Sony Charges $150 for Grid lines on the A7IV

Sony has decided to release a new update for its A7 IV camera for $150 dollars. The update will see the addition of four .png grid line images to the camera which operators can use to help line up their shots.
In Sony's announcement of the update they cited quotes from prominent photography institutions deeming the inclusion of grid lines to be an essential feature for photographers.
Is this inclusion worth the money? And what do you think about Sony bringing paid updates to the Alpha Line of cameras?
.
Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them.
.
.
.
Josh Diaz is a Commercial Director of Photography and Affiliate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. He’s also an Adobe-certified Video Editor.
WEBSITE - VideosbyJosh.com
IG - / videosbyjoshdiaz
Want a discount on the best film emulation software on the market?
Use code VIDEOSBYJOSH for 10% off at www.dehancer.com/
SUBSCRIBE HERE ► @forkrightfilms
Thanks for watching!
#a7iv #camera #sonyalpha

[@metreweli]

I would pay $150 for 4k 60 Full Frame and open gate but not for guidelines

[@creative.lights]

This is ludicrous and an insult to their customers. Sony is destroying their goodwill with this move.

[@Ed_Scott]

Agreed. I can see if this unlocked open gate or uncropped 4k60…but 4 grid lines for 150 is a horrible move.

[@slurp3194]

@@Ed_Scotti was overlooking all the lack of updates from sony on a7siii. But charging for updates is ridiculous this is not the way you reward your customers.

[@kalinmir]

consoomers gonna consoom and this won't impact their sales...just like with car manufacturers selling you hardware and then charging you for using it (activating seat heaters for example)

[@MusaonYT]

Digital grid lines: $150 Sharpie from local store: $15

[@sottosopra4769]

What is sharpie?

[@MusaonYT]

@@sottosopra4769 Permanent marker brand

[@Anxsh651]

Black marker/pen you can draw gridlines yourself on screen protector ( don't use permanent marker )​@@sottosopra4769

[@GhostyPhotoVideo]

@@sottosopra4769like the permanent marker? He’s making a joke like just drawing them on the screen is cheaper

[@TheTensecondz]

Sony did this with their first and second generation of A7 series, where people could pay for and add specific apps to the camera. I remember that people complained when Sony took that paid-app features. Those apps didn't cost $150 however. I think each app costed around $10 to $25.

[@SinagMartine]

welp, I'd pay 150$ for 4k 60fps and 120fps no crop

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Now, that would be an update.

[@pematamang9268]

I will pay Ai Autofocus buy Sony a7 IV is already expensive.

[@flashedits2084]

I'd pay just for 4k60fps with no crop but that seems too good to be true via. Software

[@pematamang9268]

@@flashedits2084 I would pay for Sony A7R V Ai Autofocus and 4k60p No crop

[@Anxsh651]

​@@DOPJoshDiazI'll play 300 even for 4k60 externally

[@hozo101]

No way!

[@hozo101]

If they charged for a subject recognition update on the a7RM4 I would but, not for 4 grid lines.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

That would be a nice feature to have.

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

They won't. You need additional hardware for that, it's not just software feature. Focus stacking would be cool, tho.

[@hozo101]

@@Stasiek_Zabojca I didn’t know about that, additional hardware 🫡

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

@@hozo101 Yeah, they advertise that it has "AI processor" for all that things recognition.

[@davidmcc6666]

US$150 for gridlines? Shut up and take my money!

[@mbadawneh]

They will lose loyal clients

[@DavisBergstromCreative]

The grid lines can be used for video as well?

[@revan2549]

Canon banned all third party lenses for RF lines. Sony makes you pay for updates. Now we only have Nikon and Fujifilm left

[@The_Algorithm_]

Canon did this years ago with the 5D Mark IV. It was $100, plus shipping and handling, to add Canon C-Log.

[@Urbanmediashowcase]

This is ridiculous in a day where people are struggling for work and money.

[@andrew_lee_]

I would pay USD 150 for AI update on A1

[@mostlymessingabout]

Everyone: Canon is so bad, no third party, Sony good Today: Phuck!!!

[@nerdynautilus5373]

imagine paying Sony $49 a month just to continue to be able to film in 10 bit or unlocking 4K resolution with a single purchase of $99.99

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Oof.

[@stkuj]

TBH, I don't have an issue with Sony charging for extras or "non-must haves" that people might want. I do not consider this "feature" a must have. It's much different than charging for a feature that you can get in a newer generation.

[@hlulanithetsongaprince]

It is too much they will lose loyal clients

[@ChongLisDriveThru]

It depends. for 99% of users it's not worth it and they will sound off as being pissed.This is clearly aimed at higher volume shooters that have specific client required cropping. $150 is nothing for in camera visual help when your shooting. If it's easy to change the crops in camera quickly I can see this as being useful. Plus, just think, I'll be able to turn my Sony into a Leica rangefinder for $150!!! 👍

[@cervellimatteo]

maybe there are something else in the change log to justify the cost of the update.... I hope

[@SILVERTC2005]

this is a step in the wrong direction. how long until camera companies start charging for more shutter actuations out of a camera.

[@vladimirmalchev202]

I am glad i sold my A7Iv.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Still a great camera, though.

[@matthewchee]

if canon charge more for canon R5 features, i would pay

[@V-adventurous]

Canon cripple hammer doesn’t charge for updates 😂.

[@perrygreenmixedwords]

Someone will come along with a hack

[@kalinmir]

I really dodged a bullet when an ebay seller canceled on me due to faulty battery and I bought Pentax instead...150 DLC with lines on screen...ridiculous

[@nerdynautilus5373]

The upgrade is BS but It's still an amazing camera. I highly recommend it.

[@kalinmir]

@@nerdynautilus5373 I do not doubt that...but such a practice is something I'm allergic to

[@Nonixification]

$150 for an update that almost nobody wants. Sony went full ret*rd with this one.

[@RealThatDesignerGuy]

Trust and believe this won't stop here. Look at what Sony as a company has done - look at the price hikes they introduced with their other subscription services. 100% don't purchase this and it's not to far fetch to say - don't buy another Sony camera. These cameras are not cheap. They are not point and shoots, they are professional tools that are now nickel and diming you. Look what happened to the “pro” line from apple. Look at how Adobe became a subscription service. Sony will do more of this if people purchase this. Buy Nikon, buy Lumix, by canon - buy any brand that doesn’t do this to make a point. Make no mistake the end game here is some kind of subscription service for buying a $3K+ camera. This is because their profit margins don’t go up if they don’t release a new camera. Same reason why Adobe did this.

[@ojo3609]

Its what i like to call "drug dealer marketing" give em a taste then when they're hooked you can charge whatever you want in the future. Good luck Sony users! This was the plan the entire time you just weren't invited to the meetings where they made the plans

[@StSoltaa]

SONY"S GETTING TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GREEDDDYYYYYYYYY TOO MUCH THEY ARE GOING DOWN SOOOOOOOONNNNNNN 😡😡😡😡😡

[@TariqHasanAnjan]

That's a load of crap XD

[@ldmndz4652]

wow..haha im sorry if you have not learned the concepts and the traditional "rules of third grid line"..even if you still have "film" camera's and use your own eyes to "visualize" the "rules of thirds"..in your "viewfinder"...you have no business being or trying to be a "photographer"..lol the "rules of thirds" is one of the fundamental things you first learn as a "photographer"..to assist in you composition..etc etc..save your $149 ..that can go towards a lens?..lol and learn the fundamentals first and foremost....its bad enough Sony struggles with "firmware updates" which this could have easily been implemented that way..instead of "charging" people this "feature"..this is not a good look Sony...watch Fuji do this on their next "firmware update" for free!..lol

[@camerachris]

If you spend money on this silly and simple cash grab you are exactly the mark they take you to be. If the marks all buy updates they will hold back basic features in future cameras to get everyone to pay more