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

Music by me

Please watch my first film, shot entirely on my LG V40 smartphone, all alone, by myself, during the pandemic, called The Center of Distance, at:

• THE CENTER OF DIS...

All my info:
My cameras: Panasonic Lumix S5
My lenses: Sigma 28-70 f/2.8, Minolta Telesor 28mm f/2.8, Minolta MC Rokkor PG 50mm f/1.4
My gimbals: Zhiyun Weebill S, 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, AMZdeal light wand (a stick light), Ulanzi VL49 RGB
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 (internal), 2TB Glyph Atom EV NVMe Thunderbolt external SSD, 1 TB Glyph atom SSD thunderbolt external (3 of them), Samsung 2TB T7, OWC Thunderbolt Hub, RX 580 graphics card, LG 27UL650 display 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 also be screened here, if you want to pay for it:

Brooklyn Quartet mini series, winner of Best Filmed Theatre at the Lonely Wolf International Film Festival:
Episode 1:

• Brooklyn Quartet,...
Episode 2:

• Brooklyn Quartet,...
Episode 3:

• Brooklyn Quartet,...
Episode 4:

• Brooklyn Quartet,...

#PanasonicLumixS5 #MinoltaRokkor #Filmmaker #Theater #SoloArtist #SoloTheater #TheCenterOfDistance #Adoption #FosterCare #LouiseWise #Activism #Artivism #BROKEWIDEOPEN #BrooklynQuartet #TheRedPlaidSuitcase #ThisIsTheEndForMe #LGV40 #LGV20 #LGV30 #Smartphonefilmmaking #Poetry #SpokenWord #SeanBell #Racism #Gentrification #Poughkeepsie #HudsonValleyNY #TheBronx #NYC #Peace #Empathy #MentalHealth #SuicideAwareness #StoriesIn4K #StoriesIn4kRock

[ZacktheFilm]

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

[AllThingsFilm]

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 YouTuber 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.

[nathanryan]

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

[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.

[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.

[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 YouTube channel I started this last feb.! Thanks!

[ericbeaton]

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.

[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.

[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!

[lynxbroadcast]

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 👍

[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

[elementary]

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

[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.

[KovenVideoProduction]

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

[ryanstark]

I see YouTubers 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.

[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!

[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.

[JasonfromNYC]

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 YouTube 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.

[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.

[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.