Also that exposure meter will be your best friend when using the A7Sii, always trust it and look through the viewfinder often for more accurate results.
Great video. Lots of good tips. The only thing I disagree on is the auto ISO. You run the risk of the camera changing the colour of a shot if the lighting changes inside or if a big cloud comes along when shooting outside. You don't want that happening at an important moment! I'll try out your picture profile later on.
You should check out 323 quick release plates. They're much smaller than the 501 plates of Manfrotto and are perfect for DSLRs and mirrorless. All the wedding videographers here in the Philippines use em, and they're awesome and you'll never have that flip screen problem ever again. China-made ones go for $10 on amazon, and the original Manfrotto ones go for $35.
Nice camera review. I shot at that location (La Venta Inn, Palos Verdes, CA) a few years ago & the views were magnificent. There was a steep hill around the wedding gazebo though so it was difficult to set up extra cameras.
This was a very useful video for me. I have never touched the af/mf toggle on my A6300 until now. OMG. What a life changer. Due to the ultra fast autofocus on it, a quick tap on that button and I'm sharp. I don't think I'll ever need to turn the focus ring again. Thank you very much.
I recently bought Sony 28mm for my A7s ii which I am going to use with pilotfly H2. I want to try auto focusing feature but don't have any idea how can I get maximum output from auto focusing feature. Could you help me please? Thanks in advance.
Such a nice review! Thank you very much for your clarity and YOUR opinion on this camera :)! The way its useful for you and what are you using to make your video look better!
Adjusting the shutter speed is how I shoot stills all the time, but everything I have read said 1/50 only for film, so I picked up a variND. However I shoot stills and film at the same time a lot and trying to stop using the shutter speed to adjust is hard. Watching this today and the Reel Steady guys saying use a higher shutter speed also helps with that, I need to go and test some stuff! Thanks for being so open. :)
Two questions, 1- connecting lavaliers mic on the officiant and groom for good audio, how do you do it with this camera? 2- if the ceremony is longer than 30 min you will not be able to provide a full ceremony recording, sucks running out of time when they wars about to kiss, any strategy? Thanks
thanks man! i like ur review compare to others just talk about the camera instead of the setting.. as i'm a wedding video/photographer.. i've learn a lot from you.. thanks!
Great review, I learned a few things about the A7Sii I didn't before. But you expose with your shutter speed? No ND filters for outside? Auto-white balance!? Really?
It's great that it allows you to keep your aperture fixed when you require a certain depth of field but at the cost of stutter-y "non-filmic" looking video as you move up in SS. Although, I guess it's not a big deal as Kraigs stuff always looks bomb. I always trip all over myself trying to swap out ND filters but I think I may reconsider if it's even worth it!
Surprise here as well. Auto-white balance should never be used for filming. Unless he does it because its just well, practical (I find myself using it sometimes when I shoot Real Estate). As far as using a Creative Style, Hmmm.. that means you have to turn Picture Profiles to Off, and I believe that when they are off, the camera will not give you the Dynamic Range that was meant to put out (Slog3 and Slog2 giving you the most; followed by Cine Gammas and lastly No PP)
Do you have problems with sensor dust? I just shot a corporate industrial and thought it was lens dust. Cleaned the lens but the next day realized it was sensor dust? Horrible. Never had that problem with my Canon 5d Mark III.
Revisiting this review. Super torn between this camera and GH5. Currently GH4 and low light is quite disappointing. I feel like the ISO performance on the a7sii is more useful at weddings than all the other bells and whistles of the gh5. Kraig or anyone else have thoughts on this?
I will admit, there are pros and cons. Fly-by-wire is for sure different from normal L Canon glass but I'm used to Sony lenses now. The hardest thing is pulling focus. Rack focus pulls are extremely hard with Sony. With that said, I'm very happy with the size and weight of the Sony glass. It all comes down to what you value. Auto focus is fast AF with Sony on an A7Sii though. I'm planning on making a specific "Fly-By-Wire Focus Challenge" video in the future. Should be fun! Thanks for the comment and subbing.
Yeah I have that same problem with my sony glass, I shoot tons of music videos, so the action is very fast moving at times, and i have to be able to keep my subjects in focus so I always find myself having to repeat focus moves and that is extremly hard to do with fly by wire, thats why I just adapt glass now. I suggest you should look into the Zeiss Loxias or the leica M glass.
OMG, I have never heard of cameras overheating before! I use a Sony FDR AX100, and have shot full weddings in 4k. How much does this happen? My iPhone doesn't even overheat when shooting 4k! (1 hr continuous.)
in premiere if you want your 60p footage to be in slow motion just put the footage into a 24p sequence. if you don't want it to be in slow motion the sequence must be 60p like the footage.
What about the focusing by wiring thing with native Sony lenses? I have read a lot about this, but still don't understand this too well... Is it really that bad to focus manually, do a focus pull...?
The only problem with the creative style is that it has the worst dynamic range compared to picture profiles. I didn't like the Cine4/Slog3 PP that a lot of people use though. I'm testing out a new profile that I like, it's based off the kholi cine2 profile that's floating around the internet with some of the colors modified.
Craig, when you try out a new camera or other piece of equipment, what is your process for testing out before you feel comfortable bringing onto a client project? Do you use first on a blog post, take out for a walk in the park, etc...?
What about DRO? Great video and I like your approach to no picture profiles. Shot and edited my first wedding two weeks ago with SLOG 3 (Overexposing 2 Stops) and yeah it is quite a bit of work. Your videos have been very helpful!
Thank you! This was very helpful, though I am not necessarily a wedding videographer. I'm getting an a7s ii in 2 weeks and I'm really nervous about such a large investment. Again, thank you!
Kraig do people get married during winter? I just completed my gear kit, I'm new to filmmaking. I'd love to shoot weddings, but winter is coming and Canadian winters are no joke. The struggle is real
Hi Kraig, do you use the "DRO Level" in some light situation, if you are filming in autum leave mode? Or is it better to disable DRO while filming? I bought the a7sii two days ago and changed like you from 6d and 5dmiii
What about manual focusing moving subjects? This cam's punch in system drives me crazy in comparison to good ol' ML's digic peaking (sharpening, edge+chroma). At this point I see no other way around it but getting an external monitor.
awesome review! i'm a 5d user and planning to buy either A7sii or the new a6500.. besides the price concern, would you recommend A7sii than A6500? thanks!
Hi Kraig, Just wondering if you could help. If you've ever had to use the Sony with a canon, what profile have you used in the Sony to best match canons profile? Would greatly appreciate the help 👍
So you prefer breaking the 180 degree shutter speed rule than using nd filters? I also use the shutter to compensate exposure if I want shallow depth of field. I bought an variable nd filter but I neve use it bc it degrade the quality a tone.
+Bosco Serrano Velasco I'm pretty sure that the 180 degree rule is a shot composition term, not a camera technical term. Also the basic rule is to match the shutter speed to close to double the frame rate, like film cameras did.
Nice review! what made you decide sony compared to GH4? I am a canon shooter for Stills and looking to go from a 70D for video to something higher bitrate and more professional video.
what Sony lenses do you use in your wedding videos? I'm a Canon user as well and the range of Sony is a bit limited and I want to avoid using adapters which tend to screw up sometimes..
I had it for a week I almost broke more than my screen. it might be great coming from a DSLRs but it's super slow coming from the c100. #teamc100markii
So I am about to shoot my first wedding solo. I have a sound engineering degree so still a bit nervous shooting solo and missing the recording button! Lol I have shot several short films, commercials for KOBR Tv, and some reception style environments..I'm comfortable on the fly but not so sure with one camera. I have the SONY A 73 which I just finished shooting my first shot film, I will send you trailer, color grade is horrible! could use some advice with which Slog that already has some color with it so I dont waste so much time coloring SLOG2!~!! That 85mm you mentioned, how much did you pay for that? I only have the Sony 28mm F.4. and I would have to get super close behind pastor for OTS shots!
Nice review ! However, we switched to these A7S a few months ago from Canon 5D Mark iii and Canon 5D Mark ii, and we are so disappointed. The main reason is the battery : almost 4 hours to charge only one battery, this is insane ! Do you have the same issue ? We might switch back to Canon in the future, but it is true that the quality of the image is better...
Claire Phan Yes the battery life on this camera is horrible, but there are 2 simple solutions: 1) Buy 2-4 after market batteries that can be charged via USB (www.amazon.com/dp/B01HFOJUCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZgaxybD9WJG7F) 2) Get 2 external power banks with at least 10,000mAh capacity ($20-30 on Amazon) You can use one to charge your camera while shooting and use another one to charge batteries via USB. These battery banks will last you all day!
That push to manual focus tip is killer!
Agreed! "Wide" focus area is so damn squirrely though especially with the 55mm What's up with that?
I've found that too. The 55mm really like to hunt... it does it really quickly, but it never seems satisfied lol
I've watched a lot of a7sii reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and was super helpful practically. Thanks a lot Kraig!
someone could tell me what stop recording for 25 / 30 min canon 5 d ??
Thank you, still relevant 5 years later. Just shot with it for the first time. 😊
Also that exposure meter will be your best friend when using the A7Sii, always trust it and look through the viewfinder often for more accurate results.
I'm still on the fence about the A7SII vs 80D for vlogging >_
Canon has fallen so behind for video. I prefer the versatility of the A7SII
a7s ii, matt 👌
lol I was afraid people were going to say that :/
a7sII would be a waste for just vlogging. Get a cheaper camera and buy better lenses.
A7sII is a better camera BUT No flip out screen and AF isn't great
This is one of the best reviews of this camera I've seen.
any plans to do a review on your gimbal?
Wow. You answered all my questions in one video, and completely sold me on getting the A7Sii. Time to say goodbye to my GH4 👋🏻
There is a fast way to change the af point while you are filming? The Canon 5dmk IV has the much screen and a joystick to change that.
Great video. Lots of good tips. The only thing I disagree on is the auto ISO. You run the risk of the camera changing the colour of a shot if the lighting changes inside or if a big cloud comes along when shooting outside. You don't want that happening at an important moment! I'll try out your picture profile later on.
You should check out 323 quick release plates. They're much smaller than the 501 plates of Manfrotto and are perfect for DSLRs and mirrorless. All the wedding videographers here in the Philippines use em, and they're awesome and you'll never have that flip screen problem ever again. China-made ones go for $10 on amazon, and the original Manfrotto ones go for $35.
0:25 some really bad banding. Is that because of the camera or the UA-cam compression?
Great review! I actually didn't expect you to not shoot in 4K for weddings. Never even thought about that. haha
best video about Sony a7s II i see ever
Nice camera review. I shot at that location (La Venta Inn, Palos Verdes, CA) a few years ago & the views were magnificent.
There was a steep hill around the wedding gazebo though so it was difficult to set up extra cameras.
thanks
When will you have your beginners course ?
This was a very useful video for me. I have never touched the af/mf toggle on my A6300 until now. OMG. What a life changer. Due to the ultra fast autofocus on it, a quick tap on that button and I'm sharp. I don't think I'll ever need to turn the focus ring again. Thank you very much.
I do have this camera can you please do a video for some people don’t know nothing about cameras? Please I really appreciate 🙏❤️❤️❤️
Woah! I'm also using autumn leaves creative style! Cheers!
Using the A6500 in HD is 'clear image zoom' available.
I recently bought Sony 28mm for my A7s ii which I am going to use with pilotfly H2. I want to try auto focusing feature but don't have any idea how can I get maximum output from auto focusing feature. Could you help me please? Thanks in advance.
Such a nice review! Thank you very much for your clarity and YOUR opinion on this camera :)! The way its useful for you and what are you using to make your video look better!
Adjusting the shutter speed is how I shoot stills all the time, but everything I have read said 1/50 only for film, so I picked up a variND. However I shoot stills and film at the same time a lot and trying to stop using the shutter speed to adjust is hard.
Watching this today and the Reel Steady guys saying use a higher shutter speed also helps with that, I need to go and test some stuff! Thanks for being so open. :)
Stick to using a variable ND. If you do a few comparisons you'll realise the motion looks really unnatural.
Love using our A7s ii for receptions but prefer using 2 GH4s during the ceremony.
Got the Batis instead of the 70-200... It's in the post, hopefully I won't regret it.
Awesome review! Love your work!
Two questions, 1- connecting lavaliers mic on the officiant and groom for good audio, how do you do it with this camera? 2- if the ceremony is longer than 30 min you will not be able to provide a full ceremony recording, sucks running out of time when they wars about to kiss, any strategy? Thanks
do you know if the A7Sii have VFR (variable frame rate) for time-lapse? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.
time-lapse stuff is in a downloadable app...
Damn, THIS is the channel I was looking for. Great video!
i still prefer the 70D, cheap and come with dual pixel AF, flip to side LCD, touch focus, face detection ...
thanks man! i like ur review compare to others just talk about the camera instead of the setting.. as i'm a wedding video/photographer.. i've learn a lot from you.. thanks!
Originally, Canon was our preferred choice, after picking up the Sony, we have thoroughly enjoyed it even more. Thank you for this in-depth review.
Hi, I’m just a novice still, but I thought shutter should be always be set at double frame rate?
Hi! Are you still shooting in HD?
I think you can shoot 4k for more than 1 hour now... I mean after newest firmware update..
Glad you made the switch📸 love mine also.
there's no loss in image quality when using apsc mode. not in 1080 mode.
How do you save your wedding settings? Do you still have your blog settings mapped to custom modes 1 and 2?
Noticed ones again you dont have any nd filters listed in your gear guide, just curious as to how you shoot outside in bright sun?
He ups his shutter speed
Great review, I learned a few things about the A7Sii I didn't before. But you expose with your shutter speed? No ND filters for outside? Auto-white balance!? Really?
I was also surprised by this.
I have never heard of anyone using shutter speed to expose - it works OK?
It's great that it allows you to keep your aperture fixed when you require a certain depth of field but at the cost of stutter-y "non-filmic" looking video as you move up in SS. Although, I guess it's not a big deal as Kraigs stuff always looks bomb. I always trip all over myself trying to swap out ND filters but I think I may reconsider if it's even worth it!
Surprise here as well. Auto-white balance should never be used for filming. Unless he does it because its just well, practical (I find myself using it sometimes when I shoot Real Estate). As far as using a Creative Style, Hmmm.. that means you have to turn Picture Profiles to Off, and I believe that when they are off, the camera will not give you the Dynamic Range that was meant to put out (Slog3 and Slog2 giving you the most; followed by Cine Gammas and lastly No PP)
Won't using shutter speed to adjust exposer change the look of each shot tho?
Where the hell did you find that viewfinder/monitor custom menu thing?
Its just not there on the a7 (not s) ii
You should get the edelkrone one to avoid base plate damage.
Kraig! It will be really interesting to compare a7s and a7s II. Can you make a comparing video or even a review of a7s?
Do you have problems with sensor dust? I just shot a corporate industrial and thought it was lens dust. Cleaned the lens but the next day realized it was sensor dust? Horrible. Never had that problem with my Canon 5d Mark III.
Revisiting this review. Super torn between this camera and GH5. Currently GH4 and low light is quite disappointing. I feel like the ISO performance on the a7sii is more useful at weddings than all the other bells and whistles of the gh5. Kraig or anyone else have thoughts on this?
Man you have nice tone in your voice in the low frequency, try to record a voice over for a documentary or radio ads !
Do u recommend going with Canon ef lenses with this camera ? and how about the auto focus if used with the Canon lenses ?
I think the overheating issue got addressed by a firmware update back i december 2015. Have you updated?
does 85mm can be consider as a replacement for 90mm micro?
How do you like the fly by wire electronic focus lenses over the mechanical focus?
I will admit, there are pros and cons. Fly-by-wire is for sure different from normal L Canon glass but I'm used to Sony lenses now. The hardest thing is pulling focus. Rack focus pulls are extremely hard with Sony. With that said, I'm very happy with the size and weight of the Sony glass. It all comes down to what you value. Auto focus is fast AF with Sony on an A7Sii though. I'm planning on making a specific "Fly-By-Wire Focus Challenge" video in the future. Should be fun! Thanks for the comment and subbing.
Yeah I have that same problem with my sony glass, I shoot tons of music videos, so the action is very fast moving at times, and i have to be able to keep my subjects in focus so I always find myself having to repeat focus moves and that is extremly hard to do with fly by wire, thats why I just adapt glass now. I suggest you should look into the Zeiss Loxias or the leica M glass.
the metabones adapter to canon doesnt crop at 4k does it?
How do you like that gimbal when using a7sii? Is there a video you talk more about using a gimbal?
Specific review coming soon!
Right on man, thanks! Too many gimbals to choose from nowadays!
looked like the beholder ds1
OMG, I have never heard of cameras overheating before! I use a Sony FDR AX100, and have shot full weddings in 4k. How much does this happen? My iPhone doesn't even overheat when shooting 4k! (1 hr continuous.)
Can you please tell how to remove vignette while shooting 4k . I am using 18-105 mm aps-c lens
You can't use an aps c lens on a full frame body without vignette
what is "digital punch in"?
Hi Kraig,
@05:00 How do you conform 60p footage to 24p in post? What do you mean exactly? For slow motion? (Does it work with Premiere)
in premiere if you want your 60p footage to be in slow motion just put the footage into a 24p sequence. if you don't want it to be in slow motion the sequence must be 60p like the footage.
great review, thanks for sharing.
very helpful, thanks for making the time to do this.
How you find this profile working in low light situatios? How high have you pushed the iso and still make it look good ?
Greatest Camera Ever!
What about the focusing by wiring thing with native Sony lenses? I have read a lot about this, but still don't understand this too well... Is it really that bad to focus manually, do a focus pull...?
The only problem with the creative style is that it has the worst dynamic range compared to picture profiles. I didn't like the Cine4/Slog3 PP that a lot of people use though. I'm testing out a new profile that I like, it's based off the kholi cine2 profile that's floating around the internet with some of the colors modified.
can we set prolost settings on sony a7 series cameras? i use it often with my canon more than cinestyle
sony alpha a7s ii with canon 24-70 2.8 so its full frame wide or apsc wide
5:59 what type of monopod ?
Thanks for the review Kraig!
Craig, when you try out a new camera or other piece of equipment, what is your process for testing out before you feel comfortable bringing onto a client project? Do you use first on a blog post, take out for a walk in the park, etc...?
What about DRO? Great video and I like your approach to no picture profiles. Shot and edited my first wedding two weeks ago with SLOG 3 (Overexposing 2 Stops) and yeah it is quite a bit of work. Your videos have been very helpful!
Thanks Kraig...if you're ever in Fort Worth Tx...I would love to work with you..I have the A7SII and two A6300s
Thank you! This was very helpful, though I am not necessarily a wedding videographer. I'm getting an a7s ii in 2 weeks and I'm really nervous about such a large investment.
Again, thank you!
On the dancing how do u do it? Do u film whole dances or just bits? Thanks!
did u still use autumn leaves on creative style?
how about a7rii image quality for wedding filmmakers ?
So, you only own 1 of these cameras, and hire second & thirds for the wedding day? Have you been mixing footage from a7s with any other cameras?
can u tell me duration the battery lasts in 4k n hd
Kraig do people get married during winter? I just completed my gear kit, I'm new to filmmaking. I'd love to shoot weddings, but winter is coming and Canadian winters are no joke. The struggle is real
Hi! Make car videos like I do ;) cheers
***** Well I've got a good starter kit. Tripod, monopod, nd filter, audio stuff, canon dslr etc. Basic gear that will allow me to learn
A monopod is needed. You don't really need a slider when starting out.
how many is required for whole day shoot?
What make is that gimbal and monopod with head ?
Hi Kraig, do you use the "DRO Level" in some light situation, if you are filming in autum leave mode? Or is it better to disable DRO while filming? I bought the a7sii two days ago and changed like you from 6d and 5dmiii
Would Panasonic G7 make a good wedding camera? Thank you.
in good enough lighting, no reason why not
Hi Kraig, do you know simillar picture profile (autumn leaves) to use in Canon?
OHHHHH I see how it is, give me a hard time about A7Sii autofocus months ago on snapchat then praise it on youtube. I'm on to you Kraig.
What you think, can I also buy a7rii for weeding cinematography when i don't need to super iso?
What about manual focusing moving subjects? This cam's punch in system drives me crazy in comparison to good ol' ML's digic peaking (sharpening, edge+chroma). At this point I see no other way around it but getting an external monitor.
Haha, and autumn leaves, oh yes!
awesome review! i'm a 5d user and planning to buy either A7sii or the new a6500.. besides the price concern, would you recommend A7sii than A6500? thanks!
Hi Kraig,
Just wondering if you could help. If you've ever had to use the Sony with a canon, what profile have you used in the Sony to best match canons profile?
Would greatly appreciate the help 👍
which nd filter do you use on the 55mm?
I don't use one. I have a UV filter on for protection from scratches!
He says that he controls exposure using higher shutter speeds.
So you prefer breaking the 180 degree shutter speed rule than using nd filters? I also use the shutter to compensate exposure if I want shallow depth of field. I bought an variable nd filter but I neve use it bc it degrade the quality a tone.
+Bosco Serrano Velasco I'm pretty sure that the 180 degree rule is a shot composition term, not a camera technical term. Also the basic rule is to match the shutter speed to close to double the frame rate, like film cameras did.
Bosco Serrano Velasco you've just explained the 180 degree shutter rule
Which one would you say is better - A7Sii or A7Rii, for vlogging, UA-cam skits and photography?
Omar Gutierrez The A7R ii has like twice as many MP and photo features, lol.
what about overheating?
Nice review! what made you decide sony compared to GH4? I am a canon shooter for Stills and looking to go from a 70D for video to something higher bitrate and more professional video.
btw! you shoulld try the Sony ECM GZ1 microphone, cable free, better sound than that rode powered mic....scuse me but it sucks.
what Sony lenses do you use in your wedding videos? I'm a Canon user as well and the range of Sony is a bit limited and I want to avoid using adapters which tend to screw up sometimes..
I had it for a week I almost broke more than my screen. it might be great coming from a DSLRs but it's super slow coming from the c100. #teamc100markii
awesome review my man
Kraic, I am surprised to hear you shoot high shutter speeds, do you find the video really holds up and is good as just using NDs?
So I am about to shoot my first wedding solo. I have a sound engineering degree so still a bit nervous shooting solo and missing the recording button! Lol
I have shot several short films, commercials for KOBR Tv, and some reception style environments..I'm comfortable on the fly but not so sure with one camera.
I have the SONY A 73 which I just finished shooting my first shot film, I will send you trailer, color grade is horrible! could use some advice with which Slog that already has some color with it so I dont waste so much time coloring SLOG2!~!!
That 85mm you mentioned, how much did you pay for that? I only have the Sony 28mm F.4. and I would have to get super close behind pastor for OTS shots!
but have you used it for a long hour? they say it's overheating.
Hi! Thanks for the cool videoі! Could you tell us more about the s-log?
Nice review !
However, we switched to these A7S a few months ago from Canon 5D Mark iii and Canon 5D Mark ii, and we are so disappointed. The main reason is the battery : almost 4 hours to charge only one battery, this is insane ! Do you have the same issue ?
We might switch back to Canon in the future, but it is true that the quality of the image is better...
Claire Phan Yes the battery life on this camera is horrible, but there are 2 simple solutions:
1) Buy 2-4 after market batteries that can be charged via USB (www.amazon.com/dp/B01HFOJUCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZgaxybD9WJG7F)
2) Get 2 external power banks with at least 10,000mAh capacity ($20-30 on Amazon) You can use one to charge your camera while shooting and use another one to charge batteries via USB. These battery banks will last you all day!
Thoughts on the GH5. You gonna get one and test it out?