Is the A7S a good starting camera and what do I need for a ready to shoot rig?

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FitnessRegiment

New member
I am a beginner and need to do videos for YouTube which will consist of Vlogs, Product Reviews and possibly short films.

I want to build a full rig so that i'm ready to shoot, not including necessary things like Lights and other accessories what do I need?

I was thinking:

Cage: Rolleiflex 4K S-Cage http://www.rollei.com/products/tripods/video-tripods-video-accessories/rolleiflex-4k-s-cage,p252124
Tripod: Manfrotto 055 3 Leg Section Tripod
Tripod Head: Manfrotto M Size Flat Base Pro Video Head MVH502AH
Follow Focus: No idea at all, do I need this? How does this work? Why is it so expensive?
ViewFinder/Monitor/Recorder: I'll see, possibly Atomos Shogun

Lenses:
Possibly:
Zeiss Distagon 35MM F/1.4 ZE
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Series Lens
Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE
Sony SEL55F18Z E-mount Carl Zeiss
 
You have thousands of dollars listed there. Don't you think starting off with something more reasonable might be a better idea? Maybe something like a Panasonic GH2 which you can get for $300 to $400?

I would also look at some of the Benro video tripods.

Other than the tripod, you have a good selection of equipment, the tripod might be OK but I would need to look it up.
 
A7s and no ND filter is not a good idea. I actually would not suggest the A7s at all for you. If this is your first stab at things...might be better to go with something thats slightly easier out of the gate and can also give you really solid images. Might want to at least entertain the idea of a C100. Super easy to use, built in NDs, and is great out of the box.
 
FitnessRegiment said:
I am a beginner and need to do videos for YouTube which will consist of Vlogs, Product Reviews and possibly short films.

I want to build a full rig so that i'm ready to shoot, not including necessary things like Lights and other accessories what do I need?

I was thinking:

Cage: Rolleiflex 4K S-Cage http://www.rollei.com/products/tripods/video-tripods-video-accessories/rolleiflex-4k-s-cage,p252124
Tripod: Manfrotto 055 3 Leg Section Tripod
Tripod Head: Manfrotto M Size Flat Base Pro Video Head MVH502AH
Follow Focus: No idea at all, do I need this? How does this work? Why is it so expensive?
ViewFinder/Monitor/Recorder: I'll see, possibly Atomos Shogun

Lenses:
Possibly:
Zeiss Distagon 35MM F/1.4 ZE
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Series Lens
Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE
Sony SEL55F18Z E-mount Carl Zeiss
Click to expand...

If you're a beginner, I'd actually suggest a GH4 with active EF speedbooster. Before I moved to the A7s, I owned exactly that and find it to be a bit more user friendly than the A7s is (although I think the A7s is superior for what I do). You sound like you may need a camera that gets out of your way more and can get the look you want in camera. A 7D mark 2 might also be a good choice, too, as it's better in low light than the GH4.

Are you not planning to record any audio? It's soooo important and not on your list. The Tascam DR-70D would be my suggestion there as a recorder and an appropriate mic. What's appropriate depends on what and where you're shooting, but the guys over in the audio section should be able to recommend something if you give more specifics.

Can't go wrong with Zeiss so you're on the right track there, but you will probably want a 50mm in your set, too.
 
ReelWorksMedia said:
A7s and no ND filter is not a good idea. I actually would not suggest the A7s at all for you. If this is your first stab at things...might be better to go with something thats slightly easier out of the gate and can also give you really solid images. Might want to at least entertain the idea of a C100. Super easy to use, built in NDs, and is great out of the box.
Click to expand...

Great minds...

The C100 is also a great option.
 
I don't have the C100 Available, I have the GH4, A7S, 5D Mark III and a few others.

I have done extensive research and found that the A7S seems the best camera for achieving top level quality for the next few years I believe.

Do you guys think I'll manage it?
 
The A7s is a sturdy camera, I think if you can work with a GH4 you can work with the A7's especially if you are not shooting log. Audio wise look at the A-box for wooden camera, I found that the built in pre-amps for the A7s are pretty good. But as others have said if you are spending money I would go with the C100 which is going to be close to the price of a rigged up AY's. If you are not spending money on the actually camera because you have access to it go with the A7's. I would only choose the GH4 if I wanted internal 4K or if you wanted the YAGH breakout box.
 
You'll want to make sure you add in a decent audio setup, which I didn't see listed in your 'To-Buy' list. IMHO, audio is about 100x more important than whatever camera you are using if you are simply doing VLogs and product reviews. Well, maybe not 100x, but I'd rather watch a product review shot on a T3i with proper audio than an Alexa w/ master primes with audio that sucks. And no, a rode video mic mount on a hotshoe isn't 'proper audio'

I second the C100. You can get a used C100 cheaper than it would cost to rig up an a7s. All the reviews will rave about a7s or 5d3 raw image quality over something like a C100. Built in ND filters, XLR inputs, and a proper form factor aren't glamerous features, but honestly make shooting much, much easier and are one less thing to worry about when you are first starting out and learning.

If a C100 isn't an option, I'd just get something cheap like a GH3 just to learn on (and save money for audio) and then when you figure out what you are doing and what features you'll need, you'll be in a much more informed position to buy something
 
FitnessRegiment said:
I don't have the C100 Available, I have the GH4, A7S, 5D Mark III and a few others.

I have done extensive research and found that the A7S seems the best camera for achieving top level quality for the next few years I believe.

Do you guys think I'll manage it?
Click to expand...

If you want absolute top quality the Blackmagic cameras (BMCC/BMPCC) are the best quality can get in this price tier IMO. But that's another can of worms and my original suggestion is still what I would advise: Canon DSLR/C100 or GH4 w/speedbooster and decent audio gear.

Thinking about it the awesome low light of the A7s might also teach bad habits when just starting out. "I'll just pump my ISO to 51,600 instead of lighting this."
 
Strouty said:
If a C100 isn't an option, I'd just get something cheap like a GH3 just to learn on (and save money for audio) and then when you figure out what you are doing and what features you'll need, you'll be in a much more informed position to buy something
Click to expand...
That's what I was trying to suggest. To start from nothing with very expensive equipment and then find out you made a mistake in what you thought you needed could be terminal (no more money). Good 1280x720 beats crap 1920x1080 or higher video. The GH2 or GH3 (used) would provide plenty of quality if all the other things like decent lighting and decent audio are present. No need to break the bank to buy the best in your price range before you even know what is going on.

The used C100 would also be a good choice, they are starting to become plentiful which means prices go down.
 
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