Sony A7S3 Camera Setup and Tips

Initial Setup

Essential Steps

• Attach lens, insert charged battery, and insert memory card.
• Turn on the camera and open the screen.
• Rotate control dial to movie mode.
• Press the menu button.

Frame Rate Settings

• Choose between PAL and NTSC:
  • NTSC: 24, 30, 60, 120 fps
  • PAL: 25, 50, 100 fps
• Default suggestion: NTSC @ 24 fps.

Video Resolution

• Choose between HD (easier to edit, smaller files) and 4K (crisper footage, larger files).

Compression Types

• XAVCHS: Smaller files, harder to edit.
• XAVCS: Larger files, easier to edit.
• XAVCSI: Largest files, easiest to edit.
• Suggested: XAVCS 4K.

Movie Settings

Frame Rate and Quality

• Set recording frame rate to 24p.
• Set record quality to 100M 422 10-bit for best color data.

Exposure and Color Settings

S-Log3 Setup

• Go to Exposure/Color Menu > Color/Tone > Picture Profile > PP8 (S-Log3)
• Gamma Display Assist: Helps in monitoring without affecting recording.

Exposure Settings

• Exposure Mode: Manual
• ISO: 640
• Shutter Speed: 1/50s
• Adjust aperture to get meter reading to about +1.7 for best noise performance.
• White Balance: Manual (e.g., Daylight for studio).

Focus Settings

• Choose between Manual or Auto Focus on the lens.

Recording Tips

Recording Indicator

• Settings > Shooting Display > MF Disp During Record: Turn on the red recording box.

Sound Settings

• Settings > Sound Option > Audio Signals: Turn off recording noises.

Dual Native ISOs

• Base ISO: 640
• Second Base ISO: 12800

Backup Camera Settings

• Settings > Save/Load Settings: Save to SD card to back up customizations.

File Name Customization

Change File Name Format

• Shooting Menu > File > File Name Format > Title: Customize with a specific prefix (e.g., A7S3).

Auto Focus Customization

Transition Speed

• Focus Menu > AF/MF > AF Transition Speed: 1 (slowest) to 7 (fastest)

Focus Magnifier

• Focus Menu > Focus Magnifier: Move, zoom, and manually focus check.

Eye Autofocus

• Focus Menu > Face/Eye AF > Right/Left Eye Select: Choose right or left eye.

AF Subject Shift Sensitivity

• Focus Menu > AF/MF > AF Subject Shift Sensitivity: 1 (locked) to 5 (responsive)

White Balance and Stabilization

Shockless White Balance

• Settings > Exposure/Color Menu > WB Shift: Adjust speed of WB changes.

Power via USB-C

• Settings > USB-C Power Supply: Allows power delivery and charging with a battery.

Exposure Aid with Zebras

Zebra Settings

• Menus > Exposure Color Menu > Zebra Display: Turn on and customize for specific brightness levels.
  • Lower Limit Mode: Set to show above a specific brightness.
  • Standard Plus Range Mode: Set to show within a specific range (e.g., 50+/-10).

Stabilization Settings

Types of Stabilization

• SteadyShot Standard: For micro shakes.
• SteadyShot Active: For more motion, vlogging (adds 1.1x crop).
• Gyroscopic Stabilization: Uses gyro data for stabilization in post.
  • Software: Catalyst Browse from Sony for gyro data stabilization.

Best Practices

• Higher Shutter Speed for Gyro Stabilization: Reduce motion blur.
• Stabilization in Post: Add motion blur back using AfterEffects.

Picture Profiles

Dynamic Range and Noise Management

• Base ISOs: 640 and 12800 for least noise.
• Exposure Tweaks: Overexpose by 1-2 stops to reduce noise.

Picture Profiles Overview

• S-Log3: Widest dynamic range, needs color grading.
• S-Cinetone: Good for straight out of camera use, less dynamic range.

Color Grading S-Log3

• Multiple Lumetri Instances in Premiere Pro:
  • Pre-CST: White balance and exposure fixes.
  • CST: Apply Lut.
  • Post-CST: Contrast, exposure tweaks, and color correction.
  • Grade: Artistic grading.
  • Sharpen: Final sharpening adjustments.

LUTs and Post Adjustment

• Use Sony’s Official Lut for S-Log3 to Rec 709.
• Adjust Middle Gray Exposure: Set zebras to 55 for S-Log3.
• Export Settings: Use appropriate render settings for stabilization.

Conclusion and Tips

• Regularly back up camera settings.
• Customize and optimize file names.
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