MrSMW

Early days and as with the S5 that preceded it, like it but don’t love it. To be fair, it’s not it’s fault but more my use case for it which is long static stuff and a tiny amount of gimbal. Edited one shoot so far with it and no idea what the critics are saying about it…but as above, fairly limited and controlled use so far. Shot another job but not edited it yet and then a third later this week. Really, the S1H is my workhorse for the greater part of my video work and that is a case of ‘love’ over simply ‘like’. Has a certain mojo to both using it and the output. In other news, my pair of S1R’s came back today and just in the nick of time as I leave tomorrow for my next job. I’ve tried selling one of them once previously but came to the conclusion last week, without going Sony or Nikon (both with native or adapted Tamron lenses), I just cannot get from my current need for 4 working cameras, to 3. Not without chucking 10k into the mix on top of all my trade in kit…and I cannot justify the cost right now. Or this year. Not complaining though… In my ideal world, I would flip to a 3 camera system without hesitation but also unless any future camera has internal ND, using any system for hybrid work is a pain in the arse! I know because I have been wrestling with it for about 12 years and still have not found the ‘perfect’ solution. Does it exist? Nope. Could it exist? Yep. Easily, if we mashed up a few of best bits of several manufacturers… Will it exist? Probably soon. I think we are one step away and it will become reality if internal ND’s can become a common thing. In the meantime, I will ‘soldier’ on with my pair of S1R’s for stills (and emergency video use), S1H for primary/creative filmmaking and S5ii for the more static stuff, gimbal and anything requiring good AF.

What he 👆said

I haven’t used either so my comments are entirely without substance but when I was considering (and came very close to) flipping my L Mount set up, I decided the closest would be neither the FX3 nor the FX30. Instead, it would be both. FX3 instead of S1H FX30 instead of S5 But I got an S5ii to replace the S5 as the 10k approx to change systems was a bit rich 🤑 I like them both in principle and perfect lens line up for me from Tamron and if it were not for the €‘ s, I would have done it as for my needs, it would be the only current viable way for me to get from a 4 body down to a 3 body set up (A7RV being the 3rd body in the equation). Maybe next year because I really do want to go 3 body as soon as it is viably possible.

Something I have been meaning to try is the Rode Wireless Go on the camera. As in both units. Certainly won’t be a problem with drop out due to distance 😂 I have that set up for my next gig already to remind me to try it out in the real world. Should work… Basically, I have the Smallrig half cage on the S5ii with the receiver hot shoe mounted and the mic unit next to it on a cold shoe mount. Super compact set up for in and out of a bag plus it doesn’t look like a videographer set up for stealth purposes.

Working on it! Last year, I shot and produced 32 (all weddings by the way so if that bores you, look away now!) and I was a little sporadic in my use of lighting for all kinds of reasons* Early, but slow start this year and kicking myself I did not start as I meant to go, ie, again, not full use as intended. Next job, next week, I am going to light light light it and keep on doing so for the future. This is the way. *Mainly long lay off over Winter and first couple of jobs always a bit rusty. That’s my excuse anyway… 🤨

Pro or non-pro, reconsider it. For years I went naked priding myself on being a ‘natural light shooter’, but recently I have seen the light. Literally. At all times indoors and low light, I use at least one LED light and quite often a second. I use one super lightweight light stand plus a table top tripod. Neither the Rotolight Neo 3 or Falconeyes are exactly THE last word in lighting, but they do the job I need them to do which is most fill lighting for naturally back lit subjects. They take seconds to put up and I rarely move them once set. On camera, video or stills, I have a pair of tiny 4x AA powered LED’s off Amazon that cost about 30 each. So even if the former is too much for you, I would at least consider the latter and use it on camera or off plonked on a piece of furniture or something. Even simple things like a plate of food are transformed by a tiny light sitting on the table pointing at it on a flat plane angle. Takes seconds, costs peanuts.

Ditto. Only difference to the standard set up is I swapped out the dead cat for a foam windshield instead. Just as with the Rode Wireless Go, I don’t use the result from it as anything but a base line for my lav mics. Actually, having said that, I do sometimes use the direct result from the Go if I have attached it to a speaking mic and it’s good enough, but it’s not meant for the best quality audio. I do like the Micro though because it’s very small and you can never forget to charge it!

Yep, it’s a great little lens with a fantastic 27-75mm FF equivalent constant f2.8 aperture in a tiny package, currently welded to my S5ii.

Or they won’t give a flying fcuk as so many/most big corps do not. The thing is, we think as individuals or small businesses where things like customer service are important. The big boys do not. I don’t hate them but rather just accept that is the way of things though I will try and avoid such situations if possible. Except Amazon because it’s just too convenient 😱😂

Indeed. I came very close to getting one for video use and using OM-1’s for stills so I could share native (mount) lenses. The lack of AF was the sole deal-breaker with that equation. Tried the OM-1 and for stills it was good but hated the video. Together they would have made a great combo.

Speaking of baking in LUTS, I am wondering/hoping that the S1H might get a firmware update to do this as the new S5ii can do. That would make my workflow a whole lot easier and as I only really have one client to please (me) regarding grading, would be useful.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh, camera change! Nothing new, just going back to my old (used) set up. I had just purchased another S1H to go with the one I already had, plus an S5ii...and was in the process of selling my pair of S1R's but... The 'new' S1H has some issues so is going back and after 2 jobs this season, realised 4 cameras with the lenses available in L Mount, is better than 3 cameras. Oh well, back to what works because as they say, if it ain't broke... The only system I can do a 3 camera set up is Sony + Tamron, but then I'd have to make a YouTube video, "Why I Switched".

Not that daft an idea… In 30+ Celsius direct Summer sun when a camera is going to be on a tripod for say 30+ minutes, I often drape a white cloth over it simply to avoid some of that direct sun heat. Otherwise, working typically May-Sep in mostly SW France in mostly 30+ Celsius, absolutely no way I will ever work with a camera without a fan ever again as every single one to date, HAS overheated mid job. If I was a Sony shooter, I’d have no problem using this new kid on a gimbal for limited use…but then why when Sony offer much cheaper alternatives that would do that job as equally well

I have it yes and not 100% sure of the answer… It’s packed up right now as I am heading off to my second job of the year in a short while but I think so… I’m only shooting it 4k 50p and just edited 1 job with it that had a lot of vertical architecture in the background and it just looked ‘normal’? My tech skills go as far as: A: Does it look right? B: Did it do what I needed it to do? The only changes I am making between this next job and the first is whacking the sharpening down to -5. Because I forgot to do that when setting it up for the first time. Otherwise the only thing I have noticed is the colour difference between it and the S1H. The S1H is just better. Define better? See A: & B: above 👆

Ah… Slightiy surprising then as Tamron tend to have more built in OIS or VC as they call it, than most. I would also rather have it and maybe if they had gone constant f2.8, it would have had it? Anyway, it doesn’t so… The Samyang is either a blatant rip off or perhaps they were developed together behind the scenes? The Samyang is a whole lot cheaper though!

IBIS plus many recent Sony cameras have Catalyst

Same here regarding 35mm. Well actually I prefer 28mm these days as it gives me a little more wriggle room, but I could live with 35. In my DSLR days, the 24-70 on one body and 70-200 on another was the staple of us wedding photography types, but I haven’t had one or anything longer than 150mm in a decade. Do I want one? Well yes and no… Yes as in principle but no as in every current offering is too big and heavy. Well full frame or Fujis 50-140 crop equivalent. Even any standard 24-70 is too much for my tastes these days but when Sigma popped out the 28-70 I was all over that. Optically virtually indistinguishable, Sigmas 18-50mm apsc lens is tiny and incredible really with its 27-75mm FF equivalent. I really do hope they come out with a 70-200 version of the 28-70, ie smaller and more compact than anything else (FF) on the market, but I would without a single thought, give them up for a single 35-150 if it was available in L Mount and no slower than f2.8 I have been tempted over the last 12 months or so to switch to Sony just so I could use the Tamron 35-150 for all outdoor work as my one and done. Coupled with the 20-40 for indoor is a perfect 1 body + 2 lens combo for me whereas 24-70 plus 70-200 is a 2 body only option.

They also make those little AF cine lenses don’t they? E Mount definitely has the most interesting lens options!

Actually, that is not a bad idea! I’m not going to go buy a new camera just to do this, but next time I do, I might just look at the dollar price and if it makes sense, go do that, dump the packaging, use it, bring it back. 👍

I wish Sigma would come out with something like this for L, F and N Mount as well as the usual E because many of us non-Sony users are crying out for a lens like this. In fact, if anything, scrap the f2 aspect which is only available something like 35-40mm and just make it a constant aperture f2.8 so maybe a little smaller and lighter… And internal zoom if possible… E Mount certainly has the most exciting glass (for me) right now, especially Tamron with their zooms.

Really? Compared with ‘The Latest Sony’, yeah, not in that league, but it’s not too shabby! But yes it’s a better image than the S5ii. In fact it’s better in every way other than AF or if size & weight are a priority. And it’s cheaper! I bought another a couple of weeks back, it’s that good. I use its AF all the time, but mainly to acquire focus in the first place and then flip to manual with the switches on the side of the lens that Sigma provides along with manual aperture control 🙌 I do have a need for reliable AF every now and again and the S5ii takes care of that, but at a pinch, even the S1H’s tracking is not bad if you use a few tricks…

Only one ‘latest & greatest’ in my current arsenal and that is the S5ii for the AF ya know. The rest, bought used, a pair of S1H’s, though the latest has a sticky wheel so I may trade it back for one of my (also bought used) S1R’s that have not yet reached the no point of return regarding their sale… Speaking of ‘latest & greatest’, I am ‘interested’ to see what L Mount produces FF next, whether that be Leica, Sigma or old Pannyboy himself, but not ‘waiting’ on anything. Good to see you back @kye I was wondering where you’d gone…

70-200 or can of oil?

What has Matt got in his pockets? 😂

S1H + Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 if you don’t mind a bit of size & weight, otherwise S5 + Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 for something more compact, plus costs less. The jury seems to be still at lunch re. image quality of the newer S5ii and I have not done enough work with mine yet to comment…though I suspect I will see zero difference.