FS7: Is selling an FS7 in a crashed economy a terrible idea?

thoomp said:
The key issue with the FS7 is the time it takes to properly set-up and take everything down - but that's pretty much the deal for filming days. I think I'll likely find myself reaching for the A6600 for last minute shooting - and just deal with the lower codec, etc. So hopefully I'll have the best of both worlds.
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So, let me get this right, you've got an FS7 but it takes too long to set up so you're going to shoot with an A6600 instead? That's crazy. Get a bigger bag. I never break down my FS7, F55, or another camera. Never. They are always built and ready to roll. Put that A6600 away and invest in a bigger bag for the real video camera. And then get out and shoot. Did you get much shooting done over the weekend as I suggested in my earlier post?
 
Doug Jensen said:
So, let me get this right, you've got an FS7 but it takes too long to set up so you're going to shoot with an A6600 instead? That's crazy. Get a bigger bag. I never break down my FS7, F55, or another camera. Never. They are always built and ready to roll. Put that A6600 away and invest in a bigger bag for the real video camera. And then get out and shoot. Did you get much shooting done over the weekend as I suggested in my earlier post?
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100% Doug

The only thing i do to shoot is flip out my LCD, remove lenscap, turn on, ready in 35 seconds, ish.
 
I think I'm just piling on, but maybe set a price you can live with; if you sell it, don't look back; if you can't get a price you can live with, keep it as a backup... Because backups are good.

Hope your sale/no-sale works out. Such a frustrating time...
 
Hey gang - Checking in back here. Again, so many wonderful suggestions and more thanks. I just don't want to be afraid to act and miss an opportunity.

A6600 - Definitely something I needed specifically for photography, as that's half the reason I own it and upgraded from the A5100. Again, I was looking for something to do double-duty for photo and video - in an effort to downsize and make more with less. Also great for filming in stealth situations where I don't want to draw a lot of attention to myself in public. Happy with a crop as opposed to FF, as I have the Metabones SpeedBooster and it's just fine.

That's a great idea per just getting a larger bag. I had been thinking about that, but I didn't think that many people went that route - so I'm glad you mentioned it. Right now, I have the Think Tank Airport Roller Derby, which is fantastic for travel situations -- as nearly everything packs down to a carry on roller-bag for flying and such. Meanwhile, sticking with that set-up has crippled me per actual last-minute use -- and it would be dynamite to just have the FS7 ready to go, mic mounted, and such. What do you guys use and prefer? I had been seriously looking at Think Tank's Video Rig (18 or 24) bags, which look like carry on luggage as opposed to Pelican cases - but I just wouldn't fly with it. Think Tank bag quality is great, and I have a credit to burn with them.

No filming this past weekend, unfortunately; putting out fires here at home. BTW - Do you guys ever have issues with filming in public with large camera setups, and have people pester you for permits? Or "what are you doing?"

Thanks and looking forward to more replies here. Cheers and stay safe! :)
 
Pestering is totally random. Depends on how the stars in the universe lined up for you that day.

You can be in the middle of Times Square one day with a huge camera on your shoulder and not be bothered because no one with any "authority" at that point in time and place sees you, but another day you can be bothered by a property's security when you're taking a picture of something completely irrelevant (and just happen to be standing there in front of their door).

With that said, you will usually always have much less attention with a smaller camera, especially one that looks like it only takes pictures because many people still don't know these "DSLRs" actually shoot video (if they were concerned about you shooting video).

(Large groups in crowded public places with cameras and lights are almost always problematic.)
 
Yup - But I think the sale ends tomorrow via their website. I think this is absolutely the answer.

There's the perfect bag in the Culture Pop Review (video) that's posted on their website, which you can see at 00:35-00:38 - and they're putting an FS7 into it. That's exactly the kind of run-n-gun setup that I'd need. Just can't figure out for the life of me which bag it is. Any ideas? (I'll try and call ThinkTank, but with the pandemic - I wouldn't be surprised if they're understaffed/closed/etc.)
 
NorBro said:
Pestering is totally random. Depends on how the stars in the universe lined up for you that day.

You can be in the middle of Times Square one day with a huge camera on your shoulder and not be bothered because no one with any "authority" at that point in time and place sees you, but another day you can be bothered by a property's security when you're taking a picture of something completely irrelevant (and just happen to be standing there in front of their door).

With that said, you will usually always have much less attention with a smaller camera, especially one that looks like it only takes pictures because many people still don't know these "DSLRs" actually shoot video (if they were concerned about you shooting video).

(Large groups in crowded public places with cameras and lights are almost always problematic.)
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In NYC I've never been pestered by PD -- only private security. Multiple times in the Wall St. area shooting in front of buildings that are privately owned (Hotels, banks, etc.) The sidewalk (up to the property line) is OUR property. I get what I need, politely inform them of this fact (which they already know, but hope you don't) and move along. No use arguing with minimum wage security guards whose job is to do the bidding of their bosses...
 
thoomp said:
Yup - But I think the sale ends tomorrow via their website. I think this is absolutely the answer.

There's the perfect bag in the Culture Pop Review (video) that's posted on their website, which you can see at 00:35-00:38 - and they're putting an FS7 into it. That's exactly the kind of run-n-gun setup that I'd need. Just can't figure out for the life of me which bag it is. Any ideas? (I'll try and call ThinkTank, but with the pandemic - I wouldn't be surprised if they're understaffed/closed/etc.)
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Also check out this dr. Bag from Sachtler that's on sale at b&h today only. I have one and I love it for keeping my rig built. Gotta make sure you get one at least as big as you need.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1115050-REG/sachtler_sc003_dr_bag_3.html
 
Wow - $99 sounds like my kind of price right now, and it definitely looks FS7 friendly! Which size works for your FS7? Again, it would be great to have the mic/grip/eyepiece mounted at all times. Thanks!
 
I use mine mostly for my Ronin-s build... I think if you measure the length of your rig, mic included, that should give you a sense of which bag you need. The grip complicates things. Anyone else have a dr bag they use specifically for fs7?
 
thoomp said:
Wow - $99 sounds like my kind of price right now, and it definitely looks FS7 friendly! Which size works for your FS7? Again, it would be great to have the mic/grip/eyepiece mounted at all times. Thanks!
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B&H has some nice camera/rolling bags in the deal zone over the months. If you're not in a rush, I'd check every day moving forward...they may be dumping them.
 
This is all really helpful. The only rush per today that I would have involve the sales going on; given the pandemic - it's not like I have an important shoot coming up that involves local travel.

Per ThinkTank, I've got a credit to burn and the 20% off sale is pretty amazing -- but I don't see anything that really fits right now. (The TT Logistics Manager 30 looks wicked cool per packing everything I could imagine in the bag for a local shoot and I'd be done with it. However, it's apparently REALLY big.) Again, it's really just a question of taking advantage of the sale while I can as I'm tied to the TT credit that I do have.

Per the Sachtler, that's definitely affordable but it may be too small (only the Dr 3 is on sale today) per the width. Time to re-measure.

Not surprised if many businesses are dumping stock that involve transport or travel - as nobody is traveling right now.

Meanwhile, I did reconfigure my own TT Airport Roller Derby again and may have found a solution that may work for the moment - although it's literally a stretch (as in stretching the bag slightly). Again, like so many - I'm trying to do more with less if I can due to a lack of funds.

You guys are fantastic. Cheers and thanks.
 
Advice that was given to me when I started out, and except in rare occasions is almost always true, always buy the bag bigger than you think you need, because what you think you need is never big enough.

The only camera bag I bought that I played the “exact size” game on was for a PB Carry-On where I had to get my VariCam as small as possible(no battery) to fit in airplane overhead storage bins. And it’s funny, because the guys at Porta-Brace were like are you sure? We think you need to go bigger. And I kept having to assure them that I knew what I was doing and there was a specific reason and method to my madness.

Otherwise, always go a size up from what you think you need.
 
After starting out with a CineBag and quickly realizing it just wasn't big enough, I switched and bought the Porta Brace RIG-FS7XT Camera Case and really like it. It's huge! But I believe it was discontinued... (perhaps replaced by something else)???
Agree with Doug and R&G... you'll always find things to put in a bigger bag. The only thing I miss from the CineBag is the telescoping handle & smooth wheels. But most of my traveling is in vehicle... not airplane... so I don't miss those much.
 
Hi gang,

To sort of wrap things up as an epilogue of sorts, here’s what I wound up doing:

1) Unfortunately, money is really pretty tight right now and I really had to stop myself today. As much as I’d love to buy a bag that better fits my FS7, thankfully I was able to rejigger my TT Airport Roller Derby where it I can pull the FS7 out with my being up and shooting in about 60 seconds - and it’s still an airport carry-on. No, the bag lid doesn't sit perfectly flat like before, but the price is perfect right now: free. The only thing that I'd really have to attach are the wireless lavs...but at that point I'd be setting up other gear and such anyhow...let alone getting the interviewees set up. I probably just need to start filming more with just the external mics and focus on the actual subject more. Plus, I’ve got all my basics comfortably packed in there and it’s got killer wheels. A bonus is that I can easily go somewhere and look like I’m just traveling (sorta' incognito) — and go snag some sweet B-roll. I guess I'm glad that I put in the extra time to figure something out that works for the moment.

2) As much as I would love to use my TT credit right now and enjoy today's sale (which would enable me to buy something I couldn’t normally afford), or even buy the flash sale at B&H, who the hell knows what and when I’ll be doing a major filming setup. Maybe I can use up that TT credit down the road if (and when) I ever upgrade to a different camera. Plus, the Sachtler bag looks great - but again - I have no business spending money right now if I absolutely don’t have to -- and the size on sale isn’t much different than what I already have per my current setup. Yes, it was a huge temptation to buy something new, with plenty of hours spent here measuring different bags sizes to get something to fit. If TT had something that perfectly fit the bill and was in stock, that would make sense - but like holding onto the FS7 itself, staying put and enjoying what I do have (which means actually using it more frequently), is my best course of action given the pandemic and economic crash. (Plus, in the off-chance that someone with a lot of money wants to buy my FS7 setup, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.)

Again, you guys are the best. You all really made me rethink about hanging onto the FS7 -- and that I should to rejigger things so it's more readily accessible -- so I can film a lot more frequently. Thanks again for everyone’s advice, and stay safe out there. Cheers.
 
Can you supply a picture of your FS7 packed into the Roller Derby? I'm interested in that combination, but wary of the fit.
 
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