GH5 Zooms for the S5/S1/full frame

NorBro said:
I don't know...on the SL2-S it's dancing around with the correct focal length (a wide one too), but I had to manually choose the lens model setting as a Leica lens for IS to work so maybe there is still some sort of miscommunication there.
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Ah. Well, I had been referring to using, say, a 24-70 Canon on the S1, inputting a focal length of 50mm, and then zooming around. It will dance slowly anywhere but at 50mm. But again, on the S1 with an electronic adapter, it should work fine
 
I have a lot more testing to do...I'll take any floating/dancing though over jitters which I just can't bear.
 
NorBro said:
I'm in a similar boat with IBIS and lenses, and the system I'm currently using is more complicated with IBIS, and unfortunately the lenses which allow all of the settings to be used (or even a simple one like just being able to turn off the vertical or horizontal panning) are foolishly pricey.
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Does Leica use the same dual IBIS as panasonic? And what lenses are you using on the Leica?
 
https://www.tttphotography.com/sigma-mc-21-ef-l-lens-adapter-compatibility/

Came across this list that lists EF mount lens compatibility with Sigma's EF-L mount adapter. Has a "yes" or "no" column for IBIS - would be curious to know how well these adapted lenses with electronics play with IBIS compared to native (non dual IBIS) lenses.

Sigma have a 24-105mm ART ef mount lens which seems to only be a few hundred bucks second hand and supposedly has optical stabilization. So hard to know how it would work with Panny's IBIS, of course.
 
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junct said:
Does Leica use the same dual IBIS as panasonic? And what lenses are you using on the Leica?
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It's very strong IBIS, but it's not called Dual IS as that's Panasonic's trademark.

But the truth is...you never know what any of these companies are doing inside of their cameras and lenses. There are different algorithms and their Leica lenses could be working the same way or in a similar fashion, but Leica just might not call it anything because of corporate contacts and/or the marketing wouldn't be very effective for them and the type of customers they currently attract (99% photographers who purchase $5K-$10K lenses and don't want to hear that a new DUAL IS lens came out). And they are just getting going with 4K video and more features...last 2-3 years.

Also, on a related note, supposedly IBIS strengths vary across models. It's probably not something you want to hear but many reviews of cameras like the S5 and the lower-end Olympus models have said the IBIS is weaker than in the S1H or the M1 Mark II/III (the flagship models), which makes sense for various reasons.

With that said, the S5's IBIS should still be very good (especially with a good OIS lens).

___

So far I used the Pentax 35mm f/2, DZOFILM Vespid 25mm, Sigma 28mm and Panasonic 85mm.
 
I believe the s5 IBIS is noticably worse ("5 axis" vs "6 axis"), and read one or two comments from users who've said the same. How much of a real world difference that makes is unclear, haven't looked up any comparison footage.

I take it from your lens choice, you're mostly shooting narrative content?
 
They are both 5-axis, but it's 5 stops vs 6 stops (on paper).

I don't shoot anything anymore right now...this has all become a hobby after the virus.

But I still mostly used fast primes as I didn't see much of a point in using f/4 lenses and beyond if I wanted the look that I was interested in from a bigger sensor. If there were full-frame f/1.4 zooms, I would love them.

Before the Leica, I mostly used Canon/Sony still cameras with very good AF so focusing was never a problem. With the Leica, I wouldn't be able to shoot how I used to shoot (moving around wide open at f/1.4, etc), but just having fun.
 
Fair enough, sorry you’ve lost work over the pandemic (one of the rare instances where being in New Zealand has been a sensible place for work).

Found a good deal on a used s1 + 24-105, so hoping that set up works. Going native is slightly relieving for avoiding the potential compatibility headaches.
 
Set up will definitely work...it is the lens to have for that camera if you're looking for a fully compatible Panasonic zoom with OIS.

It's actually the only option besides a couple of 70+ zooms.
 
Well, according to that link above and sigmas adapter claims, there's a canon EF and Sigma 24-105mm that theoretically have IS - whether that communicates well with Panasonics body IS is another question. Those lenses are intriguing since they cost about 1/4, but lack of reports of success for video make it a bit risky.

I think for my desire to be on minimal stabilization gear, this is probably the right call.
 
Yeah, there are about 50 more zooms with IS from different companies in which some probably definitely work but weren't tested, but I meant a completely native option made by the company that makes the camera.
 
P.S. I know it's mostly unnecessary at this time, but you should watch lots of YouTube during your future gear research (if you don't).

You can see how other lenses' IS looks on the S1.

Different perspectives and tests. Sometimes there's more talking than showing results but that's also when people randomly say things that could be helpful. Even in the comments...people ask questions and many of the content creators answer them, or other viewers do. (Of course there's lot of misinformation too, but that usually gets corrected by others.)

You learn things you didn't really think of before like if there's a difference with the IS in photo mode vs video mode, if there are any issues with certain adapters, if you have to put the lens on the adapter while the camera is on to have the settings be active (and not grayed out), if you're able to turn off IS in the menu for a third-party lens that doesn't have a physical switch (since you obviously might not want IS on all the time), any other quirks, etc.
 
Yeah, I slightly veer away from the youtube stuff, as so many people are shills or generally uninformed hype machines that I find it a little tough to wade through and find the reliable information. Generally prefer discussion forums, but it's a good point.
 
junct said:
Well, according to that link above and sigmas adapter claims, there's a canon EF and Sigma 24-105mm that theoretically have IS - whether that communicates well with Panasonics body IS is another question. Those lenses are intriguing since they cost about 1/4, but lack of reports of success for video make it a bit risky.

I think for my desire to be on minimal stabilization gear, this is probably the right call.
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I believe that only Panasonic lens IS is compatible with Panasonic IBIS. With any other lens, you'll have to use EITHER lens IS or camera IBIS. So, you'll have to turn one of them off. Using both simultaneously will lead to an over-correction as both devices carry out similar corrections at the same time, and the result will be shakier/blurrier. Whereas with Panasonic dual-IS capable lenses, the lens IS and camera IBIS work in conjunction to provide an even smoother result than with IBIS alone. (And, if memory serves me, the rotational IS is handled by the lens while the translational IS is handled by the sensor. Something like that.)

Long story short - you won't regret buying the Lumix 24-105! It's a great lens in all regards. And it will be easy to sell with the camera if you ever choose to, considering that it is the kit lens and they are commonly sold together.
 
junct said:
Picking up a s5 or s1 (waiting from a quote from my local, hoping the s1 can match the price to deal with the niggling record limit issue).

I'm moving from a m4/3 system, which means new glass. I have a decent set of vintage primes for interviews and more controlled b-roll situations, but I need a workhorse zoom for most of my "run and gun" work (golly I dislike that phrase).

Sigma and Panny's 24-70mm might be doable, but I oft found the 12-35mm on my m4/3 system to be too narrow of a range (mostly on the long end). Since Panasonic's AF is a moot point, and neither of those lenses have lens stabilisation, going native mount here isn't particularly make or break. Maybe there is older glass with better manual focus and on-lens aperture controls I could be looking at in this sort of range?

Second native option is the 24-105mm. I was wary that f4.0 may be a bit on the slow side - but i figure the better low light performance of the s1/s5 would still blow the gh4 out of the water. And with a full frame, I probably can't manage a shallower DoF as a solo shooter than f4 would give anyway - can use primes when I *need* faster or shallower DOF. This one does have dual I.S. which is a big tick if investing in panasonic again. But, most photography lenses s*ck for manual focussing - the 12-35 was crap. I wouldn't expect this to be much better.

What non-native zooms should I be considering?
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I shoot 99% of my commercial corporate work and weddings using the S1H and the Panasonic 24-105 lens. The lens punches well above it's weight, and you can find used versions on Adorama for around $800. Here is a quick sample that I shot with this lens, but note, that this is an HDR edit, so it may not show the colors correctly if you aren't using an HDR display. I show this video to show off how great the Dual I.S. is because this was shot 100% from my car window!


Here is the S1H used with Panny 24-105 f/4 flying on the DJI Ronin. The shots from the balcony were with the GH5S.
 
I think you will be fine with the 24-105. Nice extra reach and f4 on FF has the DOF of f2.0 on m43 which I always found to be pretty shallow. You may lose a stop of sensitivity but like you said FF can push ISO a bit harder plus the S5 has dual native ISO which can help as well. You will find the S5 much more capable in low light than the GH4 could ever handle so the f4 will not hurt as much. Plus like you said you have some primes when it really does get insanely dark. In my experience if it gets that dark then f2.8 may not cut it either and it likely is time to move to f1.4 primes.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a cheaper super zoom up to f5.6 would have the same DOF as you are used to on the GH4 with a f2.8. Plus with the larger sensor and dual native ISO you may find using a f4-f5.6 super zoom performs just as well as the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 did on the GH4 and perhaps even better. I switched to a P4k for video and my old trusty Panasonic 14-140 looks so much better than it ever did on my GH4 mainly thanks to the better sensor and dual native ISO. Might not be a bad ideal to pick up a EF super zoom an adapter if you want a one lens to rule them all. Optically they will be inferior but they make up for that in versatility.

I think the 24-105 is a great balance however. Great optical quality and a little extra reach. My most used primes were always 12mm, 25mm and 50mm which is covered with the 24-105 on FF. As long as the sensor and dual native ISO hold up for your needs I think it would be a solid choice.

I don't recall if the S1 has dual native ISO. I think just the S1H and S5 have that.
 
Thomas Smet said:
I don't recall if the S1 has dual native ISO. I think just the S1H and S5 have that.
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Yes, the S1 always had dual native ISO but Panasonic only admitted it recently, giving you the ability to choose which base to use in the recent firmware update. I'm not sure what the level is of the high base.

"A timecode function has also been added to the S1 and the ability to manually choose between the two Dual Base ISO settings. Previously this was automatically done by the camera."
https://www.newsshooter.com/2021/03...h-ver-2-4-s1-ver-2-0-s5-ver-2-2-bgh1-ver-2-0/
 
estarkey7 said:
Here is the S1H used with Panny 24-105 f/4 flying on the DJI Ronin. The shots from the balcony were with the GH5S.
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My apologies for being a PITA, but was the focus issue around 12:30 a result of incorrect AF region selection? What settings were you using to control focus? Looks really sharp on Maid of Honor...
 
I'm sure the user above will answer, but my guess is it focused on the wrong face during face-tracking.

In which you can't even blame it on poor Panasonic AFing as Canon and Sony do the same thing.

Best to touch the face on the screen, but understandably that's more difficult while having a camera on a gimbal and primarily concentrating on covering everything perfectly in that situation.
 
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