Argument for the original Panasonic S5. It ain't all about autofocus.

[@ZacktheFilm]

I picked up my S5 for $750. This is by far one of the best deals in filmmaking/photography at the moment.

[@RockWILK]

Yes!! Amazing.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

I had the S5 for a short time. I switched to Sony for the AF because I was thinking as a filmmaker with a need for quick setups and run and gun. One tip I learned from another KZbinr was how to "assist" the AF of the S5. When you're in front of the S5, and your monitor is flipped around so you can see yourself. When the yellow AF box is over your head, reach to the back of the camera and "nudge" the joystick. When you do this, you will see one short line on each of the four sides of the yellow AF box. At that point, the AF sticks to you. And you can move around, the AF can stick. Though it doesn't always work. But, it works more often with this technique. When I shot the feature film with the GH5, I didn't use the AF at all. I relied completely on manual focus. In one scene, I had the GH5 on the Ronin S gimbal. And a few times, the actor would run up to the camera. Before shooting, we would do a couple run throughs so I could practice manually racking focus as the actor ran up to the camera. And it worked. In the final film, every shot on the gimbal was manually focused. I do want to move back to Panasonic LUMIX. I love the skin tones of LUMIX over any other brand. Right now, I'm thinking about the GH7 or the S5ii. Whatever I choose, I'm pretty much settled on going back to LUMIX.

[@RockWILK]

Great tips here. For me, manual focus is how I have always worked, and I make solo films all the time, so I have my manual chops down to a science. Focus pulling is an awesome art and a skill of great value to have on set, for sure. As far as Lumix and all the rest, all the same to me, but having said that, I LOVE my S5 and my GH5, but if I was working with an FX3 or a Canon R5C, etc, etc, I'm positive I would get used to the color science and get what I want. It's all about mastering what you have and I feel like if you commit to something, that's easy to do.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

@@RockWILK I find that when I use the Cine4 profile instead of SLog3 on my Sony FX30, I actually get better skin tones. Also, the footage has a lot less noise.

[@RockWILK]

@@AllThingsFilm1 I used to use James Matthews settings for Cine4 when I had an a6400. Mostly because it was 8 bit and log didn't grade well for me. Although I really didn't know what I was doing yet at that time

[@nathanryan7018]

This video convinced me to get the original S5 a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it.

[@RockWILK]

Oh man. I'm glad!! Congratulations and I hope you make some incredible art with it. And thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@pureheartvisuals]

I’m rocking multiple S5 II to shoot Weddings… the AF is a lifesaver for some applications. I came from the S5, it was a hard choice but definitely no regrets.

[@RockWILK]

I'm certain the S5ii is awesome!! Since I mainly shoot with vintage lenses or anamorphic lenses, it just didn't feel important to me to even think about upgrading. But I'm sure the S5ii and the iix are incredible cameras. I don't doubt that at all :-) thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@pureheartvisuals]

@@RockWILK I’m with you Brother. I brought over Sirui Anamorphics and a Helios 44-2, lenses that I love that keep me connected to my S5 OG days. Those are for my personal projects. I didn’t out grow my S5 in any way, it’s just my applications grew… running around monitoring multiple S5 for an event is nerve wrecking 😅. Love your content man, thoughtful reflections. 🔥 I come back to hear you walk through your thoughts… cool knowing I’m not the only one 😅

[@RockWILK]

@@pureheartvisuals Yeah, I can imagine if you're using autofocus at all, the S5 ain't the way. ;) But those lenses on the original S5 are always a movie to me. All look beautiful on the S5, and I'm sure on the ii and iix as well. Thanks so much for the kind words, means alot.

[@The_Blunder]

Cheers, I bought my first camera and waiting to arrive. the s5, i intuitively don't like the idea of auto focus at all but while researching i saw a lot of people judge s5 for it so i started have doubts. Analog focus looks more interesting. I was also thinking of vintage lenses to start with also. thanks for the info nice job!

[@RockWILK]

I think you're going to love that camera, especially since it's your first camera and you'll be learning on it. The S5 is an incredible creative tool to begin with, but it's also an advanced tool for any professional cinematographer . And as far as vintage lenses, I am 100% behind that, what a great way to learn manually focusing, and manually dealing with your aperture, making your own choices and decisions about what you want to see out of this camera, and saving tons of money in the process, I think you made the perfect choice. Thanks so much for coming through and for the kind words, I greatly appreciate that.

[@lynxbroadcast184]

Right on! Well done Rock! I’ve got one with a Lumix S 1.8 50mm and love it. Next I’m gonna try my vintage Pentax SMC lenses on it 👍

[@RockWILK]

Yes to vintage lenses!! Something about the combination on the S5 is just magic. I just shot a feature film just using two old Minolta, Rokkor lenses, and it was just a great experience.

[@enekotartun]

Super interesting video that deserves much more views. One thing I have learnt during my “quest” to find the camera I want is to pay attention only to creators who speak about the tools they use, and to avoid those who just review the gear they use for few days. I am trying to decide if I wanna buy the s5ii or the xhs2, but the more I search the more I al convinced s5 might the the one I should get. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge, greetings from Basque Country

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that. I honestly highly recommend the S5, especially now because you can get it so cheap. I have two anamorphic lenses, and I'm using them on the next two projects that I'm doing, and obviously autofocus has no effect on that whatsoever, and otherwise, I'm completely in love with this camera because it's simply doesn't get in my way, and it brings the most beautiful image. Thanks so much for coming through, I really do appreciate it, and I wish you the best of luck in your creative journey and in the rest of your life. :-)

[@ericbeaton7211]

Hi,really enjoyed your thoughts and comments and agree with them 100%. A couple of years ago I decided to go full frame and influenced by the hype bought into Sony. I have had a A7iii, A9ii and a A7r iv .I enjoyed using them but none of them lived up to the hype that surrounds them and I found a few issues with them I that I struggled with. I sold off all my Sony gear this year and after some research , with the money I made I bought myself a nearly new S5 with the 20-60mm and 50mm prime lens, I also got myself a nearly newS1 body. Since then I have got myself a new 85mm prime lens and a second hand 24-105mm lens. I would struggle to describe myself as an amateur photographer never mind a professional. I am just someone who wants a camera that does what the manufacturer says it can do and makes me want to go out and use it. My S5 and S1 do that for me. They feel right when I hold them. The kit lenses deliver sharp and clear images and the colour science is excellent. Not only that the features and the potential that Panasonic build into their cameras as far as I’m concerned put them in a class of their own in terms of value for money.

[@RockWILK]

I feel like I hear this same thing a lot. People who come to Panasonic from Sony just like it better. I think Sony is the king of autofocus, and maybe lens choice, because everybody makes lenses for e-mount, but when it comes to the final product, when it comes to your image, whether you're a still photographer or a filmmaker, I feel like Panasonic is more appealing. At least to me, and I feel like quite a few people. I think a lot of people have similar Journeys to you, I know I did. Having said that, if somebody handed me an fx3, I'm sure I would be perfectly happy and be able to get exactly what I want as well, but I'm just so incredibly pleased with what I have, I can't imagine changing back to a different company now. But who knows? All of these cameras are just amazing now. Thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that, and here's to making great art!

[@KovenVideoProduction]

Thank you for the review. Standard Process for the win!

[@RockWILK]

Amen! Thanks so much for coming through, I appreciate that. :-)

[@amounifnd]

I think what many people don't understand is the best autofocus in the world cannot tell what your eyes or brain wants to focus on at each and every time. Crowds, groups and function are a perfect example.

[@RockWILK]

I completely agree. I have never understood how anybody can trust auto focus unless they don't have a very good idea of what they really want. If they're just letting the camera choose, then obviously something will be in focus, but how can you really intentionally tell a story like that? I feel like manually focusing is such an important part of Storytelling when it comes to filmmaking. And so I guess if you're just making KZbin videos, Maybe autofocus can be really convenient, but if you're telling stories, making films, documentaries, I don't understand how you wouldn't want to master manual focus. At least that's my opinion. :-) thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@Jason1fromNYC]

Yo, did you grow up in Astoria? I agree with you on the S5 and running in manual. And also using the Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 DG DN L mount lens. It’s a bomb proof pair. And will get a lot done in style. I’ve been looking around and both of them for myself. I’ve been in and out of the movie biz since I was a kid and always wanted to do more cinematography stuff for myself. I’ve also built a couple KZbin channels that had minor success in the past. Working out a game plan last couple of days and it’s looking like I’ve got a couple great angles to approach it with my own personal style. YT is on another cycle and there’s a lot of new content creators getting play. Keep up the good work.

[@RockWILK]

Thank you, I appreciate that. And yes, the S5 is a beast. Just about the only place. I didn’t live in New York City was Queens. :-) Spent most of my life in the Bronx and on the upper West side of Manhattan. Thanks for coming through,and I’ll look for your channels.

[@Jason1fromNYC]

@@RockWILK hey man, I picked Astoria because I heard that Chris Walken spent his formative years around there and something about your speech mannerisms reminded me of him. I never lived in Queens either and usually got lost there. When I was in grade school I had some friends in Astoria that played street hockey in the late 70s and I went out there several times. I grew up in Greenwich Village and TriBeCa (back when both were still gritty). And the Village was full of kids running around in the streets. We had Little Italy, Chinatown, LES and Alphabet City too. It was amazing to be a kid in that back then. You know Joseph Szabo’s B&W photography? Your work reminds me of him. Check out his book Hometown. He’s got a website. All best. Enjoy

[@RockWILK]

@@Jason1fromNYC I don't know that photography place but I ran around in the same playgrounds as you, all over the city. But it doesn't feel like my New York City anymore, that's for sure. ;) I'm gonna check out that website, thanks!!

[@danielmartinphotography]

I have been aCanon guy since 1983, I just bought the Lumix S5, ill admit I have used the lumix g85 for video on the KZbin channel I started this last feb.! Thanks!

[@RockWILK]

All great cameras for sure! Thanks so much for coming through, I really appreciate that.

[@Ren-Ren-Ren-Ren]

I just got the S5 with the 20-60 kit lens for $800. I have spent HOURS and HOURS toiling over the best entry full frame camera. Everyone and their mommas have screamed at me to get the S5ii or the a7iii but the siren song of the s5.... it's UNBEATABLE VALUE is too much for me. THE best bang for buck for someone looking to get into full frame, auto focus be damned.

[@RockWILK]

Amen my friend. You got an amazing deal!! Thanks so much for coming thru. I greatly appreciate that.

[@elementary8963]

I agree. I have two S5's. Picked up the other one for £750.00 mint. Insane!

[@RockWILK]

Right? Unreal value. Thanks so much for coming through, I appreciate it

[@miikkakervinen]

100% agree with you. I recently traded my Canon r6 system for s5 + sigma 28-70. Sure the autofocus in r6 is so so much better and easier to get the shot. But damn… the first time i edited s5 footage i just started to laugh from joy because the image from this camera is just so good!

[@RockWILK]

Yeah man, the S5 is just so good if the final product is what's most important to you, and not just all the features. But even if you're looking for features, short of autofocus, the S5 is really a 4 or $5,000 camera when you look at it like that. With all the video assist features, shutter angle, anamorphic support, and then that amazing image, vlog, it's just such a great creative tool. Thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@milanjani]

Good video. Rather great one in fact. Only curious, does Lumix S5 color science as good as Canon? They say skin tone s of Canon are simply unparalleled and no other brand (Nikon, Sony, Panasonic) stand in front of it. Which has made me confused to which camera system I should invest with. please guide if can.

[@RockWILK]

I’ve never used a canon to be honest, but I can definitely tell you that if you learn how to work with Vlog in a Panasonic camera, you will have incredible color science. But I am positive Canon is incredible as well. I would say maybe you should rent each camera and just try them and see which one you like better.

[@milanjani]

@@RockWILK thank you..

[@RockWILK]

@@milanjani thank YOU for coming through. I really appreciate that.

[@KarlMüller-v4v]

yes bro - grreetz from germany

[@RockWILK]

Thank you! S5 all day. ;)

[@ryanstark2350]

I see KZbinrs doing landscape photography going on trips with giant stabilized autofocus zoom lenses and huge res latest generation cameras. It's not necessary. I've used an old Zeiss Contax Yashica Distagon 28mm for landscape for years. It's small and light. It didn't cost much. Unfortunately a lot of these Contax lenses have now been hyped to the stars in value by the youtubers but there are plenty of old great lenses. Nikons are very good and lots of them. Very early Takumars are good. The really old preset or auto ones. Lots of aperture blades. Schneider Kreuznach lenses are all excellent. I've been using old manual focus lenses for years. Yes, sometimes I miss focus but you learn to get quite quick with it. The Lumix cameras are ridiculously undervalued second hand but good for us who do thing efficiently rather than having the latest expensive tech.

[@RockWILK]

Amen to all of this. And what a great list of old lenses to explore without breaking the bank. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave all of this. I appreciate it.

[@jochenradke1430]

…great points, thank you….

[@RockWILK]

My pleasure. Thanks so much for coming through, I greatly appreciate that.

[@shogoth]

The only reason to use auto focus is filming live events. The narrative forms like shorts, features utilise focusing as another tool for storytelling.

[@RockWILK]

Completely agree. Thanks for coming through, I appreciate that.

[@VynZography]

I reviewed the S5 mark I after the mark II came out and I still recommend it over the mark II.

[@RockWILK]

I love the s5. It does everything I need it to do, but most importantly, in capable hands the image quality is cinema camera level. And that's the most important thing. It's also pretty amazing that you could get it for around $900 now practically brand new. Crazy. :-)

[@VynZography]

@@RockWILK Despite the PDAF in the MK2 my hit rate for photography is lower with the MK2. It's just too slow to focus. The MK1 was essentially instant.

[@RockWILK]

@@VynZography even for filmmaking, I find the autofocus on the S5 to be decent. I hardly ever use it in my work, but it doesn't bother me at all as a filmmaker at least. But again, I'm mostly shooting with vintage lenses or anamorphic lenses, so I am in full-blown manual mode all the time anyway. I had a Sony a6400 for a long time, so I know what great autofocus feels like, it's just not a priority for me, even when I make KZbin videos, it's no problem for me to just shoot in F 5.6 or f8, and just manually focus myself. Sometimes I'll even make the extra effort and use my Minolta Rokkor 50mm F 1.4 lens, it just take an extra minute to get the focus right. :-) sometimes people are crazy because they have to spend an extra 30 seconds focusing. But as you said in your other video, if you're doing sports or Wildlife photography, something where you really need tracking, definitely get a Sony. This camera will drive you crazy if you need it to be like a Sony camera. Having said that, everybody wants a Red or an Arri Alexa, so they think those cameras would be great for their filmmaking, until they get it and find out it has no autofocus or stabilization at all. :-)

[@VynZography]

@@RockWILK Agreed. I used my S5 Mk1 for making KZbin videos and the AF was adequate. I never used MF because I so frequently just got it wrong LOL. The MK2 locks onto things better for video but seems like a downgrade for photography. sighs 😔

[@RockWILK]

@@VynZography I’ve heard that people don’t like the image as much in the markII, which is weird to me, I don’t understand why that would be, but I have definitely heard that. People like the S5 image better. I know for me, I’m about to buy another S5, because the most important thing is the image, and I just love the way this looks especially working in vlog. Especially with anamorphic, it’s just a great combination.

[@DaveEP]

For photos, I can't recall a single out of focus shot from my S5 but I don't shoot sports or small kids or birds in flight. For most people, the AF is plenty good for photos.

[@RockWILK]

I agree, the auto focus is fine for most uses. But I guess if you’re shooting something that’s flying all over the place, maybe it’s better to go with another camera, although I just posted a video this morning, and I got an amazing shot of a bird in flight at the end of the video, and so manual focus is a great thing to learn. :-)

[@jayc9184]

I haven't earned my S5 graduation certificate. Ai porn is free now so....my camera days may be coming to an end.

[@glen95]

Most definatly the AF IS fine for stills!!

[@RockWILK]

I agree, for photography, and for talking head videos, there's no issue at all with the autofocus. I think if you're completely preoccupied with autofocus, definitely get a different camera, but if you want a great camera, and you know how to manually focus, and you use autofocus only when you absolutely need it, or just want it for a moment, the S5 is an incredible creative tool. Thanks so much for coming through and for watching, I really greatly appreciate that.

[@ОлексійШликов]

In my personal opinion, if Lumix or Sony made a camera without autofocus at all (like Blackmagic) and made it 200-300$ cheaper, I would be happy.

[@RockWILK]

That’s kind of like the S5 right now. You can get it for about 800 or $900 in great shape on either MPB or on eBay, or even pretty close to that price at B&H or Adorama. An incredible camera, especially if you’re not relying upon auto focus. And I totally agree with you by the way. :-) Obviously, I’m a huge fan of my S5. And I never use auto focus.

[@aiseurnae5976]

The S5 has still the best internal processing compared to the S5II. The S5 is sharp, but it is not oversharpened, it just like a RAW photo. It means you can still softer in post if you like, the advantage of the S1H is clearly how it handles moiré at the cost of some slightly smoothed out fine details. On the other hand the S5II has a very digital look, the image has clearly bad edge sharpening even in Vlog, making the fine details a bit rough. Without cropping it maybe hard for some to see the difference but once you spot it, it's hard to prefer the image of the S5II to the S5. The S5II has much better AF and IBIS though.

[@RockWILK]

I totally agree with all of this, so to me, if you're not somebody who relies upon autofocus, I don't really see the advantage, other than maybe the full size HDMI and the fact that you can shoot without a 30-minute limit in 4k, but those are not compelling enough reasons to upgrade for me, for sure. Thanks so much for coming through, I really appreciate that.

[@aiseurnae5976]

@@RockWILK Exactly, this is why I use the S5 and the S1 most of the time, I use the S5II only when I really need fast AF.

[@RockWILK]

@@aiseurnae5976 makes sense.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Auto focus is not good for people who do video. It’s quite good for us photographers.

[@michaelbasaraba1325]

I feel like the AF for photo of the s5 is great. In terms of AF in general I think it’s different between photos and video even on Sony. For video you don’t want it to focus to fast or switch subjects so soon.

[@Desuetus]

0:09 A quick discussion is 5 min.16 min is a long discussion.

[@RockWILK]

Not sure what your point is

[@Desuetus]

​@@RockWILK Your video is too long. I notice everybody makes essay long videos on non-essay topics to milk the add revenue. And I don't like this trend.

[@RockWILK]

@@Desuetus thanks for your opinion, I don’t get any ad revenue, my videos are not even monetized. I just do what I feel like doing. You can certainly choose to not watch.