F55: Learning to use higher end cameras (F5 / F55, Alexa, RED, etc)?

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Gene Sung

Veteran
I'm an upstart DP who just this year has finally started DPing some network broadcast gigs. One of the studios I'm associated with has me DPing their lower budget spots on my FS700; but since it's for broadcast TV and in Los Angeles, "low budget" means they're still pretty legit gigs (full crew, catering, decent day rate, etc.).

I would love to try and step up and eventually DP / operate on their more bigger budget projects where they use higher end cameras (Alexa, RED and hopefully the Sony F5 / F55s).

My questions is, how do you go about learning how to use F55s, REDs, Alexas, etc….? I obviously cannot afford to buy any of these.

Do you take a class (this seems really un-practical)? Volunteer to AC / camera PA for someone (but how close can you actually get to the camera)? Make friends with someone at Abel Cine and mess around on the buttons with the show room cameras? Make friends with someone who owns a higher end camera?

Don't they have on-line camera simulators where you can learn the menus and what not? I still wouldn't feel good about operating a camera like the F55 / Alexa if I have not messed with it in real life before a shoot.

Thanks for any advice
 
You can come to our Open House event this weekend at AbelCine to learn a lot about many of these cameras as well as various accessories. You're always welcome to visit our showroom to ty out the equipment we have on display there. And lastly if there is a camera or two that you have very specific interest in, we do offer intensive classes which will walk you through all of the operations and best practices with the cameras. We also have a variety of free events, like this weekend's open house and then the AbelCine LA EXPO: Camera-Mounted Recorders on Tuesday evening (July 23rd). Plenty of learning opportunities at AbelCine.
 
35 is 35 so really its more likely you'd want to familiar yourself with the buttons, menus and what they do. The manuals are the first thing I'd be taking a look at, and more so where to set the WB, ISO, shutter speed/angle, and lastly what exposure tools and options are available and how t ouse them.

If you can't get some time (generally free) at some local rental houses, or just don't want to leave your house then learn online in steps as easy as 1, 2, 3....

Here's an online menu simulator for the F5/F55:
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/global.pkg/simulator/F55F5_MenuSimulator_2013/index.html

ARRI Alexa menu simulator:
http://www.arri.com/camera/digital_cameras/tools/alexa_camera_simulator.html

RED doesn't have an online menu simulator I'm aware of, but their manual does an excellent job of breaking down the camera into various sections of operation, etc:
https://www.red.com/downloads
 
Mitch Gross said:
You can come to our Open House event this weekend at AbelCine to learn a lot about many of these cameras as well as various accessories. You're always welcome to visit our showroom to ty out the equipment we have on display there. And lastly if there is a camera or two that you have very specific interest in, we do offer intensive classes which will walk you through all of the operations and best practices with the cameras. We also have a variety of free events, like this weekend's open house and then the AbelCine LA EXPO: Camera-Mounted Recorders on Tuesday evening (July 23rd). Plenty of learning opportunities at AbelCine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response Mitch. The Open House sounds great. Quick question, how much do your intensive classes cost? And how often do they run? That seems like a good place to start.

Also, thanks for the links Star Central
 
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Going to a place like Abel or other rental house is a great way to get your hands on the gear and test it out.

You'll want to test each camera out in similar environments to find out where the engineers like to put the mid grey point and how they handle the highlights.


Of all of those cameras, the Red and the Alex are the easiest to change the camera settings, IMO.
 
The prices and schedule vary, but we try not to make them too expensive and run them fairly often. All of the information is on our website, abelcine.com. Click on the TRAINING tab at the top of the page to find out more.
 
If the jobs are that legit, you will presumably have a solid AC or two onboard who should have familiarity with the camera in use. The cameras you describe all shoot in various forms of log or raw so it's not like you need to "paint" the camera via menus like the old days. It's nice to be able to get under the hood if need be, but it shouldn't be necessary if you have the right crew. I've worked with the Alexa day in and day out for the past couple of years and I only recently adjusted the WB and EI myself, just for giggles.

If that kind of thing makes you too nervous, then by all means follow the advice above and get your hands dirty. Overall though, know that higher end cameras are in general much easier to use than ones like the FS700, where the layout and menu system tends to be less logical.
 
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