MrSMW

As a hybrid shooter, I think I'd still prefer an R6/R5 pairing. A lot more money I know, but then I don't think I'm the target market for either of these new cameras. And not in the market for anything anyway! But I do like to see what new stuff is coming out even if it isn't for me 🙂

That is/was me. Tiny beast though it is (RX100V and now ZV1) I simply do not/forget/cannot be bothered to carry it at all times. But my phone. Always. However, start adding attachments such as cages and lenses and… For me, nah, because it is no longer that handy pocketable device that you have with you at all times. Armoured case and that’s it. But back on topic, R6 vs XT4. The best of that pair is the one you already have but if neither, then either.

A lot of truth in that for some folks needs. For the true working pro, not. For the keen enthusiast who is ‘into’ photography, still probably not, but the gap is definitely closing… For most folks out there who are none of the above, almost certainly yes for no other reason than it’s so damn convenient. Try as I might, for the last couple of years, I have tried to have a ‘personal camera’ but the reality is my phone is just more convenient. I don’t know when, but at some point I am going to replace my: iphone8, personal camera (ZV1) and action camera (DJI Action 2) with one of the latest, probably Apple, phones with multiple lens options. And never look back.

With zero hesitation, I’d recommend they stuck with the R6. You can fiddle in camera with the ‘SOOC’ output and pretty easily and quickly do a light grade. I don’t shoot log myself and also place a very high value on SOOC for my work. Or rather, I want a consistent output I can quickly and consistently do a light grade to myself. That light grade simply involves whizzing through the chosen footage and making adjustments made based on colour wheels and sliders for a combo of the graphs saying it is correct combined with my own opinion. Single grade over over the whole thing based on Film Convert Nitrate. Single further creative LUT at 20% over that and I’m done. I may make a few further minor tweaks to some individual clips once the grade has been overlaid, but not much or often. But back to choice of kit… unless you really didn’t like using and cannot get out of the R6 what you’d like and have exhausted all avenues, I wouldn’t change. I hate changing kit myself. It’s always a PITA. I only switched from Fuji after a decade as it was relatively easy and convenient for me to do so. Prior to that, Nikon for the previous decade. Will I switch again? Sure, one day…maybe/never. I would need a really good reason and business case to do so and that currently does not exist. Like so many, it doesn’t stop me looking and pondering the subject though! 🤪

I can't comment on the R6 as I have never had or used a Canon camera, but do have extensive knowledge/use of Fuji X cameras professionally from 2011-2020. I've had and used most of them which culminated in the XT3 before I moved to full frame and Panasonic. The XT3 was superb and my only real criticism of it was it's lack of IBIS for my specific use case needs. The XT4 solved that, but then they stuck a flippy side-hinged screen and ruined it for me. The XH1 was also superb as a hybrid, but the XT3, other than the lack of IBIS, even better for video IMO. Had the XT2 also back in the day and it was decent enough, but I preferred the XH1's I replaced the XT2's with...and then the XT3's which I replaced the XH1's with. The colour/quality, SOOC with especially the recent models was great for my wedding work, - zero complaints. Re. the AF, no real issues and that was despite using adapters and third party AF glass. OK, not great at tracking in which case you ideally need to stick to native and the latest glass options, but not truly terrible either. I don't see any reason why you can't use any kit, regardless of brand for 'pro' use but for my needs, I currently choose to not use Fuji, but could easily go back to it. For non-pro use, a Fuji XT4 based system could be and is an excellent hybrid set up.

I’d only had a couple of gins (honest) but I read that Andrew had bought a red kimono. It’s not the same thing is it? Looking forward to seeing where this Red path leads…

If the Sigma only had IBIS, I’d have gone that route and added the aftermarket tilt screen option. But it doesn’t so every time I have looked at it, I ended back at the same point. Ditto the XT3 which I did use for video for 2 years. If only it had IBIS, I would have stuck with it. If Covid had not interfered, I would have gone and had XT4’s on order, flippy screen aside, it would have been near perfect for me. Was going OM-1 but somewhat relieved it did not work out. After tasting full frame 47mp S1R stills, I suspect I would not have been 100% happy with 4/3rds 20mp files. GH6 so close and nothing against it really except for me to give up my S1H and S5 video combo, it really would have needed to have a significant advantage in AF. But it doesn’t so I just splashed on a second S1R and THAT’S IT, I AM DONE until such a time as something comes along that would truly make it worthwhile making any further changes to what is a fantastic set of tools that I have. I no longer care when that might be and if it’s not next year, fine by me. (Secretiy hoping for a next gen, great AF, mash up of the S1R, S1H and S5. A man can but dream…)

Is it possible to saw off the LCD from the GH6 and then gaffer tape it or something to the GH5ii? Or onto the OM-1. Or XH2s which it also sounds like they are going to ruin with a flippy flip flop screen…

Come on fellas, at least try and keep it on topic…

I’m in agreement with anybody who agrees that you shouldn’t do anything or use anything just because it’s the latest thing to do. In fact, quite recently I had a word with myself to ignore even more what others are doing or what I am ‘supposed’ to be doing. I’ve tried the gimbal 3 times now and it’s just not for me. I’ve tried the action cam 4 times and again, no. I am done with that completely now. Even shooting log. Nope, it’s not for me. I won’t say never on that one and still may shoot my season finale on it, but to date, I have not found a single valid reason why I would need to do so. Certain cameras, particular lenses and current conventional ‘wisdom’ how to do (or not do) things… I’ll look or listen and then make my own mind up. And increasingly so. Most of it is just noise and distraction. Camcorders probably are unsexy these days, but if it does the job and perhaps even a better job, then why wouldn’t you? The bottom line is these are just tools and the artist is the person behind them.

Used to be very high up on my list but for those cameras that can use it…which is Canon with it’s EF-RF option and L Mount with it’s (via Fotodiox) VND adapter options, I am less bothered than I used to be. A Canon R5/R6 combo got pretty high on my list because of their drop in adapter (I presume it takes a VND?) at one point but since picking up the Fotodiox option for L Mount, happy days. For anyone using either Panny FF or Sigma (but not Leica apparently), if you have not considered it, you should!

Especially if you 'push' rather than hold. With so many handheld set ups, I see them being free held. Straps are your friend here. Twin crossed over harness such as the Holdfast etc, strap connected to each side of the camera/rig and then obviously you do hold it with your hands, but push the camera away from you with tension in the straps and it massively reduces the load. Plus adds further stability. OK, my set up is just over 5lbs and there would be a difference between 5 and 8lbs, but it sure would help. Anything 'heavy' previously I used to use a monopod but I've moved away from that now as it just slows me down and adds to the weight when/if constantly moving about. Unlike @webrunner5 😁 I am all about as small and light as possible...but balanced with output and in my case, I have had to sacrifice some of that side of things. I'm still intrigued by an OM-1 system in this regard but too heavily invested (financially and mentally) in L Mount to even look at that any further other than as a musing...

That's the set I was looking at, but then the tests and reviews I saw suggested the Meike had a bit of an edge when it came to outright image quality and are near 1/2 the price (the S35's anyway) and both of those factors swung it for me, so went for just the single Meike 50mm. I might still get the 75 because there are times when I need longer, but wider I have covered with the rest of my lenses, so for those rare occasions when I do need wider than '75', I'll just use one of those. In fact I did the other day for the last hour of the wedding and dancing when I used the Sigma 20mm f2 as a '30'. And got back AF and the AF actually works quite well for dancing stuff as there is a lot of contrast!

I've wrestled with it for over 2 years but finally believe I have come up with the best option for me. Just to recap and for anyone that doesn't know, I sold off all my Fuji based kit at the end of the 2019 wedding season and intended to start afresh because what I had did not completely gel and there were too many compromises and workarounds. The new kit in the Spring of 2020 could have been anything but when we got close, an XT4 based system was the winner. But then Covid hit and my order was cancelled. The entire season passed with just 1 event attended and I bought and then promptly sold some familiar XT3 kit to do the job. Then the S5 came out and it looked like the best available option for me. Tested over the Winter and liked it enough. Some niggles, primarily the flip out screen (hate the things and would have been the major compromise on the XT4) and the non-dampened shutter. Had to go with something for the start of the 2021 season...but that then also never happened other than a short 5 week, 5 job window at the very end of the season and by then, had picked up a used S1H and right at the very end, a used S1R at a stupidly cheap price of 1600 euros mint. Since then, it's been a case of trying to find the right glass and combos of making the kit work for my specific needs and the first few weddings of this season, I have been juggling but never been totally happy. The last job I did, the 6th of 33 booked in for this year, I came closest with the Leica TL2 on it's second outing and I really liked it but for the niggles of; not having a tilt screen, shutter is a little louder than I'd like and the colour doesn't match my S1R. When the LCD began to fail on the second outing, the answer was very easy, - just find another stupidly cheap S1R. The thing is with the S1R, yes people say they are big and heavy but actually it feels ridiculously light when switching to it after shooting my 'cine rig'. Ridiculously light. And I can shoot it in crop mode and still get results around 24mp so it's like every prime lens is two prime lenses. And that's it now for the remaining 27 jobs I have for this year. I wish it had not taken the last 6 jobs to work it out but that is weddings and the near unique nature of what I do and that is there is no handbook or any amount of testing that can be done that is not actual real weddings. I'd still rather have super-reliable AF and ideally, smaller and lighter, but the reality is that for me, right now, ALL factors considered, there isn't a better combo out there other than what I now have. I am super-confident and happy with it. Everything now has it's specific purpose and works in harmony with the other pieces of the puzzle.

I just can’t get on with it Tom. If I ONLY shot video, then maybe, but the reality is it’s one step too far forward me so after my third attempt, I am abandoning it. Same as action cams. I think I’m just going to pick up the latest Iphone mini with a zoom lens as this will suit my needs far better.

Life is about compromise. At least mine is. As a solo hybrid shooter, ideally I’d have super-reliable AF. My compromise has been not having that for other benefits. The principal reason I went for a cine lens was partly so I would be forced to use only manual focus, but mainly because it is mechanical. I do prefer the longer throw for sure over the photo-orientated Sigma f2 Contemporary lenses, but mostly I prefer the fact that cine lenses don’t change focus if you switch the camera off whereas my experience with focus by wire is they always need more fiddling with. One of the most important factors to me is consistency and I have found that in the Meike cine lens very quickly. I should add I have had a cine lens previously. A Rokinon/Samyang with my Fuji XT3 a few years back but I suspect that was more of a rehoused lens than a proper cine lens. I dismissed Sigma’s own cine lenses as being too big, too heavy, too expensive and from the tests and reviews I have seen, possibly not as good as the Meike. Ditto the DZO Vespid’s that were initially my first choice being somewhere between the two (Meike and Sigma) on price but the smallest and lightest, but tests seem to suggest the Meike produced the better image. I’ll have a production out within the next few weeks shot with the Meike.

I think that Q ^ is for Tom but I went with EF myself, but for the reasons of the Fotodiox VND adapter. Either mount option will make anyone look pro. For sure.

Considering the 75 actually but going to get a few more jobs in with the 50 first and see how it goes as whilst lens choices can be a good thing (though lugging them around is not), there is something to be said for sticking to a single focal length and just making it work. I’ve picked ‘75’ as mine and I like it.

Your WB might be slightly off there Tom? 😜

I only shoot 4K 50p so this slightly smaller and lighter model (there is a FF version) works for me.

Well you now can...for the S1H at least, - just added a post and pic to the 'Looking Pro' thread. The S5 I have switched the lens out from being the Panny 24-105mm f4 for the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 F4 is just a bit slooooooooooooow for my tastes, especially when the light levels get low. It's been relegated to pure landscape/wet weather/backup lens now. Good lens, just a bit too big and heavy for my tastes, plus I am not a fan of zooms anyway, especially externally extending ones. I shoot S35 crop mode so that Sigma is long enough for my needs and is like a 42-105 which is ideal for my requirements. My Leica TL2 adventure didn't last too long... The LCD began to fail on only it's second shoot so it's gone back and I've done what I should have done in the first place and gone for a second S1R. I think I have enough cameras and lenses now 🤪 In fact, there isn't anything that doesn't get used on any job... S1H + 50mm cine lens or 20mm f2 Sigma for dancing. S1R + 20mm f2 (daytime) or 35mm f2 Sigmas. S1R + 65mm f2 S5 + 28-70mm f2.8 Sigma Panny 24-105 is my spare/backup lens. Sony ZV1 backup video camera. ... Panny 20-60mm going on ebay as is my gimbal and DJI Action 2. The lens is of zero use to me now, even as a backup. I hate the gimbal with a passion and I have decided the Action 2 like all previous such type cameras, just isn't for me and instead, I simply need to update my iPhone 8.

Well below is my main ride: S1H + Fotodiox EF-L Mount adapter with built in VND + Meike S35 50mm T2.1 cine lens + NISI 1/8th mist filter + supplied lens hood. I use this either on my person (90% of the time) on 2 central straps off a Holdfast twin shoulder harness, or tripod off the lens mounted tripod plate. Total weight = 2389 grams including cards, battery and even that little bit of Velcro I have on top of the lens that locks the aperture in place at T2.1, T2.8 or T4. (5.27 lbs for anyone that can’t do metric). I also have an S1R left hip and another (in it’s way) S1R right hip, plus S5 on a tripod. The latter sometimes has a hotshoe mounted ZV1 but that usually gets it’s own tripod for another angle and is my backup for wedding ceremonies and speeches. But the main event of interest here is the S1H/cine lens combo and it’s a beaut. A bit heavy but actually not too bad and now I am properly back into regular work, just did a 15 hour day with it a couple of days back near 100% handheld or hanging off the harness and no issues. Looks ‘pro’ enough I reckon, but then as I said above, I’m not trying to ‘look pro’ but just using the kit that works for me.

Depends on your clients I guess, but it is of near zero consideration what kit I choose to work with as long as I can do a 'professional' job with it and achieve a 'professional' result. But taking any measures to seem more professional? No, never. Never had a client give my kit even a second glance. The only people who ever look and talk are camera nerds. But then I really only shoot weddings so maybe they have lower standards 😜 I once shot an entire wedding season on a single original Fuji X100 and no one batted an eye. These days, an S1R slung over one shoulder and an S1H with a cine lens is possibly pretty 'pro' for a wedding shooter. And I have several tripods set up. One of them even has an S5 mounted on it 😬

Stick on Velcro pads are great. I have a sheet of the things in my camera bag. Latest use is controlling the aperture ring on my cine lens because for handheld stuff, I identified it within the first 2 minutes of use as going to be a PITA. It’s not the last word in strength but ideal for stuff that is not going to be knocked but you might wish to assemble/disassemble quickly. Worth a try anyway.

3x pocket recorders with lav mics 2x even smaller ones but don’t use with lav mics Rode Wireless Go for the full recording. I just sync the clips, cut anything not important and then merge them. I’ll post a pic when I’m not in transit some time soon…