FX6: The Sony ILME-FX6V Owners Club

Just because it is not always obviously I'd like to make a definitive list for the OP of 'crap to turn off when shooting cine-ei mode' and another one for 'stuff to switch on or off and all the quirks for AF modes'.

Any thoughts on that appreciated.

EDIT: It seems there's nothing hiding in sub menus for EI mode. I don't use AF really so any advice on setup for that for the OP would be great.
 
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FYI - Mat (broughtonfilm) and I have been discussing adapting various Loupes for the FX6. So far we are looking at:
- Hoodman H32MB : I picked this one as I could get it shipped to Australia easily and it is widely available, inexpensive, gets good reviews (for it's price point), and most importantly looks like it is simple to adapt.
- Kamerar QV-1 : broughtonfilm picked this one as he thinks the optics are good (at this price point). I have one on order but it is a month away (it is harder to get for us Ozzies). Till it arrives down under we are not sure the best way of tackling this one.

I've had the H32MB for a few days and have gone through the rough prototypes and I'm now polishing the design. As before, I'm printing the adapter in ePA-CF for strength, low weight, high accuracy, and in this case the Matte Black finish is ideal for eliminating reflection when using.

I'll post some more details as I refine the design, but it will pretty much look like the following pics. All you will need is:
- Print the adapter
- 2 x O-Rings (20-25mm) or equivalent to mount it to the FX6 screen
- 2 x M3 25mm nuts/bolts or equivalent for the hinge
- Tripod screw to attach the Hoodman H32MB

This is my first Loupe, so while I've nothing to compare it to, my first impressions are positive:
- It is much better/clearer using the Loupe without my reading glasses than the Screen with reading glasses
- Is firmly attached, and flips up
- The adapter itself is only 15mm so a bit smaller then the stock FX6 sun shade
- The loupe + adapter weighs 150g and their is no issue with FX6 screen drooping
- Eye position does seems to matter else edges can be soft with chromatic aberration
- I'm going to have to change my rig around about so that it falls more naturally to where my right eye is when using my "el cheapo" shoulder rig.

Any feedback or suggestions would be welcome.

Edit: Finished some minor changes, and the 3D File can be downloaded here - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4791597

Thanks
Nathan & Mat

L1.jpg
L2.jpg
L3.jpg
 
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I've posted a different design that also replaces the body of the Hoodman (just keeps the section with the optics) - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4793634/files

It's not as elegant in that you need to print with supports (and they are hard to clean up with ePA-CF). Anyway it is 30g lighter and smaller than the other version with the stock Hoodman body,
 
I also just watched Alister Chapmans latest video on the rigging the FX6, and one item he mentioned was the a Loupe can destroy your LCD screen as it focus the sun onto the screen if you are not carful, so..... I shined a bright torch through the Hoodman Optics and did not see that it could focus the light to a point. So, I'm not sure this is really a concern, but does anyone have any experience on this?
 
TYhe sun is a point source unlike your torch. I think all loupes would have the same optical characteristics. Just be careful. This has been true for all video cameras forever. n
 
jmone said:
I also just watched Alister Chapmans latest video on the rigging the FX6, and one item he mentioned was the a Loupe can destroy your LCD screen as it focus the sun onto the screen if you are not carful, so..... I shined a bright torch through the Hoodman Optics and did not see that it could focus the light to a point. So, I'm not sure this is really a concern, but does anyone have any experience on this?
Click to expand...

Well I can tell you with Alphatron Viewfinder - I burnt the LCD screen three times. It was my fault - did not shut the eye piece with the cover. I now have replacements screens should it happen again - but will be selling FS700 with alphatron soon. With FX6 I do not want all that bulk - hope I can find loupe that works well.
But beware with Loupes they can burn the screen if not careful
 
Are people still using Alfatron's much? I have one i'd like to sell. small burn but completely outside of the picture area,
 
Thanks for all the advice on burn in from Loupes, it just would not have occurred to me.

So, I've now added a Eye Cap / Flap / Cover for the Hoodman. You can leave it attached when using the loupe as it is printed with TPE (flexible). The flap can be pulled up with a fingernail or by pressing down on the teether lug, so you can use the loupe without removing the entire cap. Pushing the flap down secures it into the Hoodman's eye piece. There is also a teether to so it can be attached to the body of the Hoodman if you prefer.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4794805

cover.jpg
 
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I don't understand what happened to the irises we used to use in optical viewfinders, to protect the glass (and the film gate) when you weren't using them. It seems the best anyone offers now (even with $10,000 options from Arri) is flappy, irritating rubber caps/covers.

An iris (or any kind of mechanical cover) just makes life so much easier (and less irritating).
 
Grug said:
I don't understand what happened to the irises we used to use in optical viewfinders, to protect the glass (and the film gate) when you weren't using them. It seems the best anyone offers now (even with $10,000 options from Arri) is flappy, irritating rubber caps/covers.

An iris (or any kind of mechanical cover) just makes life so much easier (and less irritating).
Click to expand...

They were never there to protect the glass (and the film gate) but to prevent the light from getting into the light path and exposing the film in situations when the eye was not pressed against the eyepiece.
 
broughtonfilm said:
They were never there to protect the glass (and the film gate) but to prevent the light from getting into the light path and exposing the film in situations when the eye was not pressed against the eyepiece.
Click to expand...

Yes, protecting the gate from light coming through the viewfinder. That's my point. Nothing has changed with electronic viewfinders - it's still a serious danger (while the light can't reach the sensor now, it will literally burn the expensive OLED EVF displays we rely on to monitor the image).

Covers should be built-in by default (heating elements too - to prevent fogging, Arri are the only ones still doing that).
 
If I recall when I shot film, they had some device on viewfinder where once you took the pressure off eye piece it would shut so no stray light could get in and expose/streak the film. I don't remember which cameras - ARRI or PANAVISION - I can't be sure. I do remember the eye piece but cant recall the camera - does Zacuto have that? Will check.
 
Today I put my FS7 and FX6 side by side in Slog3 to see if they could match. They ended up looking very close even with different lenses on. Just a nudge grading and they looked practically identical. But judging by the monitors on each camera the difference was huge and looked like the white balance was set at two completely different temperature. The FX6 monitor looked very warm and the FS7 really cold.
 
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