MrSMW

Not just bodies, but lenses also, so when a company has both... Before I went L Mount, Olympus was my first choice, - the brand that came closest to my spec as an entire system. The only 2 deal-breakers for me were I wasn't 100% convinced with the low light capability and the lack of 10 bit 4k 60p. OM-1 addresses both of those issues, at least in regard to the video side of the equation. No other brand does. I've checked every single combo possible including all the non-native lenses and there is not a single system that checks every box. L Mount = AF + lenses Fuji = lens fails for video. Canon = overheating, real or artificial warnings...no thanks, plus the R6 and R5 are big plastic lumps (EOS R came last in my build/feel test 2 years ago). Expensive RF glass and I don't want to adapt. Sony = A7iv closest to my needs, but has a couple of negatives for me. Sigma = let's not go there. GREAT glass, niche cameras. Nikon = Internal video spec on the Z6ii Panasonic GH6 = Obviously I don't know the answer 100% but I suspect the AF will be improved, but still not great (but happy to eat any one of my various hats if it proves to be otherwise) and it seems it will be even more video-orientated and has been to the pie shop. The OM-1 on the other hand fits that ethos I was chasing when I went from chonky boy D3s's with big zooms to dinky X Pro1's with primes, ie, more compact, lighter, more nimble...and after some familiarity, allowed the kit to get out of the way allowing for more creativity. I felt towards the end of my time with Fuji, I was beginning to fight the system and fudging various things in order to simply make it work as best as I could. That's how I feel about the current L Mount set up I currently have...in regard to my specific needs, - it's getting bloated and I'm wrestling with it somewhat and having to come up with workarounds and aaaaaaaaaaargh, I might talk about kit a lot, but I actually don't really care about it as anything but as a tool. I just want 'it' to do what I need it to do. Nothing less and also nothing more, which is why I don't give a fig about 4k 120p or 8k or 100 frames per second stills. Hold on to see what the XH2 is? Much as I'd like to as I like Fuji as a brand, the same question comes back, - what about the lenses? I don't want to have to select something that isn't quite right, but the best option available. 4/3rds between Panny and Olympus, IMO has the best lens options by a mile such as: 17mm f1.2, 45mm f1.2, 10-25mm f1.7, 25-50mm f1.7 and equivalence be damned, but 35, 85, 20-50 and 50-100 would be a DREAM combo for my needs so; 34, 90, 20-50 and 50-100 is as close as is possible. I had forgotten about the Pen F, - one of my favourite cameras I never owned. I was shooting Olympus (EM5 mkii's) for video when I moved to France 6 years ago and was toying with Pen F's for stills, but went all in on Fuji for photo and video so it never happened. Could be of interest, but if...and it's still an if (though more likely than not likely) I move to OM for my video needs, I will have to test for stills because right now, I can't see much touching my S1R (other than similar level cameras, but it crushes my old XT3 easily). Around 50% postponements from 2020 and 2021 and the rest new bookings. It would probably have been around 25 totally new bookings without the postponements as I had to turn a lot away. My comfort zone is actually around 20-24 as each job is an average 12 days commitment; travel, attendance, office etc.

The only thing I can think of might be a higher res model...but then the OM-1 has both a handheld and tripod hi res mode so... They don't need a battery grip model as there is an additional battery grip available. So I don't know, - maybe the 'one and done' approach is all that is needed while they develop the OM-2 (speculation at a rumor site near you soon!) and depending on sales of this 'first' version? I've read a lot of comments on various channels now re. both OM-1 and GH6 and OK yes, the OM-1 has a slight current advantage in chatter terms because it's been officially launched whilst the GH6 has only been leaked (deliberately of course to counter some of the OM-1 chatter) and it doesn't matter whether it's a Panny or 'Olympus' focused or barnad agnostic channel, but there seems to be more love (and surprise) going in the OM-1 direction and less (and quite a bit of criticism) for the GH6? I'm surprised at my own reaction really which is (not GAS, but need related) in that the OM-1 ticks every single box for me regarding my video needs...and I mean EVERY single need) and I doubt the GH6 will and my current FF combo of S1H and S5 do not. Photography needs, not so sure and I don't think I could know the answer to that until I had tested myself so my S1R won't be going anywhere until that question was answered. So for now, the OM-1 has been marked 'potential' for my video needs. I'm still going to wait a few days and see what the GH6 is exactly, but the call I have to make is soldier on with a compromised system I cannot fully rely on (and have to fudge to get a result in my specific use case), or take the very narrow window of opportunity to start my next season of 33 booked jobs (after 2 years of drought) having removed all the compromise and fudging. I'm one of those people that hate change for the sake of change. I like and want as much consistency as I can get, but sometimes when you know you are just fighting the tide, it's better to take a hit and come back stronger. Decision not final, but mostly over the other side of the fence as things stand...

Hold on, I have Albert on speed dial...

Well based on what I have seen/has been revealed so far, I prefer the OM-1. GH6 for the win for pure video almost certainly. For stills/hybrid use, probably the OM-1 based on what we know so far... Right now, I'd take the OM-1 system as it suits my needs better; a smaller, lighter, more compact package with great AF compared with a larger, heavier, less compact set up with unknown AF. Andrew might/probably has the answer regarding the latter already 🤐 I guess probably slightly more expensive GH6 bodies, but that wouldn't bother me too much in the overall scheme of things... The only real negative for me would be regarding stills. I don't care what anyone says but there is no way on Earth any M4/3 matches my FF 47mp S1R in that department. Can't deny physics!

Never mind the 500 subs or the open mouth thumbnail, I’m just a bit disappointed he didn’t demonstrate how to barn dance. #CottonEyeJoe

Coming from Fuji myself (XT3), not as good. For stills, no problemo…in fact there are several bonuses with stills for a camera having contrast detect. But for video, with static subjects or side to side movement, pretty OK and yes, native Panny lenses have an edge over Sigma. Reliable tracking forward or away from you. Forget it. Pretty crap. It CAN do it, but you don’t get to decide when those times are. Toss a coin up in the air and the probability of heads or tails is 50:50. That’s S5/S1 tracking as things stand for you.

How many PM's have you received asking if you can only just give them a few clues and they won't tell anybody honest/ Have you received mine?

There's a fella on YouTube who is pretty good with the ZV1 and possibly now ZV E10 and he reckons the HLG option is where it's at also and what I am currently using.

It's growing on me, I have to say... Just watched Chris Eyre-Walkers review...and I know he's somewhat biased being an Olympus ambassador and all that, but... First half, especially the picture review in the frozen North, I thought, nah. It's OK, but I wouldn't kick my full frame 47mp S1R out of bed for it. But then I watched his second project with the MTB and focus on video and really liked it. OK, it was shot with cinema primes and a crew of 7, but really really nice output. The talk is that the OM-1 is going to be the more stills orientated compared with the GH6...and the GH6 will probably have the video chops over the OM-1, but I think as things stand, I'd still be leaning more towards the OM-1 at this time for my hybrid needs.

One of my favourite ever lenses. Limited use, but superb results. There are some absolutely superb M4/3 lenses and that for me is the magic of the system, especially the longer you go.

It would be a bonus point in my eyes if the GH6 has the same/similar tilt screen as the S1H rather than a vloggers flip out. #bestLCDever

Identical to a T, except ZV1 for me. If I’d waited a year, I would have gone for your slightly bigger sibling, but as my use case is so limited, I’ll stick with it for this year.

Plus for the early adopters, your usual software hasn’t been updated 🤪🤨

Good job @jgharding I decided just a couple of days ago to bump up my ZV1 to gimbal duty for those occasions when I need reliable AF. Matching it to the S1H and S5 will be even harder I suspect, but it’s currently my best and only option so… I tried the S5 with small/light lens in the Crane M3 but it was pushing the limit really…not that I really know much (anything) about gimbals, but the ZV1 is a much better fit. And the results are always in focus which means I don’t wish to smash it to bits.

I don’t think simply fixing the AF situation alone would be enough. It would be a start, but then needs some shouting about as a brand/system. My fingers are crossed, but I’m not holding my breath. The ‘savior’ of the DFD could be computing power from what I understand…but that’s not something I know too much about. GH6 will be an indicator.

Maybe it’s a corporate level suicide pact? 🤪

I think you'll find that the new camera is the OM Systems Olympus OM-1 and the camera name you have quoted is a couple of years old, but otherwise, yes, Panasonic are probably doomed unless they sort the AF out. I'm not part of the tin foil hat brigade but the few individuals who do have their heads screwed on, don't make up enough of any market to really influence it. The simple reality is Panasonic have a fundamental marketing problem that comprises 2 parts: Part A is that their 'ambassadors' seem to be jumping ship in recent times, mostly I presume as they individually wish to move to other camera systems. Part A2 is that none of them are trendy YouTube influencers. Part A3 is that they do not allow comments on any of their official channels, ie, kill any kind of community, so all 'community' is unofficial channels such as Facebook groups and a handful of YouTubers. Part B is the AF tracking issue. It doesn't matter whether it's real or not real or it's adequate in some instances or total shit in all, it's a HUGE reputation/marketing issue directly affecting sales. And before anyone says, "how do you know it's affecting sales?" Because it's fucking obvious to anyone who has even the slightest understanding of how business works! The bottom line is it may already be too late and it's just a question on time now, but the issue isn't contrast vs phase IMO, but simply one of whether it works or not that is the issue. I don't care if the next gen is DFD, providing the AI bit does what they claim. And what they claim is slightly vague... 5x faster. 5x faster than what? I don't know if they even said 'faster' but they have stated it's 5x something along those lines and implying they have something they are confident in. I hope so anyway, because I'm also a S1H/S5 user for video (and S1R for stills) and really don't want to have to move to another system for a whole load of reasons. And am not as things stand, at least for this year, but at some point, new kit will happen because I'm a business user and what I have will not work forever. Let's see what the GH6 is first and go from there...

I've viewed a couple of these initial 'early looks' now out of curiosity and it's what I expected it to be and that is not 'wow'. I know that wasn't a label OM Systems tagged themselves, but rather one that was taken up by media in general? Looks solid enough for me as an upgrade from the previous EM1 mkiii, but otherwise nothing really that challenges (never mind surpasses) a lot of the full frame options. How many are honestly going to choose something like this over say a Sony A7iv? Unless already invested in M4/3, somewhere round about nobody I suspect is the answer. It does actually cover all my needs for video work, but not above (and in some respects, below) what I am using now, so not something I'd move to. Let's see if the GH6 can do better... I'm glad to see it exist though, especially with the OLYMPUS logo front and centre.

Yep @Marcio Kabke Pinheiro some folks do get their knickers in a right old twist if you mention the slightest possibly deficiency in their tool of choice. Me, I couldn’t care less what badge it’s wearing, but rather it’s what works best, or has the lowest number of compromises. I don’t much care for Sony (though have and have had some of their cameras) but if it made business sense to me to switch, I would quite easily. Ditto Canon, despite their mighty cripple hammer. Not really a fan of the brand or some of their moves, but I could overlook anything like that if the business case was made above some other option. Right now, I’m a mostly happy L Mount user and will remain so until such a time as something justifiably better for me needs comes along. Hopefully it will be S2H flavored, but if wears a different badge, it wears a different badge!

Nope, sorry, can't get it to work on my S1H Vlog. I only have limited footage to work with and all +2 stops over-exposed...and it needs pulling back too far to get anything remotely like a decent exposure...but then it's not designed to work on the S1 is it? Ah well I tried and it's not your 'fault'. Back to my Nitrate games. Nearly there...

They won’t ‘win’ whichever route they have chosen! The ‘specialists’ will crit if it’s not specialised and the ‘all-rounders’ will crit if it’s niche… I am more inclined to go down the specialised path myself these days. If a hybrid covers my needs great, but if not, specific tools are fine. No hybrid currently meets my needs 100% so I have specific video tools and specific stills tools. None of which has to do with ‘The Aesthetic’ but hey ho 😜

OM-1 is better than OMD E=MC2 EMiii etc Just make the next camera OM-2…if they survive and the leaked pics do indeed show the use of the OLYMPUS brand name with the company name, bottom right. I hope it’s a decent bit of kit as the industry needs success stories not more criticism of yet another new camera that doesn’t hit the spot for the majority. Z9 and A7iv other than a few niggles seem to have been well received recently, some others less so.

Not so sure about that Kye… I just need AF tracking to work for anything where someone is walking towards me. On a wedding day, the total time this happens for us about 2 minutes out of 9-15 hours coverage. Those 2 minutes are critical stuff though; entrance of the bride/bridal party, exit of the couple, confetti aisles, sparkler aisles and maybe some exclusive couple stuff. This is where DFD is totally unreliable. Sometimes it will work near faultlessly. Other times not at all. Mostly it’s somewhere between. I have come close so many times to just biting the bullet and trading it all for something more reliable just because of this specific issue. Ultimately though, I have decided against and instead found a workaround as the rest of the package is too good to junk. The workaround is on camera, hotshoe mounted action cam as backup. OK the footage won’t be the same quality and some (hopefully most!) of the time, I will be able to extract a 3 second in focus clip from the 5-10 sequences per wedding where I need to use AF tracking. But if not, I’ll just have to cut in some action cam footage creatively so it doesn’t look out of place. After all, I have been cutting in the same size sensor drone footage for 3 years so why not? The rest of the time, DFD is pretty decent/no issues. However, I am going back to manual focus for anything that isn’t the 2 minutes of every job that needs AF tracking in order to eliminate 100% any potential for even slightly OOF shots. I’m also ditching IBIS for 90% of the day and going back to freestanding monopod as that eliminates that weird sideways jump glitch that IBIS sometimes throws up! It will almost be like working like a proper pro… Even a Canon R5c would make sense to me now 😬

I’ll have another play later, but deliberately chose a tricky bit of footage! I like Nitrate, but their Portra 400 is not even slightly close to film with S1H v log. Neither is the Velvia which is a vibrant film stock. The Nitrate version is very flat and yellowy/green. It could be they are all miles off with the S1H camera pack… On the other hand, the way you can adjust the log footage is reckoned to be better than the equivalent Lumetri controls and my (limited) experience is that is true. I will play with both later, your @hyalinejim LUT and Nitrate in general…

OK, had a play with your LUT plus a couple of FilmConvert alternatives: Premiere, S1H log footage The order is: 1 = The Portra Lut as provided, no tweaks 2 = The Portra Lut tweaked...albeit, I brought the highlights down too far 🤪 3 = Nitrate's version of Portra based on S1H log settings no tweaks. Err, a bit purple innit?! I wouldn't call that very 'Portra'! 4 = Nitrate Astia no tweaks 5 = Nitrate Astia tweaked 6 = Nitrate Velvia tweaked 7 = Nitrate Astia best I could get it 'globally' ie, without any masking skin type tweaks etc + with S 35mm grain 8 = As 7, but + FF 35mm grain (7 = the closest I have got to obtaining the look I am after for my own work...but is still a work in progress)