Ok liking what I am working with a lot with my EA50M. Now I am wondering which camera to add to the lineup.

My camera lineup wil consist of the following:

1. Sony EA50M
2. Sony NX5U
3. Canon T3i

I have various lenses (Tamron 17-50 VC Di, Canon 50mm 1.4, Rokinon 85mm 1.4, Sigma 17-20mm 3.5-6.3 which I want to drop and add faster constant zoom. I am looking to pickup the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 and maybe Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 HSM) but here's my train of thought. While I love my Canon glass I seem to lean towards Sony more than Canon. So with that said I am thinking of the following...

Switch my system to entirely Sony, in order to maximize my equiptment.
So I would pickup the Sony A7s and have the ability to share lenses as needed, and of course get fantastic low light ability when needed. The mirrorless system will be much more compact than the larger EA50M and I am not planning on adding a rail system but rather of all things The Dougmon system, which is a compact arm support and shoulder sling method which gives freedom of movement to the arm and wrist, but takes the stress off of the arm and wrist as well. I do not want a rial type system but one that is compact easy to setup and shoot in an instant. So I want handheld shooting as well as tripod/monopod shooting when needed.

The other option is not going with the A77 but rather the FS100. Which I was debating on. The reason being that I am pretty certain if the Dougman works out I can shoot with that and have support and not get fatigued. then if needed swap the camera to tripod or monopod when needed.

As for monitoring the video I am seriously considering the Small HD 502 for either of my setups. I get focus assist and more in the size and weight of a mobile phone. It's pricey, but I love SmallHDs stuff when I have used them.

The other option is to not worry about one Sony system and go for the Canon C100, which is fantastic for video. With the exception of the crapy LCD.

So what is the consensus of the group...

1. Sony A7s
2. Sony FS100
3. Canon C100

I lean to the A7s of C100 due to the form factor being small and like a DSLR, with the size of the FS100 being more like the EA50M.

I use the EA50 and the A7s and I'm very happy with the combination. I also have a lot of Nikon manual focus lenses which I use via a cheap adaptor.
The A7s is superb in many respects, particularly it's low light ability, and for me the E mount seals the deal. I use it with a Beachtek XLR box so I have four good audio inputs when shooting with both cameras.

Matt appreciate the Info.
I'm leaning but ha've a lens question.

If I use an aps-c lens on the A7s am I best to shoot in Full Frame or APS-C mode?

A7s matches well with my EA50 - I think the profiles are very similar - I use PP3 on both and they edit together pretty nicely.

If you use an APS-C lens on the A7s I think (may depend on your adapter) it will default to APS-C mode. I use the Metabones smart adapter and that's what it does.

Pete

Matt does your A7S have a 30min time limit ? I read US NTSC versions don't but European models do ?

Hi James, I have never tried the 30 minute limit on my A7s, but will give it a try if I have a chance this weekend. I guess it does have the limit as it is seen as a photo camera rather than a video camera in the EU?

Regarding the APS-C lens, I have used the really nice E Mount 50mm f1.8 OSS on the A7s, and by default it switches to APS-C mode, but you can over - ride this and manually select full frame or crop mode. The 50mm Sony almost covers full frame, but not quite.

Matt thanks for the info on the crop mode.

If I use the Sony A-mount to E-mount adapter (tranucent technology) I can use Alpha mount lens like Sigma 70-200 gsm and get af, iris, and is control on the camera, correct.

Hi James, I have never tried the 30 minute limit on my A7s, but will give it a try if I have a chance this weekend. I guess it does have the limit as it is seen as a photo camera rather than a video camera in the EU?

Yes please, if you can confirm the limit that would be great. Too many mixed statements online about the limit.

I'm ready to buy one, but it will be replacing two B cameras I currently have rather than one. If it doesn't have a time limit I will add a rode mic to it as well and use it for event recording rather than small clips.

Matt thanks for the info on the crop mode.

If I use the Sony A-mount to E-mount adapter (tranucent technology) I can use Alpha mount lens like Sigma 70-200 gsm and get af, iris, and is control on the camera, correct.

Hi Michael, I don't know as I have no experience of using Sony A lenses. I have only ever used manual focus Nikon lenses on my A7s and operated the focus and aperture manually.

Yes please, if you can confirm the limit that would be great. Too many mixed statements online about the limit.

I'm ready to buy one, but it will be replacing two B cameras I currently have rather than one. If it doesn't have a time limit I will add a rode mic to it as well and use it for event recording rather than small clips.

I left the A7s recording whilst I was out, and yes, there is a time limit on the UK model. I recorded in AVCHD and it cut off at 29mins 50 secs 08.

I've attached a screenshot of the file in Vegas, and it has been split into three files.

I'll have to source a NTSC model off ebay then. Looks like the EU version is capped.

Thanks for sharing the results!

Mine is the international version and it stops after 29 minutes - some more info here

Sony a7S video recording time limit: Sony Alpha/NEX E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53911011)

Hi Michael,

Keep in mind your new 18-105 G will not work well on the FS100. I believe the FS100 is on the pincushion list. Also, IMHO, I do not see any comparison between the form factor of the EA50 and FS100. One is semi shoulder mount and the other is a big square box for cine use.

Steve

Great information everyone. Thank you.
So does the USA verson of the A7s not have a 29 minute record limit?

Peter. So simply matching the settings on the EA50 and A7S using PP3 yields a good match without extra post work?

I have an EA50U and trying to decide on a 2nd camera (EA50, A7S or other)

Hi Michael,

Keep in mind your new 18-105 G will not work well on the FS100. I believe the FS100 is on the pincushion list. Also, IMHO, I do not see any comparison between the form factor of the EA50 and FS100. One is semi shoulder mount and the other is a big square box for cine use.

Steve
Steve I wasn't really planning on using the 18-105 with the FS100 if I purchased it but rather the Sigma 1-35mm 1.8 and Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 lenses.

Although the more I look at it the more I élan towards the A7s, as I get a camera that I can sue for both photo and incredible low light video. Plus the form factor can be kept very small. I am looking at a cage and small rails for handheld, tripod/monopod, or pole supported use. As no matter what I am going to pickup the 15mm gimbal from DVTec to use with my support pod that I already have for the DVMultiRig. Not to mention I could easily sue the MultiRig with the A7s for fluid handheld use.

Mine is the international version and it stops after 29 minutes - some more info here

Sony a7S video recording time limit: Sony Alpha/NEX E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53911011)

What a mess Sony have made for this beast of a camera.

Are there no hackers out there that can mod it to remove the limit ??? I would actually pay a small fee for this hack.

Having said that, their A7S low light sensor is probably going in to a Camcorder sometime this year anyway.

The A7s sensor in an EA50 type body would be amazing! I would probably sell most of my cameras and buy a couple of those immediately.

OK before I purchase does anyone know if the Sony LAEA4 adapter will allow image stabilization on the lens with the EA50?

I am looking at picking up Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM and Sigma 70-200mm f/1.8 DC HSM lenses with A-mounts and was wondering if the IS is transmitted to the EA50M. Autofocus and Iris supposedly work but with this long lens I am more wanting onboard IS on the lens to work with the EA50M.

LAEA4 - is for full frame E Mount cams
LAEA2 - is fro crop sensor E Mount cams

Here in the Handbook on page 2 is an interesting chart for the LA-EA2

SONY EA50 HANBOOK (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19594033/EA50%20Manual/EA50_E_Handbook_web.pdf)

I'm sure steadyshot is preserved but I'm not 100% sure.

I'm still looking because it is an interesting question...

Found another chart that would interest you: Differences Between LA-EA1, LA-EA2, LA-EA3, LA-EA4 (https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/37304/~/what-is-the-difference-between-the-la-ea1,-la-ea2,-la-ea3,-and-la-ea4-lens)

The LAEA2 will work with APS-C and Full Frame cameras. But the mirror is smaller so it doesn't use the full sensor on a full frame camera. The LAEA2 is no longer available and the LAEA4 is the adapter going forward for a-mount to e-mount adaptability.

The new LAEA4 will also work on both APS-C and Full Frame cameras. However the new larger mirror covers the full sensor on a full frame camera for better results.

I think the IS should work on cameras that don't have built in IS, but was looking for confirmation of this. As Sony confuses things on their cameras as they say that their DSLR or Mirrorless cameras have onboard IS, so they disable functionality on lenses that have IS, as well as not release Alpha mount lenses that have IS on them. An example if the Tamron VC 70-200mm 2.8 lens. The EF and Nikon have IS on the lens, but the Sony mount does not. The reasoning is that their cameras have IS on the body. But this isn;t true with all of their cameras such as the A7s.

The new Sony A7 Mark2 looks like it could rock with its 5 point axis stabilisation, but the low light doens't compare to the A7s. Too bad or that would be a no trainer for me.