Sony has published a short film shot on the newly announced VENICE 2 paired with Zeiss Supreme Prime Radiance glass. The short is an example of what the camera is capable of since the DP utilized only available light. That means if you want to explore the potential of the VENICE 2, watch this real-world testing.

Available light – ONLY: A pure testing

When launching a new camera, we (the consumers) are expecting the manufacturer to test it and to show us how the camera performs in available light. Why? Because with proper lighting, even low-end video cameras can capture beautiful cinematic images. Thus, an ‘Available-light’ test is the most accurate and authentic test that can demonstrate the potential of camera in general, and a cinema camera in particular. There are DPs that do not agree with this approach, since they claim that lighting is an integral part of the image capture. And they are right. BUT, in order to examine the ability of a camera, utilizing ‘available-light’ stands for pure testing that must be presented by the manufacturer. 

Film shot on VENICE 2 utilizing available light only

“Take Me” is the latest film shot on VENICE 2 8K by director and cinematographer Gonzalo Amat ASC. Shot in Brooklyn, New York using only available light, “Take Me” demonstrates the VENICE 2 8K’s ability to examine capturing skin tones, low light shots, and highlights roll-off.  Furthermore, the film features a variety of lighting scenarios to test the ability of the new sensor from shots directly in front of the sun, shots in dark, unlit rooms, or extreme close-ups in unforgiving purple light. The lenses used are the Zeiss Supreme Prime Radiance with can be paired perfectly with the full-frame sensor of the VENICE 2.

The film features a variety of lighting scenarios to test the ability of the new sensor from shots directly in front of the sun, shots in dark, unlit rooms, or extreme close-ups in unforgiving purple light.

“Doesn’t feel electronic, but it feels more like a film camera”

Sony approached Gonzalo in order to test the VENICE 2. Gonzalo jumped at the chance but wasn’t keen on doing the typical camera test thing—an action scene or a fashion shoot, for instance. “I’m not really a fan of the usual camera test,” he says. “I didn’t think that would show me what the camera could really do.” Gonzalo stated: “My logic was to see if we could showcase camera quality strictly with available light, thus we chose locations where we could film without any motion-picture lights, relying strictly on available light, interior and exterior, day and night, just to see what the camera could do.”

My logic was to see if we could showcase camera quality strictly with available light, thus we chose locations where we could film without any motion-picture lights, relying strictly on available light, interior and exterior, day and night, just to see what the camera could do.

Cinematographer Gonzalo Amat ASC

According to Gonzalo, the VENICE 2 doesn’t feel electronic, but it feels more like a film camera. Well, now it’s your time to judge. Watch “Take Me” below and judge for yourself. How did the camera perform?

Homecoming: Another ‘Available Light’ film

Also, you can watch Homecoming, which is another film shot on the VENICE 2 by DP Robert McLachlan using only available light. As stated at the beginning of the film: “The film showcases real people and places. No models, makeup, movie lighting, light control, camera filters, or “stop pulls” were employed whatsoever. It was finished in Dolby Vision”. Watch it below:

Closing thoughts

Testing a camera with movie lighting is some kind of a cheat. As explained, with proper and accurate lighting, even a $1,000 camera will look like a professional high-end cinema camera. Hence, making a short film by utilizing only available light is the fairest way to show what the camera is capable of. After watching the films above, try to answer what are your thoughts about the imagery of the VENICE 2? Did it perform well? 

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.

• Sony VENICE 2 Digital Motion Picture Camera (8K)
  • BUY on B&H
• Sony VENICE 2 Digital Motion Picture Camera (6K)
  • BUY on B&H