MrSMW

Which is what I should have been doing just over 2 years ago and then I’d be switching up 2 of those 3 bodies Spring ‘23. Covid killed that for me but I was already struggling a bit with the lenses. They have now fixed that for me. It’s an option for next year but I’m in no rush and no fixed plans so…

For me it would be just the 18 and the 56 plus the new (for Fuji) 17-70mm f2.8 paired with 3 bodies. Not the current version of the 56. It’s great for stills but not so hot for video…but a new version is coming. I’d like to see that matched against an equivalent R7 set up because they could be strong competitors? Not that I am seriously considering either as I am not in any position to change system and as mentioned various times, not seriously looking to change any time soon/this year (and a next gen L Mount based system would be my first choice) but instead, simply maintaining an interest in any and all options mostly on a hypothetical basis. The ‘struggle’ I have right now is as a solo operator, managing a 4 cam set up (for ceremony and speeches at weddings) though roll with just 2 hybrid units (handheld) the rest of the day other than tracking sequences where I use 3 with that third on a tripod. I could get to 3 units easily with the kit I have by simply dumping one of my S1R’s and using a single zoom instead of pairing each with a prime…but I really hate using zooms for anything that isn’t static on a tripod. ”Get over it” some might say but actually enjoyment of the craft plays a big part and after 20 years in the business, I still don’t like zooms any more than when I started. The appeal of something like an XH2 or R7 (or next gen L Mount or any other system) set up for me would be a switch to an identical 3 body system which is an extremely high priority for me when the time comes to change, which it will at some point. Right now I’m juggling: 2x hybrid S1R’s with their own unique ergos shooting 4K 30p, no VND and just shooting higher than 60fps when needed to control the exposure. 1x S1H with a cine prime with VND between body and lens shooting 4K 24p at 180 degrees. Different set up, ergos, weight…everything, even the position of the on/off switch all of which add up to a loss of workflow and speed. Having to think too much on a technical level… 1x S5 with zoom and lens VND shooting 4K 60p. Different again and have to manage things like a 30 min recording time and weaker battery life. Slows me down… On a 24p timeline at respectively, 80%, 100% and 40%. It works, but it’s a bit of a ‘Frankenrig’ approach that’s been built up over this season for the best end result. The compromise has been the operation. That is the bit I ‘need’ to change next time, so no (Kye), not interested in 6k, 8k or 64k. Not interested in change for any other reason than purely the mechanics and flow from a creative perspective, ie, the tools are getting a little bit in the way as things stand. I am warming to Canon for the first time however… Never been much interested in anything Canon before and other than some compact a decade or so back, never had one. The R7 is not perfect. I’d need to explore the video options more and flip out screen, aaaaargh, hate the things…but then the XH2 is also cursed with one so… Anyway, rambled enough, so I’ll shut up.

Nope. But I appreciate you knowing my mind better than I do myself Kye 🤨

That's pretty much the sum of it for me. I was maybe a little hasty moving to L Mount from Fuji and if Covid had not happened and things had been as they should have been, I probably would not and have soldiered on with Fuji. Almost 99% sure that would have been the case as I had sold off almost all of my kit and had a pre-order in for a pair of XH4's and a couple of new lenses. But Covid did happen and I did switch to an L Mount system and I am happy with it, - especially the output I get from it. However, it's a concern as a business user, - the stability and longevity of their camera division. I made a decision recently I would wait until the end of my season, so early Oct, this year. Then if a Series 2 S line is on it's way either with phase or a proven excellent tracking DFD AF system, I shall probably stick with L Mount but have some kind of reshuffle because although my 4 cam approach works, I'd rather switch to a 3 cam system and have all 3 cameras preferably identical. The only system that actually meets my requirements is a Fuji XH2s based on. Or possibly r or whatever the next camera coming this Autumn is like, but essentially they now have the bodies and the lenses that work for me and 2.5 years ago, they kind of didn't. Sony and Canon are both viable options but as much as I'd like Nikon to be, I don't think it is...but would have to check the latest spec etc, especially after firmware upgrades. A 3x body R7 approach could be my next best option after Fuji... But, I need to see what happens first with Lumix and Sigma body-wise towards the end of this year as that will be the deciding factor. I feel I am 'almost there' with my current set up, but from a logistical POV more than anything, not quite...

So you don’t think Panasonic cameras as a brand, have an autofocus related image problem, on-line, on YouTube and within the photography/video community? I’d say it’s their single biggest and perhaps only problem and yes, unless they address it, they will continue to lose sales. But no, before you ask, I do not have any data to back this up, just common sense logic. You just have to read the volume of folks either jumping ship (after “giving it a try”) or just choosing something else because of the majority negative chatter. Make a poll. Post it here or anywhere else and ask the question if you think Panasonic has an image problem (right or wrong) due to it’s AF and the overwhelming response would be, “yes it does”. Ask those who are not using Panasonic or were using, if they would, if Panny had great AF and I’d bet a large portion of the farm, much larger numbers would be all over it. They are also a somewhat frustrating company in that they do not encourage community. In fact they slam the door in it’s face. They put quite a lot out on their channel but then do not allow comments. They might put out a BTS of how something was made and the content of that BTS will be, “I shot it with Panasonic gear that really allows me to tell a story”, but that’s about the sum of it. And comments/questions/discussion/community disabled on that also. Beyond that, no idea what point you are trying to make, but in my own personal opinion, there’s more than a bit of self foot shooting going on with old Pannyboy…

‘Mr SMW enters the chat’. The problem with Panny AF is not the AF itself, but many (most) folks perception of it based on nothing but chatter. It’s the number one thing they must rectify because the negative press they get over it must be killing sales.

I was just reading about this new boy, out of curiosity more than anything because I was considering one early this year, but the lack of a tilt screen, no stab and poor battery life put me off. And then got slightly excited when I read that they added the tilt, bigger battery and gyro stab…but then aaaaargh, removed the ND! Oh well, back to my Sigma and next gen FF Panny dreams 😜

I’d personally rather see a Sigma FPv3… I like the image I’m seeing from out of BM cameras, but the rest of it, meh.

Another good option. I had one that I used for a year (personal use) for photo and video but replaced it with an RX100v which had the same sensor, a faster lens (at least at the wide end) and is one of very few cameras you really can stick in your pocket. I have used one to make entire wedding films...but it did tend to overheat a bit in the Summer of SW France so kept having to take breaks! I have the ZV1 which is essentially the same thing, just slightly more video-orientated and again, it's a great bit of kit. I use that for mostly video back up at weddings, - full length ceremony and speeches, on a tripod running off a power bank. Has not overheated once, even last week rolling for over 30 mins non stop, in direct sunshine, 40c/104f in the shade. But for personal use? Used it once. Phone every time and mine is only an iPhone 8 plus. Looking at a 12 regular size whatever it's called. Mini I like but doesn't have the extra longer lens and the 13 is still too pricey, but a refurbed 12 would suit me well I think. I'm not an Apple fanboy but can't be bothered to switch away from anything not Apple as I've had 5, 7, currently 8, ipad and now an M1 MacBook Pro. Keeps it all in house and tidy. I can't see me ever getting a 'personal' camera ever again. I just wouldn't have it with me when I wanted it, but my phone, always.

"help me choose a hybrid camera for amateur use - family and travel" So many seem to answer these questions as what they would buy rather than reading what the OP's actual requirements are... He's not shooting a Netflix series. He's not shooting plastic bags on the moon. He just wants something decent to document his life and kids. Personally...if it was me...I'd just get a decent phone and be done with it. Great video, great pics, great connectivity, have it with you at all times. But otherwise, one camera, one lens, not a unit for video and another for photography and then what happens if while in the park, you do get asked to shoot a movie because Villeneuve called in sick? I reckon nothing less than that new Arri is going to cut it...

Actually, I’m going to revise that figure for today to 50% of each as craft forms a part of marketing ie it’s much easier to market something if quality and desirable than it is a pile of poo. Not in all cases, but folks who are generally top of their game craft-wise, are usually pretty good at marketing that fact.

When I started out it was about 90% craft, 10% marketing/advertising. Today it’s more like 90% marketing and 10% craft. You still need the craft of course but if you are not being found in the first place…

I’ve never even been on a movie set (but if I could live my life over again, it’s a path I’d like to take) so only know weddings. Generally, any time I read about the stress of shooting weddings, it’s from folks that have only shot a handful. It’s all I have been doing for the last 22 years, the last 20 of which full-time, so like anything you literally eat, sleep and breathe, the actual process becomes second nature. Beside the basics, there are then really only 3 other elements: Firefighting. Dealing in real time with stuff that is not happening according to the planners spreadsheet. Shooting for fun/for yourself. Once the basics are second nature and providing you are not firefighting any given chapter, creativity can take over. Marketing. That is the biggest stress in weddings today, being found and being booked. But back on with the camera talk!

Only works for me because it’s 95% outdoor daylight use when I need it. F4 indoors works mostly also and does outdoors, but I have just been using f8 recently to give it an even better chance. I’d rather have something stickier of course and I expect the next gen will be.

Or up your budget slightly and go for Tamron’s 17-70mm f2.8 with their version of OIS called VC. Job done. Even better than Fujis 18-55 variable aperture zoom.

This. Done. Next.

Actually a note about the use of AF or my use of it… I do use AF for tracking, but as above, only one dedicated unit set up for it. My S1H is paired with a cine lens so it’s obviously manual focus anyway. With the S1R’s, almost 100% AF for stills and almost 100% when in video mode, but purely to get an initial focus lock. I have red highlighting on cranked to the max. The AF locks on extremely quickly. It ONLY hunts if you keep using the AF. I don’t. As soon as it locks, I flip the lens rocker from AF to manual. Any doubt, give the focus a twiddle and the zoomed in function comes up with even more intense red highlighting. It’s very quick to learn, super fast to use and highly accurate. ie, in video mode I do use the AF system, but purely to get me there quicker than using only manual focus. Works for me anyway.

Spray & pray? Spits dummy out. I’ve never sprayed (other than weedkiller in the garden), or prayed (despite being forced by my parents to be an unbelieving choirboy for 5 years). I need AF for the video side for a total of around less than 1 minute in 12-15 hours. Any S camera with a native zoom such as the 25-105 f4 with the right type of AF selected and with the tracking tweaked, plus f8, will track even a pretty fast confetti run. Leave that on a tripod and hit record with a centre weighted focus. It’ll work. Everything else, I use manual focus. On the photography side, DFD is pretty fast and highly accurate. In some regards, better than PDAF. If I come back from a shoot with over 2000 frames shot and 10 were out of focus, it will have been me not the kit. If I had a blank sheet today, I’d probably go R3 or Z9 as my main workhorses. Problem is, I’d still need 4 cameras as a prime user (except my tracking unit which is a zoom) or 3 if I flipped 2 of my current hybrid units (S1R’s) for 1 single unit such as an R3 or Z9, but then I’d have to shoot a zoom with it in order to run with just 3 units. I just prefer the ‘purity’ of fixed focal length primes and really do not like using zooms unless I absolutely have to. But no chance of any system changes in his year despite having a couple of teething issues getting to grips with L Mount (coming from Fuji) but 11 weddings into a season of 33, it’s all beginning to gel now. Spent most of the first 10 jobs juggling different combos and with the last 2.5 years only providing a total of 6 out of what should have been 60 jobs, it’s only in the last 2 months I have had any facility to work it all through. I don’t think I’ll make any more changes this season so it’s: A pair of S1R’s hybrid with primes. S1H in sticks with cine lens and VND between lens and body for longer stuff. S5 also on sticks with 24-105 pulling tracking and longer focal length duty. Crazy good quality coming out of it all now, only limited by the user. Or the muppetry that sometimes goes on at weddings 😉 As things stand, interested to see most of all what the L Mount Alliance produces next…

I rarely do just photo coverage these days but when I do, just 2 bodies. Ditto video. But hybrid capture which is 95% of my pain et beurre these days, 4 cameras. 5 actually because the ZV1 is rolling as backup. 6 if you count the drone! France yes. Gers based and most gigs SW based but travel all over actually from Normandy to Nice to Switzerland to Germany, but this last weekend, Brit capitol of Dordogneshire, Eymet. The 40 degrees wasn’t too bad actually because the humidity was not too high. It was worse the day after in the low 30’s because the humidity was then high. I was joking about the´plastic’ Cannots 😜

I wouldn’t choose to switch from what I have today, but one of the reasons I moved from Fuji was the lack of stabilised bodies or lenses. It was basically XH1 and slow zooms when I left. Loved the image quality coming out of the XT3 and much preferred it’s tilt screen that they ruined (IMO) with the flipping flippy flip screen of the XT4. And now Tamron has brought out the 17-70mm f2.8 (basically a 28-105) with probably around 3.5 stops if OIS. For around 1500 for this lens and an XT3…WOW. So Z9, amazing bit of kit, but just how much does something like that really bring you when it comes down to it? Very little for a HUGE amount more. When prices hit around 3k, it might be viable for me, but that is a couple of years away at least. It may even be superseded before anyone even has their preorder the rate they are knocking them out… Chip shortage? Shit shortage for anyone that wants to buy anything these days…

I don't know if I'm just being stupid, but I can't see a 'For Sale' part of the forum (?) so chucking this up here. Zhiyun Crane M3. Unused. Set it up the once but gimbals just are not for me so I packed it away again. 200 euros posted anywhere within the EU. Lumix 20-60mm f3.5-5.6. Came as part of a kit with the S5 but has not been used since I picked up a Sigma 20mm f2. Near mint/as new/barely used. Not boxed 275 euros posted anywhere within the EU. DJI Action 2. Has the new supplied DJI heat case. Mint/as new. Just like gimbals, action cams are just not for me. Not boxed because I can't find it. 275 euros posted anywhere within the EU. Bank transfer only. Will not post outside of the EU as it's just too much hassle. No Bitcoin or Disney Dollars but you'd be welcome to collect if SW France (though highly unlikely). Otherwise going up up eBay end of the week. PM me if interested in anything. Cheers. PS: please do not ask for pictures. It's all mint/as new/unused so looks exactly like the marketing/sales pictures on the manufacturers website 🤪😜

I guess it comes down to how anyone defines ‘hybrid’. Your version seems like a video-centric one with maybe a requirement to sometimes take a still picture (because you don’t mention any photo requirements) and nothing wrong with that. My version of hybrid is a typical 12-15 hour shoot day constantly flipping between stills and video all day long and if the flip time is longer than 1-2 secs max, that’s too long. It’s also about the compact nature of the kit and being ultra mobile so whilst I could rig something out to improve the video capability, it would be to the detriment of the photography. So zero rigging for me. Hybrid has to be purely camera and lens. But that’s just my need. But then I split my needs and use 4 cameras… 2x handheld (hybrid S1R’s) + 2x tripod (pure video S1H + S5). There are multiple Canon options for this I think I’d be happy with…but ouch, it would be expensive to switch to any of them! And the overheating thing with some of them… The other day I had the S5 and S1H on tripods, rolling for 30+ minutes each (had to restart the S5 when it hit 30 mins) at 40 degrees C (104 F)?in the shade, but in direct sunlight. Both were extremely hot to touch even before I hit record. I’m not sure if the fan even came on with the S1H but neither missed a beat and not a single overheating warning on any of my 4 cameras. The S1R’s were super hot most of the day as in you wouldn’t want to hold them by the metal parts for too long! It made me think how those plastic wonders that are the R6 and R5 would have coped… Can’t prove it, but I suspect they would have shut down within a few minutes max in those conditions leaving me utterly f**ked for the ceremony!

No IBIS though which means OIS lenses, gimbals, mono/tripod or stab in post and gimbals etc don’t really suit hybrid stills shooting. At least would not for me. I’d take an R3/5/6/7 over the c myself.

Could be for many… I have used it for ‘emergency purposes’ a couple of times and found it to be quite decent, but depends on your needs of course. As a pure video tool, you wouldn’t choose this camera. It’s a stills-orientated camera with a video capability. As a hybrid, maybe, for anyone that only shoots short clips, doesn’t shoot log and is happy with 8 bit (which is actually OK most of the time and for most things), but really, it becomes a better hybrid using the 5k 24/24/30p 10 bit 420. I think it’s 422 over HDMI, but IMO, if you were going to rig something up, any of the other S cameras offer better options. So I’d say it is, for hybrid/video purposes, a pretty niche machine but not really for hardcore videastes.

Yes, 15 min limit and yes to shutter angle. Not sure if the manuals have been updated after firmware upgrades, but printed ones obviously not. For stills, IMO it’s a massively overlooked camera. As a hybrid, if everything continues as it has been so far for me, it’s turning out to be a better option than the S5 and the S1H. A couple of months if you asked me to pick one, it would easily have been S1H. Today, I’d pick the S1R if I could only shoot with one. Not that the others are going anywhere as they have a role.