A7s user controls and design by dummies

squig

squig

Veteran
It never ceases to amaze me how huge multinational corporations can't figure out the simplest of things like buttons and menus! I've been playing around with the A7s for a couple of days and it started out as a 2 handed operation, not an easy task when you've got it on a shoulder rig. I had my head glued to the viewfinder and had to use my right hand to focus zoom, set ISO, etc, and my left hand to CANCEL with the menu button. I finally figured out you can use the AF/MF button as a cancel button instead of the menu button for one handed operation (a half press on the shutter button does the same thing).
Now as for the record button :furious3: what a joke. I wouldn't care if it wasn't for the fact that just about every function is assignable except for record! Good luck trying to record anything in sub zero temperatures.

Why can't I just turn a dial for white balance temp when there's 4 dials available?

The HDMI cable holder was a great idea but Sony didn't consider that human beings have noses and some human beings like me have particularly large noses and the HDMI cable thingy is right where my nose needs to be when I'm pressing my face up against the viewfinder.
Micro HDMI :furious3: I plugged in the cable and it wobbles, good to see they improved on the design.

Why Sony why can't we assign one of the myriad of assignable buttons to APS-C crop?

Audio record level display inside the 2.35:1 viewing space, ahh yeah thanks Sony but no thanks.

It does have 2:35:1 cropmarks. 2k DCP cinema spec is 2.39:1 but close enough. Histogram and focus peaking are good and the viewfinder is great, it's high res whether you're recoding or not unlike the Nex 5-n.
 
LOL! The record button on the side is so fricken bad my thumb hurts from trying to find it! In video mode the shutter should be the record stop and start.
 
Erik Naso said:
LOL! The record button on the side is so fricken bad my thumb hurts from trying to find it! In video mode the shutter should be the record stop and start.
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Yeah totally. Doesn't bother me that much because I'm mostly recording externally but the shutter button in movie mode would have been the logical choice.
 
I never understood why they even bothered having a dedicated movie record button on the side when they could easily have assigned it to the shutter button as on the GH4. Sony really needs to rethink its A7 menus and lack of custom functions.

Hopefully enough people complain about the shutter button not having movie record ability that this will be addressed quickly.

isnt there a Sony feature request page somewhere? I didn't find it on sony's web site.
 
the one time i handled the a7s it felt utterly horrible in my hand and the buttons just not where it would seem to make sense. i refrained from mentioning it since it was only a first impression, but seems i'm not the only one with hands apparently not designed for sony (maybe the camera should only come in pink?)
 
For photography the layout is pretty good and it's the same weight as my old Nikon FM2. I don't think I'll be shooting stills with anything else for a while.
 
An obvious lame omission to me is the lack of an eye cup. This camera is screaming to be used and held like a still camera (except for the record button, of course). A good eye cup would make a world of difference.
 
I've wondered if somebody might make a snap on VF for the EVF, since it stays on during video unlike mirrored DSLRs. Seems like a great product for these...I have a swivex VF for my 5D and I use it ALL the time - it makes it more stable than a shoulder rig - but I hate that I have to attach a plate below for it.

Hmmm. Possible specialty product.
 
Sony always seems to let their engineers have the final say on ergonomics, as opposed to a company like Apple that forces their engineers to come up with solutions for what their ergonomic designers ask for. Canon does fairly well by evolving proven design elements to meet the needs of the new model. Sony seems to start from scratch every time.
 
I wish I could get the audio meters in "M" mode. I went into the custom button settings and it's not possible. Did I miss it?
 
Sony did respond from the chorus of hatred toward the record button from still shooters that kept hitting it - in the first firmware update it allowed the button to be disengaged. Others complained that the VG20 didn't have the picture profiles that the Nex5n had (that's the reason I bought the 5n over the VG) and Sony never updated it. They also added peaking and a few other features to the original Nex5 after the 5n came out - so they're obviously a mixed bag with updates. Hopefully someone is paying attention to the complaints on the A7s since its being marketed as the pro video camera in the A7 lineup.
 
squig said:
I


Why Sony why can't we assign one of the myriad of assignable buttons to APS-C crop?
Click to expand...

Amen for this suggestion! Also they should have an assignable button for frame rates too!

Having said that, I wish we could change ALL settings WHILE recording video, including crop modes!
 
The cable restrain accessories thing is kind of useless. I tried three different Micro HDMI cables with it and none of them fit. The gap is to small. Not sure if it really does anything other than extend past the connector so the cable cant get snapped off. I guess thats a good thing but it does not prevent the cables from being pulled out. It's also a little fussy to put on. Has anyone had luck with a Micro HDMI cable that fits?
 
Alright, I am just going to hold out. Maybe when companies get a good blend between image and function. I will soldier on with the iPhone.

I worked with the D7000 and regretted it, and while it looked great, I ended up using the 60D more, because it felt so right to use for handheld work. Function is very important, and I don't want or need to use something that is a pain.

Though, I will definitely like to get my hands on one when I get the chance.
 
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Erik Naso said:
The cable restrain accessories thing is kind of useless. I tried three different Micro HDMI cables with it and none of them fit. The gap is to small. Not sure if it really does anything other than extend past the connector so the cable cant get snapped off. I guess thats a good thing but it does not prevent the cables from being pulled out. It's also a little fussy to put on. Has anyone had luck with a Micro HDMI cable that fits?
Click to expand...

Try this one:

http://www.hypershop.com/HyperThin/Worlds-Thinnest-Most-Compact-Flexible-HDMI-Cable/

I ordered one, it hasn't arrived yet, but its really thin.
 
I have ordered a few different HDMI cables and I will be accessing usability with the A7s and its "cable keeper". If necessary I will make a 3D printed adapter, that I will share here for those with access to 3D printers, or I will have it for sale at a reasonable price on my WEB store. Just like i did with the SSD adapter for the Seagate dock for the Odyssey.

Stay tuned...
 
I would be a happy camper if Sony addressed :

1. More assignable button configurations (record button, etc...)
2. More assignable configurations in the function menu- (APS-C, 60/120 FPS. Just MORE specific video functions in movie mode. Easy)
3. Set custom white balances 1, 2, and 3 in movie mode- C'mon, seriously isn't that what they're for?
4. Adjust audio levels while recording- unless I've missed something, please comment..
5. 1/48 shutter speed
6. 2.7x, and 5.4x zoom in movie mode- not just photo modes!
7. Photos in movie mode possible- sure, why not?
8. LUTs- I know wishful thinking...

Thanks in advance, Sony~
 
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