A7s or GH4 - which for you?

Edward Calabig · July 28th, 2014, 12:22 PM

Here is a same day edit that utilized 2 C100s and an A7s with EF glass. Only had 2 hours after the ceremony to put the edit together so some of the colors are a bit off. The A7s produces more green in its footage and as a result, I'd remove more green from the highlights in the future.

No stabilization was used for the A7s except for a monopod and IS on the glass.

Overall my only complaint with the camera (as a B camera) is the lackluster battery life.

Film Convert 2 and Impulz were used to color correct and grade.

Noa Put · July 28th, 2014, 03:04 PM

Nice clip Edward, how long can you shoot with one battery on the a7s?

I guess the very shallow dof shots in the video where from the a7s?

Edward Calabig · July 28th, 2014, 04:10 PM

One battery lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, more towards 1.5.

The a7s was used for most of the bridal prep minus the sliding shot of the groom and the outdoor/staircase shots.

It was also used during the ceremony for reaction shots, center, and the exit.

The only shots I was really displeased with were the center aisle shot. Then again the entire background were sunny windows. Maybe using slog 2 might have been better for highlight recovery.

All shots were taken with Kholis pp6 picture profile.

Noa Put · July 28th, 2014, 04:20 PM

That's quite good battery life or where you expecting better? with my rx10 I often can't get passed 45 minutes on one battery and it takes ages to load the battery in camera.

Edward Calabig · July 28th, 2014, 04:50 PM

Yeah the gh4 battery lasts muuuuuch longer and 1 a7s battery takes over 2 hours to charge.

Noa Put · July 29th, 2014, 02:05 AM

Yes, the gh4 batterylife is exceptional, I do have to say that if you use stabilised lenses the battery drains a lot quicker but if you stick with non stabilised the battery just keeps on going.

Peter Rush · July 29th, 2014, 03:04 AM

The A7s comes with 2 batteries though :)

Noa Put · July 29th, 2014, 03:12 AM

1,5 hour is really not bad, 2 of these batteries should get you through an entire weddingday if you have a second camera as well.

Clive McLaughlin · July 29th, 2014, 01:16 PM

Yea, shot a wedding yesterday on two batteries. Had to put the first one on charge again at reception venue as precaution, but didn't actually need to use it. Two batteries was enough - but i will probably buy a third just for the peace of mind.

Kyle Root · July 29th, 2014, 01:18 PM

I have a friend in Nashville who was able to get a brand new Sony a7S for $2,249. Not a bad discount! Apparently they will price match Ebay prices. Saved $250 by negotiating with them. Something to keep in mind if you're looking at buying. Always negotiate!

Clive McLaughlin · July 29th, 2014, 04:32 PM

Some low light high ISO shots I put together from my A7S.

Peter Rush · August 3rd, 2014, 04:10 AM

Can any A7s owner confirm an issue I'm having before I send mine back as faulty please (although it may be the lens adapter - not sure)

In manual mode with a fixed ISO (not auto) cycle up and down through the apertures - all is ok. Now press record and do the same - do you experience white flashes as the aperture opens up? Don't know if this is a fault or just the way it is with this camera - It happens with Metabones smart adapter and EF lenses but not with NEX lenses and camera in APS-C mode - Clive what adapter are you using and do you experience this?

Pete

Clive McLaughlin · August 3rd, 2014, 10:51 AM

Peter, just tried it and yes, I'm getting white flashes when the aperture is widening. Not when narrowing.

Would you normally change aperture whilst recording though? I know I wouldn't... not unless necessary. And if it were the case of light drastically changing mid clip - would ISO not be a better way to brighten the scene (theres no shortage of it! ;-) )

Noa Put · August 3rd, 2014, 12:07 PM

It's not the amount of iso you can use that will make the difference, it's how smooth the transition is. I guess the best way to have a smooth aperture change is to use a adapter that has a clickless aperture ring. I wish all dslr's could handle iso and aperture changes the way my rx10 can, that would be a big improvement.

Peter Rush · August 4th, 2014, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive McLaughlin

Peter, just tried it and yes, I'm getting white flashes when the aperture is widening. Not when narrowing.

Would you normally change aperture whilst recording though? I know I wouldn't... not unless necessary. And if it were the case of light drastically changing mid clip - would ISO not be a better way to brighten the scene (theres no shortage of it! ;-) )

I guess unless I'm going for a particular DOF then I do quite often use the iris to control exposure - a throwback to old school camcorders that had 3 fixed gain positions (low/mid/hi) but also I've been using the 5D3 for the last year and have kept my ISO settings to multiples of 160 for a cleaner image (apparently the 5D introduces noise for 'inbetween' ISO settings) so I never just scrolled through ISO to adjust exposure.

Anyway I emailed Metabones and problem solved - I just needed to turn on advanced mode for the adapter - happy days!

July 28th, 2014, 12:22 PM	#181
Edward Calabig Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 173	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Yuanyuan and Di's Same Day Edit Video on Vimeo Here is a same day edit that utilized 2 C100s and an A7s with EF glass. Only had 2 hours after the ceremony to put the edit together so some of the colors are a bit off. The A7s produces more green in its footage and as a result, I'd remove more green from the highlights in the future. No stabilization was used for the A7s except for a monopod and IS on the glass. Overall my only complaint with the camera (as a B camera) is the lackluster battery life. Film Convert 2 and Impulz were used to color correct and grade. __________________ Lead Videographer/Editor at TSP Video www.tspvideo.com

July 28th, 2014, 03:04 PM	#182
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Nice clip Edward, how long can you shoot with one battery on the a7s? I guess the very shallow dof shots in the video where from the a7s?

July 28th, 2014, 04:10 PM	#183
Edward Calabig Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 173	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? One battery lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, more towards 1.5. The a7s was used for most of the bridal prep minus the sliding shot of the groom and the outdoor/staircase shots. It was also used during the ceremony for reaction shots, center, and the exit. The only shots I was really displeased with were the center aisle shot. Then again the entire background were sunny windows. Maybe using slog 2 might have been better for highlight recovery. All shots were taken with Kholis pp6 picture profile. __________________ Lead Videographer/Editor at TSP Video www.tspvideo.com

July 28th, 2014, 04:20 PM	#184
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? That's quite good battery life or where you expecting better? with my rx10 I often can't get passed 45 minutes on one battery and it takes ages to load the battery in camera.

July 28th, 2014, 04:50 PM	#185
Edward Calabig Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 173	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Yeah the gh4 battery lasts muuuuuch longer and 1 a7s battery takes over 2 hours to charge. __________________ Lead Videographer/Editor at TSP Video www.tspvideo.com

July 29th, 2014, 02:05 AM	#186
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Yes, the gh4 batterylife is exceptional, I do have to say that if you use stabilised lenses the battery drains a lot quicker but if you stick with non stabilised the battery just keeps on going.

July 29th, 2014, 03:04 AM	#187
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? The A7s comes with 2 batteries though :)

July 29th, 2014, 03:12 AM	#188
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? 1,5 hour is really not bad, 2 of these batteries should get you through an entire weddingday if you have a second camera as well.

July 29th, 2014, 01:16 PM	#189
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Yea, shot a wedding yesterday on two batteries. Had to put the first one on charge again at reception venue as precaution, but didn't actually need to use it. Two batteries was enough - but i will probably buy a third just for the peace of mind.

July 29th, 2014, 01:18 PM	#190
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 883	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? I have a friend in Nashville who was able to get a brand new Sony a7S for $2,249. Not a bad discount! Apparently they will price match Ebay prices. Saved $250 by negotiating with them. Something to keep in mind if you're looking at buying. Always negotiate! __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

July 29th, 2014, 04:32 PM	#191
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Some low light high ISO shots I put together from my A7S. Sony A7S Low Light High ISO Tests - Fireworks and Dancing on Vimeo

August 3rd, 2014, 04:10 AM	#192
Peter Rush Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK/Yorkshire Posts: 2,069	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Can any A7s owner confirm an issue I'm having before I send mine back as faulty please (although it may be the lens adapter - not sure) In manual mode with a fixed ISO (not auto) cycle up and down through the apertures - all is ok. Now press record and do the same - do you experience white flashes as the aperture opens up? Don't know if this is a fault or just the way it is with this camera - It happens with Metabones smart adapter and EF lenses but not with NEX lenses and camera in APS-C mode - Clive what adapter are you using and do you experience this? Pete Last edited by Peter Rush; August 3rd, 2014 at 06:03 AM.

August 3rd, 2014, 10:51 AM	#193
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? Peter, just tried it and yes, I'm getting white flashes when the aperture is widening. Not when narrowing. Would you normally change aperture whilst recording though? I know I wouldn't... not unless necessary. And if it were the case of light drastically changing mid clip - would ISO not be a better way to brighten the scene (theres no shortage of it! ;-) )

August 3rd, 2014, 12:07 PM	#194
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: A7s or GH4 - which for you? It's not the amount of iso you can use that will make the difference, it's how smooth the transition is. I guess the best way to have a smooth aperture change is to use a adapter that has a clickless aperture ring. I wish all dslr's could handle iso and aperture changes the way my rx10 can, that would be a big improvement.