Essential accessories for a Panasonic Lumix S5II camera setup?

Question

I finally pulled the trigger on the Lumix S5II for a docu-style project I'm filming around Seattle next month and honestly I'm a bit overwhelmed. I've been reading up on it and everyone says to get V90 SD cards because they're essential for the high bitrates but then some people say V60 is plenty for most things so I'm stuck there. I'm also debating if I need a cage or a top handle for handheld work because the IBIS is supposed to be amazing on this thing but I don't know if that's enough for a professional look. I have maybe $400 left to spend after buying the body and the 20-60mm kit lens so what should I prioritize first to make this a solid rig...

DelicieuxDan · Accepted Answer

> everyone says to get V90 SD cards because they're essential for the high bitrates but then some people say V60 is plenty for most things The bitrate requirement depends on your needs for specific codecs. If you plan on shooting 4K All-Intra at 600 or 800 Mbps, V90 is mandatory. For standard LongGOP, which is what most people use for docu work anyway, V60 is a decent option and saves a lot of money. I personally recommend getting one SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB V90 SDXC for high-end clips and a ProGrade Digital 256GB V60 SDXC Gold for general b-roll. Regarding the rig, IBIS is great but a cage is still a solid investment for handheld stability. I would go with the SmallRig 4022 Cage for Panasonic Lumix S5 II and a SmallRig 1638 Top Handle. It provides better ergonomics for a long shoot... plus you get mounting points for a shotgun mic. This setup fits easily in your 400 budget and honestly, it makes the camera much easier to handle in the field.

CelestialShade · Answer

Been thinking about your setup... Im always worried about missing focus on those tiny screens, so Ive been happy using the Atomos Shinobi 5-inch HDMI Monitor. It works well for checking exposure in Seattles flat light with that 1000 nit brightness. No complaints at all. Its usually $299 and honestly, the peace of mind is worth the extra weight when reliability is key.

zgqmlkommr · Answer

Unfortunately, relying on just the IBIS for a whole doc is risky, I learned that the hard way. Are you shooting many interviews or just run-and-gun? Honestly, that kit lens is kinda disappointing in Seattles grey light. Id skip the pricey cards and grab a SmallRig S5II Camera Cage 4022 and a Rode VideoMic Pro+ Shotgun Microphone because the internal sound is just not as good as expected.