F3: Just got my f3 :)

S

surinder

Well-known member
Hi guy's,

After dreaming about owning an f3 I finally managed to buy one second hand at an amazing price.

I'm very happy with it so far even though It doesn't have the latest firmware, so no slog just yet. But I'll do an update in the next day or so. Before I do that I'd like to ask you guys about the update procedure? I'm really frightened about bricking the camera. Or should I send it to a Sony service center to have it done?

Also while playing with it and shooting a few tests I can't seem to find a way to get the camera to work in a way I can change the ISO easily. I can only change the gain via the switch and each gain setting has a set ISO affixed to it. I've checked the manual and cannot find anything that helps. I'm assuming that this may be the only way to change the ISO and that smaller increments may not be available like in a DSLR.

Nor have I found a fast way to assign a scrolling wheel or buttons to change shutter speed quickly, I can only do it by digging into the menus.

Finally what would you guys suggest as the most cost effective solution/external recorder to get 1080p 50fps 422 out of the camera.

Thanks in advance.
 
I've done all the firmware upgrades on my own camera. The big thing is, read all the instructions, carefully, before starting. Most people get in trouble because they don't read the instructions and get scared when the camera looks like it's turned off for about ten minutes. And they try turning the camera on and off, and screw things up.

In the camera menu (the top one, vertically) there's an option to change which gain settings are attached to the three position switch.

I've never found a super easy way to work with shutter on this camera.

Recorders I know of that record 1080 50p - Gemini & SR-R1. Upcoming recorders that should - Ki Pro Quad and Oddessy.
 
Thank you Viddovation. I noticed in your signature that you also have an f35 how do you find that in comparision to your f3?
 
Congratulations on your new used F3. For those of us watching our F3 investments plummet, I am so sorry you got an amazing price. ;)

The key to the firmware update yourself is to run the camera from AC power to be on the safe side. Next-- The update process is a 3 step automated process. After the camera finishes step one, it goes totally black for up to 9 or 10 minutes. That's where people panic, pull the plug and brick the camera. Don't panic. It will come back to life and then proceed to Step 3.

I would also advise you go to Abel Cine's site and download their picture profiles, particularly the S-Log picture profiles. That will help you get the most out of the software-only SLog.

The top handle isn't very sturdy. Don't pick up camera by top handle without supporting from the bottom. And be particularly careful is the camera and rig are heavy. Don't overtighten the PL mount whether to PL lens or PL mount to camera. Be careful with the PL mount wings, as they have been known to break off it mount is overtightened and you use too much pressure to turn the mount.

I am certain that others will think of little tips, tricks and pitfalls. Enjoy it. It produces wonderful images.

Ned Soltz
 
congrats on your F3, it is a great camera and at times I miss mine and some of the features.

Make sure you check the release notes for min. firmware requirement before starting your upgrade, ie. V1.4 needs v1.0 minimum. (although funny I don't think there was one prior to v1) but for example if you update to v1.45 you should check the min. requirement JUST INCASE.

For gain/ISO as you discovered you are stuck using the L/M/H programmed values. Note there is -3db too if you want to shoot at the lowest ISO setting. Should you decide to use the picture profile available SLOG gamma setting Andy from Abelcine says to also turn off matrix and detail settings. For shutter you will have to go into the menu for it so there is no fast way to switch it.

Anyway, most others seemed to cover off what you've asked.. best of luck and enjoy.
 
surinder said:
Thank you Viddovation. I noticed in your signature that you also have an f35 how do you find that in comparision to your f3?
Click to expand...

I picked up the F35 in January, similar to what you're doing with the F3 now. I've only done a couple projects so far with the F35 - a new one this week.

It's an amazing camera, but the F3 is a lot more friendly for moving fast. The F35 doesn't have the same low light lattitude as the F3, and doesn't have the convenience of built in ND fliters. It's heavy. Not a good camera for a single operator without an AC or assistant.

While I paid a pittance for the camera and viewfinder, I'm now having to shell out for heavy duty accessories... 19mm rods and gear, heavier tripod, etc.

The F3 is an amazing camera and I'm nowhere near ready to sell mine.

Good shooting!
 
Thank you all for your replies.

My F3 did not come with a power supply, but I do have one that I may be able to use, it is one that I used on my JVC GY-DV700WE it has not seen any use for a few years and If I recall it has a four pin xlr type connection and 12v. Would this be safe to fire up the F3?

I've decided to stay one or two generations behind with camera purchases as things are moving so fast. At one point I was even considering an F35 after following some of the recent posts here. I really would like an F5 but I would need more than 12-18 months to make my investment back on that. The F3 should pay for itself within 3-6 months. And to me it makes perfect sense. It was a no brainer picking up an F3 with quite a few accessories for a similar price to a 5d mk3. And not having to deal with some of the DSLR limitations is a god send. The 720p @50fps is totally usable for now in comparision to the 7d I currently use. If I could get Slog 1080p 422 @50fps that would be the icing on the cake for me :)

I had my eye on the F3 since it released and when I saw the Slog footage when it first came out I was blown away with the images I was seeing. I had the opportunity to work with the F3 pre slog on a few jobs when we hired the camera in and I was again impressed with how clean the images were. Also on my Steadicam rig the F3 loaded with mat box wireless ff etc was fantastic to fly.

I'm looking forward to using it now that my MTF adapter has arrived and I can use my Canon glass. Keeping a look out for an external recorder for broadcast jobs in particular where the internal Xdcam 420 can't cut it.

Surinder Singh.
 
Viddovation said:
I picked up the F35 in January, similar to what you're doing with the F3 now. I've only done a couple projects so far with the F35 - a new one this week.

It's an amazing camera, but the F3 is a lot more friendly for moving fast. The F35 doesn't have the same low light lattitude as the F3, and doesn't have the convenience of built in ND fliters. It's heavy. Not a good camera for a single operator without an AC or assistant.

While I paid a pittance for the camera and viewfinder, I'm now having to shell out for heavy duty accessories... 19mm rods and gear, heavier tripod, etc.

The F3 is an amazing camera and I'm nowhere near ready to sell mine.

Good shooting!
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing your experience with the f35.

As I usually have to work with quite a small crew and do a lot of setups in a short space of time the F3 just made more sense.

Surinder Singh.
 
Surinder, slog is great but depending on how much work you want to tackle in post be sure to also consider several of the cine gammas available under the picture profiles. Particularly 1,3 and 4. These cine gammas will provide you with more perceived dynamic range than shooting straight REC709, and they will even record over 100IRE. They will shift your middle grey value around so you need to be aware of the various grey points.

Here is a PDF overview you will appreciate and find helpful: http://www.starcentral.ca/Sony PMW.pdf
 
That's a very useful overview Dennis, will certainly give some of the cine gammas a try.

I'll download the PDF to my phone for future reference.

I've got to admit I've totally overlooked all the other gamma settings that are available thank you for pointing this out.

Surinder Singh.
 
It's funny, I remember at the time buying the F3 new thinking who the hell in their right mind would throw a strap on a $16,000 camera and carry over their shoulder? Anyway never did take that strap out of its original packaging, and I'm sure right now it's making someone out there a very happy individual knowing they have it in brand new and un-used condition.
 
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Believe or not I used mine for the first time last week to do some hand held low angle shots. I threw it over my neck to release some of weight off of my arms.
 
The Handstrap or the Shoulderstrap? because that one I do miss on my F5.
only hand carry with that one. Every professional Sony camera for the last years had the little round connectors for the shoulderstrap on there but now they are gone.
strong enough to hold a PDW-800 with 22x zoomlens and 190 wh Battery and camera light.
that should be sufficient to hold an F5-55 in docu style.
 
Thomas Kist said:
The Handstrap or the Shoulderstrap? because that one I do miss on my F5.
only hand carry with that one. Every professional Sony camera for the last years had the little round connectors for the shoulderstrap on there but now they are gone.
strong enough to hold a PDW-800 with 22x zoomlens and 190 wh Battery and camera light.
that should be sufficient to hold an F5-55 in docu style.
Click to expand...
I use the hand strap when ever I hand hold the camera wish I don't do often, but I was talking about the shoulder strap.
 
Hi guys,

I successfully updated my F3 today to firmware 1.4 :)

I was doing some more tests today and wanted to clarify some ISO issues. I now get an ISO of 800 when using a picture profile that utilises Slog for its gamma setting. Currently I have that assigned to low/0db. I have noticed I can change the lowest gain/iso setting to 570 ISO. Is there any improvement in noise and quality to be gained by using ISO 570 over ISO 800, which I'm assuming is the native ISO for shooting with an Slog picture profile? My own tests seem somewhat inconclusive so I was wondering if some of you guys with more experience shooting on the F3 with slog could share your thoughts on the matter?


Surinder.
 
surinder said:
I now get an ISO of 800 when using a picture profile that utilises Slog for its gamma setting. Currently I have that assigned to low/0db. I have noticed I can change the lowest gain/iso setting to 570 ISO. Is there any improvement in noise and quality to be gained by using ISO 570 over ISO 800, which I'm assuming is the native ISO for shooting with an Slog picture profile? My own tests seem somewhat inconclusive so I was wondering if some of you guys with more experience shooting on the F3 with slog could share your thoughts on the matter?
Click to expand...

800 ISO does seem to be native for the sensor. Going -3db seems to clip to get there. Better to add ND filters and/or a smaller aperture than using less than 0db, IMO.
 
Thanks Duke M.

I did some more digging around here and I found an older post saying -3db causes the highlights to clip in a harsh way and that DR is reduced.
Will stick at 800 :)
 
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