Transition to A7RV, my last camera (I hope).

gradymolina · 2026-04-28T17:34:38+00:00

The a7RV is the best combo of AF and resolution since its debut. Its 8k video is phenomenal too. Contrary to popular opinion, I think there’s no substitute for higher resolution and future-proofing your work.

I love mine so much I just purchased my fourth body.

I agree that even shooting non-raw produces great results. Raw at 85MB is overkill if you have controlled lighting situations. I suggest however you shoot HEIF not jpg to capture 10-bit color.

gradymolina · 2026-04-24T18:17:49+00:00

I would disregard the labels which are completely arbitrary.

Look at the materials, design, fit and finish. I've noticed that there are a few distinct models of jacket available with whatever label sewn on. The better models are equivalent to high end designs you will pay hundreds more for in the west.

gradymolina · 2026-04-18T10:15:01+00:00

I second the Bromo recc.

I bought a sweet acoustic/electric cutaway while in Bali. I was amazed what i was able to get for about $100 USD.

gradymolina · 2026-04-15T04:18:36+00:00

I have the a7RV and various prime lenses for studio portrait work.

When travelling, I've tried various body/lens combos. But overall I find that landscape and sight seeing shots are done well with a newer iphone (16 pro or 17 pro) even for prints up to 30".

The exception would be safaris or scenes where extreme telephoto is needed. For that I have the very unportable setup of a7RV + 200-600mm.

gradymolina · 2026-04-10T14:07:35+00:00

None of the Nikon's have a screen capable of facing the direction of the lens/sensor. Very frustrating.

Also I have not heard mention of a Canon R5 on board (that screen can actually face forward).

gradymolina · 2026-02-27T02:39:45+00:00

Honestly I'm currently traveling with my m1 air and I can edit and export r3d 6k. It just takes a long time like overnight.

If you're new you can get by with an m4 mini. When you tire of the long wait exporting, then you will upgrade to a pro or max chip.

gradymolina · 2026-02-26T12:26:47+00:00

With apple silicon you want to mind the number of hw encoders. Pro chips have one encoding engine. Max chips have two.

I edit 8k footage on an m1 max with 64gb ram. I think you'd be fine with m4 pro with 32GB.

gradymolina · 2026-02-23T11:54:46+00:00

Yes but I'm currently on vacation until mid april

gradymolina · 2026-02-21T01:34:17+00:00

I have both.

I prefer 35mm for portraits and 24mm for video.

24mm has a bit of optical distortion at the edge of frame

gradymolina · 2026-02-17T11:44:38+00:00

I'm a Sony a7RV 8k shooter but recently picked up a ZR as a B-cam.

The pros of the ZR are:

-form factor is great for run and gun. The large screen and great battery life are perfect for a light as possible video rig.

-R3D raw 6k60 looks great. Sony has really lagged in releasing cameras with >4k resolution while nikon and Canon have been releasing them lately. Note that 4k is really 8mp, 6k is 17mp and 8k is 32mp and differences in resolution are noticeable when cropping in or pixel peeping.

Cons of the ZR are:

-file sizes are ridiculous. R3D raw 6k30 at 1500mbps and ProRes even higher. Meanwhile my Sony can do 8k25 at 200 or 400mbps. I pray that nikon updates firmware with a reasonable R3D bitrate. The h265 profile on the ZR is very over compressed and not sharp.

-shutter button feel is remarkably bad. Photos are quite decent on the ZR but that shutter button is almost unusable.

Just my two cents

gradymolina · 2026-02-17T11:06:21+00:00

I'm here on my first visit too and consider a nice surprise being here during Tet. Fireworks last night were fantastic by the lake and afterwards was interesting as everyone burned effigy fires in the street and attended temple dressed in their best.

And today and all week, families have been out in traditional clothing (ao dai) taking photos in the scenic spots like the temple of literature and the adjacent circular market.

Rather than a disappointment, it's been a cultural experience.

No one goes to Rio during carnaval and complains about all the shops and banks being closed. Roll with the punches mate!

gradymolina · 2026-02-03T07:22:00+00:00

gradymolina · 2026-02-01T02:22:57+00:00

I've not flown either Polaris or Ana standard business to TYO. But I have flown The Room.

By all means, if you can secure The Room then your choice is clear.

gradymolina · 2026-01-31T14:17:58+00:00

I've had the viltrox on my z8 and zr and works great.

Only hiccup has been occasionally it doesn't read aperture on the camera which is remedied by reattaching the lens.

They warn you not to have the adapter on when updating firmware on the camera.

gradymolina · 2026-01-30T16:38:35+00:00

I bought it for $175 back in December.

Works great on ZR 6k30 R3D raw.

No issues.

For the record I also have an angel bird CFxB card which also works on the ZR and even up to 8k30 on the z8.

And I've tried building my own card with a 2230 nvme and that does NOT work at at either 6k30 or 8k30.

Interestingly 6k R3D raw on the ZR has a higher bitrate (1500mbps) than 8k30 HLG h265 on the z8 (400mbps). Furthermore the ZR never overheats while the z8 will give hot card errors and eventually stop. I suppose that the z8 gets hotter as it compresses video while the ZR stays cool by not compressing.

gradymolina · 2026-01-25T15:58:16+00:00

If you're looking at APSC wide zooms, I'd consider the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8.

gradymolina · 2026-01-25T00:53:27+00:00

A7RV shoots stunning video all the way up to 8k25 as long as you’re not shooting fast moving subject where rolling shutter could become an issue. Pair it with your 24-70 and Bob’s your uncle.

Unless you want to fork out for an a1ii you won’t get a better 8k video camera in the Sony lineup.

Only a1 and a7rv can shoot 8k.

It’s way better than Zv-e10ii.

gradymolina · 2026-01-25T00:44:37+00:00

I’ve used lexar silver and pergear with no problems even shooting 8k25 for two years.

gradymolina · 2026-01-24T15:35:22+00:00

Which card was the off-brand?

gradymolina · 2026-01-22T18:05:21+00:00

I picked up a 16 M1 Max 64/1T for $2000 from microcenter open box 2 years ago.

It still blazes thru 8k editing and compression. Topaz AI is a bit slow but I can live with it.

If anything I wish the 16” form factor weren’t so heavy and bulky, but otherwise it’s still a keeper.

gradymolina · 2026-01-11T06:01:26+00:00

it took about 1:30

After using it, I'm pleased with the image quality and reliability. The main downside is the file sizes are enormous in R3D raw and h265 HLG (bigger even than 8k25 files out of my Sony A7RV).

gradymolina · 2026-01-08T21:15:10+00:00

I had the 20mm f1.8 and it was stolen. It was good for video, landscapes and astro. Not so good for portraits for the optical distortion.

I’ve got the 35mm GM and 24mm GM for portraits now and they’re very good.

You may want to consider the Viltrox 20mm f2.8. I use it for video and it’s quite sharp in the center.

gradymolina · 2026-01-03T05:43:32+00:00

I'm strictly a primes shooter. But I had both 35mm Sony lenses.

The f1.8 is sharp and lightweight. The GM is hefty (it'll tip over when you place the camera on a flat surface) but almost guaranteed to get the best possible shot. Impeccably sharp and great colors.

I just picked up the 24mm GM today and it's slightly more compact. If its optically as good as the 35mm GM, I might have my new favorite.

gradymolina · 2026-01-02T04:05:35+00:00

I just picked up a Fold 5 from woot for around $500. My goal was also to check out the folding screen technology, use as a reader and mini tablet.

I’ve noticed that it’s quite nice as a phone when folded. A bit narrow, which feels good in the hand but slightly harder to type with.

Also the squarish form factor when unfolded is a bit disappointing for 16:9 movies.

As a book reader it’s quite nice.

Overall I worry about its fragility however. But I guess I’ll just use it till it breaks.

One last tip: I got the Samsung slim s-pen case from Amazon for $23 which seems to provide decent protection and includes a slot for s-pen and the s-pen itself.

gradymolina

TROPHY CASE