News S1Rii - Read all about it!

[Travis Butler]

Now while it sounds like easy, I myself as a software engineer know we shouldn't just assume it is "easy". What people say it's a "simple one-line change" usually causes us lots of headaches when we make the changes.

Hah!

Amen, brother.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

He also showed warping in stills mode, again due to the sensor readout speed & ES.

So yes, as others have stated, the S1RII is not *quite* a do-it-all camera like an a1II or a Z8, due to the lack of a stacked sensor.

I'm a little put-off by this. I've been living with an camera (S1R) that did not measure up for stills of moving subjects for so long, I'm reluctant to buy a new camera that still falls short. Of course, the S1RII is *far* better than the S1R for action photography, but psychologically, I'm just not sure I can pull the trigger. Once bitten, I suppose. I'd be happy to spend the additional $500 or whatever to get the stacked sensor. Although I would never pay Sony a1II prices.

Probably will buy it in the end, but yes, I'm conflicted.

BTW, before others comment, I openly admit I'm probably being overly neurotic. There's a YT'er out there who mounted an S1RII on a gimbal, and then mounted that on a car, and then chased a horse & rider running along the side of the road. It looks fantastic.

Likewise, that press shot posted earlier in this thread of a gecko snagging a moth mid-air is stunning. Probably captured using pre-capture, which means ES. So even if there is warping of the tounge, it just doesn't matter. At least in that shot. And that was captured with an older, Sigma 120-300 F2.8 "HSM" lens, that had to be adapted. Impressive indeed.

So yeah, get out of your chair and capture some scenes, I suppose is what I should be thinking.

 

[Oíche]

I'd be happy to spend the additional $500 or whatever to get the stacked sensor. Although I would never pay for a Sony a1II.

Probably will buy it in the end, but yes, I'm conflicted.

It'll not be stealing from those who need stacked sensors for sure and it's no sports/action AF flagship either. Gordon says the detection is better than S5ii but he probably used it years back on earlier firmware, to me it looks about the same but I think S5ii AF is really good (not the flagship best) so that should not put you off AND hopefully they'll continue to improve the AF code.

Indeed S1R having such a relatively short lifespan and losing ~75% value is pretty sore, especially for an expensive camera. I'm looking to get 10+ years from S5ii

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Indeed S1R having such a relatively short lifespan and losing ~75% value is pretty sore, especially for an expensive camera. I'm looking to get 10+ years from S5ii

Actually, I think you have that exactly backwards. The S1R has been on the market for 6+ years, and I'm sure people will still be using them four years from now. And, as best i can tell, the S1R used prices are higher than the Sony A7RIV, which was introduced the same year. Of course, now with the new S1RII on the market, it's possible used prices of the S1R will fall. But then maybe just the opposite will happen, given that Panasonic has given up on the premium, large body in the new version. I think the S1 & S1R will be considered classics and be remain desirable for quite some time, at least for people who can live within the limitations of DfD.

I actually feel very good about my purchase of the S1R from a build quality & overall value. It's just that it falls short for action photography, which, at this point, I'd like to do more of.

 

[Oíche]

Actually, I think you have that exactly backwards.

I doubt it, going by what you get for them today.

How much was S1R new?. £2899 GBP or so new back in 1999 and here is a quote for one in excellent condition... £820

Most other cameras from any brand probably have similar depreciation and values will further drop.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Here, used S1Rs (from MBP, etc) are asking $1700. But I do stand corrected - Sony A7R IV is perhaps worth $200 more.

Anyway, we shall see, but I don't see the S5 (of any generation) inspiring the kind of loyalty and affection that the S1 series do. They lack the "timeless" aspect that the first-gen S1 bodies possess. Nor do I think the S1RII will have that timeless aura. Like the S5II, it's main claim-to-fame that it is the best value amongst it's peers. Which is fine, but that's not what is needed to inspire long-term appeal that transcends ability. 911s retain their value. Caymans, not so much. It's just how it is.

In fact, given how much the abilities of camera bodies have evolved since the S1 bodies were introduced, it's amazing that a used S1R has any value at all. Again, all back to the intrinsic goodness of the design.

 

[Nevyn72]

If you want to know why this camera is also very special for video, don't watch the nerdy stuff from Gerald, or some others.

You only need @Richard Wong his video to have a very deep knowledge for what it technically can do, and than see this video for what you can artistically can do.

And it really looks like they used the Ronin 8K sensor, what I presumed before...

 

[Pete_W]

If you want to know why this camera is also very special for video, don't watch the nerdy stuff from Gerald, or some others.

You only need @Richard Wong his video to have a very deep knowledge for what it technically can do, and than see this video for what you can artistically can do.

Excellent point, John.