MrSMW

YES, someone else that also gets this! As a 50:50 stills/video shooter myself, only photographers really get just how important shutter sound (and button feel) are when it’s your job. It was awful on the OG S5 and that carried over to the S5ii. I love my S5ii for video but for stills, the S1H is in another league. I could have, and wanted to build a system around 3x S5ii’s, but the shutter sound plus the lack of lenses for my specific needs, has meant I cannot. I genuinely think that Panasonic potentially has the best all round hybrid cameras in the S5ii and the S1H and they just need to merge the two into one for the ‘perfect’ camera, ie, the focus system of the S5ii in the S1H! Actually my ‘perfect’ camera is a mashup of the; S5ii, the S1H and the Sigma FP with Tamron lenses, specifically the 35-150mm f2/2.8 and 70-180mm f2.8 If only, for those lenses, it’s Sony or Nikon bodies only…which is why I have skipped off back to Nikon + Tamron for stills.

Or one of the full frame A7C's for even greater cropping capability? I think if I was starting all over again from scratch with everything, I might go this route... I have avoided these single card slot cameras for pro work for many years, but actually, for my needs, units such as the FX30, A6700, A7Cii and A7CR, paired with some of the more recent compact APSC and FF zooms such as the Sigma 18-55 & 28-70, the Tamron 17-70 & 28-75, make HUGE sense as lightweight, compact options.

The question is, what is the size of that market? To play devils advocate, let's say it's 10,000 units per annum but based on their research, they would need to sell 100k units PA to make it worthwhile, they are not going to do it are they. There's lot's of stuff I'd like to see in the marketplace, but if it's too niche, I can understand why it does not exist, even if I do not like it! I think phones have simply killed the market. Not completely as in of course folks exist who wish to be served by it, but in such small numbers, it's not viable. Or the projections aren't. Or 'stuff' just doesn't fit their brand/profile anymore. There seemed to be a time when stuff was getting smaller, but I think that time is mostly over. Mostly. Other stuff is filling certain niches such as phones and action cam type stuff. Personally, I'd like to see big (FF and MF) sensors in tiny bodies with lenses to match, but either the physics of it does not (yet) exist, or the cost to design and build is too high. I had high hopes for instance for the Sigma FP, but it has not hit the mark for my needs. Something like the L model with the optional grip and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 with decent cropping ability due to being 61mp, makes for an extremely compelling unit to me. On paper. And it falls down at that point due to banding issues, no IBIS and no 4K 50/60p and no tilt screen. The latter can actually be fixed with an aftermarket solution, but the rest still kills it for me. Maybe the digital stabilisation might just be enough, I don't know, but it still falls short in 2 other key areas for my needs so a sad "no". OK, it's not super super tiny, but had it ticked more or all of the boxes, what a stunningly capable, sub 1kg unit that would have been...

Me also including hot shoe mounted Go Pro. It was awful. At some point, I reluctantly came to the conclusion ‘tools for jobs’ which is why going into 2024, I’m going 4 bodies/5 lenses with a lens swap on one body only twice in a single shoot. To some it might seem to be a case of ‘more’ but in reality it is ‘less’ because it is replacing a system of 3 bodies/6 lenses, quite a bit of faffing and one of those units weighed 2.8+kg whereas going into ‘24, the heaviest will be 2.2kg (if I go Z9) or about 1.75kg (Z8) and less still if that Z6iii pops up or I go for a second Zf. Plus a lot less faffing. Could be even less faffing still with the OSMO 3 Pocket which after some research, fits my use case better than anything else out there compared with a gimbal. The only thing is 500 euros…

Ditto. Clients like it and want it, but I am not that interested personally so whilst I do use it on every job, as with most things I use/do, very specifically and then put it away. The OG lasted me until I had crashed it one two many times and then I replaced it with an Air 2s which will do me until it explodes or is lost at sea or something. Hadn’t really considered that… Again, I only use a gimbal at one specific time and it’s kind of overkill in that regard but I do not wish to drop its use. It’s a PITA to store, carry, set up etc so might look at the OSMO Pocket 3 and ditch the despised gimbal forever… 😉

I hear you and much prefer myself, locked down static shots...but it's not practical for me in my work so I have compromised as follows: Ceremonies and speeches, static tripod for the full length productions, but some static IBIS stuff for 'The Film' because stuff like reactions etc, I couldn't work fast enough with even a monopod, never mind a tripod. Candid stuff which is most of the rest actually, steady IBIS, ie, 'tripod mode'. I never pan or track follow movement patterns ie, any movement should be almost imperceptible. Gimbal is reserved purely for walking tracking couple so a couple of 10's of seconds of footage max. If I had to go one way of the other though, handheld or static, I'd choose static every time and I can't stand this current vogue for waving the camera around in every scene.

I agree with the above 👆 thoughts as someone who shoots stills and video all day long at every job I do. It is possible to use the same kit most of the time, but not all the time, something that has been part of the puzzle for me. My own reality came down to there being 2 solutions better than any other and these were: A. The twin body set up shooting min 6k raw to give me the ability to pull hi res stills, or, B. The 4 body set up with 2 set up and dedicated for video and the other 2 for stills. There was/is a 3 body approach but it actually required/requires more compromise than either of the above, for my needs at least. Therefore having a dedicated stills camera with a secondary additional compatible video function makes absolute sense.

To quote myself, I should clarify VERY happy with the result, just not the process required to achieve it from an ergonomic, weight and lens changing perspective. That is what I had to fix. And have not necessarily ‘fixed’, but improved upon considerably. Carry on 😉

It went OK… I ended up doing 21 jobs instead of the previous years 33, but the 2022 year workload was insane and a necessity after 2 terrible Covid ‘work’ years (ha, 6 jobs in 2 years). 2024 I have revised it down slightly even further to 15-20 and I already have 4 jobs locked in for 2025. Volume-wise, I have no concerns. Client-wise, as in the type, ditto. I have always been quite picky because otherwise… Kit-wise, struggled again all year long. As a solo, multi-day, hybrid destination wedding shooter, I have some very specific needs. It’s been an evolving process over many years based on the available tech each year combined with my ever-evolving approach and needs. By the close of my 2023 season, I finally cracked it regarding kit with the final conclusion that a 2, 3 or 4 body kit could work equally as well, but glass was the key. L Mount does not give me it so it has been a case of either ditch it totally, or split my photo and video needs into 2 different systems. For 2024, I decided to do just that and then we will see how that goes. My ‘perfect’ set up is with Canon, based around a pair of R3’s, IMO, the ultimate current hybrid body, but I can’t afford so… L Mount for video and Nikon/adapted Tamron for stills: Static video = S1H + battery grip + 70-200mm f4 Roaming video = S5ii + Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 Candid photo = Nikon Zf + 40mm f2 All other photo = Nikon ‘X’ + Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 plus Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 The ‘X’ being either; Z8, Z9, new Z6iii if it is available in time, or even another Zf. Other than that final piece of kit, I’m sorted and happy with all my set up, cameras, lenses, lights, audio etc and I’m well set up also with my motorhome/RV as a home away from home and mobile office. Bring it on ‘24!

For most people most of the time at this price point. IMO. An easier pick than the Zf as it’s more conventional but I am now of the opinion that Z Mount has the best lens options as it has all of it’s own Z line, all of it’s back catalogue F and all of Sony E, these latter two adapted with full AF capability. The most interesting and least compromised kit at this price point today, is L Mount and Nikon. The Zf is quite a big jump over the Z6ii when it comes to AF and IBIS and has the processor from the Z8/9. I hope so because I am currently on that proverbial fence flip-flopping between Z9, Z8, another Zf or a Z6iii. Ideally for its role, I would like a gripped body…but also a compact as possible body. Pros and cons for each of the above, but that’s just my own personal dilemma, but pertaining to Daniel, yes, might be worth holding on a while and seeing what the Z6iii might be. If it turns out to be a re-bodied Zf, then a lot of folks are going to be disappointed. Not because it won’t be a great camera…because that would be, but because folks always want more. If it has a version of the Sony A7iv 33mp sensor, an updated Z6ii style body and the tech from the Zf, straight to the top of the class, especially if it has an optional battery grip that is better designed than the clunky Z8 option.

Take a good look at both the Lumix S5ii and the Nikon Zf then. The latter at first appearance may appear to be a retro inspired ‘stills’ camera, but is actually an excellent low light, AF, performer. I’m still on the fence myself whether to: A: even bother with a Z8 or Z9 to pair it with and just get a second Zf, or, B: even move lock stock and barrel over to Nikon for video also. If I was not already heavily invested in L Mount, the question would be clearer and the answer would almost certainly be yes, but… For 2024 at least, it’s more a financial consideration and I will run both systems side by side. For your requirements though Daniel, the Zf paired with the 24-120mm f4 could be an excellent option? Or, S5ii with the 24-105mm f4 as I think this slightly longer focal range is more what you are used to and prefer over something like a 24-70?

Lumix S5ii + Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 is a solid all-rounder with great stills capability and possibly the best video chops at this price point. Nikon Zf + adapted Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2 is a slightly quirky, left field choice with arguably even better AF, IBIS and photo quality over the Lumix, but with a few less ultimate video options. Fuji XH2/S + 16-55mm f2.8 keeps you within your familiar brand, improves on ‘everything’ compared with what you have except possibly ultimate output (but honestly, who would notice) but arguably, the full-frame options are slightly ahead in areas such as AF and outright capability. I’d be happy with any of them and for me it comes down to the final detail and how my entire kit works as a whole for the specific needs and wants I personally have. On that basis, for 2024, I am shooting L Mount for video and Nikon for stills, but if you took it all away and dumped a Fuji based system into my hands, it would work equally ‘real world’ just as well.

Northern France has been trash for about 2 months 😠

Not enough light sabres or use of The Force for you? 😉

Big fan of the Amaran 60X lights which are only a couple of hundred each. Plug into the mains or run off a portable 500kwh power bank or a pair of Sony batteries for a totally cable-less off-grid set up. In my cart for weddings, I have a pair, 2 lightstands, 2 optional softboxes, 40m extension cable and powerbank and it’s been a fantastic set up all year. I did have the Sony batteries but had them stolen along with another light at a wedding in Sep. Narrowed it down to the DJ, but can’t prove it… But definitely one of my purchases of the year and unless I break them or they are stolen, I can’t see why they won’t last out my career.

Sony RX100V ? I had one and it was pretty fantastic. Tiny, genuinely pocketable and my only real issue was overheating for how I used it which is for MUCH longer takes than you Kye. Same issue with the ZV1, brilliant little thing but needed cooling…which it probably could today with the Tilta stick on jobbie. Part of me really wants to go uber-small with my gear, but I think for my needs and taking budget (the huge losses in trading) into consideration, it’s a non-starter. Just knocking off 1kg is a big plus for me for 2024 but that is still a body and lens combo about 5+ times heavier than any of yours 🤪

Finally just saw it myself today. Had to watch on my 16” MacBook because…well that is a long and boring story, so I won’t bother with that, but really enjoyed it. Big fan of Bladerunner (both), Dune, Rogue One, ie, well done sci fi and this can be added to that list. It could have been a bit longer actually, but the opposite of Rebel Moon which we saw the other day and didn’t think was complete trash, but fairly poor. I’m tempted to trade in my S1H and S5ii for a pair of FX3’s but somehow, I don’t think it will be enough, so sticking with them.

Awful in my line of work as any change/changes mid scene is near impossible to overcome in post. Just a headache. But otherwise yes, fixed WB of ‘5500’ works nicely and is my go to (not 5600) as it’s the recommendation for the conversion LUT I use. I also meant 4500 indoors not 4000, so 4500 and 5500 are my two programmed default options.

Pretty sure it will be Zf spec except for different body and bigger second card slot than the Micro SD. Not expecting anything more. FF 4K 60p would have been nice but there are going to be restrictions compared with the Z8 for sure.

Agree…unless shooting street and with smaller primes such as the 26/28/40 lenses. The grip makes a difference. Still waiting for my Tamron 70-180 as there is a chance, albeit slight, I get a second ZF because other than the side hinge screen, it’s a ‘perfect’ camera for me.

Being a hybrid wedding/event shooter, I don’t have the time to be setting WB every single scene so it’s 5600 outdoor and 4000 in and adjust in post if needs be. Otherwise indeed trying to get as much SOOC internally as possible. Works for me. I shoot log these days/this last year, but no issues with shooting a flat profile and do so for all low light/after dark stuff.

If it’s basically a ‘DSLR’ version of my Zf, I might just save the bucks and go for one over a Z9…which I am favouring over the Z8. Z7iii just seems too close to Z8 if we are are looking at similar mp sensor size difference as per the previous 2 models so maybe they will go something much larger, otherwise don’t see where it fits in really? Tried to have a play with a Z9 today on one of my rare forays into a city but no joy, didn’t have one. Also depends on availability because unless I can actually buy one by end of March max, it’s default Z9 for me...which is no bad thing because it will allow me to run L Mount for video and Z for stills all year and then make a decision whether to continue with that or trade 2 L Mount units for another single Z and use what will then be 3x Z units all as full hybrid. I really don’t mind either way as there are pros and cons for either option so either way it’s a win.

My parents still believe Great Britain has colonies and rules the world…

I hear you brother Django. It’s the same in my camp, - attempting to weigh up the pros & cons so as not to make a decision I will later regret. Done that too many times previously and determined not to again. If I can help it. Hopefully getting into a real bricks & mortar camera shop next week for a final handling/ergo check, but the Z9 makes the most sense to me. Fortunately I am not ‘stuck’ between brands, - it’s simply the more compact Z8 vs the combined additional attributes of the Z9. Close now…

Where exactly do you live in the World where it’s 2024 already? Must be one of those remote Pacific islands? 🤔