Any idea what Sony's bringing to NAB 2015?

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poormanwally

Member
Looking at the arc of digital I feel like we're set for a move into 3rd generation cameras. Does anyone else think that next leap will happen this year? For a next generation camera, I'm most looking forward to actual, usable 16+ DR, not the marketing bunk from the Dragon. I like 4k, but even if the camera is 2k, with usable 16+ stops, low light, and hfr, I'll be over the moon. I saw some of the new sensor patents from Sony on sonyalpharumors, it looks like they have some really cool game-changing tech in the works, hopefully it finds its way into their cine cameras. But will NAB 2015 be too soon for that? That new 50mpx stills sensor is crazy, but I think there's a ceiling on the resolution game for cine cameras, and I think the current 4-6k range is already there for any realistic production workflow. I think the Cion is a nice all-around camera for the price if it delivers raw to the Odyssey, so if nothing big comes out this year I'm nearly committed to the Cion if they work it out with CD... but the 12 stops of DR is a disappointment. I'll gladly dig deeper into my pocket if there's a 3rd gen camera this year. Aside from peeking at Sony's patents, I haven't seen a single clue from the other big manufacturers... I know the Amira and Dragon JUST came out, and they're nice, but it's different feature sets and small upgrades, not anything new or game-changing. Does anyone see any big developments on the horizon from the other manufacturers?
 
Lol... I hope not. Imagine if they only released one or two cameras from the start, and put all their support behind them... I think they got in over their heads jumping into an already saturated camera market with entry-level enthusiast products, I wonder what their margins are for their cameras. I'm not saying their cameras are awful, but even if they fixed all their problems, and even in the best case scenario, I still have no use for their cameras. At that price range, with that limited feature set, limited support, and poor quality control, they serve a niche where they are popular. I'm nervous with the Cion too, but at least it has a pro interface. Hopefully AJA doesn't have ambitions to release a family of cameras, at least not yet, and hopefully they won't go into denial if there are problems. Even more hopefully, I'd love to see Sony's successor to the F series at NAB.
 
Why not forgot about this or that new (mostly useless) feature and work with what is out now? Like many amateurs on internet forums you sound like someone who chases features in the hopes they will make you seem cooler or talented. These companies depend on this stupid game, in case you didnt realize it. If you need more than what the C300 or Sony F cameras can give you, you are doing/thinking the wrong way.
 
Yeah, wonder if Sony will use a A7s like sensor in a camcorder body? Maybe a feature-wise more limited compared to the FS7 but with the sensor of the A7s? With the 28-135 lens being full frame, not having a full frame camcorder seems odd. And it also seems odd creating a lens like that only for the A7. If they have no intentions of bringing out a full frame camcorder (well, they already have the VG900, but anyway) they could just have made the 28-135 for S35.

Without any knowledge whatsoever, I think the F55/F5/F65 have another year before being replaced.

Personally, I would be content if they gave the FS700 an XAVC-S firmware upgrade. But that is not very likely ;)
 
VinceinLA

Yes I do chase features. No, not because it makes me cooler or more talented. Lol... seriously? So asking for professional connectivity, like having multiple hdmi or sdi out for monitors with overlay or dual recording, or luts and tc and genlock... that's not useful to you? You'd rather sync audio in post, scrubbing back and forth? Having a monitor I can use, and a second one for my ac is awesome. Being able to record externally is an added burden in some ways, a life saver in others. It's not a paint job on the camera I'm talking about. All those features just make life easier. What's wrong with having more DR? Why stress over pushing exposure to the very edge of the camera's capability, if instead you can have more DR and have that latitude in post, save time on set, not having to stop to change your setup every time the clouds changed? You'd rather deal with rolling shutter banding in post? Why bother if you can have a global or mechanical? How are you going to compete as an owner operator if you can't do HFR these days, and keep your prices low by not having to rent? Ultimately, these features make it easier to shoot, easier to control, it saves time, and gives redundancy and hedges risk. I'll gladly spend money to make my life easier... not just "work with what is out now." Why not shoot on your iPhone then? Why even shoot digital? Why not shoot 8mm? I don't understand why you're saying we need to be complacent, for the sake of what? Technology moves forward. How far are you saying we should regress, or how much technology and features don't matter? They matter. In money, in hedging risk, in marketing yourself, the features matter to me.

"If you need more than what the C300 or Sony F cameras can give you, you are doing/thinking the wrong way." So there's no purpose for the C500, F65, or Alexa, or Dragon? Are you saying those cameras are just marketing, they don't actually do anything? The Dragon's 80db S/N means nothing? And the C300 is hardly a standard to measure against. The F series are really nice, but if there's something better that comes out, even better. Yes the manufacturers make money, but what's wrong with that? They're not stealing it. That's just the business. If the entire market shifts, and you want to fold your arms and stomp your feet... guess what... no one is going to wait for you. Your post was so obtuse.
 
dimitrizigany,
I think they made the 28-135 ff just so they don't have to have 2 productions. I don't remember the exact chart, but from Sony's end of year presentation, it does look like they're profiting pretty well from emount and stills, so it would make sense to make a ff stills lens that can also be used on s35. I wish it was a bit faster, but it looks like an awesome lens. And I always thought Sony might eventually have an interest in a 4:3 sensor for anamorphic for the cinealta... maybe, maybe not...

I think you're right that the F series still has a lot of life in them, but if they announce something new this year, I think there would be some lag until availability to give the F series more life. I noticed the F55 was in and out of stock at BH several times over the last ~6 months, so I wonder if they're already cutting back on production. I also saw a Sony deal for a discounted package with the F series, including a viewfinder, R5, and media; I think that's the first time I've seen that. And the F5 life span... well... I think it's already cut shorter than the 55.

And I totally agree about the XAVCs. I mean, if they're going to give it to RX100iii, it'd be nice to have it on the FS700... but I think you're right that it's unlikely. Sony making customers jump through hoops, as usual.
 
I think, without being privy to any of the high end gossip, that we will see the technology present in the $30,000-$40,000 cameras two years ago migrate down to the $10,000-$15,000 level but the ultimate performance of the 6K Alexa II will remain exclusive to the ultra high end/big budget feature domain.
 
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