Trek of Joy

The competition at the $2k+ price point is tough, and buyers looking for more stills oriented cameras are certainly not buying m43 in greater numbers than Canon/Nikon/Sony offerings. I get why they're doing this with the Olympics coming up and such, there's just really not much of a market for this. How many are going to buy a $3 or 4000+ m43 body with a permanent grip and some iteration of that same 20mp sensor? Not many. The rumored spec isn't really attractive to anyone that's not heavily invested in m43 already, and even then it looks like a small upgrade (not in size, because its huge) over the EM1.2. Olympus has painted themselves into a corner and it looks pretty bleak. From 43rumors: Name: E-M1X OMD camera Sensor: 20MP Frame rate: 18fps 7.5+ EV Body Size: 144.37 x 146.765 x 75.345mm (body with a built in vertical grip) High Res: Can shoot handheld High Resolution images (around 80MP) Photography focus: Sports and Wildlife shooters Launch: January 2019

I don’t see Panasonic abandoning m43 anytime soon, they have a complete lens lineup and by all accounts the GH line and others have exceeded sales expectations. What I do see is something similar to Sony with aps-c, new bodies and few new lenses over the next 2-3 years. Panasonic pretending PDAF doesn’t exist isn’t doing them any favors either, but that’s another argument. Where m43 fails is at the $2k+ price point, especially on the stills side. CaNikon still dominate with 3/4 of the market and they’re still heavily focused on the photo side of things. M43’s strengths are size and stabilization. Once you move into high end m43 with fast zooms and primes, you can easily go with a larger sensor in Fuji or Sony, and build a similar size/cost kit that delivers superior IQ. IMO m43 still has a great future, but trying to push upmarket with a small sensor is a losing proposition. People do cross shop and compare things like DR and IQ, they’re clearly choosing other options. Mirrorless is the future, but casual ILC buyers are shrinking, that’s why we’re seeing so many new bodies aimed at more advanced shooters with higher price points. Chris

If it’s 40mp, it’s not m43. Seem like it’s only a matter of time before Oly goes FF with the L-mount. They have a bunch of FF lens patents, they make great glass, IBIS is second to none. IMO they could make waves with a kitchen sink camera, sort of a 1dx2 with IBIS and a articulated LCD. You know, what Canon should have done with the R. Chris

Looks like Permiere is still as buggy as I remember. I left when it went CC, jumped into FCPx and haven’t looked back. Unfortunately I’m now doing work with an organization that’s all adobe, so I’m going to have to go back to Premiere to collaborate with the in-house editor. Not looking forward to that in any way. Chris

A few SOOC frames from the a73 using EOSHD Pro color. Lens is Tamron 28-75/2.8. Chris

Some SOOC frame grabs from a few a73 shoots recently, including a brewery and a beer festival. Sometimes the job aligns with something you actually enjoy - everyone wanted to contribute to my library of pour video, and I couldn't let the beer go to waste. Profile is EOSHD Pro Color. Lens is Tamron 28-75/2.8, my new go to run-and-gun lens. Chris

I didn't just come into this thread, I said earlier the MP2 was going to be my first drone. But after watching a lot of footage, I came to the conclusion I liked what I was seeing from the P4P better. People are cross-shopping both since they offer similar camera specs, but there are clearly differences. After carefully weighing everything I decided to go P4P over the MP2. You asked for proof of my conclusion and I gave it to you, then you asked for more, which realistically you can find on your own. I never said the M2P was a bad choice or a bad drone, I simply said after looking at both the IQ of the P4P is a better image to my eyes. If that rubs you the wrong way, that's a you issue. Cheers Chris

Yikes. Two bodies failing. I put my XT2’s through the ringer and the ISO dial fell off one requiring a complete $200 top plate replacement. IMO it was caused by having to constantly switch the mode dial from video to stills, something I do a couple dozen times a day when shooting. Until Fuji figures a better system, I’m sticking with the a73 as my main cam. chris

What Iso was this shot at? IBIS doesn't look as good as Sony FF, or you had too much coffee/beer. Image looks really nice, looking forward to seeing what the Z6 does. Still sticking with the a73, for now, but I really like what Nikon is doing. Thanks for the sample. Chris

Search YouTube. Some of the P4P tests clearly show everything, much like the better detail I previously provided. This is going into fanboy territory. I’ve made my decision based on my needs and samples I’ve tinkered with, and there are plenty of videos using both to see motion. cheers Chris

I’m no expert on the subject, but I like the image of the P4P better. Motion looks better to me and there’s just more detail. I’ve download and sharpened footage, and I still don’t like whatever the M2 is doing. As far as banding, h264 looks much better than h265, and plenty of people are making money with lesser drones. I like the bigger controller and portablity isn’t much of an issue for me since someone else is footing the travel bill. YMMV, but after taking a serious look at the Mavic Pro2, I’m going with the Phantom. Cheers Chris

I believe the P4P does 4k60p, while the M2 does not. That's something I prefer. But IMO the P4P image is more detailed and its cleaner at higher ISO's. Its also a wider FOV that I prefer. Lastly motion looks better on the P4P. Attached are a couple samples showing better IQ with the P4P. I like the larger controller as well and the price difference is minimal. Since I'm getting paid to become licensed and fly a drone, I'm going with the lightly better IQ with the P4P. Chris

After watching and downloading a lot of footage, I’ve decided to go Phantom 4 Pro instead. There’s just something missing from the Mavic 2, it’s not a P4P in a smaller package. Maybe DJI gimped it in some way, but I prefer Phantom footage. I will be using the P4P professionally to shoot tourism promo videos and photos. IMO it’s worth the extra size and weight for the better IQ, especially since I’m in a pretty visible position that may lead to other work outside my main gig. Ironic since I’m shooting on the ground with the a73 and some small/light lenses like the 1635/4 instead of the GM’s. But I’m just not feeling the Mavic. cheers Chris

I used this book and though a bit dated I’m terms of software, the concepts easily translated to FCPx’s newer color correction tools. Lots of fundamentals and more importantly the why in addition to the how. I haven’t seen a tutorial video that’s better than this book. I used the included source footage and downloaded lots of test footage, like the Blackmagic P4K stuff, for extra practice. Good luck. Chris https://www.amazon.com/Art-Technique-Digital-Color-Correction-ebook/dp/B00B3SITHE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541643928&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=color+correction+hullfish&dpPl=1&dpID=51I5US-LKLL&ref=plSrch

If I were buying a slider, I’d get one like the edlekrone pocket. You really don’t need much for a majority of slider shots IMO. But since buying a gimbal, I’ve never touched my slider. I’d say get a gimbal instead. Chris

I am interested in the Z6 as well, but there aren't any in the wild and it'll be another year before the 2.8 zooms are available (supposedly). The EVF/LCD and fat grip are really appealing. But I don't think it'll be able to match the a73's AF. Until the workhorse zoom trinity is out, the Zed's are just rental test cameras for me. Chris

Yes. Despite. Was typing on my phone and missed the incorrect autocorrect. The LCD and EVF of the A73 are rubbish compared to the others. But IQ is amazing and the gen3 bodies are really nice to work with. Plus the Tamron 28-75 is a great run and gun lens. As an overall hybrid package it’s tough to beat. Chris

Is there a consensus on sharpening with the Pro2? Paul Leemimg is recommending +2 which seems counterintuitive, but he looks to be getting great results I’m looking at one of the Mavic’s for a new gig shooting beach beauty shots. I’m leaning toward the larger sensor, but the zoom looks really convenient and those dolly zooms are not over played in tourism promos. Yet. cheers chris

Been shooting a lot of run and gun video with the A73 for a new job lately, super impressed despairs shitty EVF and LCD. It’s so versatile. I haven’t seen anything better from the EosR yet. And the DR with stills is like a drug, so much latitude to push/pull shadows/highlights with high contrast shots like sunrise/sunsets. The AF is pretty amazing too. Not tempted by anything Fuji/Nikon/Canon at all. Going to a craft beer tasting with 40 breweries and then a seafood festival for some event coverage. The A73 will likely be the only camera I use. Though I need to rent a P4k.... chris

I would still go XT3 or a73/a7r3 over EOS-R anything. Canon really missed the mark (pun intended). Despite some not liking Sony's colors, if you want a hybrid, better stills Sony and raws are easy to make look like Canon. Used a7r3's are about the same price as a EOS-R. I'd still go Z6 too and just adapt other Nikon/Sigma/Zeiss lenses. DPAF is the only feature I'd like about this camera, the sensor is just so underwhelming compared to the competition. Swing and a miss. Chris

Given the rolling shutter and low FPS, I'd say part of the reason for the crop is the slow sensor readout time. Canon sensors don't have readout times as fast as Sony's outside of the one in the 1dx2. Canon's higher MP sensors are really bad in that regard. Chris

Just watched the Dpreview video from Chris and Jordan. Its funny to see them squirm and try to find anything positive to say about the R since they're in Hawaii on Canon's dime. Underwhelming doesn't even begin to describe the R, especially since Canon had two years after the 5d4 to improve its sensor and 5 years of watching Sony to figure out FF mirrorless. Even the standout feature - DPAF - looks straight up awful. But the AF is not so bad compared to the video, which is an embarrassment - especially compared to the a73. Fail. Chris

Been wanting to see this for years as I hate the a6x00 form factor. If Sony is really chasing the sports/wildlife segment, a d500/7d2 competitor is needed. The a9 is badass, but you need a TC for wildlife and that still leaves you wanting more reach at times. I use an adapted Sigma 150-600 with the MC11 when I want reach, and usually I go with the a73 because its so much nicer in use. On the video side the fatter body, bigger battery and vastly superior ergos would be most welcome. The a73 is the most comfortable E-mount body I've used, and I've used most of them going back to the Nex5. Hopefully they don't skimp on the EVF and LCD like they did with the a73. As we've seen from the XT3, they have a next level APS-c sensor on tap. My biggest question is whether they're willing to go 10-bit and 4k60p in one of the Alpha bodies to compete with Fuji or if we're going to get the same 8-bit, 4:2:0 with the bitrate capped at 100mbps. Chris

No way, a fake rumor based on a random forum post, it seems like a Samsung sensor was a certainty. Sarcasm. Fixed pattern noise with the XT3 is very similar to the a7r3, and very different from the NX1. Chris

Yes, APS-c dominates thanks to casual shooters buying cheap plastic DSLR kits, but that's still mostly CaNikon. Fuji is a small niche brand with very little in terms of retail presence. CaNikon is literally everywhere, and that visibility is a large part of the reason they own ~75% of the market. Olympus is in the same boat, no real visibility to casual shooters. Fuji's race to the bottom with multiple low margin entry level bodies that undercut their top models isn't a sound strategy either. Like m43, they rely on basically one sensor to cover the entire range, so there's no difference in IQ between models. Casual shooters don't care about 10-bit and 60p, things like AF and ease of use are the driving factors in the entry segment. I like what the XT3 offers, but I'll wait for the inevitable XT30 that gives me the same spec for 1/2 the price. The Tamron 28-75/2.8 is lighter than my 16-55/2.8, and combined with the a7III its a much better low light combo. My 28/2 and 85/1.8 aren't larger than Fuji equivalents like the 23/1.4 and 56/1.2 - and no Fuji can get you 42-45mp like current FF offerings. You don't have to use F/1.4 primes and 2.8 zooms, to get the equivalent image with FF you can easily just go with f/1.8/2 primes and f/4 zooms to stay smaller and lighter. Same applies when comparing to m43, and that's the problem m43 is battling on the high end, cheap FF glass combined with the larger sensor gets you better IQ in a comparably sized/priced package. M43 has the small size advantage with the tiny primes and smaller zooms, at the cost of light gathering and ugly noise with higher ISO's. Pick your poison. Chris