MrSMW

I had the following thought and posted it over on the Leica forum that I sometimes bob into and that is... I have come to the conclusion that I love the L Mount Alliance options more than anything else out there right now. The one area where I think they are failing however, is being a true alliance. Other than sharing a lens mount. What I'd like to see is a proper collaboration which would be a mash up of the Leica Q2 and the Sigma FP-L as an identical body with the only difference being the logo on the brand that sells it. Or even design a new L logo for it. The camera that is 'missing' and I desire is the size/form factor of the Q and FP, ie, rangefinderesque without being a true rangefinder. The Q2 is too limited in that it has a fixed 28mm lens with cropping limited to digitally, Jpeg only or in post with raw. It does however have IBIS and a mechanical shutter. The ONLY thing it lacks for me, is an interchangeable lens mount. The FP-L counters with being smaller & lighter, more resolution, fantastic design (but no grip, easily remedied) but a frustrating lack of features. Mash 'em up with some Panny video tech et voila, it would be FUCKIN' FANTASTIC. Someone will come along now and say, "you're dreaming mate and it will never happen", but a fella can hope... Possibly my best hope is that Panny even do it alone because it's 'missing' in their own lineup. OK, Sigma don't have an 'DSLR' style body and only have the FP line but lot's of folks would really like this to happen. And if they don't, well... 😜 And the FP-L has PDAF so imagine that...

It's really only the stills side I am interested in Kye. Video capability would be a bonus but the reality is I shoot: 10 bit 4k 50p internally, IBIS and need a tilt screen. I could get around the lack of IBIS with the OIS of a zoom, but then f4 in low light when I shoot f2 primes... I'm actually looking at investing in a small set of cinema primes, more for the fine focus than what I have now, but we'll see... For this, IBIS is going to be essential for me. I'm in no particular rush and trying to get Sigma France to loan me an FP-L for a couple of gigs but as yet, have not heard back. Right now, any and everything within the L Mount Alliance is my preferred option, but I'm still keeping an eye on other future potential options and there is nothing that is not on the table. Current issues? Very VERY few... Good tracking AF is the weakness, but less than 5% of my needs. Size & weight is the other. Apart from that, I'm a happy bunny with the kit I have. I'd just like a pair of S1H's with 30mp in an identical body, but just shrunk down to S5 size & weight with improved tracking AF and I'd never want for anything more because in every other regard, I've already hit my needs requirements. Still hoping there is a next gen FP that answers at least some of many potential users desires...

Possibly his 'owner' is the dude with the FP-L? We never see him except for his hands... 🤨 Anyway, trawling this thread because I'm toying with the FP-L again... Have been on and off ever since it came out and now that I am 4 weddings/10 attended days (most of my wedding coverage is hybrid and 2 or 3 days) and I'm not 'desperate' as such for a smaller & lighter set up, but actively looking at how I can reduce it all. My audio gear is about as minimal as I can get it and all fits in one small belt pouch so no savings to be had there. My lighting set up is as minimal as I can make it so ditto. I'm running with my 2 lightest tripods now, each around 1.5kg including heads so nothing to be done there. The S5 is pretty light and lives on one of those tripods anyway, only used for ceremonies and speeches, so not an issue. But handling the S1R and S1H for 12-15 hours is wrecking my back, shoulders and right arm...and I'm a pretty fit guy who works out regularly, but... Nothing much I can do about the S1H because there isn't anything else out there at this time that can touch it other than maybe the GH6, but the weight savings including the lenses vs the cost to change are not worth it. The S1R is a 1.5kg lump, even with 'only' the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 I could switch out for the FP-L and use the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens which as a combo is less than 1/2 the weight at 717 grams. OK, it would mean shooting it in APSC crop mode, but as it starts with 61mp... Stick the Smallrig cage/grip combo (for handling) on and it's still under 1kg. And I'm still intrigued to try one with the Lumix 24-105mm f4 (OIS) as a run n' gun video unit. Decisions, decisions, decisions, - if only I could find a decently priced mint used one to try...

Yep, that is exactly how I would do it with a base iso of 2000. Re. colour cast etc, I use the Freewell’s and haven’t see anything that bothers me. If there is anything, it’s so minimal and constant, it isn’t even a consideration.

I may go back to just shooting higher shutter speeds again and ditching the VND's... 4 weddings into the new season and with 29 to go, my body says it's not 100% happy with my current set up. Happy with all my gear, except the weight. Keeping my eye on and toying with my options as I'm not sure my right shoulder especially is going to last the year...

Not to cast shade over the way anybody does anything, but my own approach is uber-simple. Aperture wide open which with my lenses is f2. I like the wide open look and have done for both stills & video for 20+ years. Set shutter speed to 1/100 (180 degree) because I shoot 4k 50p. Indoor or outdoor after dark, no ND. Indoor daylight, ND 2-5 by default at 2. Outdoor average day, ND 2-5. Outdoor super-bright day, ND 6-9. Then to control exposure, from a technical viewpoint, I use the waveform scope, but mostly my eye because as someone who does not at this time shoot log, if it looks right on the back of the S1H screen, it is right. Or as close as it needs to be, ie, I am looking to get it right as poss in and SOOC. How I actually control the exposure is through the VND outdoor and indoor using ISO. If it’s an outdoor especially frantic, crazy light scenario, I may switch to auto-ISO and just let the camera deal with it, though it tends to err on the side of over-exposure. Shoot me, I also use AWB most of the time because unless the light is really ugly, I find it’s really good for SOOC footage. I’m not a ‘serious filmmaker’. I have zero client brief or input. They just want a wedding film in my style so I shoot for myself and the approach above is as simple as I can make that part of the process.

I almost exclusively shoot 4K 50p in crop mode on both S1H and the S5. Sometimes I might use 4K 25p with the S5, but normally just stick with 4K 50p. I’m a simple guy. I like simple things.

I can’t answer your technical questions because technical stuff just bores the shit out of me, but I use an S1R, S1H and S5. In terms of photography, the S1R is the winner. For video, the S1H. Obviously…but there isn’t that much in it at identical settings. For ergos and sheer joy of use, S1H and MUCH prefer it’s rear screen over anything else. (Not a fan of flippy side screens, - they are the devils work). S5 the winner in the compact/portability stakes. The S1R is great for video if you are happy with the single option 5k mode. I am and use it maybe 5% of the time or not at all because it’s my primary (only) stills camera. The S1 is arguably a better video option and for most people, 24mp stills is enough. Fantastic value used purchase and S5’s are a steal used or new. If I had to choose just one ring to rule them all, I don’t even need to think about it. S1H all day every day. Looked at buying another last week to replace the S5 (for reasons of I prefer identical bodies) but damn, they are rare as hens teeth and still over 3000 euros on MPB. Nothing exists at this time that would make me give up my S1H. Nothing. I’m off to write a love song about it now. Beauty and a beast at the same time. I don’t know if any of the above helps you but full frame L Mount is IMO a great system and I hope it continues to develop.

The MK1 human eyeball is reckoned to be able to ‘see’ up to 30 stops, but only around 10 or so at any given time. Mine these days feel more like 3 at all times… How much is laser surgery?

Ah well yes, I would not even attempt that kind of length with anything Fuji for sure. For longer stuff, such as wedding ceremonies and speeches, I used to use a 1” sensor Sony camcorder. I flipped that for a much more compact Sony ZV1 with the same sensor, slightly faster aperture, but less reach. I have a small battery pack attached to the tripod to top it’s tiny battery up. Run it for over an hour with zero issues, but we haven’t had the really hot weather yet...

With weddings, you don’t always get much or even any choice… Sure, capturing the couple alone, you can pick your angles but in ceremonies, if the only angle you can see their faces is directly into the sun… These things of course are never one thing nor the other, but the tech allows us to be ever more creative rather than is the source of the creativity itself. I remember the quantum leap from Nikon D200 to Nikon D3 in low light capability when 1600 iso became accessible over shitty 400 and suddenly, digital could match and even beat film photography. We reached the point, for me anyway, 3-4 years ago where I don’t want anything beyond what I already have in terms of capability kit wise. For me that is 4K 50p, good IBIS, decent tracking, good clean starting point files, photo and video. What I do want is improved use ability and for me that is now purely cross platform ergos, ie, the next time I change bodies, or even complete system, it will be because whatever I am changing to ticks the last pieces of that puzzle for me and I’ll run with that as long as I can. But 8k or 100+mp or 100,000+ iso doesn’t play a part. I would like a little better AF tracking from Lumix however…😜 Will I complain if my next camera offers 6k 120p AND improved DR? Nope, but I don’t crave or need it and stuff like that is not a consideration/purchase factor.

Could be why my XT3 didn’t overheat a single time? Ie, smaller battery and no IBIS. Had some pretty hot days shooting with it, one of which was 42 degrees C so what’s that in F, 105-100. Scorchio! I imagine Fuji are well aware of the recent Canon overheating saga so will have something. Surely…??!!

Ditto. Most of my wedding is 12-15 hours long and from June-Sep, mostly on 30+C/85+F but can go higher. Plus often in direct sunlight for hours on end which makes cameras hot to touch even when they are not working. Having said that, I have never had a camera overheat and the only one I currently have with a heatsink/fan is my S1H. My old XT3's got pretty hot, but never had a shut off or even a warning. A few years back though, my old Sony RX100V did. All the time. Too small I guess to dissipate the heat? The S1H is the target Fuji need to beat for me. In what way? Ideally, a tad smaller, though no real issue. Ideally lighter by say 200-250 grams. Same kind of screen (and XH1 had a good screen so...) Otherwise, struggling actually... The main thing I am looking for in my next camera body, whenever that time comes, is an amalgamation of all 3 bodies I currently use, into one single body type. The differences between my current S1H/S1R/S5 are actually quite considerable and the only thing all 3 share is actually the LUMIX logo on the front and the ability to use the same lenses. With the XH2, at least from the reports, Fuji may have the answer for me, but we'll see...

My money is on it being a new selection box.

I don’t think Fuji will make that mistake again… It will be interesting for sure but I suspect…and it’s only my best guess that they will be intending the XH2 as their ‘pro’ line with a video-centric model and a photo (the higher res model?) for stills. The XT line will remain a hybrid neither video or photo specific and aimed at ‘the enthusiast’. The X Pro line, currently the X Pro3, I reckon will go increasingly photo specific with ‘limited’ video spec as in you could use it for that, but they have more suited options. So 3 specific ‘flagship’ lines with the lesser XT ‘lite’ models at the lower end. I’d love to see a pair of fast, say f2 zooms equivalent to the Lumix 4/3rd f1.7 pairing of 10-25 and 25-50. One can but dream…

The ‘problem’ with Fuji…for me anyway, was they brought out the XH1 which at the time (and still is in several regards) was a great camera. It was intended as their slightly video-centric but also more robust ‘pro’ platform. And then immediately trumped it for video spec, with the XT3. But no IBIS. Pissed off a lot of Fujistas at the time, many of whom (like me) wanted the XT3 spec in the XH1 body. They then brought out an XT4 and went flippy screen which delighted the YooToobers, but didn’t please so much others. Like me. And other than their cinema lenses and a couple of more recent primes, not much for the videographer. Much as I love them, I don’t think they really have a ‘pro’ line but are more ‘serious amateur’? The bottom line for me is yes, they kind of stagnated for a bit but I think they are probably going to pop something out a bit more ‘pro’ with the XH2. Perhaps not ‘fully pro’ like say an SH1 or Canon R5c, but close the gap between ‘serious amateur’ and ‘pro’. I don’t really like the labels/terms I have used, but I think you’ll know what I mean. Purely my personal opinion of course!

I really liked my XT3's except for the lack of IBIS. Was going to go XT4 in 2020 due to IBIS (plus bigger battery bonus), but when it all went tits up due to Covid, went S5 at the end of the year. The S5 is definitely a step above the XT3/4 IMO. You can adapt Nikon glass to L Mount so potential option to consider. 'Better' video capability than your Nik's, but probably a bit less capable on the AF front...but if you were considering BM, AF is not part of the equation anyway. And they are now stupidly cheap.

Blackmagic 6k pro does I think...? I'm not even that bothered about internal if someone would just make an adaptor to go between the body and lens as Canon does for their R bodies and ef lenses. Fotodiox also do something for at least Fuji users so there's at least that. I wouldn't wish to sacrifice anything else to have internal ND such as IBIS however.

I'd be surprised if it had a built in ND, but otherwise I'd expect Fuji to deliver something pretty special. I moved from Fuji (XT3) for my stills and video work because I felt the S5/S1H/S1R combo was a better platform for me than the XT4. Plus, there isn't a single lens (other than the cinema lenses) that Fuji produces (at the time anyway) that I liked for video use, so adapted Sigma. I'm not looking to replace my Lumix combo (above) at this time/this year, but may well do so next year and a return to Fuji would be my second choice behind a next gen S line, with a 4/3rds Olympus/Lumix now a distant 3rd. My hope is that Fuji knocks it out of the park with the XH2...and then some time between then and early Spring '23, Pannyboy comes along and kicks everyone's arse because I feel I'm just beginning to get to grips with an L Mount based system and have zero desire to switch to anything that is 'sideways', but quantifiably ahead (of what I have now) and removes the few remaining niggles I have with my current set up. It will be at least interesting to see what the 2 Fuji XH2 options will be...

I tried that. Once. I couldn't get past the fact I had gotten used to mirrorless WYSIWYG and the experiment ended at that point. But re. the whole manual vs auto iso thing, my wedding this weekend (I am still at, Day 3/3) I decided to give auto iso a go for video as well as photo. For stills, I always shoot auto iso with a chosen aperture and min shutter speed. Except low light static shots such as buildings etc where I usually select 800 iso and trust the excellent IBIS for slower shutter speed stuff...which reminds me I could also lower my shutter speed from min 1/250th to 1/60th or even slower...note to self for next wedding...a bit rusty after just 6 in 2.5 years! For video though, I have always set manual ISO but as a one man band, I've experienced a few issues such as that carefully set, unmanned static ceremony cameras, exposure fixed in the sun...and then it turned cloudy on and off and...argh... So I flipped to setting the exposure in bright sun and then set the only variable as iso and the camera can take care of that. Used it for everything all the time and quite like that approach allowing the camera to take care of that one thing for me when the light changes. One less thing to think about.

I was a bit skeptical regarding this camera, mainly the stills side, but if I had a pot of cash, a clean slate and you could actually buy one, for my kind of hybrid use, it’s where I’d plop my money. But none of the above exists so I shall continue to sit on my empty pot and wait in hope that ole Pannyboy continues the S line with something thicc. Just not too thicc…

I don’t know about $ and presume it will be about the same, but storage can be had at around 20£/20€ per 1TB, so pretty cheap IMO? Iphone 13 mini however, with 256gb storage, how much?! Well over 1k euros… Equivalent 12’s, almost half that… But I’m not in any rush to replace my 8 at the moment, mainly because I have near zero time for anything personal right now and won’t most of the rest of this year.

I think the main downside to the phone is ergonomically it’s shit. Tiny lenses and less low light capability aside etc and of course there are various software solutions that can overcome some of that, but for pro use, nah. It’s not even the ‘what would they think of me’ scenario as what people think of what gear choices I make doesn’t concern me, so for me it’s not so much a case of could you, but should you? My personal line is the compact camera. I have zero issues using a compact camera for pro use and to be honest, if any of them had 4K 50/60p, I’d be using them for all my video work. I used to use only a Sony RX100v for an entire season. OK, I had to limit the clips as it overheated a lot and low light, it was a bit shit. Last year and this, I use a Sony ZV1 on a tripod with a powerbank, for my full length ceremony and speeches productions. That side of what I deliver to clients is not meant to be some work of art, but long duration, as it happened, single take productions. And for that, it’s just fine and for speeches in lower light, I’m lighting the scene anyway. All my considered capture throughout the day is all full frame Lumix. So my pecking order as it were is: ’Proper’ kit for serious filmmaking + compact kit for static longer form stuff + phone for all things not work related. I do have an itch for an X100V or a Sigma FP though… 😉

Outside of work or being a ‘keen amateur’, most people are best served with a decent phone. I know that for the last 3-4 years, I have gravitated over to using my phone for anything that isn’t work because… A: It’s convenient B: It’s good enough (and these things just keep getting better) I was late to (smart) phones really, starting out with an iPhone 5, then 7, currently 8+ (which replaced both my 7 and my iPad mini). Probably not this year, but next I reckon I’ll go for whatever is the highest spec, but previous gen and in the smallest size. I’m not even sure where things are right now with Apple but is it 13 or 14…but one gen back for the best balance of bang for my euro. And it will be an iPhone, not because I am a fanboy, but it’s just easier to keep it all in house across phones, laptops, iPads etc.

I’m on that fence with the useable one side and dependable on the other… Shot my first 12+ hour wedding of the season with 3x Lumix cameras yesterday and for stills, 9/10. For general video use, 7 or maybe even an 8/10. It’s just the forward motion tracking where it gets sketchy. Sometimes it will (mostly) but more often it won’t. 2/10.