Trek of Joy

Took the a7s3 with me to Cocoa Beach last nights for the SpaceX launch. This is the first time I've seen a launch in person so I wanted to grab a couple shots and just watch history in the making. I got a shot of the rocket in the sky with the a7s3 and a FE 200-600mm lens. No video, just wanted to enjoy the moment.
Chris

Took the a7s3 with me to Cocoa Beach last nights for the SpaceX launch. This is the first time I've seen a launch in person so I wanted to grab a couple shots and just watch history in the making. I got a shot of the rocket in the sky with the a7s3 and a FE 200-600mm lens. No video, just wanted to enjoy the moment.
Chris

With h265 I use 10-bit 4:2:0 and it edits really smooth. 4:2:2 chokes things up, but 4:2:0 has no issues. Eventually I’m going to test the all-I vs gop vs prores on the ninja. Just haven’t had the time and I’m really happy with how everything looks right now. For quick turnaround stuff the 4:2:0 is the perfect balance of IQ and file size.
Prograde has a discount code BFCM20 for Black Friday.
chris

Will do.
Comes between Dec 11-18. 
From what Apple and reviewers are saying, the 16GB RAM performs much better as it’s “unified”. I do hope they are right, as I would never buy a machine with 16GB. 

That's what I like about the Mac/iOS ecosystem, the final nail in the windows coffin for me was running a digital media production program with 30 workstations on the Adobe suite. Every single day we were diagnosing problems with software/hardware compatibility that kept surfacing. It never ended, even with all windows, Adobe and hardware drivers up to date. It just got to be too much of a drain on resources. We switched to Macs when the slimmer iMac's were introduced and just about every one of those issues disappeared. Not having to address compatibility with every damn component under the sun makes for a much more streamlined and efficient system. I don't care about any of the cost/performance debates - that's all white noise I just tune out, everything integrates beautifully across all my devices allowing me to get stuff done faster with less headaches. The M1 takes it to another level. After the usual iPhone 'S' updates next year to the 12s, hopefully the M1 refresh (M2?) and the next mobile overhaul will fully integrate all device lines.
Cheers
Chris

Curious, how is 5+ million pixels not even 1080p? My macbook pro is 2880x1800, an HD display next to it looks like SD in comparison. 
Chris

F**k it. These H265 files are a nightmare. 
Got the top spec Mac Mini with the LG Ultrafine 5k. 

More testing, against some machines with lots of cores, fat video cards and egpu's. 
Chris

Thanks for the suggestion but it's not happening unless FCP is deleted off the planet and all my cameras are set on fire. 

I got the C70 last week as part of CVP’s first batch. 
Even though I have the A7SIII, I bought it because Canon obviously read a post on this forum about what my “perfect camera” looks like. So I just had to. I sold my EVA1. 
I put it in the deep end straight away on 2 professional shoots for fitness brands. The videos aren’t finished so can’t share any footage yet! 
My impressions: 
1. Body design is fantastic. Lovely in the hand and a joy to operate. Feels cheaper than other C-series for sure but still premium. Well built and easy to use. Very light too! 
2. The screen is flimsy and should be more robust. 
3. The joystick is drunk. You want to go left, but it goes up etc. Not sure if this is a “getting used to it” kinda thing, but it’s unusually tricky to get the hang of. 
4. Record button is also a bit stubborn. You have to press that thing very well to get it to record or stop. 
5. Quick touch screen menu is amazing. There’s no need to reboot the camera to change frame rates and codec like I did on the EVA1.
6. DIS is decent! Doesn’t feel overly robotic like other IBIS systems. But there’s a slight crop. 
7. DPAF with the Sigma 18-35mm is pretty good. My Sigma 50mm hunted quite a bit though. 
8. It has no tracking like the A7S3, only for faces. Seems the face tracking is disabled in 4k100fps. 
9. Footage in all modes is crisp and clean. Not overly sharp, but detailed.  It looks a bit more organic than the A7S3, which is clinical without a Promist. Noticed the A7S3 is a bit more contrasty in SLOG3 than CLOG3. The C70 has an edge in the shadows. 
10. You can use a V60 in 4k100fps but comes up with a warning  that it won’t work. It does, but sometimes cuts off due to a full buffer. Not often though. I’d still get a V90. 
11. H265 footage plays back better than the A7S3 on my 2025 iMac. Still a sludge though.
12. Footage can be easily matched to the A7S3. Took me about a minute. Amazing how much Sony have improved it. 
In conclusion, I had a good first experience and I’m looking forward to the next shoot. I currently prefer the A7S3 but it’s too early to decide that really. Both are great and can be used together very seamlessly due to the Sony’s improved colour and codecs. 
 
 
 

Took the a7s3 with me to Cocoa Beach last nights for the SpaceX launch. This is the first time I've seen a launch in person so I wanted to grab a couple shots and just watch history in the making. I got a shot of the rocket in the sky with the a7s3 and a FE 200-600mm lens. No video, just wanted to enjoy the moment.
Chris

Took the a7s3 with me to Cocoa Beach last nights for the SpaceX launch. This is the first time I've seen a launch in person so I wanted to grab a couple shots and just watch history in the making. I got a shot of the rocket in the sky with the a7s3 and a FE 200-600mm lens. No video, just wanted to enjoy the moment.
Chris

Took the a7s3 with me to Cocoa Beach last nights for the SpaceX launch. This is the first time I've seen a launch in person so I wanted to grab a couple shots and just watch history in the making. I got a shot of the rocket in the sky with the a7s3 and a FE 200-600mm lens. No video, just wanted to enjoy the moment.
Chris

The latest update from Atomos says WB adjustments will be in a future update. 10.55 was just announced and it includes ISO.
https://www.slashcam.com/news/single/Atomos--New-firmware-10-55-for-Ninja-V-brings-ProR-16177.html
Chris

This is what I have started to tell myself too. It may come down to me owning two cameras, One for still and the other for video or just as back up. 
That is my hope too. This camera to me will give me a clear path in terms of gear purchase for a while. I am hoping that Sony give it 24mp, 10 bit color, and 4k 60p full frame or slide crop. I will be happy with that. 

@Trek of Joy Thanks so much for the updates!!! Happy shooting and be sure to post links to your videos when you have the time.  

I think they are all decent. In fact, more than that, they are all exceptional as in capable of delivering exceptional results.
But no single camera (yet) at everything and that is the part I struggle with. Some are so close, but...
Unless of course the 'perfect' camera does now exist for anyone and probably in a lot of cases, especially non-professional, many are probably being too picky.
Some of what is perceived as camera companies 'holding back' is in some ways understandable.
Take Canon for instance, - the R5 deliberately has overheating issue in order to protect the C70 which does not have IBIS so it steals less sales of the R5.
Sony have presumably kept the A7Siii at 12mp because when the A7iv comes out...
But why Nikon haven't gone 10 bit internal and Panny have not gone phase AF are mysteries to me.
And then there are all these little niggles such as why can't the Canon's write to two card slots when others can and similar small but fundamental things.
The bottom line is I could make any of them work but it's somewhat frustrating that there seems to be 1 thing each fail at for no reason that makes sense to us, the purchasers.
Anyway, I have made my Panasonic bed. I'm going to go and lie in it 😬

I do shoot a lot of stills, sometimes more than video. I do prefer more resolution since some of the stuff I shoot goes beyond social and the web, but 12mp isn't going to hold me back. I just like the cropping flexibility and I do occasionally sell prints of my work, so more is better most of the time. I've only shot about 100 frames with the s3 over the last couple months, its really just a video camera for me at this point as I'm still getting used to working with it. I mostly leave it set in video mode and have the a73 around my neck - sometimes I'm also flying a drone - multitasking at its best LOL! I always carry at least 2 bodies anyway to have a backup, right now its the a73 and sometimes a 5dIV a friend is letting me use, but I'm probably moving to the a7r3 because I really like the output of the 42mp sensor and with most landscapes I can easily get two completely different shots with a crop. Plus I shoot wildlife here in FL and the crop power + the 200-600mm lens is awesome. I've shot tons with the a7r2, shutter shock is not an issue. It was on the original a7r, but every camera since has used a different shutter. The clack from the first one though, it was obnoxious LOL! I've used it a lot for landscape work, the shutter shock wasn't an issue for me - it was mostly with longer FL's IIRC.
I decided there's simply no way for me to get everything I want in one body, Canon came oh-so-close with the R5 until the overheating issues, but even if that wasn't an issue I still prefer the internal recording options from the a7s3, better rolling shutter performance, and Sony's lens selection. Really the biggest thing the a7s3 lacks compared to others is the ability to shoot 4k in s35 mode, but that can't be changed. I'll still take that over the Panasonic crop and such. The flip side is just how incredibly nice the 1080p footage is, this camera shoots incredible HD video too.
The second ISO is 4 1/3 stops above base on all profiles.
Cheers
Chris

Here is a new series on EOSHD...
It's a podcast.
The aim is to put out long 1-2 hour conversations, in the style of Joe Rogen - touching on subjects others dare not, sort of. Oh and some camera nerd talk as well...
https://www.eoshd.com/news/the-eoshd-podcast-episode-1-british-filmmaker-jg-harding/
Hope you enjoy it, and thanks to JG for taking part in this episode.

I do shoot a lot of stills, sometimes more than video. I do prefer more resolution since some of the stuff I shoot goes beyond social and the web, but 12mp isn't going to hold me back. I just like the cropping flexibility and I do occasionally sell prints of my work, so more is better most of the time. I've only shot about 100 frames with the s3 over the last couple months, its really just a video camera for me at this point as I'm still getting used to working with it. I mostly leave it set in video mode and have the a73 around my neck - sometimes I'm also flying a drone - multitasking at its best LOL! I always carry at least 2 bodies anyway to have a backup, right now its the a73 and sometimes a 5dIV a friend is letting me use, but I'm probably moving to the a7r3 because I really like the output of the 42mp sensor and with most landscapes I can easily get two completely different shots with a crop. Plus I shoot wildlife here in FL and the crop power + the 200-600mm lens is awesome. I've shot tons with the a7r2, shutter shock is not an issue. It was on the original a7r, but every camera since has used a different shutter. The clack from the first one though, it was obnoxious LOL! I've used it a lot for landscape work, the shutter shock wasn't an issue for me - it was mostly with longer FL's IIRC.
I decided there's simply no way for me to get everything I want in one body, Canon came oh-so-close with the R5 until the overheating issues, but even if that wasn't an issue I still prefer the internal recording options from the a7s3, better rolling shutter performance, and Sony's lens selection. Really the biggest thing the a7s3 lacks compared to others is the ability to shoot 4k in s35 mode, but that can't be changed. I'll still take that over the Panasonic crop and such. The flip side is just how incredibly nice the 1080p footage is, this camera shoots incredible HD video too.
The second ISO is 4 1/3 stops above base on all profiles.
Cheers
Chris

So far I'm loving the a7s3. If you need more mp with stills there are numerous options including a7r2's that now sell in the $800 range used - which is insane for the IQ. But the difference with the shutter is jarring - the s3's shutter is so well damped compared to previous Sony models. I've used it with Sony glass, Tamron and Sigma E-mount lenses and Canon/Sigma lenses on the MC11. If the IBIS isn't enough, use the post stabilization, its brilliant. Full size HDMI is a joy, so is external prores which seems to have slightly better color compared to internal. The 120p is so good and the AF sticks to subjects incredibly well. I run it on the Weebill S, just tap where you want the AF point to stick and shoot - its almost always spot on. Slow the transition down and you have some very nice focus pulls. I've been shooting a lot outside here in Florida and so far zero issues. It gets warm, but I've never even triggered the overheat warning. To keep file sizes down with something smooth to edit, I use the h265 with 10-bit 4:2:0, works great.
While there are still a few minor warts, this camera ticks most of the boxes for my video needs - 10-bit, clean slow-mo, great AF, lots of lens options. I would like to see Sony widen the gap between the grip and lens mount and make it taller, Canon has a grip that's so much more comfortable. The cheap Meike grip extension solves the height issue for me. The second gain stage gap is annoying, I shoot to about 2000 or so in Slog3 then just make the jump to 12800 and just ND it because its so much cleaner than everything in between. With other profiles that number changes since the base ISO's are different. I have to keep track of that, sometimes I forget what that second stage is when not in Slog3. I haven't pulled the trigger on Type A cards either, just v90's and the Ninja for now, so no 240fps yet. But overall its been the solid 4k workhorse I've always wanted. No regrets at all. 
Cheers
Chris

I do shoot a lot of stills, sometimes more than video. I do prefer more resolution since some of the stuff I shoot goes beyond social and the web, but 12mp isn't going to hold me back. I just like the cropping flexibility and I do occasionally sell prints of my work, so more is better most of the time. I've only shot about 100 frames with the s3 over the last couple months, its really just a video camera for me at this point as I'm still getting used to working with it. I mostly leave it set in video mode and have the a73 around my neck - sometimes I'm also flying a drone - multitasking at its best LOL! I always carry at least 2 bodies anyway to have a backup, right now its the a73 and sometimes a 5dIV a friend is letting me use, but I'm probably moving to the a7r3 because I really like the output of the 42mp sensor and with most landscapes I can easily get two completely different shots with a crop. Plus I shoot wildlife here in FL and the crop power + the 200-600mm lens is awesome. I've shot tons with the a7r2, shutter shock is not an issue. It was on the original a7r, but every camera since has used a different shutter. The clack from the first one though, it was obnoxious LOL! I've used it a lot for landscape work, the shutter shock wasn't an issue for me - it was mostly with longer FL's IIRC.
I decided there's simply no way for me to get everything I want in one body, Canon came oh-so-close with the R5 until the overheating issues, but even if that wasn't an issue I still prefer the internal recording options from the a7s3, better rolling shutter performance, and Sony's lens selection. Really the biggest thing the a7s3 lacks compared to others is the ability to shoot 4k in s35 mode, but that can't be changed. I'll still take that over the Panasonic crop and such. The flip side is just how incredibly nice the 1080p footage is, this camera shoots incredible HD video too.
The second ISO is 4 1/3 stops above base on all profiles.
Cheers
Chris

So far I'm loving the a7s3. If you need more mp with stills there are numerous options including a7r2's that now sell in the $800 range used - which is insane for the IQ. But the difference with the shutter is jarring - the s3's shutter is so well damped compared to previous Sony models. I've used it with Sony glass, Tamron and Sigma E-mount lenses and Canon/Sigma lenses on the MC11. If the IBIS isn't enough, use the post stabilization, its brilliant. Full size HDMI is a joy, so is external prores which seems to have slightly better color compared to internal. The 120p is so good and the AF sticks to subjects incredibly well. I run it on the Weebill S, just tap where you want the AF point to stick and shoot - its almost always spot on. Slow the transition down and you have some very nice focus pulls. I've been shooting a lot outside here in Florida and so far zero issues. It gets warm, but I've never even triggered the overheat warning. To keep file sizes down with something smooth to edit, I use the h265 with 10-bit 4:2:0, works great.
While there are still a few minor warts, this camera ticks most of the boxes for my video needs - 10-bit, clean slow-mo, great AF, lots of lens options. I would like to see Sony widen the gap between the grip and lens mount and make it taller, Canon has a grip that's so much more comfortable. The cheap Meike grip extension solves the height issue for me. The second gain stage gap is annoying, I shoot to about 2000 or so in Slog3 then just make the jump to 12800 and just ND it because its so much cleaner than everything in between. With other profiles that number changes since the base ISO's are different. I have to keep track of that, sometimes I forget what that second stage is when not in Slog3. I haven't pulled the trigger on Type A cards either, just v90's and the Ninja for now, so no 240fps yet. But overall its been the solid 4k workhorse I've always wanted. No regrets at all. 
Cheers
Chris

So far I'm loving the a7s3. If you need more mp with stills there are numerous options including a7r2's that now sell in the $800 range used - which is insane for the IQ. But the difference with the shutter is jarring - the s3's shutter is so well damped compared to previous Sony models. I've used it with Sony glass, Tamron and Sigma E-mount lenses and Canon/Sigma lenses on the MC11. If the IBIS isn't enough, use the post stabilization, its brilliant. Full size HDMI is a joy, so is external prores which seems to have slightly better color compared to internal. The 120p is so good and the AF sticks to subjects incredibly well. I run it on the Weebill S, just tap where you want the AF point to stick and shoot - its almost always spot on. Slow the transition down and you have some very nice focus pulls. I've been shooting a lot outside here in Florida and so far zero issues. It gets warm, but I've never even triggered the overheat warning. To keep file sizes down with something smooth to edit, I use the h265 with 10-bit 4:2:0, works great.
While there are still a few minor warts, this camera ticks most of the boxes for my video needs - 10-bit, clean slow-mo, great AF, lots of lens options. I would like to see Sony widen the gap between the grip and lens mount and make it taller, Canon has a grip that's so much more comfortable. The cheap Meike grip extension solves the height issue for me. The second gain stage gap is annoying, I shoot to about 2000 or so in Slog3 then just make the jump to 12800 and just ND it because its so much cleaner than everything in between. With other profiles that number changes since the base ISO's are different. I have to keep track of that, sometimes I forget what that second stage is when not in Slog3. I haven't pulled the trigger on Type A cards either, just v90's and the Ninja for now, so no 240fps yet. But overall its been the solid 4k workhorse I've always wanted. No regrets at all. 
Cheers
Chris

Seems like lots of new affordable modular cinema cameras have come out, with some cool specs like 4K120 or 4K60 10-bit, etc....  or even just getting FF video without a crop, overheating, or crippled codecs.
So, who is going modular?
How are you finding the transition?
My most recent acquisition was a BMMCC and my first modular setup, and I found that getting used to having a separate monitor, needing multiple batteries, cables and cable management, as well as having to rely on a rig just for ergonomics were all a bit of a PITA actually.  Plus, despite the BMMCC being really small, and paired with a tiny monitor, the whole rig gets large pretty quickly.
and considering that we can't talk about modular cameras without showing awesome pictures of rigs, here's the BMMCC in my sunset configuration: