Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Building a Quick Kit with the Sony A7RIV

24/03/2021

by Kevin McRoberts (Jump to his video.) What is a Quick Kit? It's a simple, semi-universal concept a box o' stuff to grab at a moment's notice, yet contain most of the elements needed to satisfy the technical and aesthetic needs of most jobs. It's suited to air travel, low profile, or low budget work. It will inevitably vary by shooter, budget, and available technology.

Like many, much of my work centers around small-scale mobile documentary, corporate, and commercial production with a minimum of time, budget, or crew. Requests for video + photo are increasingly common, making a solid DSLM essential. The last decade of shooting video with DSLR/DSLM cameras has often been an exercise in compromise, necessitating a variety of add-on gear for any serious work. This, gradually, is becoming less the case. WHY THE A7RIV? On paper, Sony's new Megapickle-Monster A7RIV seems like complete overkill for shooters like me. Why would I choose the photographer-focused A7RIV over other cameras that might deliver better codecs, frame rates, cheaper price, or other vital paper specs for video shooters? Glad you asked

THE IMAGE While some have griped about the lack of this or that video feature when it was announced, the A7RIV simply looks good. Since the A7III/A7RIII, Sony has refined its stock out-of-camera color to negate any need to un-Sonyfy' things in post. Moreover, there's the usual wide selection of Picture Profiles to dial in a variety of looks or match almost any camera family. In my usual work, only 8-bit' isn't a hindrance so long as focus and exposure are nailed, post-tweakage need is minimal (if there's even time or budget for that). If necessary, dynamic range of up to 15 stops (depending on picture profile) gives more than enough latitude. Outlandish resolution traditionally means mucho noise at high ISO. Sony has somehow controlled it with a 61MP sensor. Within the range of ISO values I'd ever realistically shoot within - about 12800 or below - it's solid. Should I get a gig in a coal mine, I'll consider temporary rentals with higher sensitivity but for the majority of everything else, this'll do. And of course, for jobs requiring photo work 61 freaking megapixels. Nuff said. IT KEEPS ON ROLLING Interviews. I shoot a lot of them. Nothing kills a long interview like breaking to restart a clip or change a battery every half hour. The R4 finally pairs a 3+ hour battery and unlimited record times with their full-frame sensor, making it perfect for interviews, presentations, feature-length one-shot pretentious art films, or anything else where you just need to keep on rolling. TWO SLOTS OF INEXPENSIVE MEDIA Despite complaints about the R4's lack of higher-speed media, two UHS-II slots is just about perfect for the gig shooter. Compatible media is your nearest box store away. Done with a shoot and have to catch a plane? Here's a copy of the entire day's media on this duplicate SD card it's cheap, I include it in my day rate. STABILITY WITH ANY LENS I know gimbals. Gimbals are a friend of mine. IBIS is no gimbal but in Sony's implementation, it's close. Gone are the telltale micro-jitters of hand-held DSLM work. Even a monopod can be more hindrance than help. However, despite the larger A7RIV grip, full-frame lenses make it a front-heavy challenge for stable b-roll. A decent, compact, form-fitting cage with a few extra grip options is one of the few things this camera really needs (and, hey, Zacuto has you covered there more on that below).

TRUSTWORTHY IN-CAMERA MONITORING Monitoring aids, especially shooting full-frame 4K, have become a fact of professional life - doubly so as I push into my mid-forties. While the R4's LCD display is fairly standard in its class, the new 5.76M dot UXGA OLED EVF is flat out the best camera EVF I've ever pressed to my glasses. Combined with an array of in-camera focus aids such as peaking, focus magnification, and touch-tracking autofocus, I can leave one more bit of weight and wires out of the quick kit without sacrificing results. Speaking of the last focus aid mentioned ABSURDLY GOOD AUTOFOCUS Autofocus on a pro video camera, on a pro job. I used to scoff at the very thought... I still scoff, depending on the camera or situation but the video AF on this, with a good native lens, is flat out better than me at nailing focus on a properly framed subject. It's pure sorcery. I compose shots and the part that I want to see in focus... IS. f8, f4, f2.8, doesnt matter. It's stupidly freeing. Lock on to an eye, and I don't need to babysit the monitor to make sure the camera doesn't go full-squirrel on something in the background while conducting an interview (even at f1.8 with a cheap 50mm). So long as I have a notion of my frame, I can jib the camera up on a monopod, sling it ground-level, or orbit around subjects of interest and TRUST that the AF probably didn't ruin it. On a recent event shoot for a NASCAR sponsor, with over 269 clips, there was NOT A SINGLE MUFFED TAKE due to blown focus. Bad framing, timing, etc sure, but not focus. That's just... eesh. If this is the future, I welcome our robot overlords and will whistle as I toil in their silicon mines. Now, standard disclaimer and truthiness: It can and does get confused once you start introducing foreground elements, so you have to help it along with touch-tracking or simply going manual from time to time. That said, with the right lenses, a follow focus becomes one less essential item to weigh down the Quick Kit. SO WHAT DOES IT NEED? The A7RIV needs comparatively little accoutrement to yield strong results in an interview, run & gun, b-roll, and similar common shooting situations. What it does need is decent lenses, accessory fitting points, handles, lights, audio, and a tri
LINK: https://www.zacuto.com/blogs/blog/building-a-quick-kit-with-the-sony-a...
See more stories from zacuto

More from Zacuto

14/02/2024

How to connect a 3.5mm microphone to your phone utilizing the MicroBOOM

To connect a microphone to your phone using the MicroBOOM, youll need a few key pieces of equipment but first, let's check what kind of adapter you will nee...

04/10/2023

Top Festivals 2023-2024 for Mobile Phone Filmmaking

In the past several years, mobile filmmaking has seen a huge surge in popularity, not only with the advancements in the phones camera technology but also with t...

13/09/2023

First Look at the Sony Burano Camera with Timothy Fare-Matthews

Sony announced the Burano joining the Venice and Venice 2 in the Sony Cine Alta. The Venice was released in September 2017 and was Sonys first full-frame sensor...

21/08/2023

How to Make a Movie Using a Smart Phone - San Diego ComicCon 2023

Paul Giret, Film for Food, recently presented to a packed room at San Diego ComicCon 2023 on How to Make Movie using your Smart Phone. Check it out: In the pr...

15/07/2023

Film Competitions to Participate in Summer of 2023

Summer is here and its time to show off your filmmaking skills! Here are the top film competitions to participate in this summer and fall. 1. Student Filmmake...

07/07/2023

3 Reasons Why You Need a Viewfinder for Your Phone

If you love taking videos with your phone, you need a viewfinder for your phone. Here are three reasons why: 1. Clarity If youve ever tried to take a video w...

22/06/2023

Filming made easy with your phone and a smartphone viewfinder in the city

Guest Post written by Larry Lewis I've always enjoyed exploring the city since as far back as I can remember. It seems as if every time I adventure around ...

12/07/2022

Loyalty Perks of Zacuto's VIP Program

Cameras and camera accessories have constantly been evolving in recent times. With advances in sensor technologies, digital cameras offer better quality images,...

09/06/2022

On set with the Sony Venice 2 and Zacuto by Timothy Fare-Matthews

My name is Timothy Fare-Matthews, Middle East and Africa ambassador for Zacuto and Sony Alpha. If you are into your Sony cameras, then, like me, youve probably...

05/04/2022

Can the iPhone 13 be a Cinematography Tool?

At Zacuto, we're very excited about the video capabilities in Apple's new iPhone 13, especially the new Cinematic Mode and the ability to record in ProR...

01/02/2022

How to power your EVF?

It can be easy to leave your electronic viewfinder's power supply as an afterthought, only to find that the solution requires more attention than you initia...

08/10/2021

The Panasonic BGH1 Features and How to Rig?

The Panasonic BGH1 box camera is described by Panasonic as NETFLIX APPROVED BOX CAMERA PERFECT FOR LIVESTREAMS, BROADCASTS AND CINEMA. This camera weighs 500G, ...

11/05/2021

The Zacuto Marauder Mini Review - Is this the best compact camera stabilizer small DSLR or Mirrorless cameras?

If youre planning on staying in the smaller camera space - then an investment in...

20/04/2021

Sneak Peek - Panasonic Lumix BGH1 Camera Cage

New Camera - New Zacuto Camera Cage! Moving the LUMIX camera range into fresh new territory, the Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 Cinema 4K Box Camera is a modular, box-sty...

31/03/2021

Zacuto Accessories on the Sony FX6...The Perfect Rig!

I, Timothy Fare-Matthews, was given the opportunity to create a first experience film with the Sony FX6 camera, partnering with a team of three established cont...

24/03/2021

Panasonic S1H - EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK

We sat down with Matt Frazer from Panasonic for an EXCLUSIVE First Look at the Panasonic S1H camera. In this 6 part video series, we'll cover everything you...

24/03/2021

9 Things I Learned Acting My Own Script

Making a movie is an ambitious feat. Having wrapped the majority of principal photography on my first feature film, Follow Her, and having made A LOT of mistake...

24/03/2021

Working with the Fuji XT3 on Creating a Cure

Cinematographer Cy Abdelnour recently took one of our first Fuji XT3 Cages, along with a full Polaris shoulder-rig system and Kameleon EVF, out for a real-world...

24/03/2021

Building a Quick Kit with the Sony A7RIV

by Kevin McRoberts (Jump to his video.) What is a Quick Kit? It's a simple, semi-universal concept a box o' stuff to grab at a moment's notice, yet...

24/03/2021

Sony FX9 First Look with Philip Bloom

Sony's PXW-FX9, whilst it isn't officially a replacement for the FS7 and FS7 II, it is clearly the successor to these hugely popular cameras. I have had...

24/03/2021

3 Ways to Simplify Your Soundtrack Song Search

Finding music for your films is not easy. It's a little bit like a treasure hunt, and not always the fun kind-it's the kind that can really slow your ed...

24/03/2021

I Tried the New ACT Recoil DSLR Camera Rig from Zacuto

Zacuto has just released a new DSLR camera rig targeted at mirrorless and DSLR size cameras, so let's have a look at it. I've been using Zacuto's ge...

24/03/2021

4 Reasons to Pay More Attention to Your Soundtrack

At Musicbed, we work with a lot of creatives who value music in their films - they know how important it is to the filmmaking process and the final product. But...

24/03/2021

Zacuto Announces First Look at the Sony FX3 Z-Finder and Cage

Earlier this year, Sony announced the Sony FX3 full frame camera to their Cinema Line of cameras which includes the newly released Sony FX6. It does have the Al...

28/08/2019

Panasonic S1H EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK

Panasonic S1H EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK We sat down with Matt Frazer from Panasonic for an EXCLUSIVE First Look at the Panasonic S1H camera. In this 6 part video s...

18/06/2019

The 10 Top Grossing Films of 2019, so far

The 10 Top Grossing Films of 2019, so far It feels like every year we see the same articles about movie theatre attendance dying off, and then every year there...

01/06/2019

NEW 6K Panasonic S1H Everything You Need to Know

NEW 6K Panasonic S1H Everything You Need to Know The team at Panasonic announced the Panasonic S1H DSLM camera today at CineGear2019, and you should be excit...

21/12/2018

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO which streaming platform is the best?

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO which streaming platform is the best? The four goliaths of streaming TV, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and HBO, are notoriously secretive ...

12/12/2018

Win a Zacuto Cage for the Blackmagic Pocket Camera 4K!

Win a Zacuto Cage for the Blackmagic Pocket Camera 4K! Enter below to win a Zacuto Cage for the new Blackmagic Pocket Camera 4K! Our Cage hasn't even been r...

05/01/2018

15 Tips for Navigating the Sundance Film Festival 2018

15 Tips for Navigating the Sundance Film Festival 2018 This upcoming January will mark my 9th year of incredible moving watching at the Sundance Film Festival i...

27/12/2017

25 Fun Filmmaking Facts Featuring Holiday Movies

25 Fun Filmmaking Facts Featuring Holiday Movies What's sweet, silly, and sometimes sad? There's usually snow, occasionally animals talk, often families...

13/12/2017

The Legacy of a Photography Pioneer, Monte Zucker

The Legacy of a Photography Pioneer, Monte Zucker Guest author Scott Emerton shares the story of the pioneering photographer and educator Monte Zucker - founder...

01/12/2017

9 Days of 24hr Dec Deals from Zacuto Happy Holidays!

9 Days of 24hr Dec Deals from Zacuto Happy Holidays! It's the season of giving and we want to give back to our filmmaking community and our Chicago comm...

06/09/2017

NEW at IBC 2017 from Zacuto and Core SWX

NEW at IBC 2017 from Zacuto and Core SWX IBC 2017 is right around the corner and we're busy building rigs and prepping cameras! Will we see you there? We&#...

18/07/2017

The Art of Architecture Films Q&A with Riley Engemoen

The Art of Architecture Films Q&A with Riley Engemoen Architecture can be so much more than just a beautiful backdrop. For architects, so much of design is ab...

21/06/2017

Season of Giving Giveaway Thursday

Season of Giving Giveaway Thursday This Giveaway is now closed. See who won here. Zacuto Run'N'Gun Bundle This bundle includes the Marauder foldab...

21/06/2017

Season of Giving Giveaway Winners

Season of Giving Giveaway Winners Thank you for entering! Here is a recap of our giveaway and the prize winners: Monday: Winner Tony Virili USA Zacut...

21/06/2017

Zacuto and Rhino Slider Giveaway!

Zacuto and Rhino Slider Giveaway! This Giveaway is Closed It's giveaway time! Enter below for your chance to win a Zacuto Z-Drive Follow Focus and Rhino Sli...

21/06/2017

Sony FS5 Accessories Giveaway Zacuto and Portabrace

Sony FS5 Accessories Giveaway Zacuto and Portabrace This Giveaway is now CLOSED. Congratulations to our winner, Dylan Lee! It's giveaway time! Enter belo...

21/06/2017

Win a Gratical Eye EVF!

Win a Gratical Eye EVF! This competition is over. We're teaming up with Philip Bloom to give away a Gratical Eye Micro-OLED EVF! Philip is hosting another ...

21/06/2017

15 Tips for Navigating the Sundance Film Festival 2017

15 Tips for Navigating the Sundance Film Festival 2017 This upcoming January will mark my 8th year of incredible moving watching at the Sundance Film Festival i...

14/08/2013

Zacuto Releases New EVF Mount, the Axis

Zacuto releases a new electronic viewfinder (EVF) mount, the Axis. The Axis is an adjustable, universal EVF mounting option- designed to work with any camera; D...

07/08/2013

Zacuto Announces New Foldable DSLR Rigs; Marauder & Enforcer

Zacuto has two new DSLR rigs on the market and ready to ship! These DSLR rigs are foldable, compact and small enough to fit into a back pocket. The Enforcer an...

10/07/2013

Zacuto Offers Summer Product Specials

Zacuto is now offering product specials until August 1st for the summer. Specials include a mix of gear for cameras ranging from DSLR to Canon C100 cameras to S...

26/06/2013

Zacuto Debuts New Film Light & Shadow

Zacuto is proud to present Steve Weiss' latest film, Light & Shadow. The film is an intimate conversation with legendary cinematographers about their perspe...

12/06/2013

Zacuto Announces Z-Finder Pro for the Canon C00 Camera

As soon as Canon announced the release of the Canon C100 to its EOS Cinema Camera line, Zacuto was inundated with requests to make an optical viewfinder to fit ...

05/06/2013

Zacuto Announces Rigs and Acceories for the Sony F5 and F55 Cameras

The Sony F5 and F55 cameras are now shipping and Zacuto has the perfect accessories to customize rigs. Zacuto now offers a baseplate and rig for the Sony F5 & S...

27/03/2013

Zacuto USA Gets inside Scoop with Sony F5/F55 Cameras

Recently, Sony revealed two CineAlta 4K cameras, the PMW-F55 and the PMW-F5. With this, Zacuto got a visit from Kari Hess with Abel Cine Tech to demonstrate the...

20/03/2013

Zacuto Releases Products for Canon C00, C00 and C500 Cameras; the ENG Grip Relocator and C-Shooter Rig

Through the expansion and publicity of the Canon Cinema EOS line for the C100, C...

21/02/2013

Zacuto s New Sony FS700 Grip Relocator & Shooter Rig

The Sony NEX-FS700 HD Super Slow Motion camcorder is quickly becoming a very popular camera. The latest camera offers new and improved options for Sony's NX...