MrSMW

And what keeps tempting me to go back… For instance, of the new releases, I’d rather have an S9 paired with an S5ii, the latter for static and longer stuff, the former for roaming around like the wedding day predator that I am. But for the lenses, GH7. Easily. Now arguably, I could crop in post or use pixel to pixel and have my Sigma 28-70mm f2.8, performing like the actually bigger and heavier, but f1.7 for light gathering purposes, M4/3 25-50, but actually, I’d rather just have the 10-25 and 25-50 and be done with it, all bases covered, no faffing. The 18-35 was a gem. It’s big brother less so when it came to AF and that was the issue for me. I shoot manual focus most of the time but NEED reliable AF at certain points and this is where until recently, the camera side was not working so well for me. Oly great AF but trash video. Panny great video but trash AF. Does the G9ii have PDAF? I’ll have to go check because I don’t think I need the spec of the GH7… I haven’t paid the G9ii much attention, but maybe it’s an option. I’ll go look at it.

No, the 10-25 and 25-50 are perfecto on a pair of 4/3 cameras for video. It’s on the FF stills unit I need something wider than the options of 28-45 and 35-150. The 20mm f2 from Sigma is perfect or sticking with the zoom theme, more like the Sigma 16-28 f2.8 which has a bit more versatility. I only use wider than 28mm for dancing stuff and occasional architecture, mainly indoors. Just make me a LUMIX priced version of the Leica SL3 would you Panasonic! And no, I would not go back to the S1R. It was good and the results were excellent, but I don’t like its ergos as much as the S1H. Not even close…

Well from a couple of reviews, it seems some were posted the camera to their respective home countries and some received it direct in Japan, because I am pretty sure those folks who have done initial reviews in Japan, did not fly back again!

And now having seen what the GH7 is, yes indeed, this combo would tick every box for me other than very occasionally, but enough times to warrant one, throwing in something even wider for the full frame stills. But otherwise nothing I can fault with that set up for my needs.

I don’t like this term ‘influencers’. There isn’t a single person on the planet that can say or do anything that would ‘influence’ me into buying or not buying anything, I’ll make my own mind up thanks. Content Creators because unless they are a working filmmaker, videographer or photographer, that is ‘all’ they are doing, - making content and reporting their findings and opinions. But influencing? Baa, I don’t think so. Not me anyway. I suppose there is an element for whom if X even touches a certain piece of kit, it’s an immediate buy just because X waxed lyrical about it. Anyway, rant mode off 😜

37-120 minute record time is interesting… What if I want to record for only 36 minutes? Expeed 7 is already in 3 Nikon bodies so nothing exactly ‘new’ there and a default option at this time surely?

🙌 Not 100% but a pair of GH7’s with the 10-25 and 25-50 twins is just about the perfect set up for me, especially compared with my current set up. First of all, it’s two matched cameras for ergos, batteries etc. Second, whilst there are comparable zooms in FF at the wider end, there are not at the longer end. Third, lighter and more portable set up for me. I don’t actually need all the bells and whistles and it’s the PDAF that swings it for me and why I skipped the GH6, but dabbled with the OM-1. The ONLY issue I had with the OM-1 was I was not a fan of the video quality, - it’s very purpose for me 😏 A single FF camera with a fast wider ‘indoor’ zoom plus a fast longer zoom for ‘outdoor’ and I’m done. 👾

I think that is about as perfect a set up as there can be for my needs. I could even consider going back to the S1H as my full frame stills unit because it’s excellent in that role. Let’s see what the GH7 is…

I came so close to going back to M4/3 with a pair of gripped Oly OM-1’s just for these 2 lenses. Considered it for GH6 but decided it was not an option. GH7 perks interest once more, but I will need to see that that is but it’s about a perfect combo of focal lengths as there can be for me. For video anyway: 20-50 indoor? 50-100 outdoor? Bingo! Paired with something else full frame for stills with a 35-150… We could have a winner…

I used the in camera LUT feature all last year with the S5ii and would probably have stuck with it this year also except for one issue and that was the footage did not cut seamlessly with that from my S1H. But otherwise, definitely a good thing for those of us who are not especially interested in grading in post etc. One option I am considering for 2025 is trading the S1H (cries silently inside) for an S9 but then switching their roles with the S5ii moving into the static role and the dinky S9 on me at all times doing the 10 second clips. S9 with the Smallrig grip (or even cage as I use with the S5ii) and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 could be a winning combo in that role. And use the LUT feature again.

We can but hope…

The lens options for L Mount has been my issue with them not being the all round best option for me that I had hoped for. Yes, there are a ton on lenses and some of them some of my absolute faves, mainly the Sigma Contemporary like such as 20mm f2, 65mm f2, 90mm f2.8 and 28-70mm f2.8 and I really like the latest 70-200mm f2.8…except it’s size and weight. And the latter point is my principal issue. I can give not just a pass, but a very good case for larger and heavier lenses if they offer something I need or want. The new Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 is a case in point. Squeaks in under my self-imposed 1kg limit…just…but then that is it for L Mount which for me lacks stuff such as Canon’s 28-70 f2 and their 24-105 f2.8 plus Tamron’s 35-150 f2/2.8. I really hope that Sigma are working on some other more interesting (to me) stuff and would settle for a 45-90mm f1.8 brother to this latest Sigma lens because I could build a system around those 2 lenses for sure. Or something to rival that Tamron 35-150, but less bulky and ugly like the Samyang version. I love the pairing of the 10-25 and 25-50 f1.8 zooms in M4/3 and in my ideal world, I just want to see an internal zooming full frame version of these, ie 20-50 and 50-100 because that would be just nuts for me. Or maybe the new GH7 will come out of left field for me and allow this… 🤓

Gerald didn’t mention any of this in his recent video? He’s clearly well out of the loop. I reckon they all also got those secret flying cars but just can’t talk about it under NDA and don’t get to ‘keep them’, but can use them for the duration of their life to fly backwards and forwards to Japan for every new camera launch. I’m seriously considering switching my status from working photographer to industry shill…

It boggles my mind that from a population of 333 million, those 2 are the ‘best’ options. I know, I know, there is more to it than that and ultimately it all comes down to how much you got and who’s backing you etc, combined with just how many skeletons you have in that back closet, but faaaaaark, to the rest of the World (and a massive chunk of the US), as above, boggles the mind!

Agree that the f8 manual lens is something of an abomination and did the launch no favours…but, this thing is being marketed as the content creators/bloggers camera so needs a wide angle. Personally, I think any tool is defined by how you use it and the S9 could be used in any number of roles except perhaps, ultimate photo camera and long take video camera. But why they didn’t develop a faster, AF lens at the same time is a bit shortsighted if not bizarre? Other brands have had for years some pancake(ish) budget options…

That’s 2 words combined and 3 if you class ‘A’ as a word 🤓

I’m on the fence on this one… On one hand, I’m a fan of fast zooms. I don’t own any, but the likes of Canon’s 28-70 f2, their 24-105 f2.8 (technically fast for that focal range), the Tamron 35-150 f2/2.8, but not the Samyang which is bigger, heavier and uglier. This one though for me is very much a case of ‘if it was available in a pair’ with a 45-90, also internal zoom and also f1.8, then it would be good night, Vienna, give me a LUMIX S1Rii and I’m done. Ideally, the lighter and more compact the better, but when it comes to these bigger zooms, I can compromise because of what they can do, which is genuinely replace at least 2 primes. There’s not that much between 28 and 35 so arguably this one just replaces a 28 and a ‘wider 50’ for me but that’s a winning combo in my book, especially as an indoor lens. For outdoor, I do need longer and could max out with 90mm on a 60mp body, 105mm on a 45mp but really need 150mm on 24mp. So on balance, just 1 of 3 parts of a puzzle for me…but having said that, Sigmas tiny 90mm f2.8 on a second 60mp S1Rii would work for me. But as things stand, doesn’t work for me. I like it though.

Yep. Well natural and constant light anyway, just no flash, on or off camera as it is just one step too many for the one man band hybrid shooter. Been there done that, the resulting t shirt did not fit! No EVF does not bother me as I shoot rear screen 100% of the time. Bouncing between stills and video over an average 12 hour shoot is easier just off the screen. This however is one of my criticisms of the S5ii and not checked, but probably S9 and that is a rear LCD that is well under 2000 wotsit brightness things, whereas my Nikons are well over 2k. Makes a difference on bright days… Bit of a weird one isn’t it? Could they have gaffed or done a last minute turnaround, or did these folks also attend this other launch and have all been under clause not to release yet? Maybe and if the latter, we shall find out soon enough because at least a couple of dozen of them would almost certainly have been at any M4/3 or FF LUMIX launch. It’s all the other Sony or Canon or Fuji boys and girls that are/were a bit of an odd one on this…

Ah, that will be why she refuses to respond to any of the dozens of communications I send to her every day. Thinks she’s too good for me 😏

Internal ND will be a genuine game changer when it comes to hybrid capture. It’s the single biggest thing IMO that has prevented this form of capture from really taking off as everything else is a workaround.

Yeah. Back in the early 80’s, Ridley Scott promised me those flying cars by 2019. Where da fuck is my flying car? I’m going to be disappointed in 2049 also if Ana De Armas doesn’t appear on demand as a hologram in my living room…

Well it was a close call for me John because despite initially dismissing this camera at launch, other than the lack of a mech shutter (not itself an issue, just in the instance of this camera) and despite my wish to move from 4 cameras to 3… But what it has going for it is that as someone already using an S1H and an S5ii for video, actually using two more dinky full frame S cameras with primes, would be a pretty good set up! Same batteries (as the S5ii anyway), ability to swap lenses and whole units around throughout the day etc… Yes, a huge draw…but upon further reflection, I prefer my current LUMIX video + Nikon stills approach. I think if I had not moved to Nikon for stills this year, then a pair of S9’s and some primes would have been on the cards. Several viable ways to skin this particular cat. Multiple options with multiple systems and has been for a few years now.

If I was considering using an S9, it would be a pair of and one with the 45 and the other with the 90, both of which I have had and particularly impressed with the 90 which is pretty tiny really. I’d flip the 17 and 24 for the 20mm f2 which whilst a little bigger and heavier, kind of does both but can do it in low light which for me would seal the deal! But I am not going to so… The lack of a mech shutter was the swing vote for me in this one. Would have been great for my video needs, but I already have that covered so it was the photo side I looked at, but again, better served by my Niks. Personal camera, and for hybrid use, right now, I think yes I would go S9. If LUMIX ever bring out a purple one, I reckon that would sell out just because, you know, Gerald.

But what is Gerald’s opinion?

Ha, you jest but actually, since 2010 when I first started making tentative moves into 'hybrid' coverage, I have probably considered it if not actually tried it. Every time someone says, "have you considered...", yep, let me stop you there, that was yet another dead end 🤪 As I have mentioned elsewhere before, there is more than one way to skin a cat (other animals also), but actually very few that are 'The Best' way to do something and with no handbook available, trials, error (a lot) and expense, have been involved. But I can say that other than my own need to move from 4 units to 3, I have finally nailed it. Nailed it as far as I am concerned for what I set out to achieve. Could it be improved? Margins... 2x stills units down to a single unit (for stills) is the last significant 'final change' for me but beyond that, at some point, the video units as in bodies + lenses, could be reduced in size as the S1H with battery grip plus f4 70-200 on a Manfrotto tripod is something of a beast! My future ideal, whilst not a necessity, but rather a wish, would be that all 3 units as far as bodies go, become identical for ergonomic and logistical reasons, one set of the same battery etc. That could happen with swapping the 2x LUMIX units for 2 further Z6iii's as I already have the lenses so would be a relatively low cost scenario. But not a 2024 one. I can make small(er) changes mid season, but wholesale change is too much. The only other thing I want to do this year is pick up another RODE WG2 so I can move on from having to sync audio to the main footage that is using the primary WG2 set up I already have, ie, be able to mic up 4 people speaking feeding into 2 camera units instead of the current 2 into 1 plus random recorders in pockets, clipped to dresses etc. Apart from that, as The Purple One says, I'm done.