F3 Mod- is anyone actually doing this?

T

truelife

Well-known member
Just wondering if any of the companies that have claimed to be doing the F3 mods- Sony, Abel, Hot Rod, Prokit, etc are actually doing them? I can't find info anywhere and none of the above have responded to inquiries on the mods. Anyone got intel?
 
HotRod Camera have decided to hold off on the top plate due to corporate issues and cost/plus demand. Also due to removing all of the electronics in the handle. There is a lot there to move. And to be certified by Sony to do it, is a whole other issue all together. Abel and 3Reality is making their "F-3 Armor" complete with top and side plate. But all the electronics are gone from handle. Audio is monitored via playback through the RCA outs. Haven't heard of Prokit?
 
The 3reality F-3 Armor is pretty much the way to go. Top quality stuff there. If you want to loose some extra plastic...
 
Yeah it looks beefy- almost too beefy. Also I can't lose the audio stuff so unless they could re-route the audio that'd kind of be a deal breaker. Though I'd really love to avoid having to buy a C300 just for verité.
 
truelife said:
Yeah it looks beefy- almost too beefy. Also I can't lose the audio stuff so unless they could re-route the audio that'd kind of be a deal breaker. Though I'd really love to avoid having to buy a C300 just for verité.
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What makes the standard F3 config unsuitable for verité style work in your opinion?
 
With my setup, I have the Shape BP6000, Anton Bauer dionics, Pix 240 on Zamerican arm, Nikon zoom lens and sometimes a TVLogic monitor. I haven't weighed it, but it's gotta be close to 25lbs. Not light and not ideal for run and gun. I think many will attest to this- though DPs like Zach who does No Reservations, have managed to streamline their camera, I prefer having the 422 color space and power luxury of an Anton. I did a drag racing shoot a few weeks ago (without an EVF) and was miserable- too long a rig with too much weight.
 
truelife said:
Though I'd really love to avoid having to buy a C300 just for verité.
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if thats your only other option, ditch the dionics, the pix240, the shoulder mount and the monitor. strip it all back down to the basics and you have a small F3 that shoots the same codec as the C300, and is only slightly bigger. to get the same image quality you are currently getting, you have to add the same accessories to the C300, and even then, you can't get 10 bit, right?
 
ian515 said:
if thats your only other option, ditch the dionics, the pix240, the shoulder mount and the monitor. strip it all back down to the basics and you have a small F3 that shoots the same codec as the C300, and is only slightly bigger. to get the same image quality you are currently getting, you have to add the same accessories to the C300, and even then, you can't get 10 bit, right?
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You don't get 10-bit but you do get 50mbps 422 which is not the same codec as 35mbps 420.
 
Trade in the Pix 240 for a AJA mini. That thing is cool but, it's a gigantic brick that will never find a good place to rest. I have basically the same package but with mini and can go all day no problem., rides fine on the shoulder. And get a real vf like the alphatron EVF and ditch the 5 inch monitor. Just use that for interviews on sticks.
 
F3modteam.jpgMy team of stock photo models can take care of any job you need on your stock f3. Quality work starting at $10 per linear hacksaw cut.
 
Sparky874 said:
and you don't need an external monitor/ EVF on the C300 - the F3's is just unusable..
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I disagree. I shot for 16 days in the gobi desert. I had the Small HD monitor with me, but I ended up relying on the monitor of the camera alone. never missed focus, exposure was spot on. I used the color peaking mode to assist me and that was it.
 
How many F3 users do you really think are solely using the cameras VF? I would say hardly anyone, and why? Because it is one of the worst view finders I have ever used. That sadly is not laughable.
 
Sparky874 said:
How many F3 users do you really think are solely using the cameras VF? I would say hardly anyone, and why? Because it is one of the worst view finders I have ever used. That sadly is not laughable.
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for studio shoots, where weight isn't an issue, there is no point in using the VF. I agree. but when you are pulling it in and out of a back pack, hiking up and down mountains, and weight IS an issue (like it seems to be for the OP) the VF definitely works. you just need to rely on the tools provided like the color peaking. while it may be the worst you have ever used, it still functions, and works. we shot a lot of video for the NBC signature series with Red Bull, the Cold Rush episode used all F3's for the interviews and "back story" scenes. all shot using the built in VF. if I didn't trust it to work, I wouldn't have relied on it for a shoot that was going to air on NBC.
 
Mitch Gross said:
If your goal is to save weight then the mod. to the F3 is not the answer. You replace plastic and alloy with metal.
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Thanks, Mitch. That's the answer right there. Weight is what it's all about- so I guess you and JDDallas are right- it is what is. I love the camera, just wish it could break away from the studio body (like Knight Rider used to do when it pulled out of that tractor trailer) and have a smaller, lighter guy to shoot handheld.
 
I thought you meant the whole camera it's self...Didn't notice the apostrophe. Sorry mate. Yes, I agree the VF is garbage. I pulled mine off. Damn... reading too fast...
 
wait. now I am confused. I are we talking about the REAR VF or the LCF VF on the side? if its the REAR, yeah, biggest waste of space ever.
 
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