I Downsized My Camera, Here's Why!

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses their switch from the Sony A7 R4 to the smaller and lighter Sony A7C II, citing its portability and suitability for both photography and video as key reasons. They share their experience using the camera for five months, highlighting its advantages such as smaller file sizes and the ability to use it as a backup for larger projects. The creator also addresses potential concerns about the camera's size and button layout, but ultimately expresses satisfaction with the A7C II's image quality and performance, encouraging viewers to prioritize functionality over appearance in their gear choices.

Takeaways

• 📷 The speaker sold their Sony A7 R4 for the Sony A7c II, which is significantly smaller and has fewer features for photography.
• 🛍️ They chose the A7c II over other options due to its size, lower price, and the desire for smaller file sizes compared to the A7 R4.
• 📚 The speaker is focusing more on creating content rather than discussing camera gear, as they have found a setup that works well for them.
• 🔄 They rented the A7c II with a 50mm lens for two weeks and took more photos in that period than in the entire previous year.
• 🤔 The speaker is considering selling the 51.4 lens due to its size not being suitable for their new, smaller setup.
• 💡 The A7c II was chosen for its portability, making it easier to carry when shooting solo or on adventures.
• 🔄 The speaker is getting used to the A7c II's different button layout and lack of a joystick, resorting to touchscreen focus instead.
• 📼 The camera has only one card slot, which might be a downside for those who go through many cards during shoots.
• 📸 The A7c II does not have a flash sync port, which could be a limitation for professional photography requiring strobes.
• 🎥 The speaker is satisfied with the image quality of the A7c II for their needs and has not noticed a significant difference from their previous camera.
• 📹 The A7c II is expected to be used more for video, and the speaker is looking forward to further testing its performance in different conditions.

Q & A

What camera did the speaker replace their Sony A7 R4 with?

The speaker replaced their Sony A7 R4 with the Sony A7c 2.

Why did the speaker choose the Sony A7c 2 over the A7 R4?

The speaker chose the Sony A7c 2 for its smaller size, lower price, smaller file sizes, and its capability to be used for both photography and video.

What is the speaker's primary motivation for sharing information about their camera gear?

The speaker's primary motivation is to share what works for them so that others can make informed decisions when building out their camera kits or improving the production value of their projects.

How did the speaker's experience with the Sony A7c 2 and the 50 mm 2.5 Fe lens for two weeks affect their photography habits?

The speaker took more photos in the two weeks of renting the Sony A7c 2 and the 50 mm 2.5 Fe lens than they had in the entire year with their A7 R4.

What is the speaker's usual combination of cameras for their series and films?

The speaker's usual combination is the A7 S3 for video and the A7 R4 for photos, as they are a perfect combo that complements each other.

Why did the speaker consider the weight of the camera gear important when making their decision?

The speaker considered the weight important because when shooting solo, carrying heavy camera gear can be burdensome and cause discomfort, especially on their back.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of camera size when working with clients?

The speaker does not care much about the size of the camera or how it looks in front of clients, as long as the content is good and the camera gear works for them.

What is the speaker's plan for their YouTube channel in terms of upload frequency?

The speaker plans to reduce their Sunday uploads to every second week until September and will post a new episode of their podcast on the weeks they do not post a video.

What are some of the cons the speaker mentioned about the A7c 2 compared to their previous cameras?

Some cons include the different button layout, lack of a joystick button, only one card slot, and the absence of a flash sync port.

How does the speaker feel about the image quality of the A7c 2 for photography?

The speaker is happy with the image quality of the A7c 2, stating that it meets their needs and the files edit well, similar to their other Sony cameras.

What is the speaker's strategy for managing their content creation and client work?

The speaker focuses on using camera gear that makes shooting easier and more accessible, prioritizing their comfort and ability to produce quality content over the appearance of professionalism.

Outlines

00:00

📷 Switching to a More Compact Camera: Sony A7c 2

The speaker discusses their decision to switch from the Sony A7 R4 to the Sony A7c 2 due to its smaller size and lighter weight, which is particularly beneficial for solo adventures and travel. They mention that while the A7c 2 has fewer features for photography compared to the A7 R4, the quality of the camera gear available today makes it less of a concern. The speaker feels a responsibility to share their experiences with different gear to help others make informed decisions. They also highlight the shift in their content creation from DIY projects to adventure filmmaking and camping, which has influenced their gear choices.

05:01

🔄 Adapting to a Smaller Camera Setup: Challenges and Benefits

The speaker shares their experience with the Sony A7c 2, noting the adjustment period required due to its smaller size and different button layout compared to their previous cameras. They discuss the absence of a joystick button and the need to use the touchscreen for focus, as well as the single card slot which could be a limitation during extensive shoots. The speaker also addresses concerns about the camera's professional appearance on set and how it might be perceived by clients, but emphasizes that they prioritize functionality and comfort over appearance. They mention the camera's performance in low light and its satisfactory image quality, and express their excitement to continue using the A7c 2 for both photography and video in upcoming projects.

Keywords

💡Sony A7 R4

The Sony A7 R4 is a high-resolution, full-frame mirrorless camera known for its exceptional photo quality. In the video, the creator mentions selling their Sony A7 R4, indicating it as a camera with many features but also highlighting its size and weight as drawbacks, especially when compared to the smaller Sony a7c 2.

💡Sony a7c 2

The Sony a7c 2 is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera that offers a balance between portability and performance. The video's creator chose this camera over the A7 R4 due to its smaller size, which makes it more convenient for travel and everyday use, aligning with the theme of downsizing for ease of use.

💡Camera Gear

Camera gear refers to the equipment used for photography and videography, including cameras, lenses, and accessories. The video discusses the creator's shift in camera gear preferences, emphasizing the importance of sharing information about the gear they use and how it contributes to their filmmaking and content creation.

💡Production Value

Production value refers to the quality and professionalism of a video or film, often influenced by the equipment and techniques used. The script mentions the creator's intention to share information about the gear they use to enhance the production value of their YouTube channel and client projects.

💡DIY Projects

DIY, which stands for 'Do It Yourself,' refers to projects where individuals create or modify something without the aid of experts. The video mentions the creator's shift towards adventure filmmaking and DIY projects, indicating a change in content focus that influenced their choice of camera gear.

💡Lens

A lens is a crucial component of a camera that focuses light onto the image sensor. The video discusses different lenses, such as the 50 mm 2.5 Fe lens and the 51.4 lens, emphasizing the importance of lens choice for specific types of photography and videography.

💡File Size

File size refers to the amount of digital space a photo or video occupies. The creator mentions preferring the Sony a7c 2 for its smaller file sizes compared to the A7 R4, which is beneficial for storage and editing, especially when shooting a lot of content.

💡Image Quality

Image quality is a measure of the clarity, sharpness, and overall visual appeal of a photo or video. The script assures that despite the switch to a smaller camera, the image quality of the A7 C2 meets the creator's expectations, which is central to the video's narrative about the camera's capabilities.

💡Low Light Performance

Low light performance is a camera's ability to capture clear images in dim conditions. The video mentions the A7 C2's performance in low light, which is an important feature for filmmakers and photographers who work in various lighting conditions.

💡Card Slot

A card slot is where memory cards are inserted in a camera for storage. The video points out the A7 C2 has only one card slot, which could be a limitation for those who prefer the redundancy and capacity offered by dual slots, especially during extensive shooting sessions.

💡Button Layout

Button layout refers to the arrangement of physical buttons on a camera, affecting ease of use and accessibility of features. The creator notes the A7 C2's different button layout, particularly the absence of a joystick button, which requires an adjustment in their shooting technique.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism in the context of the video relates to the perception of quality and seriousness associated with the equipment used for filmmaking. The creator addresses potential concerns about the smaller camera's appearance on set and how it might be perceived by clients, emphasizing that functionality and personal comfort are more important than appearances.

Highlights

Switched from Sony A7 R4 to the smaller Sony A7c 2 for its compact size and lighter weight.

The A7c 2 has fewer features for photos compared to the A7 R4 but is sufficient for the user's needs.

The user's excitement has shifted from camera gear to creating content, emphasizing the quality of current camera technology.

A commitment to share information about the gear used and its impact on film and series production.

The Sony A7c 2 was tested by renting it for two weeks, leading to a significant increase in photo taking.

Sold the A7 R4 and chose the A7c 2 for its smaller file sizes and suitability for both photo and video.

The A7c 2 is a more affordable option that fits the user's budget after selling the A7 R4.

Preference for the 50mm 2.5 Fe lens over the larger 50 1.4 for its compact size.

The A7c 2 is used as a smaller alternative to the A74 in combination with the A7 S3 for video-focused projects.

The user's decision to downgrade was influenced by the desire for lighter gear, especially when shooting solo.

The 51.4 lens may be sold due to its size not fitting the user's compact setup.

Chose the 51.8 lens for its image quality, aperture wheel, and closer focusing capabilities over the nifty50.

The A7c 2's button layout and lack of a joystick require adjustment in the user's shooting technique.

Only one card slot on the A7c 2 could be a limitation for extensive photo and video shoots.

The absence of a flash sync port on the A7c 2 might be an issue for professional photography requiring strobes.

The user is adapting to the A7c 2's size, which occasionally leads to accidental button presses.

Image quality of the A7c 2 meets the user's expectations with no noticeable difference from other Sony cameras.

The user plans to continue using the A7c 2 for future projects to further evaluate its performance.

The A7c 2 has encouraged the user to take more photos, particularly for personal Instagram content.

The channel will reduce video uploads to every second week and will post podcast episodes on off weeks.

The user is excited about upcoming projects, including a road trip series and a helicopter-related project.

Transcripts

I sold my Sony A7 R4 for the Sony a7c 2

this is quite a bit smaller than the a7r

R4 it has quite a few less features than

the A7 R4 for photos so you might have

noticed there's been a lot less camera

gear talk around here and to be honest

with you I am more excited about making

stuff with the cameras we live in a time

where camera gear is just so good right

now that to me it's just not that

exciting anymore I have a setup that

really works for me it's dialed in I

like it however I do feel that it is my

respons possibility to share information

about the gear that we're using what

works for us and how we're using it to

make our films and Series so you can

make an informed decision when you're

building out your camera kit or as

you're trying to up your production

value of your YouTube channel or of your

client projects so we're going to

continue to share some of the things

that we love about the accessories and

camera gear that we use and more so just

sharing what's working for us when it

comes to our larger projects and because

I just upgraded to this camera I've had

it for 5 months now and I've been using

it I've been liking it I thought it was

time to share some of my thoughts on the

A7 2 for photography as we've been kind

of shifting into Adventure film making

and our OG content of doing DIY projects

kind of building on our land our new

passion of camping I have definitely

been overwhelmed with my camera gear I

have been significantly neglecting

photography so back in February I asked

Sony if I could borrow the Sony A7 C2

and this 50 mm 2.5 Fe lens because I was

really not taking a lot of photos with

my A7 R4 that's kind of why I bought it

was a photo dedicated camera and I

wanted to try something smaller in the

kit but I didn't want to make a rash

decision and sell my camera and buy this

setup in case I didn't like it so I

rented the camera for 2 weeks and I shot

more photos in that 2 weeks than I had

the entire year now I don't know if it

was like the newness and the exciting of

having something different and smaller

and more accessible in the kit but I

since sent that camera back I sold my A7

R4 to a lovely woman and I picked up the

Sony A7 C2 you might notice that I also

have another 50 1.4 right here I really

love this lens for our larger cameras

specifically for video interviews on the

A7 S3 and the a74 which are kind of the

two main cameras that we use for

production this and small and portable

don't really go hand inand um I really

like 50 mm for photography that is my

walk around choice of glass but because

I wanted something smaller I went for

the

52.5 now as you can see these two lenses

are quite a different in size in fact

this lens is almost the entire size of

this camera setup okay so why did I

choose the A7 C2 over anything else

first of all obviously size A7 R4

massive A7 C2 very small 50 1.4 big uh

52.5 very tiny I went with the a7c 2

over the a7c r because of price this was

a lot cheaper I could basically cover

the cost of this by selling my A7 R4 and

that's what I did I also wanted smaller

files the a7r is obviously going to have

larger files than the a72 and I also

wanted to use this for video as well if

you watch this channel when we do our

series and films we always bring two

cameras we bring our video focused

camera that can shoot photos in a pinch

and our photo focus camera that can

shoot videos in a pinch and that

combination is usually the A7 S3 for

video and the a74 for photos they're A

Perfect combo hand in hand but when we

need a really small kit I'm talking like

one lens one body and then photo setup

then this is going to swap in for that

a74 and then I have that photo dedicated

camera with my favorite focal length on

it without having to bring bigger lens

bigger camera Etc weight is another

reason why I downgraded I say downgraded

my camera when my bag is filled and I am

shooting solo having two fullsize

mirrorless cameras in the bag plus a

whole set of lenses is very very heavy

when all of it is in the bag and I'm

traveling solo without Chris then it

also makes it a lot easier on my back

when Chris and I are traveling together

it doesn't really matter how much gear

we have because we can break it into two

camera bags and that's fine but when I'm

solo it is just too much for me to carry

I like this 51.4 it is too big for my

setup I may sell this I don't know yet I

like it for video though so I'm going to

keep it for now why not get the

51.8 um this lens is faster it has a

better image quality than the

nifty50 and it is a little bit more

expensive but it is also newer and it

has aperture wheel on it which I really

like it's just an allaround better lens

it can focus closer less chromatic

aberration and so that's why I chose

this over the nifty50 some cons though

to the A7 C2 is that the button layout

isn't exactly the same as the larger

mirorless cameras that I own first thing

I noticed and that I still struggle with

is the lack of joystick button that's

something I really like when I'm taking

photos to change my focus point I can

just use that joystick so now I've had

to kind of figure out a different way of

doing that I don't really use a

touchcreen on these cameras very often

but I have started using it on this

because that lack of joystick and it

kind of works out because the viewfinder

is set off to the left and it is a

little bit of a smaller camera so

holding it up to my eye I'm not doing

that as much whereas mostly I'm kind of

shooting with the screen out so I can

kind of tap to focus and take my picture

so I'm still getting used to that it has

been a little bit of a struggle but it's

fine otherwise there's still lots of

buttons to customize one other downside

is that there is only one card slot when

we go on our adventures we like to have

two card slots because we're shooting a

we go through tons and tons of cards

typically we will put 2

256 v90 SD cards in our cameras with

just one bit different but again I'm not

shooting as many photos as videos one

256 v90 card in this should do me for

quite some time and I always carry

extras in the bag anyways one more con

that and I don't think it's going to be

really a big deal for me one of the

reasons why I bought the Soni A7 R4 in

the first place was because it had a

flash sync Port I was doing a lot of

flash photography before I got it into

YouTube I still have a lot of flashes

right now it's not really an issue but I

could see that being a problem in the

future and especially if you were doing

commercial work and you were using

strobes to shoot photos then this could

be a bit of a problem if you didn't have

a wireless transmitter that just went in

your hot shoe the last thing I'm kind of

getting used to is the size of the

camera I do find myself when I hold up

to take the picture hitting the iso

button a lot like I've never had that

issue and it's an issue with this camera

so I just kind of have to readjust my

hands not a big deal at all in terms of

the image quality for the photos like I

haven't noticed a difference for what

I'm looking for this is giving me

exactly the results that I want so I'm

going to toss up a couple photos here

that I shot with the A7 C2 I think it

does fine in low light it looks good the

camera shoots good photos I'm happy with

the files and they edit just like all my

other Sony cameras so I can't complain

in terms of video I really need to use

it more for video I need to do some more

color grading with it and just make sure

that it looks good but so far I think it

looks great I don't think it's far off

the A7 S3 or the a74 seems like a lot of

people are downgrading their cameras to

smaller rigs I was definitely influenced

by Chris brockhurst on this setup I saw

him posting with his camera and I

thought wow that looks like a perfect

small setup one thing that you might be

concerned about if you're getting into

like a smaller camera like this is how

is a client going to view a camera of

this size on set so like if you show up

to a job and your camera is this big are

they going to be like well that doesn't

look like a professional camera that's

just the unfortunate thing about

mirrorless cameras cameras that are

getting smaller but they're just as

powerful and good as like some of the

other larger cameras I don't know if

that's going to be an issue if you

decide to get a camera like this I don't

give a I'm not working with clients

I'm working with brands on the YouTube

side and I really don't think they care

what we're using in terms of camera gear

as long as the content is good and uh I

also don't really care about the size

and how it looks I want to pick camera

gear that works for me that is going to

make me get out there and shoot and make

things easier and more accessible and

less painful on my back and I'm more

concerned about how I'm feeling walking

around with all the camera gear in my

bag than how professional or legit I

look with a big camera I just don't care

I just want to let you guys know that we

are going to be dropping our Sunday

uploads back to every second week until

September I know I don't have to explain

that to you you've often said do

whatever you want we will be here when

you come back and I appreciate you for

that but I definitely want to let you

know that every second Sunday we'll be

posting here on the weeks that we aren't

posting a video on this channel we'll be

posting a new episode of our podcast

which is Audio Only now you can find it

anywhere you get your podc the tuxedo

Time Podcast where we talk about uh life

video production and being a Creator and

it's just Shenanigans rated R there's

lots of swearing there's lots of off

topic weirdness if you like Chris and I

interacting go check out our podcast

I'll leave it in the description box one

week video here the next week uh podcast

we usually post on Thursdays at 7:00 in

the morning that will be until September

give me a little bit of time to um

mentally recoup to take on some of the

heavier projects that we have coming up

this year which I'm really excited to

talk about one of which is a road trip

series another one well it has to do

with the helicopter but we'll talk about

that later A7 C2 that is why I switch I

almost have to use it for another 6

months through some series and films to

see how I really like it how does it

perform in the winter time in the hot

hot heat so far no issues who's to say

that's going to be the case if we are

taking it back out in the desert time

will tell so far it's been getting me

out taking more pictures especially over

on my personal Instagram where I've been

posting more truck and camping content

and kind of keeping that off of mine and

Chris's main Instagram so thank you so

much for watching this weird camera

video we'll catch you on the next

[Music]

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