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I'm contemplating investing in a vintage lens set, maybe FDs, maybe Rokkors, maybe something else, but figured I'd take stock of what I have and see what I can see. First I'll post the images in case they're of interest to anyone, then digest them in future posts. Test was GH5 in 400Mbps 4K ALL-I mode, Cine-D, Daylight WB, put onto a 1080p timeline. I tested all lenses wide open (typically around F2) and at F5.6 (all lenses were closed down some by then). I also did a 2X punch-in for each lens, because I like to use the 2X digital zoom function to grab quick shots, which also functions as a proxy for shooting 4K (although that doesn't matter so much unless you're doing VFX). Test setup had some depth, some glare, some sharp detail in the background, but nothing too outrageous.. Lenses..

and here are the 2x ones....

Hi Andrew, Welcome back - we've missed you! I think you did the right thing in taking a break from it after 11 years, and very much agree with concentrating on creativity and how to get the best out of more modestly priced equipment. The latest multi-thousand dollar cameras are interesting as indicators of what will trickle down to the mainstream later, but there are a ton of other information and opinion sources covering that anyway, and for me the creative and tell-it-how-it-is blog posts/articles/forum posts have always been the real strength of EOSHD. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The videos uploaded by L.A. cinematographer M. K. Rhodes are, in my opinion, utterly mesmerising. Shooting mainly on the Komodo, she captures the city at night in a truly beautiful way. This is my favourite, so far.

The optical viewfinder and EF mount is officially dead. An opportunity for Pentax to take over a niche market? In an interview with the Japanese press (https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20211228-OYT1T50000/), CEO Fujio Mitarai says the 1D X Mark III will be the final Canon DSLR in production, and when it ceases production that'll be it. There will be no future 5D after the current Mark IV and no new 7D. This news just 2 years ago would have been unthinkable. Full blog post: https://www.eoshd.com/news/canon-officially-discontinue-entire-dslr-range-1d-x-mark-iii-to-cease-production/

Incredible... I have my 5D2 in pristine condition (like new actually and we got an entire feature film shot* with a couple of them directly to the big screen) since 2009 and still rocks especially matched when coupled to the ML booster ;- ) * shot in the early years of the previous decade:

Hey JG good to see you back. I think it's RIP DSLRs because they are taking sales away from EOS R lenses, as people like us already do, a lot of people still buy EF because we can use them on all the new mirrorless systems. So if they nuke the entire line-up and EF mount cameras, they bait everyone into switching systems. Some thoughts on that: https://www.eoshd.com/news/eoshd-outlives-the-canon-dslr/ A lot of money in pros switching and having to rebuild their entire EF mount lenses in R mount. It may however backfire on Canon as some will see it as an opportunity to dump Canon DSLRs and take their EF lenses with them to Sony, Nikon or Panasonic.

Yet more: Then the Voigtlanders. I tested these at F2 as well as wide open and f5.6 because they're so much faster than the ~F2 vintage lenses.

More:

It borders on criminal negligence doesn't it, owning good gear and not using it. I know the feeling well. I doubt the bm p4k i have has much more than an hour it. I have over time managed to accumulate the gear to rig it out. Heck i have even gone to the trouble of finding a suitable hard case for protection and making it more accommodating to my needs. Another aspect is my laptop doesn't like 4k and tends to fall over a lot when running resolve and 4k. I have taken steps to remedy that with a computer build, however i have hit a wall and cant find the energy to finish the build... perhaps in the new year. Yet i lack the incentive to use it. Other gear like the gopro, om-d10 and the iphone get a lot more use. I put it down to anxiety and the sheer convenience of using something. The smartphone, i can pull it out of my pocket swipe the screen twice and be either taking a photo or video. Thats pure convenience. For a little more effort i can mount the phone to a crane gimbal in about a minute and not look like someone with Parkinson's desease, again a win. Its great for me. Would i blog with it ? yes i would. Would a cinematographer blog with it perhaps not, but each to their own. The p4k on the other hand requires a more involved setup and a different mindset. I have yet to develop that mindset i think.

I only use 4K because I watch my videos on a big TV. I downloaded some clips with 20 and 100mbits in 1080P but I don't see a major improvement. I also compared some of my old 4K videos with my GH4 and the GX9 is really worse noise wise. I think it's a pretty bad idea from Panasonic to use such a crop on a 20MP M43 sensor.

Welcome back, Andrew! Been a fan of this blog since 2012! Keep up the great work!

Andrew, etal, It's a fine, fine thing you've created here, kind sir. Many thanks to you and fellow forum folks, from this lone shooter, for the continuing experiential perspectives, insights and education...a welcoming place for me to have shared whatever "small change" I've had to offer in return. Gladdened to hear it shall live on, and with renewed breath...'tis a fine, fine thing, indeed! 🙂 Jimmy G

The market seems to be responding to the ever-increasing prices of vintage gear online, which is great IMHO. Another example is modern lenses with a retro look: It makes sense that the same would happen in the anamorphic space. Fantastic stuff!

Merry Christmas, Andrew. I'm stoked that you've decided to continue to put your valuable time and energy in to this site. I've been here since 2015 and have really enjoyed the interaction. Can't wait to see what you have in store. Thank you for all your past hard work.

Thanks - it’s good to be around. Yeah Andrew, you’re one of the only people who actually dares to disrupt the norm and say it how it is. I’d love to see an “Am I switching” parody based on yourself. Sponsored by EOSHD so you can say whatever the ‘eff you want. 😂

Happy Christmas Andrew! That was an uplifting post to read 🙂