MrSMW

I should add, not all at the same time! For instance, I don’t fly the drone whilst doing anything else, though I will have 3x video cameras running while shooting stills. Lighting is always 2 big or 2 small or just 1 of either and very occasionally 3, but never 4 to the best of my memory…

Yes. Like learning to juggle going from 3 to 4 to 5 to 6 to 7 to 8 to 9 to teacups & saucers to full Cirque du Soleil chainsaws, ie, you have to both work up to it and work at it. 4 cameras 1 drone 3 tripods 2 large light stands with lights 2 small light stands with lights 6+ audio devices Full photo and video, every event https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=it's+a+kind+of+magic+line+from+highlander&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:76d8ff54,vid:inHv2y8QCbM,st:0

I have 2x identical, tripod based set ups with S5ii's. I say 'identical', but temporarily they are not as the second RODE WG2 I ordered, the receiving unit turned up DOA, but as soon as that is replaced, I will have 2x identical set ups. Identical except I can swap out one of the 20-60mm zooms for the 70-200 f4 if I feel the need, but exceptional circumstance only such as a church wedding with no side aisle so stuck at the back. That covers off ceremonies and speeches, visual and audio so my third run & gun unit during those chapters is just that, - roaming about and the 28-70 is just fine for that. And size & weight, even with the minimalist cage and side handle...I forgot about...because I forgot about it...but have now remembered...makes me sway even more back towards a third S5ii which in it's new incarnation will NOT have the cage it previously had, nor the side handle and nor probably the RODE micro. If I am being honest, whilst the wooden side handle DID add to the ergos, it was more because it looked cool and the cage was a necessity for this vanity. The Rode Micro? Having a mic on the camera 'told' people this was a video unit. You'd think anyway. In over 90% of cases, folks think I'm taking pics not video and in most cases when they have been standing there staring at the camera and grinning like buffoons, do I tell them it's a video and then they starting 'acting'. So back to a bare bones S5ii with just lens, it's actually less size & weight and more low-key than the S9 in it's semi-rigged status. I think I just talked myself into cancelling my preorder...

I disagree. I think it's meant to be exactly what it is. The issue is the internet is full of folks with opinions... No EVF? It's not intended for EVF shooters. Personally, I NEVER use the EVF on any camera and have not for years, whether that be stills or video. Even in super-bright sunlight, I can at least see the waveform monitor and otherwise trust the AF. Simply a non-issue. To me. Lack of mechanical shutter. We can debate that one and personally, I WOULD have preferred it if it had one, but hey ho. Cold not hot shoe. Meh, don't care. I don't shoot flash either and have not done so for even longer than I have not used an EVF so again, for my use, non-issue. Single card slot. Supposedly that is the compromise in keeping the same size as the S5ii battery and the camera the size it is. IMO, I would have preferred a slight grip with the extra size used to house a second card slot. This is my only real criticism of this camera, but not a deal breaker. 10 or 15 minute record limit. Sorry, but that one is a complete 1000% non-issue. For anyone requiring longer, just get a more suitable camera such as the S5ii which used 'like new', is basically the same price. And ticks all of the above boxes. And having said all that, I am actually debating myself now why I don't trade my S1H for a third S5ii... The options are: GH7, S9, S5ii and S1H. The pros and cons are: (for me/my needs) GH7 = whole new eco system for a single camera plus 2 lenses, costs ball park €6k. Not happening. S9 Pros = smallest, lightest, full frame 6k 30p open gate. Cons = single card slot. Costs €1700 with cage S5ii Pros = 3rd identical camera in my line up, non of the cons of the S9 and compared with S9 with cage, little difference in size and weight (though the S9 does just still, ooh err missus, edge it). Cons = slightly bigger and heavier than the S9 with cage. Costs €1600 S1H = Own it, best image quality of the bunch (poss due to the OLPF). Cons = biggest, heaviest, oldest, slowest, AF worst, IBIS worst and trade in money is a bit shite. Costs €fuck all Heart says S9. Head says cancel preorder and just get another S5ii.

Now if you'd asked "how many bananas encased in pastry?" I could have answered because it's 3.14

Nah 😜

One where the viewer does not consider either. If I am viewing and immediately think, “that looks sharp”, or “this looks soft”, it has already been overcooked. Something that REALLY bothers me in any movie or TV show, is if I can see the production. Bad acting and poor dialogue are one thing, but I notice more and more these days, anything where I can see what’s going on behind the scenes. I watched Nomadland for the first time yesterday evening and my overall thoughts were: I enjoyed it and thought it a good movie. The filmmaking process did not jar. There was probably a little too much overuse of sunsets in too many scenes. The use of non-actors in most of the roles was a bit too obvious and some of the characters as a result were less ‘real’ because of that…but this and it’s ’worthiness’ is probably why it won 3 Oscars. But whether it was soft or sharp or both or neither, at times or not, I could not tell you. If I had noticed either it would have been a distraction. Fortunately, it had zero slow motion, or anamorphic bending of the edges, or blue flares. Thankfuckfully.

I think the simple truth in my case is I started using it from the start when it was less of a thing, in order to separate myself from the herd. It became a default through laziness and a lack of creativity that then became a habit. Like any habit, it was not easy to break but once I had…which was fairly recently, I now find it jarring and one of those ‘how could I not see this before?’ moments. And that was just 50p slowed to 50%. The thought of super slo mo from shooting 100fps or more, even back when the above was a default for me, I find too extreme to the point of being ridiculous. I blame Michael Bay.

Some event shooters might want it, but waaaaaay too slow mo for my tastes and I have been increasingly moving away from any form of slow mo at all. It can have it’s place but I’m personally tired of it.

Probably… Plenty of cameras only have one card slot. There was no back up at all when we shot film (other than it was maybe 10 rolls of film over a day). I just stuck my current S1H rig including VND and Spider Holster plate and it came in at 1.75kg so slightly higher than I thought. S9 with cage and same lens will be just under 1kg so quite a big difference and the size/weight combo above a certain output quality (that the S1H and S9 are both well above) is a priority for me. Plus the better AF. Convinced myself, I’ll at least give the S9 a chance.

Nope and can’t envisage any scenario why I ever would.

I decided on the S9 with Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 as my compact ‘compromise’, but the GH7 with the pairing of 10-25 (indoors) and 25-50 (outdoors) would actually be a preference other than for 2 factors. Size & weight of each combo, the M4/3 option being approx 1.5x the size & weight, plus having to carry that option lens and Cost. The S9 I think is €1600 and I already have the lens but 3 M4/3 items, even used for the lenses, would run me pushing €6k. Somewhat reluctantly, I had to say no to that option, but hey ho. Now slightly on the fence whether I should even change my S1H for the S9… The S9 is the smaller & lighter option paired with the Sigma 28-70, but the single card slot is a slight concern. Only ever had one SD card have a problem and that was at least 12+ years, but it’s something every pro needs to consider. The S1H package compared with the GH7 + 10-25 or 25-50 is around the same weight, but not as wide or as long, but flipping to S35 mode takes it up to an equivalent 105mm. The other factor to consider is the S1H is bullet proof, I have 4 batteries for it. And I own it, so costs exactly €0 🤑 But all that said and done, if it wasn’t for the financial part of the equation, O think I’d go for the GH7 and that pair of fast zooms.

Which is great for anyone interested in that but I’ve never shot above 50/60p in my life. And never will.

I’m not sure what the IBIS is like on the GH5 but one of the key reasons (the other being to crop up, down or just in within the full frame of what is available) is AF for the social media/content creator crowd…which none of the GH series has until the GH7. And the GH7 is a bit overkill for that crowd so step forward the S9? Smaller, lighter, full frame 6k OG goodness. Most of the GH line kill it as a more serious filmmakers tool though… I’d like to see a sequel to The Creator shot on the S9 instead of the FX3. Could ‘easily’ be done!

Hmmm 🤔 I’d like to use my Time Machine to go visit that age for sure and see someone like George Melieres at work, but as a hybrid event photographer working in 2024, I suspect my tools of choice have a few advantages over his… 16fps stop motion is not something my clients book me for 😂

That was a very nice picture, to my eyes at least. If only every day was overcast though, - limited DR to deal with!

I think the nicest footage out of any Lumix camera was the 5k 30p from the S1R. That thing has a completely different sensor to the rest of the S1/S5 lineup. There was just something about it…

Pretty sure it’s 4:3? At least S5ii anyway… Could be an option and I will have to take a look but when I tried the the 6k last year, I really liked the result. The only reason I did not stick with it was slow mo, but I have finally given that up in order to become a (more) serious filmmaker 😉

Indeed. As above, for videographers, the specs have been there for a few years now re. sensors etc and it’s more the other stuff such as stabilisation and potential of in camera VND’s etc that interests me. For photographers, even longer. Lenses, I think there’s still a lot more scope with faster and more compact options being my interest. My holy grail is the max performance out of the smallest units, bodies and lenses. Stuff such as the Sigma FP, the Lumix S9 and for stills, the Sony A7RV and compact zooms such as Sigma’s 28-70mm f2.8 and Tamron’s 28-75mm f2.8. These combos for me are ‘peak camera’ in almost every way so for anything to come in the future, there’s nothing I actually need or even want. But stuff such as even better IBIS, intended VND, greater DR etc are all welcome.

Need to have a play myself as I’ve just gone back to shooting 6k 30p that I dabbled with briefly last year, from the mix of 4k 25p FF and 4k 50p cropped I mostly use. I do prefer the footage from the S1H over the S5ii but different sensor isn’t it and of course has an OLPF. I always have a 1/8th mist on my lenses as I find that reduces the contrast and softens in a very subtle manner the sharper detail/digital harshness? I don’t even have the sharpening turned down. Maybe it’s just my taste, but as much as I don’t like or want an overly sharpened digital video looking image, I also don’t want a soft one as it’s easier to soften than it is to sharpen. But 6k 30p 3:2 open gate for me going forward simply so I can maximise my new social media vertical videos and have the framing turned on as 9:16 so I’m shooting for it as much as I am for the main event which goes out at 16:9. I do like a wider more ‘cinematic’ crop such as 1:85 and 2:39 but the reality these days is screen real estate on a phone so those are my ratios; 16:9 and 9:16

That’s actually one of my best investments. Along with the motorhome/RV. The moho/RV saves me around €7k per annum that I am not spending on bed & board and will claw back around 35-40% of its purchase price after 10 years use. The cart will be worth fuck all after 10 years, if it even lasts that long…which I doubt, but every wedding I use it at (which is almost all of them) it’s been invaluable. Single trip from van to somewhere convenient within the venue with all my kit loaded up which otherwise would be 3-4 walking trips each end of the day. Last job of the year it’s going to be especially useful as it’s nearly 1km from the closest parking to the church with no drop off opportunity as the roads are too tiny and I can’t get close. But I can trundle my trolley 2km. Kind of…

Do they? I don't know, - rhetorical Q! I didn't like it as much as FF/S35 Lumix, but probably never gave it enough time. I suspect in isolation or with enough time to understand and work with it, there would have been little to no discernible difference?

I know a few enjoy my occasional kit ramble and as I have often said, I do like good kit, but do not collect 'toys' for the sake of it. Plus I am actually a minimalist at heart and if I could only own one camera and one lens, I would! But if my update rambles help other folks in some of their own choices, then good. 20-40 f2.8 28-75 f2.8 G2 70-180 f2.8 G2 As far as I am aware, the smallest and lightest and greatest range of f2.8 zooms available from any manufacturer. One of my 'criticisms' of Nikon is rebadging the original versions and charging more for them, but I digress... Sigma do an excellent 16-28 f2.8 I had for a season, but I found it just a bit too wide and two of my 'favourite' focal lengths are 20mm and 40mm making the widest of my zooms, absolutely perfect for my needs. It weighs only 365g which is super light for such a great lens which in crop mode, is still a fantastic 30-60mm lens. I have the 28-70mm f2.8 from Sigma since it's launch and it's been my workhorse in both stills and more recently, video use. At 470g compared with your more typical 24-70 weighing in at anything from 750-1000, again, it's a lightweight gem. It remains firmly in it's current role as primary run & gun video lens. The Tamron version the 28-75mm f2.8 replaced the above as my primary stills lens this year and it's been superb. Some folks prefer a wider 24mm, but not me and it may be only 4mm, but I just don't get on with the 24mm focal length and prefer 28mm as my 'medium wide'. The 'extra' 5mm at the long end is also a bonus. It's slightly heavier than the Sigma at 540g, but that is still lightweight for what it is. Paired with the A7RV, it's an insanely good combo at approx 1350g including Smallrig baseplate either as a full 61mp unit, or as a 42-110mm 26mp set up. And finally the 70-180mm f2.8 G2 weighing in at just 855g. OK, it gives up 20mm at the long end, but I could not care less as it's both lighter and a stop faster than my Lumix 70-200mm f4 and all 70-200mm f2.8's are typically 1250-1500g in L Mount which is considerable on a camera body, especially without a battery grip. That has been one of my big issues with L Mount, - I always needed a battery grip to balance those bigger zooms but that just added even more weight and pushed units run hand well over 2.5kg which all day long is just a bit too much! Summary, - absolutely zero criticisms of these Tamron lenses. They just do exactly what I want and need them to do and we could always wish for even more compact and lighter, but they are IMO, the finest range of zoom lenses currently available for me today. But what about those 35-150 f2/2.8 options available from Tamron and Samyang? Considered but just too big and heavy and external zooming. Either would require a battery grip for me to use and as with those 70-200's, just even more bulk so just no. The only advantage of one of these and slight criticism of my current trio of zooms is it would save on changing lenses, but the way I work, this happens so infrequently, it's not an issue... 28-75mm from start of day until start of ceremony. Change to 70-180 for ceremony and then back to 28-75 until speeches when it's back to 70-180 with final switch to end the day to 20-40 for dancing which is just 4 actual lens changes in a typical 12 hour shoot. It's not an issue. I would however be interested in a similar sized and performing sibling to the new Sigma 28-45mm f1.8. If Sigma bring out something like a 45-90mm f1.8 version of this lens, I would consider swapping the Tamron trio for just these 2 lenses. OK they are bigger and heavier, but do not require a battery grip and the extra quality and capability combined with the cropping ability of the A7RV would make this duo very viable. But as the latter lens does not exist...

M4/3? For video yes. For stills no, but cost... I know there are cheaper options, but I wouldn't consider anything less than 3x GH7 and the fast f1.8 zooms so again, cost just kills it. And to be honest, I'm not especially interested in going back to M4/3, but it was a consideration. I've considered everything basically. Except the Komodo et al.

But being serious, I had to rule out Canon completely due to cost and ideally I would have kept things totally L Mount, but even if an S1H or S2R appears by the end of this season, the glass just is not there yet for my needs. That new Sigma 28-45 f1.8 would make a great workhorse…up to ‘50’ but then anything longer such as a 70-200 is just massive. I popped the f4 version of that lens on my S1H and handed it to my wife today and then the Z6ii with Tamron 70-180. The former weighs 2.42kg and the latter 1.21kg which is exactly 50%. Swap out the Z6ii for the vastly more capable (than the Z6ii or S1H) A7RV and the weight remains about the same…and that is the heaviest combo in my revised arsenal. The S9 combo will be under 1kg compared with my current S5ii set up which is approx 1.7kg. The pair of S5ii’s including lenses and battery grips are approx 1.5kg each but will live on tripods other than for transportation. These are considerable weight savings considering my 3 current ‘on me’ working units added up to: 1.3kg + 1.6kg + 1.8kg = 4.7kg Compared with what very shortly be: 1kg + 1.3kg = 2.3kg, ie, <50% Nerdy numbers aside, the weight saving alone is huge, but then factor in having to juggle just 2 units instead of 3 and with vastly increased stills capacity with the stills unit of that pairing. Or I could rig out a Komodo and employ sherpas to lug my gear and operate the follow focus. If any of them are not too busy also doubling as my son et lumière team… Fuji could have done it all with 3x XH2’s and a single XH2, but the less than stellar AF puts me off. Plus it would be starting from scratch and the cost would have been mucho. What about going full Sony and flipping all the L Mount? Cost. Could have done it with a pair of FX30’s plus an FX3 on top of the A7RV for stills, but even more mucho costo over Fuji and what I have gone for.