Geoff Bassett commented about the SL2 video issues here:Are any of you using a SL series body for video? I picked up a used battery grip to help with the large Sigmas but also because I’ve heard about issues shooting video with only the single battery in the body. I’m considering two new Kastar batteries to devote to the SL2, right now I have the one that came with it plus the one in my Q2M which I’d rather not use for this.
The issue I’ve identified is that there are no good fitted Arca Swiss type plates for the battery grip, and the tripod socket is offset to the rear of the bottom which makes most generic plates suboptimal. I’ve seen mention of using a USB-C battery pack when doing video, supposedly if it’s one that does PD it will work for this. I’m curious if anyone here has tried it.
I’m still surprised the aftermarket didn’t address it - I picked up a used RRS SL2 L plate, but from what I can tell they never offered any kind of bottom only plate for the battery grip.The camera with a battery grip on a tripod was not the intended use of the battery grip, thus I doubt there was much thought given to using a plate for the SL cameras with the grip mounted. Other than extra battery life, it provides no advantage on a tripod, and an L-bracket is more useful for tripod use. If longer duration, uninterrupted video is the concern, using a portable power bank via the USB-C connection on the lower corner of the SL2 and SL2-S cameras gives you as much shooting time as you need without the battery grip on or off a tripod.
The SL series didn't/doesn't have the same amount of video market that would prompt aftermarket companies to make accessories. There are only two companies that I know of that make a cage for the SL2S - one is ludicrously expensive, and the other quite expensive. There are at least three, maybe four companies that make inexpensive cages for the Panasonic S5 variants.I’m still surprised the aftermarket didn’t address it - I picked up a used RRS SL2 L plate, but from what I can tell they never offered any kind of bottom only plate for the battery grip.
In this scenario, I would try to SL2 first, using your intended codec and settings, recording a scene in the garden or wherever. Try this with the battery at descending levels of charge to see if there is an issue. If there is, use a powerbank and the L plate rather than the grip.’d still like to find a workable way of doing it with the battery grip, most of my video is short (less than five minutes per scene) with completely different setups for each scene, often miles apart - with setup under time pressure.
With that big Sigma 105/1.4 lens at over 3.6 lbs, plus the other fast lens and SL2, the backpack idea seems like a very good option!1) will be a spare Domke F2 I have, 3) may be a Rickshaw Small Zero Messenger with an insert I’m considering but 2) is going to be tougher - I may end up with a backpack due to the 105 being the size of a mid 70s station wagon.
That’s my thinking. The 40 is a chonk, too.With that big Sigma 105/1.4 lens at over 3.6 lbs, plus the other fast lens and SL2, the backpack idea seems like a very good option!
This is quite annoying. I had carpal tunnel release surgery Thursday and the act of using a camera is still a little painful. I want to get out and use the new SL2 and lenses! Maybe I should rent a cat for an in-house subject.
I’ve been keeping busy setting up bags. My thought is to keep several ready to go, just move the body over to the lens kit that’s being used:
1) M bag with 21/35/75 and SL2 with L plate
2) Sumo bag with Sigma 40/1.4, 105/1.4 and SL2 with battery grip (plus a supply of ibuprofen)
3) Simple general purpose AF bag with Sigma 24-70/2.8 II and SL2 with L plate
1) will be a spare Domke F2 I have, 3) may be a Rickshaw Small Zero Messenger with an insert I’m considering but 2) is going to be tougher - I may end up with a backpack due to the 105 being the size of a mid 70s station wagon.
A friend of mine has taken to using a rollaway bag rather than a backpack or shoulder bag for such loads. (I bought one too, a Pelican 1500 series case, but haven't taken it out much. 🙂 ...)I’m used to a heavy bag, but this is ridiculous. (My work bag decades ago was two motorized F2s, a third body and six lenses 20mm through 300mm. My current “main” bag is a Z9 with 14-24/28, 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8.) I just don’t want to be restricted to using these Sigmas one at a time or out of the trunk. I think a sling bag/backpack might be the best way, not hanging it all off one shoulder.
That’s good to hear! One of my oldest bags is a Tenba, it’s almost 45 years old and going strong.I have 3 Tenba DNAs including the 16. I like them all and Tenba is my most used bag brand. The 16 holds my S1R with a zoom plus 2 lenses either side no problem.