The best use case for gyro stabilization is actually when you have it on a gimbal already. In shots where your z axis movement wasn't perfect, like say running, Catalyst browse can smoothen that out without needing to increase your shutter speed, since your gimbal has already greatly reduced most of the up-down motion blur that looks distracting. Doesn't work great for handheld work for the reasons you mentioned already, but it can add that extra bit of smoothness much better than, say, warp stabilizer.
@@JasonMorrisphotocinema Hi! Thanks for that. But speaking of Sony a7IV - do you keep IBIS (or OSS if lens has it) ON while using gimbal or you turn everything off and let gimbal do all the job?
Biggest issue with Catalyst Browse is that any conversion except All-I will downgrade the footage to 8-bit. And the All-I conversion increases file size like crazy. I hope Sony updates it with more conversion options. XAVC-S is supposed to be resilient when transcoding several times.
@@gerki_fpv Multiple people have tested and shown that Catalyst Browse processes in 8-bit, not 10-bit. You can encode+export to a 10-bit file, but it will only have the data of 8-bit. This doesn't matter if you only want to apply a LUT and export to 8-bit, but if you're trying to stabilize 10-bit Log to later edit and color grade, you're shooting yourself in the foot. I've tested this for myself and found it to be true. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-39XSVW_X_PY.html
I would have loved if you included a sample with 200 or 400 shutterspeed at the 5:00 montage, so people get to see the 'real intended' result of gyrostabilization. I use the gyro data on my A7C all the time. The extra step is annoying, but not more annoying than using a gimbal for 14 hours a day for a wedding. If you don't shoot commercial, ignoring the 180 degree shutter rule is completely fine. No normal person can tell the difference, unless you point the camera at something spinning like a helicoptor.
That being said, everything said in this video is very valid and comes down to personal preference. My clients love that super smooth movement. To them, that is professional. Shaking is unprofessional in contrast.
Personally, i have the a7c and would use ibis over a gimbal only if i have no other choice. With a gimbal, it is better in every scenario. You get normal 1/50. Your original footage is safe. You don’t get any crop. You control your image. You can run and walk. You don’t lose light, so you can get bokeh and nice motion blur. The key is picking a small gimbal like weebill S or (when more mature, a crane m3). And using a cage and fast adapter so you can switch from handheld to gimbal easily. Handheld is still good for static more organic shot.
Thank you, I'm glad someone is pointing that out. There is a reason why electronic stabilization isn't replacing mechanical stabilization for all purposes anytime soon.
I think a tool that would add the right amount of motion blur back to the footage in post would be very successful! Also, being able to preview a 90% crop for footage would come in clutch.
Jason seems like you've deleted my comment out of fear of viruses, but no worries. Again, won't post a photo in that case, but you can use standard stabilization and still get gyro data above that to use both in combination. So for a7S III it's possible at 4K@24-60fps range as there is zero crop, so I think it's possible in 4K@24-30fps in the a7IV but give the 60fps a try while at it. Seems like that Sony a7S III got a stealth update and no one is talking about it, like the very early one with S-Cinetone.
A lot of dedicated filmmakers getting lost in the sauce and not realizing what this tech is really for. Eventually, budget cameras. Such as the ZVE10. It's not for filmmakers, although it could be a fallback to salvage a blown clip of course. But this is going to be for budget cameras to essentially replace the embarrassingly pointless digital stabilization we've been trying to use for over a decade now. For people who can't afford gimbals or just don't care that much and just want to salvage a clip from their kids ball game they messed up. And, ultimately, this is of course a good thing... Because it means the barrier to entry for new filmmakers has been lowered if they're not doing a full tripod, static production. But yeah, it's for dads lazily filming the kids play soccer. Being able to go home, chuck the footage in the software, go make dinner, and come back to footage far better than anything they would have gotten ~10 years ago.
A lot of people use Sony A7IV for travel or recording some good family time. 99% time handheld is the only option if you know what it feels like traveling with 2,3 young kids.
do you use OSS + IBIS on a gimbal, interesting that most people turn it off, while I don't notice a difference (negatives) with IBIS on while using a gimbal. Some people say it fights the gimbal?
another problem with thr catalyst workflow is that you have to frame wider or use wider lenses because it crops in more the more shaky ypur footage is. that means you never know what the resulting framing is going to be.
I use gyro data when the location is not allow to use gimbal, in Bangkok when I use a gimbal in coffee shop they thing it look like a commercial video shooting but I just shooting for just a hobby.
I've used Catalyst Browse multiple times. I can get excellent results by setting the Cropping ratio to 90%. Personally, I don't think the additional time it takes to use CB is all that bad, especially since it can save/make a shot useable or better. As a filmmaker, I've worked on over 40 feature films. Often times, you work in a time crunch. But, in the beginning of post, you can take time to experiment with techniques as I've often done with visual effects. I can understand that if you're shooting commercials or corporate videos, that you're working on tight deadlines. In those situations, using a gimbal would be preferable. I own a couple gimbals. I've since left the Hollywood film world and now work on my own films. As such, I make a point to plan for additional post time. And I think that's the key. Although for client work, you don't often have that luxury. Nonetheless, I think in some circumstances, the gyro data from Sony cameras can save shots that otherwise would be thrown away. In the end, it comes down to whether or not you can add time to your post production completion workflow. If you can, do it.
Thanks for your honesty. There are too many people on RU-vid these days that are looking for the next fad to praise so they can sell cameras on affiliate links
Great video as always! 😁 But i have a question. Acive Steady Shot has the same problem as Catalyst? So we need to increase the shutter speed also with Active Steady Shot?
You could use a high shutter speed and gyro and then add back some motion blur in post with reelsmart for instance, but way too much post processing time wasted, unless it's for a few specific shots only.
The biggist down side of catalyst browse is the if you use catalyst browse the only output option for 10bit is XAVC Intra. You can not output the stabled footage using XACV S or any H264 IPB format. Motion blur does not bother me too much, because I can add motion blur in post. For my travel video this workflow is fine. I just forget gimble/ND and use as high shutter as possible and later stabilize and add motion blur in post.
a speed of 1/100 is enough, and use a ND filter if you have one. A shutterspeed of 1/100 still gives you the "cinematic" motionblur, 1/400 not so much :O Im a selvemployed videographer in Denmark and I use Gyro all the time. I workes like a charm!
@@JasonMorrisphotocinema I disagree. I have been shooting sony for the past 6 years and I love a lot of things about Sony cameras but Ibis is not one. Ask anyone in the industry and they will tell you it sucks. You can even see it sucks with footage from your own video. Panasonic got them beat by far when it comes to IBIS.
Great vids! I found out that the gyro browse lowers down the quality of the footage, more exactly the sharpness and the contrast even at a lower setting 98, 5% stabilization. Regards
I am super new to pro cameras. So, sorry if I am asking a basic question. I mounted my Sony a7s3 on top of my car. Secured it very well, recorded a video at 4K 60 fps 1/200 (Steady Shot Active). Video becomes shaky while I am driving over little uneven roads. Even I open and close my car door, video vibrates and becomes shaky. How can I get sharp, steady videos without using a gimbal? (I don't wanna use Catalyst Browse cos it is super time consuming for me).
@@JasonMorrisphotocinema I am doing the same thing with Gopro (without gimbal). Stabilization is way better than Sony. I couldn't figure out why 4000 dollar camera is worse than 400 dollar camera when it comes to stabilization.
Hello there, i just want to throw in my experience (sony a7sIII user). First of all: Gyro Data is an insane tool especially for solo wedding shooter, i find it especially helpful for weddings...no additional gimbal to take care of , no long lens change gimbal rebalance, just make a custom profil for your gyro work with increased shutterspeed and all stabilization off and you are good to go. For natural Motion Blur in Post i use Reel smart Motion blur with the settings on 70 and 0,3 I only use it in natural light because of the flickering of leds with HFR. However for the nightshots i will always use a gimbal or go handheld. The workflow: Honestly it isnt that bad, post stabilisation will always take time and will be a part of my editing process, but gyro is the way advanced and smoother stabilisation. What is Gyro not for: If you have the time, the budget: Take a gimbal especially for Corporate stuff, for inside Shots with artifical light what is it good for: weddings, vertical Short videos for IG or YT or TikTok
Okay guys let me help you guys out, here is the formular I use to get the best results out of using gyro data stabilization. shoot 60fps make sure your shutter speed is double, lens choice 16-35 shoot on the wide end, that will still give you the high shutter speed and motion blur. In pr pro I edit on a 24p timeline and buyah!! Also if I need to slow things down I'll have the frame rate to do it. I just used this on a music video, and it worked flawlessly. The more you know right!! I'll say one thing though I didn't like the workload just to get my handheld footage stabile also the program can reduce your file size by a lot. If you put in 5gb file size you get around 1-2 gb afterwards. There are other options to choose from that will make your file size a lot larger. So you either get a larger file size or a smaller file size.
I hate gimbals. I hate having to balance the thing. If I change lenses, I have to rebalance the thing. I would do almost anything (gaer-wise) to avoid using a gimbal. So, I like this method. And I know different things work for different people. I am glad to have this new method, though.
To my understanding it also turns the footage to 8 bit. And you have to crank the shutter speed. It's like no no no no no no! Ang no! A ronin sc second hand costs like an sd card... Just saying...
Hi Jason, I have panasonic cameras(gh5 & s1H) both have IBIS and some of their lens as well...a lot of times I am shooting handheld and the shots are great (not shaken at all)..so yes you can shot handheld, but I mostly do for smaller shots and moves, not for walking, because when you walk is difficult to keep the x-axis and y-axis straight, so in this instance the right thing is to use a gimbal
@Borja Etxebarria Interesting thank you for the thorough explanation, yeah its true they are doing already some awesome thing with software that's for sure. My favorite new thing about the A7 IV even though I don't have it yet is the focus breathing compensation. I hope every brand of camera will have that soon. But the most impressive thing I have seen so far is DJI Ronin 4D, I am hoping they can soon make a cheaper gimbal only version that also stabilize the same axis and have the same down sensor. But maybe it can only work with a full setup with DJI sensor attached to the gimbal and could never work with another camera attached because of limitation to software. But at least i hope they can make more DJI lenses but that can open aperture to 1.4 or simulate some added background blur to obtain the same effect. That's going to be hard probably though.
thanks for all these a7iv videos. its good to know these features if i forget my gimbal one day. I agree it is just better to get it right in camera awesome video!
I'm using a A7C & FX3 and use Catalyst every now and again and it does run on my M1 Mac Mini. Do you think Catalyst is having an issue with the footage from the A1 specifically? I do agree that it is not the most stable software. There have been multiple times I have had to run the stabilization process again because it fails the first time. This could have been a big winner for Sony here yet it fails with inconsistent software.
@@GeraldBertramPhotography They must have updated it since I initially tested it. My experience was so poor even on an Intel Mac that I never bothered to try again. The only reason to use it is the gyro data, and as this video points out, it's not a very useful feature.
@@Humcrush Indeed. In fact the only time I have used it was when shooting show motion at higher shutter speeds. It was such a huge fail for it to be unusable at lower shutter speeds.
@@Humcrush This video is slanted negatively. Gyro stabilization in post also corrects rolling shutter, and if you shoot at 60 fps, high shutter speeds look fine. And I have never experienced any crashes on my M1 Max. I have produced many videos using Catalyst Browse. And I often use a gimbal too. I have shot using 10bit 422 All-I and 8bit XAVC S with no problems. I get that many people dislike 60 fps video as normal. But, let's not dis the software based on early tries. It is much faster and is now stable as it were (if it ever was not stable).
Gyro is good BUT you wouldn’t use it at 24p and 1/50. The whole 180° “rule” is really not applicable at all to frame rates like 60p. Outdoor at 60p and no ND filter and a fast shutter is a win.
Honestly, frame rates like 24p are not good for the era of online content. Think about it, the majority of your audience are watching on a 60hz display that CAN NOT display native 24 p.
Great comment and feedback Jeff. I'm learning this the hard way... I think you're right. Most people on mobile and their refresh rates affect how your stuff looks now so it's almost better to shoot in 30-60... 24 for filmmakers perhaps. Good point here my dude 🙏
That is purely subjective with the like of any “look” or style of filmmaking. 180 degree shutter is just a guide for natural looking motion blur. Guides and rules can be broken
Great video Jason! What about IBIS and OSS combined? I'm currently wondering if I should buy the sigma 24-70mm or the sony 24-105mm and one of the biggest deciding factors is the OSS. I'd love that extra stability but I hear people say that IBIS and OSS cause that ugly jello effect when you combine them.. Is that true for the A7IV? cheers!
OSS definitely helps improve stabilizing to your footage. I have the Sony Zeiss 24-70mm F/4 OSS and its great for video work when handheld. The OSS & IBIS combo works flawlessly and is godly. It's also one of the reason why some vloggers prefers the Sony 16-35mm F/4 OSS over the G-Master 16-35mm F/2.8 because of that extra stabilization.
@@harryvuemedia5106 Thanks for the response Henry! So there’s no weird jello effect in the corners when you use both at the same time? That’d be great :)
Agree, I have the a7C with gyro data and the whole process is just too much of a compromise. I got the Crane M3, I rather pull that out than deal with the workflow or sacrifice motion blur
@@markr041 only if you’re bad at balancing. You cannot beat a gimbal for versatility and actually work flow. I would look at getting more practice balancing a gimbal
@@JasonMorrisphotocinema OK, and you get Catalyst Prepare, learn to use it for batch processing the stabilization of clips, and I will practice balancing the M3... :)
You do NOT need to turn off Steady Shot in-camera to use gyro stabilisation in catalyst browse! It works just fine if you leave it on, and actually produces much better results at (relatively) slower shutter speeds thanks to the physical sensor stabilisation.
That is false, mostly. If you use only IBIS or only Optical stabilization you cannot use Catalyste Browse to stabilize. But if you use Active Stabilization you can!
@@markr041 Grab your camera and try it. Gyro data is recorded regardless of what stabilisation mode you select, and Catalyst Browse can perform stabilisation using this data, also regardless of whether SteadyShot is off, on, or set to active. Gyro stabilisation not working with SteadyShot enabled was only a thing on the A7c. It isn't the case anymore with newer Sony cameras.
@@markr041 Just because I wanted to be 100% sure nothing else was going on, I contacted Sony real quick just now. They confirmed exactly what I said in my other comment.
@@joelmulder First, in my manual for the Sony fx3 it says exactly what I said - Catalyst Browse only works with no stabilization or Active. Second, I have used Catalyst Browse extensively. When a clip is shot with IBIS on or with optical stabilization there is no stable icon in Catalyst Browse and no option to stabilize. If the clip was shot with Active or no stabilization you see the stable icon for that clip only and you have the option to stabilize using gyro data. This is true for clips from the fx3 and the ZV E10, which is newer than than the a7c. You are simply wrong. As is the nonsense you heard from whomever you talked to at Sony. I have the latest version of Catalyst Browse, and I have posted a number of 4K videos that use the software to stabilize. Please come back after you actually use CB, and admit you were wrong so that any viewers are not misled. I can show you a screenshot of the Catalyst Browse browser that shows the relevant icon for the unstabilized clips only, in case you actually don't have the software and a Sony gyro-capable camera.
@@markr041 I only own the A7SIII and A7IV, so it might be that the FX3 is different (although I assumed it to be the same as the A7SIII, since it’s basically the same camera. Could be my mistake). But in the end, this video is about the A7IV, and I can guarantee you it does work on the A7IV and A7SIII running the latest firmware. *edit: if you’re not convinced, I will happily upload a clip proving it. *second edit: the only mention the FX3 manual makes of this is referring you to check compatibility elsewhere (page 434). I followed all the redirects and ended up on the “information on software applications” page, where it shows the FX3 has the exact same functionality at the A7SIII and A7IV in Catalyst Browse.
Gimbal with gyro stablizer js the best result. Only gimbal with IBIS I find it sometimes overcompensate the movement by doing sudden left right correction just like your example at 105mm. although at wide end is much less noticable.
@@markr041 No I mean I can’t get the software to open on my M1 Max MBP. Downloaded. Installed. Whenever I try to open it the apps just quit (Catalyst Browse or Prepare).
@@markr041 That's good to know it works for someone. Maybe just some kind of an issue with my installation then. Can I ask if you know what version of the Browse software you're using?
