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A Reintroduction

JCW_Snaps

JCW_Snaps

Active Member
Hi, just dropping in to reintroduce myself. I used to frequent this place more as a lurker than a regular poster but stopped when I traded my S1R in for a Fuji for weight reasons. I seem to have had a frustrating experience with the Fuji with lens failures etc and the images have just never seemed as good as those from the S1R. Over the last few days I’ve dug out my original S5 and 20-60 that I kept for reasons unknown and I don’t know if it’s just me the image quality seems to be a significant improvement on the XH2 despite (or maybe because of) the drop in megapixels. This long rambling post is really leading to the realisation that I’ll most likely be returning to L mount and the Fuji gear will be getting traded in.
Hopefully this time around I’ll try and be a little more active here :)
 
JCW_Snaps said:
Hi, just dropping in to reintroduce myself. I used to frequent this place more as a lurker than a regular poster but stopped when I traded my S1R in for a Fuji for weight reasons. I seem to have had a frustrating experience with the Fuji with lens failures etc and the images have just never seemed as good as those from the S1R. Over the last few days I’ve dug out my original S5 and 20-60 that I kept for reasons unknown and I don’t know if it’s just me the image quality seems to be a significant improvement on the XH2 despite (or maybe because of) the drop in megapixels. This long rambling post is really leading to the realisation that I’ll most likely be returning to L mount and the Fuji gear will be getting traded in.
Hopefully this time around I’ll try and be a little more active here :)
Click to expand...
Welcome back!

Just an FYI in case you missed them: Panasonic released a firmware update for the S5 last October, and for the S20-60 lens last month. See:
https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index4.html
 
Good to see you return!

If you wanted the Fuji for size/weight, I like having the Sigma fp as a smaller/lighter counterpart to my S5; that way you can share lenses, and I think the fp has great IQ in most situations; it's especially good in low light, and I probably use it in an 80/20 split with the S5.

(Megapixels aren't everything by any means; I prefer the greater light sensitivity, better high-ISO performance, and greater dynamic range from larger pixels.)
 
Thanks. The Sigma fp has crossed my mind and does look a nice lightweight piece of kit. Regarding firmware I’ve already updated the S5 to the latest version but wasn’t aware of the lens update. Is it worth bothering with or do most people just stay as is?
 
Welcome back! If you liked the S1R, you’ll love the S1Rii. I recently upgraded and I’m really glad I did. The S1R was big and beautiful and delivered wonderful images. The S1Rii still delivers the wonderful images, but it’s smaller and lighter (really not meaningfully bigger than the S5); and it’s got a myriad of improvements and extra features that the older model didn't have.
 
pdk42 said:
Welcome back! If you liked the S1R, you’ll love the S1Rii. I recently upgraded and I’m really glad I did. The S1R was big and beautiful and delivered wonderful images. The S1Rii still delivers the wonderful images, but it’s smaller and lighter (really not meaningfully bigger than the S5); and it’s got a myriad of improvements and extra features that the older model didn't have.
Click to expand...
Please don’t tell me that. I’m trying to talk myself out of it and I really can’t afford it at the moment but………….Z04 Explodieren
 
JCW_Snaps said:
Regarding firmware I’ve already updated the S5 to the latest version but wasn’t aware of the lens update. Is it worth bothering with or do most people just stay as is?
Click to expand...
Hi, the most recent lens firmware update for the 20-60mm was only relevant for those with the new S1ii, S1iiE and S1Rii cameras. Prior to that was the January 2023 update (2.5 years ago) that improved AF during zoom.
 
pdk42 said:
Just sell all that Fuji junk and you'll be fine! ;)
Click to expand...
Trust me I’m crunching the numbers :D Unfortunately I’d like a few lenses as well (70-200 f4 is on order already but I could do with a decent wide angle as well for architectural and interior work).
 
Pete_W said:
Hi, the most recent lens firmware update for the 20-60mm was only relevant for those with the new S1ii, S1iiE and S1Rii cameras. Prior to that was the January 2023 update (2.5 years ago) that improved AF during zoom.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I’ll probably update it as having looked I think it’s still on the original firmware.
 
JCW_Snaps said:
Trust me I’m crunching the numbers :D Unfortunately I’d like a few lenses as well (70-200 f4 is on order already but I could do with a decent wide angle as well for architectural and interior work).
Click to expand...
My experience of buying Lumix lenses is that there is some element of copy variation. For example, I took some shots with the 70-200 f4 at a show and the images were fine (within the limits of a quick test in a show environment). I then got one on loan from the Panasonic loan programme and it had terrible decentering. But I went ahead and bought one anyhow and the copy I have is great. I also have had two copies of the 24-105 - one was a bit soft wide open whereas the copy I have now is really great. And then, I went through two copies of the 70-300 before I got a good one.
 
I'm playing a similar 'game', will be test driving an s1 after letting the s5 go a couple of months back. I'd prefer less bulk, but the 20-60 2tilt screen, evf rez, and other Lumix features really suit me.

My budget definitely keeps me in the value-seeking end of the pool; for now I'll run with the 20-60, Pentax primes and a couple of nF zooms. I've been toying with a vivitar 70-150/3.8 one-touch, the best in cheap entertainment - and talented too!
 
cascadian said:
My budget definitely keeps me in the value-seeking end of the pool; for now I'll run with the 20-60, Pentax primes and a couple of nF zooms. I've been toying with a vivitar 70-150/3.8 one-touch, the best in cheap entertainment - and talented too!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Vivitar 70-150 is pretty nice; I also have it in its Kiron guise.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_prof67/albums/72177720307175498/

Has some test shots; here are a couple favorites.

52784814566_aaec0861b0_b.jpg

20230328-P1000866 by Travis Butler, on Flickr
Lumix S5, Kiron 70-150/4

52784262327_c4e81c857e_b.jpg

20230328-P1000868 by Travis Butler, on Flickr

I do really like the bokeh. Something to note - this copy had heavy haze on one element. I haven't taken it apart to clean it yet, since it still seems to be reasonably sharp and I think I like the effect it has on the rendering. It does mean I have to boost the contrast a lot in post:

52784262302_1fec1823c4_b.jpg

20230328-P1000887 by Travis Butler, on Flickr

52785267778_23832b7129_b.jpg

20230328-P1000889 by Travis Butler, on Flickr

But I like the final results.
 
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