negative4_productions
New member
This story is both about purchasing an F5 as well as a review for the person I purchased it through...
I purchased my F5! I'm a little nervous, as it was a big financial commitment for me, but very excited to take my business to the next level.
I own a small business that I started a bout 4 years ago. Up unto this point, I've always had a select few camera men who did most of the filming (and quite well, at that). Within the last year I decided that I really wanted to learn how to film. I started with an FS100. Loved that camera, and it was great for a novice who wanted to learn that basics, but as I quickly found out that the FS100 wasn't suitable for a lot the bigger projects I was working on, I decided I needed something bigger and better. I was super interested in joining the 'RED Cult' for some time, and entertained the idea of buying a RED Raven, but both of my camera men (one of which owns a Dragon) discouraged me from going that route and instead suggested an F7 (similar price range).
During the time I was looking into the F7, I found out about Sony's F5 "Production Crew" bundle (user Eric@Provideo had made a post about it on this forum a while back.) Included in the bundle: the F5 camera body with internal 4K recording firmware, a7SII camera body, the LCD viewfinder for the F5, shoulder pad/VCT tripod mount, an SxS card reader, and a full copy of DaVinci Resolve 12. Yes it was like twice the price of the F7, but it came with all of those extra goodies for free.
I contacted Eric Petrie and he was immediately responsive. Eric was very knowledgable and helped me to understand both the insides and outs of the F5, the package, and financing for the bundle. The entire process took a few months, and that pace was set by me, as this was the biggest financially investment I've made in my business so far. Eric was present and responded thoroughly every time. He also provided me with a great deal for financing the package. My goodies came last week, and it felt like Christmas came early this year.
I've never been compelled to write a review on the internet, but I really thought that Eric went above and beyond the call of duty to help make this deal happen for me. I can't deny the ease of point-and-click purchasing on other retail sites, but the downside is that you don't get a personalized experience. For me personally, when spending $16,000, I want a real person to interact with and not an algorithm and/or a person who I never truly speak to.
The F5 package is a deal that probably won't come again soon. If you're looking to go big, and want to get a lot of bang for your buck, this is the package! And Eric is the person to help you out: Eric Petrie - epetrie@provideoandtape.com.
Hope this is helpful! Also, if anyone has any advice they'd like to leave for me about the F5, I'd welcome it!
-mike
(picture does not include the shoulder pad tripod mount, but I assure you it was in the package)
I purchased my F5! I'm a little nervous, as it was a big financial commitment for me, but very excited to take my business to the next level.
I own a small business that I started a bout 4 years ago. Up unto this point, I've always had a select few camera men who did most of the filming (and quite well, at that). Within the last year I decided that I really wanted to learn how to film. I started with an FS100. Loved that camera, and it was great for a novice who wanted to learn that basics, but as I quickly found out that the FS100 wasn't suitable for a lot the bigger projects I was working on, I decided I needed something bigger and better. I was super interested in joining the 'RED Cult' for some time, and entertained the idea of buying a RED Raven, but both of my camera men (one of which owns a Dragon) discouraged me from going that route and instead suggested an F7 (similar price range).
During the time I was looking into the F7, I found out about Sony's F5 "Production Crew" bundle (user Eric@Provideo had made a post about it on this forum a while back.) Included in the bundle: the F5 camera body with internal 4K recording firmware, a7SII camera body, the LCD viewfinder for the F5, shoulder pad/VCT tripod mount, an SxS card reader, and a full copy of DaVinci Resolve 12. Yes it was like twice the price of the F7, but it came with all of those extra goodies for free.
I contacted Eric Petrie and he was immediately responsive. Eric was very knowledgable and helped me to understand both the insides and outs of the F5, the package, and financing for the bundle. The entire process took a few months, and that pace was set by me, as this was the biggest financially investment I've made in my business so far. Eric was present and responded thoroughly every time. He also provided me with a great deal for financing the package. My goodies came last week, and it felt like Christmas came early this year.
I've never been compelled to write a review on the internet, but I really thought that Eric went above and beyond the call of duty to help make this deal happen for me. I can't deny the ease of point-and-click purchasing on other retail sites, but the downside is that you don't get a personalized experience. For me personally, when spending $16,000, I want a real person to interact with and not an algorithm and/or a person who I never truly speak to.
The F5 package is a deal that probably won't come again soon. If you're looking to go big, and want to get a lot of bang for your buck, this is the package! And Eric is the person to help you out: Eric Petrie - epetrie@provideoandtape.com.
Hope this is helpful! Also, if anyone has any advice they'd like to leave for me about the F5, I'd welcome it!
-mike
(picture does not include the shoulder pad tripod mount, but I assure you it was in the package)
