F55: CBK-55BK Dock

G

Gizmosgadget

Active member
Hello.

Is anyone using the ENG kit for the F55 yet? Just looking for some feedback. It's an expensive add on but adds a ton of convenience like audio controls and more assign buttons.

Thanks.

Craig.
 
I had a chance to play with one. It seems very plasticy to me. Hardly worth the $8K Sony wants for it, altho' there's a $500 rebate offer until the end of march.
 
I was afraid of that. I'll give it a year or so. If sales tank on that piece maybe Sony will cut the price in half. Thank you for your input.
 
Craig, it is built with the same outer shell as the camera. We have a demo unit that may be available after NAB for testing. The $8000 is much about the electronic options it provides. 4 analog audio inputs for 4 discreet channels, drop in audio receiver slot, gain switches, white balance switches, new top handle with mic mount and solid shoulder pad are just some benefits.

im not sure about sales in Canada but in the us there is, until March 31 a $1000 rebate to current F55 owners, $3000 instant rebate if you purchase the unit with a new F55 camera. Once mounted with the camera there is a nice balance to it. The exterior looks to have same skin as the cameras. I'd say test it for yourself if you can. The benefits may prove to be quite positive for you in your situation. We will have a configuration in our booth at NAB.
 
Thanks John.

Sony of Canada rarely has the kinds of deals found in the U.S. I wanted to pick up the dock and the digital receiver. With the dropping CDN dollar this unit is going to be over $10k CDN$. The F55 lists for almost $43K here. Crazy expensive. I live near the arctic so I won't have a chance to see the dock first hand. It has a ton of features I want. Just a bit rich at the moment.

Thank again.

Craig.
 
Run and gun, some corporate, live events, and just recently started shooting for a hunting/fishing tv show. The latter involves a fair bit of handheld work. I'm going to need a wireless mic system where I can use two lavs with only one receiver. This makes the receiver slot in the dock really appealing. Not to mention all of the controls that are easily accessible. I'll admit there are some days I wish I would have picked up an F800. Not many, but some.
 
Sounds like the dock might be right for what you do. I do network news and magazine shows - we generally use the 5/55's and FS7's for sit-downs and then 800's for b-roll. If the dock were cheaper (3-4k?) I'd consider it but since I already have an 800 that covers the shoulder-mount angle, I took that cash and put it in an FS7 which is a billable item/moneymaker.
 
You might want to consider the Lectrosonics SRb 2 channel receiver with the SMQV belt transmitter packs given the price of the dock. When you switch cameras you take the Lectro units with you. The Lectro plug for boom poles or handheld mics is called an HM. These are industry standard devices for soundies.
 
I'll second that - I have SR's on/in my cameras and then just give my sound partner the corresponding transmitter for the hops or use them straight into the camera.
 
Gizmosgadget said:
How are you attaching the SR to the camera? Will it fit into the slot in the dock?
Click to expand...

I've been told the SR will fit. But in the past, Sony's haven't allowed both channels to pass through the slot receiver, thus the need for a TA5->XLR breakout to input the 2nd channel.

It would be frustrating if this thing still doesn't allow a 2nd channel unless you use Sony's receiver. The price is already excessive...that would be the tipping point for me.
 
Andrew Stone said:
You might want to consider the Lectrosonics SRb 2 channel receiver with the SMQV belt transmitter packs given the price of the dock. When you switch cameras you take the Lectro units with you. The Lectro plug for boom poles or handheld mics is called an HM. These are industry standard devices for soundies.
Click to expand...

We use the Lectro SR & SMQVs on our Panasonic 3100 packages. They are so useful in one-man-band situations. Add in another wireless kit & you have 3 talent on ISO tracks and a shotgun mic as backup.

The FS7 can now handle 4 channels. It would be nice if this allowed the F55 to do the same - I think it can, but there is so little information on it available.
 
I am doing some research and hope I can have an answer sometime tomorrow on the slot receiver feature of the build up kit.
 
As follow up I have been checking into the 2 channel SR drop in receiver for use with the F5/55 Build up kit. This is under review / discussion etc. at SONY...
 
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