Panasonic S1 and S1R for the flightdeck ?

[SkyTeam]

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12 hours ago, Bob Andersson said:

I retired 17 years ago but with 30 years as an airline pilot under my belt could I offer a contrary view? Do you really want to lug 2 kg of camera gear around in your flight bag?

Unless you expect to be shooting in low light situations, need to print very large or need the extra stop or two of dynamic range a m4/3rds camera might be a better choice. Both the body and the glass are comparatively lightweight while still capable of great images, particularly if you opt for the better lenses. And yes, lenses in the plural as you'll have space in the bag for several. Just a thought...

 

11 hours ago, jaapv said:

Exactly why I advised the CL. The quality argument is spurious - all cameras from 4/3rds upwards are capable of an image quality that was undreamt of a few years ago. APS-C is so close to full-frame as to be indistinguishable for any normal use.

 

8 hours ago, mmradman said:

For close quarters photography you really need extreme wide, preferably zoom as you may get bored of a fixed focal length.

if you need quality in compact size with AF and video capability I would suggest to consider Nikon Z6 with 14-30mm f4 zoom, it will be well below your budget and more importantly compact and lightweight.  To stay in a spirit of the Leica forum you can easily attach M lens via suitable adaptor, M lenses are also very compact but require manual focusing.

Panasonic full frame is a brick. Only wide lens fitting to shooting in cramped aircraft cockpit would be Leica L 16-35mm zoom, that lens itself exceeds your budget. Providing you can absorb the cost of Leica zoom you end up with two bricks.

Alternative to full frame would be APS-C, format, as suggested, Leica CL with wide zoom starting at 11mm or 16.5 full frame equivalent FL (1.5 x FL).  Not sure about the price of the camera and lens in relation to your target budget.

Thank you guys for the advice and yes it makes definitely sense. I googled it and most of the sides recommend the Nikon D500 for the APS-C format. Would you also recommend it ?

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[jaapv]

Surely a formidable camera. However, you are asking on a Leica forum. Personally I would take the CL any day, if only because I prefer the Leica IQ. Better is not an issue for either camera, but nothing matches the way that Leica lenses render. And I find the Leica user interface superior.

[mmradman]

8 hours ago, mmradman said:

For close quarters photography you really need extreme wide, preferably zoom as you may get bored of a fixed focal length.

if you need quality in compact size with AF and video capability I would suggest to consider Nikon Z6 with 14-30mm f4 zoom, it will be well below your budget and more importantly compact and lightweight.  To stay in a spirit of the Leica forum you can easily attach M lens via suitable adaptor, M lenses are also very compact but require manual focusing.

Panasonic full frame is a brick. Only wide lens fitting to shooting in cramped aircraft cockpit would be Leica L 16-35mm zoom, that lens itself exceeds your budget.

Nikon D500:is APS-C DSLR, similar in size and weight to Full Frame D850 or D750 models. No idea how good D500 is for cockpit photography, probably better suited for long reach like safari or football field, it can shoot at high frame rate, all modern cameras can do video, except contemporary M10 but it open to debate whether modern or retro, lol.

If you are buying for the first time without legacy baggage you may as well go for the latest mirrorless, currently you get good deals in Germany among few other EU countries. I would repeat my earlier suggestion, Nikon Z with wide zoom.

[jaapv]

I agree, Godfrey. Nowadays mirrorless is first choice over DSLR.

[bags27]

Overall, for IQ and form, I'd go with the Nikon Z. Outside of the Leica, it is significantly the easiest mirrorless to use. But it does have some tracking issues to resolve, and in that regard the Canon mirrorless might be best for your needs right now and it has dual card slots, while the Nikon is slot-challenged. The Panasonic is just so big. Having said that, were it me, I'd buy the Nikon Z6.

[Boojay]

8 hours ago, bags27 said:

Overall, for IQ and form, I'd go with the Nikon Z. Outside of the Leica, it is significantly the easiest mirrorless to use. But it does have some tracking issues to resolve, and in that regard the Canon mirrorless might be best for your needs right now and it has dual card slots, while the Nikon is slot-challenged. The Panasonic is just so big. Having said that, were it me, I'd buy the Nikon Z6.

I tried the Canon EOS R for a while, pretty sure it doesn't have dual card slots, think that has been one of the bigger complaints thrown at it, was a non issue for me however. I would give my vote, especially if looking at APS-C to the CL.

[frame-it]

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11 hours ago, jaapv said:

 Personally I would take the CL any day, if only because I prefer the Leica IQ. Better is not an issue for either camera, but nothing matches the way that Leica lenses render.

makes sense if shooting out the window...but a night view from the cockpit? id go with a huewei p30 on a tripod 😁

[mmradman]

Dual card slot is so overrated, especially with latest cameras fitted with XQD.  Unless you need 100% piece of mind one slot is fit for purpose. Since my first digital camera in 2002 never had any issues with cameras with CF, SD or now XQD, with one exception.

Only time i ever had any memory card issues was with Leica M9 and even than double card slot would probably mean double the trouble as problems were more camera than SD card related.  For those not familiar M9 worked OK with limited number of SD cards. Other cameras would work with SD card brands of varied quality with less of a hick-up. 

[mmradman]

3 minutes ago, frame-it said:

makes sense if shooting out the window...but a night view from the cockpit? id go with a huewei p30 on a tripod 😁

Talking of Huewei Google is withdrawing Android Op System support under the pressure form the POTUS.

[Bob Andersson]

While I initially pointed towards the micro four-thirds system I'd also second the Leica CL. Lots of reviews out there but here's a quick overview which, while not the most thorough, might help:

Back when I was a newbie pilot I seemed to find other things to spend my hard-earned on and in those days I was only a few years on from using plate cameras for hobbyist astro work - integrated circuits were pretty esoteric stuff and personal computers were folk you might have hired at your local job centre. 🙂

But if the Leica CL in budget then why not? Loads of street cred although flashing around a more expensive camera than the skipper owns might result in fewer sectors. 🤣

[250swb]

I agree with what Godfrey has said, the Nikon Z6 or especially Z7 is the way to go. The kit 24-70mm lens is superb, the quality so good it must be a loss leader in my  mind to get people into the system. There is no crop factor with using Leica M lenses if you have any, it's supremely customisable, very high quality high ISO, in camera stabilisation even with manual lenses, it's smallish, 48mp (Z7), and you can get adapters to mount almost any SLR, DSLR, or rangefinder lens.