A99II is pretty great at DVinfo.net

Ryan Douthit · February 5th, 2017, 12:04 AM

I just received my A99II. Spent the afternoon filming a car in the rain. Played with 4k 30p and HD 120p formats. So far, I'm very impressed with everything about it. Really a remarkable image. In many ways, it's the camera I've been waiting for. Sure, the sensor is basically the same as the A7RII... but without the fussy handling of Sony's mirrorless bodies which has me constantly cursing at my A7S.

John McCully · February 5th, 2017, 12:19 AM

Glad you like it Ryan. Sure looks a nice piece of kit.

A question if I may: does the LCD and the EVF dim when shooting 4K as do all of the other Sony 4K consumer/prosumer cams? I do hope they have moved beyond that, for me, serious limitation.

Cheers.

Wacharapong Chiowanich · February 5th, 2017, 04:25 AM

Also as far as I know its superb AF system that combines on-sensor phase detection with another separate phase detection, non-image forming sensor works ONLY in Program Auto mode AND with the lens aperture set at f3.5 or wider. Other than that it's manual focus only. A real bummer for any serious video shooter except for stills photographers who only need video footage occasionally and don't want to bother fiddling with the video control on it.

Ryan Douthit · February 5th, 2017, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wacharapong Chiowanich

Also as far as I know its superb AF system that combines on-sensor phase detection with another separate phase detection, non-image forming sensor works ONLY in Program Auto mode AND with the lens aperture set at f3.5 or wider. Other than that it's manual focus only. A real bummer for any serious video shooter except for stills photographers who only need video footage occasionally and don't want to bother fiddling with the video control on it.

I only ever use manual focus when shooting video, so this 'limitation' doesn't affect me in the least. Can you imagine someone complaining that their FS7/F55/RED/Alexa wasn't great for autofocus? Of course not. I'm a serious video shooter (i.e.: that's how I make my living) and I think this is being blown way out of proportion.

Ryan Douthit · February 5th, 2017, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John McCully

Glad you like it Ryan. Sure looks a nice piece of kit.

A question if I may: does the LCD and the EVF dim when shooting 4K as do all of the other Sony 4K consumer/prosumer cams? I do hope they have moved beyond that, for me, serious limitation.

Cheers.

If it does (and it may) I haven't noticed it yet. Still sorting out all the other settings.

Ryan Douthit · February 18th, 2017, 12:12 AM

Just spent two weeks shooting photos and video at retail locations for a corporate client in Florida with the A99II. Conditions ranged from hot and bright outside to dark and weird lighting colors inside. Normally, I would shoot these with my FS7 plus a dedicated stills camera, but I decided to leave that at the office and pack lighter, bringing just the A99II with a Zeiss 24mm f/2. In total, I shot about 3000 stills and 2000 video clips in 4k. Very happy with the results and stoked that one camera can be so flexible. Really surprised that we haven't seen any obvious moire in post yet. Even car grilles have been clean. (Most of the 4k video was shot in full-frame.)

February 5th, 2017, 12:04 AM	#1
Ryan Douthit Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 474	A99II is pretty great I just received my A99II. Spent the afternoon filming a car in the rain. Played with 4k 30p and HD 120p formats. So far, I'm very impressed with everything about it. Really a remarkable image. In many ways, it's the camera I've been waiting for. Sure, the sensor is basically the same as the A7RII... but without the fussy handling of Sony's mirrorless bodies which has me constantly cursing at my A7S. __________________ MediaSpigot LLC http://www.mediaspigot.com

February 5th, 2017, 12:19 AM	#2
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	Re: A99II is pretty great Glad you like it Ryan. Sure looks a nice piece of kit. A question if I may: does the LCD and the EVF dim when shooting 4K as do all of the other Sony 4K consumer/prosumer cams? I do hope they have moved beyond that, for me, serious limitation. Cheers.

February 5th, 2017, 04:25 AM	#3
Wacharapong Chiowanich Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 400	Re: A99II is pretty great Also as far as I know its superb AF system that combines on-sensor phase detection with another separate phase detection, non-image forming sensor works ONLY in Program Auto mode AND with the lens aperture set at f3.5 or wider. Other than that it's manual focus only. A real bummer for any serious video shooter except for stills photographers who only need video footage occasionally and don't want to bother fiddling with the video control on it.

February 18th, 2017, 12:12 AM	#6
Ryan Douthit Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 474	Re: A99II is pretty great Just spent two weeks shooting photos and video at retail locations for a corporate client in Florida with the A99II. Conditions ranged from hot and bright outside to dark and weird lighting colors inside. Normally, I would shoot these with my FS7 plus a dedicated stills camera, but I decided to leave that at the office and pack lighter, bringing just the A99II with a Zeiss 24mm f/2. In total, I shot about 3000 stills and 2000 video clips in 4k. Very happy with the results and stoked that one camera can be so flexible. Really surprised that we haven't seen any obvious moire in post yet. Even car grilles have been clean. (Most of the 4k video was shot in full-frame.) __________________ MediaSpigot LLC http://www.mediaspigot.com