In this lesson I’ll outline a few of my ideas on how to use the a7R II for fashion and music videos.
Rolling shutter
There will be many instances with lots of motion, so it’s best to shoot in full frame mode. Also, follow the other general guidelines on how to reduce rolling shutter.
Focusing
I would go with Manual focus and focus peaking. Even at f/1.4, it’s not hard to focus if you use Focus Magnifier and Peaking.
Most fictional projects need some kind of focus pulling, so you’re better off with a cine lens and hired hands. Also, using marks will be a good idea.
The autofocus isn’t good enough for rapid motion.
Low light and bright light – dealing with large dynamic range
The key to dealing with dynamic range is good prep. Visit locations beforehand, shoot at the best times possible. Make use of ND filters, scrims, etc., even if the budget is low.
I’ll be honest, the only sure way to deal with this is good prep, and lighting. The camera can’t do much here.
Carry lights! A good lighting kit is mandatory to get professional results. And, make sure you have enough time to light as well.
When in low light shift to APS-C mode. The camera does much better in APS-C.
Shoot S-Log2 for best results. You can only use the wolfcrow system if you have your lighting under control. Even when you blow out highlights, it will blow out gracefully.
Mixed color temperatures
Again, not much any camera can do. Carry lighting gels in your lighting kit. And anyway, this problem is a failure on the part of the cinematographer. You really shouldn’t be walking into a location without prep.
Don’t use AWB with Log! On the whole though, I’ve found the AWB does well with daylight, and tungsten does okay for warm lighting. If it’s not that warm, fluorescent warm is okay too.
Skin tones and color
This is critical. Get your white balance right, and use good lights (no cheap LEDs or fluorescents).
If you are grading, shoot S-Log2 using an external recorder. If not, I prefer the Cine1 profile, underexposed by one stop. You could also try Cine4.
Finally, use good lenses and filters. You’d be amazed how many people spend thousands on a lens but buy cheap filters.
Motion
If you’re shooting handheld, definitely use Steadyshot. All others should turn it off.
It is a great idea to switch on Clear Image Zoom and use the full range of the lens you’re using. A 24-70mm lens with ClearImage Zoom becomes a 48-140mm.
Digital Zoom will cause image degradation, so I don’t advise it. However, if you’re delivering 1080p, shoot 4K and downsample. Will look good with some sharpening!
Exposure
The key to exposure is to keep it consistent. For every scene, you have multiple setups. This would be a master, close ups, OTS, etc. All the setups should be consistent in exposure, or at least as close as possible. This allows you to tell a story and convey a mood.
A consistent exposure will also help in color grading. You might still have to use noise reduction plugins, but that’s part of the job.
Use an external recorder and use waveforms and Zebras to nail your exposure. Spend your prep time studying these problems, and you’ll be ready come the big day.
Finally, don’t skimp on the colorist. If the project is truly important, and you need the best quality, you must hire a decent colorist.
Batteries
Bricks, no doubt.
If I think of more ideas I’ll definitely update this lesson. If you know of any pointers please share and everyone can benefit from it!
