the S5ii are also very impressive. FF 6K30p with 3:2 open-gate is simply terrific for the asking price.

Neither Canon or Sony offer these specs at such an entry price point. This alone is very aggressive and makes switching tempting.

I've actually sold my R6 so I'm actively in the market for a new mirrorless right now. And this new entry makes my decision making even tougher.

I was hesitating in between simply upgrading to the R6 II or getting FX30. Or investing in higher up R5/A7S3. Or even R3.

So yeah Canon vs Sony. But the S5II (and upcoming S5IIx) is definitely on my radar now as well.

It would be my number one choice as far as bang for buck but actually the last because of these unknown factors:

- Lenses. I'm not at all equipped in them and the offering seems a little stale & pricy.

- Color Science & VLOG. I know nothing about them and kinda afraid the results and learning curve won't be to my satisfaction. This is really important.

- Size/Weight. I've always found the S series the most heavy/bulky system. Well built though.

Makes sense especially with lenses. That said I’m happy with 1-2 lenses and regarding color science, a lot of videos I believe show Panny > Sony with regards to skintones. 

Actually thinking 24-105 f4 and maybe a 35 or 50 prime. 
 

if not, then a 28-70 f2.8