Trek of Joy

17 hours ago, kye said:

I completely disagree.  Unless it's got poor IQ (which we haven't seen yet) or you're talking about brand anxiety and status on set, it's actually a superior option in many cases, because its competitor is not a shoulder rig, it's competition is a ronin / easyrig combo because it has a z-axis stabiliser:

or perhaps even a ronin / steadicam, depending on how easy it is to do big vertical moves:

Amusingly, Hollywood seems to be voting against you, as the default approach for high-end cinema appears to be stabilised unless otherwise required, rather than the other way around, which seems to be your preference.

I find that one of the fastest ways to make footage look amateur is to have the cameras location (not rotation) shake.  ie, IBIS and gimbals stabilise the cameras rotation so the image doesn't move around, but the cameras position often shakes giving that terrible effect of having the background stay stable and the items in the foreground shake due to the parallax error.  

Hollywood doesn't do parallax shake because the camera is on sticks / crane / slider which controls the cameras location, or on the shoulder of someone standing still which provides more rotational movement than location movement, or on a steadicam where the cameras location is very fluidly controlled.  The only exception is when "hand held" was in the brief, in which case it's appropriate.

I film exclusively hand-held for all my projects using IBIS, which is appropriate to their aesthetic, but I try and avoid moving the camera at all while filming to avoid the shaky parallax error.

Tragically, this level of innovation is not remarkable.  In any other tech sector, this would be normal.  The only reason this stands out is because the rest of the industry is lazy and complacent.  I include companies like Panasonic in this comment.  

The industry has lowered our expectations dramatically to the point where the only ones we actually complain about (eg, Canon) are, when compared to other tech sectors, positively comatose.

Imagine an app developer coming out with a big release - "here's version 48 or our app - it's got 25% more resolution than v47 but as usual the 16 most significant issues are unchanged, just like every other release since the first version of our app over a decade ago".  The camera industry will get eaten by tech companies eventually, and it can't happen soon enough TBH!

Yes, the micro incremental updates we get helps to make this look pretty amazing. It’s certainly disruptive and makes some of the offerings from Sony and Canon look like a joke. I always like to see someone trying to raise the bar, it forces the lazy giants to unlock more of the potential from the next camera. But that’s also the forced upgrade path, which also sucks.

cheers 

chris

I’m on the fence, while it’s certainly a big upgrade over the a7III, the rolling shutter is still pretty bad. I like the new processor, the new AF, 10-bit and the bump to 33mp, plus some of the smaller details like animal eye AF, the shutter closing so the sensor isn’t exposed when switching lenses (Sony’s are dust magnets) and the full size hdmi. But even with the killer new processor and faster media it’s still a bit behind the competition with 10fps and the 60p crop. The readout is still slow. Makes me think the a9III is looming with the stacked version of this sensor that will do more 4k without a crop and probably 6k. Makes sense with the a1 being priced so much higher.

I’m going to get in on the preorder just to try and get an early copy and then make a decision like I did with the r5. And I’ll probably be able to sell it in a couple months for no loss with everything in such short supply.
 

cheers 

chris 

Still no word on some of the finer details like RS, number of AF points and so on. Sony has a dual pixel like AF patent, but I get the feeling that would first surface on the a9III before the pedant cameras get it  

Been wanting a mp bump for awhile along with Sony’s latest AF to replace my a7III. And after using the a7sIII for a year, anything with the old processor and menus feels really slow and old - not to mention the massively upgraded touchscreen capability. Real time tracking is such a big step forward AF-wise. If the 10-bit 422 is legit I’ll be upgrading. 
 

chris

DJI deserves a giant high five for this. No single feature is super innovative. The r5 shoots 8k raw after all. But it’s the kitchen sink approach - two different sensors, a ton of ND’s, prores raw internal, multiple media options including two that aren’t DJI proprietary, swappable lens mounts, the 4-axis, the LiDAR AF, the crazy amount of customization with the grips and the external monitors. They didn’t hold anything back and created a pretty slick ecosystem. Kit out the a7sIII with a Ninja, RS2 gimbal, ND’s, cage, XLR’s and so on and you’re pretty close to the 6k version. Too bulky for me as I mostly work out of a 40l backpack. Hopefully the x9 camera finds its way onto a drone. That would interest me since the x5/7 are really long in the tooth. 
 

Chris

On 7/16/2021 at 4:39 AM, Oliver Daniel said:

 

In my opinion the A7S3 is the best camera you can buy on a price / quality / features ratio. It's so versatile and really fun to shoot with. You can focus more on the story and worry less about the gear. 

Honestly, I think it's one of the best releases we've seen in terms of cameras, ever. 

It speaks volumes about how many people moaned about the camera being "too safe" - what? They absolutely smashed it and gave us way more than expected. Do people want the camera to fry their eggs too? 😂

They need to merge the cameras completely, get the EVF flipping up, increase the screen size and deliver an even more robust and sexy 4k image. That will be the one. 

Agreed. I really like shooting with the a7sIII, it just makes getting the shot so effortless and I love the image. Handling is the best of any Sony body to date. They nailed the ergos. I added the smallrig cage and Nitze top handle - overall its a nice little package that's easy to add a monitor, mics or whatever. Class leading AF, low rolling shutter, 10-bit color, great in low light, and 120fps is everything I need in a camera. Its great handheld, on sticks or on a gimbal.

I do wish Sony would get the WB in custom modes sorted since I have my 1/2/3 set for fast switching between 24/60/120p. Internal ND's and a bigger/brighter LCD would be nice on a beefed up FX3 - maybe a FX4?

I've used it a lot since it was released, I'm still really happy with the camera and not lusting after anything else for video - except maybe the a1 since I shoot a lot of stills and would love 50mp LOL! Looking forward to what the a7IV brings as the a7III is now mostly for photo's and my b-cam or backup to the a7sIII.

Chris

I've used this one for a lot of talking head stuff with one of the ipad prompter apps. Its a little clunky to setup and you need a sturdy tripod as its kind of heavy and the size makes it awkward, but it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/Glide-Gear-TMP100-Adjustable-Teleprompter/dp/B019AJOLEM/ref=asc_df_B019AJOLEM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312066954908&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9592358752520061344&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012073&hvtargid=pla-524458036017&psc=1

Chris

40 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

Sorry I don't think so somehow. Why would they go to all the expense of an 8K capable camera only to decide to go with the 4K one instead later... They are clear on product strategy before they reach prototype stage. I know this for a fact as have worked with the camera companies.

Fuji's processing pipeline and that silly Xtrans could make 8k a challenge - we know both are processor intensive. If they can't get more than a few minutes of record time or any other issues, it would make sense to have something like an oversampled 6k camera with higher 4k frame rates. That would give them the edge over other APS-c alternatives.

It'll be interesting to see if they adopt dual function card slots like Sony's to allow for higher bitrates and such or any external raw options. If Nikon can do raw, Fuji needs to be in that space.

Personally I hope they go with a Bayer array and make the controls more like the GFX cameras. Stop with the dedicated ISO and SS knobs that can't cover the entire range and just make them customizable dials.

Chris

$1500 for that same ugly/chunky form factor from the Ninja V, a massive hardware upgrade with an equally massive bezel. Awesome capability, but I'll stick with the regular Ninja V - which occasionally goes on sale for $500, that's when I picked one up.

Chris

On 4/12/2021 at 10:39 PM, MicahMahaffey said:

The fixed apature is how DJI prevents this from replacing the pro 2

Although I am curious if a pro 3 is on the way. 

I'm betting on it essentially being an air 2s with apature control and possibly 8k.  

 

It would take a completely different sensor to go 8k since that's just over 33mp, so far we haven't seen anything that high rez from the 1" sensor. DJI has ProRes and raw on the older Inspire cameras, seems like that's a way to stay "pro" with the Pro 3 in addition to 4k60p.

Personally I hope they go m43 and higher framerates/bitrates with pro 3.

I had high hopes for the new drone, but the fixed aperture kills the Air 2s for me, I need manual exposure.

Chris

On 4/9/2021 at 9:06 PM, gethin said:

Yep I thought about that but used z7s are still about $3k in Aus, I saw a used a7rii yesterday for $1000!  

I figure I can get an autofocus lens adaptor. And still be ahead. But yes matching the colours might be interesting.  I probably should find some RAWS and footage to play with before I jump in.   

That's a huge difference, makes the a7rII a no-brainer if its mostly for stills, the difference means more lenses LOL!

Chris

I've used the $200 Glide Gear many times with an ipad prompter app - its been very handy despite being a bit clunky and surprisingly heavy. Its easy to setup and get right to shooting. Cue cards don't look as natural since the talent isn't looking right into the lens, if you're having people read stuff regularly, the prompter solves all of that. The Ikan looks like a rebranded Glide Gear. If you'll use it and it'll pay for itself, just get it.

Chris

I've easily shot 50k images with the a7r2 and its still my favorite of all the Sony sensors, eventually I'll probably own another as a landscape/backup camera. I'd love it if they did a faster version of the 42mp sensor for the next a7IV. Even at about $900 or so used, the a7r2 is a bargain for the IQ. But if I were in your shoes, I'd probably stretch that for a used Z7 just for the easy compatibility with lenses/batteries and same colors if the budget allows.

Cheers

Chris

I wonder if it'll do 4k60p as well, that's the one thing missing from the Pro 2 for me. Will be interesting to see what the Pro 3 brings if this is getting the 1" sensor. 

Chris

49 AF points, looking at the Dustin Abbot review, its mediocre at best. This is definitely not the camera to get if you want any sort of AF-c.

Chris

On 2/24/2021 at 10:04 AM, newfoundmass said:

This is an interesting lens but I hope it's properly weather sealed, as I've read a lot of people complain about dust getting into their 24-70mm Art lenses from e-mount and L-mount. 

I'm one of those that had issues with the 24-70, an early copy was an absolute dust vac so I sold it. I bought another at the end of last year when it went on sale for $899, after a few months of heavy use all outdoors (I don't shoot inside ever LOL!) its still 100% clean inside. Pic is the old lens, all the specks are dust UNDER the front element. There's a YT video showing its pretty easy to pop out the front element, I opted to ditch the dusty copy. IMO the sealing was quietly improved without acknowledging the defect to avoid a recall outcry.

Chris

I haven't noticed any pulsing like that, but I'm usually not shooting anything faster than f/2.8 or 4 with talking heads because they move around so much and the camera really sticks to the eye or face, if your lens breathes at all it will show in the footage - and most lenses do shift at least a little bit. Maybe slow down the AF a bit more so changes aren't so abrupt. Fuji did wonky things with shading too, the solution was turning off lens corrections. Off to try this with my 24GM and 35/85 1.8's to see if I get the same thing. 

Chris

Looks cool, but I'm holding out for a Mavic Pro 3. I find FPV footage a little nauseating to watch, but they look like fun LOL!

Chris

6 hours ago, Anaconda_ said:

I've done exactly that with the VideoMic NTG, and NTG4+ with XLR-3.5mm cable. It works very well for a wireless boom setup.

I also regularly use my Wireless Go with a Zoom recorder. Have the mics going into the recorder, then plug the Wireless Go into the output and send the audio to the camera. Perfect for monitoring from the camera, and syncing the HQ audio later, but also gives the option for super mega fast turn around where necessary. Providing you get the levels in the zoom correct before sending the signal to the camera, of course.

 

Awesome, thanks for the tips. Another thing I've been debating is replacing my beachtek with a zoom to use as an audio interface. Just trying to streamline things a bit. I shoot Sony, but just can't quite convince myself to go with a proprietary piece like their XLR modules since a zoom can be used to live stream with phones and such.

Chris

6 hours ago, IronFilm said:

You could just plug a Deity D3 Pro and plug it into a Rode Go?
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1448999-REG/deity_microphones_vmicd3pro_v_mic_d3_pro_directional.html

Good to know! You always have the solution LOL! How would you compare the Deity to something like the Video Mic Pro+? Thanks mate.

Chris

Hmmm... B&H shows them in stock. Might take the plunge since my G3 is only one lav and the stick mic. They need a wireless go shotgun that we can put on a boom or just to get better nat sound. I feel like I own too many mics LOL, and I'm not even an audio guy. 

Chris  

I use the Zilr cable and another one off Amazon. Both are very flexible and do raw into the Ninja, so you should be good. The Zilr is the most bendy. Though the ribbon cables BTM Pix posted look more flexible LOL!

https://www.amazon.com/ZILR-Ultra-Ethernet-HDCP2-2-Camera/dp/B07SFK3FVZ

https://www.amazon.com/Poyiccot-Degree-Cable-Plated-Left-Right/dp/B07332ZBXV/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=poyiccot+HDMI+90+degree&qid=1614693702&s=electronics&sr=1-4

Chris

Has anyone used these and found them to be reliable signal wise and quiet? I have a Sennheiser G3 that I'd like to shrink, but the 2.4ghz thing makes me nervous. Some call them the bees-knees and some call them noisy. A backup recording sounds handy too.

Chris

I work in tourism marketing in Florida, its been a rough year, lots of layoffs and visitation numbers collapsing for a good chunk of 2020. Lots of colleagues lots jobs as layoffs cut deep industry-wide. I've been fortunate to be at 2019 levels of income as there were needs for pandemic messaging and now slowly starting to welcome back visitors. Plus everyone is doubling down on local experiences, outdoor adventures and other social distance activities that can be safely done - so there's lots of content buckets to fill. Things are rebounding. I feel blessed to still be busy, but its been tough to create content with social distance measures, so lots of outdoor/drone stuff, I've been flying a lot. Its also been rough with all the negative attention FL generates. But vaccines are rolling out fast, so there's a light at the end of the tunnel. All signs point toward a busy summer, for better or worse. I did have some extra downtime so I made a point to exercise daily to burn stress, got faster on inline skates and on my paddleboard than ever before, and got into the best shape of my life. I think we all need something to keep us sane, I've had lots of friends/family get COVID despite most being very careful, and a few have died. Its been a rough year mentally just from the constant stress of everything.

Chris

v2.0 FW is out. Cinetone is the headline, but there are always under the hood fixes filed under "improves overall stability of the camera"

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7sm3/downloads

This is the worst part of owning a Sony, not being able to simply copy to a card and update, have to plug in the camera and hope for the best.

Chris

1 hour ago, TomTheDP said:

Yes but why include it in the FX line if it doesn't have cinema camera features. 

Because if it were called the a7sIIIc, it wouldn't sell at $3800 😂 There's an interview on Dpreview, its their drone cam among other uses. Sony is building out an ecosystem which is good since DJI seems to have forgotten about their entire line above the Mini/Air's. I think people are getting too hung up on the word cinema. Bloom makes fun of that in his FX3 video. IMO, rather than create a new line they dropped it below the FX6. 

Cheers

Chris