More On Sony S-Log Offer and Rebates

Peter, I'm just down the street from the Teaneck depot and in fact was there about 11:30 investigating the upgrade situation. Wonder if we passed in the parking lot!

I would definitely advise backing up your settings to an SD card before the update. I have a Hoodman adapter and just use throw-away 1 or 2gb SD cards to back up settings. Then, restore after the upgrade is completed.

Ned
 
I would definitely advise backing up your settings to an SD card before the update. I have a Hoodman adapter and just use throw-away 1 or 2gb SD cards to back up settings. Then, restore after the upgrade is completed.

Yea, I thought of that right after I dropped my camera off. For those who already got their upgrade, does it wipe all of your settings?
 
I didn't know this would happen, and if fact they, ( Sony tech's / Teaneck ), didn't warn me that the settings would be lost. But in fact it's not a big deal for me, I haven't found the need to "tweak" the basic F3 much at all. I liked it pretty much "out of the box".
I do use one of Andy Shipside's, ( AbelCine ), profiles. They evaporated on the upgrade, but I reinstalled them this afternoon, not a problem.
However I do feel I need a course on how to use the S-Log effectively now.
I've still got one foot firmly stuck in shooting film, menus and options in digital cinematography make me want to un-cork a Cote du Rhone......Film seems so much simpler!
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Peter, I'm just down the street from the Teaneck depot and in fact was there about 11:30 investigating the upgrade situation. Wonder if we passed in the parking lot!

I would definitely advise backing up your settings to an SD card before the update. I have a Hoodman adapter and just use throw-away 1 or 2gb SD cards to back up settings. Then, restore after the upgrade is completed.

Ned

Hello Ned.....Actually I was out of there by 10am, very efficient on their part........I was planning to drop by AbelCine in the Village afterwards, ( I've been friends with Pete and Rich since their early Staten Island days.....and still own and use my Aaton film gear! )......
As it turned out I had to rush back South on i95 for an unexpected family emergency, so I didn't go into ACT.
Anyway what did Sony / Teaneck tell you about the availability of the upgrade?
Will you upgrade to the S-Log for your F3?
The guy behind the desk told me that they were "out of stock", or nearly so already. I guess they underestimated demand.
There were at least a couple of calls from other F3 owners calling to book their cameras in for the upgrade while I was waiting for mine.

Good idea to use the SD card adapter for Settings back-up. I'm going to do that now. Thanks.


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Sony Teaneck is out of stock and they were uncertain whether they would even receive any more. They said it was dependent upon management. Management is looking into the situation. So, there really isn't enough info to comment. Sorry you didn't get to see Abel's new show room and demo room. Top notch people.
 
Agreed re: Abel's, pretty slick showroom and set-up there. I've visited the Greenwich Street office quite a few times since they moved into Manhattan from Staten Island. I think I bought my first Aaton from them back in the early 1990's and been buying film and digital cameras and lenses through them since, including this F3. As you say, top notch, they always have been.
Crazy that Sony Teaneck is out of the upgrade already, what's it been? A week or so since they announced this?

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I talked with someone in the New Jersey office today and they said they were slow and would have no problem doing the upgrade. Now I just have to send it off.
 
If you count Australia as in Asia, yes. I have an F3 and am keen to get S-Log. I did have the full price version on order but cancelled as soon as the US got this deal. Sony Australia don't even reply to messages, and my dealer can get no info either.
 
I'm very confused about all this

How are they running out of a repeatable software update?

They only need one card that has it and to just keep using it.

its not like this is an online activation program (right?)
 
How can they be out of stock for a software upgrade?

Sony is using the regular inventory of S-Log on 32gb SxS cards to perform the update on each camera and then repurposing the card. So they can definitely run out of stock of those pre-configured encrypted cards.
 
If that's the case, then we should assume that in the future, after the end of this promotion, the S-Log upgrade will not be sold on SxS cards...

Any ideas, Ned?
 
No ideas. I don't want to speculate. I also have not been provided any advance press info. And if I had, I not only couldn't disclose it, I couldn't even discuss the topic at all.

Let's just at this point hope that "temporary suspension" means that Sony will be able to replenish the inventory to satisfy the demand. What will happen after April 1 is anybody's guess.
 
i'm a DOP base in Thailand i own my F3 and thinking to get s-log...i just talk to sony thai..they don't know either... They're contacting sony Japan but no reply yet
hopefully, this upgrade promo will be on in my country too.
I just wondering why s log promo[899$] need to replace parts in the camera while s log s*s card version no need?
 
Maybe the reality is they tried to make the software uninstallable and it didn't work.

Or the maybe they have had second thoughts. That might kill future sales if everyone is waiting for a big discount.
 
More from Sony to me today...

There is a revised graphical rebate and offer descriptive page that I will upload when I get the chance.

Meanwhile, Sony has indeed run out of inventory of S-Log upgrades and it will be a couple of weeks before stock is replenished. They will have additional stock so those who were told that "the program is on hold" should not be concerned that they will not get their $899 S-Log upgrade.

As it was reported to me (and remember now, I'm acting as a journalist reporting my sources-- so don't ask me Sony's rationale), the camera was originally designed to be unlocked by a hidden file on a secure partition of an SxS card. Thus, each camera requires one card out of Sony's inventory. The full price allowed the user to keep the card as a value-added. Furthermore, Sony's accounting system for S-Log is set up with S-Log card SKU. So, for accounting purposes this is the way it has to be sold. Sony is in the process of ordering additional inventory which will then go to LA and Teaneck service centers. Users then on the list will be notified. It also should be noted that Sony is turning around the cameras in a day or so, and walk-ins are getting their cameras unlocked on the spot.

Let me also add that if you have not already upgraded your camera to firmware 1.31, do that first in order to make things go faster. If you have not done so, the Sony tech will to the update and in the process reset all of your settings. Regardless of whether you do the 1.31 update or have Sony perform it, make certain you back up your settings. I use a small SD card.

Ned Soltz
 
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