Just thought I would post some of my thoughts from recently transitioning from a Canon DSLR filming setup to the Sony FS100. A little background: I have been in production for more that 20 years. Although I have worked with a little of everything, my main goal was to get the best images, in a small footprint, for a reasonable price. I am not saying cheap or handheld, but most things I shoot/produce are international low budget films with small crew and in some difficult places - i.e. the middle east. in 2008, I was one of the first to purchase the Canon 5D mkII, believing that it was the answer to many of my needs - even while it still only shot 30p. Previously I had used DVX100 (the reason I am still around here), HVX100's, Sony EX1's. So in 2008 I was the guy convincing my peeps that this little DSLR (when rightly equipped and coupled with Dual System sound) would revolutionize film production. It took some time to convince some partners to trust me, and of course they were blown away. So for four years, we have happily produced many great dramas and TV programs for the international market.
So this year, I felt that same inner urge to sell all of my Canon gear and transition to the Sony FS100, Sony A-mount Zeiss lenses (2470, 1635, 135). For six months I had dismissed Sony and this new camera. And in February I took another look. I felt the inner urge to sell it all and start almost over. I was at a little lull in projects and had some time to play around. I knew it could make my life a lot easier in regards to recording audio directly to the FS100 as opposed to a Sound Devices recorder and synching in Post. The codec was better, the Moire and rolling shutter was better, and the package was intriguing. Although not perfect, something told me that this really may spark a new paradigm. I had resisted the AF100 as tempting as it was.
So now, FS100, three Zeiss lenses later, I wanted to share experiences. Overall I am very pleased. Using a lot of my Zacuto gear from the DSLR, I have contracted a better balanced shoulder setup which I am more comfortable with than the DSLR setup. Although a bit larger, I feel I have a better balanced setup which is easy to pair down for run and gun small setups. The Audio in now onboard when I need it, and the quality is great. No, not as nice as Sound Devices audio, but pretty close. The sound is clean, just not as "there" as SD gear. I have a Lectrosonics Dual SM/HM setup with Boom mic and Sanken Lapel mounted to the back. (I will try to add pictures soon) A Zacuto shoulder mount, a Zacuto DSLR baseplate turned backwards, which places the FS100 over my shoulder. The Zeiss lenses are heavy, but it is still pretty well balanced. The Zeiss lenses are amazing image quality and build, but a little quirky. The 1635 and 2470 are almost identical sizing which makes it easy to swap. They look great and create a great setup. The 135 1.8 has amazing image, but noisy and a little play, but very usable. Follow focusing will be tricky, but I think doable. I have a Zacuto viewfinder mounted on a NOGA arm for shoulder setup. I am not totally happy with the old NOGA arm, and I am still looking for a suitable mounting system for the viewfinder.
I also bought a Sony NEX-7 for B shots and photos. The little guy is awesome. I think it adds much to the setup with almost no additional weight. The photos are almost as good as the Canon 7D I used before in a much smaller package.
Then to top it all off, Sony comes out with the FS700. This was the confirmation that Sony was committed to this market. I do not regret the decision at all, because the FS100 will continue a very useful camera, but we will most likely add the FS700 at some time before a major project. They should complement each other nicely. The shoulder setup I have now should work interchangeable with the FS700.
All this combined with my LED light setup, MicroDolly Hollywood Dolly and Jib and I have a production system I can go anywhere in the world in one carry-on and 2 footlockers. I can do much shooting just me, and when I have a crew, things just move faster and better. Everyone is happier with less to carry around.
So in the end, I love the system. There are times I miss my Canon 5D, but not often and not much. It is still quirky and like with the 5D when I first bought it, I am still waiting for a firmware update to fix some issues. (At least this time I know it is coming out, and not going on faith that needed features would be added.) Although I hardly ever autofocus, I have the capability and it has came in handy a few times. The 18-200 kit lens is actually a great run and gun lens! I would love to eventually have a e-mount Zeiss CP2 prime lens setup, but the Zeiss zoom lenses are pretty useful. And when we add the FS700, it will be amazing with ND and slow motion and later 4K! Definitely a NEXt step from DSLR's.
Adam
So this year, I felt that same inner urge to sell all of my Canon gear and transition to the Sony FS100, Sony A-mount Zeiss lenses (2470, 1635, 135). For six months I had dismissed Sony and this new camera. And in February I took another look. I felt the inner urge to sell it all and start almost over. I was at a little lull in projects and had some time to play around. I knew it could make my life a lot easier in regards to recording audio directly to the FS100 as opposed to a Sound Devices recorder and synching in Post. The codec was better, the Moire and rolling shutter was better, and the package was intriguing. Although not perfect, something told me that this really may spark a new paradigm. I had resisted the AF100 as tempting as it was.
So now, FS100, three Zeiss lenses later, I wanted to share experiences. Overall I am very pleased. Using a lot of my Zacuto gear from the DSLR, I have contracted a better balanced shoulder setup which I am more comfortable with than the DSLR setup. Although a bit larger, I feel I have a better balanced setup which is easy to pair down for run and gun small setups. The Audio in now onboard when I need it, and the quality is great. No, not as nice as Sound Devices audio, but pretty close. The sound is clean, just not as "there" as SD gear. I have a Lectrosonics Dual SM/HM setup with Boom mic and Sanken Lapel mounted to the back. (I will try to add pictures soon) A Zacuto shoulder mount, a Zacuto DSLR baseplate turned backwards, which places the FS100 over my shoulder. The Zeiss lenses are heavy, but it is still pretty well balanced. The Zeiss lenses are amazing image quality and build, but a little quirky. The 1635 and 2470 are almost identical sizing which makes it easy to swap. They look great and create a great setup. The 135 1.8 has amazing image, but noisy and a little play, but very usable. Follow focusing will be tricky, but I think doable. I have a Zacuto viewfinder mounted on a NOGA arm for shoulder setup. I am not totally happy with the old NOGA arm, and I am still looking for a suitable mounting system for the viewfinder.
I also bought a Sony NEX-7 for B shots and photos. The little guy is awesome. I think it adds much to the setup with almost no additional weight. The photos are almost as good as the Canon 7D I used before in a much smaller package.
Then to top it all off, Sony comes out with the FS700. This was the confirmation that Sony was committed to this market. I do not regret the decision at all, because the FS100 will continue a very useful camera, but we will most likely add the FS700 at some time before a major project. They should complement each other nicely. The shoulder setup I have now should work interchangeable with the FS700.
All this combined with my LED light setup, MicroDolly Hollywood Dolly and Jib and I have a production system I can go anywhere in the world in one carry-on and 2 footlockers. I can do much shooting just me, and when I have a crew, things just move faster and better. Everyone is happier with less to carry around.
So in the end, I love the system. There are times I miss my Canon 5D, but not often and not much. It is still quirky and like with the 5D when I first bought it, I am still waiting for a firmware update to fix some issues. (At least this time I know it is coming out, and not going on faith that needed features would be added.) Although I hardly ever autofocus, I have the capability and it has came in handy a few times. The 18-200 kit lens is actually a great run and gun lens! I would love to eventually have a e-mount Zeiss CP2 prime lens setup, but the Zeiss zoom lenses are pretty useful. And when we add the FS700, it will be amazing with ND and slow motion and later 4K! Definitely a NEXt step from DSLR's.
Adam