FX6: The Sony ILME-FX6V Owners Club

[broughtonfilm]

I sidestep all that silliness with an Atomos Ninja V. Never for recording but it's an excellent monitor.

I have to disagree. I don't think I know a monitor which is a bigger mess when dealing with signal levels. Ninja can't even display SMPTE bars correctly. Atomos keeps trying to patch it up with new updates but it's still awful.

Back on the subject - I'm not crazy saying that FS7 could keep all the markers displayed in the EVF at all times regardless of whether the "Display" was on or off?

 

[Ben Scott]

I have to disagree.

Of course you do!

I use the Sony monitor for waveform and log display and Atomos monitor for framing/guides/masks/lut checking/client casting an eye over the camera if we don't have a client monitor. Works perfectly.

Been a while since my FS7 but I seem to recall guides being a separate setting from the regular display on/off settings.

 

[broughtonfilm]

Of course you do!

I use the Sony monitor for waveform and log display and Atomos monitor for framing/guides/masks/lut checking/client casting an eye over the camera if we don't have a client monitor. Works perfectly.

Been a while since my FS7 but I seem to recall guides being a separate setting from the regular display on/off settings.

Guides/markers are still separate, it is the "Marker" menu. But they behave differently. External monitor does not solve the issue for me. I'm an EVF hugger, operate cameras using EVF 90% of the time. I want to have a clean EVF image with just the aspect masks and center mark AND be able to quickly toggle the display on and off to check if all is good. The info is particularly distracting on Sony cameras as its layout is very messy and blocking the image. I know I can disable display of the info items individually in the settings, but that would mean heaving to dive into the menu after a take (and pretty much impossible during) to bring them back on.

 

[Ben Scott]

Ah right. Aside from asking for a firmware update not sure what you can do. Would be nice if pressing display toggled though display on/of with and without markers.

I have my display set to as minimum settings as possible and can live with it.

 

[jmone]

I hope I'm not crashing the party, but the FX6 has opened up a new market for us complete novices! I've come from a Canon XF which I loved but wanted to kick it up to Full Frame (from 1") and shoot entirely in UHD, 50fps, HDR and playback as such (will make a SDR version only when needed). So far my FX6 setup is as follows:

Minimal Rig (for backpack travel videos etc):
- Removed the Sony XLR Mic Holder (don't like it at all, it was "floppy", and I got handling noise through it).
- Kept the Handle and Grip as it gives various handheld options
- Sony 24-240 Lens (don't laugh) - Here is a 100MB sample of a Water Dragon in our backyard (handheld @ 240) - Is it such a "bad" lens?
- Audio is just using the internal handle stereo Mic & I've 3d Printed some XLR dust caps as when they are not in use.



Full Rig
- E-Image GH06 Head & GA752 Sticks with a Libec ZFC-L LANC Zoom and Focus Control
- Sony PZ 28-135 (the One and Only PZ OSS Full frame lens. Coming from a Canon XF Camcorder, I find it bizarre that there is not a bigger range of PZ OSS lenses)
- Either Rode NTG1 (but using a slightly modified Rycote Shock Mounts that screws into where the stock mount was) or the Rhode Video Mike X on the shoe



Memory : I've tested a bunch but have settled on:
- Kingston V90 256 Canvas React Plus. No issues with any profile, and relatively inexpensive
- ZITAY CFExpress Type A to NVME adapter (with a 1TB NVME SSD drive)

Other: Again, don't laugh but I got this tip from Philip Bloom "aka El Chepo" - It does work really really well for shoulder mounting the FX6, and with the screen mounted forward as shown and is much more stable than hand held.

 

[alaskacameradude]

All right, I'm in. Worked in TV for years as a staff shooter and editor. While working,
saw the direction of things and decided to try to create an 'exit plan'. Bought a Sony
PD-150 (my first every personal camera) and a Mac and FCP. A couple years later, I
lost my TV job and out of pure desperation, my new video business was born. I typically
wait a long time between upgrades as I'm in a small, extremely isolated market (no
road access). My first camera upgrade was from the PD-150 to a Sony FS700.
And I have now upgraded to the Sony FX6. I lost all pre-booked client work in March 2020.
No work at all for about 6 months. Then I got lucky and was hired to shoot an entire
season of a comedy show. Normally, I'm sure the production company would have
flown in their own crew but because of Covid and my town's quarantine rules, that
would have been almost impossible for them, so I got very fortunate to get a couple
months work. Remote directors in LA and Montreal. They sent me an FX9 and I
hooked up a wireless transmitter to it, and the receiver went to my Macbook Pro
through a capture card. Then selected that input instead of the built in 'iSight camera'
in Zoom so the directors could see a live feed of my camera. They could then call
the actors and direct them on an iPhone 'conference call' and direct me as to what
to move in or out of frame/etc.... In remote areas I would 'hotspot' the Zoom call
through my phone and we shot lots of scenes where the actors were in a car driving
with the camera on a car mount. The show wrapped in late October (It's called
Humour Resources and aired on CBC in January....a little article about it here
https://mtltimes.ca/movies/entertai...s-new-comedy-series-debuts-on-cbc-in-january/

Anyways, after shooting with the FX9, I really liked it a lot but was hoping for a version
just a bit smaller for me personally. And just a month later the FX6 was announced!
I pre-ordered immediately and was literally the first person on Omega Broadcasting
and Cinema's pre-order list. After I got it, I have been busy posting on the FX6 user
group on Facebook and was even named 'Top Contributor' there. Not much work
right now so a person has to do something right? I would highly advise anyone
to join the group if you can stomach Facebook. Alistair Chapman has done several
livestreams on the group with all sorts of great information and quite a few other
good DP's have shared tips and other info on the camera. Joel's 'Phantom LUTs' for
the FX6 have also been posted there and quite a few people like using them with the camera.
I'm a fan of the camera. Although currently I only have 2 lenses for it, a Tamron 28-75 F2.8
and a old Canon FD 50 F1.4 with an adapter. Before this camera I only owned Super 35 glass.

 

[jmone]

For something different, I shoot in UHD, HLG, 50fps, 360 Shutter, Auto ND. Here are my settings in Davince Resolve to output HDR (unfortunately my playback software (madVR) currently does not support HLG so I need to use Rec.2020 ST2084 / HDR10 instead)



...and when I need to punch out a SDR grade, I'm using the following settings



I'd be interested in any comments on the above profiles (if I've got it wrong or suggestions)!.


I am also playing with pulling Iris for changing the Depth of Field for a revel of the "background", eg focused on a talking head talking about where we are. (wide open ... well F4 on the 28-135)... then manually racking the iris closed so the background also comes into focus showing what we are talking about. It works pretty well if you get the distance between you talking head and the background correct. You do see some brightness ramping at the beginning as you close down the iris and the Auto ND Filter compensates, but it does settle down. I need to practice this some more.

 

[Ben Scott]

All right, I'm in. Worked in TV for years as a staff shooter and editor. While working,
saw the direction of things and decided to try to create an 'exit plan'. Bought a Sony
PD-150 (my first every personal camera) and a Mac and FCP. A couple years later, I
lost my TV job and out of pure desperation, my new video business was born. I typically
wait a long time between upgrades as I'm in a small, extremely isolated market (no
road access). My first camera upgrade was from the PD-150 to a Sony FS700.
And I have now upgraded to the Sony FX6. I lost all pre-booked client work in March 2020.
No work at all for about 6 months. Then I got lucky and was hired to shoot an entire
season of a comedy show. Normally, I'm sure the production company would have
flown in their own crew but because of Covid and my town's quarantine rules, that
would have been almost impossible for them, so I got very fortunate to get a couple
months work. Remote directors in LA and Montreal. They sent me an FX9 and I
hooked up a wireless transmitter to it, and the receiver went to my Macbook Pro
through a capture card. Then selected that input instead of the built in 'iSight camera'
in Zoom so the directors could see a live feed of my camera. They could then call
the actors and direct them on an iPhone 'conference call' and direct me as to what
to move in or out of frame/etc.... In remote areas I would 'hotspot' the Zoom call
through my phone and we shot lots of scenes where the actors were in a car driving
with the camera on a car mount. The show wrapped in late October (It's called
Humour Resources and aired on CBC in January....a little article about it here
https://mtltimes.ca/movies/entertai...s-new-comedy-series-debuts-on-cbc-in-january/

Anyways, after shooting with the FX9, I really liked it a lot but was hoping for a version
just a bit smaller for me personally. And just a month later the FX6 was announced!
I pre-ordered immediately and was literally the first person on Omega Broadcasting
and Cinema's pre-order list. After I got it, I have been busy posting on the FX6 user
group on Facebook and was even named 'Top Contributor' there. Not much work
right now so a person has to do something right? I would highly advise anyone
to join the group if you can stomach Facebook. Alistair Chapman has done several
livestreams on the group with all sorts of great information and quite a few other
good DP's have shared tips and other info on the camera. Joel's 'Phantom LUTs' for
the FX6 have also been posted there and quite a few people like using them with the camera.
I'm a fan of the camera. Although currently I only have 2 lenses for it, a Tamron 28-75 F2.8
and a old Canon FD 50 F1.4 with an adapter. Before this camera I only owned Super 35 glass.

That's brilliant and well done for getting a gig, and a long term one at that during this insanity!

1st rule of Sony Camera club is remove the stupid mic mount. Agreed 100%.

I've deleted my FB account after the last couple of years of their behaviour essentially trying to subvert democracy around the world so my choices for FX6 chat are a bit limited. Anything juicy do share it here please!

 

[Ben Scott]

I hope I'm not crashing the party, but the FX6 has opened up a new market for us complete novices! I've come from a Canon XF which I loved but wanted to kick it up to Full Frame (from 1") and shoot entirely in UHD, 50fps, HDR and playback as such (will make a SDR version only when needed). So far my FX6 setup is as follows:

Minimal Rig (for backpack travel videos etc):
- Removed the Sony XLR Mic Holder (don't like it at all, it was "floppy", and I got handling noise through it).
- Kept the Handle and Grip as it gives various handheld options
- Sony 24-240 Lens (don't laugh) - Here is a 100MB sample of a Water Dragon in our backyard (handheld @ 240) - Is it such a "bad" lens?
- Audio is just using the internal handle stereo Mic & I've 3d Printed some XLR dust caps as when they are not in use.

View attachment 142552

Full Rig
- E-Image GH06 Head & GA752 Sticks with a Libec ZFC-L LANC Zoom and Focus Control
- Sony PZ 28-135 (the One and Only PZ OSS Full frame lens. Coming from a Canon XF Camcorder, I find it bizarre that there is not a bigger range of PZ OSS lenses)
- Either Rode NTG1 (but using a slightly modified Rycote Shock Mounts that screws into where the stock mount was) or the Rhode Video Mike X on the shoe

View attachment 142554

Love those 3d printed caps!

All sorts of innovative solutions happening.

Also the best lens is the one you have on you. Would love to see how you modified your Rycote mount.

 

[jmone]

FYI - the caps are here on Thiniverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2262508 I've left some notes on how I printed them

 

[Ben Scott]

FYI - the caps are here on Thiniverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2262508 I've left some notes on how I printed them

That's a bit outside my comfort zone. Ask me how to direct an Instagram celebrity Sausage Dog onto a cinema seat for a Vue Cinema screening of Paw Patrol movie and I'm there. 3D printing is still witchcraft to me.

Make 100 and sell them

 

[jmone]

Would love to see how you modified your Rycote mount.

Really simple. I ordered a pair of CYCLONE PAIR OF UNIVERSAL LYRE (72-SHORE) mounts and just had to cut a groove in the bottom of each to match the raised bump on the handle when you remove the stock holder. I used the same screws from the original. Good upgrade, holds the mic well and there is no handling noise.

 

[Ben Scott]

Really simple. I ordered a pair of CYCLONE PAIR OF UNIVERSAL LYRE (72-SHORE) mounts and just had to cut a groove in the bottom of each to match the raised bump on the handle when you remove the stock holder. I used the same screws from the original. Good upgrade, holds the mic well and there is no handling noise.

Super cool. Would be great to be able to use thumbscrews for easy breakdown as the handle with no mount fits perfectly in my case!

 

[jmone]

Super cool. Would be great to be able to use thumbscrews for easy breakdown as the handle with no mount fits perfectly in my case!

That would be ideal, and there is plenty of room for a thumbscrew head. I wonder what the thread details of the screw is.... or I could just 3d print a head and attach it to the screw.

 

[broughtonfilm]

While waiting for the proper Zacuto Z-Finder to be in stock, I came up with this "Sunday Hack". I'll warn lighthearted Super Pros that it is a borderline Instagram's "s*%tty Rigs" channel worthy, but maybe the rest of you will find it useful. Originally I wanted to see if I could secure it the way it is meant to with the rubber straps that come with this cheap $29 CVF-1 DSLR loupe by Kamerar, but as expected the loupe's frame was restricting the full coverage of the FX6's LCD because it is designed for smaller 3" LCD's. Putting it inside the FX6's flip up hood does the trick as it lifts the loupe off the LCD few millimeters, this way the entire frame is covered AND the loupe happens to fit into the hood pretty well, all I needed to add was a piece of paper tape for it to support it securely. The increased distance the optics are this way from the LCD does mess with the diopter correction but in case of my vision it is OK. Ideally of course, if I wanted to take it more seriously, I'd probably compensate for the added distance the flip up hood forces by trimming the grey plastic part of the loupe - this is the only way to adjust it perfectly as this loupe offers no diopter adjustment but I don't want to invest more time into it as it's just a temporary hack. It is light enough for even the FX6's terrible EVF mount to hold it (that is once you've learned that the bracket needs to be oriented certain way to prevent sagging). Anyway, here are some quick pics of it. I thought this could be useful in a pinch when shooting outside, the loupe weighs (and costs) next to nothing, I'll definitelly keep it in my bag.

 

[Ben Scott]

Nice hack. Had no idea Kamerar were still going.

Link to it - https://kamerar.myshopify.com/products/cvf-1-collapsible-lcd-viewfinder

 

[broughtonfilm]

Nice hack. Had no idea Kamerar were still going.

Link to it - https://kamerar.myshopify.com/products/cvf-1-collapsible-lcd-viewfinder

Thanks. Yeah, I think they should consider making a proper version for FX6.

 

[J.Brown]

Cool. I'll give it a try.

 

[Joshua Milligan]

One thing I'm not a fan of on the FX6 is the mic mount. It feels flimsy, like it could break fairly easily, plus it holds my MKH 8060 far enough forward that my windscreen gets in the frame of any lens that's wider than 24mm. My FS7 had a similar problem, so I built my own rugged mic mount for it.

I noticed through some digging that Alister Chapman designed and is selling his version of a rugged mic mount replacement for the FX6. I'm curious to know if any of you have used it.

Link: http://www.xdcam-user.com/2021/01/r...S3QbzhguVJ97W98bMfP3eBFoJWZZXZ67OW7Z60GK-myIM

 

[J.Brown]

I removed my mic mount as I never used the one on the FS7 or FS5. It then fits nice inside my Video Transporter 18.

The viewfinder piece will probably turn up tomorrow so I will try it right away if it is any good.