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inspiredtimothy

Active Member
To make a long story short, I have ulnar nerve damage that results in arm, wrist, and hand pain, Degenerative Disk Disease in my spinal lumbar, and fibromyalgia. This has resulted in my absence from regular photo shoots for several years due to chronic pain and limited mobility, but I miss it and want to resume regular shooting.

I most often shoot portraits and landscapes. Landscape is no big concern as far as ergonomy goes, as my camera would primarily be on sticks, but portraits could present an issue. Especially lately with my growing family I am wanting to start shooting more families and children, and that requires dynamic movement to get the best shots.

I am looking into adapting various shoulder and chest supports for video for use with a Lumix S5 II, but I can't seem to find any way to attach a grip that could also remotely control the camera so that I would not have to constantly hold it to my face for long periods with elbows and wrists bent.

Nikon seems to make a remote grip that at least functions with the Z9 which at first glance looks excellent, with great functionality and build quality. I am wondering why Panasonic has not decided to create an accessory like this for their cameras, as this would be a game changer for video shooters (especially those shooting with their cine and box cams) and people like me with chronic pain and disability.

I have looked into third party options that could function for this and found a grip, the Portkeys KeyGrip, that is able to provide some functionality but looks like autofocus control points would be impaired and build quality and ergonomics seem extremely poor, especially given the $400 price tag.

Does anyone know of any other options for accessories like this for Panasonic bodies? If I could hook something like this onto an Arri rosette and some kind of camera support it would truly be a game changer for my comfort level when shooting. Bonus points if there is a setup where I could manipulate the height and vertical/horizontal axis of the camera for different framing options easily. Really any suggestions for my situation would be helpful.
 
That Nikon remote grip seems unique. I've not seen that capability from other mirrorless camera companies. It reminds me of grips seen on high end video cameras. A problem with any grip for the S5II, it needs to interact with the camera's control electronics. The only thought I have is to use the LUMIX Sync phone app, its camera control functions, and mount it in a way you have easy access to it. Perhaps a custom 3D printed holder could firmly attach it to the tripod. I've seen cheap tripods that crank up and down for height; I don't know if any quality tripods have this capability.
 
That Nikon remote grip seems unique. I've not seen that capability from other mirrorless camera companies. It reminds me of grips seen on high end video cameras. A problem with any grip for the S5II, it needs to interact with the camera's control electronics. The only thought I have is to use the LUMIX Sync phone app, its camera control functions, and mount it in a way you have easy access to it. Perhaps a custom 3D printed holder could firmly attach it to the tripod. I've seen cheap tripods that crank up and down for height; I don't know if any quality tripods have this capability.
I've thought about getting a monopod and using that to help prop up the camera and hold it away from my face so I don't have to have my arms and wrists so cramped. I just wonder about how dynamic the shots could be if I'm having to bend and move while stuck on a monopod. Certainly that would make it harder to follow any kind of action I would think, and if I need to lower my view I imagine it would have to unscrew or unlatch the section of the monopod to drop it down and then position it wherever I need it which I'm assuming would be a longer process.
 
Are you able to wear a harness? What about an Easyrig or Flycam?
 
Are you able to wear a harness? What about an Easyrig or Flycam?
I have never used one of those and am not sure how they function, but I imagine it would be a bit overkill for just regular photography, wouldn't it? What are the benefits of this setup?
 
What mechanism do they use in their newer models?
The newer models use more conventional flip lock joints, which I suspect would be more difficult for you to use. Also, I use the iFootage Komodo K5S Fluid Head with the monopod because I do quite a bit of video, but it works well for photography as well. If you do mostly photography a tilt or ball head might be better.
 
I have never used one of those and am not sure how they function, but I imagine it would be a bit overkill for just regular photography, wouldn't it? What are the benefits of this setup?
Sorry I misread your post. I thought you were looking for video rig options as well but I see you were looking into rigging a video option for stills photography.

The harnesss basically move all of the weight of the rig to your hips so you can handhold a camera all day long. useful for heavier setups but probably not so much for photography as you really can shoot vertically or anything with the cable attached.
 
Sorry I misread your post. I thought you were looking for video rig options as well but I see you were looking into rigging a video option for stills photography.

The harnesss basically move all of the weight of the rig to your hips so you can handhold a camera all day long. useful for heavier setups but probably not so much for photography as you really can shoot vertically or anything with the cable attached.
That is good to know, thank you! I am interested in pursuing video going forward but currently my skill set is much more oriented to stills work.
 
Quite honestly, speaking as a person with nerve damage and chronic RSI, I would use a tiny MFT setup instead. The difference in weight and burden is huge. Image quality is still excellent. I use a leather hand strap, so that if I lose my grip with a nerve spasm, the camera is saved.
 
Quite honestly, speaking as a person with nerve damage and chronic RSI, I would use a tiny MFT setup instead. The difference in weight and burden is huge. Image quality is still excellent. I use a leather hand strap, so that if I lose my grip with a nerve spasm, the camera is saved.
That's a good idea. I do miss my m43 gear, but when I use it I just always feel like I'm missing out on much better IQ for only a couple hundred more grams...
 
That's a good idea. I do miss my m43 gear, but when I use it I just always feel like I'm missing out on much better IQ for only a couple hundred more grams...

Olympus E-P5 + 45/1.9 = 495g
Panasonic DC-S5 + 85/1.8 = 1070g

Huge difference. If you factor in bulk, even more so. I need a bigger heavier bag to carry a second Lumix S lens. My second MFT lens is the Panasonic 14mm... which barely exists on the physical plane!
 
Olympus E-P5 + 45/1.9 = 495g
Panasonic DC-S5 + 85/1.8 = 1070g

Huge difference. If you factor in bulk, even more so. I need a bigger heavier bag to carry a second Lumix S lens. My second MFT lens is the Panasonic 14mm... which barely exists on the physical plane!
This is a valid point. I may revisit this if/when Panasonic decides to release upgraded m43 bodies with modern focusing systems. I know Olympus is an option but I've never really been impressed by their user interface or video features.

I still have my old G85 and 42.5mm F1.7 as I couldn't bear to part with them. Stood it on a tripod at my wedding to get a basic video of the evening (MF only of course). I miss using it due to the size and fun factor but can't rely on the AF for any critical work, unfortunately.
 
I may revisit this if/when Panasonic decides to release upgraded m43 bodies with modern focusing systems.
A rumour surfaced in the past week on 43rumors.com that a G9-II was coming. It was the flimsiest rumour I've seen to date (essentially "someone said something", i.e. no specs or any other details) but based on what Panasonic themselves have said during the course of this year following the S5-II release, (e.g. from interviews with a Lumix exec and through Sean Robinson's comments on the Lumix Live channel) another M4/3 camera is coming, and it is likely to have PDAF.
 
We all have different needs, but thankfully there is a camera for all of us.

For me the Olympus E-P5 is ideal, though it's an older sensor etc. In fact I lost one in the ocean and bought another, even though I could have gone for an OMD or something else. The reason is the optional EVF which has a 90 degree tilt function. I can hold the camera close to my body and look down to shoot. This is both more comfortable and less conspicuous.

I wish Panasonic had a 90 degree viewfinder for the Lumix S series. With much higher resolution. That would improve my experience more than any other feature.
 
We all have different needs, but thankfully there is a camera for all of us.

For me the Olympus E-P5 is ideal, though it's an older sensor etc. In fact I lost one in the ocean and bought another, even though I could have gone for an OMD or something else. The reason is the optional EVF which has a 90 degree tilt function. I can hold the camera close to my body and look down to shoot. This is both more comfortable and less conspicuous.

I wish Panasonic had a 90 degree viewfinder for the Lumix S series. With much higher resolution. That would improve my experience more than any other feature.
Does the optional EVF for the Sigma fp work like this? I haven't used it but I feel like I remember seeing it can tilt somewhere

*Edit*
Yes, it looks like it does.

 
Does the optional EVF for the Sigma fp work like this? I haven't used it but I feel like I remember seeing it can tilt somewhere

Indeed. When I was looking for a new hybrid image system I compared Fuji, Sony, Sigma, and Panasonic. The add-on viewfinder was a plus in Sigma's favour but there were many negative marks, primary among them:
- no IBIS
- internal video recording only 8-bit
- no mechanical shutter
- small non-articulating screen

The fp is more oriented towards being built up with external gear (e.g. recorder) as part of a video system. As a hybrid camera it's a big fail in my books.
 
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