Sony A7S II graded test footage, how can I improve? (Sigma 18-35)

B

Beeboop

Active member
I'm pretty new to cameras in general. So let me know what you guys think and how I can improve. Here is the video. It was all shot on a Sony A7S II with a Sigma 18-35 lens. The Sony A7S II in camera IS was set to auto and doesn't seem to work. My hands were shaking and can clearly be seen on a larger screen like a monitor, not a cell phone or tablet.

F1.7 (I know the lens is 1.8 but the LCD screen says 1.7 at the lowest F stop)
1/50 shutter
ISO at 100,000 for the b-roll
I don't remember the ISO for the speech but I think it was around 6800.

I did not denoise because I don't know how.

Clicking link on a phone does not work. Copy and paste into browser.
https://vimeo.com/149543840
 
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Looks like a tough shooting situation! So dark! I think the grade suits the video fine. Having more light certainly would allow you to change some aspects of you wanted to, but I think you did a good job, particularly with what you are working with.
That's an insane ISO for the b roll!!
 
The first minute has a very strong magenta cast all over eveyting - was there magenta lighting at the location?
 
I get a blank window also but I think it's related to these forums. When I click that link anywhere else, it is fine.
 
First you need to not use that lens in low light like this, it is a crop lens and you loose about 2 f-stops of noise shooting in that mode, use full frame lens, second you need a mono pod or something, no IS will work with the amount of shaking you are doing, shoot with cinema 2 or deep for the cleanest in low light.
 
PSA1 said:
shoot with cinema 2 or deep for the cleanest in low light.
Click to expand...
A lot of good tips, but I'll just disagree with this particular point. I find all that cinema does is [comparatively] crush your shadows, which yes does eliminate noise, but if you're planning on going and grading your piece anyways, shooting flatter will allow you to denoise the footage to your liking, keeping details that may be lost with a more gamma happy profile like cinema. I guess what I'm saying is that it's more personal preference than a rule.
 
How do i denoise? I couldn't find it in Adobe Premiere Pro CC when I searched in effects. I was under the impression that I have to buy denoise II from Red Giant.

I used slog 2.
 
What I have learned by reading hundreds of threads here on DVXUSER:

I shoot with the A7s and a Panasonic GH4 and was a slave to slog 2 until I watched this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-HrXmRqpME (it's a long video but a lot of information) by Alister Chapman (www.xdcam-user.com) He also has free LUTs for slog 2. It is about the new FS5 but in most of the video he goes over slog 2 and 3 theory and exposure that pertains to the A7s slog 2 as well.

I followed a couple of his example settings and instantly improved the quality of my footage. I was under the impression that you should always have it on to get the most from this camera and it's low light abilities. I'm finding otherwise now and enjoying this camera a lot more.

And I couldn't agree more on the mono-pod suggestion. This camera is amazing for stills too.
 
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