FS7: FS7 in a ThinkTank International roller?

Bern Caughey

Bern Caughey

Veteran
Considering picking up an FS7 soon instead of waiting for the C300 II.

I travel a lot & wonder if the FS7 fits into ThinkTank's International rolling case? Done a fair amount of Googling, plus searching this forum, but haven't found a definitive answer.

Seriously considering the FE 28-135mm f/4 too, so would need room for it, my EF 16-35mm f/2.8 (or maybe add a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8) & accessories.

One of the strongest factors leaning me towards the FS7 is access to the FE 28-135 f4. Sounds great on paper, but have read mixed reviews, so additional insight is appreciated.

Lastly are there great test comparing the FS7's image to Amira's (or Alexa's)? We've done some brief test comparing Amira vs F55, & found the Sony lacking in dynamic range, but nothing extensive.

Thanks,
Bern
 
Really can't speak to the ThinkTank case. Never used it.

My suggestion regarding the 28-135 is try it. I like it for what it does. The zoom is certainly not what you might be accustomed to coming possibly from ENG world. Lens is sharp. Good contrast. You can declick the iris. I don't really consider autofocus useful on the camera. Manual focus has a bit of a focus by wire feel to it but nothing that I consider serious. Glad I bought the lens.

I would not compare FS7 to Amira or Alexa. But I would say that shooting in SLog3 and using the Sony LC709A LUT it would intercut nicely with Arri Log.

There definitely should be enough places in LA where you can go look at the set up-- BandPro, Abel, etc etc and get the feel of it. Assessments are always subjective and are more often than not based around whether the gear does what you want it to do. In my case, the 28-135 is satisfactory for HD and 4K.

I think you will like the camera. Packs a lot into a camera selling for $8K.

Ned Soltz
 
Thanks Ned!

Will definitely try it out at the shop, & possibly rent before purchasing, just my schedule is tight so I'm hoping to sort as much as possible ahead of time.
 
I have 2 Think Tanks - the Airport series - the larger and the medium sized one. The larger one is a little deeper than the roller bag. The FS7 does not fit in with the handle on if you have it with the FS7 base on the floor of the backpack as the camera is too tall. I have a NATO quick release handle though (much, much better than the stock handle), and it comes off and on in a few seconds so that's how I deal with it.

I know some people lay the FS7 flat with the handle into Airport and it fits, but then it takes out a lot more space which I'd rather use for lenses and other stuff.
 
In regards to the 24-135, I too was debating this lens or not. I decided against it. Instead I'm opting for a Tamron 24-70 F2.8 with VC or Sigma 24-105 F4 Art with OS. Both are better lenses optically, have 4 stops of image stabalization, don't have the semi servo zoom and focus feel and are both significantly cheaper but you will loose out on the following:

De-clicked aperture
Control via the rocker
Range on the long end
Parafocal
Native mount (you will need a speed booster IV or Ultra.)

With my style of shooting, and the jobs I do, these drawbacks werent enough to warrant the price and inferior optics. Plus I imagine the resale value isn't as good with the Sony as it is with the other photos lenses.
 
Avoid the sigma 24-105 . It is very un- parfocal . Minor zooming throws it out of focus . Just not good for video . Too bad .
 
Lenilenapi said:
Avoid the sigma 24-105 . It is very un- parfocal . Minor zooming throws it out of focus . Just not good for video . Too bad .
Click to expand...

I agree, however, unless a lens is precisely parfocal, I'm going to be refocusing anyway if I change my focal length. If Parfocal is important than the 24-135 is a nice cheap option. If it's not important then the 24-135 starts looking pretty expensive for what it is.
 
I disagree. i think for most purposes "parfocal enough" works OK for video - as well as trying to adjust focus manually while you're wide anyway. The Sigma changes so radically that it will be very burdensome - but try it out for yourself.
 
Greatly appreciate everyone's input!

Been reading up before asking too many questions. Sony doesn't make it easy. Haven't found a source for the FS7 manual except the one that's a mishmash of various languages which makes for a difficult read, at least in PDF format. Is there a great place to read up what's working, & what's not, with the current firmware, both Sony's & Metabones' (Ultra & non-SpeedBooster)?

Unless I'm missing something there doesn't seem a financial incentive to buying the 28-135mm bundled with the camera. I'm very interested in the lens...5:1 zoom, parfocal, stabalized...but own a good number of "L" primes, & zooms, that I'd like to use too, especially the 16-35/2.8 mk2 which is supposed to be parfocal also.

Hoping to peak at the kit at Able Cine, oddly in NYC instead of my home base of LA (due to schedule).

Best,
Bern
 
This is the link to the version 2.0 manual

http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/HXR/0sMtGAHDwD/PXW-FS7_V200_manual_eng.pdf

If you look on Metabones' site, it gives a chart for each adapter listing what works and what doesn't.

Abel will be able to give you a thorough run-through of camera. I like the 28-135 and have no second thoughts about having purchased it.

If you happen to be in NYC on Monday 5/11 (and same goes for anyone else), Abel Cine and the user group I lead, Mopictive NYC, will have a post- NAB wrap up with at the very least Sony, Panasonic, JVC and other vendors. 6:30-9:30 at Abel Cine NYC.

Ned Soltz
 
Bern Caughey said:
Greatly appreciate everyone's input!

Been reading up before asking too many questions. Sony doesn't make it easy. Haven't found a source for the FS7 manual except the one that's a mishmash of various languages which makes for a difficult read, at least in PDF format. Is there a great place to read up what's working, & what's not, with the current firmware, both Sony's & Metabones' (Ultra & non-SpeedBooster)?

Unless I'm missing something there doesn't seem a financial incentive to buying the 28-135mm bundled with the camera. I'm very interested in the lens...5:1 zoom, parfocal, stabalized...but own a good number of "L" primes, & zooms, that I'd like to use too, especially the 16-35/2.8 mk2 which is supposed to be parfocal also.

Hoping to peak at the kit at Able Cine, oddly in NYC instead of my home base of LA (due to schedule).

Best,
Bern
Click to expand...

bern-

i'm a fan of the local nyc abel shop.

in my experience, they are good folks.

enjoy the city while in town.

be well.

rob
 
Bern, I use think tanks and you should be fine fitting into the Airport international. I would suggest the Airport security though. But be advised that the Security won't fit in every overhead compartment on a plane where as the International will. I flew home from Hawaii with the Security and the overhead on that flight was too small. They wanted to check the back in. I said HELL NO. Luckily a flight attendant packed it away in her compartment.

You would probably have to break the camera down a bit to give enough room in the International.
 
Recently traveled with a Think Tank Airport Security V 1.0. It was okay on one large plane (fit vertically) but not on another. Luckily the flight attendant let me stow it horizontally. No go on regional jets. Ended up gate checking the bag. Not my favorite thing to do. But the gear came out fine at the other end. Looks like I'll need to look into the "International" version. Think Tank gear is built well like a "tank". Highly recommend.
 
I know this is a very old thread but I think I could share some of my experience with regards to packing FS7 in Think Tank rollers.


I have my FS7 rigged with a Berkey nato top handle which can be removed but I like my FS7 to be as assembled as possible so I don't break it down into pieces. I pack my FS7 with the handle grip, LCD loupe, Canon 24-105 and one more lens, two Sennheiser G3 lavs, EV50B, AT875R, Sennheiser HD25, five BP-U60's, two NP-F large batteries, SmallHD702 and a bunch of cables and things like that.

The roller I like the best is their Video Transport 20. It's very robust and padded and I can fit all parts of my FS7 kit. Externally it's like their Airport Security roller. But this roller is to large to go on smaller regional flights. I also have the Video Transport 18, which externally is just as large as the International V2.0/3.0 and fits just about any flight. But due to the over protective padding the internal dimensions doesn't allow for my FS7 to fit. It's short of 2 centimetres width.

When I tried to fit all parts of my FS7 kit inside the Think Tank TakeOff everything fitted to my surprise! Tight but nice. It fits much better than inside the Video Transport 18 which is a shame since the Video Transport 18 is a video roller and the TakeOff is aimed towards photographers kit. I don't think the TakeOff is the best one for the FS7 but it does have some advantages like the incorporated back straps and it's about as large as the International V2.0/3.0. Speaking of the International V3.0 (current version) I think it would be the best roller for the FS7 as it's a bit larger inside than the TakeOff. This one could allow for even more things stuffed inside. It's just I'm no big fan of the bottom directed lid opening.

So my conclusion in the end is this. If I don't need to fly the Video Transport 20 is the best one. Everything is protected and there's room inside for many things. If I do need to fly with my F7 kit I'd go for either the TakeOff or International V3.0. So I'm leaning towards keeping the Video Transport 20 and get a backup roller either TakeOff/International. I wouldn't want to have a to large roller that has to checked in worst case scenario so that's the limiting factor.
 
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I travel for four years now with an Airport Accelerator and I am pretty happy with it. I use it for various equipment. I started with the FS700 now FS7 but also 2 Canon 5D and sometimes a Pentax 645z. It is pretty solid and flexible. Either you remove the handle or you lay it on the side. I choose the Airport Accelerator and not the trolley because it saves over 2kgs. I had to weigh my cabin luggage quite often in the last year..
 
I have an old Lowepro backpack which can hold most of my FS7 stuff if I would need to shave off weight but the flights I travel with never weights any carry on luggage as long as it fits. One time the security staff question if a International V2.0 really was carry on but I told them it will fit and they let it pass. But then again I fly almost only in Sweden, Norway and Finland.

I wish Think Tank could make a V2.0 of the Video transport 18 with less padding and an ever so slightly larger roller. That would be the perfect one.
 
The 28-135mm Sony lens is definitely worth to have with the FS7, IMHO. I bought them as a kit, and never regretted - while with my 2 Canon Ls & Speed Booster, well - they never work 100% as expected. Not only there is no single mode of the SB (Green or Advanced) which would give me the minimum I need (Push AF, Push AI in addition to what seems to work OK in both: IS) - the picture is softish in the corners, and F2.8 aperture I was counting on with my F4.0 Canons isn't as fast as it should be, especially at tele (more like F3.5, I'd say). Whereas the 28-135mm Sony does it all (even AF isn't that bad as people are saying, should you need it from time to time as all of us do and only few admit :)). Not to mention I've found another great use for this lens: my A7Rii, on which it can work in either of the FF or S35mm modes.

Piotr
 
I tried the video transport 18 but that was to small for me. Could not really fit anything but a completely rigged down fs7. So I went with the Take-off. Less protection but just enough size for a smaller kit of FS7, 2-3 lenses.
 
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