MrSMW

Sort of the same...but slightly different... I went from tripod (various predecessors) to freestanding monopod (XT3) to handheld (S5 and S1H) because for my needs, the speed/flexibility of IBIS is key. I have however just treated my S5 to a Crane 3 gimbal to give it a bit more flexibility. It's now going to be living on a tripod (with the gimbal and everything locked), but I've mounted it on a QR plate so it can go into gimbal mode whenever required and takes around 10 seconds to unlock, switch on etc. I am opposed (for my needs) to: Monopods/tripods if and where possible. Gimbals. (I've tried twice before and hated it, but this new Crane 3 for the first time is small and light enough I can justify it for the 5% of the day I will actually use it and for under 400 euros, brings something of value to the table). External rigging of monitors/recorders. External battery packs. OK, I have one welded to my tripod for such times any camera is on a tripod, but otherwise... Surely, ALL Canon had to do here was add a fan to the back of the R5, maybe charge 500 extra and job done? Otherwise I don't understand. Any of it... Please please please Panasonic bring PDAF to your next line of S1/S5/Swhatever cameras and/or Fuji, just get the XH2 right and one of you will get my money next time round/possibly 2023. But the R5C, - it WILL and DOES have appeal to some people, but they are very few people which means Canon either really are stupid, or they really are playing a very stupid game. Either way, I can't give them any of my money, so that is a fail on their part.

I hope both of the customers for this camera each buy one. #salestargetgoals

Love the background silent thumbnail commentary to the vid 😂 I like the idea of vintage lenses but my camera reality is I can’t use them because I need AF half the time.

It’s not just the weight, but the sheer physical size of the thing…and I work with 2 bodies at all times, one primarily stills and one primarily video (but with the ability to flip between the two if needs be). The spec/capability for me is perfect…but the size…and never mind the cost, is not. Brilliant brilliant piece of kit…for someone else. I only use my S1H with either the Sigma 35mm f2 indoors, or 65mm f2 outdoors and this combo is basically 1.5kg. Just under I think and although I’d prefer smaller and lighter, the reality is that for handheld video, this combo is near perfect for ergos/handling/stabilisation as in that bit of heft and weight helps. GH6? At this time, it’s just a myth isn’t it despite them saying it’s coming?! Two questions I have asked myself are: 1: What would any GH6 do for me compared with the S1H and 2: What would any GH6 do for me compared with the S5? In regard to the S1H, unless the GH6 does have PDAF, nothing that I’d want or need. In regard to the S5, my static tripod and gimbal camera, as above. Oh and BTW, for those that shoot APSC crop 4K 50 or 60p, the S5 with Sigmas new tiny 18-50mm f2.8, is a sub 1kg monster of a unit! For me, that combo is a no-brainer and I have even considered the use of this lens as the sole lens with my S1H, but the reality is that I do prefer the longer reach of the 65mm f2 outdoors (100mm equiv rather than 75mm) plus that extra stop of lighting gathering, but for some others, it makes for a package only 100g heavier than an XT4 with the 16-55mm f2.8!! OK, the latter would have an equivalent zoom length of ‘24-83’mm vs 28-75, but the S1H kicks the XT4’s arse in most departments. Anyway, enough of my Sunday morning coffee ramblings… 🤪

Actually, I have only changed kit fundamentally twice, in a 22 year career. Or brands anyway… I started out with Nikon film cameras and switched to Nikon digital sometime around 2004/5. When the X100 was announced, I knew it was something I was looking for, went to a trade show, handled it, preordered and received one of the first to land in the UK. Took it the very next day to my first wedding of the year and loved it to bits. OK the only battery I had died just prior to the ceremony, but the Fuji bug had bitten. The following year, 2011 (?) the X Pro1 arrived and I bought the entire system available at the time comprising 2 bodies plus 3 lenses and sold all my Nikon gear. Stuck with Fuji all the way through until the end of 2019 but at that point it was not quite cutting it anymore for my needs… The XT3 was near perfect, but the lack of IBIS was killing it for my needs. The XT4 was but a rumor, though a likely one. 2020 started and heading towards Spring and a new wedding season, I had zero kit as I’d sold it all off knowing the set up I had was not what I would be using in 2020. But, there was nothing else out there ticking enough boxes other than the about to be launched XT4, so I preordered a pair and a couple of lenses. Alas, it was not to be as enter Covid. 30 weddings became 1. I bought some used kit for that single job and then knowing there would be no further work for another 9 months, immediately sold it. Panny S5 is announced and although a very immature system at the time, to me was a slightly ‘better’ XT4 equivalent. Bought one, as my sole camera, with the kit lens. Liked it a lot, but needed more kit. Bought a used S1H at just over 2k. Loved it. Bought a used S1R from a colleague for 1.5k. Love it. Not as much as the S1H, but slightly more than the S5. I ended up shooting 5 last year from what should have been 30 weddings, growing this system as the short 6 week ‘season’ unfolded. I now have a near ‘perfect’ set up for me based on what is available today and within a certain budget. Could I do it with Leica? Nope, the cost and lack of a tilting screen kills it for me. Nikon? Nope. Not unless I wished to go backwards or rig up for video needs and I wish to do neither. Canon? R5 stills + R6 video could and would work but even selling all my current kit, I’d be looking at 10k+ to find. And after the last 2 years, I don’t have it. Ditto Sony. An A7iv system could work, but again, a 10k+ cost to change and for what advantage? I know I wouldn’t care for it so much as a system and enjoyment is part if my job. M4/3? No, briefly flirted with it for both video and stills and whilst for video it was OK, I shoot a lot of low light and it doesn’t cut it for my needs. Fuji? An XT4 system would work but again, nothing compelling enough to switch from the system I currently have. And if Covid had not come along? I’d still be with Fuji for sure and would not have cancelled that XT4 preorder… The bottom line for me is that these are just tools at the end of the day, but tools I wish to enjoy using. In a normal year, the total cost is approx 5% of my annual turnover so trading and switching bodies or lenses within a system from time to time is neither here nor there! But right now it’s: S1H for primarily handheld or monopod video. S1R for dedicated stills. S5 for gimbal and static tripod video. That’s my ‘defense’ anyway 😜

This new boy is probably my ‘perfect camera’ at this point in time… I doubt very much that I will switch to Canon as a system and get one though. My primary tools, camera body wise, are an S1R for stills and an S1H for video. I did consider a pair of R5’s for hybrid use but it has 2 issues for me. 1: Cost 2: Overheating/reliability/trust issues The new boy is surely going to be more than a ‘standard’ R5 so whilst Point 2: may be solved, Point 1 counters that even further. The camera that ticks the most boxes of all is probably Nikon’s new Z9…but it’s enormous. Some think and say the S1H is, but paired with the f2 Sigma primes that I use, it isn’t, but the Z9 is a beast and for me would be like returning to my old D3s days which is something I’d rather not do. It bodes well for the next gen Z6/7 though… Sony’s A7iv, loathe as I am to admit it, (I am not a fan of the brand despite having owned and still own and use, some of their products) is possibly the ‘best’ compromise right now for my needs and probably, if I was out shopping with a clean sheet start today, that’s where I’d go. But this year for me is all about using what I have, partly because: A: It’s bloody good kit with my only gripe being less than stellar AF for video (my compromise). B: I just bought a new MacBook Pro1 because I needed both a laptop and a machine full stop that was an editing beast. Plus the only drone I have ever had was an original Mavic Air and having crashed it over a dozen times, it flies wonky and needed replacing, so a new Air 2S arrived this last week. C. If I update my camera system in 2023, I am not going to do so until I know with certainty what Panasonic are doing, ie, maybe a new 2 series S1 line (but unless the AF is up to scratch it will be bye bye Panny) and also what Fuji do with the XH2. The only camera system I have ever really ‘loved’ is Fuji so if they hit it out of the park with the XH2, it’s my most likely destination at some point.

The biggest question is will Neo still know Kung Fu…??

The ZV E10 has only been out a few months… It all sounds a bit crazy, but the combo of factors is quite possibly enough to tip it all into a spin.

Good stuff and roll on ‘22

I think the only thing not making the new Z9 my ‘perfect’ camera.

Well I use an S1H as my A cam and a ZV1 for my static longer form stuff, so an even smaller, simpler and cheaper solution. However, I don’t mix the footage but use it for a separate purpose. I picked it up to replace my previous same 1 inch sensor camcorder that had been my workhorse for the same purpose for the previous 5+ years, sacrificing the much longer zoom lens (didn’t need anyway) for the tiny size and better AF. I think the only way you are going to know if it will work for you however is to try one and see? I tried my S5 in this role for all of this years 6 jobs (should have been 30 so fuck you Covid, but that’s another matter) with the ZV1 mounted on the hotshoe to capture the same scene. Used the ZV1 footage only on each occasion. The Pros: Smaller, lighter, cheaper, very good 4K 25p footage, excellent AF, no recording limit and can be powered off a power bank whilst recording. The ‘Cons’: The footage is not as malleable as it is with the majority of cameras as it is ultimately a 1 inch sensor, but you are looking at it’s newer and slightly larger sensor brother so… I think as tempted to change myself to the ZV E10 but then asked myself why? I can’t find enough reason to upgrade but if I was starting from scratch I’d probably go ZV E10.

There's no mention of how many minutes shooting time before it catches fire?

Just because you can... ...doesn't mean you should. I have an argument (with and for myself) for a 100mp stills camera (Fuji GFX 100s) but that is an absolute upper limit and only because that specific camera has desirable features that the GFX 50sii is lacking, mainly PDAF. I did notice a quantifiable and welcome jump in resolution moving from 24mp FF sensor to 47mp FF sensor which I did not notice so much between Fuji's APSC 26mp and Panny's FF 24mp. There was/is a difference in the latter, but it's tiny and arguably the Fuji has marginally better colour, but 200mp or larger sensors just leave me cold. There will be applications where it will be useful, but for my kind of work (social), nah.

I have both the Pan 24-105mm f4 and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 and would say that the Panny is the better video lens…just…but…if you don’t mind the size/weight/length it extends over the Sigma. Plus it has greater range…but sacrifices a full stop. So pros and cons. I personally find the 24-105 just too big for my tastes. If it was 2.8 and even if it cost twice (or more) as much and was slightly bigger and heavier still, I’d then probably go for it because if I was a Canon user, I’d make a case for their 28-70mm f2 despite the cons. But based on what exists, the 28-70mm f2.8 from Sigma is currently the sweet spot of: range, f stop, size, weight, how far it extends (not very) and cost, though the latter is the least most important factor to me. Folks often criticize the S1 series for being ‘too big’. With smaller lenses, I disagree. S5 with 24-105 compares size & weight with an S1 with Sigma 28-70, but I feel loses out on balance and handling. The bottom line…as is always the case, is that word ‘compromise’, because it always is a factor! And yes, comparing the looks/feel/build quality of Sigma’s f2 primes with Panny’s f1.8 primes, it’s no contest, - the Sigma’s are on another level. I suspect the Sigma’s are also optically ‘better’ but cannot prove that statement though I own the Panny 85mm f1.8 as well as the Sigma 35 and 65 f2s. Again, compromise and as above, if I was shooting on paired bodies, I’d go Panny…because it makes more sense (for me), but shooting specific bodies tasked for specific shooting (S1R stills, S1H video and S5 hybrid) using the Sigmas works better right now.

Excellent. If I had a pair of 24mp bodies, I’d run the Panny lens pairing of: 24 + 50 indoor and 35 + 85 outdoor. But I don’t and use just the one S1R body as my primary and only stills body so utilizing the 47mp capability, happy to use the 35mm as both a 35 and as a ‘52’ or ‘70’ indoor and the 65mm outdoor as; a 65, a ‘100’ and as a ‘130’. Some might consider a 65 too long in itself, but in this day and age of social distancing, whilst my subjects may not be practicing it themselves, I can myself…and outdoors, a 65mm can be quite wide for social work without too much distance. But having said all that, may go 28-70 next year as it offers a bit more flexibility for stills and shift the primes back over to dedicated video use or even pick up that new APSC Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 which might be perfect for my 4K 50p needs…

Hmmm, yes, define ‘kit lens’ but the Panny 24-105 is in one though a pretty exceptional one.

Or you could get a used, but as new S5 for ballpark 1000 euros… Not that I’m a fanboy or anything, - I will use whatever I need to do the job and right now that is L Mount. I could easily make a case though for: A7iii instead on my S5 (though IMO the S5 is ‘better’ + A7siii instead of my S1H and A7iv instead of my S1R. But I could make that same argument with both Canon and Nikon and Fuji, so yes, cost has to be a consideration and buying used is a great way of making things work. I did buy the first of my S5’s brand spanking new at launch…but I was without any kit at the time and had a job coming out and was probably going L Mount so… But glass aside, I bought my last 3 bodies used and with the S1R especially, at a stupidly cheap price (1500 euros). So yes, price comes into it as it has to + use case + I have to say, enjoyment which is an important factor for me.

Opinion? Depends where I was already invested... If I was with Sony and had an A7iii, nah, not worth updating to a IV IMO. If I had an A7ii or something, then probably yes, the iv is where I'd go next. If I was with Panny and had an S5, nah, the S5 is a bit of a beast and especially for the price. What's the difference between the two? Basically the same size and weight as makes no difference. SOOC the Panny is 'probably' better video and the Sony 'arguably' better stills...but we're talking tiny, tiny amounts. IBIS, allegedly anything Panny is better than anything Sony. I think in the real world, there's nothing really significant between either of these two or several other peers. I think it comes down to which system has more appeal with these two? For me, it's Pannyboy and their Pony of Hope. Yes, their tracking AF could be a smidge better, but otherwise, far more appeal going...for me...for Panasonic.

I’ve just sold one of my S5’s… I had two, plus an S1H and an S1R, but don’t need 4 cameras. I still think it’s a great camera, but I’ve shifted into a B roll position now as the others are just too good not to use as my primary video and stills cameras respectively. I’m not ‘waiting’ but hope Panny do bring out a second generation of FF cameras…but ideally not until 2023!

Indeed. This is a feature of my full frame Panny cameras that I have been using recently. For stills anyway… For video, I’m already shooting APSC crop mode because I shoot 4k 50p as my default, but for stills I have a fn button assigned to crop mode which can be set as APSC or 1:1. With my S5, I’d set it to the 1.5x crop mode but with the S1R and it’s 47mp, the 1:1 mode makes for a great option with about the same resolution as your average 24mp camera! The added bonus is that when shooting raw, the full res image is preferred and you only see the crop in your image editing software. I shot my most recent wedding this way using the Sigma 35mm f2 as my indoor lens and at 35mm and ‘70’, plus the 65mm f2 outdoor as 65mm and 130. It’s like having a twin lens set up on your camera but ideally, the harder you crop, the more megapixels help with quality!

I've had a damned cough since visiting the UK 3 weeks ago. Not been ill once in the 2 years since my last visit...which was coincidently, when I last picked up something...

Oh and ps: I use a Freewell 1/8th mist on all my lenses these days as they take away some of that digital look, reduce contrast and soften the image slightly and make the Neutral profile I shoot more *cough* cinematic SOOC which suits my workflow.

It’s been my main workhorse in 2021 with my S1H. However, I am probably moving it over to stills photography on the S1R in 2022 and then going with the even tinier, new 18-50mm f2.8 APSC only, but that’s fine as I shoot 4k 50p anyway which is of course cropped. Not 100% decided on this set up but it does give me the best compromise of the best S1 bodies (S1R stills, S1H video) paired with the fastest and smallest zoom lenses, covering basically 28-70 in each case. However, I am in love with my 35mm f2 and 65mm f2 pairing… In my ideal world, Panny would produce for me the equivalent of the S1R merged with the S1H in an S5 sized body and I could go matched bodies…in which case I’d jump on their native 24/35/50/85mm f1.8 line up without question and shoot the 24 + 50 pairing indoor and the 35 + 85 pairing outdoor. But I’m dreaming a bit there… Character? Modern lenses don’t really have ‘character’ as such but are more clinically ‘good’/sharp. I’m just happy with a nice clean image to be honest and all the Sigma lenses deliver that. The 24-105mm f4 is great, the IS superb, but to me, it’s just about tolerable when not extended, but when zoomed out, too much. I have used it for work purposes a couple of times, stills and video and it’s arguably the best all round lens for hybrid, but I am not keen on it’s size. For travel and landscape however, it’s my go to. I just want one body one lens and it’s a good compromise of wide enough angle, but much more reach than a 24-70. But back to the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8, I think it’s a fabulous compromise option and prefer it over any full size 24-70mm due to it’s much more compact size with no real world loss of image quality. In short, it gets out of the way. I’m looking forward to that even tinier 18-50 which I suspect for video work I will like even more and paired with the so-called ‘massive’ (it isn’t) S1H, will make a superb and pretty compact pairing with great 27-75mm equivalent range.

I should try mine again as it’s a good S35 focal range of 30-90. It’s mainly the variable aperture I don’t like however. This one I wish they had made f4. And had OIS to pair with the IBIS. But then it would be 50% bigger and heavier and probably twice the price so I can see why they didn’t… It’s a good ‘kit’ lens though and a great walk about daylight option. I use it as my wide stills option being 20mm full frame.

@bjohn have you tried a 1/8th black mist on it? I find that takes some of that digital look away in terms of both perceived sharpness and contrast. The rest in post. I still have thoughts about getting one again but it’s a little too wide, a little too short, a little too big and probably a little bit shit for the AF requirement I have, so the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 it is! For now… My main gripe with zooms though is the way they extend. There are some, but very few good internal zooming zoom lenses. I think Canon’s RF 28-70 f2 does as does Fuji’s brilliant 50-140 f2.8, but I wish the Lumix’s did. The Siggy 28-70 doesn’t extend much. Also intriguing is that new APSC only Sigma 18-50…