Just got a new camera - Sony F35

Thanks for the words of warning guys, I do appreciate that this isn't like trying to find a used pix recorder on ebay. However, it seems the Codex offers all the options that the SR-R3 was going to and it might be an option worth exploring. I've found enough information to confirm it will pass the 444 50p through one port without any IF box's. Beyond the recorder, I need the remote, Interface to F35, drives, and a dock to offload footage, could get very expensive very quickly. I think the F35 attachment is key to the codex actually being worthwhile on the F35, rec button, ramping, 444. I also feel like most codex-m recorders are now working with Alexa's and that mean's there will be plates sitting around. I've found a few rental houses that note it includes the F35 plate and the Alexa mount, so I don't think it's impossible to think it could be found for less than $1000, I know they were out there and I know that they aren't hardly being used now. I'll report back when I've got real leads, who knows, the ebay recorder could go for 10k still, but my feeling is it will be a lot less than that, and the recorder is the most expensive component (it has life beyond F35 use), but I also need to find a reliable source for a used F35 plate for the Codex before any of this dream can take form.

Also back to the problem of where to put the battery with the codex. I guess it would be back to the L handle and mount the battery on the top of the camera. But with the bigger codex setup, I'm probably on sticks, a dolly or a jib where a block battery on the base is the best option.

The more I use it, the more I want different configurations of recorders for my F35: a small hyper deck handheld setup, Odyssey 7q for steadicam and Codex when I want to get the most out of the camera. I wish there was one recorder to rule them all, but they all have cons. I also think speed ramping is a worthwhile feature to spend money on, even more than 12-bit, and the only way to get that feature is going to be the original tape or Codex because it needs the information passed through the dock, not just the SDI ports, so there won't be new options for a ramping recorder.
 
Why not still go the tape route when you want the most
out of the F35? Especially if you're not viewing it as a handheld/lightweight option anyway. Either way you have the problem of offloading footage to your NLE, but the tape option is cheaper and more plentiful. I know Hunter Hampton used it with success on one of his projects last year.
 
Hunterqual said:
Why not still go the tape route when you want the most
out of the F35? Especially if you're not viewing it as a handheld/lightweight option anyway. Either way you have the problem of offloading footage to your NLE, but the tape option is cheaper and more plentiful. I know Hunter Hampton used it with success on one of his projects last year.
Click to expand...

Well, this should be qualified - if you want to do ramping up to 50p, you're going to need both option boards for the SRW-1 - the SRMotion board, and the RGB 444 60p board. While the SRW1 recorders are fairly plentiful and affordable, ones with those option boards included are not quite as easy to find for bargin bin pricing. And some people are still trying to get $10k a board for the option cards.
 
Yes Viddovation I was wondering about that after I read about the Srw1 and realized there were upgrades. Do you think these boards will be in most of the SRW1's being sold with F35's?
 
yachacha said:
Yes Viddovation I was wondering about that after I read about the Srw1 and realized there were upgrades. Do you think these boards will be in most of the SRW1's being sold with F35's?
Click to expand...

I think it's entirely possible some units will be listed for sale and will include option cards without the seller mentioning them, but I expect that's the exception instead of the rule. Certainly, if the seller has option cards installed, it's in their interest to advertise it, as they will likely get a better rate for the unit.
 
yachacha said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATCANModified-Tonika-1116-F28-Super-Wide-PL-Cine-Lens-/111345484409
Cheapest new PL lens out there I think.
Click to expand...

It has been there for a while. But I would be very hesitating in dropping that much cash on an untested lens. Rehousing lenses is not as straight forward as it may seem. Sure, anybody can make a nice looking housing made of anodized aluminum. But what about the mechancis? Will work nicely? Will it last? Since I can't find any reviews on that lens I wouldn't buy it. When it's too good to be true is because it is.
 
I probably shouldn't have but I bought the Codex. Two 250gb drives are out there for $500. I missed it but there was a remote that sold for $250 last month, gives me hope that I can get one eventually. I'm emailing a lot of rental and camera houses in the LA area, anyone want to help me find the Codex F35 plate? Good thing is it looks like you can go without the dock to offload footage. From what I've read, the codex can be hooked up through the ethernet to transfer files directly off the recorder.

Here is the only photo I've been able to find of the F35 interface.

DSC_2185.jpg
 
Awesome Yachacha! Im sure you'll keep us updated on your travels. Id love to know if the codex really does do the 12bit 444 flavour. I read that it can do 444 50P via the F35 dock, so that will be interesting if its true.
All the best!
 
Yes, I figure if I hit a roadblock I can resell it for a bit of profit, at least break even, 500 was still a steal for this recorder. If I really can't find the plate, I could use a dead mount and the IF box via SDI, but that's not unlocking the potential. I want that magical rec button to work.

I've been spinning my wheels lately about upgrading from the Hypderdeck to another option. The Codex eases my mind from the standpoint that if I can get the kit together, it will do everything the camera will ever be capable of. Probably won't need speed ramping, but it's awesome to play with it. The battery is the next biggest obstacle, I figured a bigger setup I could use a plate mounted off the rods, or on the base of the jib/sticks/dolly or a battery for handheld, although that needs a special cable to go to F35 body.

I've made a little progress on the hyper deck front, my first hyper deck died on the HDMI output so I'm finally modding the 2nd. Now the gold mount plate power cables connects straight to the F35 dock power input through holes I drilled in the hyperdeck sides. The Hyperdeck is also powered internally. It is going to be clean with no power cables! I will post a complete guide on how to mod the hyper deck with pics once I get the screws I am waiting on to secure the CA Joint, the last one I grinded down the screws so I am waiting on these very short screws I ordered.

More and more I want to get an original viewfinder. I've seen a few popping up for sale, hopefully they drop to around alphatron prices.
 
Hi:

Many apologies if I have already posted this picture in this thread--I just dug it up for another purpose recently and thought you guys might enjoy if you hadn't seen. This was on an ABC series in 2008 when the F35 was brand new. We shot the pilot almost entirely handheld and I spent a lot of time in prep trying to make the thing balance nicely. We were of course using the SRW decks when the camera came out and having suffered with the Genesis handheld with that deck onboard, I really wanted to avoid that on this show. As seen here I was using an Easyrig with a custom bracket on top to extend the handle to get the center of gravity forward. I also had the viewfinder eyepiece flipped up like an onboard monitor and pushed all the forward by the mattebox which was probably the weirdest part of this setup. Not a pretty setup but I survived the show and lived to tell the tale!
 

Attachments

  • easyrig.jpg
    easyrig.jpg
    92.5 KB · Views: 0
Yes to both, if memory serves.

That was an era of growing pains for sure. I did my first Genesis show in 2006 and for crews used to work with tried and true film cameras, we sure had to do a lot of jerryrigging of accessories and parts with the new digital beasts as they emerged. That remained the MO until the Alexa, which restored some sanity to the process!
 
Last edited:
for 50p capturing.. would it be ARRI D21 better than f35 ? How about latitude / sharpness ?? ( I know ISO200, weight and 24V are downsides )..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top