MrSMW

It has absolutely zero video capability so should not even be mentioned here, but what a thing of beauty. For a stills photographer. https://www.hasselblad.com/x-system/x2d-100c/ Does anyone know where I could sell a kidney? And the new lenses look superb… The previous model lacked IBIS and a tilt screen, the latter very important to me and some might argue that 100mp is overkill, but with something like the new 38mm f2.5, the ability to crop is huge. Others might say that now they are owned by DJI, they are not what they once were, but damn, this camera is lustworthy. Can I justify one for all my photography needs (50% of my business) for the next 5 years… And to conclude, no, it won’t make me a better photographer, but I am always chasing ultimate image quality (more for me than clients) and if the tools you use inspire you to ever greater creativity… But then there is the same sensor Fuji GFX100S with the same sensor, cheaper and has descent video capability. So much choice these days, stock issues aside…

Pointless Sunday morning update other than to say, yup, still like it. It’s basically doing exactly what I need it to do with zero fuss or drama. Haven’t really explored the creative side capability yet, but for more static set it and leave it stuff, in AF, it seems to be doing the business and that is what it’s role for me primarily is, dependability.

Interesting… The FX3 has been one of my ‘contenders’ since it came out but as a hybrid shooter, not ideal. The A7iv annoyed me with having 4K 50p crop as one thing any future system has to have is no crop or at least ‘the same’ crop switching between stills & video. I’d still rather have it all in one single unit (Z9 ticks every single box except size & weight which is The compromise) but an FX30 and A7iv pairing would work very nicely as I’d get the higher res FF stills I’d prefer plus the video from each in 4K 50p would be the same crop. It’s going on the list as a second best choice if I can’t pick up a Z9 before my next season… For me/my needs, I like it.

Apparently, Tamron have announced their first Nikon Z lens, some variable aperture zoom, but it’s a start. Maybe… So: Sony + Sigma + Tamron L Mount + Sigma (part of L Mount so duh!) Nikon + Tamron (early days) Fuji + Viltrox + Sigma + Tamron Canon paddling their solo kayak. Of the major players and lenses with AF because there are many other mainly Chinese manufacturers who make all kinds of MF only prime lenses. Maybe every major APSC/FF camera manufacture does need a sidekick buddy? I’ve been a big fan of Sigma in recent years but Tamron for me are the one’s now making the stuff that ticks my boxes.

Well as a consumer, of course I’d like more choice but I can understand from a commercial viewpoint why they would wish to preserve their own interests. Unless opening up the mount brings more sales of bodies above bodies and native lenses combined? Who knows… I think Nikon are so far preserving their own native lens lineup also? This is partially why I am going in that direction (Nikon) as it seems to be the only other mount you can get an adapter for Tamron’s 35-150 for. I never previously subscribed to the ‘lenses first, bodies second’ line, but have come to the conclusion I do want to build a system around primarily one single ‘do it all’ lens. I did look to see if there was an opportunity to use this lens with Canon, but it seems not, so it’s Nikon or Sony and Sony don’t have any cameras that fit my needs, but Nikon ticks more boxes anyway so… There’s always a compromise somewhere! Probably Canon’s loss (to Sony I guess) if they don’t open the mount up, but Canon seem to get away with a whole load of shenanigans that most consumers are probably not even aware of in the first place. Or don’t care even if they did know. I’d be in that camp if the thing met my needs better than anything else… I also shop from Amazon. All the time 😜

I don’t see why Canon ‘needs’ to open up their mount to any third party. It’s potentially their loss. Or maybe it isn’t…

I like that it and am getting a second body. One with the 12-40mm f2.8 lens for purely static tripod duty and the second with 17mm f1.8 for second static tripod duty but also gimbal. I picked up a used 17mm from MPB and used to have this lens on one of my EM5ii’s (plus had the 45mm and 75mm f1.8’s) and liked them all. There’s a faster but much chunkier f1.2 but for my needs, overkill and it means with the 1.8 I can keep my compact Crane M3. I had hoped to trim down from 5 to just 2 bodies but it’s a stretch too far and decided on 3. So a pair of OM-1’s replacing the S5 and ZV1, so fairly ‘like for like’, improving on image quality with one, but taking a small but acceptable hit with the other, but gaining; 2 identical cameras and footage, unlimited recording without overheating 4k 50p with what I have found so far to be good AF tracking. All boxes ticked in that department. Both S1R’s, S1H and their 5 lenses being exchanged for a single Z9 with just 2 lenses. But that is another story…

A lot of similar thought patterns going on here! Part of why I originally went Fuji was because everyone else was either Nikon on Canon in wedding world. So many colleagues laughed or sneered and so many ended up going down that same route. I find Sony boring. Always have and yes, I have had a number of Sony cameras but mainly the smaller/fixed lens type inc. RX10, RX100v, ZV1 and whilst they have been good at what they do, I just found no joy in using any of them. None. That would not put me off going fully Sony and I have contemplated it several times including within the last couple of weeks, but they just don't make anything that ticks enough boxes for me, so that coupled with the 'zero joy' factor makes them an also ran for me. I haven't quite pushed the trigger on it, but not for lack of trying (no stock, ANYWHERE, at least not without a massive 4 figure mark up) but I am going back to my roots and going back to Nikon. Z9 to be precise. Along with the Megadap adapter and Tamron 35-150mm f2/2.8, plus a pair of OM-1's. The OM-1's are going to be doing static duration coverage with one of them also on gimbal duty. These are replacing my S5 and ZV1. I didn't much care for the mix, broke the side hinged screen off the S5 (third camera I have done this and hate the fucking things with a passion...even though the OM-1 has them, but is not being used in the same role so unlikely to get damaged) and the ZV1 has overheated 3x now. I threw the OM-1 in at the deep end this last weekend and despite me not having had enough playtime...such as not knowing how to switch it from AF to MF, it did a sterling job @ f2.8 tracking the right subjects all ceremony long! Plus, the log footage was an easy grade and very nice quality. The Z9 and lens combo...when I can find anything in stock (name down on numerous waiting lists!) is replacing: 2x S1R's 1x S1H 1x monopod 5x lenses OK, I lie, the Z9 will be getting a second lens option when it becomes available, probably next year, the just announced Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 which will be my 'indoor' lens that will book-end my wedding coverage, ie, for prep at the beginning and dancing at the end. The rest will be single body, single lens for the typical 6+ hours in between. It's a big/hefty unit in the hands, but it's a case of 1 camera + 2 lenses doing something better than 3 cameras + 5 lenses + monopod, so for my needs, that no-brainer folks talk about. Batman plus Robins after30+ jobs of literally wrestling with a system I have never quite got to work, will be a breath of fresh air and increase creativity as a result.

Considered, especially having come from Fuji from the very beginning with their first mirrorless camera, the OG X100. Had that in 2011 when it first came out alongside a pair of Nikon D3S's paired with 24-70 and 70-200, all for stills and was using a D7000 for video. Went all in with the X Pro-1 when that came out and sold all the Nikon gear after 10+ years with them. Went through them all inc. XE1, XE2, XT1/2/3 and XH1. I didn't go past XT3 however which is where I finished with them after almost 10 years because they were no longer meeting my needs. They almost do again now. Almost... I have made a case as a business proposal for going back to Fuji, but it's not my best option. In fact it's not even my second best option, Canon is, but equal with my third choice, Sony. Pulled the trigger, but not with Fuji, though I could make it work as I could make any system work. Just not as well as well.

Actually not a bad practice and what I do with all my cameras. When I switched from Nikon DSLR to Fuji mirrorless in 2011/12, I was initially getting such bad battery life compared to what I was used to, I started this practice. When the internet was moaning about 150-200 frames shot on an X Pro-1, I was getting 1000+. It became a muscle memory habit thing very quickly and I have always done it ever since without ever having to think about it. Still the same today with my Panasonic’s and typically only change once per body, late on in a full day’s shoot towards the end of the day.

Throwing it in at the deep end today… Not had a chance to test it properly but no option as I need something for full ceremony & speeches today! I’m sure it will be fine… 🫣

Ah… I understood it that there was a crop with 4K 50/60p and one of the things I wish to avoid in any future camera system is a difference in crop shooting hybrid. It has grown to bother me with the S1H and S1R… I don’t mind a cropped sensor camera; M4/3 or APSC, but I want consistent focal lengths when shooting hybrid which is another reason I went with the OM-1.

This and why I have replaced it in my kit with an OM-1. It’s also replacing my ZV1 which overheated on the last 3 jobs. Plus, other than flipping to 8 bit, the S5 has a 30 min recording limit which caused me issues in several scenarios and the ZV1 couldn’t shoot 4K 50p. The S5 was borderline weight-wise on my Crane M3 gimbal but a new gimbal for next year will fix that as the OM-1 with the lens I have (12-40) is the same as the S5 with the 20-60. The R7 was a strong contender for the role, but for my needs, the OM-1 ticked more boxes and that R7 crop (4K 50p) put me off! ALL great bits of kit in isolation, it’s just what meets your needs best at the end of the day.

So many ways to skin this cat… I have C1 set for stills and a button configured for crop mode, C2 for 5k 25p p:p and C3 for 4k 50p. I just flick then between those three.

@Dave Maze have you tried batch running the files through something like DXO Pure Raw 2 (or Topaz)? Turns then into huge but vastly improved (the more noisy shots anyway) DNG’s that you can then import into your fave picture editor. I only got my OM-1 yesterday so haven’t had the chance but that’s what I will be doing as I do this with Lumix full-frame files already. I have only really taken it out of the box and attached the 12-40 lens and put it on to charge, but first impressions are I like the size & weight & ergos & build.

I can easily talk even more than I do already 😜

I stand to be corrected but I am pretty sure that other than the sensor, the S1R is basically the same as the S1 in terms of design, ergos, screens etc?

As I have been saying for some time, that 5k does indeed have something about it SOOC! If only it could be 5k 50p… I tried it at 30p and slowing it to 80% in post, but it has not been meeting my slomo needs…not that I really expected it to, but also too much flicker under many artificial lighting scenarios being EU. Obviously knew this also already, but trying to get what I need out of the camera. The 4k 50/60p despite being 8 bit is also better than I thought. Otherwise ditto everything Andrew said; the ibis is great, the AF better than you’d think, for stills fantastic and the sensor just magic. Ridiculous priced used bargain!

The flat profile is where it’s at I tell ya! The problem with this camera is there is so little out there and almost all of what there is has been over-cooked as so much on YouTube is.

No it’s pixel:pixel crop which for me is kind of fine and at the same time not fine. I don’t mind the 4:3 I can’t fault the image quality, but it’s doing my head in a bit shooting hybrid where the stills and video focal lengths are different by a factor of x1.5 so one more reason why I’m off elsewhere as soon as I can. I did try the L.neo actually and quite liked it in some ways but it’s an ‘acquired’ taste shall we say… There is at least one YouTube video by Luca Bona using this profile, but I think on the S5 or S1?

I heard that in some secret location, your OM-1 (voiced by Gerard Butler) is having a face off with 5000 undelivered preordered Nikon Z9’s…

That’s what I am working on right now… Canon ticked some boxes, but not enough and an R7 was part of that plan, but it’s not to be for me. Great detailed write up and big 👍 for taking the time.

A pair of them are my current workhorses for hybrid work. Along with an S1H and a currently disabled S5. I shoot both 8 bit 4K 50p and 10 bit 5k 25p with them and personally think that the 5k SOOC (flat profile) is some of the nicest footage I have seen. The AF is more than pretty decent other than a lack of reliability in forward tracking unless using f4-8 where it gets quite reliable, especially with native lenses, but these don’t have that much over Sigma. Two weaknesses for me: I wish the 5k was 50/60p 15 min recording limit I am sure I am not imagining it but there does seem to be something a bit more special coming from this sensor, especially in 5k mode and that must have something to do with it not being Sony? No Vlog but yes it does HLG, but as I’m more than happy with the Flat profile, not tried it.

I don’t think this is so crazy and am actually surprised no one is offering this service. Or maybe someone does, but I don’t know about it… I’d like to see the transplant of some modern digital gubbins into a Contax G2 body.

I always fancied trying one of their Go Pro mods because the issue I have always had with action cams is how wide they are.