Trek of Joy

Nice hands on experiences @Geoff_L and that aurora shot looks great! The new FW looks like one major complaint has been solved - manual exposure in HFR modes. Interested to see if anything else is significantly improved. I want to test one and see if it can replace my a73 - which has been a photo/video workhorse. Chris

Seeing this thread has made me put out a watch on ebay. Looking for a cheap raw camera to kick around on, though the ML 5d2's or 5d3's are tempting too. But 60p and cinema DNG's make this really appealing. Chris

Been using a Sennheiser G3 for years. They can be had cheap now as the current model is the G4. Got the lav, handheld and XLR plug-in for my shotgun. Its been all over the world, thoroughly abused and still works perfect. Chris

I'll wait 6 months for the "Pro" version that shoots raw and 4k. Till then meh... Chris

I'd be all over this one as well. My entire E-mount kit would hit the buy and sell boards pretty quick if this ever sees the light of day. The RF lenses are amazing, the bodies, meh.... Love the early specs of the 1dx3 since I shoot a ton of stills and video for every assignment, but I can't go back to a OVF or a fixed screen. Build it Canon! Chris

Very cool, nice job. The sunset shot is epic. Chris

20fps with the electronic shutter, will be interesting to see what rolling shutter is like, but that's a9 territory with DAPF. Add in the killer video specs - at least for now before we learn about all the gotcha's like crop and such - and this potentially makes for a killer photo/video combo. The same internals could be a monster "pro" Eos R that's been talked about. Whether Canon will cannibalize their flagship with a mirrorless body is another story. The number of high end R lenses being released gives one hope. But its still Canon. Chris

That looks great, raw or 10-bit? Been eyeing the E2c to dip a toe in before diving headfirst with one of the s35 or FF models. I really like what Zcam is doing. Cheers Chris

Costco, in the last 3-4 years, has stocked the previous gen GoPro's when the new model is introduced. They have a fresh stock of the 7 now, I just saw a new display a few days ago. Same when Canon and Sony discontinue cameras, they get sold off in massively discounted Costco kit lens bundles. Though lately Sony seems to have stopped discontinuing cameras and just keeps dropping prices after each new version is released, so I haven't seen one in awhile. If you don't live near a Costco, YMMV. As to the 7, I have two, other than the occasional lockup and thermal shutdown when shooting timelapses in direct sunlight, I haven't had any issues. All of my usage is under the hot Florida sun, or underwater. I've been happy with mine. Chris

This is good to know. Just upgraded to iPad OS a few days ago as I was traveling and didn't want to disrupt anything with a major OS update. Now trying to get an updated file handling system sorted. I'll be traveling for 10 days in November and using the iPad Pro as my only photo/video editing solution, sounds like I need to add the Gearbox to my kit. Cheers Chris

I've thought about that, but I'll wait for some comprehensive tests first as I don't think it'll be sold out for 6 months like the P4k. I mostly shoot handheld, so RS is a big concern. Plus I get the feeling - much like Blackmagic cameras or the ghosting in the S1's - once its in the hands of many some warts will surface that will create issues. I'd rather wait to see how everything shakes out first rather than be a beta tester. Chris

The price completely blows me away, this should be completely sold out and on perennial backorder like the P4k for that kind of cash. Thought this would be closer to $3000 when announced. At $1899 its VERY interesting. Like many I've been sitting on the sidelines to wait out the rest of the 2019 announcements *cough* a7s3 *cough*. I have a gimbal so for me the Fp vs the S1H is a push. I have one in my B&H cart, waiting to see a few real world tests before hitting buy. Chris

I agree. The FX6 will be the a7s3 we all want, minus the IBIS and the $3200 price tag. Chris

Meh... Every new Sony announcement has me feeling like the a7s3 is going to be a major dud - from rolling out the same damn sensors across the board except for the a7r4 and the endless 8-bit parade, I'm expecting very little from the s3 beyond the Z battery and the new AF. Chris

The FF cine cams with a9 AF is interesting. Someone above me said the a7s3 is dead. I've always felt there's no way Sony allows it to be the S1h equivalent and gimps it in some frustrating ways to not step into FS territory. Perhaps the pro division getting Alpha's most sophisticated AF means good things for the a7s3? Maybe they introduce a real cine hybrid body? Or maybe they've decided fuck it, others like Panasonic can have the smaller margins with a small volume camera at $4k, we'll sell the same number of $8k (FX6) & $12k (FX9) cameras anyway to our large user base of FS shooters and to those buying Canon's for DPAF. Presumably there's still going to be AF versions of the FS5/7 coming in mk3 versions, especially with the new 16-55/2.8 finally offering a fast standard zoom. Chris

You sure that's not just a prop camera? Its not like they have a lot of options with XDQ cameras that support Cfexpress. Chris

Cameras and computers - to the best of my knowledge - are not a capital expense as they'll be in service for years, so you must depreciate. You can't just buy $10k in lenses and write them off, people could easily game the system and "go out of business" following a massive tax break. The rules are below. And I suppose some can justify Netflix as a business expense, if you shoot weddings probably not, there aren't enough Big Fat Greek Wedding movies to make that work, haha. Its $16/mo, I personally wouldn't risk being flagged for an audit for something that nominal trying to justify what percentage of your subscription is personal vs. business. But that's me. Like I said, I have no desire to get on the IRS' radar. I'd still recommend a consult with a tax accountant, they can take a look at your business and lay everything out, one hour of their time is worth it compared to the many hours you can spend going through IRS documents and trying to figure out how the laws apply to you. Chris Pub 946 has info about depreciation. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946 Requirements: You can depreciate most types of tangible property (except land), such as buildings, machinery, vehicles, furniture, and equipment. You also can depreciate certain intangible property, such as patents, copyrights, and computer software. To be depreciable, the property must meet all the following requirements. It must be property you own. It must be used in your business or income-producing activity. It must have a determinable useful life. It must be expected to last more than one year.

I'm in the U.S., so my knowledge is based on our tax laws. First, I'd talk to a tax accountant and setup a LLC so your personal property is separate from your business. Second the IRS says deductible expenses must be ordinary (something typically used in that field, so cameras yes, mountain bikes no) and necessary. Eating is not a business expense, lunch with clients is different. For gear you can follow a depreciation schedule. For vehicle related expenses track mileage religiously, and then you can deduct a portion of maintenance expenses along with mileage. Don't see how Netflix or a video game can be classified as a business expense, but a percentage of your utilities, internet service, house payment and so on - yes. I'm also not a fan of making myself a target for an audit, so I stick to what can clearly be defined as a business expense. Also, the IRS - assuming you're American based on your location - has everything laid out in glorious government confusion here: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/deducting-business-expenses Chris

As an a6300/a73 owner I don't give two shits about the new a6x00's, especially the "flagship" with the old sensor and same video specs. $1400 gets you a Z6, which outside of AF and photo FPS speeds, is superior in every way. The only way Sony gets my cash to upgrade the a6300 is the XT3's sensor and 10-bit/4k60p, but its obvious that's not happening in the next 2-3 years until the next gen bodies are released. Been tempted by the XT3, but I mostly use AF and I don't want to carry two sets of lenses, so I'm still in the Sony camp for now. But I'm also in the camp that doesn't expect the a7s3 to be anything close to the S1H, IMO it gets a new sensor - Andriodlad says the quad bayer is coming - and the new AF system, with 10-bit HDMI only to keep it out of FS5 territory. I've done a lot of work in TV and doc's, its split between C1/300's and FS5/7's in my neck of the woods. Everyone shooting commercials I've worked with is on Canon or Red except one company that uses a FS7. I can't imagine Sony letting the a7s3 run into FS territory the way Panasonic just created a FF mashup of the EVA and GH5 in the S1H. Sony is going more conservative with every new camera. Chris

This device always seemed a little goofy on paper, then I had a shoot with a team using a well kitted Red and walking around in the Florida heat/humidity for a few hours. It really makes life easier walking around with a large camera and you can get a great handheld look without the gimbal float. Chris

Hard pass. Outside of improved AF and on the top end model a great LCD hinge, meh. Looks like the same rolling shutter and frame/bitrates as my now ancient a6300. I agree with the comment above too, funny to see the 35/1.8 and a 2.8 APS-c zoom just months apart - something people have been screaming about for years. The big winner after Sony goes the mild refresh route with more of the same - Canon. The new M6 looks really good in comparison. Chris

That's a bit of a stretch. Sony being Sony, you know the a7s3 will be gimped in some way like low bitrates, or they'll finally go 10-bit, but only 8-bit internal, but they'll wow everyone with the new AF system. No way the a7s3 has the video specs of the S1H, that's too far into FS territory. And it'll still have Sony's shitty LCD hinge and useless touchscreen that I hate so much on my a73 and a7r3. Will it get the 5.7mp EVF? Maybe or maybe not. Right now absolutely nothing is known outside of a vague statement saying it will exceed expectations. Given recent releases, my expectations are a new sensor and mild evolutionary updates. 10-bit internal would exceed my expectations, so would PDAF. The Fp - little is known at this point and Sigma cameras have never really been competitive price wise with others in its class. It wouldn't surprise me if the Fp was $4000. They're a small company and this will be a small volume camera. To make their nut, IMO its not going to be cheap. Panasonic is playing the long game and with the new Sigma lenses the L-mount will take shape pretty quickly over the next year. The 2.8 zooms are coming in the next few weeks according to rumors. The AF issues do need to be addressed, they really need a more competitive system to make the bodies more adapter friendly with Canon lenses. Right now the AF with adapted lenses is pretty awful. Since the S1H shares a lot with the rest of the S1 line, development costs are lower than a completely new camera like the EVA1. I do think their lens pricing is out of whack, while they are class leading, getting people to buy in is a tall ask when the lenses AND bodies are more expensive than the competition. Sigma lenses can't come fast enough to make the L-mount more viable. People are saying Nikon mirrorless - and Nikon in general - is dead after the Z6/7's lukewarm reception. The AF update fixed a lot of the issues at launch - they really should have sorted that first, but I can see why they went the route they did. You have to start somewhere, and like Panasonic they got a lot right. How they respond to shortcomings with the next bodies will be telling. Chris

August 27th the S1H will be officially announced. Hopefully more will be revealed beyond price and ship date. https://www.l-rumors.com/its-official-panasonic-s1h-announcement-on-august-27-at-1600-london-time/ Chris

If the Red patent gets invalidated, that may not be the case. The a73 and Z6 are considerably cheaper in the US. The S1r made no sense at its launch price. The a7r3 is even down to about $2500, which is pretty amazing for those more photo focused. But its not just the body, the 50 and 70-200/4 are more expensive than the competition. The 50/1.4 is $900 more than the Sony with its current $100 rebate. SMH. Chris

Everyone is putting stuff on sale right now, and with the Z6 refurbs going so cheap ($1800 with the 24-70/4) a $300 reduction isn't enough to get the S1 noticed. Panasonic's pricing strategy is still a little out of whack compared to the rest of the FF mirrorless world - outside of Leica of course. And they severely underestimated the importance of AF in this segment. They nailed the ergos and all the specs including class leading EVF and LCD and this camera just went nowhere, kind of like the Fuji XH1. The S line is forever going to be a small volume niche camera if they can't get AF issues sorted. DFD is going to be the downfall of the S line, which is sad because this camera could blow everything out of the water. I do like the Vlog image. Looking forward to seeing what else the S1h brings. Of course if the Z6 raw update ever happens, that makes the S1 a lot less appealing. IMO. Chris