subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 6 July 2019
perfect image. I also found that I was
editing and processing a fair amount
when out and about on my iPhone X
and iPad Pro. The Panasonic Lumix
Sync app works exceptionally well,
allowing raw files to be transferred
over Wi-Fi, along with remote control
among other features. I’m still stunned
that I can process raw files from the
S1R on an iPhone using LR Mobile.
The contrast-based Depth from
Defocus autofocus technology on
the S1R has worked almost flawlessly
during my several months of use –
shooting news, portraits, street and
close-up work. I must admit to being
sceptical of any recognition AF mode.
I had always thought such modes were
gimmicks and had never used them.
At the press launch of the S series in
Barcelona, I tried facial recognition and
was instantly sold on it. The face and
eye detection work extremely well, even
in low light or with moving subjects.
I’ve found the drawing of a box on
recognised bodies and faces, with faintMost importantly for me, the sensor
produces both gentle and true colours,
picking up subtleties and tonal ranges
wonderfully. I’m a photographer and
not a technical type when it comes to
equipment – for me cameras are tools
that I need to help me do my job of
storytelling with accuracy, subtlety
and dependability. However, I found it
reassuring to read the technical folks
at DxOMark report that ‘the S1R’s
full-frame CMOS sensor achieves an
exceptional overall DxOMark score of
100, which is one the best results
we’ve seen among all the sensors in
our database’. While happy with my
aesthetic conclusions, having scientific
corroboration is not to be sniffed at.
I also found that the S1R’s file quality
helped me capture every nuance
and presented me with a raw file that
allowed me process it to how I saw and
felt that moment. The camera does the
scene justice and Lightroom does the
raw file justice. The multiple raw presets
make a great first step to processing a
crossed lines on the foremost eye, very
intuitive to use. Crucially, if a face isn’t
detected, the system immediately
focuses on the point in the frame
closest to you. What I’ve also found very
helpful is the ability to tap the joystick
and set my own AF point immediately,
without having to go to the menu and
come out of face detection first.
However, the camera is not a
professional sports camera, nor does it
pretend to be. If you’re photographing
professional sports, there are better
choices on the market (my choices
would be the Sony Alpha 9, Canon
EOS-1D X Mark II or Nikon D5). I found
when photographing a horse and rider
galloping, my hit rate was considerably
lower that what I would consider
acceptable professional results. It works,
but not constantly enough. At full gallop,
with the subject moving straight at me
(admittedly a challenging scenario), I
was getting roughly 50% in focus with
the Lumix S Pro 70-200mm F4 OIS.
Having said this, one big advantage
of contrast-based AF is the ability to
update it via firmware. It’s also worth
keeping in mind that I was shooting
with firmware version 1.0 on both the
camera and lens, so it's early days and
one hopes that this will improve.
The camera’s 5,760k-dot OLED EVF
(with multiple magnifications of x0.7,
0.74 and 0.78) is nothing short of
spectacular. As a spectacle wearer,
I have no issues seeing the entire
frame. It’s a pin-sharp viewfinder‘For me cameras are tools that I need to help me
do my job of storytelling with accuracy’