The Panasonic S5 or the Sony FX30? A metaphor for being faced with a difficult choice, and DECIDING.

Story told with my Panasonic 20-60 kit lens.
B roll at the Marist College boathouse.
PP CineLike D
Music by Steve Peckman and Ian Smit:
/ stevepeckman_music4films
Please screen The Center of Distance at: vimeo.com/ondemand/thecentero...
All my info:
My cameras: Panasonic Lumix S5, Sony a6400
My lenses: Panasonic 50mm f/1.8, Panasonic 20-60 kit lens, Samyang 12mm f/2.0, Sigma 16mm f/1.4, TeleSor (Minolta) 28mm f/2.8, Minolta MC Rokkor PG 50mm f/1.4, Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS, Sony 55-210mm OSS.
Camera Cage: Niceyrig (Sony a6400)
My gimbals: Zhiyun Weebill S, Crane M2 and Hohem iSteadyX
My lavalier mic: Purple Panda
Shotgun mic: Boya MM1
Audio recorder: Zoom H1n (the red one)
My phones, used for both video and audio: LG V20, V30, V40 and V60. iPhone SE 2020
My lights: Pixel RGB, and AMZdeal light wand (a stick light)
My tripods: Neewer 75" for my Pixel RGB light, Mactrem 62.5" and Victiv 72", PGYTECH Mantispod
ND filters: K&F variable filters for my lenses, and a 37mm variable for my phone, and Neewer ND2, ND4 and ND8 and variable ND2-400 (all 37mm for my phone),
UKCOCO 37mm CPL filter with clip for my smartphone
Desktop computer: i7-10700K 10th gen, Win Pro 64 bit, 32 gig RAM, 1 TB Seagate SSD HD, 1 TB Glyph atom SSD thunderbolt external (3 of them, and more coming), Samsung 2TB T7, RX 580 graphics, LG 27UL650 monitor
Laptop: Dell XPS 13 7590 laptop
Davinci Resolve studio version for editing on my computers
Kinemaster for editing on my phone
I make my own music, or I reach out to friends from my former life in the music business.
The Center of Distance can be screened here:
vimeo.com/ondemand/thecentero...
More about the film at: www.thecenterofdistance.com
Brooklyn Quartet mini series, winner of Best Filmed Theatre at the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival:
Episode 1: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 2: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 3: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
Episode 4: • Brooklyn Quartet, a 4 ...
If you'd like to learn more about me and all my creative work, head over to: www.rockwilk.com (you can reach me there)
#Theater #Filmmaker #SoloArtist #SoloTheater #TheCenterOfDistance #Adoption #FosterCare #LouiseWise #Activism #Artivism #BROKEWIDEOPEN #BrooklynQuartet #TheRedPlaidSuitcase #ThisIsTheEndForMe #Sonya6400 #PanasonicLumixS5 #LGV40 #LGV20 #LGV30 #Smartphonefilmmaking #Poetry #SpokenWord #SeanBell #Racism #Gentrification #Poughkeepsie #HudsonValleyNY #TheBronx #NYC #Peace #Empathy #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #StoriesIn4K #StoriesIn4kRock

[@PianoLandscapes4film]

You are so doing the right thing with what you are doing now. This footage is just beyond stunning in color, focus, stability. As artists, sometimes we try to second guess ourselves. Do you, brother. You got this.

[@RockWILK]

I'm loving the process, for sure, and excited at the possibilities ahead.

[@GasWorksISO]

Sirui makes very nice anamorphic lenses for the Sony APSC and they’re like $500.

[@RockWILK]

Yes, they're supposed to be some amazing lenses. The thing I like about the Panasonic S5 is that you can do a lot of what would be post-production work in the camera. De squeezing, etc, it's a lot easier workflow. But I guess at the end of the day, it doesn't really make that much of a difference. Both cameras handle anamorphic very well. And plenty of people will be shooting anamorphic on the FX 30, no doubt. Thanks so much for the comment! I appreciate that.

[@ronanmacrory3399]

you should be an actor. reminds me of pope of ny, mickey.

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much for that, and I actually am an actor. ;)

[@FernandoQuevedo]

This is EXACTLY the conversation I've been having with myself the last three days. Great video and I think I am coming to the same conclusion. But it's a tough choice. Going to wait until NAB convention to see these cameras unclose and then make my final decision. Cool video Rock!

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much! I’m pretty sure you’re gonna be happy no matter what you do. All of these cameras are amazing, but I’m extremely pleased with where I’m at. Even though I don’t have the phase detect auto focus, I don’t really use auto focus that much, so I’m really happy with this creative tool. It’s pretty amazing. Thanks so much for dropping by, I greatly appreciate that.

[@PianoLandscapes4film]

PS-absolutely love the lighting inside. I felt like I could reach through the screen.

[@RockWILK]

Yeah, I shot at 35mm, and tried to make it as intimate as possible.

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

This is an amazing video mate, your concerns are exactly mine except that my concern is between the S5 and A7IV as I don't wanna go back to Apsc after having used the Sony A6500 for the 3 years and finally got into full frame a year ago. Your concerns are exactly my concerns and this video resonates so much with me. Thanks for this!

[@RockWILK]

Thanks so much!! For me, choosing the S5 has been a great move. Opened up a lot for me that wasn’t there before. Onward we go!!

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

@@RockWILK I'm quite sure last year I would have gone S5 instead of A7iii if I knew it. Enjoy it mate 👍

[@RockWILK]

@@ClaudioDesideriFilms Thank you!! Keep making art!

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

@@RockWILK will do mate and you do the same😊

[@GatorheadLuis]

I’ve had the same discussions with myself, I can relate. I ended up going with the S5 also. I’m more of a hybrid shooter so that was the biggest tipping point for me. It’s clearly a superior stills camera while arguably a better video camera (unless you have to have autofocus) Also on value, it’s hard to beat, especially when they include a free prime lens. Finally the waveform, I’ve really got used to using that as my preferred method of judging exposure (shooting on GH5 before) - great choice!

[@RockWILK]

Yes, I agree with all of this. For me, anamorphic support was a big deal, along with being full frame, which I wanted to work with, and the price. Honestly, if I was more willing to spend the money, I probably would have gotten the A7siii or the FX3, but after working with this camera for the past month, I'm really happy with what I have. It's a truly amazing creative tool, no doubt. Glad it's serving you well!! And thanks for dropping by, I appreciate that. Stay well!!

[@DineshBhadwal]

The biggest thing about S5 for me is getting BM Raw out of it. That just seals the deal for me.

[@RockWILK]

Me too. That’s why I’m about to buy this black magic video assist. Why not get the most out of his camera? :-) Thanks so much for coming by.

[@DineshBhadwal]

@@RockWILK Once you work with BM Raw inside Resolve (which is free) there is no returning to the Sonys. I am a full frame Sony user.

[@RockWILK]

@@DineshBhadwal I learned how to edit on Davinci resolve, so I am really excited to get into b raw for sure. Sony is an awesome ecosystem, but I’m happy to be working with Panasonic now as well. The possibilities are endless, as long as we tell, good stories. :-)

[@greyhousevisual]

The S5 is incredible. We have 3 of them and they have become beloved lol.

[@RockWILK]

Yes! With each passing day that I use it, I'm learning more about it, and I'm falling in love with it. Completely different than my Sony camera, but equal parts amazing. The S5 is going to be my A camera for my new film. Thanks so much for coming by! I appreciate it.

The s5 cost half in My country...

[@RockWILK]

Wow. Half of the fx30?

@@RockWILK Sony cameras are over priced here... No body wants the s5... The s5 cost 7 millons pesos, the fx30 cost 12...

@@RockWILK even at that price i can't affort one... jeje GH5 all the way for know.

[@RockWILK]

@ the good news is that the GH5 is an awesome camera!!

[@karikaru]

"That dual iso is dope" LOL loved this video. Sold my DSLR and just got some dead time on my hands until I can grab my next camera due to logistics and this video summed up my life the past month or so. I can't tell you how many hours of reviews I've watched or read. I think I could rattle off the specs of about half a dozen cameras from memory. I've finally decided on the s5 too unless they happen to release the s5ii in the next couple months and even then I'm probably better off just getting the s5 and the glass I want, mastering the camera, and then can upgrade to the mk ii once it's come down in price in 2 years and I'll already have the lenses.

[@RockWILK]

Ha! We are living similar experiences. ;) So far I love the S5, but autofocus isn't a real issue for me as I mostly used manual focus the entire time I used the a6400. It's just a better way to work, at least for narrative work, in my opinion, but that's just me. I'm hoping that maybe Panasonic will give us S5 users a firmware update once that new autofocus appears on the MKII, but I doubt that will happen, even though that would be a good thing for them to do all around. In any case, I'm ecstatic with what I have, although I'm putting out a video tomorrow complaining about some of the things the S5 has me frustrated with. Lol. We love to complain. Certainly no deal breakers, but nothing is perfect, and we can always dream. ;) thanks so much for coming by, and onward we go!!! Happy holidays!!

[@karikaru]

@@RockWILK thanks for that update, I'll be sure to watch the video! Yeah I'm mostly a photographer but I recently got into video and want to make more travel documentary type content since I live abroad and want to share what life is like here for the folks back home and also family videos. I also enjoy landscape and architectural photography so I was tempted to go for the s1r but the s5 just makes more sense. You're right, I don't think autofocus will get anymore improving since the phase detect will require additional hardware, but like you said, I think it's an opportunity for me to grow into the skills of pulling manual focus for video (I'll just remind myself Leica users spend thousands of dollars for the privilege)

[@RockWILK]

@@karikaru You have an awesome camera! And I love having control of the focus myself. It's a great skill to learn. Autofocus is cool, but even in Sony and Canon cameras, you can never completely rely upon it, for sure. Once you get deep into using manual focus, it will never feel tedious to you, and you will feel more in control of your storytelling. You got this!

[@mikeyhughessays]

Camera purchase decisions amount to determining which compromises are more acceptable and that sucks. It’s near impossible to find a camera that meets every need south of $25k. By the way, I have the S5 and the autofocus isn’t that bad. I use its af to record horses cantering toward and away from me during my daughter’s riding shows and while it isn’t always perfect, it does the job

[@RockWILK]

I totally agree, but I also think that all of these cameras are pretty amazing. :-) I’ve been using the S5 pretty much every day for the past month now, and I find it pretty incredible. And the auto focus is 100% fine for the way I work. So I don’t really see the flaws, and I’m coming from a Sony camera. But like I said, the way I work, this auto focus is stellar. Onward we go, it never ends. :-) Thanks so much for coming by, I greatly appreciate that.

[@sarveshponnusamy]

I am so confused kindly help me should I pick Sony FX30 or Lumix s5 for short filmmaking

[@RockWILK]

If I were you, I would literally watch every video on KZbin, about both cameras, and I think that will help you to make a decision. They are two very different cameras, for people who shoot in very different styles, I think it’s a very personal decision. Do your due diligence, and I’m positive you’ll make the right decision for you.

[@BartvanderHorst]

So... then there was the s5 mark ii... and you didn't go crazy... ;-)

[@RockWILK]

Ha! I made a video about that. I have to be honest, I was a little salty about it at first, but I love what I have, and I hardly use autofocus anyway, so I'm extremely grateful for where I'm at. Thanks so much for coming by, I greatly appreciate that.

[@nyambe]

That video on not having dual ISO is nonsense. He is also giving advice on using cine EI contradicting Sony’s own advice on using cine EI. Se me of these talking head reviewers with no real footage to show can be toxic because they are talking about things they don’t even understand.

[@RockWILK]

Who?

[@nyambe]

@@RockWILK The same people that claim there is no dual ISO on the FX30? no name dropping here. Lol. Checkout exposure index use from robert machado who is a real DP or Sony's own info and charts. Exposure Index is just a tool to take the guess work out of exposing Slog3. Like any tool it is not necessary. BTW I found some S5 footage left on a Atomos V I bought second had. Looks fantastic. FF is awesome. I shoot yesterday a real project with the FX30. Very happy! With any modern camera you can't go wrong. Whatever suits you. It will be interesting to see your progress

[@RockWILK]

Ahh, I know what you’re talking about. 👀😉 And I follow Machado, I’ve learned a lot from his channel. I agree, all of these cameras are so capable, I still get amazing footage out of my a6400. I’m really enjoying the S5, but like I said, I’m positive the FX30 is a great camera too. Like you said, it’s whatever is best for you because at the end of the day, no matter which camera you choose, you probably have something in your hands that can do pretty much exactly what you’re trying to create from the story in your head. I’m grateful to be learning more every day. Thanks for the insight. Much appreciated.

[@thewalkingvloggingman7152]

@@nyambe Sony sucks, end of story.