FS7: Just pulled the trigger on the FS7K

I did ask whether it ever happened to not be fast enough - as Sony usually introduces new cards which are faster and faster... Only then did I notice the new M-series write speed is actually slower, and understood its read speed is higher for faster offload. Clear enough?
 
moldcad said:
I did ask whether it ever happened to not be fast enough - as Sony usually introduces new cards which are faster and faster... Only then did I notice the new M-series write speed is actually slower, and understood its read speed is higher for faster offload. Clear enough?
Click to expand...

Yep, very clear you didn't engage common sense.
 
And your point exactly is?
I did say my common sense might be switched off temporarily by the UPS notification I got; what's the reason you don't quite differentiate between bytes and bits, Sir?
 
So I've got my FS7K :) I hope it will not let me down regarding picture quality, but I must say its build quality is a little disappointment. Also, I have some doubts about how long my unit had been waiting in some warehouse before it was delivered to me; here is one of a couple of reasons why:

- about a year ago, I remember reading some early adopter's gripe about how loose the telescoping arm is, in spite of the 2 (pathetic) screws being tightened correctly. If I'm not mistaken, Sony had acknowledged it then and some hardware changes to the arm design were promised. Did it ever happened, and the current production FS7s are improved in this department? Because mine isn't, and as minor flaw as it is I feel disappointed - the knocking sound of the telescopic arm will certainly be picked up by the on-board mic :(

- the S/N printed on the right side of the camera reads 0038184; isn't this relatively low number indicative of some earlier production time than a camera delivered in April 2016 should come from?

- and finally, my most important doubt: we all know E-mount is not very stiff, and in order to avoid back focus problems and alike with longer/heavier lenses, we should use a rail system and a lens support. But I would think Sony designed the kit camera/lens combo having double-checked this is not going a problem; unfortunately with the camera on the tripod, when I push on the lens ever so slightly, it definitely flexes in its mount.... Now: has anyone using the SELP18135 kit lens experienced back-focus problems, or are my concerns completely ungrounded?

I really hope someone will address all my doubts rather then sending me out to the search bar...

Piotr
 
If you are having major issues with a new camera then return it for a new one. I've had my FS7 for 17-18 months and my handle is solid and no mount flex when using DSLR primes and small zooms. I support any larger lenses. I don't have experience with teh 18-135 but it isn't a very heavy lens is it?
 
I know it's probably not what you want to hear but I agree with Frame Farm; if it were me and I had any questions about / issues with a brand new camera I would exchange it immediately.
 
What you all do not seem to take into account is I don't live in the US, and in Poland it's not that easy to return or exchange a camera of this price (yes the law protects consumers, but unfortunately not small businesses like mine; the only way for me is a warranty claim). Also, I'm not having "issues" - I'm just asking questions.

Hopefully a knowledgeable (and friendly) person like Sam or Dennis will address them after all...
 
Purchased my FS7 last May & my serial number is 22,7XX, so yours is likely new(ish).

And as you noted, pushing gently on 28-135mm causes flex at the E-mount, so I support it's lens foot. Unfortunately the lens foot is so long that it's base is exactly the same height as a baseplate's rods making support a bit tricky. My solution has been to use Letus' Quick Snap lens support. It's design allows the bridge to slip below the foot, & the quick release feature makes lens swaps somewhat faster. Eventually I decided to add short rails to a top plate & support the lens from above, the benefit being I don't have to use a baseplate, & even when I do it still nice to have the lower rails clear of clutter.

http://www.letus35.com/letus-quick-snap-lens-support/
 
I am not that knowledgeable, but I own a FS7. And I am not very friendly but I like the mother rabbits advice from Disney's Bambi; "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything."

I don't use the arm-grip. I always use a tripod. I don't know if I have an early one or newer one but the screws should be easy to replace by screws with a handle. When you visit Holland you can come and compare the cameras :-), maybe we can trade the arms.
For lens support I use a long base plate with some aluminium strips bolted on it, even with heavy zooms this is sturdy. (1 euro material, 15 euro manfrotto base plate).

But native e-mount lenses fit well and do not move at all in the mount, so you might have a problem there.
 
I apologize if you thought my reply was "unfriendly". I don't think we understood your dealer support situation. But I do understand your hesitancy to immediately ship off your new camera for a replacement when I'm sure you're excited to get shooting and familiarize yourself with it. So it really boils down to how much those issues bother you.

I own an FS7 but I "dodged the bullet" with the arm - not sure if it's because of the manufacture date or not but I can look at my serial once I'm back in the office.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Purchased my FS7 last May & my serial number is 22,7XX, so yours is likely new(ish).

And as you noted, pushing gently on 28-135mm causes flex at the E-mount, so I support it's lens foot. Unfortunately the lens foot is so long that it's base is exactly the same height as a baseplate's rods making support a bit tricky. My solution has been to use Letus' Quick Snap lens support. It's design allows the bridge to slip below the foot, & the quick release feature makes lens swaps somewhat faster. Eventually I decided to add short rails to a top plate & support the lens from above, the benefit being I don't have to use a baseplate, & even when I do it still nice to have the lower rails clear of clutter.

http://www.letus35.com/letus-quick-snap-lens-support/
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Hey Bern.

How is your top plate 15mm rod system working for you? Is it heavy, and is it functional to mount microphone and EVF to it?

Im open to removing my handle and replacing it with rods, so it fits standing in my F-stop Shinn backpack. That would ease the packaging of the camera on hiking excursions and make room for lenses and or sleeping back instead of all the air i pack with the handle attached.
 
gen dobre,

I've only used CP.2's with lens mount adapter on the FS7 and feel like for me personally that is the max weight I would put on that mount... the kit lens is around the same weight as the CP.2 (2.4lbs) and although I've never used the kit lens I can easily see how a longer lens might flex the mount. Can you make a video of the flex and post it for users here to see? Maybe it's abnormal, maybe it is normal.

In the meantime I feel you should contact the company that you bought the camera from and ask how soon you can return it if not satisfied. You don't have to tell them you are not satisfied but ask that you want to know the return policy and that you intent to spend some time with the camera to determine if you will keep it. See how that conversation goes, and if returning is no problem then at least you will know....

Having said that if you can swing a return and still formed your decision around Sony then I encourage you as I did in your other thread to look at a used or new Sony F5 package. If not for the mount alone, but some of the other features that you may want to use one day. They also have 0% financing options and if you are a business then writing off your payments may be more beneficial then claiming a camera as an asset and following depreciation tables. (not sure how accounting laws are setup in Poland)
 
Wooden Camera's Top Plate is probably one of the heavier versions. While it's only 1/3 lbs. once combined with their NATO Handle Kit the weight climbs to just under 1 lbs. I don't really notice the extra weight, & the space savings are well worth the penalty. What seems to really weigh down the camera is the Shape Arm, & their Lightweight (base)Plate.

Not all Top Plates would allow attaching rods directly to them, at least without pushing the Top Handle too far back. Wooden Camera's extends further forward then most due to their PL Support system, but no further than the FS7's filter wheel, so won't affect it's storage footprint.

Didn't want the rail block to be higher then the Top Handle's NATO rail so went with a threaded version from SmallRig, & a set of threaded 2" rods. Ideally the rods would be 2.5", & I may have Berkey cut some, but so far the support has been fine, & the short length makes lens changes a bit simpler.

http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-1-2-13-Thread-15mm-Rod-Clamp-1265.html

http://www.smallrig.com/2pcs-Black-15mm-Rods2-with-1-2-13-thread-1221.html

I strive (& fail) to keep my FS7 compact, & lightweight, so it's easy on air travel, & one item I convent is Denz's baseplate. Unfortunately these are all but impossible to locate in the USA.

https://cameradoe.wordpress.com/2015/01/28/denz-base-plate-for-sony-pxw-fs7/
 
Thanks guys for so many ad rem posts. Dennis - while your advise sounds good, believe me I as a one-man company have no possibility to return the camera; as I said the only way would be a warranty claim. But I'm too excited about starting shooting with it, so I'll spare myself going through the hassle of proving to Sony that their kit lens is indeed flexing their own E-mount, or that the two screws that lock the telescopic arm are rubbish - I'll just take the advise I was given here, and device a way to support this lens. I have several vintage Canon primes which are much shorter and lighter, so will be using them a lot too - without the need of supporting them; I'll also simply replace either the arm, or at least the screws with something more serious.

And once again - having known Sony for so many years, I don't treat those two things as "issues"; I just expected this camera (definitely the most advanced technologically, and for the highest price I've ever had) to be designed and built a little better.
 
In that case Bern has provided a lot of great suggestions regarding support, and personally if I owned an FS7 I am so particular with my equipment that I would probably be using lens support with a 2.4 lbs CP.2. :beer:

I still suggest you check out the shoulder mount support mega-thread,, lots of options there and surely you will get use to your stock Sony arm which some have managed to break off easily while others use it without problems.

By the way welcome to the Sony section full of fun and crazy moments.
 
Publimix said:
For lens support I use a long base plate with some aluminium strips bolted on it, even with heavy zooms this is sturdy. (1 euro material, 15 euro manfrotto base plate).
Click to expand...

Just looking how the lens' leg bottom is flush with the tripod plate, I immediately thought of a similar solution; could you please post a picture of your long plate with "strips"? TIA!
 
I saw a very nice one on this forum, can't find it anymore, aluminium and screws etc. Nicely crafted and machined.

My support is much less sophisticated, found a metal strip, sawed it in lengths of 10-15cm drilled some holes and bolted it together on a long baseplate.

P1240828.jpgP1240836.jpg

I painted it black and put some tape on it for decoration.
Works very well, but there is room for refinement.
The baseplate is long enough to glide on the tripod to have it balanced. It never leaves the camera.
 

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