AogakuTV Introduces Sony α for More Engaging Video Production
As part of the Aoyama Gakuin University’s public relations activities, the internet TV station AogakuTV is operated by students with the concept of ‘Connect, Link, AogakuTV’ since its inception in September 2017. Emphasizing both news and entertainment, the station has been consistently producing and streaming diverse content. Recently, AogakuTV has gained attention not only from students and affiliates but also from relay race enthusiasts.
- Deliver sports events footage and interviews, capturing realistic expressions
- Cater to the creative demands and skills of university students
- Introduce the α7S III in a hybrid approach with other Sony camcorders such as FDR-AX700 with a combination of Sony lenses
- Enhancing student creativity and video output quality
- Flawless footage regardless of crew size, suitable for even one-person camera operations
The α delivered beautiful and realistic footage of runners dedicated to their training and their captivating expressions during the process. Therefore, in spring 2022, we decided to introduce α to AogakuTV.
Kazushi Ozawa
Director of AogakuTV
Students Impressed with α Results
Previously, AogakuTV primarily used Sony camcorders such as FDR-AX700 and FDR-AX45 for filming. However, when considering further improving the quality of the videos, they felt the need to add mirrorless cameras. The decision to fully transition came from a practice session of utilising the α7S III. The α delivered realistic footage of runners and was able to impactfully capture their expressions during the process. The students expressed a desire to continue to be able to capture high-quality footage and the university officially introduced α to AogakuTV in Spring 2022.
Sony α cameras used by AogakuTV
Apart from the editing room for AogakuTV, Aoyama Gakuin University’s public relations is organized into sections for AogakuTV and other public relations, targeting prospective students. In total, they purchased two α7 IV cameras and one α7 III. The α7 III is specifically used for AogakuTV. Similarly, for lenses, they acquired a telephoto zoom lens SEL70200GM2 and a prime lens SEL55F18Z as well as standard zoom lens SEL2470GM, and amongst others wide-angle lens SEL1635GM. Since the lens mount is the same for α7 IV and α7 III, they were able to maintain a diverse lens line-up while managing the budget.
Using the Sony α with Other Sony cameras
The Sony α is used in a hybrid manner, alongside video cameras such as FDR-AX700. Video cameras have advantages in terms of excellent zoom performance and other functions, which is why AogakuTV use them judiciously. Within this setup, α excels in capturing content that garners external attention, such as interviews with relay race participants, events featuring prominent figures, and interviews. Moreover, α is significantly strong in handling ‘One-Person Operation’. In AogakuTV shoots, it’s common to run multiple cameras simultaneously, but often, there’s only one camera operator. In such situations, α offers many features that can be entrusted to the camera, such as high-precision autofocus, allowing for flawlessly recording beautiful footage even with a one-person crew. The compact size of the body is also appreciated, making it easy to carry.
