Ewen’s Custom Settings for the LUMIX S9

[@EwenBell]

Download set has been updated for Firmware V1.2, which lets you remove the recording limits when shooting video )

[@IdehnFiliph]

HI Ewen, thanks for a great video! The Firmware V1.1 got somewhat of a recall so they've released a new one, V1.2. Are you able to update the file so it matches the new firmware in a near futute? Thanks again!

[@EwenBell]

@@IdehnFiliph well that's a pain in the neck! I can sort out the v1.2 in the next day or so. Will drop a note for you when it's live. Thanks for the heads up. I'm running a tour in Nepal right now and haven't been across the v1.2

[@waynosfotoscameras]

The firmware update is a massive relief for me to consider this camera. I am considering it for anamorphic video, due to the open gate and screen anamorphic viewing. It has some amazing features, but I do understand the criticism. It is flawed as a content creator focused camera, with some things making me shake my head...... 😮

[@EwenBell]

@@IdehnFiliph Have updated my website/blog with the V1.2. Please take a look and let me know if the new version works for you!

[@robertsegal4833]

I just received my S9 today with the 18-40 zoom lens. I assume your downloadable settings, to the extent they set the f stop at 2, will default to the lowest f stop on the lens? Thanks and great video!

[@dioncheese2712]

I am a beginner by all means and I'd like to thank you personally for all your helpful insights.

[@EwenBell]

You're very welcome Dion :)

[@TheHumanPalindrome]

Some really beautiful shots there. Fantastic work.

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou so much!

[@007silverwings]

Great info! I can't wait for my S9 to turn up. Love the content and style of your videos. It must take ages to film and put together in post 👏🏻 Please keep them coming 👍🏻

[@EwenBell]

Starting to get the hang of producing these videos! Certainly helps when you've just spent three weeks shooting for a client and have a bunch of B-roll plus a fresh set of eyes on the topic.

[@DanielSmith-kb2po]

I'll share some of my video. I'm shooting an entire wedding with this camera today. Standby. So far, this is camera is incredible.

[@EwenBell]

It really delivers doesn't it. Remarkable what they jammed into such a small body. Hope you had a great day capturing.

[@rscotthinkle]

I love how all the people were singing the praises of the GRiii series of cameras and the S9 is that and more (sans the leaf shutter). I love my GRiii but I will be trading up for this very soon and really look forward to adapting some m-mount glass to it. Love the point you made about EVFs not really being needed unless you use telephoto lenses. I never really thought of this and since I never use telephoto, this might just be perfect for me using 28mm and 50mm exclusively. Thanks for the great video!

[@EwenBell]

Thanks for stopping by Scott and I do think you'll enjoy some m-mount glass on this body :) The focus peaking works nicely on these LUMIX cameras, and the smaller lenses will look the part on the S9.

[@shaunmadill8866]

Great video. I've never used the Custom settings on previous cameras, but when my S9 arrives I'll give them a go.

[@EwenBell]

Thanks Shaun :) Really is a wonderful feature on the Lumix range, and especially useful for the S9 given it has a few less function buttons than the S5II.

[@age-of-adventure]

Very interesting video. I love the holding technique with the screen out to keep it comfortable and balanced in your hands. Will definitely be checking out how to create and save my own C1/2/3 settings. thanks

[@EwenBell]

Peachy :)

[@Stone1108]

With a bit of help from the algorithm your channel and I have been introduced 😅. I’m so glad we’ve been introduced, your channel and website are impressive, I recon we’ll get along just fine. 😂

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou :) I'm still getting to know the algorithm better but glad it's delivered a result today!

[@iamtaah]

Thank you for great content to utilized my new lumixS9

[@EwenBell]

They are such great cameras, I hope you have a lot of joy capturing with it :)

[@Paramsinghmusic]

Absolutely stunning captures!! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I’m planning to pick up the S9 soon for my honeymoon trip to Paris and Italy in September. 🙏🏼😊

[@EwenBell]

Thanks so much Param :) Sounds like a great companion for travel in Europe. Hope you enjoy your time in Italy and France.

[@miklosnemeth8566]

13:50 At last a youtuber who has brain. Exactly this is tha way cameras like this are expected to hold: left hand under the lens.This was the 1st lesson in every photography schools.

[@EwenBell]

Glad to hear that. I never went to photography school so had to learn this the hard way :)

[@KevinArmstrongxso]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@EwenBell]

Thanks Kevin :)

[@rl7329]

Is there an advantage of using the A mode instead of M mode with synchro scan set to 180 with a zoom lens when filming in vlog?

[@Cruiserboxer]

Great video

[@blackshadow604]

What a great Video! I can’t understand why people dissing a cam without having it in their hands! Why they people an evf is a must have for photographers? I had have many big cams with very good viewfinder’s. But now, I don’t want heavy and big equipment anymore. On small cams I can’t use with my glasses the viewfinder. So I’m not needing an evf. I need a good display!

[@EwenBell]

We're all different I guess! EVF seems like an essential at first, but I think a lot of people just haven't had the chance to experience a camera like this and practice some good technique. Thanks for dropping a comment :)

[@robertsegal4833]

Ewan, I downloaded your CamSet file on to my SD card and can’t get your settings to download into the camera. Can you please give step by step instructions after inserting the SD card containing your settings into the camera? I’d appreciate that very much.

[@EwenBell]

Hi Robert. The blog post includes screenshots for how to name the folders on your SD card. The naming has to be precise for the camera to recognise any camsets. Instead of making the folders yourself, you can also simply save your existing camera setup to that card and the camera will create a camset and folders accordingly. Then just make sure you put the downloaded camset into the same folder.

[@danesspoons]

Great video. I'm considering getting the S9. Seems like just what I need. I was wondering does it have a bulb mode?

[@EwenBell]

Hey Dane. That's correct, no bulb mode on the S9. There's no connector for the cable release. 60s is the max exposure in manual etc. [ edited update: you can use the app to remote trigger the bulb mode when shooting manual exposure. Select "T" setting for this. ] Also, lovely to see your wood carving channel, gonna check it out in detail one evening!

[@danesspoons]

@EwenBell Thanks Ewen. I thought I saw that Bulb recording is available when using a Bluetooth remote control somewhere but wasn't certain. But if it's not it's ok. I definitely think I'll get the camera. I've subscribed. It's refreshing to see a channel like yours in the sea of generic photo channels. Hope you don't find the carving too boring, it's what I do for a living so just trying to show how I work and no time for fancy filming. Seems to be strange in this day and age so there is some interest. Cheers

[@EwenBell]

@@danesspoons I just did a google of the manual and yes, you are correct! I don't use the app, so had overlooked that possibility. Turns out in Manual Priority there is a "T" settings (instead of "B") which allows for remote toggling of the bulb mode... but only via the app.

[@danesspoons]

@@EwenBell Great, so even that is possible. Thanks 🙂

[@calvintam1231]

Holiday setting under C3 no longer available?

[@EwenBell]

Ahhhhh my apologies. I had to quickly update the camset files to support the new firmware updates while travelling. My personal setup is always evolving. I think I blatted the Holiday set with a Macro setup. Was shooting a lot of butterflies lately!

[@raffaele.g]

Is there a way to connect the flash via wireless?

[@EwenBell]

No flash sync. There's no mechanical shutter so flash is not an option anyway.

[@secrtasianman7]

is the mp4 Lite 4k setting still opengate? when I crop the mp4 lite video into 9:16 it looks terrible... do I just need to change my settings to actually get opengate footage?

[@EwenBell]

MP4 Lite is designed for quick and dirty camera to phone delivery only, definitely a poor choice for anything you want to do proper editing on. It's very compressed, very low bit-rate, and only 4K so when you crop down to 16:9 you're magnifying the compression. Which is fine for HD delivery, but not ideal beyond that. If you dig through the recording options and look for 6K 3:2 then that's a much better option, with lots of room to punch in for 4K delivery.

[@nicoxg]

I'm hooked up to your videos Ewen, what a great content! Thank you for sharing your passion with us! Out of curiosity, did you have a go-to lens during your trip? I see the 35mm f1.8? I'm fortunate to own an SL3 as my main camera, but sometimes it's definitely not the right camera to walk around with. I'm contemplating the S5 II or the S9, mostly for stills. I'd be honored if you had any thoughts in this regard? Cheers!

[@EwenBell]

Thankyou for the kind words Nico :) Yes the 35mm was my favie lens and often I would spend the entire day with just that lens. I also had the 100mm Macro with me most days (just an amazing macro lens) for moments with flowers and bugs. I have a dedicated video on the 35mm in Japan coming up soon! In the meantime, that same lens was the feature on this photo essay: ewenbell.com/editorial/35mm+Nepal I'm glad you brought up the SL3, such a great form factor and beautiful design. And a really great UI as well. I think Leica don't get enough credit for how well this series of cameras "just work". We road tested the SL2-S on a workshop last year and it was just lovely. I think the Lumix S-35 F1.8 is a great pairing for the SL series. I think you'll enjoy the S9 as a smaller pixel alternative to the SL3. The S5II is my camera for getting work done in the studio, but on the road the S9 is my pick. I have another video soon that looks closely at what they removed from the S9 to make it work, and why I don't really care! It's a great little machine. Final piece of advice though: always buy the camera you love. Don't listen to tech specs and pixel peeping. Pick the camera that makes you smile :)

[@nicoxg]

@@EwenBell, I'm grateful for your detailed reply! I'm tempted to have a look at Sigma's "i" series for this camera. F2 lenses, I believe that's your sweet spot! ;-)

[@EwenBell]

@@nicoxg Yes I've been using the 20mm F2 and 35mm F2 on the E-mount quite a bit. They are great little lenses. For L-mount we have a set of the F1.8 primes: they all use the same 67mm thread so that makes life easy for us in a number of ways!

[@EwenBell]

@@nicoxg One more thing, this video features a shoot I did with the Sigma 35mm and 20mm F2 lenses... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5CViGmCfbaeos0

[@nicoxg]

@@EwenBell I see there's actually a discount, in Europe at least, with the launch of the S9, where a bundle with the Lumix 35mm f1.8 comes at 2000 EUR. I think that settles it! :-D

[@sohrubjoshi5189]

What lens you are using with S9 for f2.0 ?

[@EwenBell]

The Sigma 35mm F2 and 20mm F2 are my favourite. There's also the Lumix S primes (18mm 24mm 35mm 50mm 85mm) all at F1.8. The Sigma 50mm F1.2 is still a good size for the S9, but their 35mm F1.2 starts to look crazy chunky.

[@sohrubjoshi5189]

@@EwenBell thank you - do you think - sigma 16-28 F2.8 will be good choice for S9 ? I already have 45 F2.8 - I like primes but looking at I already have 45 - getting 35 will be too close to it and bit of overlap - same will be for 50.

[@lamasteve6905]

Presets are the way of the future. Events change, turn the dial ? Photography changes at the speed of a bird flying bye ! Clouds move in landscapes. Light always moves. So you need to have preset to capture the moment as it happens ! Menu diving is the windows 3.1, at Apple we always had ease of use on our side. Thus they did more on the Apple Platform. We lead design and innovation they follow. Now what side of the Horse do you want to be on ?

[@markshirley01]

Hi ex Nikon now Sony user here: how do you move from photo to video I can't see a switch on the S9 and can't find a video to show me.

[@EwenBell]

On the LUMIX bodies the mode dial does that instead of separating the function to a dedicated button. So when you switch from one of the PASM modes and into Movie or S&Q, you'r switching into the video mode. Which is why any of the custom dials (C1/C2/C3) can also switch between photo and video instantly. Side note, you can shoot video while in a photo mode as well. It will pull through whichever picture style you have set for stills though. That's rarely an ideal setup but maybe appealing for "holiday snaps" :)

[@markshirley01]

@@EwenBell so you don't get PHOTO C1/C2/C3 and VIDEO C1/C2/C3. The 'C' is or can be shared.

[@EwenBell]

​@@markshirley01 That's right. You can have ALL of them video only for example, or all of them stills if you don't shoot video. Also keep in mind, C3 can be quickly reassigned to any of ten pre-loaded settings in the C3 library. So ALL of those ten can be video only for example, so people who are video heavy can have lots of presets on hand. Plus, the usual PASM dials :)

[@markshirley01]

@@EwenBell thanks - I did go to watch some videos on the GH6 and GH7 saving and using the Custom Modes. It's just the S9 - I just couldn't see if the C1 was selected where you would change that using a photo/video switch - so I presumed you'd have to go into a menu. I'll try to find a operation video.

[@EwenBell]

@@markshirley01 I think the thing you're missing is how you setup the C1/C2/C3 in the first place! This comes up a lot. First mistake new owners make is to roll that dial to C1 and then try to work out how to change the settings for it - which is a dead end. What you need to do first up is roll the dial to PASM or Movie etc... you tune the settings accordingly in whatever mode you choose, then use the menu to save that current setup into C1, C2 or C3.

[@wuming9151]

big point about this camera is pairing compact lenses but why Panasonic doesn’t have the option

[@raffaele.g]

Is there a way to connected an external flash?

[@EwenBell]

No flash sync on the S9. It's got an electronic shutter, not mechanical, hence flash isn't an option here.