MrSMW

That's the set I was looking at, but then the tests and reviews I saw suggested the Meike had a bit of an edge when it came to outright image quality and are near 1/2 the price (the S35's anyway) and both of those factors swung it for me, so went for just the single Meike 50mm. I might still get the 75 because there are times when I need longer, but wider I have covered with the rest of my lenses, so for those rare occasions when I do need wider than '75', I'll just use one of those. In fact I did the other day for the last hour of the wedding and dancing when I used the Sigma 20mm f2 as a '30'. And got back AF and the AF actually works quite well for dancing stuff as there is a lot of contrast!

I've wrestled with it for over 2 years but finally believe I have come up with the best option for me. Just to recap and for anyone that doesn't know, I sold off all my Fuji based kit at the end of the 2019 wedding season and intended to start afresh because what I had did not completely gel and there were too many compromises and workarounds. The new kit in the Spring of 2020 could have been anything but when we got close, an XT4 based system was the winner. But then Covid hit and my order was cancelled. The entire season passed with just 1 event attended and I bought and then promptly sold some familiar XT3 kit to do the job. Then the S5 came out and it looked like the best available option for me. Tested over the Winter and liked it enough. Some niggles, primarily the flip out screen (hate the things and would have been the major compromise on the XT4) and the non-dampened shutter. Had to go with something for the start of the 2021 season...but that then also never happened other than a short 5 week, 5 job window at the very end of the season and by then, had picked up a used S1H and right at the very end, a used S1R at a stupidly cheap price of 1600 euros mint. Since then, it's been a case of trying to find the right glass and combos of making the kit work for my specific needs and the first few weddings of this season, I have been juggling but never been totally happy. The last job I did, the 6th of 33 booked in for this year, I came closest with the Leica TL2 on it's second outing and I really liked it but for the niggles of; not having a tilt screen, shutter is a little louder than I'd like and the colour doesn't match my S1R. When the LCD began to fail on the second outing, the answer was very easy, - just find another stupidly cheap S1R. The thing is with the S1R, yes people say they are big and heavy but actually it feels ridiculously light when switching to it after shooting my 'cine rig'. Ridiculously light. And I can shoot it in crop mode and still get results around 24mp so it's like every prime lens is two prime lenses. And that's it now for the remaining 27 jobs I have for this year. I wish it had not taken the last 6 jobs to work it out but that is weddings and the near unique nature of what I do and that is there is no handbook or any amount of testing that can be done that is not actual real weddings. I'd still rather have super-reliable AF and ideally, smaller and lighter, but the reality is that for me, right now, ALL factors considered, there isn't a better combo out there other than what I now have. I am super-confident and happy with it. Everything now has it's specific purpose and works in harmony with the other pieces of the puzzle.

I just can’t get on with it Tom. If I ONLY shot video, then maybe, but the reality is it’s one step too far forward me so after my third attempt, I am abandoning it. Same as action cams. I think I’m just going to pick up the latest Iphone mini with a zoom lens as this will suit my needs far better.

Life is about compromise. At least mine is. As a solo hybrid shooter, ideally I’d have super-reliable AF. My compromise has been not having that for other benefits. The principal reason I went for a cine lens was partly so I would be forced to use only manual focus, but mainly because it is mechanical. I do prefer the longer throw for sure over the photo-orientated Sigma f2 Contemporary lenses, but mostly I prefer the fact that cine lenses don’t change focus if you switch the camera off whereas my experience with focus by wire is they always need more fiddling with. One of the most important factors to me is consistency and I have found that in the Meike cine lens very quickly. I should add I have had a cine lens previously. A Rokinon/Samyang with my Fuji XT3 a few years back but I suspect that was more of a rehoused lens than a proper cine lens. I dismissed Sigma’s own cine lenses as being too big, too heavy, too expensive and from the tests and reviews I have seen, possibly not as good as the Meike. Ditto the DZO Vespid’s that were initially my first choice being somewhere between the two (Meike and Sigma) on price but the smallest and lightest, but tests seem to suggest the Meike produced the better image. I’ll have a production out within the next few weeks shot with the Meike.

I think that Q ^ is for Tom but I went with EF myself, but for the reasons of the Fotodiox VND adapter. Either mount option will make anyone look pro. For sure.

Considering the 75 actually but going to get a few more jobs in with the 50 first and see how it goes as whilst lens choices can be a good thing (though lugging them around is not), there is something to be said for sticking to a single focal length and just making it work. I’ve picked ‘75’ as mine and I like it.

Your WB might be slightly off there Tom? 😜

I only shoot 4K 50p so this slightly smaller and lighter model (there is a FF version) works for me.

Well you now can...for the S1H at least, - just added a post and pic to the 'Looking Pro' thread. The S5 I have switched the lens out from being the Panny 24-105mm f4 for the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 F4 is just a bit slooooooooooooow for my tastes, especially when the light levels get low. It's been relegated to pure landscape/wet weather/backup lens now. Good lens, just a bit too big and heavy for my tastes, plus I am not a fan of zooms anyway, especially externally extending ones. I shoot S35 crop mode so that Sigma is long enough for my needs and is like a 42-105 which is ideal for my requirements. My Leica TL2 adventure didn't last too long... The LCD began to fail on only it's second shoot so it's gone back and I've done what I should have done in the first place and gone for a second S1R. I think I have enough cameras and lenses now 🤪 In fact, there isn't anything that doesn't get used on any job... S1H + 50mm cine lens or 20mm f2 Sigma for dancing. S1R + 20mm f2 (daytime) or 35mm f2 Sigmas. S1R + 65mm f2 S5 + 28-70mm f2.8 Sigma Panny 24-105 is my spare/backup lens. Sony ZV1 backup video camera. ... Panny 20-60mm going on ebay as is my gimbal and DJI Action 2. The lens is of zero use to me now, even as a backup. I hate the gimbal with a passion and I have decided the Action 2 like all previous such type cameras, just isn't for me and instead, I simply need to update my iPhone 8.

Well below is my main ride: S1H + Fotodiox EF-L Mount adapter with built in VND + Meike S35 50mm T2.1 cine lens + NISI 1/8th mist filter + supplied lens hood. I use this either on my person (90% of the time) on 2 central straps off a Holdfast twin shoulder harness, or tripod off the lens mounted tripod plate. Total weight = 2389 grams including cards, battery and even that little bit of Velcro I have on top of the lens that locks the aperture in place at T2.1, T2.8 or T4. (5.27 lbs for anyone that can’t do metric). I also have an S1R left hip and another (in it’s way) S1R right hip, plus S5 on a tripod. The latter sometimes has a hotshoe mounted ZV1 but that usually gets it’s own tripod for another angle and is my backup for wedding ceremonies and speeches. But the main event of interest here is the S1H/cine lens combo and it’s a beaut. A bit heavy but actually not too bad and now I am properly back into regular work, just did a 15 hour day with it a couple of days back near 100% handheld or hanging off the harness and no issues. Looks ‘pro’ enough I reckon, but then as I said above, I’m not trying to ‘look pro’ but just using the kit that works for me.

Depends on your clients I guess, but it is of near zero consideration what kit I choose to work with as long as I can do a 'professional' job with it and achieve a 'professional' result. But taking any measures to seem more professional? No, never. Never had a client give my kit even a second glance. The only people who ever look and talk are camera nerds. But then I really only shoot weddings so maybe they have lower standards 😜 I once shot an entire wedding season on a single original Fuji X100 and no one batted an eye. These days, an S1R slung over one shoulder and an S1H with a cine lens is possibly pretty 'pro' for a wedding shooter. And I have several tripods set up. One of them even has an S5 mounted on it 😬

Stick on Velcro pads are great. I have a sheet of the things in my camera bag. Latest use is controlling the aperture ring on my cine lens because for handheld stuff, I identified it within the first 2 minutes of use as going to be a PITA. It’s not the last word in strength but ideal for stuff that is not going to be knocked but you might wish to assemble/disassemble quickly. Worth a try anyway.

3x pocket recorders with lav mics 2x even smaller ones but don’t use with lav mics Rode Wireless Go for the full recording. I just sync the clips, cut anything not important and then merge them. I’ll post a pic when I’m not in transit some time soon…

Smallrig make all kind of clamps and accessories. I have a cheese plate gaffer taped to a power bank and that is then screwed into a clamp which is attached to a tripod leg et voilà! I use powerbanks from Anker and have done for years with zero issues. Re. the zooms, I’m not really a fan of zooms but still use a couple. I also chose the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 over the bigger and bulkier 24-70 because it was so much smaller and lighter. I have used it for video and it’s pretty good but obviously can’t rely on the AF for tracking. It can…but not reliably. I use it as my principal stills lens now but as a ‘twin prime’ lens ie as a 28mm or a 70mm but nothing in between. I have 20, 50 and 100 f2 primes for anything else. If I could only take one lens to a job, photo and video, it would be the 24-105, but I don’t actually use it for that purpose because I have other more suited options, but if you could only have one lens… Maybe if it had internal zooming because that is the part I don’t much care for with zooms. With the 28-70, the extension is really small like maybe an inch max. I use it on my S5 these days for long tripod stuff so ceremonies and speeches where I need a bit of reach but some flexibility for certain wide stuff such as entrances and exits. Still toying with swapping it out for a 70-200mm f4 but not right now. But for photography, it doesn’t get used on actual wedding days but instead does get used as my landscape lens on say a hike in the mountains where again, like I do any zoom lenses, used at only the extreme ends of 24 and 105 as nothing in between exists for me.

I just clamp a powerbank onto the tripod and it runs forever. Well a 256gb card will run out before the powerbank! 2 hours? Easy.

Knowing what I know now, ie, user experience of the S5 and S1H, I would definitely pick up an S1 over an S5. But then also having this info, I’d also happily trade my S5 and S1R for a pair of S1H’s so I had 3 of the things! Yes it’s a bit of a lump but it’s the best lump I ever shot with for video or hybrid. The S1R beats it as a pure stills machine, but otherwise… The final components for my S1H video beast arrived today and I have to say that after a minor modification, it is indeed a beast. Having a VND between the lens and the camera is a MUCH better solution than screw on options as it gets out of the way and allows the use of a lens hood…and the Meike cine lens comes with a very integrated looking screw in hood that looks like part of the lens rather than a ‘lens hood’. And then there is the lens itself… Only had time to shoot a little bit of footage but the result SOOC is already nicer looking than my f2 Sigmas…which were pretty great, but not ideal for video work in that they breathe like dragons and the focus is by wire, so finicky to say the least. The only thing that bugged me…for about 5 minutes…was the de-clicked aperture. I get why it is, but FFS, put an aperture lock on the things because it gets constantly nudged out of place. Like ALL THE TIME when handholding. A cunning less than 1” square sticky back Velcro option sorted this and now it ‘locks’ at T2.1, T2.8 or T4, depending on my needs. The S5 will get a little more use than the last few jobs because other than static full ceremony and full speeches, it’s staying on the sticks and doing any and all things AF, so it’s designated as my ‘tracking unit’. Full run out of the updated kit next week… On another note, tried Vlog again. It was just as awful an experience as it’s ever been… Viva Natural. I’m 100% done even trying with log now. And zero need.

That's the thing, testing stuff in the real world and see how they work for you. I am 4 events in to my season and have made a couple of changes based on the experience of those 4 events. Not that I am unfamiliar with the kind of work I do, rather that the L Mount system I use combined with a very limited and sporadic number of events last year meant that I could not test anything as thoroughly as I would have preferred. It's been full on now for the last 3 or so weeks with 10 actual days attended, so getting a good flow and feel now. The S5 I have had in the 'B cam' role for a while. Since last year actually. That is, always on the tripod, longer duration stuff and also switched to 8 bit for that so I am not limited to 30 mins as I have been caught out a couple of times there and had to hit record again! It's also my 'AF tracking camera' with native lens, but back in 10 bit 50p mode for the best chance. With my S1H, my main filming camera that is always on me, I have treated it to a proper cine lens and Fotodiox ND adapter and have gone fully manual focus. I have mostly been shooting mf anyway, but my photo lenses not being ideal for video, found that it wasn't as great an experience as I'd like so might as well do it properly! The S1H/cine lens/ND adapter will get it's first run out early next week with a 2 day job. And last but not least, my S1R got an upgrade. Well, not so much an 'upgrade' as a lens upgrade plus a new sidekick companion. I do quite like the kit 20-60mm, but it's just a bit meh for me so bought the Sigma 20mm f2 which is perfect for how I start any day/event which is with some local scenery, the venue exterior and interiors, some establishing room shots, plus it's great for late on after dark dancing and getting in amongst them. The 'sidekick' is a used Leica TL2 armed with the now redundant (due to the cine lens) 35mm f2 and 65mm f2 Sigmas with the 35mm (50 ff equiv) doing candid duty and then using the 65mm (100 approx) doing the longer stuff my S1R with 28-70mm can't do. That also gets it's first taste of action this weekend and I expect it to do well as it's an 'extra' not an 'instead of' so anything it brings is a bonus. My DJI Action 2 however is getting far less well...action, than I hoped for but it's just too wide for my tastes really and just isn't adding much. I'll still use it for some BTS but otherwise, nah, not my thing really. Good to hear the S5 is working out for you. It's a decent piece of kit for sure.

I'm waiting on the OM-1 vs GH6 smack down. For ultimate video spec, I am sure the GH6 has the OM-1 licked and it certainly (for me) has the better rear LCD type. AF we know will be OM-1. IBIS probably quite close? It's the picture side of things I am most interested in...

Looking forward to hearing more as it's still on 'My List'. My only real 'questions' are in regard to ultimate image quality and whether I could live with that side hinge screen... The rest of it appeals greatly.

I ordered an 'as new' silver TL2 for just over 900 euros. I did look long and hard at the CL and have done on and off for the last few years, but in the end decided I wouldn't use the viewfinder anyway and so the bigger 3.7" rear LCD of the TL2 would suit me better. 1/4000th vs 1/8000th mech shutter doesn't bother me either. Should be here in a couple of days and I plan to use it at my next wedding as I once did the original X100 when it first came out and that is as a discrete candid option when I don't wish to be sticking my S1R in their faces. The very first time I used it, I fell in love with using the X100 like this next to my big Nikon D3S's...until the battery ran out by the end of bride prep. I'm going for the same thing 11 years on. 20mm f2 Sigma to work like a '30' and 65mm f2 for the long stuff my 28-70mm on the S1R can't reach without resorting to crop mode itself. If it only ever gets used for these 2 jobs, it will have served it's purpose, but as I have the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 crop lens, I will probably just stick that on it it as a walkabout 27-75 because I hate the Sony ZV1 I have for stills. Should be fun if nothing else, but actually I will expect it to earn it's keep. Yep, would rather have an FP-L, but double the budget and can't find one and I have a stills only wedding next week that would be perfect to try the TL2. Ultimately, I'll probably just hold out until Panny either releases a rangefinderesque full frame ILC, or the next gen Sigma FP. Or something else entirely, but I hope one of the two come out with something in the next 12 months. I can wait...

...apart from sharing the lens mount, there doesn't seem to be much 'alliance' full stop! Maybe the 'idea' is they each cover their own segment with little crossover, but as you point out, it leaves each of them a little wanting in several regards: Leica seem opposed to any form of tilt screen. Error IMO. Panny (so far at least) steadfastly won't go PDAF for whatever reason. Sigma make great lenses and the absence of OIS as a Panny user doesn't bother me (though I can see why it would you) but their camera has numerous omissions. For my needs. I've just spoken to them and they won't loan me one again so back to the drawing board. Under consideration as a lightweight stills unit within the L Mount 'alliance' is: FP-L either used full frame or APSC crop. Leica CL or TL2. I used and was very happy with Fuji APSC until quite recently and my small collection of f2/f2.8's would work very well on either of these. The TL2's especially are well under 1k now, used but 'as new', could very well suit my needs. The Q2 is probably off the list now as I could buy 4x TL2's for the same price and have far more flexibility with even a single TL2 and a small bag of lens options. A CL or TL2 paired with the Sigma f2's at 20mm, 35mm and 65mm would make me a nice set of '30/50/100' in crop mode. I can't find a used FP-L for sale from anywhere I'd trust so maybe will pick up a TL2, have a play and I can always sell it on if it doesn't work out for very little loss...

I don’t care what the World needs, just what I need! But being serious, the Leica is around 5k $/€/£ so would probably be the benchmark for price. The FP-L is half that. A Panny equivalent doesn’t exist, but have collaborated on several bodies and lenses before… So why not? And I am not talking about some simply rebadged Panny compact, but a genuine 3 company model done right. If the egos can be managed… There are plenty of potential Q2 and FP-L customers who will not buy either because both are too flawed for their specific needs. And I am one of I imagine 10’s of thousands of those people. So yes, the world does need something like this! I would rather it was not 5k, but if the spec was right for my needs, I’d buy a pair. Right now, toying with a Q2 as my medium wide, primary indoor (but also outdoor anywhere) and if needed, flash unit, paired with an FP-L for mostly outdoor work with the Sigma 20mm f2 and 65mm f2. Sell the redundant 35mm f2, chonky boy S1R, unused gimbal and a few other bits and bobs, to part find it. As I have said before and will always continue to say and that is I hate change for change sake. I also don’t like chopping and changing anything kit-wise without very good reason and my very good reason is with 66x 10+ hour average shooting days this year, my right shoulder especially, will thank me.

I had the following thought and posted it over on the Leica forum that I sometimes bob into and that is... I have come to the conclusion that I love the L Mount Alliance options more than anything else out there right now. The one area where I think they are failing however, is being a true alliance. Other than sharing a lens mount. What I'd like to see is a proper collaboration which would be a mash up of the Leica Q2 and the Sigma FP-L as an identical body with the only difference being the logo on the brand that sells it. Or even design a new L logo for it. The camera that is 'missing' and I desire is the size/form factor of the Q and FP, ie, rangefinderesque without being a true rangefinder. The Q2 is too limited in that it has a fixed 28mm lens with cropping limited to digitally, Jpeg only or in post with raw. It does however have IBIS and a mechanical shutter. The ONLY thing it lacks for me, is an interchangeable lens mount. The FP-L counters with being smaller & lighter, more resolution, fantastic design (but no grip, easily remedied) but a frustrating lack of features. Mash 'em up with some Panny video tech et voila, it would be FUCKIN' FANTASTIC. Someone will come along now and say, "you're dreaming mate and it will never happen", but a fella can hope... Possibly my best hope is that Panny even do it alone because it's 'missing' in their own lineup. OK, Sigma don't have an 'DSLR' style body and only have the FP line but lot's of folks would really like this to happen. And if they don't, well... 😜 And the FP-L has PDAF so imagine that...

It's really only the stills side I am interested in Kye. Video capability would be a bonus but the reality is I shoot: 10 bit 4k 50p internally, IBIS and need a tilt screen. I could get around the lack of IBIS with the OIS of a zoom, but then f4 in low light when I shoot f2 primes... I'm actually looking at investing in a small set of cinema primes, more for the fine focus than what I have now, but we'll see... For this, IBIS is going to be essential for me. I'm in no particular rush and trying to get Sigma France to loan me an FP-L for a couple of gigs but as yet, have not heard back. Right now, any and everything within the L Mount Alliance is my preferred option, but I'm still keeping an eye on other future potential options and there is nothing that is not on the table. Current issues? Very VERY few... Good tracking AF is the weakness, but less than 5% of my needs. Size & weight is the other. Apart from that, I'm a happy bunny with the kit I have. I'd just like a pair of S1H's with 30mp in an identical body, but just shrunk down to S5 size & weight with improved tracking AF and I'd never want for anything more because in every other regard, I've already hit my needs requirements. Still hoping there is a next gen FP that answers at least some of many potential users desires...

Possibly his 'owner' is the dude with the FP-L? We never see him except for his hands... 🤨 Anyway, trawling this thread because I'm toying with the FP-L again... Have been on and off ever since it came out and now that I am 4 weddings/10 attended days (most of my wedding coverage is hybrid and 2 or 3 days) and I'm not 'desperate' as such for a smaller & lighter set up, but actively looking at how I can reduce it all. My audio gear is about as minimal as I can get it and all fits in one small belt pouch so no savings to be had there. My lighting set up is as minimal as I can make it so ditto. I'm running with my 2 lightest tripods now, each around 1.5kg including heads so nothing to be done there. The S5 is pretty light and lives on one of those tripods anyway, only used for ceremonies and speeches, so not an issue. But handling the S1R and S1H for 12-15 hours is wrecking my back, shoulders and right arm...and I'm a pretty fit guy who works out regularly, but... Nothing much I can do about the S1H because there isn't anything else out there at this time that can touch it other than maybe the GH6, but the weight savings including the lenses vs the cost to change are not worth it. The S1R is a 1.5kg lump, even with 'only' the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 I could switch out for the FP-L and use the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 lens which as a combo is less than 1/2 the weight at 717 grams. OK, it would mean shooting it in APSC crop mode, but as it starts with 61mp... Stick the Smallrig cage/grip combo (for handling) on and it's still under 1kg. And I'm still intrigued to try one with the Lumix 24-105mm f4 (OIS) as a run n' gun video unit. Decisions, decisions, decisions, - if only I could find a decently priced mint used one to try...