The "New Gear/Willy Waving" thread

[mid_gen]

Nice.

My brain had a “Sigma don’t make big M43 lenses…” moment and then remembered Panasonic went FF a while back.

Yeah it’s fairly recent I think. I really like the S5ii, the handling is so much better than the Sony cameras I’d had for a long time, and the video features are way, way better.

Did discover that the lens wont fit my tripod head, there’s a stupid bolt sticking up in the middle of the head, and no groove on the lens mount. Was annoying anyway so got a Sirui fluid head on the way off eBay. Quite rate my sirui CF travel tripod, this head will be going on my chonkier Manfrotto legs.

 

[An Exception]

Yeah it’s fairly recent I think. I really like the S5ii, the handling is so much better than the Sony cameras I’d had for a long time, and the video features are way, way better.

Did discover that the lens wont fit my tripod head, there’s a stupid bolt sticking up in the middle of the head, and no groove on the lens mount. Was annoying anyway so got a Sirui fluid head on the way off eBay. Quite rate my sirui CF travel tripod, this head will be going on my chonkier Manfrotto legs.

Yeh they are becoming more and more interesting lately. I'm not tempted to switch yet due to missing lens I use most, but they are packing a LOT of features into a cost effective body that Sony refuses to bother adding via firmware.

 

[mid_gen]

Yeh they are becoming more and more interesting lately. I'm not tempted to switch yet due to missing lens I use most, but they are packing a LOT of features into a cost effective body that Sony refuses to bother adding via firmware.

Yeah, the Panasonic approach seems to be to cram as many features into the hardware as they can through software improvements. The Sony approach is to artificially limit the capabilities of their cameras to make sure people have to go up to the more expensive model.

Just checked the Panasonic website, and here's the changes since I last did a firmware update!

We have improved an issue that sometimes caused parts of the image corners to be missing when the camera was moved with image stabilization enabled.
We have improved an issue where recorded videos could include noise depending on the SD card used.
Nov. 18, 2025
Ver.3.5   
Video recording stopped when the wireless connection to Support for LUMIX Smartphone App, LUMIX Flow or LUMIX Lab was interrupted. This phenomenon has been improved.
Circle-like noise appeared on the monitor when APS-C lenses were removed without turning off the camera. This bug has been fixed.
Oct. 20, 2025
Ver.3.4   
Improved compatibility
- The Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with DJI gimbals has been added.
* This does not guarantee all performance capabilities.
** Click here for information on verified operation of the gimbal.
- Enhanced compatibility with OM Digital Solutions' flash units.
- Improved compatibility when used with our interchangeable lens S-R100500 and teleconverter (DMW-STC14/STC20).
Support for LUMIX Smartphone App, LUMIX Flow ver.1.3 or above.
- "LUMIX Flow" is now available for use.
- External monitor function allows applying LUTs to live view.
- External monitor function enables displaying multiple frame markers.
- External monitor function allows showing focus frames.
* When using the external monitor function via wireless connection (Wi-Fi), the camera's video recording will stop if you turn off your smartphone's Bluetooth or exit the app during video recording.
Please do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app while using the external monitor function. If you want to prioritize the camera's video recording, please use a wired connection (USB).

Enhanced Focus Ring Operation for Interchangeable Lenses
- The focus ring can be used as a control ring, enabling for assigning key functions.
- The focus rotation direction can be selected as either clockwise or counterclockwise.
* A lens compatible with this feature is required. Please refer to the information for supported lenses here.
Additional Video Function
- Added "Shutter Speed Limiter" to the video menu.
Other Function Improvements and Enhancements
- Constant preview available when using flash.
- The startup speed when turning on the power has been improved.
- 17:9 aspect ratio for proxy videos has been added.
- ISO control method when using flash has been changed.
- Aperture can be set from F45 to F90 based on the L-Mount standard.
- When registering both photo and video menus into My Menu, common items will be reflected in both modes if registered in either menu.
- Operational stability has been improved.

Two big features :

Adding wireless smartphone monitoring is super cool, will be getting that installed.

Using the lens focus ring as a generic control, also super cool. Will give that a try and see if I can set it up to do exposure comp when in AF mode, (as my only gripe with the S5 is the lack of a dedicated focus comp dial).