FF VG900 hands-on !

Interview - Phil Molyneux, President Sony Electronics on a full frame E mount

Interview - Phil Molyneux, President Sony Electronics on a full frame E mount

"Looking at the VG900, our readers are speculating on whether you will make a full frame E-mount stills-oriented camera. What can you say to them?


MW:The VG900 demonstrated that the E-mount lens mount can support a full frame sensor. Building the lenses that can cover a full frame imaging circle at that flange back distance is another matter. We'll see. The benefits of making a smaller camera with a full frame sensor and interchangeable lenses are clear. The E-mount that could do that would be a little different than the E-mount that we know today. But it is possible. Much of the lens geometry you see in the RX1 is what it would take to realize that design."

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5076947312/interview-phil-molyneux-president-sony-electronics
 
Full-Frame Fever – With their monster-sized CMOS sensors, the Sony NEX-VG900 and SLT-A99 deliver big screen results for filmmakers

It’s really getting difficult to keep pace on Sony cameras, which in recent years have released a virtual “Murderers’ Row” of cameras for filmmakers. Just two years ago, the NEX-VG10 was released and was branded a revolutionary product since it was the first consumer camcorder to contain an APS-C sensor. Now, Sony has clearly swung for the fences by releasing the world’s first 35mm full-frame interchangeable lens camcorder, the NEX-VG900. (And yes, this is the first video camera (both consumer and professional) to contain a full-frame sensor.)
I recently had the opportunity to shoot with the VG900 (as well as the full-frame A99 DSLR) on Sony’s DI Media Excursion in Northern California. On the trip, we captured some of the planet’s most beautiful coastal scenery, including Big Sur and Santa Cruz. I tested both cameras with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2.8/24-70 ZA zoom lens.
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http://www.hdvideopro.com/blog/edit...eliver-big-screen-results-for-filmmakers.html

 
Love the sample with the model, very smooth transitions from highlights to shadows, even compressed on vimeo. I wish we could download MTS versions of these shots, but the cameras will be out in a few weeks so more samples will surely be available. Nice to see the A99/VG900 in the same review since many will be cross shopping. Despite the E-mount adaptability to any lens, I think I'm still going for the A99, the Cinematone just isn't enough picture customization for me and there are plenty of lenses that can be adapted to the Alpha mount. The price difference between the A99/VG900 gets me 1/2 way to a Ninja for uncompressed recording, and you get steadyshot, weather sealing, class leading AF, more picture profiles and so on.
 
Maybe can sound a little exaggerated but I'm thinking of this: a Sony a99 with Sound Devices Pix 220i video recorder, with this i can have a Quicktime file up to 220Mb/s, XLR professional audio recording, 5" IPS monitoring with False Color, Zebra, 1:1 Pixel Mapping and Peaking.

So why i think of this, well:
Sony alpha + XLR audio hot shoe adapter + 6" SmallHD monitor = $4300 (system AVCHD at 24Mb/s)
Sony Alpha + Pix 220i (Caddy 2, SunShield and 500GB) = $4955 (system Quicktime at 220Mb/s)

So the benefits for the $500 extra is huge.
 
looking through the manual, it's clear that there is zero adjust-ability of the image, which might possibly be the one single thing keeping me from buying into it. it doesn't make much sense either, i don't see that feature encroaching on any other market other than the a99, which costs less...

very odd to me, very odd indeed.

comon sony, it's contrast, saturation and sharpness, it's not asking much
 
imdjay said:
looking through the manual, it's clear that there is zero adjust-ability of the image, which might possibly be the one single thing keeping me from buying into it. it doesn't make much sense either, i don't see that feature encroaching on any other market other than the a99, which costs less...

very odd to me, very odd indeed.

comon sony, it's contrast, saturation and sharpness, it's not asking much
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+1

The VG20 owners have been complaining about this for a year to no avail. The Nex cameras have the contrast, saturation and sharpness adjustments with the different PP's as well, if we can get it on the $300 Nex5n body (discounted because its been replaced, but still), why can't we get it on the $3300 VG900?

Looking at the results posted in the general Sony forum from the Flaat profiles, the 5n really benefits from the adjustments, without them I'm going A99.

But its good news that the VG900 is shipping, hopefully we'll see more samples soon.
 
Some dealers are adding free items :

​NEX-VG900 Ultimate Bundle - $3,298.00

Sony NEX-VG900 Full-Frame Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder
Sony 32 GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card - Class 10
Vidpro NP-FV100 4500mAh Battery for Sony cx160,cx360,cx560,cx110 & Similar Camcorders
Vivitar Rugged Pro Camcorder Case Extra Large
Vidpro LED Digital Photo & Video Camcorder Light with Batteries, Charger and Bracket
Zeikos ZE-TR57A 57-Inch Full Size Tripod
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http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SNNEXVG900
 
joe1946 said:
I bet that was a business decision by Sony and the features will be in a FS*** full frame for about $10,000.
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I somewhat agree. It seems like the VG is getting shortchanged because of the FS line, though they're two completely different cameras and IMHO they serve different kinds of shooters. The VG's are better suited for personal use, events and run-and-gun shooting - as a compliment or replacement for DSLR shooters - while the FS is far superior for pretty much everything else because of the lack of line skipping and its low light advantage. I think instead of a FF FS, there's a 1dC killer in the pipeline that will hit in the $10k price range.

If Sony would just combine the two and put the FS100 sensor in the VG20 body, I'd buy 2.
 
joe1946 said:
I bet that was a business decision by Sony and the features will be in a FS*** full frame for about $10,000.
Click to expand...

i'd agree, except that they have even cheaper cameras that have those simple features, pretty much any nex camera or dslr they make has it.
 
imdjay said:
i'd agree, except that they have even cheaper cameras that have those simple features, pretty much any nex camera or dslr they make has it.
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Look at Canon and how long it's taking for a full frame C*** camera. I think even with the limitations the VG900 will be in demand for people who want a FF sensor in a camcorder body with both swivel LCD and adjustable OLED EVF that could also shoot FF 24mp Raw stills @ 30-1/8000 sec along with 1080p60 @28mb/s or 1080p24 with uncompressed HDMI output. The VG900 also is the first FF mirrorless that shoots in both APS-C and FF mode that works with almost any APS-C or FF lens using low cost NEX adapters.
 
Is the Nov 1 availability set in stone or is possible the camcorder can be released earlier- anyone with any inside info?
 
If Adorama expects to have it by Oct 25th, I wonder if B&H will also have it on that date as their website continue to says Nov.1?
 
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