As I brought up in another thread awhile ago I've been researching a camera purchase that I'm pulling the trigger on tomorrow. Going between the full Sony lineup from the F5 to the A7rII and back over the past two months and I've reached the decision to go with the Fs5. I feel excited about it but also dreading it a little bit. Here is how I came to the conclusion and if someone wants to interject to convince me otherwise have at it.
I am upgrading from a FS100 (which I may keep as a B cam) so any of the current Sony models are a great upgrade. I will be making gear purchases at the front and back end of a large project and was debating a A7r up front and then Fs7 at the back, but decided that it just makes the most since to get the true video camera right off the bat and then suplement at the back end with a B cam and a RAW recording solution in July. I also wanted to get a gimbal solution as I've just been renting and playing with friends and it's something I want to offer as a service.
The biggest hang up I have is that I haven't had a good experience with the fs5 while I've been renting the fs7 since its release and when I rented the fs5 I was severely dissatisfied with the result. Only after the fact did I realize I was doing things wrong with it though (recording at wrong native ISO, picture profile errors, lens testing too) and a few weeks later when I rented the A7sII I was able to learn from the codec issues and create a fantastic image that I was pleased with. This led me to think the A7 or AR was going to be a "good for now" solution.
But after re-evaluating what content I have on the calendar for the next 4 months I have 4 weddings, one triathlon event, and four docu style corporate shoots I just feel like the a7 series while producing a great image aren't a workhorse enough to really replace my fs100. If I was spending $3k on a camera just to mainly go on a gimbal and still have a need for an A cam for the other 90% of my shots seemed like priorities were wrong.
So now I'm back at the Fs5. It will run well on the Letus Helix Jr that I had already decided soon and in HD will give me a great upgrade in image from the Fs100 and Canom DSLRs plus that sexy ND filter and in a travel friendly setup. After discussion here I am optimistic that the RAW upgrade next month will be great and give me an image close if not better to the FS7 internal. But if the RAW output is flawed I may have to rent the FS7 for certain gigs. Fingers crossed that it's everything I hope it will be and more but I have some butterflies.
Thanks for listening/reading to my rant as I needed to get it all out to help evaluate the purchase. Now if only that lovely 18mm Batis would get in stock to pair with it.
I am upgrading from a FS100 (which I may keep as a B cam) so any of the current Sony models are a great upgrade. I will be making gear purchases at the front and back end of a large project and was debating a A7r up front and then Fs7 at the back, but decided that it just makes the most since to get the true video camera right off the bat and then suplement at the back end with a B cam and a RAW recording solution in July. I also wanted to get a gimbal solution as I've just been renting and playing with friends and it's something I want to offer as a service.
The biggest hang up I have is that I haven't had a good experience with the fs5 while I've been renting the fs7 since its release and when I rented the fs5 I was severely dissatisfied with the result. Only after the fact did I realize I was doing things wrong with it though (recording at wrong native ISO, picture profile errors, lens testing too) and a few weeks later when I rented the A7sII I was able to learn from the codec issues and create a fantastic image that I was pleased with. This led me to think the A7 or AR was going to be a "good for now" solution.
But after re-evaluating what content I have on the calendar for the next 4 months I have 4 weddings, one triathlon event, and four docu style corporate shoots I just feel like the a7 series while producing a great image aren't a workhorse enough to really replace my fs100. If I was spending $3k on a camera just to mainly go on a gimbal and still have a need for an A cam for the other 90% of my shots seemed like priorities were wrong.
So now I'm back at the Fs5. It will run well on the Letus Helix Jr that I had already decided soon and in HD will give me a great upgrade in image from the Fs100 and Canom DSLRs plus that sexy ND filter and in a travel friendly setup. After discussion here I am optimistic that the RAW upgrade next month will be great and give me an image close if not better to the FS7 internal. But if the RAW output is flawed I may have to rent the FS7 for certain gigs. Fingers crossed that it's everything I hope it will be and more but I have some butterflies.
Thanks for listening/reading to my rant as I needed to get it all out to help evaluate the purchase. Now if only that lovely 18mm Batis would get in stock to pair with it.
