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.
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 Flickr
