Walking into L / λ mount via the open gate

[jimrpdx]

Now that I almost understand the term, I recognize it as the parameter that solves my lack of big-sensor enthusiasm for video. I've packed up 37# of gear for a reseller (mostly Sony, Pentax and some μ43*) and will soon own an s5ii and 20-60 zoom

I spent many years backpacking with both a film body and DV camcorder despite the bulk. I'm so glad I have those videos, but somehow I got away from it all since dSLRs were large and didn't do video, and the camcorder was aging. The switch to 16:9 aspect ratio (which i seriously dislike for video) further dampened my enthusiasm; I kept a K-7 for a while for its 3:2 video but they were memory-eating monsters!

I was set to grab an S5 classic and stick to manual focus /touchscreen af videos until I finally learned that open gate was what I'd sought all the time, and not just another geeky buzzword

I could go with the S9 (SIX in roman numerals?) but the vertical rear dial and rugged build wins out. The S1 and S5 kinda function via 6k photo, I understand, but the more complete implementation feels better.

Send me in coach!

* Kept my GX7 though

--
Jim R in Cowlitz county

 

[John Vickers]

Now that I almost understand the term, I recognize it as the parameter that solves my lack of big-sensor enthusiasm for video. I've packed up 37# of gear for a reseller (mostly Sony, Pentax and some μ43*) and will soon own an s5ii and 20-60 zoom

I spent many years backpacking with both a film body and DV camcorder despite the bulk. I'm so glad I have those videos, but somehow I got away from it all since dSLRs were large and didn't do video, and the camcorder was aging. The switch to 16:9 aspect ratio (which i seriously dislike for video) further dampened my enthusiasm; I kept a K-7 for a while for its 3:2 video but they were memory-eating monsters!

I was set to grab an S5 classic and stick to manual focus /touchscreen af videos until I finally learned that open gate was what I'd sought all the time, and not just another geeky buzzword

I could go with the S9 (SIX in roman numerals?) but the vertical rear dial and rugged build wins out.

The S1 and S5 kinda function via 6k photo, I understand, but the more complete implementation feels better.

It's rather that S1 and S5 implement 6k photo as 29.97P video. (10-bit 4:2:0 HEVC (H.265), at 29.97fps [only], with sound, stored as .MP4 files).

AFAICT, that's the only way to shoot 6k on an S5. Maximum recording time is 15 minutes.

If you want open gate, the recording time on S9 is a bit limited: 10 minutes for 6k. Only 15 minutes for 4k/C4k.

So you won't be shooting Russian Ark or Victoria on an S9. Or long interviews, lectures ...

In default setup, S5M2 records 6k for 30 minutes. For longer 6k recordings, you need to dig into the menus, and set [Thermal Management] to [High], and also look at [Fan Mode], which should probably be [Auto1], [Normal], or [Fast].

 

[jimrpdx]

Thanks for the clarity John! I only found one s5 6k sample, which was edited to 16:9 so not as reassuring as I'd hoped.

Another way of looking at today's S9 features is that the s5ii is likely to get a firmware update for some of them, the S5 classic less likely. No way to be sure though. LUTs could be a fun tool, more so than styles.

I may have pre-reserved an S5 when I sent the gear.. I shall know that soon!

--
Jim R in Cowlitz county | https://granitix2.blogspot.com/2024/03/kit.html

 

[Joe Lynch]

I don't have an S5, but I have two S5iiX's and I shoot an hour or two of video a week with each one. They are fantastic video cameras. I've shot open gate with each for over 45 minutes in 100F direct sunlight before they shut down. In normal 4k, I have yet to even get an overheat warning in summer conditions.

The 28-200 f4-7.1 S lens might be of interest to you for hiking. It is as close to a camcorder zoom function as you can get but still at a good weight and size for a full frame camera, and seems plenty sharp to me. After using a more standard Sigma 70-200f2.8 zoom for three hours shooting two baseball games Monday night, I am quite ready to put the 28-200 back on the camera! The S5iiX plus 28-200 on a BlackRapids cross chest strap goes with me most mornings on a 2-3 mile dog walk, no problem.

Joe L

 

[jimrpdx]

The 28-200 sounds nice Joe, though I'm likely not alone in wishing it didn't drop to f/7.1 at the long end. What is it's f/max at 135mm?

The 20-60mm feels like my ideal hiking lens - I was a Pentax 24-50/4 hiker in the film era. For higher focal lengths I'm not fully on board yet; the 70-300, 70-200/4 and Σ 100-400 all bunch together on the used market. The f/4 is probably my best option to start.

--
Jim R in Cowlitz county |kit in transition..

 

[jimrpdx]

The 28-200 sounds nice Joe, though I'm likely not alone in wishing it didn't drop to f/7.1 at the long end. What is it's f/max at 135mm?

Ah, f/6.2 at 135mm, thx photographyblog!

 

[Joe Lynch]

If the 20-60 covers the focal range for you, it also works great.

Joe L