Please HELP WITH SONY F35

D

DIRECTORDEVIN

Active member
Good day everyone,

I am purchasing a Sony f35 but it does not come with the IF BOX. how much of a deal breaker is not having the box? It comes with a nice evf. I want to know can i still use my blackmagic video assist with this cameras without the (if) box. also how will I power the camera through vmount without the box? thanks so much in advance
 
I'd keep looking. You need the IF box for 4:4:4 and 50p recording.

Having to deal with the other limitations of the camera and not at least getting 4:4:4/50p isn't worth it in my eyes.

Either secure an IF box first, or look for a package that includes one.

A heavy, 400 ISO, 1080p, 30fps camera isn't all that appealing.
 
Grug said:
I'd keep looking. You need the IF box for 4:4:4 and 50p recording.

Having to deal with the other limitations of the camera and not at least getting 4:4:4/50p isn't worth it in my eyes.

Either secure an IF box first, or look for a package that includes one.

A heavy, 400 ISO, 1080p, 30fps camera isn't all that appealing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, so are you saying that I will at least get 4:2:2 color space but not 444 and slow motion? I really need to confirm this and also can I still use a vmount battery without the box? Thanks again
 
Yep, 1080p 4:2:2 at 24p, 25p and 30p is all you'll get from the SDI port on the camera body.

You need the IF box to get 4:4:4 and 50p (via dual-link).

You can just use a regular v-mount (or gold mount) battery plate to power the camera body (don't need the IF box for that). You just need to make sure you have the CORRECT 8-pin Lemo power connector - I followed someone's recommendation on here, and wasted $100 ordering the wrong connector first time around. So be careful.
 
Grug said:
Yep, 1080p 4:2:2 at 24p, 25p and 30p is all you'll get from the SDI port on the camera body.

You need the IF box to get 4:4:4 and 50p (via dual-link).

You can just use a regular v-mount (or gold mount) battery plate to power the camera body (don't need the IF box for that). You just need to make sure you have the CORRECT 8-pin Lemo power connector - I followed someone's recommendation on here, and wasted $100 ordering the wrong connector first time around. So be careful.
Click to expand...

Also do you remember the brand name of the plate with Leno connector you bought?
 
DIRECTORDEVIN said:
Also do you remember the brand name of the plate with Leno connector you bought?
Click to expand...

I didn't buy a plate, just the connector - and had a camera tech make a cable from it for me. I've had a look, but can't find an invoice/product number for it anywhere. From memory the rental house just ordered in the correct part for me.
 
Ricardo Birnbaum did a few tests and provided original footage comparing 444 from the Odyssey to 422 and, to my eyes, I could not see any difference. Maybe others did different tests and had different observations. Personally, I record 422 on the Pix e5.
 
Before you buy F35

Read the manual, you will learn something you didn’t know.

Film and Digital Times used to be a bible of information on the F23,F35 and F65. Getting access to 2003-2005 issues is highly worth it. I would say this is the single best source of information on the early Cine Alta’s because you see how the camera was initially designed to be used on big productions.

I understand what the IF box is because of Film and Digital Times, it was the way to send signals to director, DIT cart. No one designed it with recorders in mind. My point is the F35 was highly a complex cinema camera with many distribution options built in, this has led our community to be able exploit it into a entirely new monster.

I’m not trying to be rude, but if you are asking what the IF box does you simply have not read enough.
 
Appreciate your reply and link to the plate. I call that plate “the imposible to find” working on another solution now with the dtap to 8 pin lemo. Perhaps I’ll get it attached to my Vmount plate somehow.


SJX said:
Yes Grug is right. Don't buy F35 without IF box. This is a mistake. F35 without IF box is just a super ultra F3. F35 with IF box is Alexa slayer.
This is the battery plate you want:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...bauer_qrc_sc_alta_b_gold_mount_plate_for.html they exist for V or anton.
Click to expand...
 
I don’t think you’re “meaning” to be rude it’s just the habit and passion of the f35 that causes everyone who owns one to assume others who are just now getting the camera to know nothing about the system is all. But, some of us don’t just get the system to understand its technical culture. For example I’m bought this camera because it’s the closest I can get to film without shooting celluloid. IF box doesn’t change that at all. I didn’t have all the information that’s true, but no one buys a camera this old without realizing the power of film, so it’s best to assume instead that anyone buying “this” particular system must have realized the same things you must of about digital sensors these days not being as up to par. I am beyond a professional and this group is awesome to get answers that saves anyone the research.

On another note the reference for the film and digital times is a beauty thanks for that.

Lastly new users who are coming here and asking you guys for help really do respect the community. It’s not a great feeling when members who you perhaps don’t know but seen all of their contributions simply doesn’t answer your question but instead lectures you and kinda calls you ignorant from not reading a manual out of excitement. Like you have no idea how long I’ve valued you as a contributor here silently. I’ll read manual for sure, but have you ever just been so excited that you are getting the camera you always wanted because you just know it’s awesome? And then after you get it you read the manual?

yachacha said:
Before you buy F35

Read the manual, you will learn something you didn’t know.

Film and Digital Times used to be a bible of information on the F23,F35 and F65. Getting access to 2003-2005 issues is highly worth it. I would say this is the single best source of information on the early Cine Alta’s because you see how the camera was initially designed to be used on big productions.

I understand what the IF box is because of Film and Digital Times, it was the way to send signals to director, DIT cart. No one designed it with recorders in mind. My point is the F35 was highly a complex cinema camera with many distribution options built in, this has led our community to be able exploit it into a entirely new monster.

I’m not trying to be rude, but if you are asking what the IF box does you simply have not read enough.
Click to expand...
 
yes I “mean” to find it annoying when someone is too lazy to read established knowledge, instead posts a generic subject with all caps.

I have read every post ever posted on this forum. If you go back to the beginning you will see a lot more sharing of information and discoveries. Now days this is not the case.

Very very easy to make F35 battery plate these days using the $79 cable from eBay.
 
Hello Devin,

Regarding the connector that goes directly to the camera to power it, the connector you need is technically called LEMO FGJ.3B.308. You can find them online at specialty electronic stores, and they pop up on eBay every once in a while, but most of them tend to be expensive for just the plug itself. I think you best bet is to buy this pre-assembled cable on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D27FJ8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has the correct LEMO plug and has a D-Tap on the other end. I can vouch for the cable as I have purchased it myself and it works perfectly with my F35. I can also attest to the quality of the cable as I have disassembled it to make a much longer (~20') cable to power the F35 from an AC adapter I put together (I also have a V-mount plate with the same plug). If you are not comfortable in taking the cable apart and soldering it to a V-mount plate, since all batteries come with d-tap built-in (the Neewer battery I mentioned to you in PM has it), you really don't even need a V-mount plate - you can simply plug this cable directly from the battery d-tap to the camera. Obviously you will need to mount the battery somewhere, so you could find a cheap V-mount plate like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/V-Mount-Adap...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

find a way to mount it on your rig, connect the d-tap cable to it and then you can easily swap out your batteries. For hand-held work I actually use a V-mount with belt clip and simply clip the battery to my waist, which has the added benefit of reducing the weight on your shoulder. There are, of course, many other V-mount plates with d-tap you can use that also have different mounting options - it simply depends on your preferred way of mounting the battery.

One last thing - the F35 power switch has two power-on settings: ON and CA. ON will power it from the power connector integrated into the camera. CA will power it from the IF Box. Note also that the IF Box uses a 4 pin XLR connector for power, not the 9 pin LEMO connector. The cable on Amazon I recommend above will only connect to the camera directly, not to the IF Box.

Hope this information helps.

Cheers,
Igor


Grug said:
Yep, 1080p 4:2:2 at 24p, 25p and 30p is all you'll get from the SDI port on the camera body.

You can just use a regular v-mount (or gold mount) battery plate to power the camera body (don't need the IF box for that). You just need to make sure you have the CORRECT 8-pin Lemo power connector - I followed someone's recommendation on here, and wasted $100 ordering the wrong connector first time around. So be careful.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Samana76 said:
Hello Devin,

Regarding the connector that goes directly to the camera to power it, the connector you need is technically called LEMO FGJ.3B.308. You can find them online at specialty electronic stores, and they pop up on eBay every once in a while, but most of them tend to be expensive for just the plug itself. I think you best bet is to buy this pre-assembled cable on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D27FJ8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has the correct LEMO plug and has a D-Tap on the other end. I can vouch for the cable as I have purchased it myself and it works perfectly with my F35. I can also attest to the quality of the cable as I have disassembled it to make a much longer (~20') cable to power the F35 from an AC adapter I put together (I also have a V-mount plate with the same plug). If you are not comfortable in taking the cable apart and soldering it to a V-mount plate, since all batteries come with d-tap built-in (the Neewer battery I mentioned to you in PM has it), you really don't even need a V-mount plate - you can simply plug this cable directly from the battery d-tap to the camera. Obviously you will need to mount the battery somewhere, so you could find a cheap V-mount plate like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/V-Mount-Adap...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

find a way to mount it on your rig, connect the d-tap cable to it and then you can easily swap out your batteries. For hand-held work I actually use a V-mount with belt clip and simply clip the battery to my waist, which has the added benefit of reducing the weight on your shoulder. There are, of course, many other V-mount plates with d-tap you can use that also have different mounting options - it simply depends on your preferred way of mounting the battery.

One last thing - the F35 power switch has two power-on settings: ON and CA. ON will power it from the power connector integrated into the camera. CA will power it from the IF Box. Note also that the IF Box uses a 4 pin XLR connector for power, not the 9 pin LEMO connector. The cable on Amazon I recommend above will only connect to the camera directly, not to the IF Box.

Hope this information helps.

Cheers,
Igor
Click to expand...

Igor, I didn't know P-Tap from a battery would be sufficient to power the F35. I know some battery plates have their P-Taps with a fuse, and some other circuitry. I thought that was to protect it from overloading (for example from powering an F35)
 
yachacha said:
Before you buy F35

Read the manual, you will learn something you didn’t know.

Film and Digital Times used to be a bible of information on the F23,F35 and F65. Getting access to 2003-2005 issues is highly worth it. I would say this is the single best source of information on the early Cine Alta’s because you see how the camera was initially designed to be used on.
Click to expand...

Any specific issues? And are these available for free?

C
 
In my experience with both the F23 and F35, its always smartest to power using a proper lemo battery plate. I tried powering my F23 with the LEMO and blew a fuse in the SRW. The camera body and SRW will not be able to power using p tap power, you will break something I promise you.
 
DIRECTORDEVIN said:
Lastly new users who are coming here and asking you guys for help really do respect the community. It’s not a great feeling when members who you perhaps don’t know but seen all of their contributions simply doesn’t answer your question but instead lectures you and kinda calls you ignorant from not reading a manual out of excitement. Like you have no idea how long I’ve valued you as a contributor here silently. I’ll read manual for sure, but have you ever just been so excited that you are getting the camera you always wanted because you just know it’s awesome? And then after you get it you read the manual?
Click to expand...
I hear that, and yeah, it can be like cold water, but definitely don't take it too much to heart. Luckily there are manuals and the >300pgs of F35 goodness on this forum. And while I am sure you have read them, now that you have the camera or will soon, good to go over it again.

Yachacha has been an awesome person and spent time helping us all and shared his findings. And you have expressed your appreciation for him and that is great. Good to give eachother the benefit of the doubt, as F35 world is pretty small. Gotta lean on each other pretty hard. I actually miss my chats with rbirnbaum. Good times.

Looking forward to what you create with the F35. I miss that camera and pretty jealous of you right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top