MrSMW

Yep tried it and it works, but it looks ugly! Internal or between the lens and body still best though, especially if changing lenses and they have different filter sizes. Sure you can use step up rings but there is also the lens hood issue and lens hood exist for a reason. At some focal lengths and with some filters, you can still use either the original or attach something aftermarket and some of my larger diameter VND’s have one ‘welded’ on and you rotate the entire hood/VND as a single entity. I’m not really sure why there are not more options for ‘between’ but I guess it’s more because of the electronic side than the mechanical one? I don’t really understand why Canon for instance make their RF Mount to EF lens only and don’t have an RF-RF because if I ever went to Canon, I would mostly like to use RF lenses. Just one more mystery in CameraLand! On another note, there is beginning to be a lot more chatter & speculation about something S line coming in the early Spring of ‘23 and it seems that Panasonic have officially confirmed this…

But can you book a Chinese restaurant with it?

iPhone autocorrect 🤪 “Not especially”.

Not sure specially. I flit between ‘The Rule’ and overcrank it other times… Ideally, I’d stick to using it but with internal ND or something between the lens and body, anything else is a faff! Magnetic VND’s? PITA for my use case 🤪

That does exist for L Mount, just manual focus only. It’s made by Fotodiox and I have it for my single Meike cine lens. However, there is a workaround using Lidar and DJI. Apparentiy you have to set it up on the gimbal, but can then remove it. A British guy Sam Holland posted a video about it on YouTube the other day. I might look at it, but then as above, the zooms make more sense for me for my specific video needs. But yes, if not internal a drop in filter system between body and lens is the next best thing, especially for hybrid use.

I bought the 85mm f1.8 when it came out and used it for a while back when I only had an S5. Good focal length for my photo work but a bit long for video and that’s one of my 2 ‘Big Niggles’ being a hybrid shooter. Niggle 1: The crop flipping between stills and 4K 50p video. Niggle 2: Using VND’s when flipping between stills and video. I came to the conclusion early this year that until cameras come with internal VND’s that turn on or off depending on whether you are in stills or video mode, other than occasional times, it’s better to dedicate units to stills OR video. Also, dedicating units gets around that annoying 1.5x focal length difference. With my new set up, it’s pretty straightforward re. focal lengths and filters… Stills = 20mm, 35mm and 85mm. If I need longer I crop and with the S1R, I can do that to at least a 150mm equivalent resolution to say a 24mp sensor. Video = ‘24’, ‘42’ or ‘105’ with the S1H and ‘27’ or ‘75’ with the S5 as I tend to use zooms at their extreme ends only. Back on the native 1.8’s, I want to like them, but don’t. I went with the Sigma Contemporary f2’s over them preferring them and going forward, the f1.4 Art’s just make even more sense for me. And for some weird reason, the Sigma’s tend to AF better for stills but the Panasonics better for video? I may have a very rare (for me) commercial job coming up in early Dec so should get a chance to try out the new set up out, but we’ll see.

Well after a lot of humming and hawwing, I've decided to remain with L Mount for 2023 at least. I've looked at every single possible option and nothing quite 'works' for me... I've used bits and pieces from Sony before and it's probably the system that most meets my requirements...but it's nearly 17k to purchase (less what I'd get for the total sale of my L Mount gear which is around 7.5-8k trade) which is a big investment, ie, spend around 10k to get what exactly? An incremental 'improvement' in certain areas. None in some and quite a bit in another (AF) and really it's only the latter where there is any significant/worthwhile change. But 10k cost to change? For my needs, maybe not... Fuji. I had one in da house. An XH2. I came from Fuji and I love Fuji gear but same question and that is what do I stand to gain and what do I stand to lose? I didn't shoot a single frame before returning it. That one would be a 12.5k less 7.5 so 5k to change. For what? Possibly slightly nicer colour science...?? Smaller, lighter and slightly more efficient set up but otherwise... Nikon? Love the Z9 as a camera, but the rest doesn't quite work so... Canon? Too many questions for me, too much fudging, too expensive. (More than the Sony set up). There just isn't anything else...for my needs so I re-evaluated L Mount. I never completely gave up on it anyway and have always stated I hoped they might bring something new out over the Winter '22-'23 period that fits my needs better camera wise...and that may still happen. Or not. Or some time in '23... But I have decided to keep all 4 bodies that I have, sell some 'old' lenses and get some new ones and generally just re-purpose some elements of kit and practice based on my need/use case. So in that regard, I'm going to carry on with 4 bodies and not flip to the 3 that I would prefer and one day hope to. I could move to 3 with L Mount, but it doesn't quite work so I'll stick with 4; a pair of S1R's, an S1H and an S5. Selling all the f2/f2.8 primes from Sigma and buying Sigma f1.4's instead. The; 20mm, 35mm and 85mm specifically. One area where I have felt that I have made some sacrifices (glass-wise) over the last couple of years is in low-light capability. This switch of lenses will improve that capability. These 3 primes will be my workhorses mostly for stills ie, will only be used with the S1R's which themselves will carry on with 'stills only' duty other than a few bits of handheld 5k video during ceremonies and speeches. I LOVE the 5k that the S1R produces but I wish it was 50p... The S1H will continue in the role of primary video camera, mostly handheld. It's just so good. Size, weight, ergos, rear screen, quality of output and for '23 it's getting a new companion. The Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 has been my main workhorse here and that is going to continue, but as my outdoor combo. My new indoor combo is going to be the Sigma 16-28mm f2.8. Because I shoot 4k 50p, these give me; 24-42mm indoor and 42-105mm outdoor in FF terms which is bang on for my needs. That leaves the S5. That one is being paired up with the Sigma APSC only, 18-50mm f2.8 and going to live on a DJI RS3 gimbal. I still need something longer than the Panasonic 24-105mm f4 so hoping Sigma might bring out a more compact (a la 16-28 and 28-70) 70-200mm f2.8 next year and if so, I'll trade for that. And the cost? Nada. Or thereabouts... The sale of some existing lenses and a few other bits and bobs covers the cost of the 4 new lenses and gimbal so I'm pretty much covered. Sometimes the grass just isn't greener.

Great write up. I almost want an R7 as a result and may add it to my ‘Camera Crisis’ list 😗

I see you in your bubble. Do you see me in mine? 😂 I use IG for business and another account (private) for personal. I still have a Facebook account but don’t use it. I have a Twitter account but never used it and have been locked out for years having forgotten the password. Just not a big user of social media and never heard of WeChat either!

Nah, that is a Cine-M-ilv-K

I reckon maybe “mill vee cee”?

If I had to put a label on it, it would neither be 'hybrid' nor 'cinema', but probably what it is; a MILVC. S5 and probably any latest Fuji, kicks it's arse for stills. It lacks the true 'cinema' spec that this type of camera would normally have. Ultimately it's like any of these things and it either suits your needs, or doesn't. I think for the price...and if it suits your needs, it's fanfuckingtastic. I still hate the flip out screen and would prefer a tilt but for MY (special) NEEDS, it would otherwise be labelled 'perfect'. I'm currently flipping back and forth whether a pair of the things would suit my needs better, or an FX30 as B cam paired with an FX3 as A...

Fujis new XT5 = XT3 on steroids in every regard except size, - it’s actually smaller. 50mm f2 (75). Happy days?

Yep. I just about never use a viewfinder these days and haven't for years. Stop right there and stick the new 33mm f1.4 on it and et voila, 50mm FF equiv. It depends on how anyone defines 'Point & Shoot' but superb files out of the XT3, very decent video spec & quality (no IBIS though obviously) and that new lens is reckoned to be a bit of a gem. With it's tilt screen, I'd call that a P&S.

...and the OM-1 😀

Reminds me of my early Fuji X days...

Mister, it's a freaking joke 😆 I wouldn't outsource even if someone was offering to do it for free, - I'm a control freak 😜

I have a backlog of 12 client wedding films to edit from scratch if you are that bored? 😬

I agree...in principle, but I'm always being selfish, thinking of myself and my own needs and not other people 😜 I'm looking at building the stills side of my next system around the Tamron 35-150mm f2/2.8 It's hardly small or a lightweight, but when compared to having the next closest thing available with Canon which is a 24-70 and a 70-200... But then Tamron (again), have a smaller and lighter pairing of 28-75 and 70-180 which is arguably the next closest pairing to that 35-150. I don't need anything longer so that's not an issue but do need something wider even if it's not used that much, it is used on every job. There are a number of options in that regard but something around 20-40 is perfect for my needs and it just so happens Tamron make that. So for me it's about system system system and that is my frustration with everyone right now except Sony and Nikon because they are the only two which can run these lenses. The problem with Nikon is that they have to be adapted and they only make one camera that really fits my needs and 3 of those would be massive overkill! So looking at it, a single R5 plus a pair of R6ii's would probably be my best camera combo from Canon, but it would require more lenses and more lens changes and never quite having the right one all the time. My reasoning is as above, purely my own use case which I understand inside out and it is a puzzle that can be put together in various ways but there's really only one option right now where all the pieces fit perfectly. Now if Canon had not made their policy to keep it all in house, then it might be a different situation but going forward, I can't make a decision that favours 50% of my needs (camera body) over the other 50% (lenses). Or visa versa, ie, if Sony didn't produce any bodies that ticked every box, they'd be a dead duck.

Well I’ve watched and read a few reviews and I have to say I quite like it…and it’s going on the list. It’s not going to the top and everything has to be part of the overall system, but yes, that could work… Maybe as my primary video unit paired with an R5 as my primary stills plus maybe an R7 for gimbal and static stuff. Lenses is where it all falls apart a bit for me… With my current L Mount set up, it’s mostly third party Sigma. If I move to my No.1 contender Sony, that would be exclusively third party Tamron. But Canon is RF or ‘adapted’ EF so I’d need to look hard at that and suspect it would be; bigger, heavier and more expensive than the options I am currently considering. Cost is of the least concern, but the size/weight part of the equation could scupper it. I have no brand loyalty for the sake of brand loyalty alone 😜 What I like about this new chap is the AF and zero crop 4k 50p. As long as the IBIS is decent, that’s it, job done for me. Flip out screen though 🤢 Flip out screen seems to have to be the compromise everywhere though except Z9 and A7RV…and to me it is a big deal.

It’s 26, same as the Fuji and probably the same one, just Bayer and not X Transgender. I can understand why some would not want or need the 40mp sensor but it’s like a drug, - once you have tasted this higher res stuff, it’s difficult to go back! When I picked up the S1R last year it was an immediate ‘wow’ moment. When I look at 24mp files now, they ‘lack’ something… OK, got to do a little peeping maybe and depends on the size of the screen and most clients (wedding) would never know, but I would know and that is part of it.

There is not one single L Mount rumor of substance out there and that is a concern… Leica/Panny did officially announce some months back that they are working on a camera together. When and what that will be is a bit of a mystery. Leica have dropped their own APSC line and Panny do not have one so the logical conclusion is that it will be FF. They have collaborated (rebadged Panny gear) on compacts before but as that market is near dead… Sigma are at I think Stage 2 of 3 of their fovean sensor and the last I read is that they will make a decision at a certain point whether to continue that development or drop it. To be honest, I have no real idea what a fovean sensor is other than a few years back it produced fantastic stills images. In bright sunlight. But if there was a cloud in the sky, you were fucked. My not so secret desire is for a next gen FP. What is wrong with the current FP/FP-L? Loads… Sigma France sent me a loaner for testing last year and it fell well short. Loved the form factor and build. Probably my favourite ever camera in that regard. Lacked any form of tilt screen. Fail. There’s an aftermarket DIY one but I’d rather not. Slap a Ninja V on top? Err, not really. That’s like putting a roof rack on a Ferrari and driving around with a wardrobe on the roof all the time. No IBIS. Fail. Yes, could use an OIS lens or a gimbal, but that seriously limits lens options and use ability for hybrid work. No 4k 50/60p. Fail. I’m not asking for 6 or 8, just 4, in camera, preferably uncropped. Banding in certain light conditions. Fail. I know there is a kind of workaround but that’s just one more negative. Battery life. Poor. Well just have a pocket full of the things or connect it to a battery pack…but the Ferrari is now towing a trailer. I love the concept but the reality falls well short in too many areas. I can only pray to the camera gods that they have something coming soon or it cannot be an option…

I was born in the 70’s but don’t still live in that era 🤔 To be fair, they aren’t on my radar. I believe they have a couple of pretty decent DSLR’s but otherwise are not players in the mirrorless market?

10 years Nikon (5 film + 5 digital) 10 years Fuji 2 years L Mount Only changes I have made in 22 years! Bodies and lenses within systems yes, but flip flopping between brands from one company's latest to another's? Nope, not me! I tried an OM-1 recently and loved it, but decided not to keep it so sent it back while I still could. I tried an XH2 even more recently...but actually didn't even try it as it did not arrive in time for my last job of the year...so sent that back. Not even trying to get out of L Mount really...in fact, more than anything, I'd rather stay with them, but my current set up sadly just doesn't meet my needs and I have been wrestling with it all year long. No way am I doing that next year so yes, trying to decide: A. What set ups are going to be available by end of Feb '23 max (ie, less than 4 months) and then, B. Which system will I go with. As a long term brand investment. Right now... Hasselblad make the pure stills camera I lust after but is not in any way realistically feasible. The Z9 is the best hybrid in 'pure camera no other factor terms', but the rest of the system doesn't meet my needs as well as others do. Sony currently tick the most boxes. Fuji tick the second most. (XH line not XT though) L Mount could if they pop something...and the right thing out within 4 months. Canon is a bit of an unknown for me but has options that could and will be explored.

I'll go do some math... Not to disprove you but just see just what equivalent spec set ups might indeed cost me...