Sony A7s for documentaries

C

Cerro

Member
Hello everyone. I am writing from Argentina.

I am 25 years old, I studied Film Directing for two years, and it's time to have a camera.

I read through forums and blogs for 6 months to make up my mind and choose the right camera for me. And yet I´m still unsure. Actually, I need that final push to take the leap. And so I turn to you : )

The Sony A7s is what attracts me.

It is a camera that I would use while traveling for a few months, and without a notebook with me to go download the recorded material. So everything should stay IN the camera for a while, until I am able and ready to edit it.

Another important thing: I need to buy ALL the necessary equipment. I have non of it. No microphones, no lenses, tripod, NOTHING.

Everything I want to buy is based on what I want to shoot (again, landscapes documentaries mixed with interviews with people) and do not want to look amateur. I need your advice to help me choose all I need.

The list of things I wrote down, for now, is this:

Lenses. How many and which ones would you recommend, knowing that I shoot landscapes, and do interviews ? Keep in mind that my budget is limited. I want to spend $1500 aprox.
Which Adapter? There is a crop factor with an adapter? Fotodiox, Metabones... Maybe a native lens sony?
SDXC, SDHC? Trascendence 128 gb class 10?
Tripod . Any for around U$ 100?
Microphones . NTG2 for interviews? Or the Sony xlr-k1m adapter and microphone kit?
Battery extras??


Do you guys know any way to pass the material from the SD to an external hard drive? It's something I´d like to do while traveling without a computer with me. It is possible?

Of course I also need a lot of space on the PC for editing. A hard drive such as this one would work? Ant: amazon.com
Seagate-Desktop-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST4000DM000/dp/B00B99JU4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386765156&sr=8-1&keywords=hard+drive+4tb+internal

To download the material from SD to a PC, what do you recommend ? Am I missing something?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815153-REG/Transcend_TS_RDF8K_USB_3_0_Multi_Card.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897900-REG/Transcend_ts_rdf5k_Compact_Card_Reader_USB.html


I know I'm asking a huge favor. But I've been saving up for two years now. I need you opinion (mostly for the lenses!). Please!

To make matters worse, in Argentina it is very difficult to import technology. I will have to pay about 50% more than if you bought it in the U.S. So I need to get good advice to avoid mistakes.

Thank you very much , and sorry for such a long post.

And I don't speak English very well. Sorry for the mistakes!
 
The one big selling point of this camera is its low-light capabilities. Do you plan on shooting often in dark environments? If the answer is "no", then maybe you'll be better off with something different and possibly save money, like a used GH2 or used GH3.
 
I know this is stepping into it and can be a contested thing...just one note - if you plan to keep doing this business for a while, a good tripod (and fluid head) is probably the most important investment you can make - moreso than the camera, lenses, or anything else. I would spend a LOT more on a good tripod. Some people differ on this, but it's something you'll keep using for a long time and is what separates the wheat from the chaff in a lot of instances - it is also style dependent, though - some pieces are not shot with a lot of tripod motion, and in that case, you can get by with less. Next most important is your sound kit - then good versatile lenses, then finally, the least important part of your kit, the camera body.
 
As far as I understood, your budget is 1500$ for a whole equipment parc building up from scratch?

I think you should rethink. I bought my FS100 used, needed VariND, lens adapter, lens, 2nd battery,
lots of SD-cards, camera bag, wireless lav for the interviews, tripod.
This is only the beginning - at some point you'll want another lens, more batteries,another lens, better mic,
another lens....
I needed aprox. 5000$ at the beginning. Now spent around 8000.

For 1500$ buy a used Sony EX-1, which has lens and mic and NDs included. Add storage via SD-adapter card
and another battery (3rd party). Learn to use the picture profiles as well and you'll be happy...

If you won't need to pan just get a cheap/used photo tripod. That served me well some time.
 
wallrc said:
I know this is stepping into it and can be a contested thing...just one note - if you plan to keep doing this business for a while, a good tripod (and fluid head) is probably the most important investment you can make - moreso than the camera, lenses, or anything else. I would spend a LOT more on a good tripod. Some people differ on this, but it's something you'll keep using for a long time and is what separates the wheat from the chaff in a lot of instances - it is also style dependent, though - some pieces are not shot with a lot of tripod motion, and in that case, you can get by with less. Next most important is your sound kit - then good versatile lenses, then finally, the least important part of your kit, the camera body.
Click to expand...

OOOOK. Thank you!!
And what tripod do you recommend? Not too expensive!
And the Sony's adapter xlr + microphone, what do you think? It's ok?
 
djosbun said:
The one big selling point of this camera is its low-light capabilities. Do you plan on shooting often in dark environments? If the answer is "no", then maybe you'll be better off with something different and possibly save money, like a used GH2 or used GH3.
Click to expand...

In fact, yes. I'll be shooting in dark environments!
Thanks!
 
HolyManta makes an E-mount (they call it NEX) version of their EF lens adapter with integrated flip-up variable ND filter. If I was getting the A7S, I would look into getting this as well, that way you don't need one for each different lens type.

As for the audio setup, the XLR adapter is nice, but it's expensive, about $800. You might be better off getting something like the Tascam DR60D.

I'm in a similar position as you, but I have less to spend, although I own some stuff already. For lenses, I was looking at the 24mm - 105mm f/4 Canon L. So in full frame mode you will have 24mm to 105mm, and in APS-C mode you will have 36mm to 300mm. I would pick it up used, from some place like B&H Photo, you can save a lot by going used. Although, I have seen people talking about getting the Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 (SEL18200), and it's a power zoom, and native Emount so you won't have issues with autofocus. There is also a Sony 18-105 f/4, but I believe it had issues with pin cushion distortion, not sure if that was ever fixed or not.
 
For documentaries, I'd much rather go for a C-100. The a7s, will a great little camera, you'll be needing XLR inputs, a monitor (preferably with SDI, those HDMI's go fast, especially the mirco ones), a rig to keep is steady. Alot of documentary is run and gun, handheld, something the a7s DOES NOT shine in.

Check out VICE, they shoot all their stuff on C-300s, the bigger sister of the C-100. Looks great, and real stable and comfortable to use in real world environments.

And then save up some $$$ and get yourself an external recorder as well.
 
atarijedi said:
HolyManta makes an E-mount (they call it NEX) version of their EF lens adapter with integrated flip-up variable ND filter. If I was getting the A7S, I would look into getting this as well, that way you don't need one for each different lens type.

As for the audio setup, the XLR adapter is nice, but it's expensive, about $800. You might be better off getting something like the Tascam DR60D.

I'm in a similar position as you, but I have less to spend, although I own some stuff already. For lenses, I was looking at the 24mm - 105mm f/4 Canon L. So in full frame mode you will have 24mm to 105mm, and in APS-C mode you will have 36mm to 300mm. I would pick it up used, from some place like B&H Photo, you can save a lot by going used. Although, I have seen people talking about getting the Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 (SEL18200), and it's a power zoom, and native Emount so you won't have issues with autofocus. There is also a Sony 18-105 f/4, but I believe it had issues with pin cushion distortion, not sure if that was ever fixed or not.
Click to expand...

Just a note - I think you meant in APS-C mode you have 36mm to 155mm.

If you were going to pick up one lens for this camera, and didn't have anything else, I would also look at the sony e mount 24-70, which with the aps-c mode gives you the same effective reach as the canon. The canon will be cheaper, however, and probably more versatile, but it won't have the autofocus performance of the emount, which would allow you to actually use the camera as an effective stills camera and whatever benefits the autofocus with video gives.

Budget wise, though, if every penny counts, there's a lot of other options other than either of these 2 lenses that will work for less money. I shot in 2013 on a Tokina/Angeneaux 28-70 2.6 which was about $300 and the picture quality was very very good. I still have the lens, but probably will sell it as I rarely use it as I have the full zoom range of Canons from 16 to 200.
 
atarijedi said:
HolyManta makes an E-mount (they call it NEX) version of their EF lens adapter with integrated flip-up variable ND filter. If I was getting the A7S, I would look into getting this as well, that way you don't need one for each different lens type.

As for the audio setup, the XLR adapter is nice, but it's expensive, about $800. You might be better off getting something like the Tascam DR60D.

I'm in a similar position as you, but I have less to spend, although I own some stuff already. For lenses, I was looking at the 24mm - 105mm f/4 Canon L. So in full frame mode you will have 24mm to 105mm, and in APS-C mode you will have 36mm to 300mm. I would pick it up used, from some place like B&H Photo, you can save a lot by going used. Although, I have seen people talking about getting the Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 (SEL18200), and it's a power zoom, and native Emount so you won't have issues with autofocus. There is also a Sony 18-105 f/4, but I believe it had issues with pin cushion distortion, not sure if that was ever fixed or not.
Click to expand...

Ok. Thanks!!
Yeah, the XLR adapter is very expensive, I know... I don't know what to do. Je.
The 24mm-105mm f/4 Canon L goes well into the Sony A7s?? Or needs an adapter?
And the Sony 18-200mm, I think I m gonna buy this one.
I have to decide it in this week!

Sorry for my english!!
 
wallrc said:
Just a note - I think you meant in APS-C mode you have 36mm to 155mm.

If you were going to pick up one lens for this camera, and didn't have anything else, I would also look at the sony e mount 24-70, which with the aps-c mode gives you the same effective reach as the canon. The canon will be cheaper, however, and probably more versatile, but it won't have the autofocus performance of the emount, which would allow you to actually use the camera as an effective stills camera and whatever benefits the autofocus with video gives.

Budget wise, though, if every penny counts, there's a lot of other options other than either of these 2 lenses that will work for less money. I shot in 2013 on a Tokina/Angeneaux 28-70 2.6 which was about $300 and the picture quality was very very good. I still have the lens, but probably will sell it as I rarely use it as I have the full zoom range of Canons from 16 to 200.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions!
I m gonna look the Sony e mount 24-70. Thanks!



And which SDHC SDXC cards will function with this camera? Something not too expensive... two 128 gb cards I think I m gonna need..
 
I have a GH4 and ordered the a7s (waiting to arrive) but if i only have the chance to get one will be the GH4; anyways, if you go for the Fullframe route you can save a lot with manual lenses as the Canon FD, Nikon or Olympus OM.

A external audio recorder as the Tascam DR60 is a really good option but battery life is not the best, the same applies to the Sony a7s so keep a eye on multi batteries when go to the field. The Zoom H5 it looks like a good recorder too.

Invest in a good zoom, if have a fast and constant aperture much better, and get a least a fast prime to keep the equipment low. A fader ND is a must if you go outside with bright light, i have the Genus Eclipse and i'm very happy with it.

Always invest on a great mic, a great tripod, great lens and a good camera.
 
Honestly...The C100 would be your best bet. Why I say this boils down to battery life. Then you have built in ND, great on board sound and XLR, and it's just as good (if not better) in lowlight. Dual pixel AF in a pinch. All sorts of reasons.

The A7s is nice. Will be interesting to see in 4K. But the C100 is a better all around built and performing camera.
 
Cerro, honestly for your age and experience level, this is a lot of money to invest in equipment; some of which (camera body) has a high rate of turnover technologically. It's really important for you to hone your skills, figure out what you want to do (and why) and just get a lot of experience doing it.

If I were you, I would actually be looking at something like the Sony a6000, which produces a great 1080 image, is very light, and has a lot going for it, including cheaper and more plentiful lens options than the A7s, has autofocus on the native lenses that works well, including the option of using a speedbooster with it and a large variety of either aps-c or full frame lenses. I've shot projects on a 40 year old 50mm f1.4 lens that I picked up for $30, and the clients have never remarked on the image looking anything other than "great!" I think after you shoot your first few projects you'll find that what camera you are using is less and less relevant and that if you have strong concepts, they will come out regardless of camera or all the other kit.

As I mentioned before, I don't think anybody's ever regretted a good tripod. A good shotgun mic is useful for your entire career. 1 decent zoom and one fast prime lens can take you really far. The last thing I would want to steer you towards is spending a lot of money just because all of us on these camera forums are obsessed with technology and upgrading and squeezing everything out of the cameras that are available. For many of us the cost of this gear is essentially nothing - we have established careers, already large investments in equipment that we can sell if we want to, and work coming in that pays well. I'm booked out through the end of 2015 with paying jobs and can sell other gear to cover the cost of an A7s. But that's me - don't let other people's situations influence YOUR situation; there's absolutely nothing wrong with being young, poor and starting out - I certainly have watched people who had gear that cost a fraction of mine produce superior results because they simply had better ideas, better skills and knew what the story they wanted to tell was. I hope that's you - you don't need an A7s or any other new camera to tell your stories, establish your style and career, and start down your professional path. Seriously, I would take a step back, get what you NEED (not what you want) and start shooting.
 
wallrc said:
Cerro, honestly for your age and experience level, this is a lot of money to invest in equipment; some of which (camera body) has a high rate of turnover technologically. It's really important for you to hone your skills, figure out what you want to do (and why) and just get a lot of experience doing it.

If I were you, I would actually be looking at something like the Sony a6000, which produces a great 1080 image, is very light, and has a lot going for it, including cheaper and more plentiful lens options than the A7s, has autofocus on the native lenses that works well, including the option of using a speedbooster with it and a large variety of either aps-c or full frame lenses. I've shot projects on a 40 year old 50mm f1.4 lens that I picked up for $30, and the clients have never remarked on the image looking anything other than "great!" I think after you shoot your first few projects you'll find that what camera you are using is less and less relevant and that if you have strong concepts, they will come out regardless of camera or all the other kit.

As I mentioned before, I don't think anybody's ever regretted a good tripod. A good shotgun mic is useful for your entire career. 1 decent zoom and one fast prime lens can take you really far. The last thing I would want to steer you towards is spending a lot of money just because all of us on these camera forums are obsessed with technology and upgrading and squeezing everything out of the cameras that are available. For many of us the cost of this gear is essentially nothing - we have established careers, already large investments in equipment that we can sell if we want to, and work coming in that pays well. I'm booked out through the end of 2015 with paying jobs and can sell other gear to cover the cost of an A7s. But that's me - don't let other people's situations influence YOUR situation; there's absolutely nothing wrong with being young, poor and starting out - I certainly have watched people who had gear that cost a fraction of mine produce superior results because they simply had better ideas, better skills and knew what the story they wanted to tell was. I hope that's you - you don't need an A7s or any other new camera to tell your stories, establish your style and career, and start down your professional path. Seriously, I would take a step back, get what you NEED (not what you want) and start shooting.
Click to expand...

Thank you
=) =) =)
 
Well...
This is gonna be my little kit:

Sony A7s
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-...=UTF8&qid=1405500348&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+a7s

Lenses (two)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818649-REG/Sony_SEL50F18_50mm_f_1_8_Telephoto_Lens.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732292-REG/Sony_SEL18200_DT_18_200mm_f_3_5_6_3_Zoom.html

Sony Xlr adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892383-REG/Sony_xlr_k1m_XLR_Adapter_Microphone_Kit.html

Sdxc cards (two)
http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Spe...id=1405496716&sr=8-1&keywords=Transcend+128GB

Battery extra
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de=as2&tag=sareesh-20&linkId=2YSMAK4XKEEU6SDO

External hard drive
http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Ultr...ref=sr_du_3_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1405500243&sr=8-3

Card reader
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897900-REG/Transcend_ts_rdf5k_Compact_Card_Reader_USB.html


And the Tripod. I don't know yet. But I'm gonna pick a cheap one.


What do you think??
 
Wait until the 7D Mark II. The best technology for documentaries is Canon's Dual Pixel AF with Touch Screen. With the 7D Mark II (or whatever the successor is) we can expect better ISO performance than the 70D (hopefully!).

The A7S' focus speed is too slow and has too much hunting, plus it has NO touch screen. And the rolling shutter will make your documentaries look like jello (for any handheld or shoulder rigged movements, especially if you are running).
 
wallrc said:
Cerro, honestly for your age and experience level, this is a lot of money to invest in equipment; some of which (camera body) has a high rate of turnover technologically. It's really important for you to hone your skills, figure out what you want to do (and why) and just get a lot of experience doing it.

If I were you, I would actually be looking at something like the Sony a6000, which produces a great 1080 image, is very light, and has a lot going for it, including cheaper and more plentiful lens options than the A7s, has autofocus on the native lenses that works well, including the option of using a speedbooster with it and a large variety of either aps-c or full frame lenses. I've shot projects on a 40 year old 50mm f1.4 lens that I picked up for $30, and the clients have never remarked on the image looking anything other than "great!" I think after you shoot your first few projects you'll find that what camera you are using is less and less relevant and that if you have strong concepts, they will come out regardless of camera or all the other kit.

As I mentioned before, I don't think anybody's ever regretted a good tripod. A good shotgun mic is useful for your entire career. 1 decent zoom and one fast prime lens can take you really far. The last thing I would want to steer you towards is spending a lot of money just because all of us on these camera forums are obsessed with technology and upgrading and squeezing everything out of the cameras that are available. For many of us the cost of this gear is essentially nothing - we have established careers, already large investments in equipment that we can sell if we want to, and work coming in that pays well. I'm booked out through the end of 2015 with paying jobs and can sell other gear to cover the cost of an A7s. But that's me - don't let other people's situations influence YOUR situation; there's absolutely nothing wrong with being young, poor and starting out - I certainly have watched people who had gear that cost a fraction of mine produce superior results because they simply had better ideas, better skills and knew what the story they wanted to tell was. I hope that's you - you don't need an A7s or any other new camera to tell your stories, establish your style and career, and start down your professional path. Seriously, I would take a step back, get what you NEED (not what you want) and start shooting.
Click to expand...

I'd go with a Canon 70D + EF-S 17-55 F2.8 combo, far superior to the A6000 in every which way! For stabilizers I'd get a Manfrotto 561 Monopod, basic tripod, basic shoulder rig and a Glidecam HD2000 or HD1000.
 
Cerro said:
Well...
This is gonna be my little kit:

Sony A7s
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-...=UTF8&qid=1405500348&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+a7s

Lenses (two)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818649-REG/Sony_SEL50F18_50mm_f_1_8_Telephoto_Lens.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732292-REG/Sony_SEL18200_DT_18_200mm_f_3_5_6_3_Zoom.html

Sony Xlr adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892383-REG/Sony_xlr_k1m_XLR_Adapter_Microphone_Kit.html

Sdxc cards (two)
http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Spe...id=1405496716&sr=8-1&keywords=Transcend+128GB

Battery extra
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de=as2&tag=sareesh-20&linkId=2YSMAK4XKEEU6SDO

External hard drive
http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Ultr...ref=sr_du_3_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1405500243&sr=8-3

Card reader
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897900-REG/Transcend_ts_rdf5k_Compact_Card_Reader_USB.html


And the Tripod. I don't know yet. But I'm gonna pick a cheap one.


What do you think??
Click to expand...

You've picked two lenses that the a7s can't even use in full frame mode. Was that what you wanted?
 
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