MrSMW

I think we will get at least one more firmware upgrade to the XT3 but it will be the last (other than the lens related ones that pop up from time to time). Classic Neg and AF tweaks, but I'd reckon that's it. Fujifilm are probably just holding off to protect initial XT4 sales which is to be expected, so maybe late Summer? Just speculating...

Well at the moment it doesn't as weddings have not been happening! However, it looks like my first of the year will be taking place at the end of this month and then a further 4 of what would normally be anything from 25-30. But I'll take 5...or even less if that's what there is. The good news is that 2021 should be busier and based on bookings, already is looking that way. Unless life throws another major issue at us which it could very well do...

Answers as best I can... Re. Not using it going forward, I mean handheld use and sticking to the freestanding monopod I currently use. I prefer my work to have zero camera movement in it anyway. The Tamron is available in Europe for 350 euros. It is and remains part of my kit! Long GOP which is the only option recording internally DCI 4K 60p at I think 200mbs. My PC is around 4 year old gaming spec but overnight batch convert to pro res is no issue. It’s a less than 2 minute job. Sony FDR AX100 and yes, it is gain! It’s getting on a bit now and next year I will probably replace it with the Panasonic HC-X1500 or more likely, switch one of my XT3’s to that role if I get an XT4 or XH2. It’s not great in low light as none of these camcorders are but I use lighting so it reduces some of that issue. Nobody should ever base any kit decisions on any of Camera Conspiracies ‘tests’. I watch all his stuff...for fun, but he rarely has anything set up right. Take the colour issue as one thing. For all we know, he’s nudged the colour balance in the auto settings and doesn’t realise. Also, he’s shooting outside in super bright light, wide open with no ND, so super high shutter speeds. Just the tip of the iceberg... Regarding kit reviews in general, it’s a minefield. On one hand we have the unboxing type reviewers who just discuss specs and generally complain about issues that are almost always unfamiliarity and user issues. We then have those possibly on the payroll or have an opinion for financial reasons. There are people though I think who are competent and unbiased, people like Gordon at Camera Labs, Gerald Undone and a few others. And then there is simply individual tastes and likes so sometimes you just have to try stuff yourself and work it out which is what brought me to and made me stick with Fuji. I do not recognize maybe 9/10 of the issues that supposedly exist...

A. Very good. I personally prefer it to anything native and am currently using Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 + Tamron 45mm f1.8. The Tamron is new and has only been used in testing so far and replaced the Canon ef 50mm f1.8 which was incredible considering the price (under £100 new) but the Tamron gives me OIS which the Canon didn't. Turns out I'm not going to use it going forward but hey ho, - the weight and balance of the Sigma and Tamron are quite similar so swapping them out feels about the same. B. Dunno and maybe a G9 or GX80/85 might be a better/alternative match to an S1? C. It's an utter pig on my machine running Premiere so I batch convert it to Pro Res overnight and problem solved. D. Depends... I use a dedicated 1" sensor Sony camcorder for longer stuff and never use my XT3 for more than a couple of minutes and usually, 10 second clips, plus I'm running it the whole time off a power bank welded on to my monopod where the camera lives. It basically trickle charges the battery all the time but the battery will still run down quicker than it can be charged but lasts me an entire day's shoot no problem with a single internal battery. I was going to 'upgrade' to an XT4 and whilst in some ways it would still be an upgrade, there isn't enough for me as my pure video/filming tool. As a hybrid, yes, more compelling, but I've made my bed and have 3x XT3's now, - 1 for video/filming and 2 for stills. For the money, around £900/euros, it's insane value and highly capable even at double the price. I could have gone S1/Z6, Canon or anything else, but for me there is nothing else comparable.

Define 'dirt cheap' and also it depends what you want to use them for. I had been using some uber-cheap (like under £20) Godox LED's which are dimmable, but that's about it, but I have found them to be bright enough when it's really dark, but not quite bright enough when it's not pitch black...if you get my meaning. Also, not directional and can't adjust the colour temp. I did some reasearch and was going to go with the Litra Pro, but when I came to buy the kit, it was out of stock. So I went with the Falcon Eyes 7 (stoopid name) and it's really good with the rubber grid on it. The TNDR guy on YouTube above gave it a really good review amongst others. Under 150 euros, but it will be my single light source on a light stand for highlighting speeches at weddings and general dance floor stuff. Hopefully my next and first wedding of the year will take place at the end of this month as they are adamant it will!

Another private (photographers) forum did this and virtually overnight all the shitkickers and keyboard warriors were gone...and the place was better for it. Still not perfect. No one is ever going to get on 100% with everyone else in any community and there's nothing wrong with discussion or disagreement. It's not called a 'forum' for nothing! Facebook however is the devils work.

I don't tend to make a habit of making anything personal, but in your case, I'll make an exception and just this once (ie, will not comment further) and that is... I didn't name or mention you, but your direct response to me made it about you and you exclusively, you very special and more than a bit paranoid internet entity. When anyone posts or says anything anywhere and purports it as fact, unless the source is a known, bona-fide, regular trusted source, folks (naturally) question it and ask for references. People who post shit with zero references other than, "you're gonna have to trust me on this, I'm an authority", just come across as opinionated brainless idiots. I'm not suggesting you are one. I don't know you or anything about you but based on a lot of your posts and general defensiveness, have no credibility with me, not that you'd care about that. The bottom line for me though is this kind of shit is what stops many from posting or simply just going elsewhere, ie, it's not participating as part of a community, but pontificating from your perceived lofty cloud. But whatever, do what you like, it's not my forum anyway and whatever comeback you now make...because you won't be able to help yourself, won't elicit a response from me. Ciao.

Well this topic went sideways... I thought it was about Olympus and their imminent demise? The problem which exists on a lot of forums etc always seems to come from 'hidden' members who all seem to share the same traits: Weird profile name. No avatar. No profile info. No links to any work, website, social media. Nothing. Folks like you, I don't take seriously. In fact I don't place any merit on anything you say because you could be a school child in your mothers basement, - there is no way of knowing. What is it this type of folks have to hide except perhaps everything? So go spit your dummies out by all means but you are only kidding yourselves if you think you have any credibility on-line. PS: MrSMW = my actual real world name abbreviated.

I'm interested...but then I am interested in anything new from whoever. Nothing to do with GAS (I don't suffer) but am interested to see how anything stacks up to my current hybrid of choice, the XT3. I was expecting to have gone XT4 this Spring, but Covid-2020 killed that. Any remaining wedding season this year means any/all new stuff won't be available anyway, so any jobs this year will all be XT3. And then 2021 comes down to that combo of; need vs cost. What do I personally need? 8k? Nope. Raw? Nope. 4k 60p, 10 bit internal? Yes. IBIS? Ideally. (My current compromise). Canon R5 will undoubtedly be overkill for me. R6 could be a contender... This new Sony? Probably like the R5 more than my needs so XT4 or my 'ideal' (based on my spec) XH2 most likely. But good to see anything new that moves the game forward. Unlike the *cough* G100 Shitbox.

We could argue about the semantics of whether any camera gear is an ‘investment’ or not but anything that allows you to do ‘more’ than you otherwise could have done is arguably an investment because it has a return. But kit in general whilst not exactly ‘disposable’ does have a shelf life these days. Of course it does not have to, but for most users it does. Lenses for me are simply either as long as I have the compatible system or until they break or are superceded. Bodies until something quantifiably better comes along that justifies the change/expense. I’m a hybrid wedding shooter. XT3 after XT2 after XT1 made absolute sense, especially from 1 to 2 for obvious reasons. There’s new stuff coming out shortly, namely Sony S Thing and Canon R5/6 which may be a future ‘investment’/direction for me but it will come down to that individually unique combo of; need/cost/return. But all camera gear depreciates unless it’s some rare vintage piece so arguably it’s all disposable to a degree these days.

Modular (but no bigger) PAF Tilt screen EVF (can be a hot shoe plug in) 4k 60p Plug in SSD Ideally not electronic shutter only for stills but could live with it. Otherwise I like...nay, loved the concept but too many compromises for me with FP1.

Snow White and the 7 what? 🙄 They are not called dwarfs alright? It's unacceptable terminology. They are midgets. The Wizard of Oz? Ban it. Time Bandits? Ban it. The Hobbit? Disgraceful. Willow? Shouldn't have been allowed in the first place.

Why does no one do re-boxing videos?

Who knows, but more than one is required especially as competition drives innovation.

Camera Conspiracies has become 'successful'/popular by accident rather than design. The guy simply set out to find a better or 'perfect' camera for his other channel, Vegetable Police (don't ask) and the reality is that for his needs, the 'perfect' camera for his or 99% of every other vloggers already exists...but it's kind of come self-perpetuating now, - he can't just stop and it's become 'a thing'. Some of the endless testing gets a bit boring now but he's a funny guy and doesn't take himself seriously. None of his reviews are actual 'serious' reviews that anyone should ever base a decision on such as if the colour is off, it's usually because he's fucked something up himself etc, but instead it's exploring and learning in real time so hardly at the same level as say a Gerald or a Gordon. Kai cracks me up. He's like an overgrown posh asian schoolboy and though he takes the piss most of the time, sometimes he can be quite serious. Best with Lok and his weedios.

I know what is going on here... Panny knew that Olympus was going to go and they do not wish to continue with 4/3rds themselves. By releasing this piece of junk they can then say, "oh well, we have taken 4/3rds as far as we can and are now moving on from making any more and canning the GH6 in favour of FF only". T-rump and Kim Ping Pong have also played a part in this devious but transparent conspiracy.

If only Olympus had joined the L Mount alliance... Slightly smaller but even better ergos than the S1, never mind the SL/2... Full frame Zuiko lenses... Oh the glory that could have been... Could still be...? Maybe Sony could buy them and become a real camera company

This would make sense to me, or that little LX10/15. Why not develop one of those instead? I keep reading the headline, "there's no market for compact cameras anymore", but aren't these latest offerings exactly that, just a little more video orientated (supposedly) and tagged differently? There are of course limits to what can be crammed into a tiny body, but I don't think we are that far away from something pretty special. The vloggers seem to have wanted something a little wider than a 24mm equiv with the ZV1 and us more 'cinematic' types would like to see a larger sensor and in my particular case, 4k 60p compact with a modest rather than super zoom. We're so close... Except Panasonic who have had a moment of utter lunacy.

But even if there are zillions, none of them will make the mistake of buying this Panny. Or the 5 that do, will package it back up and send it back as soon as it arrives. Joking aside, I just don't understand why a company of this stature would even contemplate this. It's just bizarre...

You greatly underestimate the size of the YouTuber/vlogger market. Just look at the surveys of people asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?". This is always top ranked, sometimes even #1! Additionally YouTubers/vloggers have a huge impact upon the non-vlogger market, as they're the ones producing reviews, showcasing what they use, and getting views. They have a big big influence if you can capture this market. Can make for lots of free advertising for your brand. In regard to the latter, I agree 100%. This tiny minority (come back to that in a second) are HIGHLY influential, even if most of the so-called 'reviewers' simply quote specs and carry out tests that no one else would actually use the cameras for. But size of the YouTuber/vlogger market... I have no idea except aware of course that YouTube is HUGE...but what percentage of cameras bought are used for vlogging/YouTubing? I suspect (but stand to be corrected!) that the number is very low. Less than 5%? Probably lower than that. Yes, all the kidz and yoof say they want to become famous MeTubers, but how many actually even have a channel. It's hilarious how many comments there are on any YouTube post that read, "this iz what I needz imma gonna be starting my own chanel soon". Yes, of course you are dear and I am sure it will be successful because it's just free millionaire lifestyle money for doing next to nothing. But YouTube/vlogging scepticism aside, this really is a massive turd for such a little camera. It's just more than a bit weird as a business decision. BUT WHAT DO WE KNOW. Maybe it will sell big time to the great unwashed out there, but I suspect with most buying on-line these days and reading reviews, it won't.

Sony must be pissing themselves with laughter. There are plenty of already more than good enough cameras suitable for the tiny number of vloggers in existence so why all this focus on this minuscule market? Make shit products 99% of people don’t want or need and no one is going to buy your stuff.

Shame. I've always liked Olympus but only ever had/used EM5ii. Considered EM1iii's before the spec was announced. If they'd had 60p 4k, I might have gone that way, but the rumours of them not being around much longer also put me off. Glad I stuck with Fuji, but sad about the demise of Olympus.

That’s my other option. Just waiting to pull the trigger based on one months notice to what should now be the first job of the year. Currently, that is 29th July, but will cancel if quarantine not lifted by the end of June. Then next one should be 30th Aug, but they are getting twitchy... Basically I’m not spending until I have to and that may not even be until Spring 2021...

I’m happy to see, or would like to see cameras with different intentions. Using Fuji as an example: XH2 video XT4 hybrid X Pro3 stills In regard to the Pro3, I’d have been totally fine if they had removed any/all video capability. XH2 maybe retain some stills capability but clear video bias. Ergonomics can play a part in how we can use these things. I’m really not a fan of a move to everything that can do anything...but then if it can, why not?!

I wish we had this offer in Europe. Did the maths and by the time I’ve paid import duty, it’s cheaper to buy here. I need one as I stupidly sold mine last year intending to do something different which didn’t work out...