Oliver Daniel

​Hi Andrew, could you elaborate on why this is an issue? I film and edit music videos daily and find that tweaking each and every scene is a given with every camera I use as the variables change throughout the day, such as the choice of lighting, direction of the light source, the time of day, the lens used, change in weather, change of location..... (Doing everything you can on set to make it as close as possible for each scene). ..... Every single shot gets tweaked to match in the grade so the style, feel etc are consistent throughout. If I put the exact same grade on every clip and kept it that way, it would look a mess as a whole. (If used, I would use the same LUT but change the colour parameters on each clip so it all runs seamlessly). So by saying each scene needs it's own nob fiddling, I find that just as usual as anything else in filmmaking. Just asking just in case I've missed something, I've mis-understood you or we are just different in our work and approach. Thanks.

​I just thought your initial post was "challenging", which is fine. Everybody needs to be challenged. Your input into these topics are very useful (sometimes beyond my brain receptors) so thank you. I thought lafilm's reply was inappropriate and could of potentially fuelled a few emotions of the more opinionated members. Everyone makes mistakes when they get angry eh? Ebrahim is a top guy, he is spot on. Topics like this are important to follow for the technical check-list - I'm trying to make a buying decision and this post involves those very cameras. These camera are very very close in DR. What matters is the price difference as per performance. Great sign for the future!

What JCS said was challenging, but lafilm has made it much worse with his comments, there is no need for such confrontational attitudes from anyone. Especially in that tone. It's fair for people to judge from their own conclusions, different eyes see different things. At least be civil about it.

​I've heard Cinema5d getting incredibly criticised on the Internet regarding the lab tests. I personally have no idea if they are right or not. Where are they wrong? ​Another cool solution I've seen away from the hotshoe is the Edelkrone Modula 3 upwards. It's a shoulder based rig with a classic camcorder grip, the Shogun to the left (so it's in front of your face) and a mount option at the back to fit in an external device, such as extra power. It seems like the most intuitive solution I've seen... The hot shoe mount seems like a pain.

I'm planning to change my workhorse camera setup soon, and I've been favouring the A7S plus Shogun for a while above other options. Shooting lots of music videos and some corporate stuff. I was planning to go the extra mile with the FS7, and completed one pro shoot on that camera. Not done editing yet - but to get the most out of the cameras features the files are huge - the cost of storage would be too much, so I'll be renting this out on a selection of shoots. The A7S combo concerns me though, with reports of poor battery life, poor build quality and Slog2 not working correctly. I do love the image that the a7S is capable of above other cameras in this price range. Pretty stuck on what to do..... what is everyone's take from the research online so far?

Wow. Moving onto topic.... What do you think to this solution for rigging an Atomos Shogun? http://www.edelkrone.com/eu/5-modula-series It looks really useful and the grip looks pretty neat.

​Well it looks like you are doing a great job. Earning money from blogging is very tough, so that's a lovely achievement you have attained and kept up. Thanks for sharing! I know what you mean about chasing commercial work. It's a massive yo-yo of peaks and troughs. I do get a lot of work but the focus is to get higher quality work with better financial rewards. It's happening! Also wanting to work on some personal stuff to keep flowing in the background. Time is the caveat!! ? Shogun - looking forward to your footage plus any improvements in 1080p 50/60 capture and 120fps on a7S and NX1, hopefully ?

​Since you put it that way, I think it's a decent purchase - assuming you have enough funds for other stuff. ? I've used the 1DC on a pro shoot before as the main camera. My handheld driven style didn't suit it at all, ultimately finding it a pain to use with a fixed monitor with "bolted-on" 4k. The footage looked quite poor - but I think this was all down to me and my vision not working correctly with this tool. I realised my choice was pointless and sticking with my GH3 would of been a much better result, given the "guerrilla" style intended. A question you don't have to answer, but just curious, does your blog generate all the income required to buy all these new cameras? I'm assuming you might also sell stock footage and do the odd-job here and there? Doing a great job clearly! I film and edit full time - and every purchase (if any) has to be absolutely justified or I will die of starvation. Will get more lucrative, I'm sure ? Anyway, looking forward to your Atomos findings. It's on the wishlist.

Hi Ed, nice to see all the detail in the shadows. Although now I'd add a bit more punch! And a CGI teaspoon flying through each shot I'm steering towards upgrading from my GH3 this year (I don't buy every camera ever like some people) and I've always favoured the A7S for being the most appropriate tool for my favoured image (cinematic, decent dynamic range, adaptable lenses) but I have to admit, I've been curious how the NX1 could be utilised in my camera bag. From your experience so far, how would you define the NX1 as a tool, if used for cinematic purposes?

Hello douglaurent, regardless of whether you are right or not in saying the 1DC is "better" than the A7S, the argument is boring and frankly a waste of time. Both can capture lovely images. Leave it as that. I'm more interested in how the Shogun would benefit my work on a creative level, and if those benefits are enough to influence my next camera purchase. I change bodies every 2 years so it's time to choose. ?

This year, I am going to evolve my skills and creativity to secure bigger and better clients. The videos will be smarter, broader and much more technically efficient - taking my sometimes unavoidable OTT style into a more universal, cinematic territory. Other than that, I'm going to focus on personal promotion - as well as pushing the company I've created in other directions.

Biggest part of the year for me is not getting sidetracked by the latest technology, and just shooting most of my stuff with what I've got - a GH3 and loads of FD & M42 lenses (and an SLR Magic). Not a single complaint by any client. ideas made this successful, plus hard work and preparation. Next year will see a few major upgrades technologically, but again, strong ideas and creativity is the No.1 focus. Always.

Just downloaded Andrew's video (having watched it previously on Vimeo) and watched full screen on my iMac..... Bloody hell. The detail on this thing is insane, and very very clean. Also noticed much better detail in the shadows when watching the download as opposed to the Vimeo link - it's a shame about what the compression does. Think the image being so clean and punchy would take quite a bit of TLC to make it "cinematic". Still very impressive stuff.

​That's a big shame really, as I don't have any need for 6k IMAX, 14,444 ProRes and 400,000 FPS. Lame update. When it says "Nice Shot", does it ever say "Really Shit Shot"? I was hoping for a built-in lighting setup on the sensor, where I could touch and drag up to 5 different lights and boost/decrease the ISO in my chosen areas. There would be no need for proper lighting anymore, or dynamic range. I wish everything was artificial.

I am yet to see any footage of the camera where the blacks haven't been very crushed in post or in camera, it's difficult to see what the DR is like. Ed's footage is the best I've seen for my taste, although still very very contrasty (which is totally fine btw). I want to rent one to try out all this myself but no one is!!

A great idea shot on an iPhone will be a far better viewing experience than a mediocre idea shot on an Arri Alexa. Ideas, ideas, ideas.... if I don't have an interesting idea, I don't shoot. These ideas come from everywhere - music, film, locations, experiences, personalities.... all moulded into one. These influences come WAY WAY before any camera gear choices. It makes for much more compelling and entertaining content in the long run.

Hi Ed! This is exactly the kind if footage I've been waiting to see! So thank you for sharing. The majority of the stuff shot with this camera on the web is very poor, so I'm glad to see something much better! When the shot of the ladies face, it jumped out at me. Those skintones are incredible. There's something very beautiful about the colour. Having been used to a GH3 for two years, it pales on comparison. I've been very curious about this camera and my interest has peaked. In my company we are currently discussing our next purchases and the NX1, A7S and Shogun are on the list. Let me be cheeky and ask you to share more!

Thanks for the positive comments Maxotics. I made many suggestions on the day for comic effect, such as the girls pulling their faces and going cross eyed - the Director certainly has a zest for flesh! In the edit I did my best to offset the "porno" look even more by the repetitive edits and over-the-top effects. Also thanks for recommending me to other readers. I'm more of an ideas man with a love of the latest technology, so it all works hand in hand. Got LOADS to learn, and sites like this help me understand nitty gritty aspects I previously would fall asleep listening to. Here is one teaser image of the shooting location and setup on the FS7 shoot...

I keep brushing aside my curiosity of this camera, yet it always comes back. Would love to see some ungraded images captured with some low contrast lenses. Best feature of the camera is the colour. Would love to see some 120fps!

Yes I did work on that video above. I was both the DOP and Editor for this piece - I went for a very comical, cartoony look with grunge and cheap effects to balance the tone. I shot on the FS700 with just a Canon 24-70L 2.8. Did the job! You are right - the shoot was hysterical in many ways. I never had a straight face. It's always like that on our sets, always really fun and humoured - none of this military shouty stuff. The FS7 is completely different to the FS700. The FS7 is a very serious tool, built to last for years. I'll miss the FS700 but times are changin'. ;)

Thanks Maxotics, there should be some behind the scenes stuff on the company Instagram account - we had a DJI Phantom too coming through the roof! That was the best shot of the day. I'm used to DSLR size cameras having also operated everything from a RED to BM Pocket, and the FS7 has a great balance for features and quality. It's just the firmware performance - simply unforgivable for a camera this price. It should just "work." This is Sony! It does make the FS700 a wimp in comparison. I've shot so much on that camera yet I've always disliked the image. It's horrendous. It does that slo-mo though that the music vids crave.... The video is out Jan 29th. :)

Don't be expecting an Andrew Reid review here! These are my quick thoughts.... An FS7 landed on my desk yesterday for a music video shoot. The camera is built like a rock and the grip is very comfortable. Shoulder mounting was pretty nifty. I had a brief go of shooting things round the office - yep, got it! We set up the band performance scene in a derelict swimming baths inside a lunatic asylum estate. The roof had fallen in, so plenty of light. 2 inches of water was on the surface and it was slippy. Ideal day for a new camera! ;) I started shooting with Canon FD L Series lenses, the mount I had was shit as it didn't click into place on the mount but it stayed on solid. No gulpy moments! I came into an issue straight away. When I turned the camera on, it would just freeze when loading the image. It was set to 4k 50fps, so to unfreeze I had to set it back to 25fps then back to 50fps. This started to become a major issue as every time the camera was switched off I would have to do this over and over again. Needs a fix fast!!! Another issue was the responsiveness of the buttons. It felt like the buttons didn't work properly combined with slow software. This was tedious because the menus are ridiculously complicated. To change from 4k to 1080p 180fps feels like a lifetime!! They definitely need to work on this!!! I filmed in Slog3, dynamic range is superb. You can also view footage with a LUT. I did in 709. Images looked great on the monitor, very clear and sharp. Peaking is very good too. I held the camera for around 25 angles of a 3:30min song. All handheld for a frantic feel. My right arm was dead by the end of the shoot, and my back was punished. Expected really. Shooting felt right though. ;) To get the most out of this camera, you need a lot of hard drive space. A 64gb card lasts 15 minutes at 4k 50fps. I filled 6 cards and dumped them throughout the day. As an owner, you will definitely need to factor in hard drives into the cost. You will need many. I really loved this little feature with a light meter on the display to tell you if parts of the image were too high in exposure or too low. The function of a histogram but different. Quite nifty. The footage looks great, very impressive. Very low noise. Clear and sharp. Dynamic range is fabulous. I can't release any images or footage due to confidentiality yet, but very pleased with the results. Will share on release. My overall thoughts on first use is that the camera is a great piece of kit, but let down by some shoddy firmware which ruins the user experience. Sony really need to update it fast. This is a serious production camera and it covers so many bases. You can shoot in lower bit rates at 1080 if you wish, but to use the best features - you need a crapload of hard drives. Once Sony sort out the firmware, this will be an excellent camera!

I actually have on my desk right now - the FS7. I've not even turned it on yet but this thing is incredible. It's built like a rock and the grip is the best thing about it. Shooting a music video with a RAAAR RAAAR band on FS7 + a GH4 on a drone in a mental asylum with no roof tomorrow. What was Shane on about again? :P

I couldn't agree more with what Ebrahim was saying about clients being visually illiterate.. Most my clients prefer the images I've shot with the GH3 than the RED Epic. Some of the work experience guys can't tell the difference. Also, I've lost count the amount of times I've gone round to someone's house only to see they have True Motion or Smooth Motion switched on. Recently one friend was watching The Walking Dead with True Motion on - it looked hideous, cheap and like a substandard soap opera shot interlaced on an old home movie camera. I switched it off, and BANG - it looked superb, cinematic, edgy ang gripping. All he said was "it looks blurry now." Don't you find this interesting? Only thing I don't agree with Ebrahim on is to "use IS lenses. Period." IS lenses are expensive, electronic and clinical. Sure that's great if that's what you want - but when you can pick up a Helios 44 for literally nothing, the non-IS options have much more variation. Just make sure you have a steady shoulder, tripod or stabiliser :)

Effective planning goes miles when making any video content. Sure you can pick up whatever camera and shoot something, but if you are looking to make a statement - pre-planning is key to making sure you have done your research and covered all bases. On many very low budget productions, I admit I do "wing it" for lack of time. This is fine as the budget covers this approach. The bigger projects are a different kettle of fish, planning is key to success! Always remember that you don't ever get hired because of your brand spanking new flashy camera, you get hired on your ideas, creativity, skill and personality. Your equipment choice is a part of that personality and creativity. Get it wrong and your project suffers. Good luck!