FS5: Doug Jensen whats yr response on the FS5 chaos?

BeeHop

Well-known member
Hi Doug,

Was wondering if you would publicly give your opinion on all this chaos the FS5 has created.

Alister Chapman has given his 'Response to all the FS5 artefact complainers'
This camera has caused a very interesting debate. From people supposedly complaining to people reporting and discussing with genuine concern.

Love to hear your thoughts.
 
Sorry, I don't have the time. I'm working full steam on my FS5 training video so I can (hopefully) get it done by the end of the month and I don't want to get sidetracked into this controversy. Anything I have to say about the FS5 would just lead to more and more questions. It is a slippery slope that I'm not going to go down. Thanks for asking, though, I'm flattered you'd care what I thought.
 
Maybe I'm missing something but it seems to me from what I've read is that if you need to shoot 4K right now then other cameras (FS7) are better choices. If you are shooting HD I don't see much on the market that beats the Fs5. It seems that any tests would indicate the NR is causing an issue and I'm sure Sony will fix it in the 1st fw update. If you can hold off and wait or need 4K right now is a choice only the user can make.

I don't see any controversy here. C300II had an issue with skipping frames and Canon had to quickly add a FW update. I'm sure Sony will do the same but might not move as quickly considering its a 1/3 of the C300II price tag and a different level of end user.
 
Not having shot with the FS5, and just a little with the FS7, I would agree with FarmFrame that FS5 is a great HD camera. 10bit internal HD is an awesome place to be for such a small package. The 4K in my opinion is not the main attraction. But at this price point, not bad at all. Of course, one can say that the A7xxs do better 4k, but they are limited to 8bit HD as well...and without NDs and audio inputs.

I also think potentially the larger pixel size of the A7s sensor handles noise better, which could be a contributing factor to it not having the tearing issues folks are seeing in 4K high EI on the FS5.

All in all, not a bad little camera. Plus, I would bet that the 4K is still pretty useful for lit sit-down interviews where you can manage contrast ratios and motion is minimal. Then the 4k still allows you to crop in for that 3rd camera look...assuming it is a 2 camera shoot.

I can empathize with folks who were caught by surprise by this 4k tearing issue, though. Bit of a let down since there was no reason to expect it when buying it. I guess Morgan Moore and others are right when they advice people to rent and test before buying. It took me a while to learn this lesson too.
 
See, I don't need to spend time writing anything and people will say it for me. :-) Good posts. I also agree with a lot of what Nirv has said on other threads.
Bottom line: If you need a great camera, probably the best bang for the buck of any camera ever made, buy an FS7. But if you absolutely must have a smaller camera, and are willing to give up dozens of advanced features and functions, then get an FS5. Size and variable ND are really the only benefits of the FS5. The two cameras are about as different as two cameras can possibly be from the same manufacturer. Anyone who calls the FS5 a cousin, brother, or a junior FS7 just doesn't know what they are talking about.
 
Well... Renting before buying applies to EVERY camera ;) Unless it's a very cheap one and reviews are prasing it (little risk involved).
Even though everyone single review was saying how bang for buck Fs7 is I've rented it before getting one.
 
See, I don't need to spend time writing anything and people will say it for me. :-) Good posts. I also agree with a lot of what Nirv has said on other threads.
Bottom line: If you need a great camera, probably the best bang for the buck of any camera ever made, buy an FS7. But if you absolutely must have a smaller camera, and are willing to give up dozens of advanced features and functions, then get an FS5. Size and variable ND are really the only benefits of the FS5. The two cameras are about as different as two cameras can possibly be from the same manufacturer. Anyone who calls the FS5 a cousin, brother, or a junior FS7 just doesn't know what they are talking about.

Yep, well said as usual Doug. That's exactly how I see it.
 
See, I don't need to spend time writing anything and people will say it for me. :-) Good posts. I also agree with a lot of what Nirv has said on other threads.
Bottom line: If you need a great camera, probably the best bang for the buck of any camera ever made, buy an FS7. But if you absolutely must have a smaller camera, and are willing to give up dozens of advanced features and functions, then get an FS5. Size and variable ND are really the only benefits of the FS5. The two cameras are about as different as two cameras can possibly be from the same manufacturer. Anyone who calls the FS5 a cousin, brother, or a junior FS7 just doesn't know what they are talking about.

Great thanks Doug you have summed it up well.

All the confusion I think has been from Sony marketing i.e Juan Martinez said "The FS5 is a perfect companion to the FS7 or higher end Sony cameras like the F5 or F55.

Look forward to your DVD :)
 
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