Moral of the story: It’s not Canon vs Sony, it’s your approach, your capacity to adjust, your overall creativity and your level of nerdiness. A lot of people bought the same camera but not all of them became Gerald Undone.
My guy. I remember your tutorial on getting burn marks out of screens and then looking for GH5 help and found you again! I celebrated 5k, wished you well and damned you for changing the theme song and using comments as your introduction. Alas, I’m still here. Just here to enjoy you. Because you’re an awesome on screen personality and I’d love to see more interesting content from you! I’m all in.
I purchased my Sony A7III camera on June 17th, 2018 - not only is this the exact day I welcomed my beautiful daughter into the world, but it also happened to be Father's Day! 📷👶💙 It's amazing how certain dates become so significant in our lives. Now, every time I pick up my camera, it's a reminder of that incredible day filled with love and joy. Cheers to capturing precious moments and making memories that last a lifetime
Your Sony A7III review 5 years ago is what initially inspired me to pull the trigger on buying my first camera (coming from almost only using a smartphone or rented school camera), which jumpstarted my own photography career. Thanks for all of your effort and passion on UA-cam, you've earned/deserve all the success!
The a7III got my photography career going and I watched every one of your videos. The a7IV is leaps ahead, but the a7III was good for it's time. The price, AF and lens selection was hard to beat. If I could go back, I'd have switched to the GH5 for video earlier. For a while I ended up using two systems. I'm very happy now that Sony has brought s-log3 10-bit to the mirrorless line... and for your reviews/tutorials over the years.
Yeah but, are you having any fun? I make videos for me 1st, all of you 2nd. I do what I do because I really enjoy it, many of you feel the same about my videos and when that happens, I've totally succeeded. But I could never do this UA-cam thing for a living, I'd just go to bed and wake up hating myself and the job I turned it all into. So to each their own, wish ya all the best. If I ever get big enough to live on this, I'll probably quite or slow down regardless just to eliminate any chance of that feeling were "I have to do a thing" just for the sake of doing a thing. I just ain't made like that..... But Cheers to those of you that are 🍻
Wow I have such a similar journey with this camera, it pretty much started my shift to camera videos in 2019 when I finally saved enough to buy it, and I remember your videos helping me make the decision on it haha
It was the a7S III review - which is a masterclass in camera reviews itself - that initially put your channel into my recommendations. Never knew the a7 III had so much importance in the mix of your story and content strategy, but it was also my first full frame Sony, and still wild how many features Sony packed into that thing for the price point. Glad that it led you to where you are now!
Dude, what a masterclass in both gear review etiquette and how to sustain a passion over time on this platform. Major props to you and thanks for the history lesson. 🎩
Because of you and the power horse Sony A7 III, I started my career at Wedding Films. The profile I use for the shots are your profiles, with your configurations. Just by curiosity, I tried 2 days ago changing the profiles to PP7 - SLOG2 - just to see how it could be. There is no comparison! Yours are much higher quality and far more dynamic range friendly. It's a differential that rendered to no bride ever complaining about colors, skin tone or quality. 5/5 Stars rating every time. Thanks, Gerald!
It was your A7iii picture profile video that was perhaps the most important UA-cam video I watched because it really got me thinking about the deeper workings of cameras and videography. I owe so much of my current knowledge to you. Thank you for keeping so many of us curious, thinking, and informed.
I launched my wedding videography business using the Canon 200D. It wasn't until two years later when I bought the A7III and learned so much about it from you, my business really took off and I was soon able to leave the 9-5 and work 24/7 but I wouldn't change a thing. A lot of that success is attributed to you, Gerald. Thank you. The A7III will always be an important camera to me, even though now it has become my B cam.
arri lens was such a good video. Why don't you do alexas, reds and other better than mirrorless cameras here? maybe you already explained it, sorry if that is the case
the real tragedy is the fact that i know of many channels who put in the work for so long and do amazing work but just don't get any numbers at all and remain trapped in the sub 300 or sub 100 engagement. Luckily you were able to adapt and overcome that hurdle but its a valuable lesson in just how challenging it is to pragmatically act on your ambitions
Funy how making videos you would want to watch seems to be the videos others want to watch as well. Even though they may not be the videos you want to make.😊 Best reviewer on youtube 👍
I'm using an A7III still today to film my online courses, UA-cam videos, product reviews on other platforms... it's amazing. Yes, I'd like the A7SIII but there's honestly no "need" for me to upgrade, just GAS. It makes me money and I'm not even filming in 4k, it's funny when others tell you "it isn't good enough". Used market now is SO cheap, you can still create great things with this camera. Of course it's missing the cool upgrades from A7IV or FX3, but for the price, you simply can't beat it.
Like so many others here, the a7iii has totally changed me and my photography. Even if it’s over five years old now, it’s still quite a capable piece of gear. Thanks for the hard work you do for all of us!
I was a LONG time Canon shooter, 30D, 5D2, 5D3, 5D4....up until A73 came out with it's Eye-AF was too big a game changer (such an over used word). I picked it up at the photography show before it's wide release here in the UK. The retailer at the show allowed pre-sale ahead of general release. It took me a few months to transition fully over, with adapted MC-11 first until fully. I still have it, don't see the need to get A74 (and dislike flip out screen). Is it perfect? no...but it is actually my longest main camera.
A7iii is my first full frame camera. Went to buy a7ii at best buy but after picking up a7iii I couldn't buy the a7ii anymore. The focus system was just so much better in a7iii. Borrowed the extra money from credit card. Still using the A7iii after 5 years.
100%. You absolutely dominate your niche in camera/Sony world. Everyone knows this channel is where you go for technical - but still very accessible - reviews and topics.
nice to hear that, when i bought that camera, it was a big jump in my photo/videography as a wedding photographer, is also the best purchase i ever made, im sill using the a7III, whish to upgrade, but, the camera gear is way too expensive in my country, and.... I'm poor, lol, please help! hahahahah🤣🤣
Does it make sense to upgrade from an a7S II to this camera for my UA-cam channel? I need good face tracking and the ability to keep the camera powered via USB-C for a fixed setup.
I got an A7 III at the tail end of 2022/beginning 2023 (to save money and see if photo/video was for me) and while it's far from the best, and has quite a few limitations when mixing video and photography into a single camera, it's been less about the gear and more about getting out there, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning. Thanks for your content - haven't been watching for too long, but I'll be happily working through the backlog.
Thanks for all the in depths reviews you make! They have been so useful! I actually found you on UA-cam from a cheap usb mic review and the extensive tests you were doing for a $50 mic was quite impressive
I remember finding your videos way back when I got my A6400, and the A7iii video was very interesting in helping me get the most out of that.. Now I'm aiming to go in a similar direction as you on UA-cam, just focusing on Panasonic and going nerdy + educational, and some cool tips and tricks I've learned. Thanks for all you do Gerald!
It is so cool to see you reflecting on key points in your content creator journey man! It is great to see people understanding those important moments 💪 The brutality hard work, physically and mentally you put have paid off and we all love you man ❤️
Hey Gerald, thank you for all your videos. I am in the Motorcycle genre but always look to your advice about New products and which camera and lenses you recommend. Thanks for all your hard work.
Hi Gerald, having come from a Leica lllg red dial, my a7r is still my best camera. I got it new. I usually use my a6000 as EDC. I am not yet persuaded to upgrade either as both are running well considering my abuse.
When I switched from Nikon D700 to A7iii five years ago, I was so mesmerized and impressed by the eye AF and its near perfect performance in event photography! I’ve been shooting with A7iv for year now and working with A7iii makes me feel I’m working with a dinosaur!! 😂 It’s amazing how fast the cameras are improving! A7iii was a great tool, but I always felt it was soulless and uninspiring to hold in your hand! A7iv handles much better.
This was very inspirational! The message I got from this was, everyone has to start somewhere and one should look around the existing landscape and determine what’s NOT currently being offered on the market and bring value to the audience. Consistency and the work you put in will do the rest. 💪
Man, I've got to say man... When I got my A7iii in 2018 your videos were SO helpful - been here with you since early days and while I have less need to watch your videos as I now have the knowledge needed. I'm always happy to see how well you've done. Hope you're doing well - keep inventing and keep having fun!
The A7iii was my first big investment as a content creator. I couldnt really justify the cost at the time, but i said "screw it, i have to take some chances if i want to really commit to doing this". I still remember being blown away by how awesome everything looked when shot with it. Still use an a7iv and a7siii to this day because of that experience.
Yeah - You were my man back then de-mystifying the big sony picture profile conundrum 👍And yes, the A7 III was my first 'serious' mirrorless camera as well. After all those years, you are still my go-to channel! Cheers from Germany.
Great to see an overview of your YT journey. I have learned a lot from your videos. Often how much I don't know about photography and videography, but that has been really useful, and I really appreciate the humor!
Your videos on the A7 III made me purchase an A7R III with a high level of confidence that it would be a big upgrade from my Nikon D810 at the time, and it was. The increase in efficiency from mirrorless completely changed the course of my life in a positive way.
I just want to say a heartfelt "thank you" for taking us all on the journey with you. I'm 70 now and can honestly say that no other UA-cam channel has had as much influence on me as yours. I truly appreciate it.
I remember the time very well, sony a7iii was the talk of the town. Well done mate on getting on board the train. I started my channel in 2017, but decided not to take a loan out to get one and i saw loads of channels boom that were using them but not mine alas.... that said, without formula, it would have been lost in the ether either way. True achievement to break theough in youtube
in 2018 i switch from d800e to a7ii because of back focus issue on d800e (dslr biggest issue for me) i dont really need a very high frame rates since i shoot a typical events and weddings. in 2021 i bought a used a7rii because my a7ii (almost 350k shutter counts) got a button issue (said to be the controller board is the problem) in 2022, a7rii got the same issue and force me to get a new a7iii. roughly about 15 months with a7iii, i shoot more than 188k photos. jpg+raw. thinking to get a a7iv but my judgement said, a7iii worth better as for now.
Lovely video, Gerald. Nice to see that you've been able to track your, dare I say, success back to a single purchase... more or less. I am one of the many whom you've impacted. I attribute my Davinci Resolve workflow and the use of nodes and their sequence, entirely to you. Thank you. Here's to an even more successful 2024.
Thanks Gerald! Great video and explanation, your videos are helping me understand the camera. I just got an a7III with the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens so I can take photos of my architecture, this was a recommendation from one of my clients who happens to be a Pulitzer winner photographer, so I was lucky to start with the right foot... but it's overwhelming how much you can do with it, so your channel is great. Cheers!
Your Sony videos, starting with the A73, was so instrumental to my growth in film and video, I’m not sure where I’d be today without em. Thank you Gerald for your passion and nerdiness for cameras, and thankful for the A73 for really changing the way we shoot. Keep em coming Gerald!
I first subscribed to this channel on that HLG3 recommendation and the Leeming LUT workflow. Had an a7R III at the time but was enjoying video more than photography.
hello Gerald I love your content. You are good at describing complex things in a way so that everyone can understand. Gerald I may need your help with one minor things regarding this update. I have the new firmware on my Sony A7s3 and have some issues with Auto focus with Face and Eye detection when set for Human subject. The issue is this: focus works fine when my head is horizontal but if I stay with my head upside down the camera fails to focus on my eyes. This did not happen with previous firmware version (2.10 I know not quite previous but that was last before updating to 2.15 and 3.0. Please let me know if you experience this kind of issue also. Maybe somehow is a problem. Happens with both lenses that I have GM2 24-70 & GM2 16-35mm. Kind regards and thank you so much in advance.The issue happens with both my SonyA7s3 cameras, so it is caused by the firmaware 3.0.
I think a lot of new tech can be attributed to your and similar channels who try to find the practical answers to technical questions. For one, I don't think log encoding would be as widely expected and requested in new cameras if it weren't for your testing a few years ago. Now you see cameras like gopro, iphone 15 introducing log encoding into their images with great success. It sets a benchmark for new cameras as well, where if they don't perform well with dynamic range and color reproduction, they won't even be considered by the majority of users. Basically, the average skill of users have gone up so much that manufacturers actually have to deliver advanced features even in their consumer products. I think your channel is one of the most important ones for that paradigm shift.
I remember when I started my channel and was searching for good camera. You and JoshYo from M.A.N. pushed me to Sony a7iii and it was best decision I made... Now switched to a7iv and love that camera and possibilities it gives.
A7iii and the 85mm f1.8 was what lured me away from the m43 trap. 5y latter I am on A1+A7iv + GM prime kit and fully commited to the E-mount eco-system. Slowly transitioning from photography to videography and getting a bit bored with 10bit H.264 codecs on the way... Sucks that Sony does not offer anything between 10bit and high-end 16bit colour (for video) Sucks that Sony XAVC codecs do not offer 6K files (not 4K oversampled from 6K) on any of its many 24-60mp "hybrid" cameras.
Gerald ,,, Funnily [Yes ... even though 'Funnily' sounds a Cake you get at the County Fair - a Funnily Cake- ] it IS a Word in the Dictionary] ... it was when I stumbled across your videos about shooting in S-Log3, etc I said "WTF is he talking about?" and started paying attention - Close Attention- to your videos ... and I've followed You ever since as I acquired a Boatload of Sony Cameras ... Keep 'Em Coming, G ... Bart.
Gerald, you are a very smart, highly analytical, but at the same time very good at expressing ideas, so, you would have probably found a way somehow. And you did. I agree with you that the A7-iii was the big inflection point in most people's lives. In fact, it is a big inflection point in the history of the photography and video! This is the true meaning of 'GAME CHANGER." When 2 big giants and old-timers of photography pivots 180 degrees and drop their DSLR line, that's the true meaning of GAME CHANGER! And when Panasonic, suddenly adds a 35FF to their m4/3 line, that's a game changer! When these 3 companies suddenly rushes to come out with their own MILCs, in less than a year or so, that's a game changer. So, it is not just you or an individual. The tipping point in the history is really the A7-iii. The future cameras, will probably have AI used in one way or the other. If any, the new Insta360 Ace Pro is paving the way on how AI will prove to be another "game changer," in imaging. When a 1/1.3" sensor gives a stellar low light performance as if an f1.4 lens is strapped to an a6700 aps-c camera, that's a preview of what the future will be, or rather, what it is now turning into. Good luck to your future, Gerald. I am one of your fans. If I ever launch my own channel, I'd probably try to be as analytical, practical, articulate, etc as you! Thanks for this post!
October 2018. Buy a Sony A7 III or a Canon 5D MKIV. I chose poorly. I always wonder what life would have been like if I bought the Sony back then. March 2023 I finally bought a Sony A7IV and never looked back.
Thank you Gerald. I purchased the A7 III in 2018 and it still works OK but it has been a challenging adventure to get what I wanted from it. Your videos will determine my next upgrade :) I greatly appreciate your clarity and authenticity.
I've been watching your videos for the last few years (I remember when you still had long hair 😄). And even though my interest in cameras and videography has dwindled since then, I always watched your videos with great interest. Your unique style and an eagerness to answer artistic questions more scientifically are a great contribution to the field. Your success is absolutely deserved. Thank you for consistently making great content, Gerald!
I appreciate all your technical videos and look forward to each one. This one was different, and it was pretty awesome to hear you put things in perspective. Hope you do these things semiannually or at the end of each year. Maybe one as a personal reflection and another as a “state of the camera union “ address lol. On a side note, I you can bring a bit more Fuji gear into the fold next year. Thanks for all the hard work
Hi everyone, I have an a7III and I haven't been able to figure out what the native ISO is yet. From this video and some others we talk about native ISO from 100 to 51,200 but not a specific number. Could someone please answer me? Thank you so much
this camera is STILL relevant today. Its sensor notably beats its predecessor in ISO performance, according to DXO. Its autofocus is still incredible in 2023, as well as its image and video quality.. despite not shooting 4K60.
Yes, I really like your deep technical reviews. I hope more reviewers would get you as an example. For example I bought the DJI osmo pocket 3 but there are no deep technical reviews. There are very few good empirical reviews. But many more who only try to generate clicks with minimal work. Now many think the pocket 3 is a toy camera but the footage I got out of the camera is much better than expected. But I am still confused by the ISO settings. The camera has a F2 lens, base ISO 50 but with a ND64 filter clouds are overexposed. That is unexpected because the pocket 1 had base ISO 100 and I don't get many overexposed clouds.
It was your a7iii content that got me in the door. I went to a store in Glasgow to buy a GH5 and discovered that a preorder for the a7iii had been cancelled. That was May 2018, and I still use it most days.
I recently went back over my photos of two trips to japan in 2019 and 2020. A friend was going through them and said that the pics were ‘postcard worthy’ and ‘like they were out of a travel magazine’. I feel that you just can’t get that kind of feedback with a phone, or even most apsc cameras (esp in low light). So even though I haven’t used my a7iii for nearly a year, I’ll be happily keeping it for my next travel trip. Absolutely love the camera :)
I'm desperately looking for a 4k video camera that doesn't have that overly sharp digital look. I don't know if it's compression sharpness, microcontrast, or what, but every single mirrorless camera at 4k just looks absolutely awful to my eyes. You can obsess over technical details like dynamic range or whatever, but the sharp look of all of these cameras including A7siii is the main thing that sets the image quality apart from cinema cameras. Yes you can filter it away, diffusion, grading, lighting, lenses all help. But the problem is still there because it's happening in the camera and there are many instances where it is still visible no matter what you do. Some people say that if a lens can only resolve hd details, then if you film in 4k you end up with an hd image. I disagree very strongly, the optical effects like aberrations are still captured in 4k, there are more pixels and will always be extra detail captured that change the way it looks, so although the resolution of the subject is literally hd, the 4k image looks completely different to if you shot in hd with the same lens, you can tell and it's not subtle, it looks completely different. It's the same with this sharpness issue on all these cameras, you can do everything you want to get rid of it, put an OLPF on the sensor, diffusion, professional level production value in everything in front of the camera, but the camera is still doing whatever horrible awful stupid sharpening thing that it does and so the image will never truly stand up to a cinema camera. It's especially true of certain shots like wide angle deep dof landscapes, like in the woods or a city scape. It has a very reality tv look and it's so so ugly to me. Black magic cameras have the same thing in braw. I don't understand why the manufacturers would focus on something so superficial like fake sharpness instead of actually matching more professional level image quality. I wish I knew what the technical name and reason for this sharp look is, but I can't find any info on it. Having said all that, does anyone know of a 4k, or 2.5k camera that doesn't have the sharp reality TV look? I really really want one. The 2.5k black magic from ages ago sounds potentially suitable. Besides that I just can't find any camera that remotely starts to get away from this look until it's something like a RED.
D D GUND . . . He's Craaaaazzzzzhhhh. Whats happening *salute swish sound* since Feb 20th of 2019 you have been enriching my camera curiosity. I have learned so much from this channel that it's honestly insane. At the very beginning i barely understood most of the tests and mostly came to learn and have my comment featured on the intro or outro (if anyone is counting i have been featured 4 times ;) ). Now i am here to further my knowledge of cameras and the semi professional hobby that i love the most. Thank you for all the hard work and the staggering amount of effort it takes to produce these ever informative videos! You have changed lives here and it's been a pleasure to be part of this journey with you. Outro: and if you did not find this video helpful or entertaining, you probably didn't pre order the Sony A7iii or set the play back speed to 75% Intro: Im GUND and i have bananas in my freezer, awaiting the next review downfall.
I have a question idk if you can help me with I have Canon m50 with a speed booster, I bought a Samyang lens 85mm f1.2 (mf), but it does not work with the speed booster (it stays f1.2) but the field of view changes of course Now how is that possible? How and why isn't the speed booster changing the aperture? And how is dof effecting here ?
My pivotal camera was NO camera. It was ~24 years ago, and not having a camera, I downloaded jpg pics to use as practice for learning Photoshop. I eventually bought a new Nikon 4500 and retouched my own pics. Then I got a Rebel XT and got into retouching raws. Better cameras followed, but to this day I am much more accomplished as a photo retoucher than as a photographer. But I pursue improvement in both , it's a neverending quest because I will never be perfect. The End.
That's a very inspiring video, like your others! You are in the top 5 of my trusted reviewers list :) This channel is one of the motivations to start my channel. Thank you...
They say you learn something new every day, and so today I did. I don't think I was aware that you did sports photography prior to your UA-cam career. That's quite interesting! Thanks for all of your great content. Have a wonderful Christmas Holiday and Happy New Year!
I like your contents. It's like a friend telling me what is great of these tech and how you can use them. Technology in Camera of course. Like even this video, great that how you shared your UA-cam journey. and yes A7III really changed the camera market for value to features ratio across all brands. But sadly that killed M43 hard too.
A7III is the first camera in my life. I bought in 2019. I am still using it because I bought it with my scholarship fund. And now I don't have money to buy another new model.
Moral of the story: It’s not Canon vs Sony, it’s your approach, your capacity to adjust, your overall creativity and your level of nerdiness.
A lot of people bought the same camera but not all of them became Gerald Undone.
No. It's just Sony lol
And that's good, because if everybody is Gerald Undone then no one is. Though it would be funny if everyone busted out the xyla 21 at a camera store.
It is Canon vs. Sony. Sony forced Canon and Nikon to switch to Mirrorless or get left behind.
its not like you need a good camera to do what gerald does lol
This comment deserves to be pinned. 👌🏻
My guy. I remember your tutorial on getting burn marks out of screens and then looking for GH5 help and found you again! I celebrated 5k, wished you well and damned you for changing the theme song and using comments as your introduction.
Alas, I’m still here. Just here to enjoy you. Because you’re an awesome on screen personality and I’d love to see more interesting content from you! I’m all in.
A7iii most important camera ever made and of course still very relevant!!! Thank you gerald for all the amazing content all these years!
That's how I stumbled on your channel. When I purchase my a7iii in 2019.
What 5 years already!!!
I purchased my Sony A7III camera on June 17th, 2018 - not only is this the exact day I welcomed my beautiful daughter into the world, but it also happened to be Father's Day! 📷👶💙 It's amazing how certain dates become so significant in our lives. Now, every time I pick up my camera, it's a reminder of that incredible day filled with love and joy. Cheers to capturing precious moments and making memories that last a lifetime
Your Sony A7III review 5 years ago is what initially inspired me to pull the trigger on buying my first camera (coming from almost only using a smartphone or rented school camera), which jumpstarted my own photography career. Thanks for all of your effort and passion on UA-cam, you've earned/deserve all the success!
The a7III got my photography career going and I watched every one of your videos. The a7IV is leaps ahead, but the a7III was good for it's time. The price, AF and lens selection was hard to beat. If I could go back, I'd have switched to the GH5 for video earlier. For a while I ended up using two systems. I'm very happy now that Sony has brought s-log3 10-bit to the mirrorless line... and for your reviews/tutorials over the years.
Yeah but, are you having any fun? I make videos for me 1st, all of you 2nd. I do what I do because I really enjoy it, many of you feel the same about my videos and when that happens, I've totally succeeded. But I could never do this UA-cam thing for a living, I'd just go to bed and wake up hating myself and the job I turned it all into. So to each their own, wish ya all the best. If I ever get big enough to live on this, I'll probably quite or slow down regardless just to eliminate any chance of that feeling were "I have to do a thing" just for the sake of doing a thing.
I just ain't made like that..... But Cheers to those of you that are 🍻
Sometimes you have to shut your eyes, so you can see the real beauty.😊
Wow I have such a similar journey with this camera, it pretty much started my shift to camera videos in 2019 when I finally saved enough to buy it, and I remember your videos helping me make the decision on it haha
It was the a7S III review - which is a masterclass in camera reviews itself - that initially put your channel into my recommendations. Never knew the a7 III had so much importance in the mix of your story and content strategy, but it was also my first full frame Sony, and still wild how many features Sony packed into that thing for the price point. Glad that it led you to where you are now!
Dude, what a masterclass in both gear review etiquette and how to sustain a passion over time on this platform. Major props to you and thanks for the history lesson. 🎩
Let's be real, Gerald blew up because of the Canadian camera Mafia. ALL the best camera channels are Canadian 🤣
Because of you and the power horse Sony A7 III, I started my career at Wedding Films. The profile I use for the shots are your profiles, with your configurations. Just by curiosity, I tried 2 days ago changing the profiles to PP7 - SLOG2 - just to see how it could be. There is no comparison! Yours are much higher quality and far more dynamic range friendly. It's a differential that rendered to no bride ever complaining about colors, skin tone or quality. 5/5 Stars rating every time. Thanks, Gerald!
It was your A7iii picture profile video that was perhaps the most important UA-cam video I watched because it really got me thinking about the deeper workings of cameras and videography. I owe so much of my current knowledge to you. Thank you for keeping so many of us curious, thinking, and informed.
Nice story and insight Gerald. I got the Sony A7III in 2019 and still use it almost daily.
I launched my wedding videography business using the Canon 200D. It wasn't until two years later when I bought the A7III and learned so much about it from you, my business really took off and I was soon able to leave the 9-5 and work 24/7 but I wouldn't change a thing. A lot of that success is attributed to you, Gerald. Thank you. The A7III will always be an important camera to me, even though now it has become my B cam.
What is your A cam now? 🎥
@@Rayhchall My A is now the Sony A7IV 🙌
arri lens was such a good video. Why don't you do alexas, reds and other better than mirrorless cameras here? maybe you already explained it, sorry if that is the case
the real tragedy is the fact that i know of many channels who put in the work for so long and do amazing work but just don't get any numbers at all and remain trapped in the sub 300 or sub 100 engagement. Luckily you were able to adapt and overcome that hurdle but its a valuable lesson in just how challenging it is to pragmatically act on your ambitions
To this day whenever I write “a7SIII” I hear your voice in my head saying, “Capital 7.” 😁
Funy how making videos you would want to watch seems to be the videos others want to watch as well. Even though they may not be the videos you want to make.😊 Best reviewer on youtube 👍
I’ve had my a7iii for 5 years. Wanted to upgrade after about 3 years.. but i’m still using it, and it’s solid.
One of the best releases of all time imo. Still a great camera today and still great value for what it goes for as well.
I'm using an A7III still today to film my online courses, UA-cam videos, product reviews on other platforms... it's amazing. Yes, I'd like the A7SIII but there's honestly no "need" for me to upgrade, just GAS.
It makes me money and I'm not even filming in 4k, it's funny when others tell you "it isn't good enough". Used market now is SO cheap, you can still create great things with this camera.
Of course it's missing the cool upgrades from A7IV or FX3, but for the price, you simply can't beat it.
Like so many others here, the a7iii has totally changed me and my photography. Even if it’s over five years old now, it’s still quite a capable piece of gear. Thanks for the hard work you do for all of us!
I was a LONG time Canon shooter, 30D, 5D2, 5D3, 5D4....up until A73 came out with it's Eye-AF was too big a game changer (such an over used word). I picked it up at the photography show before it's wide release here in the UK. The retailer at the show allowed pre-sale ahead of general release. It took me a few months to transition fully over, with adapted MC-11 first until fully. I still have it, don't see the need to get A74 (and dislike flip out screen). Is it perfect? no...but it is actually my longest main camera.
A7iii is my first full frame camera. Went to buy a7ii at best buy but after picking up a7iii I couldn't buy the a7ii anymore. The focus system was just so much better in a7iii. Borrowed the extra money from credit card. Still using the A7iii after 5 years.
I like this guy, he does a great job and honestly shares the results with us, thank you...
100%. You absolutely dominate your niche in camera/Sony world. Everyone knows this channel is where you go for technical - but still very accessible - reviews and topics.
nice to hear that, when i bought that camera, it was a big jump in my photo/videography as a wedding photographer, is also the best purchase i ever made, im sill using the a7III, whish to upgrade, but, the camera gear is way too expensive in my country, and.... I'm poor, lol, please help! hahahahah🤣🤣
I’m not a Sony-user but your videos have been instrumental in my photographic and video graphic learning. Thanks again, Gerald!
Thank you for your hard work and sharing what you’ve learned.
Love the rotary encabulator reference :)
Does it make sense to upgrade from an a7S II to this camera for my UA-cam channel? I need good face tracking and the ability to keep the camera powered via USB-C for a fixed setup.
I got an A7 III at the tail end of 2022/beginning 2023 (to save money and see if photo/video was for me) and while it's far from the best, and has quite a few limitations when mixing video and photography into a single camera, it's been less about the gear and more about getting out there, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning. Thanks for your content - haven't been watching for too long, but I'll be happily working through the backlog.
Thanks for all the in depths reviews you make! They have been so useful! I actually found you on UA-cam from a cheap usb mic review and the extensive tests you were doing for a $50 mic was quite impressive
I remember finding your videos way back when I got my A6400, and the A7iii video was very interesting in helping me get the most out of that.. Now I'm aiming to go in a similar direction as you on UA-cam, just focusing on Panasonic and going nerdy + educational, and some cool tips and tricks I've learned.
Thanks for all you do Gerald!
It is so cool to see you reflecting on key points in your content creator journey man!
It is great to see people understanding those important moments 💪
The brutality hard work, physically and mentally you put have paid off and we all love you man ❤️
Hey Gerald, thank you for all your videos. I am in the Motorcycle genre but always look to your advice about New products and which camera and lenses you recommend. Thanks for all your hard work.
Hi Gerald, having come from a Leica lllg red dial, my a7r is still my best camera. I got it new. I usually use my a6000 as EDC. I am not yet persuaded to upgrade either as both are running well considering my abuse.
I wish I could replicate the same feeling as when I opened the box of the SONY A7III, what a moment !
Got a7iii a month ago after few years of using a6400, what a camera!
Been following your work since GH5 days. I also had it and used for my UA-cam stuff. Time flies. Merry christmas🙏🏻🤠
When I switched from Nikon D700 to A7iii five years ago, I was so mesmerized and impressed by the eye AF and its near perfect performance in event photography!
I’ve been shooting with A7iv for year now and working with A7iii makes me feel I’m working with a dinosaur!! 😂
It’s amazing how fast the cameras are improving!
A7iii was a great tool, but I always felt it was soulless and uninspiring to hold in your hand!
A7iv handles much better.
Man the a73 is a dream camera for me, i just dont got the money, but I am working towards it. Hopefully I will be filming with it soon
Good luck you will definetly get it one day
I'm eyeing up a rather cheap Sony A7 III and wondering if they fixed the face detection over HDMI that was missing on the older models?
I remember old school Gerald fondly, for me the XT3 review was super important.
This was very inspirational! The message I got from this was, everyone has to start somewhere and one should look around the existing landscape and determine what’s NOT currently being offered on the market and bring value to the audience. Consistency and the work you put in will do the rest. 💪
Man, I've got to say man... When I got my A7iii in 2018 your videos were SO helpful - been here with you since early days and while I have less need to watch your videos as I now have the knowledge needed. I'm always happy to see how well you've done.
Hope you're doing well - keep inventing and keep having fun!
The A7iii was my first big investment as a content creator. I couldnt really justify the cost at the time, but i said "screw it, i have to take some chances if i want to really commit to doing this". I still remember being blown away by how awesome everything looked when shot with it. Still use an a7iv and a7siii to this day because of that experience.
Yeah - You were my man back then de-mystifying the big sony picture profile conundrum 👍And yes, the A7 III was my first 'serious' mirrorless camera as well. After all those years, you are still my go-to channel! Cheers from Germany.
Great to see an overview of your YT journey. I have learned a lot from your videos. Often how much I don't know about photography and videography, but that has been really useful, and I really appreciate the humor!
Your videos on the A7 III made me purchase an A7R III with a high level of confidence that it would be a big upgrade from my Nikon D810 at the time, and it was. The increase in efficiency from mirrorless completely changed the course of my life in a positive way.
Thank you for all the years of great content, Gerald. Here's to more Undoing in 2024! Cheers!
Alright, I’m done
Been subscribed to your channel since your colour profile video for Sony A7iii, so knowledgeable dude
Been watching since that A7iii video man, loving it. Keep going!
I've had my A7III since 2019... it's great! And so is your channel! Thank you for all your wonderful videos! 😎
I just want to say a heartfelt "thank you" for taking us all on the journey with you. I'm 70 now and can honestly say that no other UA-cam channel has had as much influence on me as yours. I truly appreciate it.
A7iii is still a great camera in 2023.. It changed the game for many...
Literally bought my FX3 because of you and it helped me grow my business with top tier quality, keep at it Gerald.
I remember the time very well, sony a7iii was the talk of the town. Well done mate on getting on board the train. I started my channel in 2017, but decided not to take a loan out to get one and i saw loads of channels boom that were using them but not mine alas.... that said, without formula, it would have been lost in the ether either way. True achievement to break theough in youtube
in 2018 i switch from d800e to a7ii because of back focus issue on d800e (dslr biggest issue for me)
i dont really need a very high frame rates since i shoot a typical events and weddings.
in 2021 i bought a used a7rii because my a7ii (almost 350k shutter counts) got a button issue (said to be the controller board is the problem)
in 2022, a7rii got the same issue and force me to get a new a7iii.
roughly about 15 months with a7iii, i shoot more than 188k photos.
jpg+raw.
thinking to get a a7iv but my judgement said, a7iii worth better as for now.
Lovely video, Gerald. Nice to see that you've been able to track your, dare I say, success back to a single purchase... more or less. I am one of the many whom you've impacted. I attribute my Davinci Resolve workflow and the use of nodes and their sequence, entirely to you. Thank you. Here's to an even more successful 2024.
Thanks for covering the beast nd the legend ❤❤😍
Thanks Gerald! Great video and explanation, your videos are helping me understand the camera. I just got an a7III with the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens so I can take photos of my architecture, this was a recommendation from one of my clients who happens to be a Pulitzer winner photographer, so I was lucky to start with the right foot... but it's overwhelming how much you can do with it, so your channel is great. Cheers!
Your Sony videos, starting with the A73, was so instrumental to my growth in film and video, I’m not sure where I’d be today without em.
Thank you Gerald for your passion and nerdiness for cameras, and thankful for the A73 for really changing the way we shoot. Keep em coming Gerald!
I first subscribed to this channel on that HLG3 recommendation and the Leeming LUT workflow. Had an a7R III at the time but was enjoying video more than photography.
hello Gerald I love your content. You are good at describing complex things in a way so that everyone can understand. Gerald I may need your help with one minor things regarding this update. I have the new firmware on my Sony A7s3 and have some issues with Auto focus with Face and Eye detection when set for Human subject. The issue is this: focus works fine when my head is horizontal but if I stay with my head upside down the camera fails to focus on my eyes. This did not happen with previous firmware version (2.10 I know not quite previous but that was last before updating to 2.15 and 3.0. Please let me know if you experience this kind of issue also. Maybe somehow is a problem. Happens with both lenses that I have GM2 24-70 & GM2 16-35mm. Kind regards and thank you so much in advance.The issue happens with both my SonyA7s3 cameras, so it is caused by the firmaware 3.0.
I think a lot of new tech can be attributed to your and similar channels who try to find the practical answers to technical questions. For one, I don't think log encoding would be as widely expected and requested in new cameras if it weren't for your testing a few years ago. Now you see cameras like gopro, iphone 15 introducing log encoding into their images with great success. It sets a benchmark for new cameras as well, where if they don't perform well with dynamic range and color reproduction, they won't even be considered by the majority of users. Basically, the average skill of users have gone up so much that manufacturers actually have to deliver advanced features even in their consumer products. I think your channel is one of the most important ones for that paradigm shift.
I remember when I started my channel and was searching for good camera. You and JoshYo from M.A.N. pushed me to Sony a7iii and it was best decision I made... Now switched to a7iv and love that camera and possibilities it gives.
A7iii and the 85mm f1.8 was what lured me away from the m43 trap. 5y latter I am on A1+A7iv + GM prime kit and fully commited to the E-mount eco-system.
Slowly transitioning from photography to videography and getting a bit bored with 10bit H.264 codecs on the way...
Sucks that Sony does not offer anything between 10bit and high-end 16bit colour (for video)
Sucks that Sony XAVC codecs do not offer 6K files (not 4K oversampled from 6K) on any of its many 24-60mp "hybrid" cameras.
Gerald ,,, Funnily [Yes ... even though 'Funnily' sounds a Cake you get at the County Fair - a Funnily Cake- ] it IS a Word in the Dictionary] ... it was when I stumbled across your videos about shooting in S-Log3, etc I said "WTF is he talking about?" and started paying attention - Close Attention- to your videos ... and I've followed You ever since as I acquired a Boatload of Sony Cameras ... Keep 'Em Coming, G ... Bart.
Gerald, you are a very smart, highly analytical, but at the same time very good at expressing ideas, so, you would have probably found a way somehow. And you did.
I agree with you that the A7-iii was the big inflection point in most people's lives. In fact, it is a big inflection point in the history of the photography and video! This is the true meaning of 'GAME CHANGER." When 2 big giants and old-timers of photography pivots 180 degrees and drop their DSLR line, that's the true meaning of GAME CHANGER! And when Panasonic, suddenly adds a 35FF to their m4/3 line, that's a game changer! When these 3 companies suddenly rushes to come out with their own MILCs, in less than a year or so, that's a game changer.
So, it is not just you or an individual. The tipping point in the history is really the A7-iii.
The future cameras, will probably have AI used in one way or the other. If any, the new Insta360 Ace Pro is paving the way on how AI will prove to be another "game changer," in imaging. When a 1/1.3" sensor gives a stellar low light performance as if an f1.4 lens is strapped to an a6700 aps-c camera, that's a preview of what the future will be, or rather, what it is now turning into.
Good luck to your future, Gerald. I am one of your fans. If I ever launch my own channel, I'd probably try to be as analytical, practical, articulate, etc as you! Thanks for this post!
October 2018. Buy a Sony A7 III or a Canon 5D MKIV. I chose poorly. I always wonder what life would have been like if I bought the Sony back then. March 2023 I finally bought a Sony A7IV and never looked back.
"Don't forget to adjust your retro-encabulator"
Like Captain America once said : "I understood that reference"
Thank you Gerald. I purchased the A7 III in 2018 and it still works OK but it has been a challenging adventure to get what I wanted from it. Your videos will determine my next upgrade :) I greatly appreciate your clarity and authenticity.
I've been watching your videos for the last few years (I remember when you still had long hair 😄). And even though my interest in cameras and videography has dwindled since then, I always watched your videos with great interest. Your unique style and an eagerness to answer artistic questions more scientifically are a great contribution to the field. Your success is absolutely deserved. Thank you for consistently making great content, Gerald!
I appreciate all your technical videos and look forward to each one. This one was different, and it was pretty awesome to hear you put things in perspective. Hope you do these things semiannually or at the end of each year. Maybe one as a personal reflection and another as a “state of the camera union “ address lol.
On a side note, I you can bring a bit more Fuji gear into the fold next year.
Thanks for all the hard work
Hi everyone, I have an a7III and I haven't been able to figure out what the native ISO is yet.
From this video and some others we talk about native ISO from 100 to 51,200 but not a specific number. Could someone please answer me?
Thank you so much
this camera is STILL relevant today. Its sensor notably beats its predecessor in ISO performance, according to DXO. Its autofocus is still incredible in 2023, as well as its image and video quality.. despite not shooting 4K60.
Yes, I really like your deep technical reviews. I hope more reviewers would get you as an example. For example I bought the DJI osmo pocket 3 but there are no deep technical reviews. There are very few good empirical reviews. But many more who only try to generate clicks with minimal work.
Now many think the pocket 3 is a toy camera but the footage I got out of the camera is much better than expected. But I am still confused by the ISO settings. The camera has a F2 lens, base ISO 50 but with a ND64 filter clouds are overexposed. That is unexpected because the pocket 1 had base ISO 100 and I don't get many overexposed clouds.
It was your a7iii content that got me in the door. I went to a store in Glasgow to buy a GH5 and discovered that a preorder for the a7iii had been cancelled. That was May 2018, and I still use it most days.
I recently went back over my photos of two trips to japan in 2019 and 2020. A friend was going through them and said that the pics were ‘postcard worthy’ and ‘like they were out of a travel magazine’. I feel that you just can’t get that kind of feedback with a phone, or even most apsc cameras (esp in low light).
So even though I haven’t used my a7iii for nearly a year, I’ll be happily keeping it for my next travel trip. Absolutely love the camera :)
I'm desperately looking for a 4k video camera that doesn't have that overly sharp digital look. I don't know if it's compression sharpness, microcontrast, or what, but every single mirrorless camera at 4k just looks absolutely awful to my eyes. You can obsess over technical details like dynamic range or whatever, but the sharp look of all of these cameras including A7siii is the main thing that sets the image quality apart from cinema cameras. Yes you can filter it away, diffusion, grading, lighting, lenses all help. But the problem is still there because it's happening in the camera and there are many instances where it is still visible no matter what you do. Some people say that if a lens can only resolve hd details, then if you film in 4k you end up with an hd image. I disagree very strongly, the optical effects like aberrations are still captured in 4k, there are more pixels and will always be extra detail captured that change the way it looks, so although the resolution of the subject is literally hd, the 4k image looks completely different to if you shot in hd with the same lens, you can tell and it's not subtle, it looks completely different. It's the same with this sharpness issue on all these cameras, you can do everything you want to get rid of it, put an OLPF on the sensor, diffusion, professional level production value in everything in front of the camera, but the camera is still doing whatever horrible awful stupid sharpening thing that it does and so the image will never truly stand up to a cinema camera. It's especially true of certain shots like wide angle deep dof landscapes, like in the woods or a city scape. It has a very reality tv look and it's so so ugly to me. Black magic cameras have the same thing in braw. I don't understand why the manufacturers would focus on something so superficial like fake sharpness instead of actually matching more professional level image quality. I wish I knew what the technical name and reason for this sharp look is, but I can't find any info on it.
Having said all that, does anyone know of a 4k, or 2.5k camera that doesn't have the sharp reality TV look? I really really want one. The 2.5k black magic from ages ago sounds potentially suitable. Besides that I just can't find any camera that remotely starts to get away from this look until it's something like a RED.
D D GUND . . . He's Craaaaazzzzzhhhh. Whats happening *salute swish sound* since Feb 20th of 2019 you have been enriching my camera curiosity. I have learned so much from this channel that it's honestly insane. At the very beginning i barely understood most of the tests and mostly came to learn and have my comment featured on the intro or outro (if anyone is counting i have been featured 4 times ;) ). Now i am here to further my knowledge of cameras and the semi professional hobby that i love the most. Thank you for all the hard work and the staggering amount of effort it takes to produce these ever informative videos! You have changed lives here and it's been a pleasure to be part of this journey with you.
Outro: and if you did not find this video helpful or entertaining, you probably didn't pre order the Sony A7iii or set the play back speed to 75%
Intro: Im GUND and i have bananas in my freezer, awaiting the next review downfall.
2024 and I'm still doing professional work with my A7III, great buy, no regrets :))
I have a question idk if you can help me with
I have Canon m50 with a speed booster, I bought a Samyang lens 85mm f1.2 (mf), but it does not work with the speed booster (it stays f1.2) but the field of view changes of course
Now how is that possible? How and why isn't the speed booster changing the aperture? And how is dof effecting here ?
My pivotal camera was NO camera. It was ~24 years ago, and not having a camera, I downloaded jpg pics to use as practice for learning Photoshop. I eventually bought a new Nikon 4500 and retouched my own pics. Then I got a Rebel XT and got into retouching raws. Better cameras followed, but to this day I am much more accomplished as a photo retoucher than as a photographer. But I pursue improvement in both , it's a neverending quest because I will never be perfect. The End.
That's a very inspiring video, like your others! You are in the top 5 of my trusted reviewers list :) This channel is one of the motivations to start my channel. Thank you...
They say you learn something new every day, and so today I did. I don't think I was aware that you did sports photography prior to your UA-cam career. That's quite interesting! Thanks for all of your great content. Have a wonderful Christmas Holiday and Happy New Year!
6/10 cracked me up😅 today with the younger successors from Sony it’s probably fair but I still love it a lot.
One of the most genuine UA-camrs, keep up the great work man
By far your most important video of your UA-cam career is “Only Nerds Shoot RAW”, with Kasey at CameraConspiracies.
Congrats on all the amazing achievements, Gerald! Happy holidays to you and your family!
I like your contents. It's like a friend telling me what is great of these tech and how you can use them. Technology in Camera of course.
Like even this video, great that how you shared your UA-cam journey.
and yes A7III really changed the camera market for value to features ratio across all brands. But sadly that killed M43 hard too.
A7III is the first camera in my life. I bought in 2019. I am still using it because I bought it with my scholarship fund. And now I don't have money to buy another new model.
The a7III was the most important camera I ever bought. It was my upgrade into full-frame photography from the RX100 III.
Sony a7 III Review. My YT Search brought me here. At 4:36 minutes you lost me. What about the Sony a& III? Thanks anyway.