FS5: Techniques for working with the FS5II?

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dipstik

Member
Hey everyone,

I've got some technique questions about operating the FS5II.

I primarily shoot with the FS7, and have done so for about four or five years, so that camera is second nature to me.

However, I recently purchased the FS5II as a B-Cam, but I'd like to start using it more as an A-Cam for specific shoots, mostly documentary or where having a low-profile and being mobile is paramount.

That said, I can't seem to get the hang of using this camera. Primarily, I find focusing to be extremely difficult. The on-board monitor doesn't have the same level of peaking utility, nor brightness as the FS7, so I find it practically unusable in sunlight. Indoors is not a whole lot better, as the image never really pops into focus like with the FS7.

The viewfinder is not much better.

Does anyone have techniques for reliable focusing using the supplied monitor and peaking controls? Any settings that can better aid focusing? Using a SmallHD monitor is possible, but sort of defeats the purpose for me.

I have similar questions for exposure: without a waveform monitor, I struggle to determine the accuracy of my exposures. Does anyone have advice for standard picture profiles they use, and how they judge exposure using the histogram for those profiles?

Thanks in advance.
 
I wasn't happy till I started using my SmallHD monitor with my FS5. It totally solved my focus issues with peaking and the larger/brighter/higher resolution monitor. The waveform of the SmallHD left no doubt about my exposure. I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but using just the existing monitor for focus wasn't something I trusted.

Histogram for exposure is hit or miss depending upon the scene. There are shooters who set zebras for 70 IRE and adjust exposure till they show up on a caucasian face. Different IREs for different profiles, of course. I believe 70 was for S-Log, whereas you'd want it closer to around 60-63 for the Cine profiles. I believe both Doug Jensen and Alister Chapman have some suggested levels for zebras that are Google-able.

So if you can't roll with a monitor use zebras, but that doesn't solve the focusing problem. I feel like the first time I'm out of focus on a professional shoot I'm wishing I had used my SmallHD. haha
 
I shoot with the fs5 I and I find both the EVF and lcd screen to be pretty poor for critical focus. I use a combo of magnification and peaking but it's still a little dodgy. IMO using an external monitor defeats the purpose of a light and agile run n' gun camera -- which the FS5 is when stripped down.
 
The LCD on the FS7 is better than the one on FS5 but I still manage to nail focus without to much effort. Same thing with the EVF which isn't great. But it gets the job done.
I guess you have to live with what the FS5 can offer unless you put a monitor on it. I like the image from the SmallHD Focus 5 so that might be a nimble enough option.
 
I've found the viewfinder on the FS5 helpful for monitoring focus. Another option are the ZACUTO viewfinders you can add on to the setup.
 
I have the Zacuto setup on my FS5 and rely on the peaking. When I'm shoulder mounted I am relying on the histogram and the zebras but if I am on a tripod all day or for an event I stick a monitor on with waveform. I don't have that much trouble with focussing thanks to the Zacuto. I never ever use the rear mounted viewfinder.
 
Like others have said I rely on a monitor (Atomos Shogun Inferno or Shinobi) most of the time. It makes a huge difference in how easy it is for me to nail focus and exposure, especially when shooting slog2.

If I need to shoot with the stock LCD alone I put a cheap Kinotehnik loupe on it, which helps with magnification and seeing the image in sunlight. For exposure I try to keep it super simple in these cases: protect my highlights in cinegammas and overexposure in slog2.
 
Like drboff, I use the Kinotehnik loupe with the Atomos Shinobi when it's on a tripod.

Monitoring is the biggest weakness of the FS5 IMO. It would be fantastic if the FX6 had a better LCD with a decent loupe (like the FX9's but smaller) instead of the FS5's crappy EVF.
 
Andy9 said:
Like drboff, I use the Kinotehnik loupe with the Atomos Shinobi when it's on a tripod.

Monitoring is the biggest weakness of the FS5 IMO. It would be fantastic if the FX6 had a better LCD with a decent loupe (like the FX9's but smaller) instead of the FS5's crappy EVF.
Click to expand...

Speaking of which, any word when the FX6 will be available?
 
The only positive thing I'll say about the LCD/EVF on the FS5 is that they're far better than those on the Panasonic EVA1.
 
mcbob said:
The only positive thing I'll say about the LCD/EVF on the FS5 is that they're far better than those on the Panasonic EVA1.
Click to expand...

I stopped by BH today to browse and I checked out the LCD on the EVA1. I can't believe how cheap and low quality it is. It looks like Fisher Price built it and when you increase the brightness it just blows everything out and has a fogging effect on the image. Now I know why you EVA1 guys swap out the LCD ;)
 
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