Goofed up and need EVF to access menu

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EricLBrown

Member
Hello everyone.

First off I wanted to say this site has been a great learning experience so hopefully, one day, I can contribute in that manner...after the newbie-ness wears off, of course:2vrolijk_08:

Funny enough I need help with something that another member did as well. I need an EVF to access the main menu on my lovely F35.
Being new to the camera, I was going through the main menu and was cycling through settings and set the SDI out of the main
body to output a clean signal.

Now, in doing this, my newb' self did not realize that both SDI outs are affected and effectively shut off my access from the main menu without
the use of an EVF.

The IF box was already set up to output a clean signal as well.

I would like to get in to the menu to change a few things around (and back) and needed to know if there are any Los Angeles owners who wouldn't mind allowing me accces to their EVF to make some quick changes?

I checked with Abelcine in my area and they no longer carry the EVF to access it and am waiting for word back from BandPro. In the meantime I thought I'd hit up the community as it would be a good idea to become more familiar with some of the members here as well!

Thanks in advance and hopefully someone here in the area can help out! :)
 
In the other thread, somebody mentioned connecting the camera to a computer via ethernet to access the viewfinder menus. Have you tried that?
 
Hey Sttratos, I looked into it and unfortunately it's a bit more complicated than just plugging it into a computer. I wish it were that simple:tongue: According to my manual there is a bit more to the process and it's saying that I require an additional piece of Sony hardware if I'm reading it correctly. With an EVF I can be in and out in matter of minutes. Thanks for the reply, though!
 
EricLBrown said:
Hey Sttratos, I looked into it and unfortunately it's a bit more complicated than just plugging it into a computer. I wish it were that simple:tongue: According to my manual there is a bit more to the process and it's saying that I require an additional piece of Sony hardware if I'm reading it correctly. With an EVF I can be in and out in matter of minutes. Thanks for the reply, though!
Click to expand...
NO you do not need special Sony hardware, it is as easy as plugging into a laptop and opening ip address! You just need a crossover ethernet cable instead of normal ethernet, you can get this at any best buy.

The misinformation on this forum can be a little infuriating because all of this has been answered. I understand, I have a hard time using the dvx search engine also.

1. Read the whole manual. Maybe next time you are bored at the DMV or waiting for a plane, it actually is good to go through it once.
2. Read the pdf update that came with the firmware update, lots changed and good to know all these changes
3. Go through the IP setup section it should clarify things for you.

OK now the viewfinder. The SONY HDVF viewfinders were not just made for the F35, this is why a C30WR will still sell for 4k on eBay. The trick is not to ask for a F35/F23 viewfinder, this sounds like a specialized viewfinder. The Sony 1500's and 2500 line of fibre optic camera are the staple of any live production truck/house they are the most popular ENG camera out there today, they all use the HDVF line of viewfinders so as soon as you go outside the cinema world of Abelcine like a VER, you will find there are many HDVF viewfinders to try. There is even a little 8-inch monitor with the same plug.

And one more thought-
The F35 always saves your menu so i'm assuming the last menu you went to was to make the SDI output clean.
If you were to press the buttons to open the menu, even though you can't see it, you are in the last menu you loaded.
Click the clicker once and then spin it, with some luck you can blindly turn the overlay back on because the menu should still be the first to open.

I record my F35 signal clean from the SDI, there is no need to turn overlay off in the deep menu. The display button on the side of the camera toggles it on and off, it is quick easy system.
 
Great advice, In short get a viewfinder. The camera was designed to be used with one. I know it's an extra expense but it is worth it and every f35 owner should have one.
 
Hey, yachacha. Thanks so much for all the info! I did go through the manual (at least in regards to those areas that are getting my feet wet to begin exploring the camera) but the section I read regarding the internet connection mentioned Sony hardware and a specfic cable?

I was clearly reading the wrong section or interpreting it wrong. Either way, thanks for setting me straight on that:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

As for the going back in and trying the menu wheel and re-establishing the overlay, it worked!!! Thanks so much! I appreciate all of your help!
 
dhessel, I actually went and got a viewfinder, the C30WR as yachacha mentioned but am reconsidering know that he said other viewfinders can work as well. Still, I'm in the process of making sure it works correctly as I'm getting a small exclamation point icon on the bottom of the display. I'm guessing this is attributable to the lens metadata? not being readable by the camera due to pin damage on the camera's mount? Not sure...still exploring. Thanks!
 
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EricLBrown said:
dhessel, I actually went and got a viewfinder, the C30WR as yachacha mentioned but am reconsidering know that he said other viewfinders can work as well. Still, I'm in the process of making sure it works correctly as I'm getting a small exclamation point icon on the bottom of the display. I'm guessing this is attributable to the lens metadata? not being readable by the camera due to pin damage on the camera's mount? Not sure...still exploring. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Go through the menu and see what items are turned on in regards to the '!'. It will probably be in the VF menu or something similar. It may not be a "problem" at all. In the good 'ole days with Betacams, etc., a lot of guys would set the '!' to illuminate if they engaged the extender on the lens, activated the gain, or flipped over to a certain internal filter, etc. It would immediately let us know if the camera was in other than a "normal" state.

I'm also a big proponent of using/having a cameras native VF.
 
Glad that worked. I actually locked myself out of a red camera once that only had the LCD touchscreen no side handle or remote. Some weird three finger combination unlocked it and i was very grateful someone else has posted the fix online.

If you have cross over cable it should be the only hardware you need beyond pc with ethernet port. My suggestion is to find your friend who knows the most about computer networking, this will be very simple to them. I am no expert. I have not gotten it to work using mac OS X but I am sure some IT wizard could, I bootcamp windows or use a PC laptop and it is easy. I had to learn Phantom high speed camera and it is very similar process. You then can access the menu's from an internet browser.

So I wouldn't say the Sony built EVF is necessary. The Zacuto Gratical and Eye would be top of my list if i were to buy one today. I have the 502, it is nice and sharp but it is also a little big and clunky. I hunt for Sony EVF but even 1000 for the b+w version is too much for my taste, when the gratical is able to go with you on any camera.

More important is to have IF box feed your recorder and camera ports feed your viewfinder. This is my preferred way to use the camera: The 7Q gets clean feed always, the EVF is setup as viewfinder and can toggle on and off the menus. It's also great for SLOG workflows. You can send SLOG to IF box, and in-camera add MLUT to the Monitor Out Feed. best of both worlds because the MLUT feed is being generated in the Sony F35 and you can be confident in exposure.

By using the monitor out port as the recorder port also, you risk buring in the menu, or forgetting to turn off MLUT. Now you say: "well I'm just not going to do that." But it's kind of like pilots who have flown for 20 years and then forget to put the landing gear down. It just happens when you are rushed or your checklist routine is disrupted.

I decided to ditch my IF box the minute i got my F35 and hyper deck. Nearly every person who borrowed that system from me ended up burning in the menus at one point or another, usually only took once to learn the lesson. Now I run the F35 without IF box and it's built into me like black balancing when i start the camera. I made my big mistake with burn-in on a HDX-900 8 years ago and so I'm super conscious of it.
 
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yachacha, more great advice. Especially good tidbit about the issues you were experiencing tethering to a MAC as that is what I'm using. Unfortunately, no IT friends, but I at least know my way around a MAC a lot better than the F35 at this point!

I went ahead and bought a CW30R but hear what you're saying about other EVF options. So far I do like the Sony EVF but having not experienced the others I might borrow/rent something and run it through its paces for comparison sakes? I also just picked up a Q7+ and am attempting to run 23.98 444 out of the IF box.

I'm currently getting a greenish cast screen on the Odyssey when I do that (not with 23.98 442, though) so I'm going to check and see if the Q7+ needs a firmware upgrade to accept a 444 signal. I'm sure Convergent Designs website has updates so no hassle there. I also think there's a thread I saw here on that so will run through that again as well. I'm finding through this site and users like you that most walls I run into are newbie owner error! Let's hope it stays that way for now.:grin: I really do like my F3 but I'm really looking forward to seeing what the F35 can do!
 
Oh well! another one bites the dust!

Dear Valued Dealers and Customer,

After careful consideration, Convergent Design has decided to discontinue the manufacture of its Odyssey 7Q+ and Apollo video recorders (Part numbers include: (CD-Odyssey7Q+, 100-10003-100 and CD-Apollo, 100-100025-100). The standard warranty terms will be honored for all units shipped to date and any units still in the dealer channels waiting to be sold.

All popular software options and software rentals will continue to be sold. Such options as Odyssey Raw Bundle, and the Apollo Option.

SSD sales of 512GB Samsung 860 Pro and 1TB Samsung Pro will continue to be sold.

The discontinuance of the product line is in keeping with our practice of rationalizing low demand products and replacing them with new products with improved design and functionality.

We appreciate and value your partnership. While we regret any inconvenience, this announcement may cause we believe it is in the best interest for everyone.

Please contact your Convergent Design sales representative for a complete list of supported and discontinued accessories or for any other questions.

Sincerely,

Convergent Design

Sales Department
 
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