FS7: General Compact B-Cam Advice...

jasonbrooks

jasonbrooks

Well-known member
Hey folks,

I've recently (gladly) sold my 5dmk3, which had previously served as my (generally deficient, except in Magic Lantern raw mode) B-Cam for occasional times that I needed two cameras. This meant that whenever I needed to use a gimbal, I would rent one of a selection of compact cameras to use with it. Normally I'd use a Sony A7rii, but also tried the GH5 a couple of times too. As well as a pair of Fujinon MK E-mount zooms for the FS-7 I still have a decent selection of Canon L series glass.

Anyway, I'm now in the market for a compact camera to use on gimbals and occasional multi-cam shoots, and am wondering if any of you fine folks have any particularly strong for/against recommendations for the current field. For the currently available cameras it seems to be a toss up between:

Sony A7iii - Nice to be able to use the Fujinon's with it, decent functionality, but lacklustre codec and bit-depth.
Fujinon X-T3 - Annoying to have to buy into a new lens ecosystem, decent functionality, strong codec, 10-bit.
Panasonic GH5 - Can use my Canon glass with speedbooster, decent functionality, decent codec and bitrate.

Anyway, I'm aware that the actual specs of a camera are often secondary to useability-related factors that can only really be discovered by owning and using a camera, so if anyone has any input on the above (or other options I've missed), then please do let me know!

Cheers. Oh, and happy NY!

jason
 
had a GH5s on rental.. it seemed very good in terms of file - same or better than FS7.

Bodywise.. its a mirrorless !

10bit is 10bit so anything else is basically out unless you want a recorder.

(oddball consideration Zcam E2)
 
What Sam said.

I'm loving our new GH5S - even when I cock up the white balance (thanks for your DaVinci ninja chops, Sam.)

I think it might actually produce nicer results than the FS7 - but I am still getting to know it. And with the audio module on top, it'll do pristine sound too.

It can be a fiddly form factor - especially the display button that sits right where you put your thumb. But for a B cam, it's fab. I just wonder if it might start coming out on more jobs as my A cam.

Ben.
 
I certainly don't love it...but have to say my a6300 on a gimbal is a lightweight delight. (maybe the new 64 or 6500 might be suggestions too)
Yeah, it's 8 bit. And yeah, form factor rather stinks. But it can easily play B cam to FS7 and has same mount & s35 format - so all your existing adapters / lenses for Fs7 will instantly work with it. Price is big + too.
I thought I would upgrade to a7III... but just can't justify the purchase since the 6300 works well for me... (I often use my Pix e5 recorder with it for both slightly larger screen & to record ProRes files)
 
A6400 just launched today:

https://www.wexphotovideo.com/blog/...source=dotmailer&dm_i=4UQ5,3N0A,1XWQ3I,BVOO,1

Mentions SLog3 - does that mean they're squeezing in a 10 bit codec?

Also overdue for an A7S3 - that will have to be 10 bit+ to compete with the GH5S. I gave up waiting for it, due to our latest doc project, and went for the GH5S - but would be very keen to have a Sony E Mount 10 bit mirrorless, as that's where our principle lens investment is

Ben.
 
In my world A7iii is the camera of choice that producers expect so I just got mine and a few Sony auto lenses to go with it. One of my clients was very against it because of the 8 bit but suddenly they are shooting tons of stuff on it. I can see good arguments for the GH5 and it is sweeter to use re menu settings etc, but I can't fight city hall.
I must admit I'm liking it especially on a gimbal.
 
Also have the A7III.. I guess it depends if you are only shooting log and doing heavy grading then 10 bit is an advantage .. but it wasn't too long ago that high end drama was being shot on 8bit.. and there was no gnashing of teeth.. there is a touch of the BS marketing with the whole 8 bit 10 bit thing..
For video A7III records off the full FF 6K sensor and down samples in HD and 4K.. you can crop down to APS-C.. you can shoot high speed 4K without cropping.. to me I,d rather have a FF sensor on the Sony than the tiny one on the GH5.. and the A7III AF for gimbal ,unmanned B cam is very good
Mark I also had the 6300.. the A7III is way better .. well worth the move.. the very least the battery is huge.. same size as the A9.. runs for ages.. rec button at last moved to the right place..
 
For a B camera i switch off between my A6500 and 5div depending on the shoot. The A6500 has clearscan where you can crop in 2x and still shoot 4k. The sensor size and color is very similair to the fs7. For gimbal work, especially picking up broll, however, nothing beats Canons dual pixel autofocus with tap to focus. Granted you will only have 1080p since the 4k is rarely worth the file size and crop factor (similair to the fov of using the s35 a6500 with additional ~1.5x clear scan) and you have to know how to match the color (Whixh i dont find that difficult) but with clog the 5Div creates a beautiful image in my opinion if you understand how to expose properly.
 
Donny 123 said:
Mark I also had the 6300.. the A7III is way better .. well worth the move.. the very least the battery is huge.. same size as the A9.. runs for ages.. rec button at last moved to the right place..
Click to expand...

Even though I haven't tried the A7III, I'm sure you are right. I just don't need better at the moment. Or maybe better said, it's not an investment on which I would likely see a return. When I do make a move in the mirrorless world...it will likely be with something 10bit. Now that Fuji has upped their game with the XT3... I'm pretty sure Sony, et al will respond.
 
markfpv said:
Even though I haven't tried the A7III, I'm sure you are right. I just don't need better at the moment. Or maybe better said, it's not an investment on which I would likely see a return. When I do make a move in the mirrorless world...it will likely be with something 10bit. Now that Fuji has upped their game with the XT3... I'm pretty sure Sony, et al will respond.
Click to expand...

Sure if it doesn't make any sense for you.. I actually do charge more for the A7iii /tripod etc as a B camera.. as someone else mentioned for my work everyone else seemed to have FF A series camera s as B cam.. BS as it is.. it looks better to clients/directors and I charge more for it.. and then its also just a much nicer bit of gear.. and I find the FF , makes Shallow DoF so much easier on the often not the best,. B camera angle background..
 
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