FS7: Buying an FS7, need some advice on accessories

O

Oliver Daniel

New member
Hello!

Ive decided to buy an FS7. My company makes a lot of music videos and were increasing corporate video output, so this camera is the ideal choice.

I've rented the camera twice. First it was bare bones, and the 2nd time it had the Extension Unit and V-Lock battery attached. I do prefer the lighter load.

I need some advice with accessories. 95% of my current gear is based around DSLR cameras, so it's a clean slate here. A likely B-cam is the A7S for my Edelkrone Slider Plus and BeSteady One Plus gimbal.

Lenses are Sigma ART 18-35mm, 50mm and 24-105mm, Nikon 28-70 2.8. Lots of weird vintage glass like Helios, Rollei. Canon FDs. A good selection for corporate and music video.

So here it goes:

Batteries

I've seen a few solutions. I like to keep things light but the camera balanced. I'm normally based on location with power. What would you suggest?


Memory Cards

I've heard the Lexar cards are a decent saving on the expensive Sony cards. Considering the camera eats memory for breakfast.... Cost effective cards are very important. Any issues known about the Lexar cards?


Bags/Cases

Any recommendations?


Tripod

My current tripod is too light. 75mm bowl for starters. I don't want to spend a fortune here, any hidden gems out there? Maybe look at the used market?


Other Stuff

Anything else you would recommend with the FS7?


Very much appreciate it!!
 
Batteries: Stick with original Sony BP-U60 batteries. Two or three should do it. They last a long time.
XQD cards: Go for two 128GB Sony G cards. You will probably not need to offload during a days shoot.
Bag/case: I think you would consider one backpack when flying and a hard case when travelling by car. I wouldn't want to check in my camera so it stays with me on board.
Tripod: I would look at any Sachtler 100mm tripod/head combo used. Great quality, smooth and easy to use.
Other stuff: You might need some sort of baseplate to allow for rods/mattebox/FF to be mounted. You need a SDHC card to store settings and input user LUTs. Maybe even a short shotgun mic mounted on the camera.

I would get the camera first with a few extra parts and built as you start to use the camera.
 
Oliver Daniel said:
Bags/Cases

Any recommendations?


Tripod

My current tripod is too light. 75mm bowl for starters. I don't want to spend a fortune here, any hidden gems out there? Maybe look at the used market?
Click to expand...

Bag - the whole FS7 with side handle attached and a mic in the mic holder will fit comfortably into a Kata CC197 (now badged as Manfrotto, I think) Depends on how much you want to strip it down and amount of lenses etc, but it's a tough bag with metal internal frame and room for a lens or two and accessories too.

Tripod - an emotive subject, as the best advice is to fork out for a goodun and hold on to it until you retire. On the other hand, if you're after cheap but good for the price and slightly rule-breaking in terms of what you get for the money, I recommend E-Image. Where are you based? If you're in the UK, I know of a 5 stage fluid 100mm head and legs for sale. PM if interested.

Ben.
 
For bags I'm using the Cine Bags CB40 highroller. It won't fit on an airplane but I use it as my local bag. I can keep the camera on a shoulder baseplate fully assembled (loupe attachement removed) and fit 4 lenses and 3 batteries in there. The roller wheels really help the shoulder strain.
 
While I have Lexar cards, they don't make a 128gb and 4k eats a lot of space. Also, be aware that when recording slo-mo the recording time indicated will be when it's conformed to regular speeds, not how long you can record. So yeah, get the 128gb.

I prefer the 'airport' bag. It looks like a regular carry on but it's padded, etc like a camera bag. I had a Canon back pack at one time that said Canon in several spots. It might as well have said 'steal me.'
 
Oliver,

You've had a good opportunity to try the camera in a couple different setups as rental so you have a good place to start. When consulting with clients I ask a lot of questions as the products you've mentioned may have different answers depending on your overall configuration and how you expect to shoot.

Regarding other stuff. What do you do for Audio? This camera offers some unique features for wireless audio receiver option. Do you ever use filters or matteboxes, follow focus'? If so, how would you prefer to mount those? Do you ever use on board monitors or is the EVF all you would use?

Bags/cases you look to should take into account the factors of how you will build up the camera if at all... Will you be traveling a lot? Flights or local only?

Many of the answers to your questions hinge on what other configurations you might be working in with the camera.
 
The Swit BPUs chipped for the FS7 are great IMO. Hey have a higher WH than the Sonys and have a PTap out which I use to power the 7Q. Fantastic as it saves me an extra battery on the back of the 7Q.

but you do have to order the custom PTap from Olof to fit the battery.
 
As Osslund says, a Sachtler with 100mm bowl, look secondhand, there are often bargains around. Look for old Panorama 7 heads, I've seen them for just £300 or so.Steve
 
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