newfoundmass

If you're an independent artist of any type you gotta hustle. If you can make even $100 bucks selling DVDs that's $100 more bucks than you had before. Doesn't mean though that you don't explore more modern methods of distribution in conjunction. I feel like people are too quick to move on to the latest technology, eager to leave behind old technology before its even dead yet. Physical media still accounts for 15 or so billion dollars in sales last year. Streaming only recently, as in 2016, made more revenue than physical media did. That's pretty remarkable given Apple hasn't updated/supported DVD Studio Pro since 2009 and Adobe hasn't updated/supported Encore since 2012, showing how early they'd given up on physical media. Indeed there are still areas in the country that don't have fast enough internet suitable for high quality video streaming. Other countries are even further behind. I live in a very rural state, Vermont, that has areas where they don't have high speed internet or even high speed wireless. For those areas streaming/downloading isn't feasible. I personally still get Blu-ray copies of movies I really love. Classic horror movies that have limited edition cases mostly. I'll then rip a digital copy for myself that I can watch while traveling, etc.

I'm actually surprised that they haven't released a successor yet, given I feel like this little camera was really successful and popular. In fact a lot of people I know still have and use it to this day, even on paid shoots. The ability to have a pocket b-cam is quite underrated, especially when you're running and gunning / don't want to attract a lot of attention. I debated getting one not that long ago for that reason.

While those people buying DVDs are declining there's still enough of a market, at least in independent professional wrestling where I work in, for them and Blu-ray to still warrant releasing them in my line of work. I think there will always be people that want physical media. Vinyl, cassette tapes, even VHS, have all maintained a consumer base, and in the case of vinyl, have seen that base grow. If my company can still make $400 or more (profit) selling DVDs or Blu-rays at wrestling events then, for me, yeah, it's still worth it and will remain so until it becomes too much work for not enough reward.

I'd ignore Jon. For as long as I've lurked here he has been rude and argumentative. He's also very defensive of the GH5, so it's to be expected. With that said I don't really know that putting a 5 inch monitor on the GH5 will add that much weight. I use a 7 inch Lilliput monitor (forgive me I'm poor!) on mine and it's honestly pretty light when attached to my GH5 and G85. I can see why you might not want to go this route but I think it's worth looking into it a little more. Re: lenses, have you looked into Rokinon lenses? I use those, as well as adapted Minolta lenses that I use with a focal reducer, which I'm very happy with. The only Canon EF lens that I have is the Sigma 18-35, which is a beast of a lens, so I don't have a ton of experience but those options are much lighter in weight and some are pretty fast. For me it'd be difficult to no longer be able to shoot 4k, so I'd be very hesitant to get a C100 mk II even though, in reality, it's probably not as big of a deal as we tell ourselves. It might be worth going the monitor route for now and waiting until you can afford something that shoots 4K?

I've always thought the 1080p on those Sony cameras are pretty bad. Beautiful 4k, since it's downscaled from I think 6k, but the 1080p isn't very good, at least from what I've seen / heard.

I don't think it'd take less time and effort, but you'd be able to fine tune things more than you would with log. You would be able to match them pretty well if you wanted, especially if you use a color checker card. It's unlikely though that they'll add RAW output to the LS300, I feel like that'd be a pretty large undertaking for a camera that's nearing it's third birthday. I'd do back flips down the street if they did though!

Why not the Moza Air? It can hold 7 lbs and has gotten better reviews than the Zhiyun from what I've seen? I got mine on sale from B&H for $399 in April, which was a steal.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the Cinelike D hack. I almost got the GX85 as a b-cam for my GH5 but decided to spend a little more for the G85. But if you don't need a mic input it's a great option. The G7 is a good option too, though. It shouldn't be too hard to match in post, though the GX85 will look a bit more like the G85.

Have you thought about the Moza Air?

I do believe it has the recording limit in the US too but it's easy to get around, if I'm not mistaken. I think it's a great option as a b-cam for the G85. The GX85 might be an option too, though it doesn't have a mic input. If you're recording audio separately though that shouldn't be a problem. The benefits are better SD card slot placement and IBIS, and sometimes having that smaller form factor is nice when shooting b-roll in public and not wanting to get too much attention.

Depending on the price I wouldn't be opposed to purchasing it again today depending on what I'm needing in a camera. I come from a very hyper budget background where I used sub $1000 Sony handy cams up until about 5 years ago. For me what's important is getting the most bang for my buck and also versatility. For me the LS300 was, and still is, an ideal camera, one that allows me to use it as a camcorder AND as a cinema camera, while giving me SDI out, a log profile, XLR inputs, ND filters, etc. While you could achieve this with other cameras, having it all in one package is incredibly convenient. And getting that package for under $2500? That's pretty impressive, especially when you consider how well JVC supported it even after it didn't make a huge splash on the market. It's not my only camera, I have a GH5 and G85, but I still see myself getting quite a few years out of it.

I'm quite fond of the LS300 and truly felt that it was an incredible bargain. Really, it still is. I'm very hopeful that they are continuing development and I hope that more people give it a chance.