Just got a new camera - Sony F35

Ive been using the Intel 320 series 160GB, its not the best SSD on the block but it was on the recommended list of SSD's from Atamos. I also have a bunch of 240GB OCZ's but they wont work in it (only in the hyper deck)
 
Thanks Hunter. I just ordered - Intel SSD 320 Series 120GB 9.5mm 2.5 inch SATA2 MLC Retail Kit Solid State Drive - for the Samurai - and cancelled my Hyperdeck order. I never realised you could use SDD drives with the Samurai until today so it was a hard lesson learnt, and hopefully the days of losing footage will be behind me! I also sent my F35 interface box to Hawkwoods for them to mount a V-LOK adaptor plate with D-TAP inputs directly onto it - should make life a little easier.
Thanks again, Sparky
 
hunter richards said:
I used the samurai just because its nice to check playback without having to use another lcd, Id like to rig a hyper deck though on the camera and just use that- but the little DIN bnc cables freak me out.
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^^^^ This. Esp the part about being able to monitor and playback a take without the need for an additional monitor. I'm super paranoid about not getting a take so I'm constantly checking to make sure the last take actually worked. With the Hyperdeck I don't have a compact way to do that.

As for the mini DIN connections- they leave me far less than confident, but the samurai's mini BNC's aren't a ton better, really. That's always been a bit of a wash to me.

I never used a spinning drive in the Samurai, been using SSD since I got it. Works like a charm. I'm using 240 and 128 gb sizes on the SSD's. I think I have the Intel ones, but I'm not in my studio at the moment to verify that.
 
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Got a few more parts in:

Had a local machine shop make me a plate to cover the top of the f35 where the mount used to be, I will still need to insulate a few holes as you can see along the side. I can't decide if I should paint it gray to try and match the body, or get it anodized black to match the top handle I have coming in. I am going to tap a few mounting holes into this plate as well. This mod is probably going a bit too crazy trying to cut down on weight, it is a bit lighter than the mount was, but not really noticeable. I'm not a big fan of the stock f35 top handle and I'd like one more low profile.

I know it seems like I'm ripping this camera apart, I haven't modified the actual F35 parts and have everything to put it back together like I got it if necessary.

I had a custom 11 pin Fischer to D tap made at Abelcine, from there I have a D Tap to DC with a splitter to power both the EVF and the Hyperdeck. Power off the body works great however one drawback might be that I can't leave the evf and hyperdeck on while the camera is off, maybe that would be nice for some playback situation.

I have all the parts necessary now to shoot finally, hopefully I will have some test footage to share soon.
IMG_0204.jpgIMG_0207.jpgIMG_0208.jpgIMG_0209.jpg
 
Damn dude, that is a smart compact set up, how much did they bill you for a plate like that? I was thinking of mounting my hyperdeck on top with a custom plate and custom handle so you could still have the camera on your shoulder and see the tally light on the hyperdeck.
 
I paid $120 cash and then $2 for new screws, I can ship one if you're really interested. There are some cracks along the sides that I was thinking about strips of foam to keep dust out. I'm going to try to paint it to match the body. One nice thing is that there is clearance inside the plate if you drilled holes through it, there is space for screws or nuts on the inside.

The top mount is really easy to remove, there is one cable you have to disconnect on the backside. The back mount is not easy to remove due to a cable that goes deep inside the camera, I could not get to it by removing any of the sides or the optical block. Basically the mount comes off easy but unless you want to snip the cable it it can't be disconnected.
 
Thanks for the offer- Thats not a bad price at all- id be interested in a top plate to fit the stock f35 top part- I kinda dont want to hack apart the camera ; )
 
Just finished 5 weeks of field doc shooting in cities around the US, traveling with the F35 as well as a set of Dedolights and a few tripods in a hardshell golf club flight case.

A few lessons learnt, for those of you considering travel with your camera:
- The Lowepro DV 4000 AW bag really is a terrific way to carry on the camera and accessories for flying. It fits in all overhead bins that I've encountered and has enough space for the camera, top handle, monitor, shoulder mount, wireless mic & receiver, 190wh battery & charger, etc. etc. etc. I used a Pelican case for my lenses (also carried on) for safety, but you could easily throw a Nikon zoom into the bag as well.
- Getting rid of the IF box & electronic viewfinder is key in cutting down unnecessary weight. yachacha's solution above is a good one; I have a plate that makes a mechanical connection with the back mount and allows for the battery to power the cam via the DC in. Make sure you dial in your advanced settings before going out into the field, or use an ethernet cable and web browser, and the electonic viewfinder becomes easier to leave behind.
- The Lamparte shoulder mount is handy for quickly going from tripod to handheld, but isn't ideal if you plan to do a lot of tilts and pans on a tripod. It raises the F35 high enough off of the Sony quick release plate that you will get some movement if you're not careful. I also found that the Lamparte requires some significant modification with a dremel or drill to be properly centered on the camera (and 3/8" screws with D rings to more easily fasten the camera to the mount), so this is one area that could still use improvement for those who need to frequently move between tripod and handheld in the field.
- This is truly a great documentary camera. The slog handling of highlights means you can just shoot without having to worry about blown out exteriors or underexposed interiors. It's silly how well it captures skin color at different exposures, as well.
- As far as capture media, I would definitely recommend SSD and not spinning drives. We have enough trouble with external hard drives that are meant to be "rugged" (I'm looking at you, LaCie) that I wouldn't trust them with important footage. You really need to allow spinning drives to rest for a few minutes after using them before moving them around, otherwise it's quite possible to lose data. The Samsung 840 Pro 512GB feels solid as a rock, reads and writes very fast, and gives us 6hrs+ of ProRes HQ footage before needing to transfer to a drive. Highly recommended.

I'll try to post some screen grabs as we start to wade through the 50+ hrs of footage collected. Cheers, everyone!
 
Thanks for the post Hunterequal.

Regarding the Lamparte shoulder mount. Can someone post pics to show how they have it set up to work with their tripod? I know you have to do some drilling but it feels like even the rubber pad will be ruined if you pry it off. I have the shoulder mount, just not very mechanically inclined and want to be sure I'm modifying it correctly.
 
I can't upload any pictures right now, but the short answer is: get a hex wrench and unscrew the front- and bottom-facing "v-mount" panels... don't remove the rubber shoulder pad. Removing these v-mount panels will allow for enough access to the underside of the shoulder mount, although getting the 3/8" screws in there is fiddly (which is why the d-ring screws are recommended).
 
Hunter,
Do you think a 5d mk3 w/ML RAW hack would cut well with the F35?
I ask this because Ive had to shoot some very low light scenes, and also some very cramped spaces (in a car) with the F35 (and it was challenging, as you can imagine, but the weight of the F35 does help stabilize, and also no rolling shutter, which is more likely with the 5D in a car)
So I'm thinking this might be an option?

BTW, some lovely stuff you posting over on the 5D MK3 ML RAW hack thread, probably the nicest tests Ive seen, as well as Mcgregors one too.
 
I've just noticed my camera PL mount is black while most pictured are silver. It is also lacking the lens data port. Must of been an upgrade this body never recieved.
 
Guys I was poking around and got offered a 2nd F35 body for $6500! Dam budget is tight at the mo, but a 2nd body for spare parts/B-cam is super tempting. I need a push gents :undecided The ones on ebay start at 9k. My wife will not be happy if I do :kali:
 
Jusgorilla said:
Guys I was poking around and got offered a 2nd F35 body for $6500! Dam budget is tight at the mo, but a 2nd body for spare parts/B-cam is super tempting. I need a push gents :undecided The ones on ebay start at 9k. My wife will not be happy if I do :kali:
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Wow, that's a great price. But peace at home is priceless. My guess is that there will be more opportunities at that kind of price later on. But then, I am often wrong. I don't envy your dillemma. :)
 
Hello everyone,
I'm still lost in the desert, but here is some ungraded footage from this small project I'm shooting in Mauritania:

pw: mauritania


I've been experiencing some extra noise in the footage when shooting in extreme hot locations (up to 45ºC), at first I thought it had to be the F35 but then I thought it could also be introduce by the recorderd becase it was really really hot.

BTW, That custom plate for the hyperdeck looks terrific. I'll dig into that as soon as I'm back.
 
Looks nice, Sparky. I was going to say that one of the things I love about this camera is the way it renders flesh tones so nicely. But then I've seen similar footage you shot with your f-3. So before I give undeserved compliments to the F35, could you tell me which shots came from the F3?
 
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