ac6000cw
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Everything posted by ac6000cw
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Is suspect the reasons for leaving out IBIS (other than the Mk 1 didn't have it) are cost and weight e.g. the Sony ZV-10 ii doesn't have it either. But it's still larger and heavier than the A6700 and X-S20 (which have IBIS), and has the worst battery life out of the three. Nikon seem to be targeting the ZV-10 ii & X-M5 market price area but with the EVF as added value (in exchange for heavily cropped 4k60p, a larger & heavier body and less extensive moderately priced lens choices). Prices from Wex in the UK: Size/weight/battery life spec extracts from dpreview.com: Z50 ii: A6700: X-S20:
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...which means it's using a smaller area than a M43 sensor when capturing 4k60p (1.5 x 1.5 = 2.25 crop relative to FF). If you enable EIS (it has no IBIS) that adds an additional crop.
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It's not my main camera - that's currently an OM-1. I've kept the GX85 for use as a travel-cam, fitted with the 14-140mm lens - that combo is smaller and lighter than some smaller sensor 'superzoom' cameras. Its main downside (for me) is the poor quality audio (and no mic jack to work around that). The cropped 4k video isn't ideal either, but at least it's less cropped than the later 20MP sensor GX9 or G100. So (like you) it's my "when size & weight is more important than image and sound quality" M43 camera. AFAIK the only *reasonably small* hybrid M43 20MP cameras with uncropped 4K are the Oly E-M10 iv & E-M5 iii and the OMDS OM-5 (and they are all taller than the GX85/GX9, and only the E-M5 iii and OM-5 have mic inputs). I've thought about replacing the GX85 with an E-M5 iii or OM-5, but I already also own an E-M1 iii (the OM-5 is based on it internally) which is a bit larger and 170g heavier but is 'free' to me. I think what both of us would really, really like the G9 ii/GH7 sensor and processing in a smaller body...
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If you need the superzoom lens, the combo of A6700 + Sony 18-135mm is actually a bit lighter (and is a slimmer lens) than X-M5 + Fuji 13-135mm, plus it has an EVF. (Assuming https://camerasize.com/ sizes and weights are accurate). But the Pana 14-140mm is much lighter and smaller than either the Sony or Fuji lens, and has wider zoom range... it's really hard to beat as a 'do almost anything' travel lens. I've been doing these kind of comparisons myself recently, with a view to possibly buying a *small* MILC with better video support than the GX85 I already own (and one that has a mic input). Comparison - https://camerasize.com/compact/#910.702,935.426,673.931,ha,t
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As a G9 owner, note 4k50p/60p recording time is limited to 10 minutes. It's 30 minutes for everything else. G9 is a later design camera than the GH5 with better IBIS and AF (it's also bit larger than the GH5). It can't be powered over USB, but 3rd party dummy battery power adaptors are cheap. IMHO the (oversampled) 1080 50p quality isn't that far behind 4k50p in real world usage (and it can record it in 150Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2), if you need more than 10 minutes continuous recording. The more recent GH5 ii basically combines the best bits of the GH5 and G9. As for the 'long compact zoom', the Pana 14-140mm F3.5-F5.6 is an excellent small and light 'superzoom' if you don't mind the variable aperture. Probably my all round favourite M43 lens. The 'much brighter at the long end' 35-100mm F2.8 is also fairly compact, but has more focus breathing.
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Panasonic has added a new S9 firmware update 1.2 to replace the withdrawn FW 1.1:
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Is Panasonic rethinking high-end full frame mirrorless line-up?
ac6000cw replied to Andrew Reid's topic in Cameras
Interestingly, in the Optyczne.pl 'Movie Mode Test' of the S9, they found some changes/improvements have been made to the video processing compared to the S5ii, so maybe that will turn up in a firmware update for the S5 ii? S9 test: https://www.optyczne.pl/94.4-Inne_testy-Panasonic_Lumix_S9_-_test_trybu_filmowego_Jakość_obrazu.html S5 ii test: https://www.optyczne.pl/70.4-Inne_testy-Panasonic_Lumix_S5_II_-_test_trybu_filmowego_Jakość_obrazu.html Z6 iii test: https://www.optyczne.pl/91.4-Inne_testy-Nikon_Z6_III_-_test_trybu_filmowego_Jakość_obrazu.html There are also some downloadable sample clips on the next "Summary and sample videos" page of the tests. The S5 ii is a 'good value' camera, making the best out of an old, slow (and cheaper) sensor which limits 4K60p to an APS-C cropped region of the sensor. The Z6 iii is nearly twice the price of the S5 ii and has very recent, much faster, sensor allowing full-frame 4k60p with low rolling shutter (and it supports internal RAW recording). It's not really a fair comparison. I had a play (in a camera store) yesterday with an S9 fitted with the APS-C Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN lens. Quite a nice combination at less than 800g total weight and I thought the handling was OK. As I normally shoot at 50p/60p the S9 would basically be an APS-C video camera for me anyway. Not sure yet if I actually want to buy one (versus other 'compact' possibilities like the ZV-E1, A6700 and ZV-E10ii, which have a much wide range of lenses available) so I think I might sit on the fence for a while and see what happens with the S9 pricing - in what has become quite a 'hot' area of the market. -
Or just buy an X-S20 instead, which has IBIS and EVF.
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Video quality is the same on both E-M1 ii and iii. Video-related differences are basically better C-AF and IBIS on the iii. Note the E-M1 ii got a major firmware upgrade in June 2019 (to rev 3.0) so if you buy one, check/update the firmware (latest version is rev 3.7). See https://support.jp.omsystem.com/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/software/firm/e1/ for firmware details. 'OM Log400' on E-M1 ii & iii is only 8-bit, so isn't as 'gradable' as the video from modern cameras with 10-bit Log. Probably better to shoot in 'Natural' or 'Flat' (low-contrast, but not as low as OM Log). As for previewing the image before shooting, don't forget that you can connect a large-screen monitor or TV to the HDMI output of the camera, *but* that might not be available when the camera is 'tethered' to a PC.
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I remember looking at the E-M5 ii for video some years ago (due to it having IBIS, which Pana didn't have at the time). I downloaded a few test clips from reviews, saw how bad the aliasing was and stayed with Panasonic... I think I'd agree (based on my E-M1 ii & iii versus G85 & GX85 experience), but the GH5 & G9 are at a higher level of quality. especially in 1080p. Yes, video is definitely the 'poor relation' to the stills side on Oly/OMDS cameras (even on the OM-1, which is otherwise a much improved video camera over its predecessors). I'd love to be able to reduce the sharpness in 10-bit video on the OM-1 but you can't (it's close to being over-sharpened) and have a 10-bit 'Flat' or 'Natural' picture profile available. On the other hand, the simple three-level IBIS adjustment and being able to turn on and off magnify/movie tele-converter while recording are really useful. The on-camera audio is better than the Pana G85 & GX85 (which are particularly bad)... I agree. The official 'OMSYSTEM_OM-Log400_BT.2020_to_WDR_BT.709_v1.0.cube' conversion LUT seems to produce odd colours, and I've never found any 3rd party LUTs for the OM-1. After a lot of trial-and-error (and learning about LUTs) I made my own OM-Log400 BT.2020 to BT.709 LUT which I use most of the time.
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If you can live without 4k 50p/60p, the fixed-lens Sony ZV-1 is tiny but only goes up to 4k 30p max and the battery life is terrible (I use one as my 'pocket' video & stills camera):
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I think the (APS-C) Fuji X-S20 is one of the smallest MILCs that can shoot 4k 50p/60p, but with a 1.18x crop (on the left, fitted with the small 15-45mm power-zoom kit lens, S5 on the right):
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Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
I didn't try it with any of the footage in that video, but I have tried a trial version of Topaz in the past on other 'railway' SD DV footage. Basically I found it not much better than using FFMPEG upscaling and sharpening, so I've never convinced myself to buy it. -
In the UK, I've also found Wex to be quite good for buying and selling used gear - https://www.wexphotovideo.com But for something quite niche like a Bolex D16, as others have said MPB might be more interested in it (but based on my experience, major used dealer buying prices are about half their typical selling price, depending on demand etc. for the item).
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If a Panasonic G9 will do what you want, then at the 2nd hand prices they sell for today it's a steal - better video quality (8 and 10-bit) than any of the Olympus/OMDS cameras I've owned (E-M1 ii, E-M1 iii, OM-1), good IBIS, and 'clean' HDMI output on a full-size connector. Note it can't be powered over USB (only for battery charging), but third-party 'dummy battery' adaptors are fairly cheap - I use my G9 powered by one, connected to a projector for meetings with no overheating issues. I certainly wouldn't even think about paying $1800 for a new E-M1 ii or DC-GH5S - as MrSMW said, buy an 'as new' or 'excellent' grade used camera from a major dealer that provides a 6 or 12 month warranty and returns if you're not happy with it when it arrives. All the cameras on that Panasonic list (and the E-M1 ii, E-M1 iii and OM-1) are pro-grade cameras so even a cheaper 'well used' example should be fine - my E-M1 iii was bought 'well used' from a dealer, with some deep scrape marks and a couple of (easily replaced) missing port covers, but it works perfectly. Yes, it's harder to decode than AVC/H.264, but any decently modern PC/Mac should have hardware decode support in the GPU for it (up to 10-bit 4:2:0 4k at least). Note some of the Panasonic cameras can record 10-bit AVC/H.264 if it's a problem for you.
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I agree. (For the OP) The best quality video mode is 'C4K' (DCI 4096 x 2160) at 24fps - the other 4k frame rates only support UHD which is noticeably softer. The E-M1 iii is not much more expensive second hand now and has better video C-AF and IBIS. Video quality is the same as the E-M1 ii. You need to use 10-bit mode on the OM-1 to get the most detailed video - then it at least matches the E-M1 ii/iii C4K level of detail but offers 25 & 30 fps as well as 24 fps (and the UHD is pretty much as good). Downside is that 10-bit is HEVC only and either OM-Log or HLG - no 'normal' picture profiles or adjustments. 8-bit UHD & C4K is about as detailed (i.e. a bit soft) as UHD on the E-M1 ii/iii.
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Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
I've still got a fair amount of firewire-captured footage from mine - it's OK viewed from a distance (it is interlaced SD video, compressed with an early realtime compression codec, after all). The first part of the video below (in 4:3) was recorded with my DX100 24 years ago, the second part (from 12:32 onwards) was recorded 5 years later with a Sony TRV33 single-chip camcorder in 16:9. Both have been de-interlaced, stabilized and adjusted (as far as I thought was sensible!). The content is niche nostalgia stuff for railway enthusiasts like me... https://youtu.be/p-u7CGdcXn8 -
...and the dpreview news item: https://www.dpreview.com/news/9525732938/canon-announces-the-eos-c80-cinema-camera
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Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
I agree (and is what I do - I'd never render to interlaced output today, even if all the source material was interlaced). I was just pointing out that modern GPUs (and TVs) have very good (and fast) deinterlacers built-in, so using a GPU-based hardware deinterlacer in the editing software if available is a good, easy way of exploiting that. -
Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
It's two interlaced (upper & lower) fields per frame, with a field being captured (for 25 frames per second) every 1/50 second. Probably using a 1/100 shutter speed by default to get 180 degree shutter per field. Normally I deinterlace that to 720 x 576p at 50 fps for editing (but I'm a 50 fps person, not 24/25 fps 😉 ). A modern adaptive deinterlacer (e.g. in a PC/Mac GPU or modern TV) will try to give you the best combination of resolution and motion smoothness depending on the picture content. So static content should retain the full vertical resolution but fast moving content requires interpolation from a single field or blending from both fields to avoid getting horrible 'comb' effects on edges. Basically if you play 720 x 576i content on a PC (or Mac etc.) you'll be watching an adaptively deinterlaced version of it. The editing software I use (Vegas Pro) has an option to use the GPU adaptive deinterlacer (as an alternative to simple interpolation from each field or blending) - don't know about Resolve etc. as I don't use it. -
Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
The replacement for my stolen DX100 was the NV-MX500, another 3-CCD camcorder ( picture from an Ebay listing ). -
Cupboards clearout (DVX100, DX1, old camcorders topic)
ac6000cw replied to Tim Sewell's topic in Cameras
Me too (my first mini-DV camcorder). Got stolen after few years from my house and replaced by the insurance company with a later Panasonic model that I never really liked. Went Sony and Canon next, then final tape based camcorder was an HDV Sony HC3. -
Psychological / physical effects of frame rate on the human body
ac6000cw replied to CyclingBen's topic in Cameras
By my reading of the research paper you linked to, the frame rate of the video made no significant difference to the perception of time (which is what was being tested). The speeding up and slowing down of the video by 20% (which was of people walking across an indoor market) did change the test subjects estimation of time after watching 8 minutes of speed-changed video (which could be described as a subtle form of brainwashing/suggestion, to produce a temporary 'new normal' perception of time): Manipulating viewers perceptions/expectations is how many movies work e.g. lull the viewer into a relaxed state with characters chatting in a cafe - then suddenly a bomb goes off outside and all hell breaks loose... -
I assume it's for the same reason the GH5s has no IBIS - for use in 'crash cam' situations where the high G-forces and vibration would upset (and potentially damage) the IBIS mechanics, introducing worse picture distortions than you'd get without IBIS. I think they're primarily intended for situations where the camera is used in a fixed position and operated remotely (like, I assume, in BTM_Pix's picture above) or in 'hostile' environments where they are cheap enough to write-off if the worst happens. They're just aimed at a different part of the market compared to the S1H - and if some are selling 'used for close to what they were new' that suggests there is decent demand for it (the non-IBIS GH5s has also held its used value quite well).
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I'd be quite surprised if there isn't an S9 body with the 25MP M43 sensor inside it somewhere in the labs, but as you say would it be a commercially sensible product? But looking at the way the used prices for GX85/GX9/E-M5 iii and OM-5 are holding up, at present there's obviously demand for that size/weight of M43 camera.