Movie and TV productions using the Sony F3....

The Talent Show Story (TV) 5x 1 hour UK documentary series for ITV (2012)
Derren Brown: The Experiments (TV) Channel 4 UK (2011)
 
There was just last week in New York at the Lincoln Center a world premiere of a feature documentary I was the DP on titled "Follow Me". It is a film about Yoni Netanyahu the old brother of Benjamin. The film was shot with my F-3 and the images projected beautifully on the big screen. I am also currently using the F-3 on episodes of "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman" on Discovery Science Channel. The F-3 is also being used for all of the recreations on the Investigation Discovery series "Nightmare Next Door".
 
I've been using the F3 on NBC Dateline and Rock Center shoots. Not all the time, but with increasing frequency.
 
Give me more specifics so I can post it. NBC Dateline I've heard of. Certain segments? What is Rock Center?
 
Rock Center is the new NBC News magazine show hosted by Brian Williams. I believe (but I'm not certain) that NBC bought 6 F3's for the show in New York. When I've been called to shoot for them as a freelancer out in Chicago they often request F3's unless the shoot requires a lot of run-and-gun, and then the producer might opt for the flexibility of a 2/3" camera.

Dateline NBC occasionally requests F3, and sometimes I can sell it in to the producer for the shoot. Higher profile celebrity interview pieces have been the types of shoots that have been requesting F3. We also recently used the F3 for the b-roll on a murder mystery set to air in June.

Also, I just got my first F3 request for the Today Show, so it seems to me catching on over there.
 
Dave Goulding said:
There was just last week in New York at the Lincoln Center a world premiere of a feature documentary I was the DP on titled "Follow Me". It is a film about Yoni Netanyahu the old brother of Benjamin. The film was shot with my F-3 and the images projected beautifully on the big screen. I am also currently using the F-3 on episodes of "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman" on Discovery Science Channel. The F-3 is also being used for all of the recreations on the Investigation Discovery series "Nightmare Next Door".
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Hi Dave,

What was your experience shooting a doc with the f3? We're you able to manage with run n gun situations?
 
DSC_0011.jpg

Hi Danny,

One thing I have found to be key in filming documentaries with the F-3 is having a good hand held rig. Even more is having a rig that you can go from tripod to hand held quickly without any major re-construction of the gear. The other key element is finding a good viewfinder and rig for it. I invested in the Abel Cine tech viewfinder set up that allows me to use my Panasonic 3700 B&W viewfinder. I have been using this type of viewfinder for decades and it's very comfortable with excellent resolution.

I have the Element Technica base plate and shoulder rig with a small bridge plate that slides on and off a dove tail plate that makes jumping from hand held to tripod and balancing the rig pretty easy. For documentary style work this set up works well for me. I hope this helps.

Dave Goulding
 
Dave, that IS very helpful and I really appreciate your reply and photo.
Do you think you might be able to give a ballpark figure of how much your rig costs (excluding lens)?
So that would include viewfinder (I know it's old), follow focus/mattbox, baseplate and shoulder rig, etc?
Again, just a rough idea, if you have time.
Thanks again
 
Great set up Dave. Little tip, if your like me and never use the rear VF, you can just remove the diopter part and cap it off with a wrist/sweat band. All I did was hand sew up one side closed. Also after the VF is removed you can just cut a piece of 1/8 craft hard foam (you can buy at any craft store) and cut it into a small square and it will slip right up against glass and hold perfect in the grooves on either side. That piece to protect glass and slip on cover, and it disappears! sort of...
Here's mine.
DSC_0039.jpg
 
Are you baking a look into the camera? If so, do you have a scene file you recommend? And are you going direct to SxS cards?

Cheers,
 
I had to dig up my receipts but the parts are as follows:

Element Technica F-3 Riser and Shoulder Pad $1050
Abel Mount and signal box for viewfinder $1,100
Berkey top plate $225
Element Technica 12" Dovetail $425
Element Technica 15mm Hybrid Bridge Plate $875
Panasonic HVF 21K B&W Viewfinder New $3500.00

There you have it! It was all purchased from Abel Cine Tech in NY. I also use Abel scene files for the F-3. About 2/3 of my client want me to record directly to SxS and the other 1/3 to a recorder(i have a Nano and a Pix 240) you may be able to find a used viewfinder around for cheaper. Try Ebay for starters. Good Luck!
 
Dave Goulding said:
I had to dig up my receipts but the parts are as follows:

Element Technica F-3 Riser and Shoulder Pad $1050
Abel Mount and signal box for viewfinder $1,100
Berkey top plate $225
Element Technica 12" Dovetail $425
Element Technica 15mm Hybrid Bridge Plate $875
Panasonic HVF 21K B&W Viewfinder New $3500.00

There you have it! It was all purchased from Abel Cine Tech in NY. I also use Abel scene files for the F-3. About 2/3 of my client want me to record directly to SxS and the other 1/3 to a recorder(i have a Nano and a Pix 240) you may be able to find a used viewfinder around for cheaper. Try Ebay for starters. Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Guys, that was all very off topic. This thread is to let us know which productions are using the F3.

IF some Moderator is reading this i ask that these last posts be moved to a separate thread.
 
Duke M. said:
Guys, that was all very off topic. This thread is to let us know which productions are using the F3.

IF some Moderator is reading this i ask that these last posts be moved to a separate thread.
Click to expand...

Please just let us know which thread it is going to for future reference, some very good information here! Thanks Dave
 
The Down Home Alien Blues (2012) A sci-fi romance feature length movie shot on the Sony F3 with Nikon Lenses starring Miss World Aruba, Nathalie Biermanns.
Doug Stabs Betty (2012) A wacky comedy feature length movie shot on the Sony PMW-F3 starring Calico Cooper, the daughter of rock star Alice Cooper.
 
I'm starting to use mine on feature-oriented shoots for the Newshour on PBS. (recording on SxS, by the way)
While some producers don't quite understand the slightly slower pace for dialing in the shots and changing lenses, all seems to be forgiven once they log the footage...
 
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