Inexpensive B-Cam for FS700? GH3 or NEX?

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
Hey Guys,

Since I've been reading the posts on the fragile internal variable ND and the Metabones going bad, I've become a bit paranoid.

Up until this year, I just did countless free and ultra low budget jobs; but now I'm actually DPing bigger jobs for the networks with full crews and what not. Even though I only get the "Lower" budget network jobs at this point, still... there's a lot riding on shoot day.

On my freebie / ULB jobs I'm not as worried, but on those paid job, if something like the ND filter or the Metabones (but I do have 3 of them - Mark I, II and Speed Booster) goes out or just the FS700 haywires, I would be screwed to say the least; especially at this stage of my career. I have a Canon 60D that I always bring, but it's so soft and has horrible slow motion.

I was thinking of getting an inexpensive backup camera to get me through the day in case the unthinkable happens.

Do you guys bring a backup camera to your bigger gigs? I was thinking a GH3 or some type of inexpensive NEX camera. Are there any NEX DSLRs that does 1080p 60fps? The reason I need slow motion is because my next DP job for HGTV, we are planning on shooting a series of lifestyle type spots all in slow motion (at least 60fps).

What do you guys think of the GH3 as a backup to the FS700? That seems like a solid, yet inexpensive choice. Or which NEX DSLR would you recommend?
 
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I just recently got a GH3, haven't matched it to the FS700 yet (profile-wise) but I use a Nikon adapter for it so I can use all the lenses that I use for my FS700 on it. I used it on a shoot this morning as a secondary camera (FS700 as primary), which was great because I had to have both the GH3 and FS700 rolling for 40+ minutes (no more 12 minute limit!)

I haven't used it enough to really vouch for it 100% but aside from audio (no XLRs) I'm pretty sure I could confidently pull off any shoot on the GH3 if my FS700 went out on me during a shoot.
 
Depends on your definition of "inexpensive".

Also what would you want to remain constant or consistent from your "A" Cam to your "B" Cam? Would it be codec? Video files? Bitrate size? Low Light? Lens Mount? Input/Output options? Handling? ....etc.

Assumed constants: Must be cheaper than the NEX-FS700

It might be....
By sensor characteristics (how it interprets "white" or clips highlights...etc): NEX-FS100->NEX-EA50->DSC-RX100 II->DSC-RX100
By sensor size & native lens mount: NEX-FS100->NEX-EA50->NEX-VG30->NEX7/6
By sensor size only: NEX-FS100->NEX-EA50->D800(1.5x Crop Mode)->EOS 70D->NEX-VG30->NEX7/6
 
don't forget that NEX 5&6 are "moire king"!!
personally I liked that DR and the color they have but it's far from the FS700 has, so be careful what you gonna shoot with.

here's the link I shot with NEX 5R+MSB+Sigma 10-20mm:
https://vimeo.com/60641862
 
so you ask for a second camera in case the FS700 breaks down or do you want a B-Cam to match with FS700? Best for both cases is to rent a second FS700 or at least a FS100.

As long as you don't shoot RAW or at least 10bit 4:2:2 matching a B-Cam will depend on possibility of grading and that can be a PITA if you have to do in post. You will always have to tear down your better footage to the level of the footage which is less gradable. A GH3 can produce a nice image but until it is hacked for higher data rates grading possibiliy is very limited.

In case I need a second camera on bugdet I rent a FS100. You wont probably need 2 slomo cams at the same time.
I always have a 5D M3 in my bag which I need for documentation anyway. I hopefully will never need it to substite a broken FS700.
I had the plan to go for a BMD pocket as B-Cam. Footage looks nice and should be easily gradable but BMD killed my plans with
sensor bloom issue.
 
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I would have thought an e mount based B cam would make more sense - sharing adaptors and lenses. I have a FS100, Nex5N as well as a 700 and i haven't brought myself to sell the 100 yet. The FS100 is still better in low light and has a 'creamyness' that the 700 doesn't (currently).

If you look to some of the new cameras from Sony over the next year then e mount has become (finally) a solid investment.

Personally in your position i'd look to a 2nd hand FS100 or a Nex. The advantage of the little nexes is you can rig them *anywhere*, even ontop of your main camera.

cheers
Paul
 
I have a FS100 and NEX7 as B cams. I use Canon EF or Sony E mount lenses and I have both a standard and Speed Booster adapters.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I should have worded it better. I need a back up cam and not so much a B-Cam. Just worried that the FS700 might go down during a professional shoot with all the problems I've been reading with the ND filter wheel and the Metabones. Probably only use the other camera in case of emergencies.
 
i have 2x FS100's and a NEX5n that i got for next to nutt'n on CraigsList, seems to do what i ask it to; corners, suction cupp'd to celing with a 12mm on, dashboards, stealing locations, that kinda stuff

But i keep a second camera built-up, and a third bare body in a case as my back-up

The NEX5 is one of the few bits of gear i own that a production didn't pay for up front.

lives in my backpack now along side a zoomH4.
 
What about NEX VG30 ? You can find at for as low as 1100 Euro in Europe. Don know about US.
 
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