A7s Pre-Purchase Questions - CODECs, Compatibility with PPro, other NLEs and Cages

A

Andrew Stone

Veteran
I have a few simple questions that a7S owners can probably answer quickly...

Recording in 1080p what codecs are available and for anyone that is using Premiere Pro CS6, do the codecs works in PPro CS6 and which ones? I read that XVAC S doesn't work in PP6 but the info I can find on it is a bit dated. If so, is there a workaround/codec addon available?

On the topic of batteries. How many batteries should one be purchasing? Obviously depends on the shoot. I guess a better question would be, how long do the batteries last in video mode?

Finally for now, on the topic of cages. What cages are presently available and is there one that is deemed to be well designed? I see now that, in all liklihood the XLR-K1M audio module is being redesigned so it will attach one and all to the hotshoe. This will have an effect on the suitability of many of the cages. Audio with phantom power is a non-negotiable necessity for me, so I am curious if anyone else has thought through this design change to Sony's audio module and the ability to have a rig on the camera as well.
 
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XAVCs works on CS6. You can always shoot AVCHD on this camera if you want longer recording times at the same resolution and frame rates. The differences are subtle between that and XAVCs. Although I edit on Premiere Pro CC and CC2014, I just opened up CS6 and dropped a few XAVCs clips in there and it played them no problem on my 2013 iMac. Even though I've shot about 15 weddings with the new A7s, I haven't ever really paid much attention to how long the battery lasts or if it's affected a lot by having the LCD on bright or high quality or not sleeping or whatever. It definitely does not last THAT long. My GH4 batteries lasted MUCH longer. I'd say a little over an hour maybe, depending on usage. That's a total guess though. I have the vertical grip which helps a lot since it's twice the capacity with 2 batteries inside. I'm playing battery swap all day long, but I'm used to it now. I have 3 A7s cameras and 12 batteries so I don't have to worry much. :) As for cage, I went with the Walimex Aptaris Adjustable cage and it's pretty good. I'm sure there will be lots more coming out (some just came out) that will be better. But I needed something to fit the vertical grip AND the K1M shoe adapter which I also use and this was one of the few options when the camera came out. It's good but I've had to sort of customize it a bit to make it work perfectly since it kind of hovers over the shoe mount from the K1M and doesn't lock down. I can see myself switching it out for a better one when I see one that's better that will accommodate the grip as well, but so far, no luck for me. A cage did just come out that has an opening for that K1M. As for that, it works great. Takes some getting used to, but I needed it too so it was a no-brainer. At first I was going to wait for the new one but then I thought, how would the new one even work with a cage at all...so I just got the original K1M and not whatever one is coming out soon. Now I see a cage has been made with that port open so you can add that onto it. Nice design. Just wish it fit the grip too. Hope this helps!
 
That helps a lot.

I was viewing the promotional photos of the Wallimex unit. Good to know that it will expand enough to accommodate both the vertical grip and the K1M adapter. It wasn't clear to me that it would go tall enough for both of those accessories.

I am using Premiere Pro CS6 on a PC. If you or someone else gracing this sub-forum could post here or through a PM, a small (several second long) XAVCs file from the A7s I could test it on my system, just to make sure it works on the PC platform, that would be helpful.

Is anyone using the Walimex Cable Protection device as seen in the link below?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...x_pro_20049_cable_protection_for_aptaris.html

Thanks for taking the time to post.
 
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I'm using Premiere Pro Cs6 on PC as well and wondering about XAVC S. Most of what I read said it doesn't support it
 
For cages, the 2 I am looking at are the Honu and the new Movcam, which unlike most of their cages, is pretty inexpensive.
 
Andrew Stone said:
That helps a lot.

I was viewing the promotional photos of the Wallimex unit. Good to know that it will expand enough to accommodate both the vertical grip and the K1M adapter. It wasn't clear to me that it would go tall enough for both of those accessories.

I am using Premiere Pro CS6 on a PC. If you or someone else gracing this sub-forum could post here or through a PM, a small (several second long) XAVCs file from the A7s I could test it on my system, just to make sure it works on the PC platform, that would be helpful.

Is anyone using the Walimex Cable Protection device as seen in the link below?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...x_pro_20049_cable_protection_for_aptaris.html

Thanks for taking the time to post.
Click to expand...

I'll PM you a dropbox link with some XAVCs stuff. It's all shot at 60p. I'm curious as well about PCs because I might be moving from Mac to PC shortly, granted I'll be using PProCC2014 which I'm sure handles it with ease. On my iMac the XAVCs works no problem at all on CS6. As for the Walimex cage...I had to buy the extensions to make it fit the vertical grip. It's not the "prefect cage" like I said before, but it works well for now until a better solution comes out that can accommodate the grip. I don't use the cable protection, BUT, the A7s does come with it's own cable protector which works well. It's not as hard core as others where you see people holding the camera by the cable, but it does offer a nice basic protection and it's included. :)
 
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Just keep in mind the camera can only roll for 30 minutes at a time before it stops. Sony claims it's to keep it from overheating, and it shuts off even when you are indoors and doesn't feel too hot.
 
Demistate said:
Just keep in mind the camera can only roll for 30 minutes at a time before it stops. Sony claims it's to keep it from overheating, and it shuts off even when you are indoors and doesn't feel too hot.
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True. I've never actually felt it get hot at all. But it does stop recording at 29:59. So you just hit record again and it rolls for another 30. No issues so far and I've had to roll it for a couple hours at a time on occasion. I wish it had the no-limit that the GH4 had, but oh well. My least favorite thing about the camera is that you cannot adjust the White Balance during recording. Ugh. That really sucks. I hope that's a firmware fix at some point. Crazy oversight IMO.
 
Demistate said:
Just keep in mind the camera can only roll for 30 minutes at a time before it stops. Sony claims it's to keep it from overheating, and it shuts off even when you are indoors and doesn't feel too hot.
Click to expand...

That claim is a bunch of BS, I believe in Europe there is a law that states that dslr's cannot recorder longer than 30 minutes. Apparently only video cameras are allowed to do that in the EU. Sony has either kept this restriction for non EU countries as a convenience or to possibly separate it from their video camera line.

So far footage has worked out just fine in Adobe products. If you plan to use Davinci for any reason the audio format is not supported so clips will import in with no sound. That is the only limitation I have come across for the most part.
 
The Irish TRex said:
I'll PM you a dropbox link with some XAVCs stuff. It's all shot at 60p. I'm curious as well about PCs because I might be moving from Mac to PC shortly, granted I'll be using PProCC2014 which I'm sure handles it with ease. On my iMac the XAVCs works no problem at all on CS6. As for the Walimex cage...I had to buy the extensions to make it fit the vertical grip. It's not the "prefect cage" like I said before, but it works well for now until a better solution comes out that can accommodate the grip. I don't use the cable protection, BUT, the A7s does come with it's own cable protector which works well. It's not as hard core as others where you see people holding the camera by the cable, but it does offer a nice basic protection and it's included. :)
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Could you PM me a link also? I am looking at a camera that records XAVC S also and want to test it with CS6. I've read CC supports it fine, but not CS6.
 
Yes confirmed, XAVC S works extremely well in Premiere Pro CS6 on Windows.

Is there a preference for memory cards? I see there are SONY branded ones and others from the usual suspects, Lexar and SanDisk.

I was also looking at the Sony / Zeiss e-mount lenses as well. I am pretty well kitted with the good Nikon lenses. Is there any need to consider getting a couple of the better e-mount lenses to keep things simple on occassion? The 55 f/1.8 and the 35 f/2.8 are getting a lot of praise from stills people. Any thoughts on either from a video perspective?
 
Even CS5 loads XAVC-S without issue and with great performance (mid-range 2013 tower running windows)
 
firehawk said:
Could you PM me a link also? I am looking at a camera that records XAVC S also and want to test it with CS6. I've read CC supports it fine, but not CS6.
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I have a 5-year-old MacBook Pro that has CS5 and I've had no issues with XVACs, my newer iMac is running CS6 and all is well too.
 
Make sure you buy 64GB cards. Even if the speed rating is good on smaller cards, in my recent experience they will not work.

On the Sony e-mount lenses in can now answer my own question. Even though the 55mm lens is optically very good, it breathes when you manually focus. The 10-18mm lens works very well, if you want to use a feather weight native lens when doing landscapes, interiors or architectural shooting. Speedbooster is a treat for people with full-frame Nikon or Canon lenses when you go into APC mode on the A7s.
 
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Does anyone know if the upcoming movcam cage can expand to take the vertical battery grip? Probably not since it's designed to be so tight and compact. I was ready to hit go on it, then realised my vertical grip spends a fair time on there due to battery life. I really like the cage though. Maybe I can use a battery dummy and cook up a swit or sony np mount that attaches when required
 
I haven't yet seen a Movcam extender that can accommodate a vertical battery grip. Doesn't seem to be designed for that:

https://vimeo.com/104271002

https://vimeo.com/104844123

My bigger concern is the apparent lack of cable management strain relief:

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/movcam_303-2200

... But I have to assume that is somehow in the pipeline.

Lastly, regarding a battery dummy, you might want to take a look at this:

http://www.switronix.com/products?p...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=260&category_id=58
 
Blafarm, yes the newsshooter stuff was all I could make my assumption on, I've seen no contact details or discussion anywhere else. Bring on the unicorn cage that stays small but can expand to do anything. Thanks for the dummy battery link. I have a vlock to dtap which would be overkill. Will investigate using a Sony np plate and that. And maybe still get the cage. See what else turns up next few weeks first and how far away the new xlr unit is

Thanks!
 
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