help me with my kit conundrum

[gethin]

I just shot my first 2 projects in 4k after using nikon d5300/d5500's for years.  At the moment there's more to like than dislike, but the major problem I've got is that the gx85+ speedbooster is heavier than my d5300 and my gimbal cant handle it.  I was hoping the IBIS would take care of the mircro jitters but if anything it makes them worse. (Because set at 8mm - 11mmx0.71 - the edges of the frame dance).  Other things: noise in shadows is not good, hard to lift. Highlight rolloff a bit nasty

I dont really have M4/3 glass. was trying to hold out for nikon mirrorless or to see what sony's next round it but I need a quicker solution.

I have a bunch of options (in AUD):

Buy bigger gimbal: $1400 (Pilotfly H2+ 45 or Beholder DS2A for $800)
Buy cam with better IBIS (?) (and low light/noise/dyanamic range)
Buy much lighter wide angle (8-18?) $1400 - I presume the dual stabilisation would help with jitters too.

Ultimately I'd want to be shooting full frame or aspc, so any M43 stuff is an intermin solution.

Any thoughts?

[jonpais]

@gethin The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 is super light and (relatively) inexpensive. 

[mercer]

I had the GX85 for about 6 months last year and I was blown away by the IBIS. The ability to use old c-mount lenses and vintage primes on a modern 4K camera handheld was very cool and in a lot of ways spoiled the way I shot. But I did notice some of the issues you mentioned and it was never perfect, but still better than lugging around a tripod.

Then when I decided to move onto a more cinematic look with the 5D3 and ML Raw, I assumed I would just use my ai-s lenses, but I decided to try a native Canon zoom... the 24-70mm f/4 and I was stunned to learn that the OIS on the Canon lens is as good, if not better, as the IBIS on the GX85.

With that being said, I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you go out and buy a 5D3 and shoot ML Raw but since gimbal work is important to you, and since AF is important for gimbal work, I think you may only have two options if you want to stay with 4K...

The a6500 with it's touchscreen PDAF and IBIS. Or the 5D4 with its touchscreen DPAF and a Canon OIS lens.

[gethin]

3 hours ago, jonpais said:

@gethin The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 is super light and (relatively) inexpensive. 

thanks @jonpais something else to consider :D I'm going to see how cheap I can find it over here...

3 hours ago, mercer said:

 and since AF is important for gimbal work, I think you may only have two options if you want to stay with 4K...

The a6500 with it's touchscreen PDAF and IBIS. Or the 5D4 with its touchscreen DPAF and a Canon OIS lens.

actually for years I've just found the hyperfocal distance as wide as I could go and hoped for the best.  Doesn't work on FF but you can get away with it on apsc (stopping down a bit), and M4/3.

But being able to pull focus on a gimbal with a smartphone say would be AWESOME.  Can you do that with the a6500 and gh5 I wonder?