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Ha! I don't think anybody owns individually 3x Sony BURANOs But if you're part of a wide production, say just shooting a few days on a doco or coming in as an extra camera on reality tv series or doing a pick up day on a feature film, then yes, what camera you are using is very important. As you're just one small cog in a bigger machine. (maybe that's one of the big differences vs a lot of photography, there is no "machine". Or if there is, the photographer is a much bigger cog in the machine, or even more likely the driver of it) I'd say there is are two very different classes of DoP: Those who own a camera vs those who don't and just rent in the cameras for a project as is necessary. (although, anybody owning an ARRI ALEXA Mini kinda fits into that second category. Just the difference is whenever they want they can access "a free rental" of their Mini from the rental house where it is being stored. As they probably won't have it being stored at home, or at least that's been the case with people who I know who own one) And those in that first category are very much so are broken up into different tiers depending on what sort of camera they have. Side note: there are people in the second category who own a camera, but still sit in the "second category" because that's how they portray themselves and do most of their work as. Their RED Raven or Sony a7S or whatever that they own is merely just their play thing, and something to do occasional passion projects with. So even though they own "the same" camera as someone in category one, they're still in a very different position, as their personal camera isn't one they daily work with. It's almost more like their hobby camera.

I can't stress enough how much I believe external recorders suck, it's just one more thing to fail (and I've seen them fail multiple times, whether it was due to a bad cable, a cable getting yanked, an Atomos locking up, an output setting from the hdmi being checked/unchecked) etc. Sometimes it won't even register until there's playback.

You're right, there's no money to be made. At least not in 2023. I don't even bother mentioning to my existing clients that I have two older Red bodies. If I do, it's basically to sell them on my C70s. And honestly, if hired me to use them without a crew, it would be a pain and more stressful to me without the conveniences of modern features. Also, I don't want to be hired for a passion project based on my camera. So I don't bring it up when networking with people in the local indie scene, unless they specifically ask. All of this being said, I enjoy owning the camera that produces footage that just looks right to me. And it will be ready to go when I finally helm another of my own passion projects.

So... I was diagnosed with kidney cancer on September 5. I had my right kidney removed on October 13 and am now cancer free (and if my scans show nothing in April I'll be considered cured!). During that entire period though, I didn't do any jobs and just focused on recovering, but had decided to dip my toe back into the water and had a small job planned for a friend this week. As I was just going through my equipment in preparation of getting back into the swing of things my pup Teri knocked over my main S5 and IT BROKE. Now, it doesn't impact my job because I have two extras of the same cameras, but obviously it left me needing to get a new camera. Sooo... I bought the Lumix S5IIX instead of getting another used S5. I swore I'd never buy a camera brand new again, but the used price isn't that much less, and I was able to get a decent deal on it with a lens. With all I've been through (having my kidney removed was, without a doubt, the most painful thing I've ever experienced, just FYI) I figured I'd treat myself. This is a long way to ask a couple questions while I wait for it to arrive tomorrow: 1. how easy is it to match the original S5 straight out of camera or with a little tweaking using the standard or natural color profile? I will use log, but for certain jobs it's just easier to skip that part. 2. why is there no third party battery grip? has anyone heard why? 3. I have a couple third party batteries. Wasabi and Newmowa brands. Has anyone encouraged any problems with third party batteries? I have like six OEM batteries but I've heard the S5II and S5IIX's battery life isn't as good as the S5. 4. what are the best settings? I've seen tons of YouTubers but I'd prefer to hear it from people that do more than film themselves in their spare bedroom/garage and actually are out there getting the most out of their camera. 5. This one is most important: I just want you all to know I love you all. My ordeal has given me a greater appreciation for life, the interactions I have with other human beings, and just everything, really. Thank you @Andrew Reid and everyone else that makes this place special.

I definitely enjoy the lighter lens after trying out Sony this year, but unfortunately the people I colab with definitely prefer the Canon colour 100% of the time.. the most recent one was shooting for this DJ from Canada where he used Komodo for Spain shoot and Sony for Oz shoots, and we shoot C70 RAW for him here in NZ, he said the Sony was really hard to get nicer colour vs Red or the Canon after he did some quick edit afterwards. So might stick back to Canon. And my friend who shoot with Panasonic does have people laugh at him for using old piece of gear (the EVA1), on this one job after seeing the result (it's a livestream job and they have a dedicated people that does lut and facial beauty thing done in real time as well) they said Panasonic looks nicer than the Sony's they used and need much less time on tweaking.

Yes, mostly because the AF is much better than the GH6, much faster and accurate, no more out of focus bug, nor pulsing in Open Gate mode. The GH6 was so bad when using low frame rate or when using Open Gate that I used much more my old GH5. Also the G9II is significantly lighter than the GH6. Like you, I would like a GX9II (without 4K crop), I bet it could sell very well. However, I still don't like the fine detail rendering in video compared to the previous Panasonic cameras like the S5/S1/S1H and GH5/G9. Since the GH6, the "improved" Intelligent Detail Filter makes the fine details very plastic in low light IMHO.

If you want even higher, there are lots of options with browser extensions if you want to go say 3x or 4x speed. For example: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-playback-speed-co/hdannnflhlmdablckfkjpleikpphncik/

I’m not sure what caused the issue. Except that I pulled the dummy battery out and back in with the camera still switched on a few times throughout the past few weeks I’ve had it. I’ve always done this with all of my cameras when breaking down my rig after a shoot. I’ve always just left the switch set to “on” with the camera. This is the only cause I can think of. Sigma UK told me that the camera expects voltages between 7V and 9V. So I wouldn’t worry about your dummy battery. I’d worry more about the plate you’re using and it’s voltage and amperage it’s outputting. I’ve also just ordered the powrig dummy battery. I asked powrig if the dummy battery had any advanced circuitry for regulating power. They assured me that it did. I’m not exactly sure if this is true or not 🤷‍♂️ But they assured me 😅 I’ve also purchased the newest NP-F battery plate from SmallRig. It has short circuit protection built into all outputs. It was expensive, but my hopes are that I’ll have it for many years using with various camera rigs. So my hope is that the combination of both of these accessories (powrig dummy battery and advanced SmallRig plate) avoids this issue of any PCB board frying again lol.

Ditto. The source as with any/all info is key, not just ‘some YouTube channel’ of which there are several million. And especially if it’s someone sat at their desk with purple backlighting, baseball cap on backwards, doesn’t have, never has had, nor never will have, said piece of kit, yet has an ‘informed’ opinion. I prefer the freelancers over the brand ambassadors also, for obvious reasons.

I've seen people saying that the G9ii is the best MFT camera ever made by Panasonic, so the comparison is being made. Of course, this leaves lots of room for improvement, as the GH6 has advantages over the G9ii, so an updated GH-line with full-sized body could exceed both, and a smaller bodied GX-line with some trickle-down features would also be a significant improvement to that line.

Great and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 is a compact high performing zoom and this pairing is my go to for ALL run & gun, indoor, outdoor, after dark… I have had several 4/3 cameras and lenses including the EM5ii and the most recent OM-1 and whilst they may have marginally better stabilisation, performance-wise, beyond that, no contest, the full-frame S5ii is just better everywhere, stills and video. Even with the f1.7 lenses. Nah, weight and IBIS aside, the S5ii kicks any and all 4/3 backsides. GH6 and G9ii users may disagree. Get in a ring with the S5ii though and we would see who the real champ is 😉 My other choice would be the S1H which are now available at very decent prices on the used market, below new S5ii’s I think and you essentially trade a more compact, lighter, better AF frame for a better built (tank) unit with far better rear LCD, beautifully damped shutter and sound (for stills and important in theatres I reckon without resorting to electronic?) and a more ‘filmic’ image. Funnily enough, I have and use both… Gone over to Nikon for stills but can’t give up my Lumix for video…

In the meantime, in a galaxy, far, far away... https://ymcinema.com/2023/08/24/panasonic-develops-a-variable-built-in-electronic-nd-filter/ I don't know if the choice to go on a larger "uni-body" could help to have this feature on all lines... I think this feature could go live on a next S1H II