FX6: The Sony ILME-FX6V Owners Club

The issues arises in environments where 'true level' doesn't look right because you are in a wonky old building where nothing is straight.
 
Ben Scott said:
The issues arises in environments where 'true level' doesn't look right because you are in a wonky old building where nothing is straight.
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Yup, I was in a shed today with a Kiln in it looking a filming a firing. The Kiln was level (but they had to put an actual level on it to prove it to me) as the slab and hence the shed itself was on a slope. It was very very disorientating. Anyway, either the LCD Level or a bubble level will help work that out.
 
Yes they are useless in the environment I mentioned where true level looks wrong so you have to level to the most prominent straight lines.
 
I might have a better FX6 screen hinge as I don't find it droops unless I add a loupe (and then only on some angles). Even then Alister Chapmans "cheat" of using a rubber band around the joint works.... but it tends to wear away and break eventually.
 
....or just glue a bit of thin dowel / extrusion across a hot shoe adapter to give you a level.
 
I am, like many others waiting for my FX6 to arrive. Between the stories of Covid and fires in factories and retooling for other products, I am just frustrated, annoyed and maybe this post is simply venting. My point:
So after 50+ pages here and many pages and sites elsewhere we can all agree the viewfinder mount on the FX6 SUCKS. Why has Sony, since they have time on their hands waiting for chips we are told, not made a design correction ? I am not saying they need to put a better viewfinder on the camera (though from what I read that would be nice) but why not put a better mount on the camera to hold the viewfinder? It is EVERYWHERE on the net that it sucks and here I am after shelling out $8,000 + Cdn. trying to decide which option I should buy to fix an inherent problem with the brand new camera I have yet to receive from my Sony dealer. Will it be the Zacuto fix? The Vocas solution? Order from CVP? Find someone who can 3D print and use one of the fine designs by a fellow DVXUser?
Frankly I think it is ridiculous that we should be doing this, but it seems we have no choice. When you have respected people like Doug Jensen telling you straight out, the monitor and assembly is less than ideal (He is a polite man albeit direct) and Sony reviewers everywhere say the like, we can only assume that Sony does not give a damn. Sad.
 
I don't know if it is a failing of one outsourced component or an inherent design flaw. There's no way it wouldn't have been picked up by anyone using it in the field as a beta tester though.

It's genuinely not fit for purpose.

Edit: I might send it in under warranty to see what they say.
 
BrianMurphy said:
My point: So after 50+ pages here and many pages and sites elsewhere we can all agree the viewfinder mount on the FX6 SUCKS.
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Brian, I think you are focused on the wrong problem. The bigger issue is that the FX6 doesn't come with an EVF and I predict you will want one from the moment you start using the camera. Do you really think you're going to be shooting outdoors just with the LCD monitor? Obviously, not. So if you start looking at adding an EVF to the camera then the problem of the floppy LCD mount becomes moot. I highly recommend the Zacuto Z-Finder because it solves both issues perfectly. It adds a very high quality loupe to the LCD screen without any extra power cables, batteries, etc. It comes with mounting hardware that fixes the droopy LCD problem and it still allows you to orient the LCD however you want to . . . and have it stay there. You can even flip it up out of the way when (without taking it completely off) so you can see the LCD without the loupe -- same as how the FS7 works.
Order now and have it waiting for you when the camera arrives. Consider the $565 just part of the true cost of the camera.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._find_fx6_sony_fx6_z_finder.html?sts=pi&pim=Y



BTW, the FX6 doesn't have a viewfinder so let's not call the LCD monitor a viewfinder. :-)
 
That last post was replying to Ben. The Zacuto looks like a solid solution, just too heavy. I'm sure it's fine if you've already got a cage / v-mount battery etc. as it won't unbalance the camera so much. I currently use the FX6 with a kinotehnik loupe and nothing else added. I'd really like to keep it as minimal as I can. That said, I haven't tested the Zacuto so this is all speculation but the package weight from B&H is 770 grammes. The FX6 body is only 890g.
 
Andy9 said:
That said, I haven't tested the Zacuto so this is all speculation but the package weight from B&H is 770 grammes. The FX6 body is only 890g.
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The actual weight of the Zacutor FX6 Z-Finder loupe is just a few ounces and you'd never even notice it. Don't let that package weight fool you.
 
Ben Scott said:
I just rewatched the Vocas video and I think I prefer that, but it is bloody pricey for a small piece of metal.
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I just ordered the VOCAS FX6 support kit for the LCD and a FX9 loupe. I was going to go for the ZACUTO but was concerned with the burn in factor, the weight and the bulkiness. But without seeing it I could be wrong. I have the alphatron and I burnt it twice. I could use the alphatron but did not want to loose SDI/HDMI and have to worry about power. I bought the FX 6 for ease of use and weight among all its other benefits. Plus according to Alister Chapman Sony has some filter in the loupe which helps protect the burn in situation. It takes way longer with the loupe to burn in the LCD. I have used the loupe plenty of times and never had a problem with burn in. Now the loupe is not greatest but next best thing in my mind a ZACUTO EVF.

With the VOCAS it is easy to install - and I do not have to do any modifications to the LCD. Plus should I just want to use the LCD I can take the loupe off. Yes it is pricey - but I like the flexibility.
 
Thanks as always for your reply Doug. Please don't missunderstand me, I fully do intend to buy a proper "viewfinder" for the FX6 and completely accept that Sony don't give a damn if we don't like the LCD monitor as our only option. But it still ticks me off.
So I will perhaps join the lineup at the Zacuto store but just heard from a buddy who has moved to a Red camera that he wants to sell his Zacuto Z-Finder Recoil Kit for Sony FS5. Any thoughts on whether this might work as is or if I could just order the rigging parts for the FX6? Not having an FX6 camera anywhere in Montreal amongst my colleagues to try it and I could get setup before my camera arrives LOL.
Thanks
Brian
 
I ordered the Z finder from them directly3 weeks ago and I’m still waiting for it. Seems they’re missing a part for it that hasn’t arrived.
 
BrianMurphy said:
he wants to sell his Zacuto Z-Finder Recoil Kit for Sony FS5. Any thoughts on whether this might work as is or if I could just order the rigging parts for the FX6? Not having an FX6 camera
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I'm not an expert on the Zacuto product line, but I'm pretty sure you can use the FS5 Z-Finder loupe on the FX6 if you get this hardware. I have a friend who did exactly that.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1617842-REG/zacuto_z_frm_fx6_sony_fx6_z_finder_mount.html
 
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