My thoughts on settings for Wedding Videos
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GUIDE Sony a7S II Guide

My thoughts on settings for Wedding Videos

In this lesson I’ll outline a few of my ideas on how to use the a7S II for wedding videos. Shallow DOF and focus Use Smile/Face Detect. to focus, and the camera will automatically focus. However, you might want to also use DMF so you can quickly focus manually if the former isn’t playing nice […]

In this lesson I’ll outline a few of my ideas on how to use the a7S II for wedding videos.

Shallow DOF and focus

Use Smile/Face Detect. to focus, and the camera will automatically focus. However, you might want to also use DMF so you can quickly focus manually if the former isn’t playing nice – especially when you have multiple people in the frame.

On the whole though, 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.

I would recommend lenses at f/2 to 2.8, and F/4-5.6 for groups.

Low light and bright light – dealing with large dynamic range

You’re never sure how the venue will turn out. Sometimes there’s bright lights, sometimes you’re in the shade while the background is blowing out. I’ll be honest, the only sure way to deal with this is good prep. The camera can’t do much here.

No point in shooting S-Log2 just for these challenges. Either shoot S-Log2 all the way (not advised for weddings) or shoot one of the Cine profiles (see below).

Carry lights! You can use an LED light and power it via the hot shoe on the camera, and use it as fill.

If you’re shooting log, shoot S-Log3.

Mixed color temperatures

Again, not much any camera can do. You must pick your white balance settings carefully. A little bit of prep goes a long way here.

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. For exteriors, I always like to use Cloudy or Shade to warm up the skin. It’s a happy event after all, and there’s no harm in warming everything up.

I prefer the Cine1 profile, underexposed by one stop. You could also try Cine4 for Caucasian skin.

You can even get good results by turning picture profiles off and using just Standard or Neutral Creative Styles.

Motion

This is subjective. Some like to shoot cinematic weddings – sliders, jibs, etc. Others like handheld stuff.

If you’re shooting handheld, definitely use Steadyshot. All others should turn it off.

It is a great idea to switch on Digital Zoom and use the full range of the lens you’re using. A 24-70mm lens with ClearImage Zoom becomes a 48-140mm, and with Digital Zoom becomes a 96-280mm. Digital Zoom will cause image degradation. So, if you’re delivering 1080p, then shoot 4K and downsample. Will look good with some sharpening!

No time for post production

It’s not a wise business decision to waste time in color grading and file organization when the clients are not paying specifically for it.

Even if they are, you can earn more by becoming more efficient:

  • Shoot Cine profiles, and spend a few days getting the right look by tweaking them.
  • Use an external recorder to not only get good exposure, but also to rename your files for easier editing later.

Batteries

Use a battery grip, it will make you look cooler! Also, keep a PowerBank in your pocket and it will power the camera for hours via USB.

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!