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Finding a cheap, fun camera certainly can be part of the fun for those who can afford to buy one. Another part of the fun is using inexpensive gear to shoot something compelling, which can be done with a camera that one already owns. Why exclude those who can't buy a camera, merely because they can't afford to experience one part of the fun?

If there aren't lenses available for Emount that don't focus breath it could be problematic though. But yeah you are right. I have never had an issue with manual focus for say interviews. If you are really crazy with your DOF wants on the close up shot though it can be problematic. I usually stop down quite a bit for close ups. Even at f5.6 you get a nice background blur on most close ups.

Anyway let's go with this idea, I'll officially start the challenge on the blog at the weekend!

It's pretty comical the extent to which you're misinterpreting what I am saying. I said the D6 styling was far better, much bigger hump but it has smooth flowing clean lines and looks like a real professional workhorse. The EVF hump on the Z9 looks like the 1 Series. This is a $6000+ camera and must be judged as such. If it is just going to cut & paste the A1 specs sheet that is not enough, I'm afraid. Most cameras have Sony manufactured parts in them - the Sigma Fp, Panasonic S1, S1H, SL2-S, A7 III all those have practically the same sensor (which I don't have a problem with). What I would have issues with is if they were all almost identical with no unique selling points or form factors. They are ALL very different. Also some cameras like the X-T4 have exclusivity of sensor. There's no Sony APS-C body with the X-T4 sensor.

@plucas : I just tried that exact test and can confirm similar findings: EOS Original log matrix has the yellow cast while Neutral remains more faithful. Doesn't really matter what WB settings you are in.

This is where the hi res mode in Lumix cameras is your friend and one of the reasons I went S5. 4k 50p. Check. It’s APSC crop though? Great...for me, my preferred focal range is between 50-100mm FF so ideal. 24mp stills which are more than enough for social/event work. Check, I don’t need or want 50mp+. What about a hike into the mountains or a commercial shoot where I want/need a hi res shot for ultimate detail? Flick of a switch (and a tripod) and there is a 96mp raw file pretty much on par with the medium format Fuji. But the MF Fuji can’t do 24mp stills or 4K 50p so as a pony, does less tricks. I’m in the compact, do as much as possible, in one single as cost-effective package as possible camp. I know I risk sounding like a Panny fanboy, but I’m commending the tool not the brand. I’ve said it before and will say it again and that is IMO, pound for pound, other than the less than stellar AF for video tracking, this little beast is hard to beat at anything.

£50 camera ordered. Inspiration inbound.

Wait. The SL2 is sexy German design, fine. But doesn't it use Sony parts (sensor, EVF, etc.). Your complaint about Nikon was that they're doing.... exactly that. Yeah, you have better video options on the Panasonic S cameras (at least we assume, we know nothing about the video specs of the Z9). But you have worse video specs on an a7III or any Sony that's not a7SIII or a9. Color science you mention. But they're the same sensor, I thought that was the issue? Your complaint was literally "rebadged Sony" is what Nikon makes now. Not interesting tech, which is a nebulous term anyway. So, from what I gather now... "uniqueness" is the problem. That's what you value. Many people - especially pro photographers and not gear heads - don't give a hoot. If they like Nikon's body, color, lenses, performance, whatever... then they'll use it. Uniqueness isn't a metric that working photographers ever use. Yes, it is your opinion. As this is mine. My issue is you consistently fail to apply the same standards across the board. For example, your love of the Sigma Fp but disdain toward Blackmagic and the Pocket 4K/6K, despite all of your complaints of the latter being true (and often even worse) on the Fp.

Yeah but the treasure hunt, scavenging for cheap but fun stuff is all part of the fun isn't it?

Blasphemer!

I ended up getting a RED scarlet mx, unexpected to say the least lol

The general idea for this contest is great, but forcing folks to buy a camera might be a deal-breaker for some. Perhaps it should be stipulated that the camera merely has to has to be "trending" on Ebay for no more than US$150.

Given the previous thread about the pandemic, why not simply a 5x5 short film (ie 25s comprising 5 scenes of 5 seconds each) on the theme: Perceptions of Pandemic. So anyone who feels that they’ve been staring at the same 4 walls for the past 12 months will have to be creative and find a 5th scene. Who knows, you could compile the best of the shorts and persuade one of the reputable media outlets to showcase them - a global view of what Covid has meant to a group of creatives.

Just an idea... why not use manual focus and let the person just go slightly in and out of focus? ...much less distracting than electronic pulsing.

And timecode! And waveforms! And TA3F with P48! And full size HDMI! (with an additional bonus mini SDI output?? Seriously, these heavily video focused cameras such as the S1H/GH5S/a7Smk3/etc should give us a second independent output. Then your on camera monitor could be log with info overlays, and the director etc can get a clean Rec709 feed)

Wow. Kubrick often shot with the 200ft magazine, that lasts 2.2 minutes. My Arri 400 foot magazine lasts 4.4 minutes. So 1 year = 90ft/min x 60min x 24hours x 365 days = a 47 million, 304 thousand foot magazine. That’s a magazine weight of about 266,000 pounds. Is that camera on Ebay?