The colleague forgot one little thing at his information: At A7RII and A7SII it is possible to bypass the spatial filtering (star eater) by using the continuous mode instead of single mode, using exposure time longer than 3.2 sec. (the camera drops back to 12 bit RAW instead of 14 bit). So it is possible to get (for example) 20 sec. without star eater filter.
Assumption: Firmware 1.00 has no star-eater and 1.10 has got one, the 20 sec. exposure time picture, taken by this workaroung (continuous mode - no star eater), should look the same like the 20 sec. picture taken by firmware 1.00. But it does not.
So I am not persuaded, that 1.10 is the spatial filtering firmware.
Do you have access to an A7RII firmware 1.10? Is it possible to get 2 RAWs?
I have find out, how to see immediately the star-eater (or not) by comparing the noise, taken by a dark-frame (ISO 6400 RAW - develop in ACR - light max, contrast minimum - 200% crop - taken with no lens, only camera-body-cap and in a dark room - single shot mode, one picture 3.2 sec. the other 4.0 sec.).
For example A7SII: You see the difference (have a look at the large picture version at Galerie).

→
Bild in der Galerie
So we should confirm very quickly, if it is right or not.
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You should consider whether it is worth or not, losing all the improvements of many firmware updates by using the old/first firmware.