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Funnily enough, I’ve been at my storage unit today going through stuff in the dustier boxes buried at the back to do exactly the same. During the quest, I found this and concluded that Panasonic really do hate us now. Was there ever a camera more inclined to make you pick it up and go out and film with it.

Arrived in Seoul and recovering from flights etc. A storm rolled in and I grabbed some shots with the BMMCC. I'm just getting used to the low-light limits so these are test shots as much as anything. I've done almost no grading to these at all, but they look like movie frames, I'm really impressed.

I like how behind this camcorder is the word "Triggers". It sure is one for some of us. Hah!

I tried using just pure gyro logging on my iPhone mounted to my Z6, but easily got lost trying to find matching gyro files, especially if I forgot to log for a take or whatnot which would throw off my sequential order of gyro clips. Having a visual reference is way better. Of course, in a perfect world we would get internal gyro like on new Sony bodies, blackmagic cams and reds, but this is a solid workaround. I also have played with both After Effect’s Pixel Motion Blur and Davinci Resolve Studio’s motion blur. Both are good; AE might be a bit more accurate, Davinci’s faster, but both work well. I will say for very fast moving stuff though it’s very hit or miss. And I am starting to realize the tediousness of the post-production workflow.

Yep. I find the most efficient workflow for those who need external gyro loggers is to use either a phone with the GyroCam app or an action camera. This is because they record video as well as the gyro data. Then when you come across a clip from your mirrorless camera you want to stabilize, just find the corresponding video clip where the same action is occurring; then you just sync up the gyro.

I've just seen it on theatre and it's simply stunning. Extreme depth of field in all desert shots gives you the impression to be there.

GX85 or LX10, also GH5 would show mush whereas the M2K produces a believeable low light image. Nice shots. Thanks for posting. Enjoy your trip. We will enjoy your findings and footage you might share.:) @kye

It really looks like Panasonic is getting some momentum with improved AF. Hopefully their extended time between releases just means they don't want to bang out incremental upgrades. From my admittedly distant view, the S1->S5->S5II releases each brought a substantial upgrade, more so than many other product lines. With the new XLR2 module and 32 bit float, they entered a whole new realm of camera feature, and it would be odd if they didn't bring that to their FF L-mount line. I hope Panasonic adds 3 things to a new S1H or BS1H model. 1. Faster readout--this is the only image recording upgrade I care for, compared to the S5 2. Compatible with their 32 bit float XLR module. I assume any flagship cameras will support it going forward. 3. Internal NDs. I guess at this point I'm fine living without them, but we can always hope, right?

GH6's sensor was designed by Panasonic and OEM manufactured by Taiwan Nuvoton Technology (which acquired Panasonic's semiconductor business in 2020, and shares a 49% stake in Panasonic's wafer fab joint venture with Towerjazz)

If it were to only take videos, I could make do with the camcorder and a phone. However, I find the phone too limiting and ergonomically a black hole of no return. Like you say, "thread the needle" is the name of the game on holiday and travel. Don't want to get too noticed by family or others. There are a couple of lenses that can make the MFT system unique for this purpose: Olympus 75-300mm, at only 423g, it covers a lot; Panasonic 12-32 kit lens, at 70g, why wouldn't to take it?; A favorite fast prime; there are many- just pick and choose your favorite(s). There are lots of options and I often find myself in the weeds.

Interesting observations. I've mentioned my priorities elsewhere previously, but the first one is to get the shot. What this means in reality is having a camera with you that you actually take on the trip. Then that you take with you when you leave your accommodation. That you take out of your bag / pocket and turn on. That has the right lens to get the shot you want. That can focus and expose and compose fast enough to capture the moment. There's lots of pitfalls along that road for cameras to fall into and result in not getting that shot. Packing a smaller MFT with a long zoom and a faster lens option for low-light is a master-of-none package that threads the needle pretty well to get the shots you want. Do they look like a Cooke on an Alexa 35? - hell no. But if I had one of those on a trip and pulled it out in public the only thing I would be able to film would be people looking at the bozo who was shooting a movie, that is until security stops me asking for permits.

I'm back from holiday. In retrospect, although the camcorder was fun, I suffered from "camera paralysis", a horrible disease where you don't know what to take with you. In the middle of my stay, I realized the GX800's display couldn't cut the mustard in any sort of bright conditions on the beach or in the Palouse area of Washington State. I did the right thing by obtaining a E-m5 iii, an old fav from a few years ago that I had sold. I'm now reconverted to MFT. I'm not sure what to do with my S5ii. I'll probably sell and pay down my car. Might sell the GX800 too (though it's a fun camera). Or, not sell anything. Next time, I will be bringing MFT lenses that cover ultra-wide to 600mm equivalent and I'll have no need for the camcorder.