Praise to old S1R

[RBecker]

Yesterday I had a long studio session with a model. I was using the S1R and the S5II. The S5II I used only for a high ISO set with available light.

Even with poorer AF in comparison to the S5II the body of the S1R is still the better camera for me! Yes, it is heavy. Very heavy. Even more with the additional grip. But the handling is still better (for me), I like the amount of buttons. I also like the old school display on the top.
Therefore I would love to get the new technical options from the S1Rii, but the smaller body is a downgrade (again for me, maybe others think different). The S1Rii looks to me like an S5R... That is not bad, but different.

On the other side I think the design from the S1/S1R as fist release of a full frame DSLM is after 6 years still impressive. And if you compare the S1/S1R to the first releases from Canon (EOS R) and Nikons (Z6/Z7) the Lumix don´t need to hide...

So I don´t will upgrade to the S1Rii soon and use the money for some additional lenses.

What are other S1R users thinking about this? Sport and action is a different discussion, because all is related to the AF.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

There's no question the older S1* body is still the best body Panasonic has made for L-mount. It certainly handles larger lenses better than the S1RII. It's shutter sound is sublime, while the S1RII's shutter, is, while not cheap sounding and still satisfying, it's just not as liquid. I'm not sure how else to put it. While I wasn't a fan of the S1R's top display (typography was to small for me to read without my readers) I do agree that it's something that says "premium." And there's not a single mistake on it from a button layout perspective, while the S1RII with it's stilly record button on the lower right corner of the front of the body is a mistake (I always press it when I hold the body to review images). I really loved the two buttons above the lens release button on the S1R; I suppose the new body is just too small to make that work; not sure.

And, as amazing as the new screen is, I prefer the simplicity & elegance of the older S1R screen. It did exactly what I needed it to do but no more, and integrated cleanly into the body. I understand why Panasonic needed to do the S1RII screen the way they did (to get universal appeal) but I find it a little bit bulky in appearance and a little bit mode fiddly. However, I am super happy they did it and it's functionally much better than the rear screen on my S5.

Having said that, as a landscape shooter, I really do prefer the smaller, lighter form factor of the new body. And while I hate the front record button, they made some excellent choices everywhere else and the camera is a joy to use. I do prefer the two dials to the one, and I'm fine giving up the display to get it. The stills/video/S&Q switch is brilliant, I love having C1-5 instead of C1-3, I love the fact that hi-res mode is on the drive dial.

I do love my S1 & S1R, but will probably sell them. They deserve to be used (and cherished) until they no longer work (and are not cost effective to fix), and for many shooters they are all the camera needed. I just have diverse enough needs that the new camera is a better choice for me. But I hope you use yours for a long time!

 

[dirk]

while the S1RII with it's stilly record button on the lower right corner of the front of the body is a mistake

You can disable that red button completely via your menu settings. I disabled it on my S1Rii.

 

[pdk42]

I’m super pleased with my S1R and S1. They are big and heavy by the standards of FF mirrorless cameras but they are still portable enough; and in any case, it’s the lenses that make up most of the weight of a working set of gear. But it’s their build quality that makes them stand out. It’s clear that Panasonic threw everything into their design and it shows - just listen to that shutter or marvel at the rear screen design. Ultimately, it was looking at what I’d lose by swapping to an S1Rii that made me step back. The S1 & S1R pair I have deliver virtually everything I need.

 

[Jan.Wedekind]

You can disable that red button completely via your menu settings. I disabled it on my S1Rii.

I made it the LUT button - and I am having a LOT of fun with it

As for the S1, I played with it today and have to say that I mostly disagree. For starters, the grip on the S1Rii is actually nicer. A bit deeper, a bit more curved. And I have very large hands. It’s just too large and heavy. I can totally understand how that does not matter much in a studio but for any other situation, it is just worse

there are things I miss:

• Second front button on the grip side, though I understand why it does not fit
• The ability to change the zoom on the EVF
• Illuminated buttons

All three are nice to haves though.
I will keep my S1 anyway since I had a repair and would not give me much used anyway. It’ll be used for sure

 

[Babylonia]

What are other S1R users thinking about this? Sport and action is a different discussion, because all is related to the AF.

I am a Panasonic S1R user to, and very pleased with it. However no S1R II user. So can not compare.
But by studying the "new" camera details, and reviews I stil have an opinion.
"For me" only the better low light capabilities from this new camera could be of advantage. And a "little" bit by less weight.
As an important part of the weight also comes from the combination by using a lens.

Most of the other details of the new S1R II camera model, is less important for me, and some of the new styling I don't like at all.
E.g. the lack of a top LCD display, of the new camera, I don't like. (I do use camera's with top LCD's already for about 40 years).
Lack of the "second" FN button, near the lens-mount and grip. ---> I make use of the two FN button of the S1R.
The more "clumsy" articulating back display. I am not a video shooter. The solution / design of my old S1R meets my needs perfectly.
And fits the camera body very nice.

And yes from "demo sounds" (as I have no S1R II), the shutter sound of my old S1R is more "gentle".
Maybe even more "muted" ---> les vibration ??? (I did like the shutter sound already when I bought the S1R camera).
Like (and make use) of the illumination top display (by push button) and several illuminated buttons.
For me the use of the S1R is and shall not ended for a long time I guess.
(I'm older and I take less pictures in general, less need for another camera).
-

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

I've been shooting with my S1RII almost exclusively since it arrived, but every once in a while I pick up my S1 or S1R and shoot with it. There's no mistaking that the older bodies have a certain regalness about them that the new bodies lack. And that pinky-finger-taller grip fits the hand (or at least my hand) better. As a side-note, I'm hoping somebody makes an L-plate that deepens the grip by 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch to give the pinky finger a place to land.

And yes, the shutter sound on the old S1* bodies have a fluid sound to them that is quite exquisite. The new S1 shutter sound is still quite good - very crisp and business-like. Certainly nothing to complain about, but also certainly different.

But the new camera is just so good in so many ways. I've no regrets, but I also acknowledge that there are a few subjective things that have been lost along the way.