FE 20mm F1.8 G

FE 20mm F1.8 G | Capture brilliant cinematic shots | Review by Kyung6film

Harriman — Tue, 16 May 2023 03:37:13 +0000

FE 20mm F1.8 G | Capture brilliant cinematic shots | Review by Kyung6film

Harriman Tue, 05/16/2023 - 09:07

Article Categories

Reviews

Body Category

Alpha 7C

Lens Category

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Video Name

Nature

Creative inspirations, equipment selection

I believe that inspiration is all around us - and it's up to us to put ourselves in these situations, then recognise these moments of inspiration, as often as possible. That's why I always have my Sony Alpha 7C and FE 20mm F1.8 G prime lens with me - to capture these moments, when they happen.

The beauty of nature, captured through a prime lens

One area that always inspires me, is nature. The vast expanses, rough edges, always-changing environments and beautiful scenery, all seem to be telling stories. These are the charms - and creative challenges - of filming nature-related videos.

And with the FE 20mm F1.8 G prime lens, I feel that the 20mm wide angle, waterproof and dustproof build, and overall clarity of the lens, offers me opportunities to take creative shots in various locations. It may take a little manoeuvring to get into the perfect spot, but that's also where the fun and challenge are.

Nature's stories, told through a prime lens

Scene 1: Snowflake trees atop Halla Mountain (00:31)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm

Halla Mountain offers videographers several opportunities for capturing outstanding footage of nature. As you approach the mountain's summit, you'll see these gorgeous "snowflake" trees guiding you toward your eventual destination.

To capture the incredible beauty and towering nature of these trees, I photographed them from a low angle - which was possible to do without a tripod, thanks to SteadyShot function. When out in nature, I really enjoy the ability to shoot using minimal equipment. It allows me to capture more scenes, while feeling free and unrestricted by bulky loads.

To emphasise the towering nature of your subject, keep the camera low to the ground and tilt the lens up

Scene 2: A towering view, 1,950m above sea level (00:05)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 16mm | F11 | 1/250 sec | ISO 250

At the top of Halla Mountain, almost 2,000 metres above sea level, you'll reach the awe- inspiring locale of Baengnokdam.Ideally, I would have loved to move in closer for a great shot, but there was a safety fence that prevented entry.

The 20mm wide range of the FE 20mm F1.8 G captured a great view of this location, with some dynamic movement needed to fully showcase the true scale and grandeur of Baengnokdam. To optimise the shot, I put a monopod on the gimbal to maximise the range of motion of the tilt.

Use a monopod on a gimbal to maximise the range of motion of your shot

This set up also gives audiences the impression that the scene was shot from a drone (although it wasn't) and gave the magnificent Baengnokdam the shot it deserves.

Scene 3: In flight with nature's rulers of the sky (00:20)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | F6

Every videographer knows that it can be difficult to shoot a moving subject - and that's especially so, when your subject is a bird that has the freedom to fly in any direction (and at almost any speed) it wishes to.It's a good thing that the wide 20mm angle of the FE 20mm F1.8 G makes it easier to follow the movement of these masters of the sky.

Shoot in handheld mode to give yourself the freedom of movement to capture a moving subject

Scene 4: Capturing the beauty and strength of a horse in nature (00:35)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | F1.8

This was a challenge that I really relished - recording the graceful, yet powerful movements of a horse as it galloped along a body of water. Entering this tidal flat, I had to wear rubber boots and didn't feel as stable as I would've liked, so I used a gimbal to add stability.

The shot was captured during sunset, which made the perfect background for this scene. With the FE 20mm F1.8 G lens, I truly appreciated the depth of field that it provided at F1.8, 20mm - as well as the excellent noise suppression and dynamic range of the Sony Alpha 7C.

Using a 120fps F1.8 setting, I was able to capture every breathtaking detail in this scene, such as the movement of the horse galloping, the water breaking beneath its hooves, and the reflections of the sunlight in the water.

Use a gimbal to add stability when shooting on less stable ground

Scene 5: A window into an animal's soul (00:39)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | F1.8

It's often said that the eyes are a window into a person's soul. I believe that to be true for animals as well. In this case, the horse I was filming had an enchanting pair of eyes that I had to capture on video - so, I got in close with my lens and took a close-up shot that expresses the clarity of the horse's eye, and the calmness in its heart.

The F1.8 aperture and 0.19m minimum focus distance were ideal for capturing the horse's expression with incredible clarity. And while it may not be possible to ask a horse to stay still and pose for your shot, shooting at both 24fps and 120fps gave me the flexibility I needed for a fantastic final outcome.

Shoot at both 24fps and 120fps to give a good range of framerates for flexibility during editing

Scene 6: Roaring waves (01:04)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | F1.8

For one of my videos, I needed a scene with waves crashing into rocks - so I found an ideal spot and set my shot for 120fps. At that high frame rate, I would be able to capture the rapid movement of the water more clearly, which would make the scene for captivating for audiences.

With my 20mm wide-angle lens, I moved in close to the waves to get a great view. The shot turned out really well! And even though the crashing waves sent water splashing onto my lens, it wasn't an issue as the FE 20mm F1.8 G is both splashproof and dustproof - making it a durable and reliable choice for many locations, even wet and dusty ones.

Use a high frame rate (120 fps) to capture the rapid movement of water more clearly

Scene 7: Overlooking the vastness of the ocean (01:00)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | F1.8

For certain shots, having lightweight equipment is an absolute must - and this was one of those shots. To capture this scene, I had to climb a rocky terrain to reach a high location that would overlook the sea.

Use a gimbal to stabilise your shot when walking on uneven terrain

And as you can see, this isn't a climb you'd want to make with heavy equipment. It's a good thing the combination of the Sony Alpha 7C and FE 20mm F1.8 G are really lightweight - making climbing up steep hills and cliffs (or a rocky formation like this) possible.

Scene 8: Camellia flowers blooming in Jeju (01:08)

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm

Camellia flowers are a beautiful part of nature, and these blooms in Jeju were so gorgeous, I had to capture them with my camera and lens. I angled the shot to show a line of camellia trees forming a diagonal, intersecting perfectly with the sky and clouds behind them.

I also deliberately included the leaves of another tree on the left of the shot, as I felt that the branches gave the shot a sense of stability. You can see the advantage of having a 20mm wide angle lens here, with so much detail captured in one shot.

This scene was shot in handheld mode and remained perfectly stable, thanks to the always helpful SteadyShot functionality.

Follow your passions, wherever they might take you

I majored in ballet for 17 years and was even a ballerino at the Korean National Ballet, which for me at the time, was the epitome of success in the field. When I was a dancer, I got a lot of inspiration while through the dark backstage area, listening to the orchestra play enchanting music.

After I fell in love with videography, I transitioned to my new love and today, I get that same sense of fantastic inspiration whenever I listen to moving music, watch a good move, exercise, or even while sitting in a café and enjoying a cup of coffee.

Most of all, I'm inspired by nature and really appreciate that I get to do what I love, each and every day.

Products

Featured

Alpha 7C

Máy ảnh Full Frame nhỏ gọn

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Ống kính prime góc siêu rộng dòng G cho máy ảnh Full frame

ECM-B1M

Micro shotgun

ECM-W2BT

Micro không dây

GP-VPT2BT

Tay cầm chụp ảnh kèm bộ điều khiển không dây

Article Theme

Filmmaking

Nature/Landscapes

Travel

Out and About Town: Bringing Details to Life in Urban Videography

sneha — Tue, 09 May 2023 02:04:24 +0000

Out and About Town: Bringing Details to Life in Urban Videography

sneha Tue, 05/09/2023 - 07:34

Article Categories

Featured

Body Category

Lens Category

Jao's eye for detail allows him to capture urban life in his Creative Portrait project

Pinphong Niammanee, who goes by the handle of Jao Filmmaker (@jaopinphong), has a passion for bringing the intimate details of his subjects into view. Be it the thrill of exploring the unknown or a lone flower amongst the bushes, his works bring to light hidden wonders, providing a sense of curiosity and awe.

For his Creative Portrait project, Jao decided to go for the "Model and The City" theme that conveys a feeling of confidence and charm. "The whole idea of the video shoot is to capture both the masculine energy from the city as well as the feminine energy from the model. This gives the viewers a sort of upbeat and high-class experience," he said. We connected with Jao to learn more on how he was able to juxtapose these elements in his work.

Framing the perfect vibe

Alpha 7 IV | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Before the video shoot, he needed to consider locations that had a contemporary and modern vibe. "For my project, I chose Velaa Sindhorn Village in Bangkok as my backdrop, as it has a lot of city elements, including skyscrapers, windows, and artistic building facades," Jao said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Since emotion is the focus of his video, Jao decided to not use props for this project. "I find that using props can distract viewers away from the model. The best moments are ones that are captured or recorded as they are through the right surroundings. For example, I would use the trees to create an elegant bokeh background, while the roof would act as the perfect framing device to keep the model in focus," he added.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Dark-coloured clothes also complete the look by allowing the model to exude an air of style and luxury that fits the urban theme. "The model's jacket also provides the perfect complement for the rigid shapes in the background. At the same time, it also counterbalances her delicate energy, adding more dynamism to the image," he said.

With the Alpha 7 IV, he was able to take clear images without losing sight of both the model and the underlying details

The Alpha 7 IV is Jao's camera of choice as it gives him full control over his shooting setup. "One thing that I like about the camera is the S-Log3 picture profile which retains a superior image quality, regardless of how far you're shooting at. Even crucial elements like shadows and highlights don't get blurred out. This is coupled with the auto-focus and focus maps that keep moving subjects clear and sharp," he said.

The art of balancing light

Alpha 7 IV | FE 85mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Throughout the project, Jao's greatest challenge was controlling the amount of natural light. "Depending on the conditions, light can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. While it helps to accentuate minute details, overexposure can make it harder for viewers to focus on their subjects, who are the main focus. To avoid that, I would frequently check weather forecasts to figure out the best conditions for taking photos," he said.

On some occasions, Jao would manually adjust the white balance so that the model's facial features remain in full view. "When the weather suddenly changes and you need to compensate for certain light intensities, white balance is a lifesaver as it takes into account colour temperature. As a result, there are no unrealistic colour casts, and you can still produce vibrant tones without having to delay the project," he said.

Alpha 7 IV | FE 35mm F1.8 | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 800

Jao also chose the camera's FL Creative Look preset to enhance the video's cinematic appearance. "Shooting in FL mode resulted in captivating lights and visual effects that enhanced the subject's look and feel, saving me a lot of effort in post-processing. At the same time, I was able to get the right tones without having to resort to colour-grading," he said.

When it comes to capturing details, Jao believes that the two traits all videographers must have are a lot of patience and willingness to experiment. "My advice to those looking to pursue videography is not to be too eager to record immediately. Take some time to plan out the storytelling and always be open to new opportunities, even when things don't go your way. Most importantly, make them about you and your world so that you can inspire your viewers with fresh and unique perspectives."

Products

Featured

Alpha 7 IV

Máy ảnh lai toàn khung hình

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Ống kính prime góc siêu rộng dòng G cho máy ảnh Full frame

FE 35mm F1.8

Ống kính prime chuẩn dành cho máy ảnh Full frame

FE 85mm F1.8

Ống kính prime mid-tele dành cho máy ảnh Full frame

Article Theme

Portrait

SEL20F18G Review: On the Streets With Bryan van der Beek

Aysu — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:04:43 +0000

SEL20F18G Review: On the Streets With Bryan van der Beek

Aysu Mon, 02/21/2022 - 13:34

Article Categories

Reviews

Body Category

Alpha 7 III

Lens Category

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Street photography can be quite overwhelming when starting out. It is a genre that is all-encompassing, where trying to define it may end up limiting a photographer’s vision.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/160 sec | F1.8 | ISO 200

To veteran photographer Bryan van der Beek, it is about finding the right combination of composition and moments. He also avoids sticking to a one-size-fits-all photography style, and instead finds shots that play off each other, from combining complementary visual elements to the juxtaposition of backgrounds and subjects.

You could say his photojournalism background influences Bryan’s take on street photography. Storytelling steers the photographer’s creative process, landing his works in the pages of international publications, plus an exhibition in the National Museum of Singapore.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/640 sec | F4.5 | ISO 800

Go close and get wide with SEL20F18G

Bryan shares how traditional street photographers often use longer lenses, such as the 35 mm or 50 mm lens.

“Personally, I prefer to get up closer,” he defers. “Which is why the FE 20mm F1.8 G (SEL20F18G) comes in handy.”

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/1100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 1600

Truly, the lens showcases excellent close-up performance, with a minimum focus distance of only 19 cm. This makes it easy to get close-up detail shots of the subject.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/125 sec | F2.8 | ISO 200

The SEL2F18G boasts great wide-angle optics, which Bryan says offers a new perspective in street photography. This lens allows a shallow depth of field, allowing the subject to pop out of a beautifully blurred background.

He shares that the shallow depth of field on this wide-angle lens is probably its best attribute. He is also impressed with how the aperture ring allows him to easily change the aperture on the fly to get different looks for different shots.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 400

The Alpha Full Frame body makes a perfect match

Some of the best street shots happen in spontaneous moments that disappear in the blink of an eye. One needs quick responses and the intuition to anticipate a developing moment to excel in this field. Therefore, possessing photography gear that can keep up is definitely essential.

When paired together, the SEL20F18G maximizes the capabilities of an Alpha Full Frame body with Fast Focus Dual XD Linear Motor. Alongside its Eye AF, the lens takes advantage of the bodies’ full autofocus speed, precision and tracking potential for fleeting moments. Shooting with F1.8 aperture is also much easier.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/100 sec | F1.8 | ISO 400

Convenience at its best

Shoving a bulky lens into a person’s face is intrusive. Street photography requires some level of stealth where you capture fleeting shots. The SEL20F18G is perfect for this type of work, thanks to its small and compact size.

Additionally, the lens also comes with a custom button that Bryan has programmed to Eye AF, allowing him to quickly focus on his subjects when shooting from the hip level.

Alpha 7 III | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20 mm | 1/60 sec | F4.5 | ISO 200

Final tips

For those aspiring to be street photographers, Bryan leaves you with this nugget of wisdom: “Instead of observing from afar, take your street photos to the next level by going in close and be part of the picture.”

Watch the video of Bryan mastering street photography with the SEL20F18G.

Disclaimer:The opinions expressed in this publication are those of Bryan van der Beek. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Sony Singapore.

Products

Featured

Alpha 7 III

Máy ảnh toàn khung hình có hiệu suất AF & chất lượng hình ảnh cao

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Ống kính prime góc siêu rộng dòng G cho máy ảnh Full frame

Footnote

Actual colour and dimension may differ from the screen image.
Colours & features of the product shown may differ by model and country.
4K: 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
Services availability depends on region. A part or whole of software/services installed into or accessible through the product may be changed, discontinued, removed, suspended, or terminated without notice.
Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

Article Theme

Macro/Close-ups

Street Photography

GP-VPT2BT: The Versatile Everyday Companion

Aysu — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:32:46 +0000

GP-VPT2BT: The Versatile Everyday Companion

Aysu Thu, 02/17/2022 - 19:02

Article Categories

Reviews

Body Category

Alpha 7C

Lens Category

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Lightweight, sturdy and highly versatile - that's how I would describe Sony's GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander. The GP-VPT2BT is a fuss-free shooting grip suitable for different types of content creation, ranging from vlogging, day-to photography and videography, to even small-scale productions.

Since its launch in early 2020, the GP-VPT2BT has been a staple in my camera bag due to its size, portability and functionality. Having used the GP-VPT2BT with various Sony's Alpha cameras the past year, I knew it would be a perfect companion for two of the best compact mirrorless offerings by Sony, the Alpha 7C (Full-Frame) and the Alpha 6600 (APS-C).

To show you how great the GP-VPT2BT is, I decided to have my production assistant, Tessa, who loves vlogging and taking photos, join me in taking the shooting grip out with both cameras. Like me, she loves it and feels it's an indispensable tool for Sony's Alpha users.

Here are three reasons why the GP-VPT2BT might just be for you.

#1 Comfortable for all day use

Alpha 6600 | E 10-18mm F4 OSS | 10mm | 1/100 sec | F8.0 | ISO 100

The GP-VPT2BT offers a contoured grip for maximum comfort, cable-free Bluetooth connectivity and easy-to-use buttons - what more can you ask for in a shooting grip of this build and size? Holding it up for hours shooting vlogs or taking travel photos in neither tiring nor cumbersome. Pairing it with the Alpha 7C and Alpha 6600 with LCD screens that can flip outwards also made framing for the perfect selfie all that much easier.

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | 1/2500 sec | F5.6 | ISO 320

The four buttons are easy and straightforward: (i) Photo for photo-taking, (ii) Movie for video recording, (iii) C1 for custom function and (iv) Zoom for zooming in and out. There is also a lock switch to prevent you from accidentally pressing the buttons when using the grip.

Alpha 6600 | E 10-18mm F4 OSS | 10mm | 1/100 sec | F8.0 | ISO 100

The ability to turn the GP-VPT2BT into a tripod was one of the features we absolutely adored. Simply spreading its integrated legs and setting it down on a flat surface made it easy for hands-free photo-taking and video recording.

#2 Directional flexibility for different situations

Alpha 6600 | E 10-18mm F4 OSS | 10mm | 1/50 sec | F6.3 | ISO 100

The GP-VPT2BT's functional design for directional flexibility is what makes it stand out from other shooting grips out there. Being able to smoothly tilt the mounted camera upwards and downwards makes it very easy for one to get the ideal shooting angle without holding it uncomfortably.

The ability to rotate the mounted camera 360° with a simple push-and-lock mechanism allows you to switch easily between selfie and normal shooting positions. The ensures that no time is wasted and improves your chances of getting the shot!

#3 Doubling-up as a handle grip

For those of us who are used to rigging up cameras with cages, the GP-VPT2BT can actually double-up as a handle grip. In fact, with its built-in Bluetooth connectivity and directional flexibility (as mentioned above), it might even be more suitable for run-and-gun situations when compared to your traditional handle grips.

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | 1/2500 sec | F5.6 | ISO 400

We mounted the GP-VPT2BT onto the top of the external cage for the Alpha 7C. This allowed us to take photos as well as shoot videos from interesting and creative angles which would have not been possible if we were just shooting hand-held.

Alpha 7C | FE 20mm F1.8 G | 20mm | 1/80 sec | F1.8 | ISO 1250

Paring the GP-VPT2BT with a caged-up Alpha 7C allowed us to mount a small portable light next to the ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone (attached via the Multi Interface Shoe). This combination ensures optimum audio capture and lighting when shooting in the evening or in low-light environments.

Pairing the GP-VPT2BT with two of my favorite Sony's Alpha cameras has made me enjoy using the shooting grip even more. If you are looking to add more dimensions and creativity to your photography and videography, or improve the stability and framing for you vlogs, the GP-VPT2BT could very well be the next addition in your camera bag!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of Sony Singapore.

Products

Featured

Alpha 7C

Máy ảnh Full Frame nhỏ gọn

Alpha 6600

Máy ảnh APS cao cấp

GP-VPT2BT

Tay cầm chụp ảnh kèm bộ điều khiển không dây

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Ống kính prime góc siêu rộng dòng G cho máy ảnh Full frame

E 10-18mm F4 OSS

Ống kính thu phóng rộng phù hợp APS-C

ECM-B1M

Micro shotgun

Footnote

Actual colour and dimension may differ from the screen image.
Colours & features of the product shown may differ by model and country.
4K: 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
Services availability depends on region. A part or whole of software/services installed into or accessible through the product may be changed, discontinued, removed, suspended, or terminated without notice.
Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

Article Theme

Live Streaming

Travel

VLOG