If you're watching this video, the autofocus has been updated and is even better now! Just be aware it'll look different, but function essentially the same on new cameras.
Great vid. As someone who just came from sony to the s5 ii, i noticed not as many lumix creators out there creating videos so glad i found you since im still learning the ins and outs of Panasonic.
Just came from Sony as well and suprinsingly I’m struggling with this camera to get an image that I like. I find most creators give Lumix a very washed out flat neutral look. Might just be me. Having a hard time with vlog
Dustin, I owe you one. I had my Af settings all wrong for talking head and the results were horrible. I was on the verge of selling the S5II and going with Sony, even though the Sony colors/skin tones don't look nearly as good as the Panasonic. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I used your Human settings and the Lumix was ROCK SOLID in AF. Sony is good too, but the skin tones don't look nearly as nice and natural, nor is it as easy to use as the Panasonic. Your video came just in time. Panasonic talking head AF worked perfectly, no hunting, and wonderfully locked on, You made my day!
Very happy to hear🙏 just a side note I can't remember if I mentioned it but if you shoot 6k with an external monitor connected it disables human detect. So shoot in 4k if you use one for best results!
Thank you! This video was a big help, I got a s5 iix for black Friday and your videos are coming in extremely handy, quick, well explaned and thoughtful.
Had my S5ii a week now it's amazing at AF. No need for a focus puller. Spend some time mastering the different modes and if you're not doing anything critical like a one shot deal you're good to go.
Thank you for this video Dustin. I just bought the S5ii used. When with the previous owner the autofocus worked fine. Went to a parade and the autofocus didn’t work ~30% of the time. This was suboptimal. I wa going to trade the S5ii in for a camera that autofocuses the LUMIX contrast DFD was slow sometimes. The DFD wobbled until it locked onto the subject. Ultimately the DFD worked. Not so fr the PDAF that so many of the reviewers talked about. The RU-vid how to set up videos are almost all video centric. I’m a photographer who sometimes does video clips. Lord knows there is a plethora of video choices. Many I don’t understand the difference between the choices. It is weird to me that the focus settings are to be found in the movie mode. Counter intuitive to me. Feedback. I think it is important for the viewer of this video to know where the function you are talking about is located. You show on the video where the function is very briefly and then move on. I had to watch the video and rewind several times and then stop the video to locate where you were in the menu. It would have been helpful, for me, if you continued showing the menu on the screen longer so I could locate the function you were talking about. Also verbalizing where you were in the menus would have helped. Saying I am now going to the movie mode, then focus, then AF CUSTOM Settings (video). Go to the dial and press the right side to get you into the choices available. I am hoping that the autofocus settings you suggest work for photography as well as video. After all, The autofocus settings are located in the movie camera icon section. I have set the focus up as you suggested and I’m going to take the camera out for a walk. I hope your suggestions help me with the autofocus. Lord knows, it couldn’t get much worse. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Any updates? My use case is similar to yours that the photography comes first and I am really curious about how the autofocus performance is in photography, especially after the release of firmware v3. If it is still unusable, I'll go with Sony A7 IV as it is 200€ more with Tamron 28-75mm or 28-200mm lenses compared to S5II + Sigma 24-70.
Yo thank you for that! I think you're the first person to do the super thank you! Really glad you found it helpful! There's definitely more videos like this always in the works!
Very helpful and reassuring on two fronts: 1) some new tools for utilizing autofocus when dealing with subjects in a busier settting; 2) I feel better as I'm swapping out some of my earlier Panasonic lenses for faster, (sometimes) smaller Sigma glass (Lumix 24-105 f/4 for the Sigma 28 28-70mm f/2.8 & Lumix 35mm f/1.8 for Sigma 35mm f/1.4).
Great advices Dustin It’s true that the phase detection AF of the S5ii is a great improvement over the S1 series. Owning S1 , S1R and S5ii I can clearly see the difference
Thanks , i've been looking at the Sony A& iv, Canon R6 ii, and of course the S5 ii, I have the OM-1 plus Pro lens for my birding but have been looking at a full from for landscape etc. Your uptake on this Camera has given me better insight into its full capability's in regards Auto focus as there have been bad press from some RU-vidrs in this regard . Cheers
I've been happy with the AF. It has quirks and sometimes needs to be babied, but all AF systems have their quirks. I think other RU-vidrs may just not have experience with the AF settings on lumix so it may just be user error. Don't know though 🤷♂️
This is a great lesson. As a long time Panasonic User, we are all noobs with AF...guess, it can be useful when I'm not that enthusiastic on a job haha.
Love my S1H cine rig, but terrible for light weight travel. Can't wait to pick up the S5iix to pair it with the RS3 Mini! I'm looking forward to finally having reliable AF.
You'll know the importance of constant preview ON/OFF option when you try long exposure/slow shutter shots, it's crazy if trying with Constant preview ON....
I'm saving a lot of videos on the S5ii since I am seriously considering picking it up, and/or the S5iix. I have subscribed in hopes that your channel will keep me up on the S5ii as well.
Great tips. Thanks so much. And - the intro video was beyond fabulous. I think I'll be switching systems and the S5IIX is a serious contender (for the time being, it's actually my favourite TBH). My question is - I suppose you can map focus lock to a custom button somewhere on the body? The reason why I'm asking this is (and BTW, I'm sure you noticed that autofocus did lose you some 6 minutes into the video, albeit for a second) that in certain situations, you want AF, but then when you know that your focus is in the zone and distance where your subject will remain, you don't want to risk distractions triggering wrong autofocus - for instance people walking in front of your subject or such? Or do you solve this somehow with the AF detection time (slow it down a lot) and/or distance setting?
No problem! Glad you enjoyed! So the camera tries to detect if you showcase something to the camera. That's why it sometimes loses focus because it tries to focus on my hands. You can turn down the subject shift sensitivity to combat this. However I've noticed when I do this that if the camera thinks it's on a person and I don't notice or while filming a youtube video as an example, it'll stay out of focus for a long time. Which I think is worse than it losing focus for a bit and coming back. I'm fairly certain though you can map AF Lock to a custom button. I haven't done it, but the camera is extremely customizable. Maybe try searching to see if another person has done it just to be safe. Overall though I'm very happy with the AF. Needs some improvements in lowlight AF performance but you can't go wrong with the S5IIX
Guys I found a 1/8 pro-mist filter really hurt the auto focus performance. Taking away the sharp edges of the subject cut auto focus performance by half. Took it back off and auto focus worked great again.
Great video! I've just had my S5ii arrive today but I am struggling to find the right recording settings for slow motion video. Did you use 4k 50p APS-C in order to get slow motion for the intro?
@@DustinArmstrongPro Amazing thought that was the case :) just got to get used to slowing the footage down by 50% in post. Been used to the GH5 with the variable frame rate.
@@jhydeweddings VFR is also available if you'd like to do that. I believe you need to be in S&Q mode. I don't usually use it because it will cut out sound
Yeah I've had a play around with that but the most annoying bit is the autofocus doesn't work continuously. The main reason why I moved from the GH5 was to have autofocus. So it's just a different style of editing for me to learn now :)
Great video!!! But on my S5ii the box of 1-area+ is possible to enlarge and reduce for only 1 step, instead with 1-area I can enlarge and reduce all. It's this normal or it's a problem of my camera?
Out of curiosity, would you happen to know why the AF Detection Setting would be greyed out? Can't access it no matter what mode I'm in. Stays greyed out. Thanks.
To be bluntly, honest, I can’t really imagine the Panasonic auto focus being as good as the Sony. I’ve been told the Sony is the best in the business. But I will be getting a demo soon and we will see. How about a video about the ibis and how good or bad that ?
Hey Dustin as someone who shoots weddings, I havent used my mk2 much, still getting used to it....what settings would you recommend for nailing focus bride walking down the aisle? Ps I would love that 85mm 😂😂
Hello, thank you for the video!🙂 Do you think this camera is worth buying for stills photography only? I have a very active little son, of whom I would like to make the pictures. At our flat is not much light so I have to takie it into consideration too. What do you think? There is only 300eur differences between S5II and a7iii so I have a headache😅
Yeah y'all need to subscribe so I can get that 50mm 1.2!! So I'm currently turning my s5ii in a full baby cinema camera. I have a planned shoot in may and I want a camera build that can take on almost anything.
Thank you for providing detailed examples and use case scenarios for the S5ii. Im looking forward to seeing how it compares to the S1. Have the lutz been tested on the S5ii, do they offer the same results?
@@ZoloDiezel This video was shot on the S5II and used one of my LUT's. You can use them with any camera after you apply a REC709 grade or use a standard picture profile
Is this a touch screen? Can I touch WHICH face I want it to focus on if there are multiple people? Can I tell it to track ANYthing by touching anywhere on the screen and letting it track whatever I touched on screen?
Yes. I forgot to show it but if there are more than 1 face you can select the other face with the joystick. Yes with the tracking mode enabled it can track anything
Great video , first wedding yesterday shooting on the s52 using 50 m f1.8 I was filming the Speeches with guests seated apart from the speaker as I wasn't to close fl wise I was experiencing a lot of the focus snapping to heads near towards the speaker I was in 1 area + human detect turned on kept wondering why I got home and checked my af settings both at max sensitivity at max I hoping that was the reason it was doing that ?
Bought my S5iiX a couple of weeks ago, still a little confused with all the auto-focus settings available... what overall setting would you choose for run-and-gun, travel videography?
Hi Dustin. What would you say is the best af setting for an artist drawing a picture, where you don't want the camera to focus on the moving hand, just the paper?
Hello, I bought a new 5II yesterday, how can I set the video to 6k, I only see 4K mov or mp4 in the video setting, no 6K displayed, I would be very grateful for your help, maybe a link from youtube or .. ... Best regards
Already Subscribed and always like... can I still be eligible for a lens??? Could always use that on my new S5IIX :-) Help, I can't find that download link to your personal settings, Paul.
Yep! Anybody who is subscribed is eligible. Announcing the winner next video. Link is in the description. You can also just copy what I do in the tutorial
To answer your question, yes and no. If you use S&Q mode you will lose phase detect. If you don't, you will still get phase detect. Here's a list for reference because it's confusing lol FF = Full-Frame APS-C = 1.5x Crop on Sensor Area DFD - Depth From Defocus PDAF - Phase Detection Autofocus 1920x1080 (FHD) 24/25/30fps FF → PDAF With Subject Detection 48/50/60fps APS-C → PDAF With Subject Detection 48/50/60fps FF → DFD With Subject Detection 100/120fps FF & APS-C →DFD With Subject Detection ANY* S&Q Mode - DFD Without Subject Detection *S&Q 180fps - Manual Focus Only 3840x2160 & 4096x2160 (4K & C4K) 24/25/30fps FF → PDAF With Subject Detection 48/50/60fps APS-C → PDAF With Subject Detection ANY* S&Q Mode - DFD Without Subject Detection 6K 16:9, 17:9 & 3:2 (Open Gate) With or without HDMI Plugged In 24/25/30fps FF → PDAF with Subject Detection (as of latest firmware) Hope this helps
I want great image for video and also I want convenience and future proof at the same time.. I am very new and have not invested in any camera brand but want to go either with Lumix or Sony... If you were me what would you choose and why??
The only disadvantage to lumix is they don't have as many lenses as Sony. But lumix has more features for a cheaper price. The AF is good probably second best to Sony. I personally prefer Lumix
Can you speak to the tracking mode? Should that not be used if you're doing a gimbal tracking shot of a human? There is also a "Lock" function when in tracking that I cant quite seem to figure out how it functions.
So far it has been shocking how a camera with such good video autofocus, could have such horrible photo/stills autofocus. Don't know if I'm doing something wrong or what.
Hi from Spain Dustin. Thanks for this amazing video. I'm about to order a S5m2x and wondering which is the best fit for me for video and stills in this order. I was about to order the cam with Sigma 24-70 but I found some bad reviews with old models. And then decided to search for S5m2 vidoe focus tests and foud you, Long story short, very happy to see your recomendation for any Sigma (Pana equivalent too expensive) and then, at the end of the video I saw your affordable 24-105 OIS f4 lens. Any thoughts? I heard is a better companion al rounder for video scenarios... Thx in advance man :)
Nice content and useful information for S5m2… just subscribed and keep in touch for the next videos. How it performs sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8? …some comments says lost focus in tracking. What about Sigma 28-70mm ? Thank you!
what tracking / focus mode is best for shooting products / drinks etc? i have it on full area, with human turned off but when filming shots of drinks being poured, the camera focuses more so on the hands rather than the drink pouring out.
What happens when s52 works in 4k 60fps crop mode. Does it use only subset of pixels(as it behaves as apsc)? Or uses all pixels and then crops to apsc? Just wondering low light performance behaviour when in 4k 60fps
Quick question, just picked up the camera today and your video is showing 180 degrees for the shutter speed. Mine says 15 degrees. I believe I changed it to double the fps but its still showing 15 degrees. Any idea?