squig
Veteran
Yeah a 2nd hand F3 is definitely on my radar. It certainly has the high DR and low light capability that I need.
F5: Just Got Pre-release F5
- Thread starter nsoltz
- Start date
Yeah a 2nd hand F3 is definitely on my radar. It certainly has the high DR and low light capability that I need.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
This is wrong. The F5 & F55 have a slightly smaller sensor than the FS700 or the sensor in the F3.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
We have done proper IMATEST resolution tests of the F3 and I can report that this is not true. The camera can clearly resolve 1920x1080.
you know what's interesting is my wife talked me into watching Downtown Abbey. So we started watching the first season on our plasma on Hulu Plus. I was immediately impressed with the look of the series. So much dynamic range and gorgeous skin color. Wonderfully effective lighting. Rich colors. I was blown away, especially considering this was a Hulu stream.
So I looked up on imdb and found that Downtown Abbey used an Arriflex film camera the first season and then switched over to an Alexa the second season. When I found this out, I was really excited to see the differences. I imagined the Alexa would somehow even be better than film from all I had heard about it.
So I finished the first season (great show btw) and I was still incredibly impressed with the cinematography. Then we decided to start the second season. Guess what? The Alexa was awful by comparison. I had just watched seven episodes on film and then watched one on the Alexa. The skin color was awful. It looked like there was way too much light and half their faces were washed out (maybe they were used to lighting for film and overlighting the scenes?). The motion during the world war battle scenes were choppy. The Alexa really doesn't handle motion as well as film. Several scenes were off-putting because they looked like video rather than film. The Alexa picture was sharper, but that wasn't an advantage. For the first time in watching that show, it made the sets look like sets. Worst of all, and most unforgivably, the "magic" whatever that is that film creates was gone for the most part. If you are familiar with audio, it was like lacking that final bit of magic fairy dust that a great console mixer gives you.
i would say honestly we still have a long way to go from the Alexa to reach film.
I am almost positive that Downton Abbey was shot D21 - which is the predecessor to the Alexa. It is a digital camera with optical viewing path based in part on the 435 system. I shot a number of things with it and never loaded a single magazine, lol.
The D20 and the D21 were ARRI's test projects that led us to the Alexa. I believe that the current season is Alexa.
Nate Weaver
Veteran
I was going to say same thing. First season, D21.
In addition, watching one show is a terrible way to appraise a camera. In particular, Downton Abbey, which by the time it makes it's way over here it's been Terenexed to death. Nevermind different approaches by DPs, colorists, post houses, etc from season to season.
If you watch broadcast TV in the slightest, you've already seen a mountain of Alexa footage.
To address everyone at once, I see I was in err, lol. For whatever reason, different cinematographer, dealing with a new camera, various production reasons, whatever, that first episode didn't hold up to me as well as the first season episodes. Will watch the rest of season and see if it was an anomaly. Gorgeous, gorgeous images though for a PBS series. Love what the D21/(Alexa) does.
There is definitely some serious talent on that show. I wish I knew more about what the practical realities are - how they do interiors for example. How many stages do they have or do they have to shoot mainly on location? Shooting in a historical landmark is slow and restrictive. All the more reason to choose a very forgiving camera system.
Thomas Kist
Active member
American Cinematographer - March 2012 answers all the questions you might have on Downton Abbey.
Liam Hall
Veteran
Does it say why my wife forces me to watch it?
Liam Hall
Veteran
Thomas Kist
Active member
LOL!
Well it might compensate her for sitting through endless camera tests.
"just one more overexposure Darling"
Kolor-Pikker
Well-known member
As long as it involves exposure :happy:
Thanks Liam! All the more impressive. I have always been apprehensive when shooting in historical locations. The crew has done a remarkable job keeping a gorgeous natural look.
We shall see how well the F55 does in environments like that.
thomas diehl
Active member
Ned, we are waiting. Tell us about your shooting experiences! Please.
I am still editing the short external features tour but were unable to complete all the features as well as shoot. Long complex story, but Sony needed the demo cam back.
What I can say from limited time is that the form factor is great. Construction is solid. Viewfinder construction is not the same as the high end viewfinders and the only controls on the viewfinder per se are mirror on/off, brightness and focus magnification. Zebras, peaking, etc are all operated from menu. I liked the "operator control panel" as I am calling it. One suggestion to Sony is to include picture profile choices on that side dispay. Right now, you can toggle between SLog2, Rec709, Standard Gammas and Hypergammas. PP choices need to be made from menu. Not a big deal to me, but maybe to others who switch profiles frequently. But I liked having available settings needed on a particular shot which then can be reconfigured via the menu structure.
A real pleasure to change PL lenses. Mount is rock solid and wings are large metal wings molded into the mount as opposed to the F3 small wings screwed into the mount.
Hoping to get another camera to complete everything.
Ned
What I can say from limited time is that the form factor is great. Construction is solid. Viewfinder construction is not the same as the high end viewfinders and the only controls on the viewfinder per se are mirror on/off, brightness and focus magnification. Zebras, peaking, etc are all operated from menu. I liked the "operator control panel" as I am calling it. One suggestion to Sony is to include picture profile choices on that side dispay. Right now, you can toggle between SLog2, Rec709, Standard Gammas and Hypergammas. PP choices need to be made from menu. Not a big deal to me, but maybe to others who switch profiles frequently. But I liked having available settings needed on a particular shot which then can be reconfigured via the menu structure.
A real pleasure to change PL lenses. Mount is rock solid and wings are large metal wings molded into the mount as opposed to the F3 small wings screwed into the mount.
Hoping to get another camera to complete everything.
Ned
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
Burn.
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
Still dont understand why they put most of the controls on the operator side of the camera, including the headphone jack.
Thats what happens when engineers dont talk to the end operator.
Thats what happens when engineers dont talk to the end operator.
G
Guest
Guest
Maybe they are targeting the run and gun indie market. haha.
You know, I always hated that the Red one has zero buttons on the assistant side of the camera. Some user assignable buttons should live on the right side of the camera (camera right) Focus magnification should be on the assistant side, as well as many other basic functions. Especially for commercial work where the DP is the operator and there is only one camera assistant. Sheesh. How's an assistant supposed to keep track of everything going on with the camera setting, while the DP/operator is making all the other decisions. They only talk to operators and DP's, and probably never see a lowly 1st AC.