Cameras like a7s used in ENG style?

[Svein Rune Skilnand]

Hi.
Following this thread I have to say I am quite happy with my Sony A7s for ENG shooting. It is what it is. A stills camera but with video/ film in mind. I am using a picture profile from AbelCine, and never had any issues with it. The 18-200 servo zoom lens SELP18-200 works a treat as it is powered by the camera and gives me the range I need. I did try the 28-135 lens but did not like it much. Heavy and sluggish.

With the ISO on this camera, I am getting shots I never thought imagineable. I used to own a JVC GY-HM750 with a Fujinon 18X lens, and while that was a great camera it was very heavy to lug around.

I am a documentary filmmaker and with my Canon C300 next to the A7s I have a fantastic package to work with. And at 50 mbps, what more could I ask for? I sold my Sony F3 and Sony FS700 and went with this instead. I just finished a major documentary for the largest broadcaster in Norway, the NRK with the F3, EX1 and A7s. And the A7s was just fantastic.

Below is a test I did for the leading magazine in Scandinavia showcasing the A7s, Selp18200 lens and XLR- module. A total ENG- kit. Pardon my norwegian in the film, but it gives you an overview of what the camera can do. The battery life could be a lot better though, but spare batteries are quiet cheap compared to other video/ film cameras.

SRS Media : Test av Sony A7s

[Simon Denny]

Looks great Svein,

I also use the same lens along with the 28-135mm Sony. Hey what picture profile did you use in the video link you provided.

Cheers

[Svein Rune Skilnand]

Hi Simon and thank you.

Glad you liked it.

I am using a picture profile from Abel Cine and I have never looked back:

JR45Cine is a match to our original custom look for the VariCam and is designed to give you pleasing colors and good dynamic range. We used Cine 1 gamma for a nice amount of range, but this profile is not so flat that you need a lot of post correction. In a bright, high contrast scene, you may choose to go with S-Log2 for more range in the highlights. Here are the settings:

Gamma: Cine 1
Color Mode: Still
Saturation: -2
Color Depth: R: +2 , C: -4

Sony a7S Scene Files from AbelCine | CineTechnica

[Roger Martin]

Originally Posted by Svein Rune Skilnand

Hi.
Following this thread I have to say I am quite happy with my Sony A7s for ENG shooting. It is what it is. A stills camera but with video/ film in mind. I am using a picture profile from AbelCine, and never had any issues with it. The 18-200 servo zoom lens SELP18-200 works a treat as it is powered by the camera and gives me the range I need. I did try the 28-135 lens but did not like it much. Heavy and sluggish.

The 28-135 Cine is the only Sony Lens I even like with my A7s.

Why would anyone shoot with the DX 18-200?
It does not even have a fixed aperture.
It is lighter but certainly not faster.
And it powered by the Camera, that wimpy battery may last 15 minutes.

I do shoot from a TriPod in poor/low light only so maybe that make the difference for me.

[Simon Denny]

Thanks Svein.

Yes the 28-135mm is heavy and when I have a cage, audio on this rig the whole setup is heavy.

[Svein Rune Skilnand]

Originally Posted by Roger Martin

The 28-135 Cine is the only Sony Lens I even like with my A7s.

Why would anyone shoot with the DX 18-200?
It does not even have a fixed aperture.
It is lighter but certainly not faster.
And it powered by the Camera, that wimpy battery may last 15 minutes.

I do shoot from a TriPod in poor/low light only so maybe that make the difference for me.

I am quite happy with the 18-200 lens. Shot an interview with it today and the battery lasted 45 mins or so. Not a fantastic battery life, but sufficient enough. And that was using the screen and optional XLR- module as well. Very static though with a few manual zooms to change focal lengths as cut aways. For the size and ease of travelling the A7s is very nice.

Yes, the lens doesn`t have a fast and constant aperture and ramps down a bit, but find me any lens in that range that doesn`t cost an arm and a leg, doesn`t ramp down and not adding weight as well and I`d be happy to buy it. I am a documentarian and travelling light is important to me. My clients don`t complain, even the NRK ( the largest broadcaster in Norway ) accepts it. And it enables me to work fast, getting the shots I need. To me the 28-135 seemed fantastic until I tried it, but everyone has a different style and working method. The A7s is so light sensitive I have no problems with it. What I can say though is that the 18-200 lens used to sit on a Sony FS700 and that camera being not as sensitive caused me problems once because of the ramping down. Nothing we couldn`t work round though.

A far as I know the 28-135 draws power from the camera as well. I have an older manual Angenieux 35-140 T4.4 cine lens but still prefer the 18-200 when travelling. Maybe I have been working so long with it it just feels right.

[Svein Rune Skilnand]

Originally Posted by Simon Denny

Thanks Svein.

Yes the 28-135mm is heavy and when I have a cage, audio on this rig the whole setup is heavy.

You`re welcome.

I worked with a Sony FS3 today with a 25 mm Zeiss from Duclos lenses, mounted with a Zacuto baseplate and an Atomos Samurai handheld. 5 minutes in we decided to go with the tripod. I love my A7s. The images from the F3 are still very lovely though. We will be travelling abroad soon, leaving the F3 and taking the A7s instead.