MrSMW

Nah, that was from last years advent calendar.

🤣

On the fourth (not) day of Christmas, my dealer said to me, it’s not the SL2 you want but the 3. Or a Canon R5.

On the first day (not) of Christmas, my dealer sold to me, a Leica SL3. (OK, an SL2) On the second day (not) of Christmas, my dealer sold to me, a Canon R3. (OK, an R5) On the third day (not) of Christmas, my dealer sold to me, a Nikon Z6III. (OK, a Canon R5)

I'm guessing stock, probably not!

It's available for Nikon Zf, but dare I...

I find they don’t tend to give a fuck these days as their attention spans are limited to TikTok memes only. Birds just aren’t what they used to be…

Nor me, but I can't unseen it now 😝 Same, - it's just an internal back up drive for me also. Another rabbit hole for me to explore. Thanks for that 😜 Yep. Or prime lens wander about all day camera. Yep, Zf is the better low light camera. Sitting on the fence whether I should get the Voigt 40mm f1.2 in Z or E Mount... And that of the A7RV even more so. I'd pay any premium in weight and cost quite happily though the actual screen is not a dealbreaker for me and the size & res is good. I could make a case for that and if there is ever going to be a Z7III, I could see that becoming a reality. I don't have any other than I wish it was a bit smaller and as above, would prefer a more sophisticated rear screen, otherwise no issues. Right, off to check out skinning options 🤗

I would pick the Z6III for most of those reasons also, but especially because with the adapter, it opens up the entire E Mount line, whether that be Sony's own lenses including the new 28-70mm f2, or the entire Sigma and Tamron series. Canon, you just get Canon. Everything lens-wise, bigger, heavier, more expensive. And potential fire-fighting duties. R6III vs Z6III makes more sense from just the body perspective?

Well out walking my dogs for the past hour, and came to the same conclusion. Other than build/brand/looks, but in the real world... It's an option I have been considering now that I have the Zf and that is dump the zooms completely and have instead: Zf + 40mm f2 as my candid, all day, walkabout, mid focal length option, plus, A7RV with 3x lens options from the Sigma contemporary line, the; 20, 65 and 90 and then use them either at those focal lengths, or at the turn of a dial to become; '30'/'100'/'135'...and that has a TON of appeal, - less overall range and less flexibility with any prime compared with any zoom, even with cropping, but smaller, lighter, higher quality results, better low light capability etc. And as you say, a used A7RV is FAR cheaper, never mind more capable than a Q3 and no bigger or heavier if the Q3 has a baseplate and thumb grip. But it's still not a Leica and wouldn't love it as much... But then, there is also the real world and the difference in cost could be the bucket list 2 weeks in Japan...

But it's ridiculous just how cheap S1Rs are now.

This mornings amusement: https://camerasize.com/compact/#934,917.1018,898.952,ha,t Leica Q3 43 but for me would need a base plate and a thumb rest and there is a bronze set available from PolarPro which looks ridiculously desirable 🤩 https://www.polarpro.com/products/leica-q3-accessories?srsltid=AfmBOorJs0qAPlW2wH0G9AHm4eHV97YOvl1QocFhgGtcfURYewDSkB5T Vs My poor man's Q3 43, my Zf with 40mm f2 SE lens, except not shown is the Smallrig grip. Vs My A7RV with Sigma 35mm f2 Contemporary which arguably, other than badge and heritage and all that shit, is probably better than the Q3 anyway. Have a set of 20mm f2, 35mm f2, 65mm f2 and the 90mm f2.8 in a small bag and you have something off the charts more capable than a Q3 in 28mm or 43mm flavour. And an orange baseplate is available and maybe if I look hard enough, a bronze one... https://www.digit-photo.com/3-LEGGED-THING-Ellie-L-Bracket-Universel-Orange-r3LEGGEDTHINGD16378.html

Well pretty much the only future type of camera I am interested in is a high megapixel point and shoot a la Q3. Right now, if I had the cashidos, I'd scratch that Leica itch with a Q3 43. 100mp would be even better for increased cropping ability. I know some moan about increasing megapixels in cameras and I am of the opinion that 24 is quite enough in most scenarios, but it's that ability to crop either in camera or in post that works for me. That purity of going out with a compact fixed prime camera but knowing you can crop the shit out of it. I've considered the GFX 100S for this purpose, the Hassie X2D (ha, way above my means), the Q3 itself, a used RX1R (a bit too old now) and the X100VI (not quite capable enough IMO) plus the A7CR. The only thing that bothers me abut the A7CR though is the shitty rear screen, the single card slot and something else I forget that put me off and made me realise the A7RV is just better, whether used as a fixed prime 'compact', or as a more advanced lens platform. But right now, if I had 6.5k euros burning a hole in my pocket, Q3 43 for sure. And maybe after the end of the 2025 season, I will... 😉

Compared with the S1R, badge aside?

Updated RX1R?

Possibly, but I don't see them as competitors. The SL2 and R5 sure, but neither with the Zf which is a different beast. The Zf really is more of that slightly larger personal camera with a prime that can do hybrid really well, but is not quite that lens platform that the other two in this mix are. I think all 3 options have merit, but for different reasons and ultimately as it usually does, it comes down to use case.

Well obviously they are playing the retro card a la Fuji and for anyone not coming from either shooting with the type of cameras the Zf is inspired by, or anything like the Fuji rangefinderesque or actual rangefinder body type cameras, the Zf body doesn't make much sense to those who have grown up with more grippy DSLR type designs. I came from that background using the type of cameras the Zf was inspired by for 5+ years at college, uni and then professionally so I'm OK with the format. Plus extensive use of Fuji X Pro 1 and 2's. The rear screen is a bit of an anomaly for this type of camera but actually, for stills especially, it makes a lot of sense and as someone who shoots maybe 25-30% in the portrait orientation, a very quick and easy system to use, along as you don't use a camera strap because camera straps make the use of these types of screen a real PITA. I don't (use a strap), but either the Spider Holster or a small bag, so not an issue. I did try a strap again but unless it is extremely thin for the first say 6 inches at least, PITA! Vs the Z6III, that camera is supposedly more capable and is definitely better ergonomically, but the older sensor in the Zf that it shares with the Z6ii, is arguably 'better'. More DR and from some extensive testing from others, just appears to have a nicer image. I think it's the same sensor as in the OG S5 and a few other cameras, possibly the OG Z6 also? This sensor does not offer the full frame 50/60p options etc that the newer sensor does, but it seems at the expense of outright image quality? I do think it's too big however and as someone who has added and needs an additional grip (despite my background with this style of camera) especially hopping backwards and forwards with more 'DSLR' type bodies, but wish it was at least 10% smaller. Weight is rarely an issue and I would rather it was smaller even if it got heavier. Anyway, not trying to defend the thing at all costs as many if not most of your points are quite valid, but my experience of it is it is one of those cameras where the reality of it is much better than the spec sheet or initial first impressions. When it first came out, I wasn't expecting it or looking for anything like it. But when it was announced last year, I was intrigued enough to pre-order one, something I rarely do. Initial first impressions were it was bigger than expected. Shot the thing and fell in love with it immediately and that rarely happens for me with cameras. Tried it professionally with mixed results on a few jobs and the two areas where it did not quite work for me were: A. Use of adapted Tamron zoom lenses which made for slightly odd handling. The Zf is better with primes for sure. B. Use of adapted Tamron zoom lenses without Sony body in camera corrections produced a few odd results that were not always possible to fully correct in post. So I sold it and bought a Sony A7RV instead which is without a doubt, a far superior bit of kit in almost every regard. Except: A. Low light and B. Fun. So I bought back a Zf on special offer for just over £1500 on special offer which was not far off what I sold my OG one to MPB for back in the Spring. Fun levels have been restored. In summary, as I have said before, I think it's one of those bits of kit you either gel with, or you don't, - very much a marmite camera. Personally, I love marmite won buttered toast so works for me. It's also one of those cameras you have to go shoot to double-check you gel with it. There is something in it's use, the rear screen res that I use exclusively, the shutter sound and feel that just does it for me. Now that one is one that I have been on and off the fence with and IMO is the 'new' Leica SL2. Arguably, the SL3 is more capable in a few areas, but at pretty much twice the price. Used Z8's are still not quite low enough for me, but I am off the fence now re. the Z8 and if I was going to trade my A7RV, ie, my pro work stills camera, for anything, it would be the Z8 based on what is available today. I checked MPB prices and the SL2 can be had for around €2.6k for a 'like new' one and the Z8 €3.8k, but just for some screen articulation alone, I'd need to go with the Z8. Still got a Leica itch to scratch some time. Maybe...

I have actually tried using second shooters from time to time and even farmed out editing, but nah, that drives me even more insane. At least when you do it yourself, your mistakes are your own and you can then use those to 'inspire' yourself to reduce them going forward as much as possible. Other than say tracking a couple with a gimbal and aerial drone stuff, I'm just not a fan of non-deliberate camera movement and I just decided towards the end of this year, I was spending too much time correcting in post or having material that just bugged me. It's really simple for me and that is I ask myself the question, "did you want to see any camera movement at all in that shot?" and if the answer is no as it is 99% of the time, I then have to ask myself why da fuck I wasn't then using at least a monopod if not a tripod. And the answer to that is convenience/laziness. I can't fully trust the freestanding monopod to be left unattended and 3 legged tripods with typically 3 points of extension (ie, 9 twists or clicks) are not the quickest things to use in faster paced environments. So in addition to my freestanding monopod and because my current lightweight tripod is no longer working properly, I am getting one of these: https://www.amazon.fr/-/en/dp/B0D93FB6VG/?coliid=I3I7882LSYHI5Y&colid=3UZ2Z0IEUEIAP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it I have a pair of heavyweight tripods for proper static use, but you can't realistically work with those in most scenarios other than situations where you do want to set stuff up and leave it unattended knowing it can't get knocked or blown over.

Leica fangirl shill 🥱 But seriously, fair play and all the SL2 really lacked for me was any form of tilting or rotating screen, otherwise a used one could have been on the cards. And those are insanely low prices now! I must have lower standards because I haven’t got the same issues with the build of the Zf. OK, it’s a given it’s not going to be Leica build quality, but no issues myself and it shoots brilliantly!

In what regard...because nope, never heard of either of them?! I'm aware there is supposed to be a fairly imminent Sony A7V, but I don't have any real interest in that either. Or any other cameras or lenses except one and that is I am hoping Sigma do make a longer sibling to the 28-45mm f1.8 such as a 45-90 or 50-100 f1.8, but other than a Pocket 3, no plans for anything in 2025! I would have stuck with my main 2024 set up other than I found it a bit overkill so made some adjustments by removing 2 video units and replacing them with a single hybrid, but otherwise, no complaints.

I looked at a few more examples of this kind of thing yesterday and came to the conclusion, that without even trying it, raw is not for me 🤔 It's those file sizes when it comes down to it. If ultimate image quality was my thing rather than 'high level of quality that is 'good enough as far as I am concerned', then 200mbs smashes 2500mbs in my world because I don't need file sizes 12x the size for marginally improved image quality some of the time that only the nerdiest of nerds would ever notice. Nah, quite happy with burning a custom LUT at the time of shooting into all my footage. I have no need to please anyone but myself and my paying client who is paying and trusting me to deliver something similar to that which I showcase which comes full circle back to shooting to please myself, because that is what they are seeing and buying into. Which is partly why the S5ii (I should be on commission from Lumix) for me cannot be beaten, as in add up all the features I want out of a camera and system, for my needs, and it's top dog at any money. Considered Z8 and Z6iii and a number of Sony's and some Canon's and a few Fujis and nope, - nothing quite measures up. I still prefer...just, the image straight out of the S1H, but you can't burn a LUT straight into the log footage and it's AF is a bit wonky. I've been editing a ton of footage recently and with most clips, I am saying to myself, "yep, just what I wanted and limited tweaking required" and if it's off in any way, it's more because of my failures re. lighting and WB where I have either not recognised something or simply forgot to flip to another custom setting. Perfect? Ha, no, just as above, 'good enough as far as I am concerned', for my wants and needs. Raw would just be a major headache and overkill. At a level of 12x. As a minimum.

I'm heading back to working mainly on a tripod or monopod for as much of my work as I can. I'm just not a fan of the handheld look that seems to becoming increasingly popular...and increasingly annoying to my eye as in rather than simply being part of the unfolding narrative, all I see is a camera operator. Anything and everything I can do in 2025 on sticks, is happening and the key to that for me is instead of having my principal run& gun video unit on my right hip to hand, it will always be on either my freestanding monopod indoors, or new super-quick and super-lightweight tripod outdoors which will force me out of the laziness of shooting handheld. If I ever need to or want to shoot handheld, it will be with either the monopod or tripod still attached. And when I say laziness of shooting handheld, I am not saying it is 'lazy' per se, because if you like that look and are deliberately going after it, great, but rather it grates on me personally. There will still be a place for handheld and for gimbal type work, but at very specific times for very specific purposes. Nothing to do with M43 or APSC, but the mentions of tripod resonated with me! Most of what I learn and then act upon, tends to come from not so much what I like, but rather what I don't like and as someone in the industry, I find it impossible to switch off when watching anything, whether it be a series or a movie because all I see is the BTS! Well it's not all I see and I am inspired by some of the stuff that I see and like, but it's like bad audio, - bad (to me) camera movement really grates on me and as a result, I am determined not to inflict that on my own clients if at all possible!

Kept a single S5ii.

ALL items gone and thanks for the purchases folks! Ain't no extradition from where I am now headed...

All items now SOLD except the 'Like New' S5ii! Actually less of an update than it may sound... Still Sony for primary stills and no changes there. Still Lumix for primary video, but downscaled the amount of kit I had as there was a bit too much set up and breakdown, on-site transportation and logistics etc which kind of defeated having the extra kit. Nikon is back in the mix as it was at the start of the year, but for 2025, in a hybrid role as a stills sidekick to the A7RV when I want something lower res, more fun and more candid use, plus better lower light. Also works in a secondary role for some video work. Plus after a long time of just using my phone, I wanted a 'personal' camera, so the Zf with 40mm f2 is just that for me.