Finally finished this project I started more than a year ago
Used a little bit of everything here, my GoPro10, DJI Mini 4 Pro, Fuji XT-3 and even my iPhone.
Lessons learned: try to practice more with new gear setups before going on big trips. Created a lot of headaches for myself and challenges in editing. Of note! The XT-3 does NOT have in-body image stabilization which is PROBABLY something one should think about before taking aerial videos from a small airplane with a zoom lens!
Also - I was using a new red filter set on my GoPro and they worked great for balancing color in underwater shots, HOWEVAH, they also blocked the amount of light reaching the sensor altogether (duh) and combined with an ISO limit that was probably too high I ended up with a lot of underexposed and noisy footage.
Anyway - I invested in Davinci Resolve Studio to do the color grading since it has more extensive tools than FCP and was able to mostly rescue a lot of the footage that I thought was unusable. That was a learning experience in and of itself and Iām sure I havenāt even scratched the surface. Round tripping the XML between FCP and Resolve was a pain in the ass since I trusted chatGPT to tell me how to do it and ended up having to render the timeline 3 times.
I think it turned out OK. Iām hoping the new DJI Osmo Action 5 I used in Indonesia last month will yield better footage to work with due to the bigger sensor. Some of the problems though just require a better carpenter. Framing shots underwater is hard.
Hey man thanks for responding! I was informed by my photographer friends that Fuji doesnāt have silent shutter, so Iām just going to stick with the Sony. They also recommended that I borrow/get a prime lens to really learn. Gonna try that
Depending on the camera body using an electronic shutter/Silent shutter can do more harm than good. While itās very nice to have, just be aware of the drawbacks with things like rolling shutter. My a7r is borderline unusable with the electronic shutter even for subjects with little movement. My a9ii is obviously made to use the electronic shutter almost exclusively. I think the advantage of the Sony over the fujiās is the AF. the Fujiās are getting better but that is a weak point for sure. I have plenty of buddies who shoot fuji professionally and do well with it because theyāre used to the system and its shortcomings. In reality no camera is perfect and checks all the boxes.
I do agree getting a prime lens is a great way to train your eye. my 35 basically lives on my a7r.
Can you explain a bit, whatās the harm that can be done with silent shutter? Iām mostly thinking of sticking with that because most of what I want to shoot is golf.
And with the prime lens, 100%, I need to train my eye. I canāt really āsee the shotā yet
Rolling shutter is due to how the sensor is reading information across the sensor, normally its from the top down. So most cameras in electronic shutter will have a slower read rate then youād think. So compared to having the mechanical shutter which will actually physically block the sensor. So this image below is an example is rolling shutter, because the swing is fast enough that the delay in the club movement drags and straightes and distorts. If youāre into that look, let it rip. Overall itās not a prefered look.
Like I mentioned with my a7r this is very much in play. but Iāve also noticed in just photos of people that are very still there can be warping/stretching in the image when using ES even at 1/4000th+ because of the read speed of the sensor. So I just leave my a7rv in mechanical and shoot at 1/4000+ and am able to freeze plenty and just wait until after impact. Youād be amazed at how many old heads still somehow shooting on tour that are using 15 year old DSLRs that the shutter is just slappppping like crazy. But they just wait until after impact.
This is why cameras like the a9iii with a global shutter were a big deal when they were announced. basically that sensor takes all the information across the sensor at exactly the same time.
All that being said, ES/silent shutter is a tool. just understand what itās limits are and youāll do great. Some cameraās are designed for it (a9 series), others arenāt. Unfortunately there is a $ figure attached to that feature being usable. Overall when shooting an event, very few of the photos Iāll take actually require ES to where Iām shooting in someones backswing. And if youāre just playing with buddies and what a photos of someoneās back swing, just ask them to hit a second ball and let them know youāll be shooting in their swing.
this is what Iām trying to find. I just get so paralyzed by all the intricacies of trying to make it a hobby/get good at it and find myself just not taking pictures. That is my main reason for wanting to switch from Sony to Fuji. I just think Iād have more fun with the physical dials, film recipes, etc than getting bogged down in menus
Instead of buying a new/different camera, buy a comfy camera sling or something to where you always have your camera on you. Trust me, I thought those chest fanny pack/messenger bags were so lameā¦. Until I got one haha. Backpacks feel like a lot of commitment. The Moment sling is perfect for a small setup.
Or go buy a fun old compact film camera and learn that skill. Forces you to think through your photos because hitting that shutter button has a monetary value.
But I just always have a camera on me. And take bad photos. Photos are free on digital and the best part is no one has to see them.
I grabbed the HEX ranger āregularā size sling last prime day for a stupid cheap price. That my normal grab and go unless I need to ultra small then I use my moment sling. But I might grab the small HEX bag next time they go on sale. Super impressed given the price.
my feet are free, much cheaper than a zoom
