MrSMW

With the big crop, that would be my go to also, - was thinking about it the other day, plus using a 'between the lens & body' VND on my S1H right now. This or the Fuji XH2s with the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 which is now available in X mount. Not this year though and maybe never, but the two leading contenders for me right now on paper...

Mine is 1TB and way too small. My problem is I didn’t really factor in that I have a couple of trips that take in 3-5 jobs without returning to the office and each one takes up approx 500GB. Oops. I have done the first (3 jobs working away) and downloading to the 2TB Sandisk SSD was painful. Like 6-8 hours painful and when you finish late and start again mid morning… Now I can download an entire job; 5 cards and up to 5 audio devices in about 1 hour…and then overnight, can just copy the lot to the ‘old’ USB Sandisk SSD as a backup with a single click. And than might take 4+ hours but I won’t care as I will be asleep.

Being serious, I am and have always been a fan of a fairly shallow DOF in both photography and video, but my limit these days is around f1.8/2 on full frame and in reality, shoot either 2.8 as my main ‘go to’ or 4 if focus is a little more critical/subjects are not on the same plane. I actually bought a used 50mm f1.4 a couple of weeks back and whilst the files were super nice wide open, the DOF was in reality, far too shallow so I flipped back to f2.8 very quickly and then by the end of the days shoot, boxed it back up and sent it back. For the times I’d use f1.4 compared with it’s size & weight (1kg/2+lbs) err, nah. Went back to my go to f2’s and noticed the massive (less) difference in size & weight, plus much easier to focus and no real world difference in the quality of output. In fact, next job this weekend, horror of horrors, I am bringing back the highly portable/compact Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 as my principal hybrid lens. Why? Because it’s around 500g/1lb or something, does not zoom like an excitable donkey (in fact barely extends), is sharp and renders nicely plus when in 4K 60p mode, is like a 40-105mm lens and when in 5k 30p (Pixel:Pixel 2.18 crop on the S1R) mode, like a 60-150mm lens which is perfect for my mainly outdoor wedding needs. So speedboosters on M4/3 I get and maybe even on S35 (but I would not bother) but FF?

This. But most of us have done similar at some point 🤪😜

This test was downloading an SD card direct to it via the laptop. I’m sure it would be less slow writing to it compared with the new TB3 direct from the Mac HD such as rendering a video. My biggest (only really) issue with my 4 or so month old Mac is that I went with too small an internal SSD. With hindsight, a Studio would have suited my needs better, but hey ho, the new external TB3 does the job as a less than 500 euro fix.

They are all at it… Sigma did it with the FP (fella in the trailer with the specs and the Japanese kid in the shop?) and Panasonic with the S1H (Kepler something…) Great little films and to be fair, a good showcase for those that do work on such type things with a bit of a budget and crew. I’m just inspired if I can get even close as a one man band. I can’t, but as they say, shoot for the stars and you might just hit the moon… I do own a cine lens and use it on every job 😬

Sounds like a large portion of my life 🤪 I noticed it gets hot very quickly, just plugged in. At the same time, doing a project today working off the Sandisk USB external, (final time and then it becomes back up and transfer to PC duty) which barely gets even slightly warm. I would have thought it would be the other way round? I will have to Google/YouTube it… Or I will ask Gordon as it was his fancy idea in the first place.

OK, wow. I surprised myself and managed all on my own to 'build' my own external portable TB3 SSD. And it actually works. So far... I went with Gordon Laing's suggestion (but slightly different case as his one was not available) I did a download speed test this morning as I already know I can use a Sandisk 2TB 1050mpbpbbbpps external drive as a 'working' drive with my M1 Macbook Pro. I already knew however that it was sloooooooooow to download to, but did not realise how slow... 96gb download via Macbook to Sandisk USB external SSD = 42 minutes. Same download direct to Macbook SSD = 7 mins 27 seconds. Same download to external new TB3 SSD = 7 mins 27 seconds. Exactly the same as the internal drive so basically does the job I want it to and Apple won't let you, ie, increase the size of your SSD from 1TB to 3TB at much less cost than buying an upgraded SSD Mac in the first place. Just need to work on the external screen compatibility now as it's not properly working as an external working screen with Premiere Pro but will work OK in mirror format. Which is a bit odd as I had it working a few weeks back with workspace maximised on the laptop but the actual video full screen on the external monitor...

I have a pair of S1R's on me at all times shooting hybrid, ie, photo and video clips, anything from 10-15 hours and swap batteries late on when they show around 1/4 power. More 'precautionary' than anything so I don't get caught out at a critical moment. I have 4 other spare batteries so not even a concern. I then have the S5 on a tripod with a cine lens. I only use it for ceremony and speeches and unless it's over an hour, just switch the battery the one time after ceremony and that's it. The S1H moves between tripod (ceremony & speeches) to monopod rest of the day and might consume 2 batteries. The ZV1 (backup C&S) is the only one I bother to use a power bank with these days as the battery life on that really is a bit trash! Just clamps to a tripod leg. Drone came with 3 batteries and I never get through all 3 on a single day shoot. I think if I had something like a Sigma FP, I would however go for either a mini clamped on power bank, or better still, a cable and belt loop battery (dummy internal) which would run the thing all day without issue. I could do the same with any of the above as a 'poor man's version', ie, just stick the power bank in my back pocket but the reality is battery life is a near non-issue to me. Never has been. Other than the ZV1, I have more than enough spare battery power for my needs and whether at home or away in my caravan/travel trailer, have a charging station set up where before bed, I just drop in all/most of my batteries and all my audio gear is internal USB. Wake up in the morning, all recharged. But this is just my use case.

Was the same with every Fuji X camera for the decade I was using them… Was it great? Compared with a DSLR? Nope. Was it terrible? Nope. But I could easily get 1000+ frames out of any Fuji X camera shooting Jpeg + Raw. Easily. Video, a good hour plus and other than for the longer stuff such as ceremonies and speeches, I can’t remember now if the XT3 could run off a power bank or not but pretty sure at least the XT4 and XH2s do. Same with the Panny S cameras. Almost every review ‘reports’ not great battery life based on quoting the official spreadsheet figure of whatever it is, 350x shots. If you can’t get triple that, you are doing something wrong. And if you can’t for whatever reason, just have a spare battery in your pocket and take 10 seconds out of your life to swap to a new one. One of the most overrated topics in cameraland.

Snort 🙊

Not quite the same, but rather than switch my recently acquired 14” M1 MacBook Pro for what I should have bought, the MacStudio (or whatever it is called), I have ordered the parts to build myself a super dooper fast external SSD which I can not only download to, but edit off. I don’t really like messing with techy things and prefer plug n’ play but Mr Gordon Laing had a good video on the subject. And has saved me 1000+ euros as a result.

You would never leave one unattended, - they are not intended as a direct replacement for a tripod, but an alternative tool closer to a steady pair of hands. V. useful at weddings for entrances and exits etc as a one man hybrid band because I can shoot video with one camera freestanding whilst shooting stills on a second body handheld, then scoot out of the way quickly whereas a tripod less so, especially if the space is tight. I’ve been using a Sirui for the last 5/6 years but am replacing it with one from iFootage called the Cobra Strike 2. Or Cobra 2 Strike…or something. I don’t think they make it anymore and didn’t seem to get around to making a replacement but I have chosen it because it is the only one I can find that has a single twist, medium height, telescoping up and down movement. I’m not sure why this is not more popular than the more ‘traditional’ 3x click or twist option as it’s a single action? It arrives next week and unless there is a reason I have not yet seen, will not only be switching to using it, but using it more extensively. And that leads me back to the Sigma FP because there is another stability option, the gimbal. I have the Zhiyun Crane M3 which is my third unused gimbal. I like the idea of the things. I hate the reality of the things. Doing some research, I came across numerous ‘monopod moves vs gimbal’ videos and most of them are the same trash, but one stood out and he used the monopod I am getting and that convinced me; A. To draw a line under gimbals forever and just admit they are not for me. Anyone want to buy an unused M3? B: Up my video moves repertoire with the creative use (but not overuse) of a monopod. And carry on wrestling 24/7 with whether to get an FP or not… 🤪 What is stopping me right now other than the lack of 4K 50/60p? The S1R, the least video-orientated of the Panasonic S cameras. How so? Well I was loaned an FP-L from Sigma France last year and liked it in so many ways…but it fell short in others and was not going to be the stills or hybrid camera I needed. Then a colleague had a mint S1R basically unused, up for sale at a stupidly low price. Apart from the sensor (both size 47mp and something about how it renders, it being different to the 24mp in all the other S cameras), it was the S camera with the least appeal to me. I still don’t like the position of the on/off switch, though have got used to it. I still think the rectangular top screen that lights up orange is a bit naff (compared with the black or white classy square S1H). But, alongside the superb stills, a clear cut above anything any other 24mp S camera can produce, it’s actually the video side that has surprised me. In original spec, it was OK, but a firmware upgrade a while back introduced 5k 30p. OK, it’s 3:2 format, it’s pixel-pixel, it can be used in HLG but has no log option and can only record long GOP for 15 minutes…but in my opinion, it’s the nicest footage coming out of any S camera shooting a profile. How so? Dunno, but suspect it’s a combo of the 5k being better than both the 4K and 6K and the different sensor that is also used in the Leica SL2 and Q2 plus it’s 200mbs and 4-2-0 with the Flat profile make it great SOOC. IMO, it does have that elusive ‘filmic’ quality with a mild grade using Film Convert, but even SOOC with a few settings tweaks. It’s my go to now for run & gun video and I have S1H and S5 for the times I want 4k 60p. Compared with the FP-L… Cheaper to find and by used. Bigger and heavier no question, but with smaller primes, not especially so at all. Mechanical & e shutter do no stills banding issues. Tilt screen! Much better battery life. I rarely get through anything more than 1.5 batteries per camera over a typical 10-15 hour shoot, with just the one change fairly late on more as a precaution than anything. Wow, this has been a long coffee ramble this morning, but hey, these are my experiences and thoughts!

Oh and another stab option, freestanding monopod! I have just invested in a new one for creative purposes, but could I easily go back to one full time as I did when I used XT3.

I consider it on average at least once per week. Sometimes, several times a day… And as someone already exclusively L Mount, maybe I should just scratch that itch and be done with it. Original FP. The L is more stills orientated and has one too many issues for me, being e shutter only. But the OG FP… Cine DNG. I’d like to try it. The lack of a tilt screen? Two options: A. DIY the available aftermarket screen. B. Ninja V or similar, used to tilted backwards like a massive tilt screen. Stab? Has electronic I think and being an owner of the Panny 24-105 f4 with OIS, that’s another option. Or, I have the Fotodiox EF to L Mount adapter with build in VND. Whack any one of the EF Mount Tamron f1.8 primes which have VC, Tamron’s terminology for lens stab. Only thing that still bothers me is a lack of 4K 50/60p which I use a lot. I think if it had the latter, it would have tipped me over the edge a long time back, but still considering as I have other full frame option that do…

I hear ya! I could let my S5 go and at a pinch, my pair of S1R's, but my S1H...that's where I'd really struggle... And of course, it's not just the bodies, but the lens choices I have made. Could I replace it all with a similar set up from Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji? Easily, but all the compromises (and there are with anything) considered, I will not until something quantifiably better comes along and by 'better', I have a checklist and until an alternative makes any kind of sense, nah. But good luck with the GX85. It's like anything, - if it can do the job you need it to do, then that's good enough!

I think it depends on the specific job and the market/budget. Most wedding/event videographers that I personally know, do work alone. Not necessarily because they want to because of course, an assistant at least, never mind a second shooter would be welcome, but 9/10, you'd just price yourself out of the job and have no business. I don't shoot anything more than weddings really. From time to time, something else, but really, just weddings and do so fully hybrid and I have to manage; 4 principle cameras, 1 back up camera/angle, drone, 6 audio devices, sometimes lighting and with 3 tripods at certain key times. Would I like a second shooter? Not really, - wouldn't really add anything that would make up for the increased cost to the client and overall, it would just harm my business. An assistant/roadie? For sure...but finding someone with the reliability I would need and never mind the fact that I live out of my caravan/travel trailer for sometimes 1+ weeks peak season, wouldn't work from a personal perspective having someone 24/7. It is of course very much a specific job/market thing and like many others, I make, or have made it work, but yes, ideally, I'd have a small team, but it's just not reality. If only the missus was interested... But then we have a child, 2 dogs and a cat and anything over a single day just gets complicated. Nope, I am resigned to the fact that I am a one man band and hence why I have an ongoing 'project' to finding the most minimal set up that I can. Quite close regarding the latter, but not quite there though I suspect the next gen set up whenever I move to that, 2023 or 2024 latest, will have cracked that as far as it can be cracked. Still working on: A. Number of principle cameras. I need to get it from 4 to 3 and ideally, 3 identical hybrid bodies. B. Size & weight of cameras and lenses. These are not bad, but slightly more than my personal ideal. C. Tracking AF. Horses for courses and all that... These are just my thoughts/opinions/needs 😬

No offence or criticism of you personally, but it looked like graded camcorder footage to me. I wouldn't even call it 'filmic' never mind 'cinematic'. I took a look both on my phone and full screen desktop PC. It could just be a matter of taste, but as an example, this would not tempt me to buy this camera. I suspect it's probably the grade rather than the camera... Sorry, didn't like it at all!

I can’t help you with this specific question but when working with Premiere, I make ‘leapfrog’ copies of every project. Ie, around every 15-20 mins, I manually save as the original version we shall call X and then again manually as a version we shall call Y. I then alternate working in each one every 15-20 mins and so if (when) Premier has a fit and over something, as it likes to from time to time, I just shut it down and reopen, but jump to the other copy if the last one I was working on has the issue.

Have you tried MPB Tim? I just can’t be bothered with eBay anymore for so many reasons… Yes, a bit more of a hit, but so easy. Just humming and hawwing myself over 3 items they just quoted me for including; a lens, a gimbal and an action cam.

Yep. Unless your second shooter/assistant is your spouse, it can and usually does have so many issues. More issues created than solved. Been there, done that and there are times when I wish I had one, or at least a roadie, but the amount of time is too little vs the effort/cost/reliability. My ‘solution’ is my ongoing quest to have the most minimalist kit I can and further to that, know it inside out so it gets out of the way and is not cumbersome. I’m still on that path. Pretty close, but not quite with my current set up. Next gen L Mount or another system next year will iron out those few final kinks. Quite a bit of being a one man (hybrid) band these days is due to the tech… I probably could do what I do today 10 years back…in fact know I could because I was doing it, just not at the same level. But 20 years back? Nah. Some like to say it’s not about the tools, but actually, increasingly so, it is. For certain things.

I loved (and still do) the look of the XC10 plus…well plus nothing else, just how it looked.

Check out the S1H rear LCD and be less confused. It can do all of that and tilt up or down without having to stick out of the side, but you can stick it out the side, rotate it endlessly through 360 degrees etc. It is hands down the best design out there as it ticks all boxes.

I mean flat out not camera held out and screen turned in 90 degrees...which it doesn't need to flip out the side to do! I am talking purely out to the side rather than in line with the lens with the operator behind the camera. Zero reason to be out to the side other than if it's going to be rotated forward for selfies. My dislike for flippy screens is when you can ONLY flip them out to use them as anything but flat against the camera back and removing your line of sight from that of the lens. But folks are free to like whatever they wish. I'm not attempting to impose my preferences on anyone 😜

The pinnacle of rear LCD design. They can be left flat against the camera body and that would suit Leica users for whom the contraptions would be alien. They can be used in tilt form only which is how I like to work 95% of the time. They can be turned out 90 degrees sideways which I sometimes use if on a tripod backed hard up to a wall in a confined space, ie, I cannot get behind the camera. They can be fully flipped out and forward facing for the vloggers and narcissists of the world. They can also be flipped out sideways and used for no reason known to man in that manner. As the band Hot Chocolate sang, everyone’s a winner baby. The S1H is close to being ‘The Perfect Camera’. If it was just 10% lighter and had better AF tracking, it would take and wear that crown…factoring in used prices. So much so that if old Pannyboy doesn’t pop out a next gen replacement before my next season next year, I will probably trade my pair of S1R’s and single S5 for another pair of S1H’s and run 3 of the things. The S1R is an absolute steal (used prices) right now, but larger sensor aside, S1H edges it on the ergo side of things. But I could equally make a Sony or Canon or Fuji based system work so it comes down to personal choice and where you want to make your compromise. Flip out side only rear LCD’s are not a dealbreaker for me, - I’d just rather avoid them if I could because they do not really suit my way of working and to use a system that only had this style of screen, such as the S5, R5/6/7, Fuji XT4/XH2, would be a compromise for me.