Videoing using an A7Sii and a Ronin M

[Awdbugga61]

Hi all,

I'm about to purchase a Ronin M for use with my A7Sii. The main use will be internal videos of properties, but I will also have to do some videos of groups of people having a party indoors + BarBQ outdoors. Up to now I've always used the Sony on manual focus using tripods and sliders. I've been shutting the aperture down to something like f11/f16, where most of what I'm videoing will hopefully be in focus. Will the same approach work with the Ronin M? I can't afford the autofocus attachment for the Ronin. I'll be moving around a room and outdoors capturing footage of people milling around enjoying themselves.

 

Will by usual approach of manual focus and a high fstop work in this situation as well? It's all new to me. I normally shoot in 25 frames for second and 1/50th shutter speed. The video is rendered at 25fps (I'm in the UK).

 

Also, would I be better to use a higher frame rate if I'm moving around and the people are moving? And if I do use a higher frame rate, will it look all wrong and "slow mo" when the video is produced at 24fps? I've still not got my head around what I can and can not do with frame rates when filming, given that the end video will be at 24fps. I'm new to video (as you might have guessed)

 

I also have a DJI Osmo, but that is not so good indoors in low light situations; hence the need to use the A7Sii.

 

Any advice is most welcome.

 

cheers

John

[corbimos]

you'll be just fine. 

 

i have that exact setup. the camera is great in low light. you'll be able to shoot in any frame rate in most scenarios.

 

i also have the sony 18-105, i find that the auto focus isnt so bad on the ronin, as long as you set the proper focus zone.

 

i have that exact setup. the camera is great in low light. you'll be able to shoot in any frame rate in most scenarios.

[tizeye]

Will be fine. I also shoot properties but with an A7RII using a Ronin-m (plus other equipment) and my "go-to" lens with video is the 16-35, typically set around 24. Set Aperture priority for 99% of video unless doing more advanced stuff like aperture pulls, then on manual. Autofocus is absolutely quiet and seamless but can't say the same thing about the Ronin motor...even after firmware update. It is a moot issue as I don't use camera audio anyway. Have used Slog-2 but naturally flat and requires a lot of work in post and prefer one of the cinema related picture profiles. Biggest frustrations 1) focus pulls are virtually impossible with the electronic 'focus by wire', and 2) mount set-up. For focus pulls (example - forward flower focus shifting to front door) thinking about getting an adapter for my Canon FD 135 as the FE70-200 is out of the question. On the mount issue, almost need a second camera dedicated to the Ronin as all other photography and video is with a Manfrotto quick release. I can't even go from the Ronin to a slider conveniently, plus 2 cameras has additional advantages such as interview footage and shifting between 2 camera angles on the subject while the audio track is identical for video movement (talking, lips, etc) and can sync with better audio on an external recorder. But the question is which one, initially thinking the A7S (or A7sII) then came the a6300, while not as strong on video would give the crop sensor for wildlife and sport photography. 

[Jalber]

Will be fine. I also shoot properties but with an A7RII using a Ronin-m (plus other equipment) and my "go-to" lens with video is the 16-35, typically set around 24. Set Aperture priority for 99% of video unless doing more advanced stuff like aperture pulls, then on manual. Autofocus is absolutely quiet and seamless but can't say the same thing about the Ronin motor...even after firmware update. It is a moot issue as I don't use camera audio anyway. Have used Slog-2 but naturally flat and requires a lot of work in post and prefer one of the cinema related picture profiles. Biggest frustrations 1) focus pulls are virtually impossible with the electronic 'focus by wire', and 2) mount set-up. For focus pulls (example - forward flower focus shifting to front door) thinking about getting an adapter for my Canon FD 135 as the FE70-200 is out of the question. On the mount issue, almost need a second camera dedicated to the Ronin as all other photography and video is with a Manfrotto quick release. I can't even go from the Ronin to a slider conveniently, plus 2 cameras has additional advantages such as interview footage and shifting between 2 camera angles on the subject while the audio track is identical for video movement (talking, lips, etc) and can sync with better audio on an external recorder. But the question is which one, initially thinking the A7S (or A7sII) then came the a6300, while not as strong on video would give the crop sensor for wildlife and sport photography. 

Hey Tizeye, I currently also own the A7RII and 16-35 and am looking at purchasing a ronin M for shooting properties. I originally was thinking of getting some manual primes for the focus issue (shot parts of a documentary with the 16-35 and 24-70 and MF was at points infuriating) as well as the weight of the lens, but after reading this am thinking of giving the 16-35 a shot. Do you generally film in FF or S35 mode whilst using the ronin and the 16-35 and if S35  have you ever encountered rolling shutter issues? Also I would love to hear your set up as im looking at purchasing either a atomos ninja or shogun.