I just picked up the S5II for a wedding shoot I have coming up in Chicago next month and I am trying to figure out what to prioritize with my last $350. I keep seeing the SmallRig Black Mamba cage recommended everywhere but then some guys on Reddit say it makes the camera way too bulky for long handheld days so I am stuck. My logic was to grab a couple extra batteries because I heard the new autofocus system really eats through them but then I saw a post saying a top handle is essential for low angles. I am just not sure if I should go for ergonomics or power first... what are you guys actually using day to day?
Just saw this thread and felt like I had to jump in because I went through the same dilemma last summer. Weddings are a total marathon and $350 vanishes instantly if you arent careful. I remember doing a ceremony where I thought I had plenty of storage, then realized midway through the vows that my bitrates were way higher than I calculated. It is a total nightmare when that red light starts flashing. I really struggled between sticking with internal cards or going for an SSD setup for my S5II. Here is how I saw it:
Congrats on the S5II! You are gonna love it for weddings, the phase detect is honestly a game changer for video. Since you have only got $350, you gotta prioritize power first because those wedding days in Chicago can be brutal. I usually skip the official batteries and grab the Wasabi Power DMW-BLK22 2-Pack and Charger to save a ton of cash. They work fantastic and leave you with plenty of extra room in the budget! Regarding the cage, the SmallRig Black Mamba Cage for LUMIX S5 II is actually super sleek and barely adds weight imo. I would definitely grab that plus a simple SmallRig Top Handle with Cold Shoe Mount for those low angle shots during the reception. It makes a huge difference for ergonomics and you will still have money left over for some fast SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II cards. Good luck with the shoot, it is gonna be amazing!
👆 this
Regarding what #1 said about "Congrats on the S5II! You are gonna love it...", it is a solid piece of kit, but unfortunately the power management is a significant step back for professional use. I had issues with the camera draining cells much faster than the original S5, especially with the active cooling and PDAF running constantly. It was not as good as expected during long ceremonies. For a Chicago wedding, you need a methodical approach to your power and storage rather than just adding bulk with a cage.