Simple External Recorder for Sony A7 Series Cameras

H

hopkins802

Well-known member
Hey all,

I currently have the A7s Mark1 hacked so it can record continuously. I'm going to hopefully be replacing that with the A7III and my A7sII with the A7sIII when it comes out. However, I really like the ability to record over the 30 minute limit for wedding ceremonies, it has come in super handy during several occasions. Does anyone know of a super simple external recorder, doesn't even need to have a monitor, that can record continuously so I can use it with the A7III. 4K output would be great, but not terribly important.

Thanks,
Dan
 
If 4K isn't a deal breaker, the Ninja Star is probably the simplest. 1080/30p.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...s_atomnjs001_64_ninja_star_recorder_with.html

For not much more, you can have the 5" VA and all of its features (including a screen and 1080/60p):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...gic_design_hyperd_avidas5hd_video_assist.html

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4K...

7" Ninja Flame is my favorite if no SDIs are required (4K/30p) until the 5" Ninja V will be released (4K/60p):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329150-REG/atomos_atomnjafl2_ninja_flame_unit_soft.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1401565-REG/atomos_atomnjav01_ninja_v_5_4k.html

There is also the 7" 4K VA (4K/30p):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._design_hyperd_avidas74k_video_assist_4k.html
 
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Thanks all! Definitely will be considering the 5" VA as I need the 1080 60p. Have also been eyeing the new Ninja V... However the ability to just record to SDHX cards on the VA 5" is pretty awesome.
 
One thing you will have to contend with is the fragility of the hdmi connection which makes you much more vulnerable than your hacked internally recording A7s. In the chaos of a wedding that could be real trouble.
I have a VA 5" and it's quite a lump with two batteries on it to have torquing your hotshoe for instance. The 5" VA lacks a waveform monitor but it does have false colour. They are known to have a subtle green tint as well which I am sure the Atomos won't have. Speaking as an owner of the VA 5 I would recommend taking a really good look at the Atomos and don't fixate too much on the cheaper media that the VA takes. I'm not sure what the Atomos takes. None of these screens are bright enough to be used outside.
 
patrickbaldwin said:
One thing you will have to contend with is the fragility of the hdmi connection which makes you much more vulnerable than your hacked internally recording A7s. In the chaos of a wedding that could be real trouble.
I have a VA 5" and it's quite a lump with two batteries on it to have torquing your hotshoe for instance. The 5" VA lacks a waveform monitor but it does have false colour. They are known to have a subtle green tint as well which I am sure the Atomos won't have. Speaking as an owner of the VA 5 I would recommend taking a really good look at the Atomos and don't fixate too much on the cheaper media that the VA takes. I'm not sure what the Atomos takes. None of these screens are bright enough to be used outside.
Click to expand...

This is true regarding the HDMI connection. I think I'd need cages for the recorder and the a7iii to feel confident in that method. May just hold onto the ol a7s for this purpose after all.
 
Even though it is something to consider and possibly worry about in certain situations (might get the cable ripped out if you're in the middle of the dance floor catching b-roll), but in practice it's rarely a problem, at least for me.

Ideally you'd be dual-recording anyway, so it would be even less of a thought.
 
I've only used external recorders once and it was a real pain. Constant "unplug-replug", "oh it doesn't work if you turn that one on first", "the cable is not properly conencted", etc. And it wasn't a cheap recorder either.
Consider the option of keeping your hacked a7S and setting it on a tripod to get full-ceremony coverage, then shooting internally with the a7III or whatever, restarting the record if it stops because you reached the limit.
 
Yes, thank you. I've decided I'm going to keep the A7s. Knock on wood, it has been super solid as a continuous recorder now. I've been using my friend's A7iii on my gimbal with continuous AF, and it's been a game changer. I know the A7sIII will be released in Sept (or have a good feeling), and it's going to be hard to not get both the A7III and A7sIII, and also keep the A7s...But I think I'll just take it slow. I've survived without 4K 60p and whatever else the A7sIII has coming for awhile!

Thanks for the input, just doesn't seem like a recorder is worth-it for my purposes.
 
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