Test/ First Impression S1RII does birds

[ALAIN]

Thanks for the comments, and I must say I hadn't thought about these diffraction issues (probably too used to the "very limited" capabilities of medium formats (X1D, X2D, H5-D60 CCD, etc.).
I'll opt for the 1.4x then.

Now that I'm getting the 500mm (maybe tomorrow), I'm going to be excited, as I don't have an L-mount camera at the moment (I sold the SL2S a long time ago).

S1II vs. S1RII ?!?!
I'm fascinated by the performance of the recent Lumix S1II and S1RII (reviews), and I'm really hesitant...
There are two of us who photograph and film: my wife (mainly M11 + iPhone for video) and I (currently mainly X1DII, having sold our X2D before it was depreciated with the upcoming arrival of the X2DII, and nothing at all for video). We enjoy subjects such as "the street," "the landscapes," and I'm waiting for the 500 to get back into action and wildlife photography, especially on hikes.
The capabilities of the S1II (high ISO in photo and video, AF, etc., innovative semi-stacked sensor) and those of the S1RII (resolution, but we already have the M11, 8K in video, cropping capabilities, etc.) are jostling around in my poor head, and I change my mind several times a day .
We would like to know if any experiences with these two cameras with Leica M lenses (18mm, 28mm 5.6 vintage, 35mm F2 apo, etc.) could be shared...
Thanks in advance and congratulations again for this Forum (the emails that notify replies, the fluidity: a dream!)

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

From Moab.

• Panasonic - DC-S1RM2
• Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | S (L-Mount)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/2000 sec
• Pattern
• Manual exposure
• ISO 1600

 

[NFec]

Oh! Thanks for this very interesting link: animal photography, landscapes and wildlife, equipment, emotion...
I noticed the constant use of the x1.4... interesting, is the x2 less efficient (weight, loss of brightness, loss of comfort for the photographer and the camera (AF...))... and what's more, it's the 24MP camera! So if the x2 already penalizes the 24MP, it should disrupt the S1RII's 44MP even more, it seems to me...
What exactly do you think?

I do have a 1.4 and 2.0 TCs. Both Sigma and one Panasonic 2x.
I might sell the Panasonic off, because after some firmware updates I see no difference between the Sigma and Pana 2x anymore. But I will test this one final last tome soon.

Back to why 2x TC might not so popular for long tele focal length. In my experience 1000mm focal length is difficult to handle. If you shoot on a sunny day the heat is getting your enemy. This can be because of the heated air close to the surface or even around your lens hood.
Initially it sounds great to have 1000mm focal length but the situations when you can really use it are nice and by most cases you shall get close to the subject you want to take a picture of. And then the 1.4 TC is a much nicer tool ;-)

 

[ALAIN]

I'm going to follow this very "enlightened" advice: x1.4!
It seems to be a bit like with a telescope: you can always increase the magnification, but ultimately, observation is less comfortable, or even impossible (turbulence, focusing, etc.).

The 500mm 5.6 Sigma has just arrived, and I'm almost certain I'll choose a Lumix S1RII camera, given my use and my beautiful Leica M lenses.

I usually use two setups for planetary observation:
- either: 180apo Leica R 2.8 + 1st Leica R apo extender + 2nd Leica R apo extender + sometimes R/M adapter + focuser glued to a bored M cap + 7mm wide-field telescope eyepiece; magnification = (180x2x2)/7 = 102 with an inverted image!!!
- or: 180apo Leica R 2.8 + 1st Leica R apo extender + 2nd Leica R apo extender + TO-R 12.5mm accessory; magnification = (180x2x2)/12.5 = 58 with an upright image!!!
I was thinking of doing something similar with the Sigma 500, but I'm hampered by the focus, which requires mounting it on a camera body.
Is there a trick (for astrophotographers) for controlling this focus without a camera body?

 

[NFec]

I'm going to follow this very "enlightened" advice: x1.4!
It seems to be a bit like with a telescope: you can always increase the magnification, but ultimately, observation is less comfortable, or even impossible (turbulence, focusing, etc.).

The 500mm 5.6 Sigma has just arrived, and I'm almost certain I'll choose a Lumix S1RII camera, given my use and my beautiful Leica M lenses.

I usually use two setups for planetary observation:
- either: 180apo Leica R 2.8 + 1st Leica R apo extender + 2nd Leica R apo extender + sometimes R/M adapter + focuser glued to a bored M cap + 7mm wide-field telescope eyepiece; magnification = (180x2x2)/7 = 102 with an inverted image!!!
- or: 180apo Leica R 2.8 + 1st Leica R apo extender + 2nd Leica R apo extender + TO-R 12.5mm accessory; magnification = (180x2x2)/12.5 = 58 with an upright image!!!
I was thinking of doing something similar with the Sigma 500, but I'm hampered by the focus, which requires mounting it on a camera body.
Is there a trick (for astrophotographers) for controlling this focus without a camera body?

For what do you want to use the Sigma 500 f5.6 at the end?
I guess the combination of this lens with the S1RII will be really good. To me it sounds like you are looking for a very good setup in a more nice area
1. Using the stuff for astro
2. Doing more wildlife

My thoughts are, that in both cases the S1II might be the better camera because:
1. For astro the megapixel count shall not be so relevant, because you will end up with stacking. And more MP means more noise too. And as soon as you use stacking, you shall have enough resolution.
2. For wildlife you will need to rely on FPS and here the S1II is better in regards to IQ because of less rolling shutter. In addition less MP means less micro wobblers and on high focus lens this means you save some exposure time

I don’t say that the S1RII does not fit. It is a very very good camera, I using it very ofter and love it. But if you are looking for the best for your setup, maybe try the S1II too.
May I ask why you do nit use a dedicated astro photography camera for your lens setup? You put so much effort and I guess money into is, then a dedicated astro photography + fitting software and workflow should mot add too much cost anymore.

I am not aware of any device which allows to use the full electronic L-Mount lenses to be focused manually without a camera. But it sounds like a fun maker project to build something like this ;-)

 

[ALAIN]

For what do you want to use the Sigma 500 f5.6 at the end?
I guess the combination of this lens with the S1RII will be really good. To me it sounds like you are looking for a very good setup in a more nice area
1. Using the stuff for astro
2. Doing more wildlife

My thoughts are, that in both cases the S1II might be the better camera because:
1. For astro the megapixel count shall not be so relevant, because you will end up with stacking. And more MP means more noise too. And as soon as you use stacking, you shall have enough resolution.
2. For wildlife you will need to rely on FPS and here the S1II is better in regards to IQ because of less rolling shutter. In addition less MP means less micro wobblers and on high focus lens this means you save some exposure time

I don’t say that the S1RII does not fit. It is a very very good camera, I using it very ofter and love it. But if you are looking for the best for your setup, maybe try the S1II too.
May I ask why you do nit use a dedicated astro photography camera for your lens setup? You put so much effort and I guess money into is, then a dedicated astro photography + fitting software and workflow should mot add too much cost anymore.

I am not aware of any device which allows to use the full electronic L-Mount lenses to be focused manually without a camera. But it sounds like a fun maker project to build something like this ;-)

Thank you for these very interesting comments.
I'm interested in the 500 for its rendering, its reduced weight, and its compactness.
I've compared the S1II and S1RII, and given my applications (mostly landscapes, street photography, and a little wildlife, and even less astronomy, mostly in photography and less in video) and my familiarity with high resolutions (60 Leica and Hasselblad and 100 MP Hasselblad), I naturally gravitate toward the S1RII.
For manual focusing with this electric lens, I like working on the electronics, but how do I control its focus motors without a camera body? ouhhhhhhh ?