There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
1) Are you expecting to also shoot professional video? In that case check out the basic video features (like headphone jack) of the camera and also cinema ecosystem for that body. Are there cine lenses I can mount directly or will I need an adapter? Are their cages and grips?
2) Are you shooting RAW or do you want to use JPEGs without much post-editing? That might sway you tho a certain image tuning of a brand. Canon EOS 5D has a different JPEG color tuning than Nikon, Sony, Leica. You can rent different systems and try them out or read the reviews and look at test images. I personally prefer Leica color, then Canon. Also by renting systems you can get an idea of what it's like to carry the body and pro-level zoom around all day.
3) What kind of lens systems are available - It's nice to be able to have the option of using Tokina, Sigma or Tamron lenses. Also do you have friends or partners that are heavily invested in a certain system and could borrow lenses instead of paying $$$ to rent that 300mm F2.8 for one event?
4) A lot of people will say Sony a7 series because it is such a hell of a package of technology for the price. I shot A7r III and it is a fantastic camera and the new G lenses are great. If I were buying Sony again, A7 III would be enough and I'd have more than a grand in my pocket to apply to a G lens.
Good luck Steve