MrSMW

Not yet, but if they make a longer range follow up, it’s a done deal for me and I will instantly get the pair for either L or Sony. As a standalone, it doesn’t quite fit in my lens line up but based simply on the specs and trusted reviews, it is a perfect lens for my use case. Would I prefer it to be 24 as some cry for? Nope, 28 at the wide end is perfect. Longer than 45? Nope, 40 is one of my favourite focal lengths so having a few extra mm is no issue. Size, weight, build etc. It’s a gem I have never even seen in real life but hope to one day own.

I personally loved it. I think that because it was inspired and based upon an artists work, that it really inspired them with visuals. It just struck me at the time that there was something about it. It will be interesting to see if I feel the same about it the second time round. I shall know this evening!

Fuji avoiding FF and sitting both sides seems like a good call to me also. I have often thought about going back to them for cropped video and GFX stills.

Which makes me think of another camera type, the one that does not exist but you wish it did. For me, that would very much be take something such as the G2, to my eye, one of the most gorgeous cameras of all time, but reuse the chassis with more modern similar camera sized digital spec. Retro-modded cameras! I'm surprised that no one is doing this. Or maybe I just have not looked... So I suppose this then...

It's a very good mix and like you, I am not keen on mixing footage unless I have to. Having said that, sometimes no choice such as when adding in stuff like action cams and drone, but I have not had anything especially jarring in any productions to date TO MY EYES, so it's fine. I have been considering the Pocket 3 myself because it will be better as a gimbal cam than my S9 in 'gimbal mode', but it's a question of whether I really 'need' it or it's just one thing I don't actually 'need'. But otherwise, I think there are another 2 camera types not in the mix above: Action/dedicated gimbal camera and flying camera, AKA a drone.

Possibly and Fuji does have their funky SOOC Jpegs which IMO do beat the equivalent Zf (which is a bit of faffing to achieve) but for someone like me who only shoots raw, those Zf files are a definite step up over those cropped Fooj files. Possibly not needed with a Z8 and a better companion to the Z8 for video or hybrid would probably be a Z6iii, but as a stills + hybrid, I do think the Zf would be better and more fun. But only if you needed/wanted a sidekick and you probably do not. It's a slightly quirky one for sure and I bought it, used it on 3-4 jobs, sold it, re-bought another, have debated selling it (for another A7RV and I still might) but for now at least, it stays. I can't see it not being around for at least the whole of this season actually because as I have mentioned multiple times, I AM more than happy with my current set up, but always considering alternative options and the most likely of those is a switch to wholly Nikon for 2026. I want my in camera crop overlays a la LUMIX though in both stills and video plus full LUT support and until that happens, it is not happening for me (a switch to Nikon). And even if they did bang those in with firmware next week, I think it's probably too close to my season kick off now to change so if there is going to be any change of system(s) it would not happen until this time next year. But who knows what will happen between now and then...

Me also. I have 3 problems with the cinema these days and they are: 1. In the UK, they seem to be full of people who talk, scroll on their phones (distracting flashing lights in the dark) and munch munch munch munch munch relentlessly and the sound of other people eating is not a pleasant ASMR. 2. In France (where I live), about 1 in every 20 screenings, they offer a VO option (version originale) for language and being a Brit, of course I don't want to watch a movie dubbed into French. These screenings are usually pretty low attended...which is good, but they insist on adding sub titles in French and that is extremely distracting because you can't help but read them. Or you are focusing so hard on trying not see them...which is impossible. 3. The majority of movies released these days are shit. I don't know if it's due to the Covid years, the strikes, tastes or whether the market simply demands dumb stupid shit, but most of the movie posters even look like those stupid juvenile YouTube thumbnails. I don't expect every movie to be made for me or be highbrow or a cinematic masterpiece, but for every movie released these days that I might be interested in, there's about 20 series I can find. And I don't have to go out to watch with French subtitles. Mrs SMW is ging to the UK for a weeks as of tomorrow morning so I am temporarily regaining full control of the remote and the first thing I am going to watch (rewatch) is Ripley on Netflix. Best thing I have seen on that channel. Then I am going to rewatch 'Tales From The Loop' on Prime as I especially enjoyed the cinematography of that one.

I think...as you are discovering...and I have also had experience of, this is the issue and that is the UK team seem to be on the ball and the EU team 'less so'. Hope you get it resolved and soon. My bigger issue is not so much with MPB, but DHL as their primary courier company. Maybe it's the same in all rural areas and I appreciate that most of the drivers are sub-contract being paid a pittance so anything that is even slightly off a convenient route, they inconveniently (for me) ignore. Repeatedly. And then pretend they called and I wasn't in...except my office window looks directly onto our 150m long lane, ie, you can't get within 150m of my house and me not see you.

None of the ^above^ just no harm/enjoyment in considering alternative options. Same as if I owned a Porsche, - wouldn't stop me looking at the latest Aston on-line, at a car show or simply parked up in the street and then wishing I had a bigger garage. And bank balance. I sometimes look at multi-million currency yachts and houses I will never own, plus more affordable ones I could if I wished. Call it an 'enthusiasm for the industry as a whole'.

I'll send you my bank details so you can transfer the funds. Let me know when they have done that and I will confirm receipt and then once I have purchased and had a play with the new cam, I'll let you know my thoughts 😉

I guess showing what the worse case scenario is if your set up and capture is badly considered?! I'm more interested in seeing real world footage than extreme studio set ups some seem to focus on, but each to their own I suppose, but walls and charts and even cats, have little relevance to anything I shoot. Also, when a camera or lens review is 100% at night. Unless that is all you ever do... It's also what makes out of season for practice sake, very difficult for me as the material, landscapes and lighting I have to work with May-Sep (in season) I cannot replicate out of season. So I don't bother anymore and just get up to speed very quickly in the Spring! Anyway, Nikons... Now that you have a Z8 Mr Reid, are you considering a Zf sidekick in the near future?

Only 2 principal categories for me; work + personal. Work can be broken down into 4 categories; static video, roaming video, hi res stills, lower res stills. I have/need 6 cameras in total; 5x work + 1x personal. The personal is either (day to day), phone. The personal for trips is whichever of my pro cameras I fancy, ie, I simply re-purpose rather than have anything dedicated as such. This year for work, 5 is the magic number; 3x video + 2x stills. It might seem a lot to someone else, for a one man band, but it isn't really. I have 2x S5ii on static longer duration video duty + 1x S9 on freestanding monopod run & gun roaming, 1x A7RV with 3x zooms for principal hi res stills with Zf + 40mm prime as my candid 'low' res stills unit. I don't have anything surplus to requirement and don't keep kit I don't use unless it's cheap stuff/bits & bobs, but not cameras. I have a few lenses I either can't shift or haven't bothered to, but probably will soon. Ultimately, I have tools not toys, but only because tools pay my bills and I find I don't get enough out of having dedicated toys as such when. I can repurpose a tool! The closest I have to a 'toy' or fun camera is probably the Zf and I am just deciding right now actually for a portrait shoot in Paris next week, whether to take the A7RV with 28-75 or the Zf with just the 40. I think I will probably just go with the Nikon...

Other than that one is green and one is magenta, but apart from that... 😉 The only thing about the above result is it's a pity it's not the same model because different skin tones in real life lead to different skin tones in the result. In the above ref. pics, Jonny's skin tones look better than the other fella's green, but this might have been a little different with the same model.

From all I have read, makes great pics but it's a painful experience and you can go get a coffee, allow it to cool and then drink it, between switching it on and it then being ready. The next one wasn't much better and even the most recent model gets a but of chatter about the user experience being less than it might be. Which really just goes to show just how much time and money you need in developing a camera. I still want one, but it would have to be the latest model and maybe in a few more years, maybe as my 'swan song' final camera before I collect my pension. For the more expensive stuff at least, for sure. OM-System vs OLYMPUS Might have been more to it than simply wishing to stamp their own brand...quite literally, on their kit, but utter madness to otherwise throw away brand heritage. But then there is hilarious levels of brand re-use such as MG on a Chinese electric car brand. The cars are 'OK' by all reports, but if they think for one second they are tapping into the swinging 60's string backed leather driving brigade, ha! It makes zero sense using this heritage badge. None!

I took a look, but the immediate migraine made me want to go and have a lie down. I'll get Emmanuel to translate and give a concise breakdown.

Don't think I didn't see what you did there 😜

I miss the year when you could scroll through that list and read 'LUMIX S1H' and shout, "get in there son!" Maybe one day (year) we will see LUMIX or more likely Nikon in the list...

And possibly the right thing for them as a hybrid at that level might just be too niche? Like might be able to pull it off, but their product is considerably less. Fujis cheaper still... There is an argument that the FF market is already saturated so maybe they should not try and compete in that arena, but then MF is 'sexy' over FF which most want over APSC which most want over 4/3. But how would they add video to their megabucks stills camera and bring the price down without massively dumbing it all down? Or maybe in their niche market (really shared only with Leica) for a 'luxury hybrid' to fly? Not literally fly. That is parent company DJI's job.

Exactamundo. I know there are a couple of FF primes that work on the GFX due it being 'not quite medium format', but I'd need a range that met my needs and ideally, all one single line. This is why as things stand, in a few weeks, for my S9, I will be picking up the LUMIX; 18mm f1.8, the 50mm f1.8 and then undecided but either the 85mm f1.8 or the 100mm f2.8, all over the Sigma range. I prefer the Sigmas, especially for photo, but I'm looking at this as head over heart and those boring looking, but consistent size, weight, filter thread, fast silent focusing dullard LUMIX's have to win in this situation. Not without the glass, but well, physics. I'd rather it had 100mp though just for the insane cropping. Right now, I have a single with 3 zooms and with my Mr Sensible head on, no better option. However, if his alter ego Captain Sensible (look him up if you don't know) takes charge of the ship, a pair of the things with a set of 4 Sigma primes might just become more attractive... The Zf would have to go to make room however and I'm not sure about that at this time.

I will certainly look at it. Through my bifocals. After refilling my pipe and changing my pants, naturally, decorum and all that. One does not go on-line without upholding certain standards. I will be surprised if there isn't one, although it could just be a load of wishful speculating chatter?

Which is fair enough and your argument holds water, but there is another scenario and that is if Panny were to acquire Leica, there could be a 2 tier structure which might be: Tier 1 which is your pricier and photo-centric if not 100% photo only M's, and then, Tier 2 which might be your less pricey, but still premium hybrid and video gear. What exactly would this achieve for Leica? Absolutely nothing other than continued existence. In this hypothetical scenario, they have just been bought out! But Panasonic LUMIX or now Leica as they are known, have a stronger place in the marketplace due to brand. I think Nikon NEED to do it with Red and have a 2 tier structure that is: RED Nikon for their video-centric offerings and Nikon RED for their hybrid and photo. In both of these hypothetical scenarios, there would also have to be parts pricing and tech differences, but it's what I would do in their shoes and that is not try to cover al bases or be a jack of all trades, but cover your niche and cover it exceptionally well.

I kind of agree but also am personally somewhat wary when it comes down to too much personal detail as to what, how and how much. You never know just who is reading... Information can be taken and used against people/businesses in an underhand manner and I have had this 4 or 5 times in my career, and those are just the times I aware of! In my specific case...not that I wish this to be about me, but to emphasis the point, I have worked my nuts off for over a decade to achieve something in the marketplace that does not really exist, even today. I get self-entitled folks directly holding out their hands for an info dump (seriously such as, "you don't know me, but here are 10 fundamental questions relating to your business I would like answering" and then get all offended when you politely decline) and others slightly less direct but still fishing, usually as seemingly genuine, but fake enquiries that then have a question and then another and then 2 more and then...but I spotted them well before that stage. I won't even reveal the true nuts & bolts to a paying client. And paying clients never ask anyway. But anyway, there are a few here and potentially for the future that can or will only share to a point, especially if a competitor could say, "thanks very much, I shall take that and set up shop on your doorstep for 25% less". There are others who might wish to share but also wish to remain anonymous so their 'celebrity' status keeps things more grounded. So I can understand the reluctance of some, many even to discuss anything of this nature beyond a certain point. I wish it were otherwise, but that's my experience. It's a dog eat dog world!

That is probably the single best thing they could ever have done or ever could do. No one cares who engineered the thing or where they got the bits from. Everyone cares about the badge. Even people who say they do not care about the badge, they do.

And this is where it falls apart for me... As a 'one & done', a single body with longer of those two zooms is OK...to a point...the 100mm in MF point being not even half the reach I need. Could I compensate with cropping? Yes, that's why I prefer a high MP camera for stills, but even 100mp is pushing it a bit taking what is an approx 80mm lens in FF terms, to well over double that and f4 for anything low light, (which can be quite a bit of my work), is borderline too slow. I had and used the LUMIX f4 24-105 and it was not the best experience other than outdoor and day time. And this is the 'weakness' of MF for me, - the sheer physics over 100mm in FF terms, - it just gets too big, too heavy and too slow. For my specific needs. On the other hand, the 2 body approach could work, but is utterly dependant on each unit being much more compact and light over a single 'one & done', though the combined size & weight of 2 units might be more. For a 2 body approach to work, it HAS to be primes only and something no bigger ideally than Sigma's f2 range, so their 20/24/35/50/65 and jumping up to 90mm, f2.8. On a body ideally no bigger than A7RV or at a push, Z8, a set of 4 would work for me and of course these are native to Sony and almost native adapted to Nikon, but to Fuji GFX, I don't think so? And even if a workaround could be found, it comes back to the same thing and that is, "then what is the point?" as in you switched from one solution to another that doesn't benefit you in any way so why? Same as I love the idea of a Hasselblad X2D prime set up, - I would absolutely love it...but I think more with a rose tinted spectacle approach than a real world one. And that is without considering the cost! So right now, the SL3 for me still remains the single best option all factors except cost considered and that is where it does not and cannot work for me. A pair of those with a 4x prime Sigma set up would be nuts, but nuts beyond my means. My A7RV to me is my 'poor man's SL3'. And it is a very fabulous poor man's SL3 so until such time as something significant changes, it remains in it's role.

Don't get me thinking about that one! That's been in and out of my shopping basket numerous times and in some ways, is the ultimate option for stills. My stills needs anyway. The ONLY thing that has really stopped me has been lenses. Just how do I get a small/light/compact kit that can cover everything from 20-200mm providing nothing slower than f2.8 FF equivalent and no smaller than 24mp at the long end... With MF Fuji, the body can do it, but the lens/whole system, not quite, or rather the compromises are ones that I am not prepared to make. Having said that, a pair of the things with a set of 3-4 primes and... aaaaargh, nooooooo. Change for me at this point in time has to bring something quantifiably useful because my needs have already been met. It's interesting looking though and I think sensible to at least look at any and all options because that in itself can sometimes provide a creative aspect not previously considered. So I look and I consider.