FS700 in 2019?

boosh

boosh

Well-known member
I have one week of shoots left this year and then my next projects will be in 2019! 2018 has been an incredible year for work for me and my FS700 and Odyssey7Q combination has produced some beautiful imagery for the sixth year running and has worked in all situations - talking heads, charity films, events, documentaries, fashion commercials and promo films.

So who will be filming on their FS700 and Odyssey7Q in 2019 and who will be changing camera setup?

Earlier in the year I put a deposit on a Mavo LF but after seeing some of the problems people had with their Kinefinity cameras, I decided it was too much of a risk to take on set and I cancelled my order. I'm still in the market for a new camera in 2019 but honestly there's not much out there that makes me want to jump ship right now. The new Red dragon S35 looks great but i'd rather something less weighty and with built in ND's. 100fps full sensor 4k in important for my fashion work and not many cameras offer this which is making the decision of a new camera so difficult. It's amazing that the FS700 and Odyssey7Q has been able to do this for so long.

It would be great to hear form other FS700/Odyssey7Q users who are still going strong with their setup
 
I still rock my FS700 with Odyssey 7Q+.

I was originally gonna sell it earlier this year, but then so much work came in.

My issues with it is that it gets too big and fiddly with the Odyssey and I want better auto focus.
But actually just got a new camera bag that allows me to keep the O7Q on the FS700. That really made a big difference!

Would love to get an FS5 type body (and no giant recorder on top) to make it easier go between hand held and tripod.

Most likely I will try to sell it in the beginning of next year.
But still really love the image the FS700 + O7Q gets me.

And that’s my issue. There’s nothing in my kinda price range that will significantly improve both image quality and ergonomics along with all-round functions. Just too many compromises. So I wait patiently for next generation of FS cameras...
 
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Similar here. Still have it with Inferno. Fun fact is that people on shoots are usually wowed by how camera looks. I always feel more pro:)). Anywqy I just bought Pocket 4K and after some testing, this could replace fs700. Still trying to build rig, so not ready for paid jobs.
 
Why would you want to change your kit (and spend money) if you are happy?

I only change kit when there is a 'burning need'

My current 'need' for example is to get rid of my BMC micro and replace it with something 4k.. a need completely driven by clients demands.

Keep it until you have a burning need to get rid of it.

Remember every month brings used kit to market, new models, more stable firmwares and price drops.. so every month you dont change you align yourself to changing to something better than what you could change today

Keep.
 
I'll keep using mine until something significantly better comes along.

For me that means:

Internal 10-bit 422 (ideally prores/DNxHR)
4K 100fps
Pro camera features - ND's, XLR, SDI, multiple mount points, etc
Easy to rig for shoulder work
Doesn't cost more than a car
And preferably uses V-lock batteries

The Kinefinity Terra is closest to the camera I'd like, but as you mention, there's still a lot of question marks around using it, and without being able to easily test one out it's not something I'm likely to take the plunge on yet. I love the images from Red but hate using the cameras. Sony F5/55 are hard to find second hand and barely cheaper than new because they're such popular workhorses.

So it looks like the FS700 still has some mileage in it yet!
 
Doesn't seem like any reason to replace it at this point.

The Pocket 4k is a really nice camera, but I'd wager the FS700 will beat it in dynamic range and of course you wouldn't have 4k 100fps and no ND's either.
 
morgan_moore said:
Visuals in the uk had some f5/55 used stock last week
Click to expand...

And R5 RAW recorders are pretty damn cheap on eBay. I've seen some below $1500 US. The media is insane, though. Even for Sony. But if the OP wants 4K, full sensor 100fps, he'd have to step up to the R7 recorder. F55 only goes up to 4K/60fps internally(XAVC)(but up to 180 @ 2K/HD) and the R5 only does 4K RAW up to 60(240 @ 2K). The R7 would get him up to 120 4K RAW and X-OCN.

Ergonomically, it'd be a dream compared to what he has, now(and probably a nice step-up in image quality, too). But if someone needs over 60fps 4K frame rates, the cost for media would eat them alive. The cards are almost in the rental-only realm(to have multiples on-hand), unless that's how you're making your bread and butter and charge accordingly. A 1TB card nets you ~22mins 4K RAW @120fps(up to 32mins X-OCN ST / 54 mins X-OCN LT)and costs $4500*.


*I think shooting X-OCN LT you can use the slightly less expensive "S24" series cards. It's only $3600/1TB... ; )
 
I'm definitely using my FS700 and O7Q+ in 2019. Still amazed by the image. My A6300 is a great B-cam and gimbal cam.

At this point if I were to upgrade it would probably be if I had enough money for an Arri Mini, which isn't going to happen anytime soon, haha.
 
Count me still on board. I'm still using a pair of fs700r with external recorder (as needed).
I use other cams for events and things but the fs700 is my main corporate cam pair and plan on using them for several more years. Can't justify spending more on other cams. I like the images, even internal HD.
I'd love them to be able to record internal 4k that cs6 can cut natively but oh well.
 
Great to hear so many other people are still using their FS700/Odyssey7Q setups and plan to for years to come. It is certainly unique bit of kit that ticks so many boxes. My main reason to upgrade is because I would like a lighter body to run on a gimbal. The FS5 would achieve this but even though its native iso of 2000 is the same as the FS700, it's just a noisier image than the FS700 produces. I hope Sony come out with a new FS camera in 2019 but the FS700 and Odysey7Q will suffice if not....
 
I'll still keep using it, since selling at this point wouldn't significantly produce enough money towards a replacement. It serves me well as my indie, no-budget option... or as part of my low priced kit rental.

For a lighter set up, I have the odyssey and battery off of the camera... either on a belt or on a shoulder strap. I use a lightweight handle and just operate from the on-board screen. This means just holding the camera without additional weight, which is very light! Also, I pair it with Nikon AIS primes or other lightweight glass. I was B-Cam Op on a job where A-Cam was a Red Scarlet W with Sigma primes, a handle, a 5" monitor and a 90whr brick and by comparison to my naked FS700 kit (odyssey and power on belt, it was heavy as heck! Not to mention the FS700 still had internal NDs and solid audio inputs.

The downside is that you're tethered. I've learned to be ok with this, never had an accident, but still not as convenient as not being tethered. With that said, I prefer being tethered than carrying the weight of the recorder and battery on my hand. This, of course, is handheld, not shoulder mounted. For shoulder mount I prefer a heavier kit.
 
I really like the FS700. I like the built-in ND and buttons all over the place. I like super 35 and e-mount. I like the slow motion capabilities. And with an external recorder the 4:2:2 has plenty of room to push in post when needed. I'm still thrilled to own it. I remember back when they were around $8000 and I thought there was no way I'd ever own a camera like that. :)
 
I still use my 700/7q combo as well even though I also have an Fs7. I've said it before and i'll say it again, I actually prefer the image out of the combo then the Fs7...when I shoot interviews the 700/7q is my A cam and the Fs7 is the B cam...go figure. I've had a few issue with the 700 the past year, probably because I've kicked the shite out of it these last 6 years but its the 7q that I worry about. It gets fiddly from time to time...especially play back and things seem awfully quiet in Convergent camp, I can't remember the last feature update. Anyway, I do mostly doc work so my 700 and 7q look like they have seen better days so resale probably isn't an option...which is fine. So as long as I can keep them running, I still see the 700/7q having a place in my productions...i'll ride that wave as long as it lasts!
 
I also was going to get the MAVO to replace my 700/7Q+ combo but cancelled not only because other people reported problems but also because I ordered in May and the camera still had not arrived in October. So, with refund money in hand, I bought a Sony F65 for around $7000. Many people think it’s getting too old like the FS700 but there’s something about its (kinda) 8k sensor and mechanical/electronic shutter combo and built in NDs that really appeals to me.

Oh and its 16bit raw files and ability to shoot anywhere between 1fps and 120fps at 4k is cool too!
 
What is advantage for FS700 today over the new Fuji or a Sony A series camera? I think only ND, XLR, buttons and slow Motion? Because it seems the new cameras do everything else, are cheaper and lighter smaller. Maybe even better image quality than FS700?
 
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thirdyearff said:
II've had a few issue with the 700 the past year, probably because I've kicked the shite out of it these last 6 years but its the 7q that I worry about. It gets fiddly from time to time...especially play back and things seem awfully quiet in Convergent camp, I can't remember the last feature update.
Click to expand...
I read the inferno is a better option these days? At least it still being updated.
 
SJX said:
What is advantage for FS700 today over the new Fuji or a Sony A series camera? I think only ND, XLR, buttons and slow Motion? Because it seems the new cameras do everything else, are cheaper and lighter smaller. Maybe even better image quality than FS700?
Click to expand...
I’ve been working quite a lot over the years with my FS700/7Q and A7S, and more recently also in combination with A7RIII, A7III. I have to say that the image of the FS700 (raw output to ProRes in the Odyssey7Q) smokes the A7 cameras. There just something much more organic about it.
Also the A7S (have never used the newer ones personally, as operator), while it can look absolutely amazing, is more prone to look bad. While the FS700 seems more solid... so seems to be a smaller margin of error on the A7S...

I really long for the improved AF of the newer A7 cameras though...

My (half realistic) dream camera would be an FS5 with a newer sensor (maybe even FF), IBIS and the AF of the new A7 cameras. And raw out to a Ninja V-sized recorder. Until the next generation of FS cameras come along I’m holding on to my FS700/7Q!
 
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