FS5: Iris Stepping

scorsesefan

scorsesefan

Veteran
Newb question here. Coming from Canon Cinema series to Sony I notice that my Canon EF lenses (Metabones IV adapter) take two dial clicks (on either hand grip dial or body) to move up and down one F stop (or half stop). With Canon it's one click per change. Is this a normal thing for the FS5/Canon glass?

Thanks

* Also, anyone update their fs5 on Mojave? Do you have to use an additional driver for V 4.0?
 
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OK. More research has led me to the conclusion that this is a function of Sony + non-cinema lenses (i.e still lenses) and even on some of the native Sony lenses. Kind of annoying in run n" gun situations. I wonder if there's a difference in aperture behavior in Green mode vs. Advanced mode on the Metabones?
 
I'll suggest that maybe you are wondering about a problem that doesn't even exist in the real world for many owners of the FS5, FS7m2, Z280, Z190, etc.
I rarely, if ever change the iris of the lens when I'm shooting with any of those cameras. I prefer to keep the aperture within one stop of fully open and then I use the Electronic Neutral Density Filter for 99% of all my exposure changes. Why would I be shooting with a big sensor camera and not be shooting wide open??? Variable ND is the greatest new technology to come to video cameras since we went tapeless.

I'm not saying having smooth iris control shouldn't be a consideration and isn't important, I'm just saying it might not matter as much if you're shooting with an FS5.

Other than that suggestion, I don't really have an answer for you because I don't use SLR lenses so I don't share your problem.
 
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Thanks for the info, Doug. I've basically worked with every other camera EXCEPT Sony (predominately Canon), so it's muscle memory for me to use aperture control rather than the variable ND. I can definitely see the benefits of the vari ND and will take advantage of it, but I just find the stepping on the FS5 to be a bit annoying and "labor intensive" compared to Canon and was wondering if others found this, too.
 
Believe I've read others that said the iris stepping is in Canon still lenses (at least older EF glass) so green or advanced mode will not matter on MB adapter. But Doug's right - I wish I had that electronic ND filter on my FS7mI.
 
Used a friends Fs7mkII for a shoot several months ago that was low budget, so I used my 24-105 instead of any of my real glass. The electronic variable ND was awesome. Honestly, it's game changing. Don't really like the 7, but the EVND I loved.

And the stepping is probably a combination of the specific lens and the Metabones adapter(the way it controls the lens). For example, If I use my Canon 70-200 on my C300 or F55 with adapter, the iris steps. But I can put the same 70-200 on a VariCam LT with native EF mount and the iris is as smooth as a real aperture.
 
Re-reading the original OP’s post, I’d say it’s most likely a Metabones thing. All my lenses for the FS5 are adapted Canon mount. Operationally, it’s just like gearing down the clicks on the dial. More clicks/turns for same exposure change. I understand it’s an irritant, but it’s a tiny one among the bigger picture. And yeah...the variable ND is THE single best technology to every be installed on a motion camera, especially for documentary shooting where light changes come quickly and arent’t pre-planned.

If I could get a Fuji X-T3 with IBIS and an auto variable ND in the body (not dependant upon the lens mounted), it’d be a game changer for many small docs. Sound will always be a problem with the small hybrid bodies, though.
 
David_Manning said:
Re-reading the original OP’s post, I’d say it’s most likely a Metabones thing. All my lenses for the FS5 are adapted Canon mount. Operationally, it’s just like gearing down the clicks on the dial. More clicks/turns for same exposure change. I understand it’s an irritant, but it’s a tiny one among the bigger picture. And yeah...the variable ND is THE single best technology to every be installed on a motion camera, especially for documentary shooting where light changes come quickly and arent’t pre-planned.

If I could get a Fuji X-T3 with IBIS and an auto variable ND in the body (not dependant upon the lens mounted), it’d be a game changer for many small docs. Sound will always be a problem with the small hybrid bodies, though.
Click to expand...

David, I have the same set up as you (FS5 + X-T3). Are you using them A/B? If so how are you finding matching them?
 
I haven’t tried matching them, yet. I haven’t honestly pressed the X-T3 into any work I’d shoot with the FS5. For A/B shooting SO FAR, I’m using the A7RII and the FS5...no real problems there as you would guess (except I can’t push the A7RII files as hard).
 
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