GH5 Unboxing, Demonstration, and General Discussion

Why It’s Still Worth Owning a Digital Camera (Time).
Google launches new encoder that reduces JPEG file size by 35% (MirrorlessRumors).
A Photographer’s Guide to Destination Weddings (Explora).
Best Cameras for Teenagers (Adorama Learning Center).
Gh5 test at Mapcamera.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group and the GH5 group.

Anonymous: “Not a rumor but I think I haven’t seen this totally awesome and somewhat analytical GH5 production vid on here yet.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RacTSKuNuo
Not my video, just something I found on youtube that shows that amongst all the controversy you can make great stuff with the GH5“

Last week there was a lot of buzz because of the Nikkei article announcing “dismantling” of some Panasonic businesses. Panasonic replied by saying that this is just a restructuring program and that the camera division will continue to operate under the new umbrella division.

Today Panasonic issues an official statement with the details of the company restructuring program. You can read the full PDF here: news.panasonic.com/global/press/data/2017/03/en170331-10/en170331-10-1.pdf. Spoiler alert: it’s boring and contains no specific info about the camera business…which on the other hand is good news as it means everything will go on as usual.

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Thanks EdinaMN!

GH5 RAW Processing Lightroom Tutorial

These were the most sold cameras during the month of February in Japan (MirrorlessRumors).
Olympus E-M1 — What’s New in Mk.II Compared to the original of 2013 (Wrotniak)
Improvisational Filmmaking with Vimeo Staff Pick Videographer Brandon Li (Explora).
FAQ: What is a Macro Lens? (Adorama Learning Center).
Pana-Leica 12-60mm 2.8-4 vs Oly 12-40mm (Mirrorlesscomparison)
Kernel Nikon to MFT adapter test at Photosku.
LX9 test at Mapcamera.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group and the GH5 group.

Aaron: “I thought you and your readers might be interested in this film I shot for Historic England on the GH4 with a Sigma 18-35 (smart adaptor) and the SLR MAGIC 1×33 anamorphot. I: also used the Cinemorph bokeh adaptor on some of the gimbal / exterior shots to simulate an anamorphic look (where I couldn’t use the anamorphot).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuaevsAEtVg”

LockCircle just announced the new Robot Skin for the new Panasonic GH5:
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LockCircle approached the mirroless cameras cage design from the beginning when the concept was just  “wrapping around the camera”, with a lightweight mechanical cage with many threads to only add cinematic accessories.
The design and engineering of cages evolved quickly, thanks to LockCircle’s international user feedbacks analyzed across many cage/camera editions and different users needs, deeply inspiring the entire design process.
For the new Lumix GH5 the LockCircle design approach was totally new and the word “cage” didn’t fit the extensive research done around the new Lumix GH5!

LockCircle is proudly presenting the truly innovative Robot Skin for the Lumix GH5 following what is called “cinematic research science”!

The Lumix GH5 camera body shape was captured in different physical, ergonomic, kinetic and tactile directions to analize user feelings and effective cinematic accessories mounting.
LockCircle with the Robot Skin GH5 is introducing the revolutionary “meltdown concept” for straight functions access and total view of the camera dials when shooting.
The LockCircle’s R&D department, lead by Dante Cecchin, worked intensly to create the cinematic Robot Skin GH5 that’s a authentic milestone model, outside traditional boundaries commonly used in the industry.
The ultralightweight Robot Skin GH5 is a natural extension of the original camera shape, a real cinematic production innovation!
The orignal GH5 camera design details were formulated like a “conceptual palette” driving the genesis of the Robot Skin GH5 aeshtetics.

Available from the middle of May, manufactured only on request for serious Lumix GH5 aficionados.
– Asymmetrical classic LockCircle cage design concept.
– Right hand camera grabbing/control with original Lumix GH5 camera ergonomics.
– Innovative SFA Straight Function Action with DTV Dials Total View design concept.
– T-Wrap (total wrap) expansion module for right hand accessories/grip handles
– 90 (110 threads with T-Wrap)  1/4”-20, 3 (5 with T-Wrap)
– Top Grip handle and Boombooster compatible accessories.
– CNC machined from billet aircraft grade aluminum.
– Ultra-Lightweight and professional heavy-duty grade strength.
– High quality Swiss Anodizing with “professional grade” velvet surface finish.
– Custom genuine titanium grade 5 screws and knobs.
– MultiPort HDMI/USB/Audio port savers with connector locking.
– Meta-Block mount (adjustable) for Metabones monolithic mounting.
– IMS-Block for IMS – Mounts for the serious cinematographers needs.
– Several IMS Professional lens mounts available: PL-Mount, Panavision,
– Leica-R, Canon EF and Nikon with Positive-Lock.
– New MicroMega ultra compact modular expandable BasePlate.
– Focal Plain thread for AC measurement custom titanium hook.
– New hi-tech deep anodized colours: Blumix, Noir Black, Purple Rain.
– Designed by cinematographers and manufactured in Italy.
– Limited Edition, manufactured only on request for real GH5 aficionados.

for more informations:  info@lockcircle.com
www.lockcircle.com

The video above will show you the B&H Livestream about the New Panasonic GH5.

Check the GH5 in Stock status at [shopcountry 65368].

You can now read the new issue of the Olympus Magazine at en.olympusmag.co.uk/march2017/. The magazine is also available for free on iTunes and Google Play.

This is issue number 50 of the Olympus magazine and you can win a new E-M1II!

Cactus made an interetsing announcement. They will soon launche a firmware update for their V6II (available at [shopcountry 65438]). The firmware will allow cross-brand TTL! There is a special website that will go online soon that will show how this works: cactus-image.com/special/X-TTL/

In the meantime check out the press release:

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X-TTL TTL without Boundaries! Cactus launches FREE firmware upgrades on the V6 II and V6 IIs to support wireless cross-brand TTL.

Hong Kong, March 24, 24, 2017 – Just nine months since the release of the Cactus V6 II and Cactus V6 IIs, Cactus is now launching a series of brand-specific firmware upgrades to transform the cross-brand HSS flash triggers to one that also supports crosscross-brand wireless TTL. The new X-TTL firmware versions, apart from supporting cross-brand high-speed sync (HSS/FP), remote power and zoom control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sigma flashes all at the same time¹, NOW support automatic TTL exposure in the same cross-brand environment, both on-camera and off-camera.²

The first wave of firmware releases will be for Sigma Sony and Fujifilm. Other camera systems, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax, will follow one by one as we complete system integration on the V6 II. All these X-TTL firmware versions are free of charge for V6 II / V6 IIs users. The new firmware is system-specific so users simply choose the corresponding system when updating with the Cactus Firmware Updater. Once installed, the V6 II / V6 IIs is transformed into a cross-brand wireless TTL flash trigger.

This unique function gives photographers an unprecedented flexibility. The need for matching flashes with the same camera system for on and off-camera TTL flash photography is over – TTL without boundaries.

Cross-brand TTL

The X-TTL firmware allows users to have wireless TTL automatic exposure with camera and flash that runs on the same system, such as a Canon camera triggering a Canon flash, and one that runs on different systems, such as a Sigma camera triggering a Nikon system flash.

Similar to the cross-brand HSS firmware on the V6 II, the supported flash systems for wireless cross-brand TTL include Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and flash that runs on the same camera system.

Two unique Exposure Locks

Cactus is unveiling a brand new approach in using TTL metering. Over the past, professionals who love the convenience from TTL metering often have to suffer inconsistency in lighting outputs, making post processing a pain. In view of this Cactus devised two types of Exposure Locks.

1. Flash Compensate: Store a desired flash exposure that will automatically adjust according to changes in camera settings. Gone is the ever-changing flash exposures between each TTL metering.

2. Flash Power Lock: Lock flash power output after a desired TTL exposure is achieved. Perfect for consistency in repeat shooting. Wireless TTL functions

The X-TTL firmware will also support advanced TTL functions on the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs, such as first and second (rear) curtain sync, on-camera TTL, group TTL metering and TTL lighting ratios³.

New support for Sigma

We are delighted to offer firmware support for Sigma cameras and flashes. This includes remote power control, remote zoom control, wireless High-speed Sync, and wireless TTL with Sigma’s SA-TTL flashes. The same cross-brand support is also available on the Sigma X-TTL firmware. Cactus expresses appreciation to SIGMA CORPORATION for their immense support in our development for Sigma system firmware.

Fujifilm TTL and HSS

With the introduction of Fujifilm new flash system launched on the EF-X500, Highspeed Sync (HSS/FP) is finally available. Besides adopting the new HSS platform, the upcoming Fujifilm X-TTL firmware also extends support for wireless TTL to Fujifilm flashes as well as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Panasonic flashes. Fujifilm X-TTL Firmware release date will be announced on our website.

V6 IIs with Sony TTL

Existing Sony V6 IIs users already has a system-specific transceiver unit, and the upcoming Sony X-TTL firmware adds wireless TTL support for Sony flashes and other system flashes when paired with the Cactus V6 II. Sony X-TTL Firmware release date will be announced on our website.

Features at a glance

1. Cross-brand wireless manual power and zoom control with HSS/FP support of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony flashes;²

2. Cross-brand wireless TTL of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma and Sony flashes;²

3. Cross-brand group TTL metering is extended to use in a cross-brand setup;³

4. TTL Ratios output adjustments can be done directly on the V6 II (TX);³

5. Two Exposure Locks offer consistency with the convenience of wireless TTL.

6. Works seamlessly with Cactus RF60X to support HSS, TTL, remote power and zoom control.

Price and Availability

System-specific X-TTL firmware versions are free of charge. Download the Cactus Firmware Updater⁴ and select the corresponding system firmware to install the X-TTL firmware on the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs.

After launching the initial three systems, i.e., Sigma, Fujifilm and Sony, Cactus will continue to launch X-TTL firmware for the remaining camera systems. Stay up to date for the latest releases on X-TTL’s microsite: https://www.cactusimage.com/special/X-TTL/

Source: Cactus PDF