A7s ii Stabilization is awesome

R

ronscuba

Member
Got the camera about a month ago and still learning all the great features.

Shot some test video out on the street with a Rokinon 135mm. I was very surprised how well the stabilization worked. Handheld while obviously not as stable as a tripod, was still pretty steady. Pretty surprising considering it was a 135mm lens without any lens stabilization. Stabilization in the camera manually set to match the lens.
 
The inbuilt stabilisation is ok, doesn't work that as well with zooms as it does with primes, despite being able to manually set it. But it's ok. I expected a bit more to be honest.
 
I did not have much expectation at all. Thought it was another gimmick feature. I have no scientific data, but seems like it turned my Rokinon into a stabilized lens.

Being able to get usable video footage with a 135mm lens handheld is a very good thing.

Maybe I am easily impressed.
 
I am not familiar with the GX85. Is it full frame interchangeable lens ?

Maybe I am behind the times with current camera features since I am coming from a Canon 7d. What is so bad about the A7s ii stabilization ? It doesn't replace a tripod or gimbal but my 1st impression is it turns my 135mm into a stabilized lens.

The camera is not cheap, but I feel like I am getting a lot for my money. 4k 100mbs internal recording, full frame, crop mode, amazing low light, sgamut3.cine color mode and I just discovered it's stabilization.
 
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Yep the IS is a great feature! Especially if you are using vintage lenses where you would never get an IS option.
 
Is it worth upgrading from A7s to A7sII? Stabilization is one of the main reasons why I'm considering it. It would be really helpful to me because all my shootings are run & gun style. I also own Pilotfly H1+ but I rarely use it because it's too big for me.

On a side note, does anyone know where is the cheapest place to buy A7sII in Singapore as I'm going there in two weeks.
 
I would say the biggest difference is color. IBIS is just icyng on the cake. Whether it's worth the upgrade or not, it depends on how much more money it will make you (for me, the price is too steep and it made no sense, I'm waiting for future models; but it's a very personal thing, and this is not where my income comes from).
 
4k recording to internal card, better low light, more options on custom button assignment are also improvements with the A7s ii.
 
new sony camera models pop up like mushrooms after a summer rain. just wait for mkIII like me to make the jump.
 
jurny said:
new sony camera models pop up like mushrooms after a summer rain. just wait for mkIII like me to make the jump.
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Yes, you are probably right. I just happened to be travelling to Singapore in a few weeks, so I thought I could use the opportunity to upgrade to a7sII for a favourable price. As you all suggested it's better to wait for maybe a7sIII with 10bit? :)

I could buy some lense instead there. I currently own Sony FE 35mm (which I love but use very rarely because no OSS; unless I bring tripod but it never happens; I also thought if I get a7sII I could finally use it for video due to the internal stabilization) and Sony FE 24-70mm for my day to day use.

Any recommendation for lenses which I could get additionally?
 
The wait for a new, better model is never going to end. The day something hits the shelves, we are already thinking about what's next.

The a7S II is a very nice upgrade from the a7S (better color, IBIS, internal 4K, etc) but it's also an expensive one. Too expensive for me, but not for many other users. The big question is: will it make you more money? And if not, do you have $$$$ to spare?
(personally, I wouldn't stress too much over stabilized lenses: even if you don't upgrade now, your next body will probably have IBIS)
 
Samuel H said:
The wait for a new, better model is never going to end. The day something hits the shelves, we are already thinking about what's next.

The a7S II is a very nice upgrade from the a7S (better color, IBIS, internal 4K, etc) but it's also an expensive one. Too expensive for me, but not for many other users. The big question is: will it make you more money? And if not, do you have $$$$ to spare?
(personally, I wouldn't stress too much over stabilized lenses: even if you don't upgrade now, your next body will probably have IBIS)
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You want me to confuse more, I was ready to upgrade when I posted initially then I read your feedback, decided not to, now I need to decide again :)

No, it won't make me any money because I use it for family use. The question is whether my children appreciate better color in the future? :)

Doing a bit of experiment, shooting only in Brandon's settings instead of slog2 for the last 4 months. Basically, you have a ready footage by sacrificing a bit of dynamic range without post processing. Additionally, I had difficulties getting the right skin tones after converting slog2 -> rec709. It's possible but basically had to tweak each scene when lighting conditions changed.
 
to really appreciate how good the IBIS is in the A7SII...just turn if off for a bit and you will see that there is lots of jello with it turned off. the IBIS is very much needed IMO for this camera to be as good as it is. is it the best out there...no, but I'm happy its as good as it is.
 
david_p said:
to really appreciate how good the IBIS is in the A7SII...just turn if off for a bit and you will see that there is lots of jello with it turned off. the IBIS is very much needed IMO for this camera to be as good as it is. is it the best out there...no, but I'm happy its as good as it is.
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^
Agree

just shot with an a6300 yesterday (not stabilized or my lens) on a monopod. Looking at the footage, so many micro jitters I will have to run >50% my footage through warp stabilizer . Original intention of the a6300 is to sit on a tripod anyway. but next time I shoot with it I will use OSS lenses. Going back to A7sII for my monopod/handheld shots. SO GLAD I can stabilize all my nikon glass. makes the footage look way better/'better production value'.
 
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is singapore significantly cheaper than us or wherever you live?
Because it seems that americans get the best prices i know of..even hong kong isn't that cheap anymore
 
I have been loving the A7SII. The IBIS is golden for me, since it turns my somewhat steady hands to almost a gimbal or tripod. Has been my go-to for low budget event work. I just took it on a documentary in Alaska where it was a B-Cam to a BMPC and the A7SII saw way more action simply because it handled low light like a champ, was tiny, and was stabilized for those walking moments. The 50mbps HD image is really nice, too! It is not as good as the 10bit BMPC image, but I still used the A7SII more because of the other perks.

It does go through batteries pretty quickly, though. I pack 6 batteries for an 8hr day of heavy shooting. But the batteries are so small that it's no big deal.

Whether it it is worth upgrading from the first version, well, I would not be able to comment since I never used the first model. But IBIS is major for me.
 
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