F3: Doubts about external recording and Gamma settings and Lighting.

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fxspawn

New member
Hey Guys, greetings from Chile!

So i'm about to start shooting a project with the Sony F3. I've worked with the camera before on a feature film. On that ocassion, the camera we rented had the paid upgrade that allowed us to record at 1.5G YPbPr 422 & S-Log via SDI output into an Atomos Samurai on 10-bit ProRes HQ. I really wanted the dynamic range that setting gave me, cause we basically had a guerrilla style shooting, always working in dark interiors with hot windows in the frame, struggling to get the most information possible.

NOW my situation is different. Yesterday i was told that I'll be filling in as a DP on a project that starts shooting tomorrow. They have an external recorder, Blackmagic's Hyperdeck Shuttle 2, which is capable of outputting 10-bit 422 Prores HQ. The camera is also the Sony F3. The difference this time is that the camera only has the free firmware update, that allows me to use the S-log Gamma curve to record internally, but only lets me record 1.5G YPbPr 422 & Video via SDI output.
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The first location where we'll start shooting is a house that has big windows all over the place; and the director told me that he would love to be able to "see" outside the windows without blowing them up. I don't have GEL ND's to put on the windows, but i have a couple of HMI lights (ARRI 1.2K PAR and 575 PAR) that can help me raise up the light levels inside the room, so i can try to see more detail on the outside (about 2 and a half stops difference).

MY QUESTIONS ARE THIS:
Which setting will give me the most latitude possible?
I was thinking about setting the Matrix to Cinema and the Gamma to S-Log, but i don't know if that settings have any influence over the "1.5G YPbPr 422 & Video" SDI output signal to the Hyperdeck.
And if so, is it good to match the Cinema Matrix with the S-Log gamma?

I'll appreciate any help

Thanks in advance!

Nicolas
 
Hi Nicolas,

The only real difference between the paid SLOG upgrade and the internal one is 4:4:4 RGB recording over 4:2:2 - but since you can only record 4:2:2 with the Hyperdeck, you're not really missing out on anything.

Just set your gamma to SLOG and shoot away - you'll have to monitor in SLOG, but that's not too much of a problem in my experience.

For exposure, either a lightmeter at 800ISO or use the spot meter on the camera to expose a grey card for 38 IRE - and voila! Lovely SLOG images!
 
Hi Grug, thanks for answering so soon.
So if i understand correctly, even if the firmware version of the camera doesn't let me choose 1.5G YPbPr 422 & S-log (cause is greyed out) on the Dual Link & Gamma Setting, but i can only choose 1.5G YPbPr 422 & Video, if i set the gamma to S-Log on the Picture Profile settings, the output of the SDI to the Hypperdeck will be on S-Log Gamma?
So in that case, do you recommend to set the Matrix to Cinema? I'm looking to get the most latitude out of the camera, but i don't know if combining those setting works well.
 
@Nicholas, going from memory one other thing you might want to do if using the slog gamma curve from the picture profile on the F3 instead of the "paid slog" is turn off your matrix and detail as well. This mimics the "paid slog" a little better.

As for slog over SDI, yes you will get 10-bit 422 over SDI and can record that to an external recorder if you wish.

A good slog picture profile resource: http://blog.abelcine.com/2012/06/28/new-f3-firmware-adds-s-log-to-every-camera/
 
starcentral, thanks man.
This info was exactly what i needed to solve my doubts. Now i'm clear as to where i stand with my options.
Thank You.
 
And use the "A" SDI output, if I remember correctly you cant accidentally record the screen overlays. Something with the Hyperdeck you would'nt realize until you review footage. Another thing I cant remember is I think with the free slog you can actually do manual/"auto" white balances off a gray card but only the three pre-sets with the paid version. Or I could be totally imagining all of this as it's been a while.
 
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