Erik Naso

I was all in with MFT from the AF-100 to the GH cameras. I sold my GH4 and all my MFT lenses last year. The A7 Sony cams just had me. I feel noise was a issue and not liking what ISO1600 looked like made me move. Hopefully Panasonic can clean up the image in the next version because I really feel that is more important than resolution.    

I was all in with MFT from the AF-100 to the GH cameras. I sold my GH4 and all my MFT lenses last year. The A7 Sony cams just had me. I feel noise was a issue and not liking what ISO1600 looked like made me move. Hopefully Panasonic can clean up the image in the next version because I really feel that is more important than resolution.    

dagmar!!!

Wow! Those samples are impressive. The next generation a7r and a7s are are going to be insane. 

This is crazy! I bought the update so I don't feel bad getting it early. :-D
If you like pictures I did a how to do it post here.
http://eriknaso.com/2015/09/15/huge-mistake-makes-v-log-l-free-on-panasonic-gh4/
Hard part is that dang app! PITA.

Yes the A7s is hard to judge exposure with. I found using zebras is the best way to protect the highlights. If you set them at 100 IRE and you see them adjust your exposure a little until they are gone. 
 
The histogram works from left to right as opposed to a waveform.
You will know if you're clipping when a straight line on the right starts creeping up. same goes with crushing the blacks but on the left.I cant upload an image so >here is a link 

I did the update and it went very smoothly. I had to do it at work since I dont have a PC in this mac family :-D 
 
I didn't see any improvements as far as auto focus goes so I think it's a bug fix update and I'm good with that!
 
I'm taking the A7s with my EOS lenses to Yosemite for a week and looking forward to shooting at night with the stars and hiking during the day. Waterfalls make some nice footy! Should be a fun time with the A7s and the GH4 too!

Yes the A7s is hard to judge exposure with. I found using zebras is the best way to protect the highlights. If you set them at 100 IRE and you see them adjust your exposure a little until they are gone. 
 
The histogram works from left to right as opposed to a waveform.
You will know if you're clipping when a straight line on the right starts creeping up. same goes with crushing the blacks but on the left.I cant upload an image so >here is a link 

Thanks Erik, I figured the same.  Just worried that if/when I would get the Shogun it would still not output 4K in NTSC.  I'm gonna try calling Sony and report back.  
 
By the way, thanks for all the great info you are contributing on the A7s.  We all really appreciate it!

I agree with this tip Erik, histogram is essential I think in S-LOG. Not the way I usually work, prefer to go by eye but too risky in S-LOG mode to do that off the LCD, it is just too flat. Nice even spread in the histogram is what is needed. Prefer it to zebra because I find if I expose S-LOG for the highlights, when I grade it far too much of the image is pushed into the highs. Don't waste the left half of the histogram by exposing too far to the right.

Yes the A7s is hard to judge exposure with. I found using zebras is the best way to protect the highlights. If you set them at 100 IRE and you see them adjust your exposure a little until they are gone. 
 
The histogram works from left to right as opposed to a waveform.
You will know if you're clipping when a straight line on the right starts creeping up. same goes with crushing the blacks but on the left.I cant upload an image so >here is a link 

You sir are very welcome. I have been testing the gamma and color mode this weekend trying to really understand what is going on. Ever read the Sony manual? Horrible! Check out this post and scroll down to Picture Profiles. 
I'm working next on Color Mode. This camera is tricky to setup and has settings similar to the Sony pro cameras that I'm not very familiar with, so it's a whole new learning curve but it sure is fun!

Erik, I follow your blog. I buy much of what you say from the perspective of a fellow working cameraman who pays his mortgage with TV work. Many of the user unfriendly features become a deal breaker on field. While acceptable for the personal art project, when the meter's running high, delays with gear futzing or failure loses you clients fast.  I'll probably end up getting an A7s but won't use it for work until it's rigged right. I use on board monitors with DSLR's because I'm expected to get virtually everything in focus. So I'd go the Shogun route. Now if I can find a reliable way to secure HDMI.

Ha! Thats pretty funny!
I'm not "narrow-sighted in the least. Maybe you should check out the rest of my blog eriknaso.com. I write more about other stuff than just cameras.
 
I wrote about what I felt are issues with the A7s for me and I'm finding that others do feel the same. Not everyone of course. The single biggest issue is the price. It's a hybrid camera so for me I want it to work as one. If it only becomes a video tool then I prefer other cameras to use. I actually want to keep it for it's strengths but to really get the most from the A7s I would have to spend a whole lot more on Sony lenses to take full advantage of auto focus for stills and maybe even video. I think I made that pretty clear in my article. 
 
A little about that "Erik guy." I'm a broadcast DP in San Diego. I work in local broadcast shooting commercials and news image promos. I use a lot of different cameras to get the job done. At work it's the C300 and C100. I just added the GH4 too. I have lots of lenses for it since I also used to shoot with the AF-100. 
 
My thinking in writing the article was a wake up call for myself. It's good to know the bad things too right? Good to know how much you need to invest to get the camera usable for you right? Thats pretty much it. Thanks for reading the article.