Hello everyone! If you read my last post, you will see that I recently purchased a new Sony ZV1 camera for my video recording. I had already planned on buying this item for use on the podcast but was willing to wait. However, a friend asked me to do a full day of video shooting for his football teams, and I knew my poor cell phone (even with a Gimbal) would struggle for a whole day of 1080p.
Unfortunately, I did not realize that this camera required one of the most (seemingly) difficult-to-find cables I have ever dealt with – a USB-C to USB Mini. Yes, I know I can order it on Amazon, and I did, but it wouldn’t arrive until after the video shoot. Most of the day, I shot using my old DJI MiMo cell phone gimbal and my iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, during a 2-hour break between the regular and championship games, I decided to visit a nearby shopping center in hopes of finding the cable. Of all places, I found the cable at an Office Depot (that store is kind of sad compared to what it used to be like).
Wow! I cannot tell you how much of a difference I saw when comparing footage from my cell phone with the new camera. Since I was filming the same subjects (the two different teams) and the same environment (outside with cloudy light AND FREAKING COLD), I was able to see the difference in the quality. Granted, I decided to focus on 1080p even though my camera is capable of 4K, so 4K maybe even more of a dramatic change.
The new camera brought the players’ faces to life. The best way I can explain it is that the cell phone footage seemed to have this gray-white haze, and the camera did not. I double-checked and ensured the iPhone’s lighting levels and white balance were good and the lenses were clear. The Sony camera still danced circles around the footage! It felt like you were standing next to the players during the huddles, seeing the slight red on their faces from the cold. The action sequences look clear and smooth with no smudging to the point where I could zoom in and see the facial expressions of the players who were either diving for a ball or trying to catch the flag of an opposing player.
Although the first two episodes were shot on my 1080p webcam, the next and future episodes will be filmed on this Sony camera. I can’t wait to see the difference in quality as the episodes progress. Of course, I am improving with each episode and constantly seek out videos and other materials to help me get better. I can see a difference when comparing the first episode to the second.
I wanted to film another episode this week, but I don’t think it will happen. The first reason is that my children are home for Spring Break, so silence is not guaranteed. Also, my sweet mother is visiting us this week to spend time with her grandchildren and is sleeping/using the studio space during her time here. That’s okay, though, because family is always more important!
But, as you all know, the next episode will be the most important, not because of the content (though that will be important), but rather, once it is completed, that will mark my third episode. Once my third episode is ready, I will release the episodes to the public. I promise it is coming! Also, if any of you would like to be part of my episode review team, please let me know. This means you will be able to see the episodes before they are released, but it also means that you must be willing to watch each episode in its entirety and provide feedback on the quality, delivery, material, etc.
See you soon!
