Sony a7iii Getting Started in Video
a7sii

Are you interested in shooting video with your Sony a7 iii, but not sure where to start? This technical guide will get you up to speed quickly. Get instant access and start watching now.

About 4 hours of this course is at a beginner level, however close to an hour is dedicated to S-Log (advanced). If you are a beginner I would suggest skipping the S-Log chapter until you have used the camera for about 6 months and then return to watch the S-Log chapter. This course covers the camera in great detail (everything video related in the manual and more), but it does not cover items sold separately from the camera, editing, rendering and photography features.

Follow along as I start fresh and customize the camera for video shooting. The menus can be very confusing when it comes to focus modes, codecs, compression, frame rates, I step you through each and demo how they work.

Sony's manuals are biased towards photography and leaves empty gaps when covering video. This training course on the a7M3 fills in those gaps and a lot more. The true value of this guide is saving you weeks if not months of time testing your camera to get the best results.

Who is this online training course for? People that have never owned a Sony alpha camera, or people that have had their camera for a while but never shot video. This course can be great for people that are trying to decide if this camera is right for them before making the investment.

Download Only:
  • Video A HD 1080 1.0GB
  • Video B HD 1080 3.3GB
  • Video C HD 1080 848MB
  • Video D HD 1080 1.5GB
  • Video A Mobile 640 153MB
  • Video B Mobile 640 512MB
  • Video C Mobile 640 115MB
  • Video D Mobile 640 218MB
This course is based in the ILCE-7M3 1.00 firmware.
Course running time: 5 hours 3 minutes
Level: Beginner/Advanced
Price: No longer for sale, coming free to YouTube soon...
Free 8 minute video: Which Creative Style works best for Skin tones on Sony a7iii
Unsolicited Testimonials

"Great tutorial- learning a lot" - Thomas

"I´m already watching the offline version! Great Course!" - Tetsu

"I purchased your A7iii course a couple days ago. Very informative and I especially enjoyed the grading Slog & demo'ing the different PP's and Color Modes!" - Matt

"I'm going to recommend people buy your training. It's a huge bargain. I had set up the camera based on other YouTube videos (free) and they nearly cost me the job. Not bad for $49 bucks. And I'm still not done with your course! Your training is a BARGAIN compared to losing a job." - Fletcher

"Excellent video" - Martin

"Watched video A this morning and love it so far - your style is very detailed where it needs to be and down to earth. Good job" - Ulf

"Your how-to video is well done and your honesty and down-to-earth attitude are terrific!" - Robert

"I finished your videos and loved them so much!!" - Joshua

"Thanks you have been a life saver, I made the transition from Mini Dv cams in 2011 to DSLR, I don know when I found your site but I have followed you for over 6 years now. The first course I bought was the GH4, you helped me teach my wife the exposure triangle, rules of 3 and many other things, and many other aspects of DLSR cameras. We just purchased the A7iii I am devouring your course for a shoot this weekend!!! You are Awesome!!!" - Chad

Table of Contents

Video "A" (Tour)

  •  
    play
    Course Intro (what is covered and who this course is for)
    00:04
  •  
    play
    What's in the Box (description of each item and precautions, which items I use and which I don't)
    01:56
  •  
    play
    USB Cable and power
    03:05
  •  
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    SD Cards
    06:30
  •  
    play
    Weather Sealing
    07:39
  •  
    play
    Care of display
    09:09
  •  
    play
    Record first video
    09:53
  •  
    play
    Customize buttons
    13:19
  •  
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    Resetting the camera
    12:27
  •  
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    Customize the shutter button
    13:25
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    Power switch
    15:54
  •  
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    IR sensor
    16:24
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    Lens release
    16:54
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    AF Illuminator
    17:00
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    Eye peice cup
    17:47
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    Diaptric adjustment
    18:35
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    Assign C3 button to APS-C Mode
    19:07
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    Customize AEL button
    21:48
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    Customize AF-on button
    22:50
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    Back dial
    23:54
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    FN button
    24:30
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    Customize the Control wheel
    27:02
  •  
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    Customize the Multi Selector (Joystick)
    30:11
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    Customize the C4 button
    31:02
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    Lamp access light
    32:17
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    Image sensor position mark
    32:44
  •  
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    Speaker
    33:36
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    Side Ports
    34:03
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    Hotshoe
    35:18
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    Mode dial
    36:06
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    Customize C1 and C2 button
    36:31
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    Exp comp dial
    37:10
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    NFC
    37:48
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    Battery door cable pass thru
    38:10
  •  
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    Front dial
    38:49
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    Microphones
    38:58
  •  
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    SD card slots
    39:31

Video "B" (Menus)

*Note* - Some but not all 'stills only' menu are covered. They are listed for reference purposes.

  •  
    play
    Help with Avoiding Sony Menu Confusion
    00:17
  •  
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    File Format (recommendations for time lapses)
    02:07
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    RAW File Type
    02:46
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    JPEG Quality (recommendations for time lapses)
    03:35
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    Aspect Ratio (3x2 vs 16x9)
    05:03
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    APS-C/Super 35mm Mode
    05:24
  •  
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    FF vs Crop Mode - Noise Tests
    08:05
  •  
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    FF vs Crop Mode - Artifacts Moire and Aliasing
    13:36
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    FF vs Crop Mode - Rolling Shutter Tests
    16:39
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    Long Exposure NR for JPG night time lapses
    20:33
  •  
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    High ISO NR
    21:36
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    Color Space (sRGB, AdobeRGB)
    21:43
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    Lens Comp. (Shading, Chro. Aber., Distortion)
    21:55
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    Scene Selection
    24:14
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    Drive Mode, Bracket Settings (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    25:36
  •  
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    Memories
    26:01
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    Select Media (Memory)
    28:45
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    Reg Cust Shoot Set (new feature but not for video)
    29:18
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    Focus Mode (AF-C, MF)
    30:09
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    Focus Area, Priority Set in AF - Both
    30:37
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    Focus Settings
    34:36
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    Swt V/H AF Area (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    35:25
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    AF Illuminator (for video use)
    35:44
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    Center Lock-On AF
    35:57
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    Set. Face Prty in AF
    37:22
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    AF Track Sens (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    42:25
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    AF System (Stills)
    42:29
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    AF w/ shutter (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    42:47
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    Pre-AF, Eye-Start AF, AF Area Regist, Del Reg AF Area, AF Area Auto Clear -not covered in depth
    43:07
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    Disp. cont. AF area (Stills only)
    44:28
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    AF Micro Adj. (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    45:14
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    Exposure Comp.
    45:35
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    Reset EV Comp.
    46:18
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    ISO, Range, Auto
    46:41
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    ISO AUTO min. SS
    48:40
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    Metering Modes
    48:58
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    Spot Metering Point
    54:32
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    Exposure step
    56:53
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    AEL w/ shutter, Exposure Std. Adjust (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    57:21
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    Flash Mode, Flash Comp., Exp.comp.set,, Wireless Flash, Red Eye Reduction - not covered
    57:51
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    White Balance, WB
    57:59
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    Priority Set in AWB
    58:20
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    DRO/Auto HDR
    59:39
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    Creative Styles
    1:00:50
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    Picture Effect
    1:01:53
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    Picture Profile
    1:02:26
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    Focus Magnifer, Focus Magnif. Time, Initial Focus Mag., AF in Focus Mag., MF Assist
    1:03:460
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    Peaking Setting
    1:05:11
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    Anti-flicker Shoot. (Stills only - not covered in depth)
    1:06:20
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    Face Registration
    1:06:26
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    Exposure Mode
    1:08:34
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    S&Q Exposure Mode
    1:10:42
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    S&Q Settings
    1:10:56
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    File Format and Record Setting XAVCS, AVCHD
    1:14:16
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    Chroma sub sampling 4:2:0 8bit
    1:20:04
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    Proxy Recording at 720p
    1:24:52
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    AF drive speed, AF Track Sens
    1:27:01
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    Auto Slow Shut.
    1:30:29
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    Audio Recording
    1:31:17
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    Audio Out Timing
    1:31:50
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    Wind Noise Reduct.
    1:33:03
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    Marker Display
    1:33:43
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    Video Light Mode
    1:35:25
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    Movie w/ shutter
    1:36:08
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    Release w/o Lens
    1:36:21
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    Release w/o Card
    1:36:36
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    SteadyShot
    1:37:08
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    Zoom, Clearimage, Digital, optical
    1:38:27
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    Zoom Ring Rotate
    1:39:46
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    Display Button
    1:43:06
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    Finder/Monitor
    1:45:35
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    Zebra Setting
    1:46:09
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    Grid Line
    1:49:08
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    Exposure Set. Guide
    1:50:22
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    Live View Display
    1:50:51
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    Cont. Shoot. Length
    1:52:11
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    Auto Review
    1:52:52
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    Custom Key
    1:53:21
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    Function Menu Set.
    1:54:02
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    Dial Setup
    1:54:22
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    Av/Tv Rotate
    1:54:29
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    Dial Ev Comp
    1:54:55
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    Movie Button
    1:56:17
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    Lock Operation Parts
    1:56:46
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    Audio signals
    1:57:16
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    Snd to Smrtphn Func
    1:57:53
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    Send to Computer
    1:59:12
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    FTP Transfer Func.
    1:59:14
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    View on TV
    2:00:17
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    play
    Ctrl w/ Smartphone
    2:00:53
  •  
    play
    Airplane Mode
    2:01:58
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    Wi-Fi Settings
    2:02:29
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    Protect
    2:03:20
  •  
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    Rotate
    2:03:33
  •  
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    Delete
    2:03:39
  •  
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    Rating
    2:03:49
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    Rating Set(Cust Key)
    2:03:54
  •  
    play
    Copy
    2:04:01
  •  
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    Photo Capture
    2:04:38
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    Enlarge Image, Enlarge Init. Mag., Pos
    2:05:20
  •  
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    Slide Show
    2:05:20
  •  
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    Select PB Media
    2:07:03
  •  
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    View Mode
    2:07:24
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    Image Index
    2:08:38
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    Disp Cont Shoot Grp
    2:08:51
  •  
    play
    Display Roation
    2:09:02
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    Image jump setting
    2:09:20
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    Monitor Brightness
    2:09:59
  •  
    play
    Viewfinder Bright.
    2:10:24
  •  
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    Finder Color Temp.
    2:10:48
  •  
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    Gamma Disp. Assist
    2:11:04
  •  
    play
    Volume Settings
    2:13:01
  •  
    play
    Delete confirm.
    2:13:31
  •  
    play
    Display Quality
    2:13:50
  •  
    play
    Pwr Save Start Time
    2:15:34
  •  
    play
    Auto Pwr OFF Temp.
    2:22:16
  •  
    play
    NTSC/PAL Selector
    2:17:15
  •  
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    Cleaning Mode
    2:18:14
  •  
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    Touch Operation
    2:19:25
  •  
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    Touch Panel/Pad
    2:19:53
  •  
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    Demo Mode
    2:22:38
  •  
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    TC/UB Settings, Timecode
    2:23:24
  •  
    play
    Remote Ctrl
    2:26:41
  •  
    play
    HDMI Settings
    2:27:02
  •  
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    HDMI 24p/60p Output
    2:27:46
  •  
    play
    4K Output Sel.
    2:29:53
  •  
    play
    USB Connection
    2:30:54
  •  
    play
    USB LUN Setting
    2:31:51
  •  
    play
    USB Power Supply
    2:32:02
  •  
    play
    PC Remote Settings
    2:32:19
  •  
    play
    Language
    2:32:34
  •  
    play
    Copyright Info
    2:32:47
  •  
    play
    Format
    2:33:38
  •  
    play
    File Number
    2:34:09
  •  
    play
    Set File Name
    2:34:28
  •  
    play
    Rec. Media Settings
    2:34:44
  •  
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    Select REC Folder
    2:38:25
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    Folder Name
    2:39:29
  •  
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    Recover Image DB
    2:39:50
  •  
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    Display Media Info.
    2:40:31
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    Version, Setting Reset
    2:40:45

Video "C" (Stills vs Movie, Exposure, White Balance)

  •  
    play
    Pros and Cons for shooting movies in Stills Mode or Movie Mode
    00:04
  •  
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    Exposure Intro
    04:05
  •  
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    Shutter Speed (motion blur and brightness)
    05:55
  •  
    play
    ISO (how to get the cleanest images when shooting at a high ISO)
    12:00
  •  
    play
    Aperture
    16:31
  •  
    play
    One Stop Relationships (how to quickly change your exposure by one stop)
    21:40
  •  
    play
    Tools for setting Exposure (histogram, zebras, punching in, etc.)
    24:35
  •  
    play
    Zebras
    25:47
  •  
    play
    White Balance (when to use the presets indoors and what to use outside)
    27:48

Video "D" (Creative Styles and Picture Profiles)

  •  
    play
    Intro
    00:04
  •  
    play
    Contrast (Creative Style Contrast Levels Compared and recommendations)
    02:32
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    Saturation (Creative Style Saturation Levels Compared and recommendations)
    05:29
  •  
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    Sharpness (Creative Style Sharpness Levels Compared and recommendations)
    08:16
  •  
    play
    Creative Style comparisons
    10:31
  •  
    play
    Picture Profiles *Start of Advanced Section
    21:27
  •  
    play
    PP Color Modes
    22:27
  •  
    play
    HLG (Note I do not cover this section in any detail, I am waiting on a HDR monitor)
    26:50
  •  
    play
    PP Gamma Curves
    28:17
  •  
    play
    Exposing SLog
    34:38
  •  
    play
    Grading Slog footage
    36:57
  •  
    play
    Color Science that has changed
    51:44
  •  
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    Black Level
    0:57:53
  •  
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    Black Gamma
    0:58:55
  •  
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    Saturation
    0:59:37
  •  
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    Color Phase
    1:00:13
  •  
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    Color Depth
    1:00:41
  •  
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    Knee
    1:01:19
  •  
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    Detail
    1:02:22
  •  
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    V/H Balance
    1:03:35
  •  
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    B/W Balance
    1:04:03
  •  
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    Limit Detail
    1:04:37
  •  
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    Crispning
    1:05:19
  •  
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    Hi-Light Detail
    1:06:01
Covered/Not Covered

What is covered:

Only video related items.

Some color correction with Davinci Resolve is used for the S-log chapter.

How to set up your camera for video.

Basically everything in the owner's manual that relates to video plus more info that the manual neglects to mention.

What is not covered:

Photography information such as exposure compensation, the flash unit, RAW image files, etc..

This course does not cover how to edit, render/export your files.

I will not cover items sold separately from the camera.