Just got a new camera - Sony F35
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rbirnbaum
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Hi guys... I know some of you may be looking for a View Finder for your F23/ F35. I got one recently from Viddo who was selling his through ebay and I am Very Very happy.
I found this vendor off loading some. Only the monitor screen, no mount or ocular but I made him an offer for $200 and I have one C30WR on the way. There is no guarantee they work as he can't test them, but I find these to be so robust that I am hoping it held up. He has a few C30W and WR's available. I personally think it is a no-brainer.
Let me know if this is useful and I will report on mine as soon as I get it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-HDVF-C30W-HDVF-C30WR/222932520107?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D51378%26meid%3Da21e15449f99469db6e68e55c953fc6c%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D232742139320%26itm%3D222932520107&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Af53173ff-4bb6-11e8-9923-74dbd1809629%7Cparentrq%3A11bcde4b1630ad4b134514c4fffe8710%7Ciid%3A1
I found this vendor off loading some. Only the monitor screen, no mount or ocular but I made him an offer for $200 and I have one C30WR on the way. There is no guarantee they work as he can't test them, but I find these to be so robust that I am hoping it held up. He has a few C30W and WR's available. I personally think it is a no-brainer.
Let me know if this is useful and I will report on mine as soon as I get it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-HDVF-C30W-HDVF-C30WR/222932520107?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D51378%26meid%3Da21e15449f99469db6e68e55c953fc6c%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D232742139320%26itm%3D222932520107&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Af53173ff-4bb6-11e8-9923-74dbd1809629%7Cparentrq%3A11bcde4b1630ad4b134514c4fffe8710%7Ciid%3A1
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Got to take it out for a first test run.
1. Had done a couple quick tests before, but this time able to see how it might work in a narrative situation with a lot of hand held. These days handheld is so often from odd angles, and so on, I was a most interested in seeing how the weight affected things. I got through half a day with out fatigue, and I don't feel any soreness today. But I had done ENG a while back and used to larger cameras and how to operate with that kind of body style and payload. But I am in no way a strong dude.
2. The other aspect of the shoot was to see how the motion cadence felt, whether it lent a hand to the 'narrative' or whether there was no difference. I can say happily, that compared to an A7s, the global shutter is extremely welcome! In A7 footage, rolling shutter effects hand held work in a subtle yet disruptive way. In this camera, no matter what is happening, everything works! EDIT: I got to play around with a Red Monster briefly too, and the rolling shutter on the Monster is bad enough to be noticeable, workable, but noticeable. So, F35 is amazing in the motion aspect.
3. The third aspect of this, was to see how it handled highlights in uncontrolled and extreme situations, and that it did very well. Best out of camera look. Even better than the Alexa/Red on occasion, since sometimes, Alexa is too flat looking out of camera, and Dragon is too punchy. But in extreme situations, when I tested along side the Arri mini, the Arri won on th DR side of things. The only thing is the F35 just looks nicer before grading than other cameras, as it has the best contrast curve for most situations. But anyone used to working with A7, BM, or Red will still want to be careful with the highlights. But at the very least they go gracefully when they do go. The main thing I appreciate, is how much more close to the eye the F35 replicates a scene. Almost anything I see looks more closely approximated in the camera than other digital cameras. And that is a huge time saver, as there is less light tweaking, and I don't have to reference the monitor as much to double check, and I don't have to "imagine" what it will look like in the grade quite as much.
4. Loving that all of the footage plays back smoothly on even older computers with a light grade. The first time in a while, a director was able to just throw the footage down and start editing. No stutter, just smooth playback! 10bit proves 422 HQ is very friendly. I prefer 4K for some things, but for fiction and smaller projects, I definitely welcome the extremely fast and streamlined post workflow!
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rbirnbaum
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Thank you! Got a lot of info from this thread that made setting up easy.
I am still figuring out a few things:
- getting the White Balance through the SDI (currently it is only in the EVF, so I have tungsten default)
- getting 422 out of the IF box (currently only dual channel 444)
- getting an audio scratch track through the camera
rbirnbaum
Well-known member
White balance should be set in camera, that determines all the processing to VF and SDI - tungsten or daylight. Are you using a LUT on your viewfinder?
422? Just connect one of the SDI outputs instead of both. Also change the setting in camera do that it outputs in 24psf 422 10 bit - 422 looks incredible and yeah, it plays so smoothly... butter to edit.
For audio make sure you select channels 1-2 if you have 4-5 it won’t send audio via SDI from the IF Box you get scratch audio.
BTW... what are you recording to? Post some more pictures of your setup. Like your tripod
to lighten up your setup I use a Birght Tangerine Misfit Atom MB and I haven’t looked back.
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When I just plug in one of the SDI ports, it sends a green image. I read somewhere on this forum thread that one user said it was a 444 issue, but not sure how they resolved it. Mac mentioned Cine EI mode or something on that same page, and the user thanked him. but not sure if all of it was talking about the same issue.
I don't see a WB option in my menus, just a 5600K on/off option. Could be the mode or menu setup I have. I haven't customized anything or changed modes yet. I've just gone through the twenty or so menus and toggled options to see if things changed or not. Oh, also, changing the fan level from max to low, doesn't seem to effect anything. So, I ran around with the fan on max for the first test.
Currently have a AJA mini sandwiched between the IF and the Battery. Helps balance on the shoulder, but a bit long otherwise.BTW... what are you recording to? Post some more pictures of your setup. Like your tripod
rbirnbaum
Well-known member
Have you been able to open the extended menus in the camera?
Press down on 'jog-wheel' and holding it down press on 'Menu' - side panel. You will get access to all the camera settings and will be able to check if you have the latest firmware update. I would also reset the camera to Factory Settings. Then you are starting without any crippled settings.
Press down on 'jog-wheel' and holding it down press on 'Menu' - side panel. You will get access to all the camera settings and will be able to check if you have the latest firmware update. I would also reset the camera to Factory Settings. Then you are starting without any crippled settings.
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Great! That sorted out everything!
Everything works, and the footage is so solid! Looking forward to getting it on another shoot soon! Fan is quiet now too. =)
I think my camera is in version 1.46? I’ll look it up again.
Next test is to see if i can get 50p into the AJA
Everything works, and the footage is so solid! Looking forward to getting it on another shoot soon! Fan is quiet now too. =)
I think my camera is in version 1.46? I’ll look it up again.
Next test is to see if i can get 50p into the AJA
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rbirnbaum
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Did you get 50p to work in the AJA?
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Not yet.
I change the settings on the AJA, but it just records whatever it is given it seems. I change the settings in the Sony, and nothing changes except the setting says it is 50p. When I get the clip into the timeline, it is a 24p clip. I am not big on slo-mo, so I haven't really pushed to figure it out. Maybe if a director needs slo-mo I'll give it another shot. I am happy with 24fps most of the time. I like 60fps for HFR, not for slo-mo, but thinking in HFR vs 24fps is too different. different aesthetic. uncanny valley pitfalls. 24 is more impressionistic and easier to get things looking good.
Also, not sure why, but I can't get the fan to go to low. I am in the settings, and when I turned the dial, the setting will change to low for a fraction of a second, and then change back to MAX. I can hear the fan drops to a quieter speed for the brief instant, as well, but is promptly returns to the loudest speed. I'll try to clean out some dust to see if that does anything.
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Also, I overweighted the O'connor 1030 fluid head. I had to remove the bottom plate, which wasn't heavy, just to reduce the balance height. Going to look for a low profile VCT mount. Or consider going to rails. VCT is just so much faster and less fuss. I may get something machined, since shoulder rigs cost so much anyway. sometimes custom is not only better, but cheaper (supposing it is made right the first time, haha)
ARRI Broadcast has a really nice low profile VCT mount for the F5/55, but may not be as robust as shape or the official sony f55 VCT mount. tbd. I can probably shave another 1/2" off the height by getting a different VCT shoulder rig.
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James, bought an F35 about a month ago and have been slowly piecing her together. I actually rented one a long time ago from a user on this forum to shoot a narrative short (here are some selects) https://vimeo.com/164797761
Even two years later I couldn't deny the image for the price. I know I won't appeal to all the corporate videos up here in Seattle but hoping it'll lead me to more opportunity in my passion for creative content.
It's lookin like we may be on the tail end of this camera's fame but it's great to hear someone else is still working on their F35 setup! I'll post pics of my rig when she's looking more like a proper cam.
Cheers!
Even two years later I couldn't deny the image for the price. I know I won't appeal to all the corporate videos up here in Seattle but hoping it'll lead me to more opportunity in my passion for creative content.
It's lookin like we may be on the tail end of this camera's fame but it's great to hear someone else is still working on their F35 setup! I'll post pics of my rig when she's looking more like a proper cam.
Cheers!
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Will check it out! thanks for the heads up!
Well, I'll just leave this here...
https://ascmag.com/articles/photographing-the-mauritania-railway-backbone-of-the-sahara
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This was great! I actually remember seeing the selects from before. has a natural feel.
I'm just starting to get footage.
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rbirnbaum
Well-known member
James! Looks great! I've been shooting tungsten balanced everything and correcting WB in resolve. What is your approach. F35 sensor is Tungsten balanced which according to everyone captures better colors in Tungsten, specially skin tones. I shoot everything on 10bit and haven't seen any skin tone issues in grading by changing WB in Resolve.
By the way, the Zacuto VCT is a better option for the F35 because it has a sliging plate that you can remove and mount directly on tripod. It takes the whole shoulder mount off and reduces a lot of weight for smaller tripods.
I seriously recommend it and Zacuto does a $100 off when you sign up to their website.
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I have always played with unconventional white balance, letting the room decide the shift. That said, the Daylight white balance is pretty warm, to the point of stylized. Like you said, the tungsent WB setting seems to grade easily into daylight. But I have been avoiding grading, by letting the shadows stay lifted and going with the warmer daylight. the screen grabs above are not graded or adjusted. I like the warm glow of the daylight WB sometimes. And other times, I am shooting in the shade, and the extra warmth helps.
I am not a fan of Zacuto, but I will give it a another try. One thing I like about Zacuto is the extra room for rods in the front. I just got a Wooden camera should base, which seemed more low profile than most, while still having the flexibility of the Arrival dovetail. Seems everyone is making them this way now. I like Vocas, but it has a similar problem with most "universal" VCT shoulder mounts: CG is too high. Going to relegate it to a different camera setup.
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