Pana S9 is definition of an underrated camera

[eatstoomuchjam]

You can also do a wrap if you really wanna look cool like the kids.

https://www.wrapcart.com/products/matrix-design-orange-2-camera-skins

https://alphagvrd.com/collections/panasonic/products/panasonic-s5-ii-s5-ii-x-generic-camera-skin?variant=42902796959882 

[BTM_Pix]

50 minutes ago, ac6000cw said:

Isn't that a cover for the OG S5 (not the S5ii, with the fan grills and a larger body)?

Yeah, another too much haste cock up from myself there.

Oddly enough, the colour choices for the silicone covers for the S5ii don't extend to red, with the nearest one being a bit of a life vest orange tone.

So, even in the world of silicone covers, there is sneaky product differentiation going on.

The vinyl wraps are the closest to red for the S5ii and I have to say that I think this one looks a bit more fetching to me anyway.

 

[MrSMW]

1 hour ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

You can also do a wrap if you really wanna look cool like the kids.

https://www.wrapcart.com/products/matrix-design-orange-2-camera-skins

https://alphagvrd.com/collections/panasonic/products/panasonic-s5-ii-s5-ii-x-generic-camera-skin?variant=42902796959882 

I was aware of the Alphagvrd option but not the WrapCart and they have 170+ options and a lot more interesting than the Alpha jobs!

[ntblowz]

On 1/23/2025 at 8:15 PM, MrSMW said:

So what advantages does the S9 have over the S5II now?

The S5II clearly has many over the S9.

The S9 has:

Size & weight, but add a cage and not much in it.

Choice of colours if that is your thing.

And...??

S9 have PDAF in 1080p60 FF mode.. if you only shoot 4k most of the time then S5II is the better deal.

But for some people aethestic is quite important too.

[MrSMW]

1 hour ago, ntblowz said:

S9 have PDAF in 1080p60 FF mode.. if you only shoot 4k most of the time then S5II is the better deal.

But for some people aethestic is quite important too.

6k 30p open gate actually…

My S9 still has not turned up and yes, it is part an aesthetic thing for me but also having 2x S5II’s tripod based, having this third roaming unit on a free standing monopod or freehand, I do want it as small and light as possible.

Hence also going with a set of the LUMIX primes.

So despite me believing that the S5II is superior in almost every way, the S9 is arguably more ‘fun’ and is that little bit more ‘appropriate’ (for want of a better term) for me.

I could easily have gone back to 3x S5II’s and in some ways it makes more sense…but then not everything has to make sense as long as it works!

[cosarth]

Almost 5 years having my trusty S1 as my workhorse camera (I work on fashion films, weddings and small commercials) and the S5ii/X series never felt like a true upgrade. No 4K 120, same crops, same codecs. And the absence of phase detect in full frame 1080/50p (which I use vastly on weddings and events).

GH7 looks great for my needs but I have already built a nice lens set of Sigma 16-28, 28-70 and 35 1.4 and the transition to equivalent MFT lenses would be too costly. I love MFT and I still have my beloved G80 (which I use as a tripod camera for low budget gigs as well as a travel camera) with 25mm 1.7 and 14-42 but I wouldn’t use those lenses for serious professional work.

However, the S9 is a thing of its own with its form factor/capability ratio. As long as Panasonic doesn’t soon release the S1II/H (which will probably be above 3K) I’m keeping an eye on it as a 2nd/gimbal unit. There is no phase detect issue at 1080p and my back will thank me after long hours of shooting due to the lightweight body compared to the S1 since 90% of my work is handheld. It can also be the perfect street/travel camera replacing my G80.

I think I’ll wait a little bit for any news from Panny but I am close to pulling the trigger 🙂

[MrSMW]

On 1/26/2025 at 1:55 AM, cosarth said:

my back will thank me after long hours of shooting due to the lightweight body compared to the S1 since 90% of my work is handheld.

I hear you.

I have actually decided, for the moment at least, to not buy any new (used) Lumix primes but instead actually drop shooting 6k 30p and go back to 4k 50p and in APSC crop mode so I can use my 'tiny' Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (FF 27-75 equivalent).

It will save me spending around €2k on 3 primes which would give me a greater focal range, but only when swapping out lenses and in the end I decided having the flexibility of '27-75' at all times would beat having 18 or 50 or 100 at any single time.

Also I am going to have to give up the lower light capability of 6k 30p vs 4k 50p and f1.8 vs f2.8, but it's like all things, a compromise somewhere.

I have my 2x bigger units for static stuff and this particular unit has a more general role and flexibility, portability, speed of use and size + weight are the most important factors.

I just weighed the full rig and it's just under 2kg. It's 1.91kg to be precise.

That is: S9 + grip + lens + mic + freestanding monopod and does everything from low level, to eye height static to in hand to 'gimbal-like' in one uber-portable package.

The only thing it really lacks is all-weather capability as neither the body nor the lens are properly weather sealed, but then my work doesn't really require it.

[cosarth]

8 hours ago, MrSMW said:

The only thing it really lacks is all-weather capability as neither the body nor the lens are properly weather sealed, but then my work doesn't really require it.

I mean, weather sealing is always good to have but how many times have we filmed a wedding under heavy rain?

The only thing that lacks for me is a second card slot but then again, what are the odds of having a mainstream SD card model dying on you?

[MrSMW]

Light rain a few times, but as my other 3 cameras and lenses are all weather-sealed…

And nope, only ever had one card failure and that was about 15 years ago immediately after it came out of someone else’s camera. Coincidence? I don’t know but binned it and nothing since in 15 hard years use.

But there is always the possibility…

[ntblowz]

Just finished a 5 day indian wedding shoot, so far the only time it overheated was when I forgot to turn the external fan on. (Shooting 4k25p all day, and it's summer here atm)

I also did 1 and half hour interview in 3.8k opengate, that was without the fan but indoor, but towards the end I do see the overheating icon popping up.

 

[MrSMW]

@ntblowz what’s the fan you have on there?

[ntblowz]

3 hours ago, MrSMW said:

@ntblowz what’s the fan you have on there?

Ulanzi CA25, mine is the older version with suction cup, the new version with spring buckle fixed the suction cup not holding the fan well after certain time.

[MrSMW]

Good to know. I might just get one as a back up more than anything such as one of those days when it is going to be well over 30c...

[IronFilm]

On 1/21/2025 at 6:28 AM, MrSMW said:

I might trade the 70-200mm f4 against a Samyang 35-150mm f2/2.8 though as that might be a more useful lens, but €€€'s...

How about a combo of Panasonic 18mm f1.8 + Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 + Samyang 35-150mm f2-2.8? 

That's surely the fastest possible setup in just three lens for something which covers so many focal ranges!

[MrSMW]

Thanks but I don’t need to cover that many focal lengths with a single unit as I have three for the purpose.

The unit with the 70-200 is purely for the longer stuff but I’d prefer it to be faster if possible, but with any kind of range, f2.8 is the limit.

Sigma do their fantastic 70-200 f2.8 but it’s a bit big, a bit heavy and more than a bit over budget!

Pretty sure I will just stick with the 70-200 f4…

[MrSMW]

Actually... 🤔

I'm on the fence over something...

I am not a procrastinator by nature but instead quite decisive, but finances...

I know what I'd prefer to do, but cost has to come into it, even for a business.

As things stand, I have my video bodies nailed down; 2x S5II's plus an S9.

I can't see me ever 'needing' anything beyond these 3 bodies.

For lenses, 2 of them are nailed; the Lumix 70-200mm f4 and the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8

I'm still flip-flopping on the lens or lenses for the S9 however; the APSC 18-50mm f2.8 or 3x primes...

I'd go for the primes finances aside, but they are a €2k option, which on it's own is doable.

But, on the photo side, although I have the A7RV plus 3 lenses which are near perfect for my needs, I would still prefer a single one and done video + lens option.

I could do that with the A7RV, but it would require the Tamron 35-150...but then it's not really one and done because 35mm is not wide enough for all my needs, plus the lens is too big, too heavy and extends too far. So it's a no.

Also, I would ideally all have it within one system so lens are compatible and possibly batteries which is why I am particularly interested in any potential S2R.

And that I'd pair with the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 because with cropping, it can do my longer stuff. One & done.

But if this thing appears any time soon and there are strong rumours it may be announced this month, how much is it going to retail for?

I'm thinking no change from €4k and that lens is €1.5k so an investment of €5.5k.

If I buy the 3x primes also, it's €7.5k.

On the other hand, if I do buy the S2R and 28-105, I will be able to offset some of that cost because I will be selling the A7RV and 3x Tamron lenses, so maybe €3-3.5k which would bring the 'cost-to-trade' to more like €2k.

So from a financial perspective the decision I have made is it will either be the S2R + 28-105, or 3x primes and the determining factor will be what the S2R will be when announced and when (if) it is announced, because later than April and it's too late for this year.

Unless I also sell my Nikon Zf and then I could do both options... 

[ArashM]

9 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I'm still flip-flopping on the lens or lenses for the S9 however; the APSC 18-50mm f2.8 or 3x primes

I'm curious why are you thinking of running the 18-50 on the S9? is it only for 50/60P ?

As for your main question... we really don't know enough, I'm also curious if Lumix follows the body design of the S1 series, or if it's a new body, or they re-cycle the S5ii body. (I don't think that is likely)

Hopefully we'll know by end of month.

[MrSMW]

A. Because I already have it and can’t really sell it due to some ‘cosmetic issues’ and

B. Because free is ‘better’ than spending €2k on the alternative!

The reality is, it’s almost certainly going to be the set of 3 primes though because I don’t think I can now actually give up 6k 30p open gate 🤪

My money is on an S2R, new body, pretty much Leica SL3 spec, but we’ll see…