S9 experience in the real world - vacation

[CH_CH]

Hi,

I like to take good pictures and videos on vacation. Yes, I am "that guy" with the camera- at 48, dangerously close to be a full blown boomer.
So this time, for 2 weeks, I took the S9 with some lenses (some primes, 20-60 and 28-200), and the G9ii with the 50-200 and adapter 1.4, knowing I could borrow other MFT lenses from my sis.

First, a word about overheating.
I spent some time configuring the newly bought ZVE1 for my sis, sitting on the living room at maybe 26C. After 10 mins of menu diving (that menu is hell!) and setting things up, the "high temperature" icon appeared and the camera was quite hot. The S9 was fine, next to it. I asked my sister and she said the A1 overheats frequently in the middle of shoots outdoors (Spain), even worse than the ZVE1. I found that interesting because it is not a "youtube camera fact".
I loved the feel in the hand of the ZVE1, btw, and its snappiness. Menus are beyond horrible, dumbed down and changing color profiles is a nightmare.
I feel she would be better off with the S9, but she is too deep into the sony lens ecosystem, and she loves the sony skin colors (I also like them, but no problem with Lumix).

I did a few hikes (yes, at 36-40C), some city visit (Granada, 38C), lots of beach.
The 28-200 is a champ. that lens with the 18 F1.8 for the rare ultra wide is a fantastic combo.
The 35 F1.8 is a great "low light- one lens" choice.
I cannot make myself like the 50 F1.8. It lacks something the 35 has.

I did not use the smallrig grip- against all Youtube info, I find it easy to grab the S9 barebones, also with the zooms. thumb on the thumb rest, middle and ring fingers resting next to the lens release, index on shutter. Same gripping as the lovely Pen F.

I found myself missing an easier exp. compensation than button+wheel (I do A mode). I wished there was a mode in "P" called "widest possible aperture" and then the wheel be exp. compensation.

It was an easier and lighter carry than anything I had prior, and with the 200mm I left the G9 mostly at home.

I think this camera will develop a cult following as it makes users happy and it comes against some wind. And it looks great. And the pics and videos are fantastic.
I just hope we will get the small Samyang F2.8 primes soon for a really small package.

I add a nice location in Granada to make your read worth the while.

• Panasonic - DC-S9
• LUMIX S 28-200/F4-7.1
• 28.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/800 sec
• Pattern
• Auto exposure
• ISO 100

 

[Pete_W]

Thanks for writing about your experience!

I agree that it's a capable little camera and fun to use. I am loving mine.

And great photo!

 

[xaviergut]

I did a few hikes (yes, at 36-40C), some city visit (Granada, 38C), lots of beach.

Excellent! I miss Spain, but the sommer temperatures in Andalucía (south of Spain) are a bit too much for me (I come from the north).

Just one question: did you experience any problem to focus with the screen and the very high luminosity in that extremely sunny region of Spain (or in the beach)?

 

[CH_CH]

Excellent! I miss Spain, but the sommer temperatures in Andalucía (south of Spain) are a bit too much for me (I come from the north).

Just one question: did you experience any problem to focus with the screen and the very high luminosity in that extremely sunny region of Spain (or in the beach)?

Two things I forgot.
Never once did it overheat, and no issues with the screen (at +3 backlight). No artificial lights issues, except in video in 1 location.
I grew up in the scorching heat so I do not mind it.
Ah, and of course red is the right color for the S9. Whoever has a different opinion is mad! except maybe blue.

 

[CharlesH]

I found myself missing an easier exp. compensation than button+wheel (I do A mode)

Isn't this the same as with the S5II? I thought it was okay. Obviously a direct dial like on Sony would be easier.

 

[CH_CH]

Isn't this the same as with the S5II? I thought it was okay. Obviously a direct dial like on Sony would be easier.

No, in the S5 one wheel (front) is the A control, then the real wheel is the exposure compensation.
Still it may be that there is a way, I will have to spend more time with the camera. But after vacation, not so much time...

 

[Nevyn72]

I think that Josh agrees with you:


But most of it has also the S5iiX, or will be with the nexy firmware update and for myself I cannot justify for this price a camera which doesn't have unlimited recording... Although I love the rest of the camera (I'm not bothered with no EVF).

But who knows, in a year of so if I can find a good deal (or win the lottery)

 

[Progresjon]

I found myself also prefering mine grip-less.

I did not use the smallrig grip- against all Youtube info, I find it easy to grab the S9 barebones, also with the zooms. thumb on the thumb rest, middle and ring fingers resting next to the lens release, index on shutter. Same gripping as the lovely Pen F.

 

[CharlesH]

I found myself also prefering mine grip-less.

I try grip-less now and then but I still prefer a grip. I use the Sirui grip; did not like the SmallRig one that much.

 

[Pete_W]

I try grip-less now and then but I still prefer a grip. I use the Sirui grip; did not like the SmallRig one that much.

Hi Charles,

What is the main difference with the Sirui grip compared with the Smallrig?

 

[dirk]

The smallrig is significantly smaller. I have not yet seen the Sirui in real life, because it is not available here in Japan.

The problem with the S9 are the lenses. Even the small Sigma 24/3.5 is relatively big and front heavy.

The S9 without any grip feels uncomfortable if you hold it the while day in your hand and/or if it is very warm outside and you sweat a little bit.

I will try to upload later a picture of the Smallrig

 

[Pete_W]

The smallrig is significantly smaller. I have not yet seen the Sirui in real life, because it is not available here in Japan.

The problem with the S9 are the lenses. Even the small Sigma 24/3.5 is relatively big and front heavy.

The S9 without any grip feels uncomfortable if you hold it the while day in your hand and/or if it is very warm outside and you sweat a little bit.

I will try to upload later a picture of the Smallrig

Thanks Dirk. I already have the Smallrig grip but I haven't used it much. I think it would be good if I am intending to walk around holding the camera for an extended period, as I did with the GX85+grip some years ago. This would work well with the 20-60mm lens.

However to date I have taken the S9 out in a small bag with three Sigma primes - 24mm f3.5, 45mm f2.8 and 90mm f2.8 - and I have put a Peak Design cuff wrist strap on the body so in this situation I don't need the grip as the camera is going into and out of the bag rather than being held for a period of time.

I don't find the Sigma lenses too heavy for the S9. I did try the very light LUMIX 26mm f8 pancake the other day, but it was in low light and I had a hard time nailing focus.

 

[CharlesH]

What is the main difference with the Sirui grip compared with the Smallrig?

I can't find a picture that shows it well, but the Sirui grip is quite a bit thicker. It is about 26mm thick, compared to the SmallRig at about 10mm. In other words it is about the same thickness as a S5II grip, and makes it feel about the same as a S5II. The SmallRig grip is better than nothing, but as I mentioned I didn't like it that much. The Sirui grip is available in the US on Amazon for $29.90 (this is $10 less than the SmallRig grip). I don't know about AU.

 

[Pete_W]

I can't find a picture that shows it well, but the Sirui grip is quite a bit thicker. It is about 26mm thick, compared to the SmallRig at about 10mm. In other words it is about the same thickness as a S5II grip, and makes it feel about the same as a S5II. The SmallRig grip is better than nothing, but as I mentioned I didn't like it that much. The Sirui grip is available in the US on Amazon for $29.90 (this is $10 less than the SmallRig grip). I don't know about AU.

Thanks Charles.

I am not sure I really need it given that I am not using the Smallrig grip very often. Amazon AU is saying the Sirui grip is out of stock and no info on if/when it will be available.

I can order directly from Sirui but the exchange rate is adverse for Australia at the moment making the AUD price $47, and Sirui's standard shipping is priced at $55 making the total cost of the grip $102!

 

[CharlesH]

making the AUD price $47, and Sirui's standard shipping is priced at $55 making the total cost of the grip $102!

Not worth it if you aren't going to use it. Here is a nice picture from the Sirui web site:

 

[Vrgard]

Thanks Dirk. I already have the Smallrig grip but I haven't used it much. I think it would be good if I am intending to walk around holding the camera for an extended period, as I did with the GX85+grip some years ago. This would work well with the 20-60mm lens.

However to date I have taken the S9 out in a small bag with three Sigma primes - 24mm f3.5, 45mm f2.8 and 90mm f2.8 - and I have put a Peak Design cuff wrist strap on the body so in this situation I don't need the grip as the camera is going into and out of the bag rather than being held for a period of time.

I don't find the Sigma lenses too heavy for the S9. I did try the very light LUMIX 26mm f8 pancake the other day, but it was in low light and I had a hard time nailing focus.

Pete, that sounds like a very nice 3 lens combo with the S9. If you don’t mind me asking, what small bag are you using to carry that gear?

 

[Pete_W]

Pete, that sounds like a very nice 3 lens combo with the S9. If you don’t mind me asking, what small bag are you using to carry that gear?

Hi @Vrgard. It's a should bag that I purchased about 4 years ago: Tenba Skyline 10. It looks like it's been superseded by a 'Version 2' that's a bit bigger and slightly different design, but I found a link to a camera store that still lists the Version 1 that I have: https://www.teds.com.au/tenba-skyline-10-shoulder-bag-black

It has two moveable dividers inside to create three sections and an external front zip-up section where I put a spare battery, lens cloth etc. At each end are elasticised net pockets. I put my iPhone in one of these.

The bag is actually a bit bigger than it needs to be for the size of the S9 and Sigma primes but it means I can also throw my sunglasses and prescription glasses in there too quite comfortably.