Panasonic Lumix S1R FullFrame Mirrorless Real-World Test and Review - Part 2 Thorsten von Overgaard

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In this episode Thorsten von Overgaard goes into more detail on the Panasonic Lumix S1R mirrorless SL camera and puts it into perspective with the Leica Q2, new APO lenses and more. The offerings of Leica, Canon R, Nikon Z, Fujifilm and more, the reason why they exist, and how they might change photography as we know it. He also does a hands-on test of the Panasonic Lumix High Resolution Mode of 187MP image feature that is built-in to the Panasonic Lumix S1R.
Part 1 of this review is available here: • Thorsten von Overgaard...
Thorsten Overgaard's Panasonic Lumix S1/S1R/S1H Shopping List at BH Photo Video, New York: www.bhphotovid...
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Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.
Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.
#LumixS1R #mirrorless #ThorstenOvergaard

[@Stone1108]

I am a S1R shooter, not a pro, an enthusiast, you made me smile when you were talking about the buttons and the functionality. Oddly though this is one thing that I like about my the S1R, but I get why some may not. You’re absolutely correct, you do get to know the camera with regular use of course but more than that as you do become more and more familiar you realise just how much thought the Panasonic LUMIX team have put into this camera and the S series generally. It was a design objective, a showcase of what they can do as their first FF camera as you may already know. The most recent firmware updates have made quite a difference too. But yeah if you don’t use it you do lose it fast with this camera, I am slowly recovering from illness and couldn’t get out for 6 months and I was lost on this camera for a few outings, could have been the morphine though. 😂. Oh and studio work, she is a top dog also. My longest lens is the 70-200 2.8 Pan, I use two other S Pro Panasonic Lenses and a couple of Sigma primes for a combination of landscape and studio. Just love this camera and the L Mount system, all three alliance brands have done the system a lot of justice and I’ve shot with many big brands over the years that I can compare to. I hope to afford a Leica L Mount lens sometime! Spot on review, thanks. 👍

[@thedondeluxe6941]

If size and weight isn't a problem for you, adapting old medium format lenses for these new mirrorless cameras is rather wonderful. Those old Hasselblad/Pentax/Mamiya etc lenses are super high resolution, and the micro contrast and level of detail is very high. Worth a try if you've got some old lenses lying around!

[@pauldavidbarikder1546]

That's what I do. I use Mamiya RB67 lenses with a fotodiox adapter.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Wonderful lenses! I use Mamiya 645 and Pentax 6X7. Works great.@@pauldavidbarikder1546

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

11:20 the point of custom settings i that you have to save them at least !!! lol !!! For sure this camera is complicate for a Leica used photographer. But once you custom it for you, it's a beast believe me !

[@fotovandenatuur]

Thanks Thorsten. Funny and nice way of reviewing you have. Do you or any of the viewers here have any experience with nature photography with the Panasonic?

[@ductritran8637]

One of the main reason I buy the Panasonic S1r is to replace my sold SL . I sold the SL because too heavy with SL lenses combination , bought SL because I need zoom lens , I own M 8 ,9 and 10 plus Q , Tl2and CL . Prime lens is good but many occasion I need zoom so frustrating without zoom lens . With 47mp on the Panasonic give me the use of all my small lenses from M and zoom , prime apsc lens L mount ( 20 Mp ) with auto focus very handy at night which the M is disadvantage OVF system and not too good EVF. (I wear glass and nearly 70 ) The Panasonic S1r /S1 very good at low light much better than my Leica Sl other things keep in mind is the extra video you have if you want to use and cost will be less than half of the coming Leica SL 2 .

[@mikefreeman8919]

duc tri tran Do you recommend the leica cl, Only for travel use and some daily photos. I looked at X-pro 2 and xt-3, but i dont like the color of the image and I think cl is more handsome. :D

[@AcidicDelusion]

@@mikefreeman8919 the cl is sublime

[@mikefreeman8919]

@@AcidicDelusion Thanks!

[@AndySnap]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts on the new Lumix. The Lumix S cameras are hugely capable things, and like all digital cameras today with so many features and options, they need to be learnt, settings chosen, and familiarity will come with time. For my work, I've had to move over from Nikon to Canon, and I feel it has taken a whole year to become truly used to them after decades of using Nikon. So to come from your Leica M cameras, so simple compared to digital (even digital M cameras are 'simple') to the Lumix S, is a massive learning curve, if you want to take that journey...

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I felt they overdid the Lumix S menu and buttons, just to be sure to please everyone. Now the Leica SL2 is out, one can compare two very similar cameras with very different interfaces.

[@noenken]

The Lumix is actually bigger and heavier than the SL. It does fit better into human hands though... xD I just got a used SL the other day and now I am in the process of setting it up over time. What I can already say is that the SL produces remarkable results with R-lenses. I have the 19mm f/2.8 II, the 35mm f/2 II, the 50mm f/2 II, the 80mm f/1.4, the 100mm f/2.8 APO macro and the 180mm f/3.4 APO and all of them look amazing. Only thing I'm gonna try over time is to switch to ROM versions since the adapter is passing through information to the SL.

[@Noealz]

I just noticed your sub button - that's pretty smart actually, the lil heart

[@lilstarfishdude]

Thank you Thorsten for your thoughts about the S1R, it's refreshing to hear other user's feelings about what's working or not for them. Personally I like the S1R but then again I have never used a Leica camera. I decided to go for the Leica SL 24-90mm instead of the Lumix kit lens and I am very happy with the decision. Even though it was quite a bit more money there is a wonderful feeling in it which I can't quite put my finger on. I must also say that I am very curious to learn what camera and particular lens you use for those super sharp black and white video shots intermingled with the regular video sequences. They look so good they are driving me nuts! Is that a Leica combo too?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I think if one comes from Panasonic, the S1R makes perfect sense. Leica is the *only* camera brand that removes functions and buttons when they upgrade. Everybody else (including any software company) adds features and items in the menu for every new release. So it's a very different viewpoint, and of course, once used to that, any camera that tries to impress with extra features seems a little strange. I think that if one is dedicated to the S1 series, it will work miracles. It's just not a Sunday shooter camera that makes instant sense. On the Leica lenses: They are expensive to buy into, but you'll see that once you start trading older Leica lenses for newer ones, you made a good deal. They stay high in resale value and thus is not expensive in the long run. The Leica M9 camera is a prime example, sold for 5,500 in 2009 and sells second-hand for 3,500 now ten years later. 50/1 Noctilux was 5,500 when it was discontinued back in 2004, sells for 5,200 - 8,500 today, and it's not even rare. Darius is the video recorder, and ht uses a Sony A7 for the BW side shots, usually with a Canon 80-200 on it. The main camera is a Canon 200 video camera.

[@lilstarfishdude]

Thank you very much Thorsten for your valuable insights and thoughts. It is really appreciated!

[@joshneill7695]

The Lumix doesn't interest me - I LOVE my Leicas and Nikons - but after 5 months without your uploads, I would have watched a two part video of you talking about the weather.. So glad you are back! 😊👍

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I'll do weather report in the future. Promise.

[@joshneill7695]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard 😁

[@Traveljournalist]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard I subscribe !

[@supersonico9364]

In my opinion he’s saying if money is no object to you go for the Leica but if u don’t mind learning a complicated camera in order to save some money and get good photos go for the LUMIX.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Sort of right. I used the Lumix and liked the results a lot. Now use the Leica SL2 and the results are great - but the camera is much simpler and elegant to use.

[@williaminbody205]

While I think the LUMIX S1r is a spectacular camera, and you are right it can do anything you want, the interface and controls though better than most cameras is not as desirable as the Leica SL. However I think it may very well be the best digital camera ever made....

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, I think it will be a sort of classic. It's very loveable, the feel and handling of the body.

[@tomaahawk]

I Don't understand exactly .. This camera now its good or bad?

[@tadeusz11000]

Don’t lose reality here, forget megapixel lust and remember why you got into photography in the first place. I have just got back after a street shoot with my Leica R7 and assorted R series lenses and various films. Of course, I also shoot mirrorless full frame and with professional lenses, but I can’t replicate the fun with my contemporary cameras and lenses, that I have with shoots with my old Leica gear and the soul of Dr Walter Mandler in my hands.

[@rrwenzel]

Dear Torsten thank you very much for this beautiful video ! however I must say that the MORE THAN DOUBLE price for the Leica SL2 is definitely not worth in comparison to the Panasonic S1R. of course nicer design and easier set up with the SL2 but on the other hand no compatibility with flash/ studio light in terms of high-speed sync and TTL. Especially when off camera... as you said the compatibility with all the Leica M and Sl lenses is guaranteed when you purchase the Panasonic S1R with superb image quality so no use to spend more than the double for the Leica SL2!!

[@Traveljournalist]

are you gonna make a review of the SL2 ?

[@dfj555]

What are your thoughts on the new Leica SL2?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Very nice camera, feels smaller than SL, and the simplicity of the menu is a great improvement.

[@klarion]

You have to save the custom settings in the menues to be able to recall, i think..

[@ardonbarhama1]

I saw your video how you adapt M lenses to the S1r. I bought the camera and the M lenses - but I am very surprised - the M lenses do not preform well at all on this camera!!! the center is sharp and the corners are very soft. I tried it with couple different M lenses and its the same problem. I saw a review on youtube that says that the M lenses do not work on the panasonic camera as it has 3 layers of glass infront of the sensor not like the SL2 which has 2 layers of glass only. What do say abou t this?

[@vc6218]

did you try it on the S1 as well or only the high resolution body?

[@eastgreenlander5016]

Very interesting that the M lenses can resolve the high megapixel, so there is no reason for Leica not to make a M with a high megapixel count?!

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, particularly the newer M lenses like the 28mm lenses (where the whole range was re-released not that long ago), 50 APO, 75 Noctilux, are made for future high resolution sensors. As we get the computer power and 'get used to' high MP, it will come. But I'm happy that Leica and others held back on the megapixel-race for a while.

[@williaminbody205]

I’m torn between Leica Q2, and going to S1r or new SL2 or even taking advantage of current SL discounts. I’m like you, is an SL or S1r just to much to haul around and deal with all the complications of the buttons and menus. Leica Q2 has it all, 47 megapixels, great lens, weather sealed, simplistic Leica interface, macro, quality build, a realistic camera for travel....head wants interchangeable lens big camera, heart says Q2.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I understand, the heart says Q2.

[@AcidicDelusion]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard I'm in the same boat. Heart wants the Q2 , head is telling me get the S1r....

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

10:11 I was just thinking about how you talk with the camera open in front of you

[@williaminbody205]

Looking forward to a SL2 with 47 megapixels and OVF of 5.7 megapixels, rear display of 3 million megapixels. No other changes.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, so much power in a simple body with few buttons and reduced functionality in the menu.

[@doogieham]

Thanks, Thorsten, for the overview. I'm wondering why you seemed underwhelmed by the R lenses? Was it because of the high resolution sensor? If so, how do you think they would perform on the Lumix S1 and its more forgiving sensor?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I might not have expressed it as clearly. The R lenses has a lot of soul, most of them. The 19mm Elmarit-R is quite a lens, lots of texture details, charm and ability to make flare. The 80mm Summilux-R has character as a Noctilux. So those are their main qualities. They're almost film-like soulful. From that standpoint there isn't so much point in giving them more megapixels. Most of them will perform nicely, and we used to think R lenses was the best lenses ever made. But that's 20-40 years ago. They hold up, but in the context of The New Photography of extreme resolution and quality and clean colors, you would put other lenses on a 47MP sensor, and put the R lenses on a more cosy camera like the Leica M10 or Leica R9 with digital back.

[@vc6218]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard would you say the same about the M lenses?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

In some ways, it's the same. The SL lenses are new deigns made to perform resolution, flawless clarity and all, and in that process the signature or soul of a lens (which is sometimes due to shortcomings) is lost and we get lenses where you cannot really tell if it's a Panasonic, iPhone, Leica, Hasselblad or Sony (other than that the Leica usually performs best). @@vc6218 The M lenses with manual focus offers a control on the SL2, S1-R and other cameras with great EVF preview that you don't really get elsewhere. They make it fun to photograph and create the photo as you take it.

[@nophotoallowed]

Hi, what lens are you using for the front angle camera?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Canon 50/1.4 on a Canon EOS C200B, and with a secret sauce: An internal filter on the back of the lens to give a gentle diffusion.

[@grumpywiseguy5992]

Again, you are coming from a very specific use model, namely extemporaneous street shooting. Where you have to make shooting decisions real time, sometimes in less than a second. The composition comes into view and you either take the shot or miss an epic moment, never to come again. This environment requires that your equipment be simple to control, consistent in operation and bulletproof reliable. Only one system that is on the market today meets those requirements for street shooting. Your Leica M10 based system. The S1R is a design that is a focus group, committee, compromise. Nothing is optimized. Everything is a group marketing decision. I own a Panasonic G85 and have experienced on multiple occasions the exact issue that you mention with accidentally hitting a button and the camera freezes up. And then I miss the shot/shots because it takes 15 minutes to figure out what happened. No amount of manual reading is going to fix this. If one is young and has a photographic memory, ok then, but still the Photo opportunity is lost no matter what. My only problem is that at my stage in life, I cannot justify the cost of the Leica system. Maybe a used Q is the best I can do. Thanks for the review. Don't stay away so long next time.

[@belaboured]

I really really don't like the gaps in the audio. No dead spots please. Deal with outside noises by toning them down, but keep the editing continuous. It's annoying this way.