Crystal Ball Requests

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Danny1280

Well-known member
Considering taking the plunge into purchasing an F3.

Does anyone have any predictions about how comparatively future proof the F3 will be?
For instance, the EX1 seems to have such staying power...still a great option after a number of years.
But technology is moving so quickly that I fear after making such a large purchase (for me), the F3 will become obsolete, significantly lower in value after a year or two. For instance, if a similar camera comes out with a better codec for a similar or lower price (eg: Panasonic AVC-intra version of the F3, etc).

Look into your crystal ball and share your insights, if you dare.

Thanks,
 
IMO, F3 with S-Log out to an external recorder; you're pretty much future proof for about 3-5 years. F3 with the internal codec.... That may not be so much. You could always start with the base unit without S-Log, and upgrade to S-Log in a year or so. If you want ultimate future-proof with the internal codec to the camera, you're looking at a Red One, Red Epic, Red Scarlet, or Arri Alexa. The cheapest (Red One) start's at $35k or so for a useable package. F3 with S-Log and an external recorder will be about $26k. The only camera that may have something on a F3 without S-Log is the rumored Canon 4k camera.
 
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+1 what Andrew said.

For me the great attraction is that I could buy a S35 camera now, upgrade to S-Log later if I want to or need to (or rent S-Log if the client is paying). And change an external codec in an external recorder if and when I want to.

In a sense companies like AJA are doing that. The Ki Pro Mini comes with prores but they are giving a firmware upgrade to DNxHD in the near future. One of the other recorder manufacturers is doing something similar (I seem to recall discusion of a $150 upgrade, but that may have changed for them.)

Right now the F3 seems to be the most bang for the buck, AND the most future proof by giving the most options. Not to mention what I feel is one of the most organic image producers of the lot.
 
If you are on the fence, wait till Nov 3rd. If you can't wait, the F3 is a buy. Use it, if the next best thing happens it probably won't come out for another year. So use it then sell it. . But it's always a gamble - what's around the corner. I'm very happy with the F3. But you are never going to get ahead in life if you never take a risk.
 
Now I would definitely say consider the Scarlet-X. You're looking at a lower price than the F3 with S-Log and Recorder, with a better picture.
 
Andrew McCarrick said:
Now I would definitely say consider the Scarlet-X. You're looking at a lower price than the F3 with S-Log and Recorder, with a better picture.
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Its half the camera it was originally spec'd out to be, with a big increase in price. Then buy extras. You're going to be at 1K for that 120fps they've been bragging about for years. And, do you know how many people have been buying 2/3" lenses over the years for the Scarlet? All wasted on hype. Go for it Red fanbois. LLLLOOOLLLL We'll see how that combination of non-simultanious pictures works out for xHDR once you add in movement.

IMHO the Alexa and F3 have that organic film look, not Red. Instead Red has extra resolution. I want S-log and to look like the Alexa. YMMV.
 
Duke M. said:
Its half the camera it was originally spec'd out to be, with a big increase in price. Then buy extras. You're going to be at 1K for that 120fps they've been bragging about for years. And, do you know how many people have been buying 2/3" lenses over the years for the Scarlet? All wasted on hype. Go for it Red fanbois. LLLLOOOLLLL We'll see how that combination of non-simultanious pictures works out for xHDR once you add in movement.
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What does that have anything to do with the F3? The F3 can't even do 60p at Full 1080. You get 4k out of the Scarlet at 24p. Which is more than good enough for most people. And you get Full 1080 with 60p. You get more for a comparable price to the F3. Not to mention the F3 doesn't have a HDR mode, nor does even come close as far as Latitude.

And this stuff about 120fps is a non-issue for the F3, as it can't do it at any resolution.
 
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Sony really dropped the ball on the overcrank issue. The feature-set on the Scarlet FAR exceeds the F3 (more res, more frames rates, more mounting options, better screen, better viewfinder options, LOG, etc.). As long as the image backs it up (knowing Red, it will) then I'd say Red is king again.

I intend to keep my F3 and add a Scarlet to the cast....no doubt.
 
LeavingTheCandy said:
Sony really dropped the ball on the overcrank issue. The feature-set on the Scarlet FAR exceeds the F3 (more res, more frames rates, more mounting options, better screen, better viewfinder options, LOG, etc.)
Click to expand...

It might have more frame rates.... but you have to crop the sensor to get them. You have to use a 1/2" sensor crop for 1080/60P........ Personally, i'd rather take a loss in resolution to a sensor crop.

That said, do you know what comes out of the Scarlet HD-SDI? I'm assuming 1080/24p but would gladly be wrong.
 
My understanding is that the F3 supports 60p through the 3G link.

The scarlet has no genlock for multi cam shoots. It crops the sensor to get the frame rates. If I wanted a half inch sensor I'd have kept my EX1.

Don't forget, Red footage has to be debayered. If you record 2k images to get 60p the actual resolution will be more like 720p.
 
From experience with R1-MX.... 2K is pretty noisy too... not sure if that has been improved on.

I'm 100% sure that the F3 will blow Scarlet out of the water with 1080/60p 3G link.

Ahhhh.... choices, choices... Maybe I will keep on saving for the Epic. Now that really is a ground breaking cam.
 
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