Category: Sony A7III

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How To Shoot Tethered With The a7III In Lightroom Classic CC.

Lightroom Classic CC have been my go to platform for years now. I have done commercial tethered work with my Canon setup in the past without any issues. But I did find myself a little at lost the first time I tried to shoot tethered with my a7III. It seems like the two didn’t want to communicate or at least find one another… So I did some research and found a solution that involve downloading the free Imaging Edge Software. Let me take you step by step.

  1. Get the Imaging Edge software from the Sony a7III page.
  2. Go to Menu/Setup 4 on the a7III and set to USB Connection to PC Remote.
  3. Create a new folder for the photos and make sure it is empty.
  4. Double check that no software is using the a7III. Open Imaging Edge and connect and power on the a7III to the computer using the cable provided to charge the camera.
  5. Once connected to the Remote software go to the menu Remote/setting and click Display Preview with the selected program. Choose Lightroom Classic. It will prevent the Viewer software to open every time you take a photo.
  6. Then go to Remote/Save Folder and choose the folder you created.
  7. Open Lightroom Classic CC and go to File/Auto Import. Click Enable Auto Import. Choose the folder you created as the watch folder and destination folder. Add Metadata if desired.

That’s it you should now be able to see your images you take in Lightroom. The Remote software will be the one to use for taking the images and Lightroom will be the one to review and edit. Hopefully this will save you time!

1. Get the Imaging Edge software from the Sony a7III page.
5. Remote/setting and click Display preview with the selected program.
7. Open Lightroom and go to File/Auto Import.
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Godox XPro-S Review- 3 Ways To Use The Trigger

Take a look at all of the specs on the Godox official website.

The Godox XPro-S is a well built and easy to navigate trigger. There’s a lot you can do with it and it can command many flashes and modelling lights at the same time. There are 16 groups and 32 channels to setup your lights and it can control them up to 100 meters away. It supports all flash modes- M, TTL, Multi. This unit is light and a must have to setup a great Godox environment. Take a look at my current Godox setup here. I highly suggest this $80 cdn trigger for anyone looking to expand their lighting capabilities.

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Sony a7III, ILCE-7M3, Firmware Version 3.01. What’s New??

Sony step up their game with the firmware update version 3.0. with great features like real-time Eye AF for animals and time lapse Interval Shooting function. Unfortunately a lot of users had issues with this update. I personally did not have any problems and enjoyed the new features. In any case Sony came out with a revised 3.01. a more stable version and there is no new features with the 3.01 update according the Sony website. So you can click on this link if you wish to get the new update.

Let’s have a look at the improvements from version 3.00 (04-11-2019) and 3.01

  • Adds real-time Eye AF for animals
    NOTES:
    • It is not possible to detect human and animal eyes simultaneously
    • Eye detection may not be possible and depends on the environment, animal type, and movement of the animal
  • Allows you to operate the real-time EYE AF by half-pressing the shutter button or by pressing the AF-ON button
  • Adds the Interval Shooting function
  • Allows operation with the wireless remote commander RMT-P1BT (sold separately)
  • Allows you to assign the [MENU] to a custom key
  • Allows [MENU] tab operation with the Fn button
  • Improves the overall stability of the camera

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Sony A7III – Leaving Canon for Sony!

Well it was a hard decision but I decided to migrate from Canon to Sony. I received a Sony A7III mirror less camera early fall 2018 and let me tell you that I am very pleased so far.  I am still using my full frame Canon lenses at the moment, thanks to the few adapters options available.  So I decided to write about my setup in case you are looking to do the same.

Lens adapter.  There is a few options on the market for Canon users.  I personally purchased a Sigma MC-11 EF mount converter.  It cost me around $300 Canadian for the adapter.  There is more options on the market like the Metabones around $600 Canadian or the cheaper Fotodiox converter.  In any case the Sigma version works great for me and I would recommend the investment if you are looking to buy some time with your Canon lenses. 

Batteries.  The new Sony NPFZ100 battery is very good compare to his predecessor the NPFW50.  It look like they improve the capacity quite a bit.  I personally used my camera to film an event 2 days after I got it and I did not run out of power.  I probably film about 2 hours of footage on a single battery.  I was looking to buy another battery or some third party and quickly changed my mind after looking at the price tag.  Instead I bought a dummy battery and a PowerBank from Anker.  This give me roughly the equivalent of 5 batteries for $50 Cdn!  Review my setup here.

Flash.  Godox is a well trusted affordable flash company.  They produce speedlite for a wide range of camera body including the Sony lineup.  The V860 II-S is one of their most powerful option and only cost $225 cdn.  The V means that the flash comes with a powerful Li-ion rechargeable battery.  The S means it’s for Sony camera and yes it will work with the A7III.  Read about the V860 II-S here.

Monitor. I use the well price 4K Feelworld F6 monitor.  I have been very impressed with how light, bright and well built is the unit.  The best part is you wont break the bank as the monitor is just $250 cdn.  It is pack with features like the Zebra, focus assist and guide lines.  Feelworld my first impression.

Cage.  I went ahead and purchased a SmallRig cage for my A7III.  I will be filming quite a bit with it and wanted to have a comfortable setup.  I really like the built and how I can handle the camera and all of it’s accessories.  More details about the rig here.

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A7III Firmware Update 2.0 – What’s New?

Sony lunched a new firmware update for some of their mirrorless camera including the A7III (ILCE-7M3) on the 10/10/2018.  There has been a few very interesting changes worth writing about.  The first thing that comes in mind is the Focus areas that were previously greyed out when using an adapter, like a Sigma MC-11, are now available.  You can use your Canon lenses and have all of the AF options available! 

The update is not to hard to install.  Make sure to have a full battery, download the software and follow the online instructions from the Sony website.  Look online if you have any issues there is lot’s of Youtube videos on how to install the update.

Benefits and Improvements from the latest update

  • Support of “SEL400F28GM”and “SEL24F14GM”
    • Optimization of the optical image stabilization performance, and addition of a new image stabilization mode of the lens (Mode 3)(Only “SEL400F28GM”).
    • Addition of a Function Ring(Lens) to the menu.
      Note: For the SEL400F28GM lens, the APS-C S35/Full Frame Sel. setting is assignable to the Function Ring in addition to Power Focus.
    • Addition of [Aperture Drive in AF] setting in the menu.
      *Using the lens “SEL400F28GM” or “SEL24F14GM”, when [Silent priority] is selected, the sound emitted by the aperture drive will be reduced. This is useful in shooting conditions where camera.
      noise should be kept to a minimum. Note that Auto Focus may become slower when [Silent priority] is selected.
  • New features:
    • [AF Track Sens] can be assigned to a custom key.
    • When used with the LA-EA3 mount adaptor, all focus areas are supported.
      Note : Focus Area options added : Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF.
      Bracket shooting is available during silent shooting when [File Format] is set to [RAW] or [RAW & JPEG] and [RAW File Type] is set to [Uncompressed].
  • Other improvements:
    • Improvement of the performance and the overall stability of the camera.
    • Better reproduction of the gradation of RAW pictures.
      Note: Imaging Edge software needs to be updated to benefit from the improvement in the RAW processing.
    • When shooting with a flash in an environment with flickering light sources, the stability of the exposure is improved.
    • Improvement of managing continuously shot images as a group.
      Please refer to the HelpGuide for updated function usage.

Previous Benefits and Improvements

The following benefits and improvements are also included in this update

  • Resolves a “blinking pixels” phenomenon at the bottom edge of the image during XAVC S 4K (PAL 25p) recording (depending on the combination of camera settings)
  • Resolves an issue where the touch panel could occasionally become unresponsive
  • Improves the overall stability of the camera


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Godox V860 II-S. 5 Compatibility tips for the A7III

The Godox V860 II-S flash is compatible with the Sony A7III mirroless camera.  There is some minor issues that I have found and so far I was able to work my way around.

1 – Compatibility with the A7III
2 – Shutter Speed
3 – Flash menu compatibility
4 – AF assist beam
5 – Issue with live view display brightness

  1. The flash is compatible with the A7III for the most part.  This will lead to the next few points…
  2. The shutter speed is limited to 1/250 sec. when the flash is power on.  To change that you’ll need to use the high shutter speed mode on the flash.  Then you’ll be able to reach 1/8000 sec.
  3. The options in the Flash Menu on the A7III are working for the most part.  Two of the flash mode options are greyed out.  Other than that the flash exposure compensation seems to work on the camera and the flash independently.  Meaning that you can setup the camera at +2 stops or the flash at +2 stops.  Then you’ll have +2 more stops of light for your image.  Now if you choose +2 in the camera and the flash it seems to add the two and create a +4 stops of light.  So it look like you can add the two…
  4. The AF assist beam feature on the Godox V860 II-S is not compatible on the A7III…  The feature is suppose to fire a quick pre-blast of light to help to camera focus in low light situation.  I haven’t seen any pre-flash in my test…
  5. One major issue is with the live view display when the flash is power on.  The A7III have an option to have the Setting Effect On or Off.  When On the live view will show you the changes made with the settings on the screen, changing the brightness of the scene.  When Off, the brightness stays the same and there is no changes to the live view when changing settings.  The problem occurs when the Setting Effect is On and the flash is power on.  The setting is then switch to Off and there is no way to see the changes made to the exposure, which quickly become a problem when using the flash as a fill flash.  The solution is to go to Custom Key and set Shot. Result Preview to one of your button.  This feature brings back the Setting Effect On when activated.  That way you can now see the changes made to the exposure of your scene with your flash turn On!

So far those are the issues that I have found.  I hope that there will be a firmware update for the Godox flash at some point soon.  It seems that the Sony A7III firmware 2.0 did not fix any of those issues…  I will add to the list if I find more issues.

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Godox V860 II S Overview

Are you looking for an affordable flash for your brand new a7III?  Well don’t look any further because I might just have the flash for you!  I recently purchased a Godox V860 II-S on camera flash for my a7III and let me tell you that I am very pleased so far.  It cost a total of $225 cdn and it is a fraction of the price than the equivalent Sony top of the line flash.  Powerful, well design and easy to use, this flash is definitely a must for my kit.

The V860 II-S is made for Sony camera, S for Sony, C for Canon, N for Nikon, etc.  The V means that it comes with a Li-ion battery instead of the TT version who use AA batteries.  The big advantage of using the Lithium battery is the recycle time of 1.5 sec at max power vs 2.6 sec with best AA on the market.  Also you’ll be able to shoot over 600 bursts vs 230 with AA.

The flash is pack with features and modes that you would expect from the big brands.  TTL, Manual, and Multi Strobe.  It can be use as a master or a slave if you have more than one or use a transceiver.  The features includes flash exposure compensation, flash exposure lock, 1/8000 sec. high speed sync, second curtain sync, just to name a few.  It is very powerful with a guide number of 60m or 190ft and covers a 20-200mm range.

So far I feel like this unit is as well built as my Canon Speedlite 580 EXII.  Time will tell if it is the case as my Canon flash is suited for a multitude of weather and never had any issues no matter what type of scenario I found myself into.  All and all I think this is a very good purchase for $225.

Stay tune for my future review on the V860 II-S.  The next step for me is using this flash in many environment and occasion as possible to give you a solid review!

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Sony A7III – Cheap Power Bank Setup That Last Hours!

The next generation battery for Sony mirrorless cameras is known to be better and more reliable.  The NP-FZ100 battery is a major upgrade from the NP-FZ50 model.  Most photographers and videographers will no longer need to carry half a dozen batteries in their bag anymore.  The only unfortunate part is that the NP-FZ100 costs about $120 and there are not many third party brand options on the market yet.  I did some research when I was waiting for my A7III to be delivered and only found options north of $100…  There are now a few more options on the market and the prices are slowly going down, but I needed a more affordable option now.  I came across one photographer who uses power banks instead of batteries.  It looked like I could get more power for way less money, so I decided to invest in this setup and let me tell you- I don’t regret it!

First, let me run you through what you need and the cost for the whole setup.  I purchased a Anker PowerCore 13 000 battery for $41.99 (CDN),  a Andoer A7III dummy battery $51.99 (CDN),  a SmallRig Switching Plate 1598 $10.99 (CDN),  a cold shoe mount $4 (CDN),  and some velcro $7 (CDN).  The whole setup cost me $116 (CDN)- $4 cheaper than a new Sony NP-FZ100!  The kicker is the Anker PowerCore 13 000 provides me with 13 000 mAh of power compare to the NP-FZ100 – 2280 mAh.  So that’s about 5 times the power for more or less the same price!

The video shows how to setup it up and what it looks like once mounted on my SmallRig A7III cage.  I will say that I don’t even notice the battery pack and I can film for a few hours worry free.  I usually use this setup for video or gigs that don’t require me to be mobile a whole lot.  I work with the the normal battery when I shoot outside.  The best part is that I can recharge my NP-FZ100 battery a few times via USB to the camera with the Anker PowerCore 13 000 if I don’t use it to directly power with the dummy battery.  I did a few overnight gigs where I didn’t have access to power and the Anker power bank was  enough to keep my A7III and Feelworld F6 monitor going the entire trip.

I highly suggest you look into this affordable setup as it might save you from running out of power at an unfortunate time.

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Tamron Tap In Console

I purchased the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 G2 version late last year and I have been super impressed with the build quality and how sharp the lens is.  Unfortunately the lens needed some AF adjustments when I first got it.  So I went ahead and spent $80 to purchase the Tap In Console.  I created this video to help anyone out there trying to figure out how to adjust their Tamron lens.