MrSMW

There are so many variables with lenses it’s hard to say and I have found at times some lenses have been better or worse than others for no seemingly explicable reason. My own Panny f4 24-105 for instance has been reliable on some jobs and then every now and again, is not. All day long, ie not just in some particular lighting scenario. The Sigma 85mm f1.4 is more reliable for stills but less so video compared with the Panasonic 85mm f1.8 which is the opposite. I don’t worry about it. The quality and reliability is more than good enough for me.

Nothing. Except if you are a hybrid shooter like me with a prime and flipping between stills and video all day long! That 28mm…well the framing was great for those stills, but then I flipped to video and it’s more like 42mm and I can’t back up to match as I was already backed up to the wall! ”So just shoot FF or APSC!” Well I could but I like what I get from my Lumix cameras so I work around it by having cameras and lenses dedicated to certain things at certain times. It is a workaround but one I can live with if I have to and for most of the video side, I actually use a 28-70mm f2.8 to which I have just added a 16-28 giving me options more like 24-42mm and 42-105mm and I tend to use the wider angle as my indoor lens and switch to the longer zoom as my outdoor. I then only use the extreme ends (as if they were twin primes) so indoor I shoot 24 and 42 and outdoor 42 and 105 which as with any focal lengths you become used to, gives you a ‘look’ that you just know how to work with. I have the above set up with the S5 dedicated to indoor (and gimbal outdoor) and the S1H outdoor. This is possibly where I might just trade both cams for one single S5ii and keep my S1R’s…

Looks matter I think, to a degree, in regard to overall ownership and enjoyment, but to me are one of the lowest considerations. If a camera was say round pink plastic and had the word BARBIE on it, yes, I might deduct points, but the difference between one black box and another is marginal. There are some very sleek designs out though such as Hassie X2D and I love the film Contax G2. By comparison, the Panasonics are arguably 'a bit dull' as are many of the Sony's but I actually love the look and form factor of their FX3/30.

Not the reason I sent it back, but I didn't like the video coming out of it so was happy I had returned it just for that aspect alone. I'm not sure though whether it was just not great or simply because I have been spoiled with Panny full frame, but suspect it's more a case of the latter. 4/3rds is officially dead to me now 😜

Crossed posts while I was typing... Yep, doesn't make sense...unless it does for some reason?

Blacked out LUMIX logo a la Leica SL2. I like that. I used a black sharpie on mine just to make them more subtle 😁

I don't get the X model? Just pro res being the difference? Can't be surely? Just needs a paid firmware update for those that want it shortly but warranting another designated model...?? Apart from the flip screen 🤪 (would prefer an S1H style), I might be tempted to push the order button when that option becomes available... I bought into the L Mount system 2 years ago with a single S5 to start off with, replacing an XT3. That was because what I wanted at the time, was effectively a full frame XT3 with IBIS. OK, the video side of things was cropped for 4k 50p and it had a flip out screen, but otherwise, boxes ticked. I am currently running a pair of S1R's, an S1H and an S5. I just had all 4 serviced and in the case of 3 of them, repaired/refurbished. They now sit waiting either for next season (late March onward) or for sale/trade. I have sold off and replaced a lot of my lens lineup and bought a few new ones so have my 'perfect' lineup in that regard. Ideally, I would like to move to a 3 body based system. I love the S1R's for their stills capability and the 5k footage is great...except no 50p unless I drop to 4k and 8 bit. Can I go back from 47mp to 24mp is the question in my head (to myself)...?? I love the S1H in every regard except I would ideally prefer it to be about 10% smaller and lighter and have better AF. S5mkii is that camera? I love the S5 size and weight, but not the flip out screen which for me is really it's only major weakness. So the rhetorical questions have to myself are: 1. Is the S5 mkii going to be the camera I am looking for and will be happy with for the next 3 seasons/years? Other than the flip out screen, possibly... 2. Is there going to be a successor to the S1/R/H and if so, might that suit me better and if I went with an all S5 mkii line up, would I always being wishing I had waited? 3. If I wait/how soon should I flip my current 4 bodies because I'm probably never going to get a better price than today? Hmmm... I think if the S5ii just had the S1H style screen, I'd flip and have zero regrets and really, that is the single factor that is just holding me back right now. The official reveal in a week or so might confirm my mind one way or another...

Marginally…in some cases. Some of the Sigmas are in fact better! I do think L Mount has one of the strongest lens lineups available now with perhaps only Sony having stronger? Not including old(er) ef Mount. If the new rumored AF is good, then ladies and gentlemen, I would suggest we’re going to have an extremely strong system.

FX3 would be perfect for me with a rear tilt screen. Shutter angle a bonus as would be internal ND. That would do me. It’s really more the form factor and ergos than the capability now (rather than any kind of internal spec) for me with most cameras having the capability I need. XH2s/FX3/FX30/S5/R6ii/FP… it’s just the rear screen type that is my issue with them all.

I don’t know if this helps or not but I always use my gimbal these days with a QR plate and an uber lightweight tripod. This way I can use it for secondary static shots while I wander about but at any second can use it off the tripod in a split second. Or with the tripod attached as it’s so light and actually adds some further stability. I actually also have a Spider QR bolt on it to hang off a Spider holster belt clip which means I can carry the whole thing, gimbal and tripod hands free. Being a solo hybrid shooter, this way I can work with 4 cameras at ‘the same time’. S5 gimbal tripod combo S1H central shoulder harness and tripod S1R left harness S1R right harness Drone, batteries, audio, lightstand, lighting, all backpack (which I only wear from car to venue otherwise dump it somewhere handy). Use ability is more important to me over size or weight.

Always the Sigma FP or FP-L. The problem is I am a minimalist...or as much as I can be and like a streamlined workflow. At present, I am working with 4 camera bodies only 2 of which are identical, but next gen with L Mount will hopefully get me to my ideal 3. So where would an FP fit in? It doesn't, not into my work needs anyway, but maybe in '23 I can wrangle one for personal use...

If the XH2/S had kept the tilt screen a la XH1/XT3, I would have bought 3 of the things after using them professionally for 8 years from Pro1 to XT3. Moved to L Mount for ‘21 and ‘22 and WOULD without question have gone fully back to Fuji for ‘23 but for the straw that broke the camel’s back for me, - the flip out screen. XT5. Yep, perfect…except for the reduced video spec, no battery grip option and worst of all, no fan option. Loved the XH1 at the time. XT3 topped it in several ways except lack of IBIS and all Fuji had to do was put the XT3 spec in the XH1 body. 🤪

Well looks like DP Review and Ted Forbes also in Japan and in the end of year predictions for next year, the only major camera body brand not discussed… Panasonic. NDA in place so you can hardly speculate when you already know what’s coming can you?! Another sign IMO there is at least one FF camera coming soon. I could be reading that wrong, but don’t think so.

And Sam Holland who also is plus the Make Art Now guy whose name I forget and he’s no YouTube wannabe flake, plus a few others so as has been mentioned, either it’s multiple releases of several things that are coming at some point ‘soon’ or something bigger. It can’t just be some wide-angle M4/3 lens because honestly who would give a sh!t?! Not enough to warrant this gathering for sure!

Crane M3 borderline at 1.2kg IMO… Had the S5 with 20-60mm zoom on it and it was close to the limit I’d say and would sometimes need a bit of manual encouragement! Sold it and ordered an DJI RS3, partly to handle the weight better and partly because of the auto lock function.

Yes, pretty much. Has zero inside info and is generally just re-reporting in a rather long-winded manner, perpetually repeating the same rumor(s) over and over and over again. He’s not doing any harm, but as above, is just regurgitating rumor, not inside info.

Nah… even Panasonic would not fly in a load of YouTubers just for the launch of a super-wide angle lens. Why would they? That is not to say there isn’t a SWA lens, but it’s not the main event or it would be the biggest WTF moment in camera history.

That’s some weird distorted architecture they have there in Tokyo…

Well as someone that was selling up and moving on anyway…but simply decided to hang fire for another year, it won’t really affect me either way. I hope they drop a bombshell rather than a clanger though!

I agree. I think old Pannyboy are supping in the Last Chance Saloon right now when it comes to ‘perceived reputation’ with the great unwashed. Those less hysterical and in the know, know they have near or actual class-leading kit in most regards and it’s just that actual and perceived AF ‘limitation’. Maybe one day soon there will be more info one way or the other…

Licensing their tech for $ for one thing… Panasonic have something like less than 5% market share right now, but if they can start producing higher selling units, then a win-win for both parties.

Ahead of this probable LiDAR thing then as none of their cameras use the lens mount I guess…

I stand corrected! Must be a fairly recent thing?

Are they? I don’t think they are… Unless it’s some kind of module in the first instance for at least 4/3rd cameras and maybe existing FF, but being developed to be in camera for the next gen of the S line some time in 2023? This is currently my best guess…but is nothing but that, a guess…

I hope it's not a 4/3rds only thing... If it is however, no biggie because if it works, surely it would then be developed for the FF range? Whether that be current models or future one's. The AF ability for cinema lenses with the RS3 is certainly interesting... I have had that gimbal on order for about a month now and looking forward to testing exactly this.