MrSMW

My fingers are crossed. With every system to date so far on my hybrid quest, the most difficult part of the equation has been the lenses. Sony have had ‘my’ lenses for some time now. Nikon with their 70-180 f2.8 recently ticked that box and for me, has the two bodies which again tick the boxes. As you say, something like that from Sigma paired with whatever an S2H might be (and I would suspect, jumps straight to the top of the tree), then I could go back to what is probably the wedding photographers best flexible set up which is a pair of bodies with a 24-70 and a 70-200 which I had in my Nikon D3 days. Only this time, smaller & lighter bodies, smaller & lighter lenses, albeit slightly restricted focal lengths (personally I prefer 28 over 24 so no loss to me and 180 vs 200 I’ll take the smaller & lighter lens every single time thank you) and now not just with video capability, but video capability that exceeds anything videographers had access to even 5 years ago. As above, fingers crossed for L Mount…and pretty confident it will happen, but if not, I already know it exists with Nikon.

I should add that my current pair of S5ii’s plus S1H with various lenses is a superb option and really working for me right now. They just can’t take me to the next level I wish to go to. I would…and perhaps should, have flipped this year, but the cost was the issue. Next year though, we’ll see, but I really NEED a smaller more lightweight option for ‘70-200’ such as the 70-180 options available for Sony and Nikon but it seems no other mount? In summary, holding out and hoping for an S2H from old Pannyboy and a 70-180 from Sigma…

Do I want it? Yes. Do I need it? Actually also yes. Yes if I am to take my work to the next level which is to go from 3 to 2 cameras with true hybrid capability. ‘True hybrid capability’ for me = being able to shoot video and stills with the same unit but also pull stills from the video that could have been shot as stills as the latter deletes the need for that 3rd body for me. The Z9 however is really the only current body that offers me that with 8k 60p internal raw so as things stand, the benchmark. Paired with a Z8 and a pair of zoom lenses (28-75 and 70-180) and that’s it for me, all my needs met. L Mount really is going to have to have the equivalent available early 2024 or I can’t see any other option to go back to Nikon after a 12 year hiatus. I would not shoot 8k 60p all the time however, just at certain specific times. I’m not totally bonkers!

I like a rangefinderesque style camera and Fujis XPro1 and then 2 were my working cameras for stills for about 5 years. They screwed it up for me a bit with the rear LCD on the 3 and the more DSLR-like bodies were/are more practical, especially for video/hybrid use. There were rumours of Panny & Leica bringing out something but I suspect it was pure wishful thinking, but it would get my interest at least. Sigma though are arguably in the game with their FP and FP-L and but for a couple of things, would be my tools of choice. I’m still hoping for a successor that is not crippled to death… But Sony’s 6XXX line has always been for the enthusiast so there’s going to be compromises and they do have to continually bring out new models because that’s how business works.

I can’t wait for the hate. Piece of shit Sony camera. No I haven’t got one and no I’m not going to try one because it’s for YooToober influenzas. 🔥

I ran a 12k and walked 18k yesterday but now feel slightly inadequate… 3100 MILES?! Even Forrest Gump would choke.

Good call. Hadn’t thought of that and will try it first thing AM. Cheers. I do suspect it’s an issue that has developed with the shutter button on that unit… Meanwhile, the S1H remains bullet proof. I need 100% reliability, or at least as close as possible. I might just swap one of the S5ii’s for another S1H as used, they are cheaper than new S5ii’s…

Fixed the hair trigger. I don’t know how because I have tried that many combos, but that one is sorted. The other though, nope @BTM_Pix it’s not that… Default on the S5ii it’s focus for AFS and balance for AFC and I leave my cameras in AFS for stills and video as video they use AFC anyway. I think… My brain is that addled right now I’m questioning my own sanity… The thing is I haven’t changed anything on either so it’s just bizarre. These things were just set up for how I work and have just done that without glitches. Back button AF-ON works for focusing, but it’s an alien muscle memory way of working for me. I still have an unopened S5iix sitting here which was going back tomorrow, but now… I do think there is some kind of tactile/mechanical/electronic glitch when half pressing the shutter. I just can’t find anything in any of the settings that can change that and my final piece of evidence in that regard is normally a half press is how you come out of the menu, but it’s now a harder press and involves taking a picture. That ain’t right so I suspect hardware more than software?

I have not tried a full factory reset on either and that is my last resort...if that even works...

So I just came back from my latest 3 day job and zero issues at that job or any previous one using these bodies. I have them set up IDENTICALLY and like to think I am pretty familiar with them having used my first one for the last 8 jobs and the second for the last 3. But upon my return today, something very odd has happened and I cannot work it out, am away on vacation tomorrow and on my return, am away for my next job, ie, zero opportunity to send the things off to be inspected which could takes weeks or even a month plus. Unit 01 = the AF sensitivity just seemingly disappeared on the shutter button, ie, the normal gentle half press has turned into the need for a much harder press usually resulting in taking a still. (We are talking stills mode here). Unit 02 = at exactly the same time, the shutter button with this one has turned into a hair trigger. The slightest touch and it takes a pic. I've checked all my settings and as far as I am aware, I have not changed a single thing. It's somewhat unreal that an issue can occur and the polar opposite issue, at the same time, with 2 of my 3 working cameras...but it has. So if anyone has any wise advice, I'm all ears! I have tried flipping between AFS and AFC and all the different AF modes...and nothing. One unit now does not want to half press AF and the other has become a hair trigger. WTF??!!

And final decision made… The S1H is staying and the S5IIX going back without breaking the seals of the packaging never mind the box. I went into this weekends 3 day shoot edging towards the 3 identical camera body approach, which I would prefer in principle, plus smaller, lighter, faster, newer has certain benefits, but… The S1H is just too good a stills camera. Yes, stills. It’s meant to be ‘The Video One’ but actually excels as a stills camera for shooting people and events because it’s that little bit less critically sharp than the others without The OLPF. And then there is build, the ergos, the feel of the thing to use and the shutter sound is just sublime. The S5ii by comparison feels and sounds tinny. So decision made. I can’t sell or not use the best camera I have ever used. At least not until a genuine replacement comes along. When or if that happens, but otherwise the S1H is being reconfigured in my line up as principal stills with occasional video and the S5ii’s becoming more video specific and less stills. Same kit, just re-jiggled about a bit! I think the gimbal is going though. Just not getting any real use out of it and the S5ii is pretty good in that department for my limited needs.

Indeed, they could, and I had concerns last year, but especially over whether the next gen S5 had good AF. I for one would have 100% ditched L Mount if they had not ‘fixed’ the issue both in reality and in the public eye, as though my requirement for good AF is minimal, for 5-10% of my work, it is essential and the non-PDAF approach was not reliable enough. But they sorted it and I believe they are now experiencing greater sales. OMDS though, no one really knows who they are. Well of course a tiny minority do, but there is literally zero history or provenance and people do tend to buy stuff they know the brand name of whether it’s as good, better or worse. Brand names sell. I’m a big fan of the smaller independent companies though, the Sigma’s, the Black Magic’s and a future landscape with more of these and fewer giants would be welcome. As a business, one of the decisions I need to keep in mind is the cost vs return and balancing the books as it were. From a purely business POV, I would have near 100% faith in the more established players such as; Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji being around for at least the foreseeable future, but the future of Panasonic’s camera division may have hung in the balance over the success (or not) of the S5ii. I suspect it may just have saved them, but that is pure speculation on my part. OMDS though… Bought the remnants of a once mighty camera company. Brought out a camera almost certainly designed by that former company, but my fear would be if they can no longer market that companies heritage, they have to stand on the merit of their own product. And no matter how good that product may be, if folks do not buy it in sufficient quantity because they have “never heard of it”, then it could spell disaster. Bottom line for me would be a dead brand/product line with zero updates, that may very well last for the duration of said products lifespan, ie, until they break or wear out, but then might require replacement with an entirely new system including lenses and ancillaries etc. There’s always some kind of risk/compromise however, so… Sometimes I wish I was a millionaire or there was a rental company next door to my house so I could spec my best set up with all the brand options and shoot them back to back to then make a proper real world informed decision. But as I am not a millionaire and live in the rural French countryside, I can’t 🤣

Indeed. Unless there is something specific that you actually need, familiarity with the kit you have is under-considered by so many as are actual shooting skills. I get it though, most of us are not immune to shiny new things, myself included… My own focus for the rest of this year and probably all of next, (now that my kit conundrum has finally been solved, is extending that familiarity even further so the tools get even further out of the way), is capture skills and editing/production skills. Still interested in ‘stuff’ but none of it is a need anymore.

The deal-breaker for me when considering a switch to an OM-1 based system for all my work was my concern whether they would even remain in existence as a company beyond this last ever ‘Olympus’ badged release. However, I think if my priority was building as ‘micro’ a kit as possible, it would be based around using these bodies. The GH6 is undoubtedly the better video camera. The S5ii is the sweet spot for me with ‘equal’ IBIS and AF of the OM-1 and the video chops of the GH6 whilst offering full frame stills in a body barely bigger or heavier than either and if you are selective with your lens choices… But out in the jungle, that OM-1 has a really high level of robustness and I really liked that 12-40 as an all purpose lens! Such a capable, chunky but small combo that just felt right in the hands…but just not enough for my needs as an entire system.

Which is why I only ever use my phone these days. With a glass of gin in one hand, it’s not easy to rotate that VND.

Holy Cripple Hammer. I was reading just the other day what a superb hybrid this is. Lumix has 5 custom slots and you can set them to always revert to your custom, or keep whatever last tweak you might have made to any one of the 5 custom settings.

My cat wants one now.

I have not seen any official figures but based on YouTube hype, I get the impression more have moved in recent times, from Sony to Panny rather than the other way round, so would suspect Panny are doing better than they were.

Sorry. Something weird going on above with the quad post! 🤪

I am edging towards burning it in… Why? Well I did with the Gamut LUT a couple of times and quite liked the result, especially from a workflow POV. But the problem I had was/is using 2x S5ii and 1x S1H as the latter does not have the option so there’s no consistency and even the subtle differences between the two models is something that needs more work…hence why I am still pondering whether I should shift that S1H now for that X that is sitting in an unopened box back home on my office desk… For most, burning in the LUT probably is not for them, but I only shoot one thing; and my primary client when it comes to aesthetics, is myself, so in principle, it works for me. I will need to investigate this but I presume it is possible to take say the Phantom Arri Neutral LUT and in Photoshop using a frame grab, add a mild further creative grade and then make a .cube file or something from it to then use as my ‘one and done’ in camera? You know about this stuff Jim. Can I do that or am I talking bollocks?! I’m pretty good these days with exposure, WB etc and mostly nailing my lighting (use of natural and created) so rarely far off in camera. This is not anything I ‘need’ to do at this time but always considering the direction of my work which is a certain subtle but distinct aesthetic, as seamless as possible workflow and possibly the integration of high quality frame grabs as a high proportion of my work. Re. the latter, I have been looking at it with each film I produce and nah, 25 or 30p using the 180 degree rule, even in 6k, rarely offers any opportunity. Waaaay too much motion blur! I had more success shooting 4k 50p last year so realistically and theoretically, I’m going to be waiting on a minimum spec of; 6k 50p and probably ditching the ND’s in favour of over-cranking the shutter speeds. Or even shooting quadruple the shutter speed rather than double with the ND? Ie, say if any S1H replacement offers 6k 50p, then instead of a shutter speed of 1/100, use 1/200 which won’t freeze all action, but there’s rarely much action at a wedding that needs a faster shutter speed. Choppy looking video? Not really at 50% slow mo… Dozens of 2 second clips etc. The longer stuff such as full length ceremony that is going to be played back at 100% speed, shoot ‘properly’, so I’m just talking clips. It’s finding the time to play this time of year!

I am edging towards burning it in… Why? Well I did with the Gamut LUT a couple of times and quite liked the result, especially from a workflow POV. But the problem I had was/is using 2x S5ii and 1x S1H as the latter does not have the option so there’s no consistency and even the subtle differences between the two models is something that needs more work…hence why I am still pondering whether I should shift that S1H now for that X that is sitting in an unopened box back home on my office desk… For most, burning in the LUT probably is not for them, but I only shoot one thing; and my primary client when it comes to aesthetics, is myself, so in principle, it works for me. I will need to investigate this but I presume it is possible to take say the Phantom Arri Neutral LUT and in Photoshop using a frame grab, add a mild further creative grade and then make a .cube file or something from it to then use as my ‘one and done’ in camera? You know about this stuff Jim. Can I do that or am I talking bollocks?! I’m pretty good these days with exposure, WB etc and mostly nailing my lighting (use of natural and created) so rarely far off in camera. This is not anything I ‘need’ to do at this time but always considering the direction of my work which is a certain subtle but distinct aesthetic, as seamless as possible workflow and possibly the integration of high quality frame grabs as a high proportion of my work. Re. the latter, I have been looking at it with each film I produce and nah, 25 or 30p using the 180 degree rule, even in 6k, rarely offers any opportunity. Waaaay too much motion blur! I had more success shooting 4k 50p last year so realistically and theoretically, I’m going to be waiting on a minimum spec of; 6k 50p and probably ditching the ND’s in favour of over-cranking the shutter speeds. Or even shooting quadruple the shutter speed rather than double with the ND? Ie, say if any S1H replacement offers 6k 50p, then instead of a shutter speed of 1/100, use 1/200 which won’t freeze all action, but there’s rarely much action at a wedding that needs a faster shutter speed. Choppy looking video? Not really at 50% slow mo… Dozens of 2 second clips etc. The longer stuff such as full length ceremony that is going to be played back at 100% speed, shoot ‘properly’, so I’m just talking clips. It’s finding the time to play this time of year!

I am edging towards burning it in… Why? Well I did with the Gamut LUT a couple of times and quite liked the result, especially from a workflow POV. But the problem I had was/is using 2x S5ii and 1x S1H as the latter does not have the option so there’s no consistency and even the subtle differences between the two models is something that needs more work…hence why I am still pondering whether I should shift that S1H now for that X that is sitting in an unopened box back home on my office desk… For most, burning in the LUT probably is not for them, but I only shoot one thing; and my primary client when it comes to aesthetics, is myself, so in principle, it works for me. I will need to investigate this but I presume it is possible to take say the Phantom Arri Neutral LUT and in Photoshop using a frame grab, add a mild further creative grade and then make a .cube file or something from it to then use as my ‘one and done’ in camera? You know about this stuff Jim. Can I do that or am I talking bollocks?! I’m pretty good these days with exposure, WB etc and mostly nailing my lighting (use of natural and created) so rarely far off in camera. This is not anything I ‘need’ to do at this time but always considering the direction of my work which is a certain subtle but distinct aesthetic, as seamless as possible workflow and possibly the integration of high quality frame grabs as a high proportion of my work. Re. the latter, I have been looking at it with each film I produce and nah, 25 or 30p using the 180 degree rule, even in 6k, rarely offers any opportunity. Waaaay too much motion blur! I had more success shooting 4k 50p last year so realistically and theoretically, I’m going to be waiting on a minimum spec of; 6k 50p and probably ditching the ND’s in favour of over-cranking the shutter speeds. Or even shooting quadruple the shutter speed rather than double with the ND? It’s finding the time to play this time of year!

I am edging towards burning it in… Why? Well I did with the Gamut LUT a couple of times and quite liked the result, especially from a workflow POV. But the problem I had was/is using 2x S5ii and 1x S1H as the latter does not have the option so there’s no consistency and even the subtle differences between the two models is something that needs more work…hence why I am still pondering whether I should shift that S1H now for that X that is sitting in an unopened box back home on my office desk… For most, burning in the LUT probably is not for them, but I only shoot one thing; and my primary client when it comes to aesthetics, is myself, so in principle, it works for me. I will need to investigate this but I presume it is possible to take say the Phantom Arri Neutral LUT and in Photoshop using a frame grab, add a mild further creative grade and then make a .cube file or something from it to then use as my ‘one and done’ in camera? You know about this stuff Jim. Can I do that or am I talking bollocks?! I’m pretty good these days with exposure, WB etc and mostly nailing my lighting (use of natural and created) so rarely far off in camera. This is not anything I ‘need’ to do at this time but always considering the direction of my work which is a certain subtle but distinct aesthetic, as seamless as possible workflow and possibly the integration of high quality frame grabs as a high proportion of my work. Re. the latter, I have been looking at it with each film I produce and nah, 25 or 30p using the 180 degree rule, even in 6k, rarely offers any opportunity. Waaaay too much motion blur! I had more success shooting 4k 50p last year so realistically and theoretically, I’m going to be waiting on a minimum spec of; 6k 50p and probably ditching the ND’s in favour of over-cranking the shutter speeds. Or even shooting quadruple the shutter speed rather than double with the ND? It’s finding the time to play this time of year!

I was using the Gamut conversion LUT in post so using the same for monitoring. I have switched to the Phantom Arri Natural LUT as my basic conversion now and using in camera err…the same Gamut one for monitoring because I keep forgetting to load the Phantom one 🤪 I don’t think it makes much difference to be honest between any of them unless it’s something very different.

S1H’s are becoming ever more affordable. I just checked the current trade in on mine vs a new S5iix and it’s dropped about 600 euros in the last 3 months! Very robust and capable though.