Archiver
Veteran
I'm delighted with the S5 for use with vintage lenses. If you read some of my earlier posts, there's a list of the lenses I've tried with it. The S5 has been my primary work camera for video lately, and pairing it with Minolta SR mount lenses, and the Summicron M 50 and Zeiss Distagon 35 has proven to work really well.
I haven't tried composing in X-pan aspect ratio, not sure if that is a framing option in the S5. But the 24mp files crop really well. IBIS on the S5 is pretty solid, although the G9's IBIS is better. I've read that the IBIS of the S5 is still better than the Sony A7S III and A7 IV, or is at least as good.
The Minoltas have a soft, low contrast look which is perfect for a slightly dreamy and romantic look, and the Summicron 50 and Distagon 35 look like straight-up cinema. Here are some images with the Distagon 35 and one with the Summicron 50 that I took lately:
S5 - Folding Space From Ix by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Runtime by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Melbourne Morning by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Standing with intention by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
More S5 images, this time with the Lumix S 50mm f1.8:
S5 - A Star With Balls by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - The Flying Elf by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - A Star With Balls by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - The Flying Elf by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
S5 with Minolta Rokkor MD 28mm f2.8
S5 - Gold and Blue by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 with Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 ZM
S5 - Indoor Garden by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Maples of Red by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Gold and Blue by Archiver, on FlickrS5 with Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 ZM
S5 - Indoor Garden by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Maples of Red by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
2021-2024 mini report:
I've been using the S5 as my primary video and stills camera for work for a few years so far, which involves shooting athletes in fast moving situations. The low light performance of this camera is insane - ISO 6400 underexposed can be pushed in Lightroom with no noise penalty. The files are like magic, especially compared with older full frame cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and Leica M9. The files have a 'thickness' which isn't present in most aps-c or m43 sensors that I've seen so far.
AI still prefer the grip and handling of the Panasonic G9, as the S5's grip feels a bit shallow and thin by comparison. I'd love for a future Panasonic full frame camera to return to that grip style, without the weight of the S1 series.
Autofocus with the S5 can be hit and miss. It's the reason why Panasonic moved from DFD contrast detection to hybrid phase/DFD in later models like the S5 II, G9 II and GH7. I find the most accurate autofocus comes from using single point AF, sometimes with human/face detection on, depending on the subject. The G9 focuses faster, especially when using Olympus Pro primes, but the tradeoff is in image quality and file malleability.
Lenses:
Legacy SLR lenses like Minolta Rokkor, Pentax M and Yashica C/Y play super well with the S5. M-mount lenses are a mixed bag depending on lens design, and native L mount lenses will usually display better optical characteristics. The Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4 MC, for example, has terrible focus plane curvature and distortion on the S5, but nothing like it on the M9. The Leica Summicron 50 v5 plays really well with the S5, and the Zeiss Distagon is quite close to M9 performance, too.
For some time, I used the Sigma 24-105mm f4 EF mount as primary workhorse lens for documentary video shooting. Although I am comfortable with manual focus, AF to acquire focus is very handy. AF on the Sigma was useless for stills, particularly fast paced action. The Sigma also was not parfocal by any stretch of the imagination. I bought a Panasonic 24-105 f4 which is so much better in those respects. AF is much faster and more accurate, making it useful for sports. The near-parfocal nature means I can acquire focus then zoom in or out without having to adjust focus much, if at all.
Currently, my general S5 kit is the 24-105 and 50/1.8. I don't use legacy lenses for sports work, but still use them on occasion for beauty/fashion/food when needs arise. In those cases, I go with Minolta Rokkor, especially the 35/2.8 MD v3 and 50/1.4 MC. I'd still like to build a set of Zeiss ZE primes as my Zeiss ZM lenses work a treat on the S5.
@shorelineae I've experimented with the x-pan aspect ratio and it is really fun! It's not my habitual aspect ratio, but the stills have a wonderful look to them. I'll post something later.
I've been using the S5 as my primary video and stills camera for work for a few years so far, which involves shooting athletes in fast moving situations. The low light performance of this camera is insane - ISO 6400 underexposed can be pushed in Lightroom with no noise penalty. The files are like magic, especially compared with older full frame cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and Leica M9. The files have a 'thickness' which isn't present in most aps-c or m43 sensors that I've seen so far.
AI still prefer the grip and handling of the Panasonic G9, as the S5's grip feels a bit shallow and thin by comparison. I'd love for a future Panasonic full frame camera to return to that grip style, without the weight of the S1 series.
Autofocus with the S5 can be hit and miss. It's the reason why Panasonic moved from DFD contrast detection to hybrid phase/DFD in later models like the S5 II, G9 II and GH7. I find the most accurate autofocus comes from using single point AF, sometimes with human/face detection on, depending on the subject. The G9 focuses faster, especially when using Olympus Pro primes, but the tradeoff is in image quality and file malleability.
Lenses:
Legacy SLR lenses like Minolta Rokkor, Pentax M and Yashica C/Y play super well with the S5. M-mount lenses are a mixed bag depending on lens design, and native L mount lenses will usually display better optical characteristics. The Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f1.4 MC, for example, has terrible focus plane curvature and distortion on the S5, but nothing like it on the M9. The Leica Summicron 50 v5 plays really well with the S5, and the Zeiss Distagon is quite close to M9 performance, too.
For some time, I used the Sigma 24-105mm f4 EF mount as primary workhorse lens for documentary video shooting. Although I am comfortable with manual focus, AF to acquire focus is very handy. AF on the Sigma was useless for stills, particularly fast paced action. The Sigma also was not parfocal by any stretch of the imagination. I bought a Panasonic 24-105 f4 which is so much better in those respects. AF is much faster and more accurate, making it useful for sports. The near-parfocal nature means I can acquire focus then zoom in or out without having to adjust focus much, if at all.
Currently, my general S5 kit is the 24-105 and 50/1.8. I don't use legacy lenses for sports work, but still use them on occasion for beauty/fashion/food when needs arise. In those cases, I go with Minolta Rokkor, especially the 35/2.8 MD v3 and 50/1.4 MC. I'd still like to build a set of Zeiss ZE primes as my Zeiss ZM lenses work a treat on the S5.
@shorelineae I've experimented with the x-pan aspect ratio and it is really fun! It's not my habitual aspect ratio, but the stills have a wonderful look to them. I'll post something later.
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JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
I’m several weeks into owning a new S5mk2, and loving it, primary use is video, but I’ve tinkered with adapting Minolta MD lenses and the files look really good, especially the 58/1.2.
Have you used your S5 for film scanning, and if so, what macro lens did you use? I’m thinking about the new LUMIX 100/2.8 macro lens but couldn’t find any YouTubers who’ve used it for scanning film.
Have you used your S5 for film scanning, and if so, what macro lens did you use? I’m thinking about the new LUMIX 100/2.8 macro lens but couldn’t find any YouTubers who’ve used it for scanning film.
shawn
Veteran
I scan my film with the S1R and the Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN macro. Works extremely well for scanning. All of the Sigma DG DN lenses are very very good and having an actual aperture ring is great.
gabrielelopez
Established
The S5 makes a lot of sense for the money. I have a big Nikon AI lenses serie that I will probably adapt to that when my dslr will die.
That or some chewed by a dog Sony that I can buy for nothing.
That or some chewed by a dog Sony that I can buy for nothing.
Archiver
Veteran
A few images taken at the tail end of lockdown in 2021, with the S5 and Minolta W Rokkor 35mm f2.8, MD III version. The Minolta 35 is a fairly compact and light lens, with mid level contrast and good sharpness. Hardly any distortion, either. It lacks the biting sharpness and juicy contrast of the Zeiss Distagon 35 ZM, but offers a pleasantly 'round' organic look which is excellent on a digital sensor.
S5 - Melbourne We Miss You by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Open For Takeaway by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Wine Is Always The Answer by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Melbourne We Miss You by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Open For Takeaway by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Wine Is Always The Answer by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
One from the Panasonic 50mm f1.8. This lens is sharp, the bokeh is smooth and pleasant, and is overall a very worthwhile lens.
S5 - Groups and Charters by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Groups and Charters by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
More S5 photos with the Panasonic 50mm f1.8
S5 - Red Wedding by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - He Stares in Silence by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Geetar by Archiver, on Flickr
S5 - Red Wedding by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - He Stares in Silence by Archiver, on FlickrS5 - Geetar by Archiver, on Flickr