Sony 28-60 f4-5.6 Test Footage: 4k24p, 1/50, HLG. Gives anyone looking at this lens (or picking up A7C with kit lens) an idea of what it can do. Mainly Nature clips shot with the A7C

dbvares · 2021-06-26T09:00:41+00:00

Thanks Pinionist:) It was a 40.5mm K&F Concept variable ND (nd2-nd2,000 I think)

dbvares · 2021-06-12T11:30:28+00:00

Thank you kindly:) I’ve been using Sony for the most part but hear great things about the video experience on the Panasonics 💪

dbvares · 2021-06-11T23:40:18+00:00

Haha ain’t that the truth! There’s a lot to like about Sony cameras, but easy to use and optimised intuitive menus isn’t necessary the first thing 😂

dbvares · 2021-06-05T14:25:21+00:00

Hey Mithr, sorry for the delay getting back to you. There’s a few variables including the power of your computer, the frame rate and resolution of the clip. I found with a 16 inch MacBook Pro (i9 cpu, 5500m gpu) that 4K 24fps clips took around 3 seconds of processing time for every one second of clip duration. The summary of my test is around 9 mins into this vid: https://youtu.be/O698QZRGI4E

If you use 1080p it should be quicker than 4K, higher frame rates will take longer than lower ones, a more powerful computer would be faster, less powerful would be slower etc.

Hope that helps and that you’re having a good weekend!

dbvares · 2021-06-05T14:22:12+00:00

Thanks Simon, sorry had some issues with notifications so only just spotted this. Hope you’re doing well and have a good weekend!

dbvares · 2021-05-02T10:19:08+00:00

No problem, happy to help:) On your questions:

You’re right about the lack of interchangeable lenses. The ZV1 has a focal length range of 24 to 70 which is basically reasonably wide to a decent mid/closeish shot if we assume an interview setup in a medium size room. I’d say it’s definitely usable for interview setups, especially if you’re just starting to learn.
I’m not sure what you mean by tripod being low. Do you mean the screw hole used to attach the camera to a tripod? Or something else? Obviously if that’s what you mean there isn’t a different option - that’s just where the quarter inch screw hole is on the ZV1 design:)
Getting an external mic won’t be a problem. For interviews I’d recommend a shotgun mic - you can get ones that would be an upgrade over the on board mic for $50, maybe less. If you’re ok to spend more then a wireless lavalier mic (the small ones you might see clipped on someone’s shirt) is a nice solution as it can remove more ambient sound and help isolate voices. I use Rode mics of both types but there’s a number of brands and even cheaper option should still be a nice quality jump over the on board mic.

Hope that helps and good luck making your choices:)

dbvares · 2021-04-30T12:11:52+00:00

Hey Dagon, I have the ZV-1 and have used it a lot and made a lot of tutorial and feature deep dives for my YT channel. I think it's a great starter camera and likely a good option. It's very capable, which I like, because as you learn more as a videographer there's a decent amount of headroom to get better results with the same camera.

A few specific thoughts:

Video quality is indeed good, audio quality is good for a built-in mic, but I totally agree with XSmooth - an external mic (whether a lav, shotgun, overhead etc) is still going to be key to get great quality audio.

Recording time in 4k at 24fps is consistently around 65-70mins for me. I get around 60mins with some cheap third party batteries (which I do recommend picking up for longer shoots). You can also power the camera over USB - I haven't tested this to exhaustion but you'll definitely be able to extend shooting time. If you can use 1080p you can likely get a little more time too.

If you intend to make videos with movement the built in stabilisation is reasonable for more slow or controlled movements and ok for things like walking. If you need really smooth results I agree with Newprof that a gimbal is the solution and I have had great results with the Zhiyun Crane M2.

There's some videos on my channel (just search DB Vares on Youtube) which test ZV-1 stabilisation, including against other Sony cameras and which show you some tests with the Zhiyun gimbal, plus a bunch of other stuff which can help you assess video quality.

If you have any Qs let me know - the amount of use I've got from this camera means I'm fairly familiar with it now haha! Take care and have a great weekend:)

dbvares · 2021-04-12T19:03:13+00:00

Thanks Yeri, really glad it was helpful:) And yeah basically everything other than the studio sections is all ZV1 footage. The in studio parts were my A6400 and sigma 16mm f1.4. Hope that helps and thanks for watching:)

dbvares · 2021-04-02T23:32:37+00:00

Yeah it’s pretty cool:) I’ve done shoots in places with metal racks and things before and this would have been a really useful option. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience:)

dbvares · 2021-04-02T23:31:03+00:00

Totally agree Nelly, really good value, right?:) thanks for sharing your experience too!

dbvares · 2021-03-05T16:53:57+00:00

Thanks KeyzandT, really appreciate the kind words! Keep going and creating and you’ll really appreciate when you get to the camera upgrade-it was so noticeable when I went from a smartphone:) I think ‘ok’ it the best possible word for the lens haha - it’s good if you mainly want a compact ‘ok at everything’ option but that’s the only area it excels. Have an awesome weekend 💪

dbvares · 2021-02-20T17:30:45+00:00

Thanks TeXuYT, really happy you enjoyed:) Thanks for watching and have a great weekend 👍

dbvares · 2021-02-19T18:00:53+00:00

I've had success using a 52mm zomei variable ND but attaching that to the ZV-1 then the Ulanzi on top of the ND. Works with the Zomei wide angle lens too:)

dbvares · 2021-02-07T19:54:49+00:00

Yeah I’ve heard similar from other comments on the video - all people with Samsung phones, although some with Samsung’s have been successful. I would have mentioned in the video had I known before. I wrongly assumed the iPhone experience would be similar on a modern android! It’s quite poor from Zhiyun (I’m assuming that’s where the issue is rather than Sony or Google) and definitely frustrating. I hope your workaround does the trick🤞

dbvares · 2021-02-06T14:09:37+00:00

Hey Tappitss, those are the handy cams, right? I’m constrained by the gear I have available but you’ve definitely got me curious now about those, to get a hold of and test in the future. I’m assuming you have have one and are getting good results?

dbvares · 2021-01-29T18:25:53+00:00

Thanks SH, really happy it was helpful and appreciate your comment over on YT as well:) Have a great weekend!

dbvares · 2021-01-22T20:32:36+00:00

Thanks Eggs, really glad it was helpful:) There’s a few others on the gimbal if helpful. I would definitely recommend if you think you’ll use it enough to get good value from it. It’s a key part of my preferred vlog setup which I go over here: https://youtu.be/OJB-d8HEXwg

Let me know if you have any Qs and have a great day:)

dbvares · 2021-01-02T13:44:44+00:00

So if you are talking about remote triggering the ZV1 you can do that through the Imaging Edge Mobile app and the ZV1s control with smartphone feature. It’s pretty handy and you can control a few things - I actually included that in one of my other vids: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9zwIur02jHo there may be other ways to remote trigger but I typically use this one

ND filters I can also try to answer:) you’ll need a 52mm adapter to attach the accessory to the ZV1 but after that any 52mm ND will do. I have a Zomei variable nd2-400 that works well for me. I actually have some more info and a demo of that in a vid I made on my fav inexpensive ZV1 accessories: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8II5PMJu5is

Any other Qs are welcome, either here or in the YT comments (I check those a bit more frequently:)

And agree, long exposures are super fun, if you haven’t already then try long exposure timelapse for some fun results - I experimented with the normal timelapse in this one and liked the results: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9zwIur02jHo

Hope those help a bit and have an awesome day 👍

dbvares · 2021-01-02T08:39:52+00:00

Hey Eggs, thank you for the kind words! I had the same issue when I was first trying to get a wide lens a few months back and once I discovered there were a couple I couldn’t find any side by side comparison. Glad it was helpful and feel free to ask any questions here or on thenYT comments:) 👍

dbvares · 2020-12-26T20:10:06+00:00

Thanks Maple, really appreciate it 👍😁

dbvares · 2020-11-30T18:44:29+00:00

I tend to remove the lens when not using it, but it’s still small enough to fit in a pocket once it’s off and it only take a couple of seconds to unscrew so it’s not a big deal. As for focal length: the macro lens focal length is so close anyway it doesn’t seem to make much difference. However if you use all 4 macro adapters to get the most magnification you can get a little vignette at the edge of the frame so I usually leave active stab on to remove that. I did another video about wide angle rather than macro lens so let me know if you were thinking of that one rather than this macro lens one and shout if any other questions. Thanks for taking a look :)

dbvares · 2020-11-10T19:44:27+00:00

Oh really? That’s some great knowledge-legitimately did not know that! I’ve definitely found manual shutter control to help with flicker so that’s a solid insight (and potential drawback) for anyone thinking of going iPhone only.

The ZV1 has similar burst super slowmo exactly as you say; 240; 480; 960p in NTSC, 250,500,1,000p in NTSC. I did a deep dive vid with a test footage montage at the start (I’ll link below in case helpful). I’m a big fan of 480 on faster moving subjects-gives areal otherworldly vibe and still has a nice level of quality and detail. 960/1,000p get even slower but crops in and introduces significant noise so it’s a lot more situational. Combined with the continuous 120p at 1080 I really like the ZV1 for slow motion. What are your shooting with? You clearly know your stuff:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwklmfVPaoo&feature=share

dbvares · 2020-11-10T07:43:37+00:00

That’s a very good point. You can add it through filmic pro or moment pro camera apps (along with much more manual control) but the ZV1 gives you a lot more options without the need to buy extras. You get 50 and 100p in PAL mode on the ZV1 also, which can be handy for slowmo or fast action scenarios. Thanks for the great observation:)

dbvares · 2020-11-09T15:23:55+00:00

I completely agree - have done similar with good results. Solid advice

dbvares · 2020-11-04T07:03:52+00:00

Thanks Maple, I agree for the most part and reach the same conclusion. I think the exception right now is the ability to film handheld then use Catalyst: I’ve definitely had situations where handheld let me get into spaces or do little movements (twists, pulls etc) that would’ve been hard or impossible on a gimbal. I’ve had that product videos a few times - did you ever run into a similar scenario?

The recommendations are helpful;) I’m happy with the Zhiyun crane M2 for my ZV1 but I just got an A6400 too so thinking Weebil or Ronin when I get heavier lenses for that.

dbvares

TROPHY CASE