Rumors Panasonic 24-60 f2.8 or f2.0

[dirk]

He was taking shots of dogs running at speed towards the camera and with a long lens attached to get subject separation. That’s a demanding scenario for AF.

I do not have a dog, so I can not test this. But I am sure that there are many youtube videos with dogs running towards the S5ii and with a hit rate of around 80%.

But it depends also on the telezoom. I experienced significant differences in MFT between Lumix telezooms and the Oly 40-150/2.8 Pro, independant from the body.

The 40-150/2.8 is an outstanding lens and optimized for sports photography. It works well even with an old Lumix G9.

Which telezooms did he use on MFT and which on Lumix fullframe?

Before I would sell it, I would dig deeper to find the real reason for the differences.

 

[Markuswelder]

He was taking shots of dogs running at speed towards the camera and with a long lens attached to get subject separation. That’s a demanding scenario for AF.

Subject separation is also a function of the relationship between distance from camera to subject, and subject to background.
Personally, I think that Ultrawide close up shooting of moving subjects at large aperture is every bit as demanding on AF as narrower aperture telephoto shooting. Tons of camera's really really struggle with moving subjects at short focus distances. I'm actually pretty surprised at just how well my S5 manages these scenarios. Very surprised.
I'm not saying the S1, S5 mk 1 and 2 are the best cameras for the job here. Far from it (well, the original S1 and 5 anyway) But I absolutely, definitely don't think they're as bad as popular public opinion makes out they are.
In saying that, I'm not a spray and pray shooter. I don't think I've ever even used burst shooting mode of any kind on my S5. Because I have no need to. I find the camera to be more than good enough to simply track the subject through the EVF until the opportune moment when it either fills the frame, or gives a pleasing composition, and then fully depressing the shutter button. And 99% of the time it just nails it. Far far less work, and infinitely more enjoyable for me than sifting through 100's of shots of minute differences of the same thing, looking for that "keeper"
But that's just me.

 

[Markuswelder]

The reason I'm a bit sceptical here, is that I've heard the same accusations levelled at the G9. For years and years. Yet I pop a good lens on it (in my case my Panasonic Leica 55-200 F2.8-F4) take it to the race track to shoot motorcycle racing, and I find it brilliant. As long as I keep the shutter speed up.
If I try and drag the shutter to get motion blur in the wheels/background, then the keeper rate drops like a Lead balloon. But that's my problem. Not the camera.

Edit -I think the reason that the G9 and its DFD got a "bad reputation" is due to the very vocal bird shooters trying to use it like a telescope, shooting tiny subjects against busy backgrounds, which is not its strong point.

 

[Markuswelder]

Anyway, back on topic, if Lumix does produce a new, smaller 24-60mm F2.8, I'd be keen to give one a try on my S5 Classic, and see if it's a little bit more snappy and quicker than my current Sigma 28-70mm. More curiosity than anything. I have no complaints about size, weight, price, image quality and AF with my Sigma, just more interested if there would be any difference in an affordable Lumix version really

I can't view any of the links/vids in my current location, that's probably a good thing really

 

[Quentinquirelino]

He was taking shots of dogs running at speed towards the camera and with a long lens attached to get subject separation. That’s a demanding scenario for AF.

Yes, that's a demanding scenario for the AF. But if the dog is fast, not only Lumix cameras would the have a problem with. Just every camera without stacked sensor will have a hard time to follow the dog. But that hasn't much to do with the algorithm. The updating information from slower sensors is just to slow to track the dog.

You could best see the problem when you look in the Sony system. They updated there algorithm from generation to generation, but not every new camera gets a faster sensor. Comparing a A7cii from 2023 with the OG A9 from 2017, the A7cii has by far the more advanced algorithms and much better subject detection. But when it comes to tracking a fast subjects towards the camera, like dogs can be, the A9 will beat the A7cii any time.

 

[Quentinquirelino]

I do not have a dog, so I can not test this. But I am sure that there are many youtube videos with dogs running towards the S5ii and with a hit rate of around 80%.

...

It hardly depends on the speed of the dog. Even the S5 has no problem to detect a dog and also to track it, if it runs towards the camera up to a certain speed. But from a certain speed, it can't keep up anymore.

 

[Vale46]

So, it’s very high frame rate with no blackout - that’s a good start! But I think they need to step up on the AF front. A photo friend of mine has just sent all his LUMIX FF stuff (S5ii, S1) off to Wex for trade in because he can’t get the AF to work on even mild action shots (e.g. dogs running towards the camera). He also runs an OM1 and reckons it nails the same scenes with 80%+ hit rates.

I confirm. My OM-1MII is waaay.... better for sports and wildlife shots as my S1RII. As soon as movement gets a bit faster Panasonics' AF currently can't compete with my OM1II.

 

[dirk]

I confirm. My OM-1MII is waaay.... better for sports and wildlife shots as my S1RII.

But does your OM1mkii achieve reliable face tracking with random movements like soccer etc?

If yes, which telezoom are you using with it and which telezoom do you use for the S1Rii and the same sport?