FS7: what did I miss?

D

duol1972

Member
Hi,

I would like to order a FS7 in the next days to shoot documentaries and I'm wondering if I missed something...

I would like to order :
- 1 FS7
- 2 x 128 GB XQD card
- 2 Sony BP-U60
- 1 smart adapter, but which ? Speedbooster ultra (I already have Nikon lenses : 35 f:2D - 50 f:1.4D and 70-200 f:2.8) or another ?

I also hesitate to buy the XDCA extension because I already have V-mount batteries and I think I'm going to buy an odyssey 7Q+ soon but I don't know if RAW is interesting because of the GB that it takes !

Do you think the shoulder support system is necessary with the FS7 ? For example to put the odyssey 7Q+ on the FS7 or for balancing the camera ? If so, which is the best value ?

Do you think I missed anything ?

Thanks for your reply
 
To be honest there's big long threads on here already about all shoulder mount options and whether you need the extension or not. The answer is it depends entirely on your use and budget.
 
Good luck with your upcoming FS7 purchase!

Working backwards, I think you would need a shoulder system. I haven't decided which system to buy. Lots of excellent choices.

What are you doing about audio? I just sold my Sennheiser G3 wireless and went with the Sony UWP and the MI shoe to power the receiver directly through the shoe as well as to transfer audio through the shoe. No cable. Excellent wireless system.

Just the regular Metabones E to Nikon might do you better. I personally wouldn't want to gain a stop on lenses that are already f/1.4 and f/2.8 and you would lose focal range. With the Nikon lenses, there is no electronic interface which would suit me fine. I don't like automatic modes and I hate electronic iris.

I bought the XDCA extension and have ordered a 7Q+. I think among other things the XDCA adds balance to the camera not to mention its feature set. If I really need to go light, I'll run without the back and with BP-U batteries.

Ned Soltz
 
I would stick with Sennheiser G3 and bolt it onto the FS7 like I do. You'll gain a more compact camera and you don't need to attach and detach the Sony UWP receiver like you probably have to to fit the camera inside a bag. 3 BP-U60 batteries should be enough, especially if you have access to some sort of power at least part of a day.

View attachment 96390
 
duol1972 said:
Hi,

I would like to order a FS7 in the next days to shoot documentaries and I'm wondering if I missed something...

I would like to order :
- 1 FS7
- 2 x 128 GB XQD card
- 2 Sony BP-U60
- 1 smart adapter, but which ? Speedbooster ultra (I already have Nikon lenses : 35 f:2D - 50 f:1.4D and 70-200 f:2.8) or another ?

I also hesitate to buy the XDCA extension because I already have V-mount batteries and I think I'm going to buy an odyssey 7Q+ soon but I don't know if RAW is interesting because of the GB that it takes !

Do you think the shoulder support system is necessary with the FS7 ? For example to put the odyssey 7Q+ on the FS7 or for balancing the camera ? If so, which is the best value ?

Do you think I missed anything ?

Thanks for your reply
Click to expand...

If you like, you can set up a Skype call with me and I will demo the different choices I offer for the FS7. And generally discuss how to use it. What the different power choices are etc.

If you want to do that email me to set up a Skype call.
olof@westsideav.com

FS7Metabones-LensSupp.jpg

FS7Metabones-LensSupp1.jpg

FS7Metabones-LensSupp2.jpg
 
duol1972 said:
Hi,

I would like to order a FS7 in the next days to shoot documentaries and I'm wondering if I missed something...

I would like to order :
- 1 FS7
- 2 x 128 GB XQD card
- 2 Sony BP-U60
- 1 smart adapter, but which ? Speedbooster ultra (I already have Nikon lenses : 35 f:2D - 50 f:1.4D and 70-200 f:2.8) or another ?

I also hesitate to buy the XDCA extension because I already have V-mount batteries and I think I'm going to buy an odyssey 7Q+ soon but I don't know if RAW is interesting because of the GB that it takes !

Do you think the shoulder support system is necessary with the FS7 ? For example to put the odyssey 7Q+ on the FS7 or for balancing the camera ? If so, which is the best value ?

Do you think I missed anything ?

Thanks for your reply
Click to expand...

I would caution you that the advice I'm seeing in this thread so far fits the shooting style of the respective advisor, and may or may not fit your needs.

- Your purchase list does forget the card reader.

The camera will come with one BP-U30, a charger, and a separate power cable. It's possible you can make do with just two more BPU-60 batteries, depending on your shoot style. Alternatively, consider the BPU-90's - the deep well in the camera for batteries means it wouldn't really stick out much, and it would help rear weight the camera. Also, remember there are third party batteries now compatible with this camera for less than the Sony batteries.

- I haven't bought a shoulder mount yet, but I also don't do handheld all the time. The camera has bit of a handheld shoulder rest as it is. To me, this is the sort of thing you can decide on after a few weeks of ownership.

The XDCA unit will also better backweight the camera for shoulder work, but again, you could hold off on buying it, add later.

There is a rebate for a free Metabones Mark IV EF adapter. So, I wouldn't buy an EF adapter.


EDIT: I'm in the process of buying the Sony UWP-16 set and SMAD adapter. I do lots of interviews, and I like the idea of direct input and powering the receiver through the camera. I''ve had lots of issues with XLR cables going bad and getting in the way. Not sure how good this choice is yet, but going to try it.
 
Just got my UWP16 + SMAD P3 two days ago. In preliminary testing I find it a very versatile system. What is great is that one audio channel can be set to the wireless input and the other channel to XLR input. Very easy to find frequency and set. Tons of controls including a low power-high power setting. Battery-time remaining display in menus. I'm drinking Sony's kool-aid over the 2 antenna dual diversity system. Using mine with a Tram lav.

As far as reader, the card reader comes included with the G cards.

Yes.. it is all a matter of shooting style. I want the shoulder rig because my shoulder's slope and I need all the support I can get. And I want rails for at the very least FF, which I even like to use run and gun.

As has been said, it is all your style of shooting

And having said all of that, I like that fact that the camera can be used bare bones.

I would also recommend to EF users to buy the Commlite adapter in addition to the free Metabones (at least free in the US). There are reports of some lenses performing better with the Commlite than the Metabones. But since our OP has Nikon glass, that's less relevant in this thread.

Ned
 
Stick with your Nikon glass and since your mainly shooting docs, eventually add the Nikon 17-55 2.8 and the Tokina 11-16 2.8. Those two lens plus your 70-200 will cover the entire range. I would stay away from the Speedbooster as well, regardless of the quality, I wouldnt want to add more glass behind any zoom lens. With this camera you wont need the +1 stop sensitivity or the wider fov. The regular Metabones would be fine but I'd look at the Novoflex version first, very high quality. You also get smooth clickless manual aperture control by sticking with Nikon.
 
Fotojorno said:
Stick with your Nikon glass and since your mainly shooting docs, eventually add the Nikon 17-55 2.8 and the Tokina 11-16 2.8. Those two lens plus your 70-200 will cover the entire range. I would stay away from the Speedbooster as well, regardless of the quality, I wouldnt want to add more glass behind any zoom lens. With this camera you wont need the +1 stop sensitivity or the wider fov. The regular Metabones would be fine but I'd look at the Novoflex version first, very high quality. You also get smooth clickless manual aperture control by sticking with Nikon.
Click to expand...

I disagree concerning the Speedboster Ultra. Even with the Nikkor 28-70/2.8 I find the extra stop useful indoors. Also with the Speedboster the 35mm equivalent FOV is similar to the FX glass on an FX camera. In my limited testing, the Ultra looks good even shooting UHD.

And let me emphasize the above comment, through the adapters for Nikon glass everything is manual. Not a problem for most of us older folks but we realize younger folks coming from the stills world are used to auto focus and such.

Y'all be cool,
Robert
 
Thank you very much for your replies,
About audio, I have the sennheiser MKH416 and the sennheiser G3 and I thought use them on the FS7.

The Manual focus is not a problem for me, I use a sony PDW700 with manual focus on a canon zoom.

If I could, I will prefer to buy Full Frame lenses because I also have a Nikon D800 and I wanted to use these lenses on the D800 too.

I don't live in the USA so I could'nt have a free Metabones, I asked to CVP but this offer is just for the USA.

Indeed, there is a free card reader with XQD cards.

What I like in the FS7 is lightweight, so I want to buy BPU batteries to have a light camera but if the balance is not good, I prefer using my V-mount batteries on the XDCA unit. I have a good offer of a FS7 + XDCA unit, so if I have to buy it, I prefer doing it now or I will pay more for the XDCA unit alone later.

I'm very interesting in the odyssey 7Q+ + 2x256GB SSD offer so the XDCA unit will be usefull, do you know how long will this offer?

I'm always lost in which adapter I have to buy for my Nikon lenses : Commlite, Novoflex or speedbooster ultra?
 
Last edited:
If I take a regular adapter + a speedbooster, what are the best with Nikon lenses ?

For the regular one : http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/metabones_mb_nfg-e-bm1 ?

Can I use both lenses F and G with this one ?

Because I saw an another regular : http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/metabones_mb_nf-e-bm2 !

Do I need both if I have Nikon F with manual aperture as Nikkor 50mm f:1.4D and 35mm f:2D and Nikon G as a 70-200mm f:2.8 with automatic aperture?

And is it this one for the speedbooster : http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/metabones_mb_spnfg-e-bm2 ?

Or do you advise me another adapter for the regular or for the speedbooster ?

Thanks
 
Again, G is not a mount. G in Nikon speak is a lens without an aperture ring.

All Nikon lenses are F mount except maybe the ones for the Nikon 1 series cameras. I have no experience with those.

The Metabones adapters support the G lenses because they turn the lens into a manual lens. Metabones does not support any electronics on the Nikon F mount lenses. No auto focus, no stabilization, no auto aperture, no auto anything.

The G lenses are F lenses as F denotes the mount. lf there is a letter after the maximum f number that is not a G then it has an aperture ring. For instance, I have a 70-300 1:4-5.6D which has an aperture ring and is also an ED. ED denotes Extra Low Dispersion glass.

You may want to look at:

http://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/2011/08/a-guide-to-canon-and-nikon-lens-gobbledigook-2/

Scroll down to the Nikon section.

Hope that helps,
Robert
 
Thanks Robert, it's clear now.

So I think, I will order these two adapters from Metabones :
- a regular : MB_NFG-E-BM1 - Nikon G to E-mount Adapter
- a speedbooster : MB_SPNFG-E-BM2 - Nikon G to E-mount SB ULTRA

Someone has ever tested these adapters with Nikon D or Nikon G lenses ? Do they work well ?
 
Yes they work .

The Metabones might be listed as Nikon F adapters but have no fear they do have an exterior iris ring. Plus they also have markings that you can use to approximate f stops in your mind. Not as good as the Prolock which really showed you your actual f stops but better than no markings at all. Seems snug enough but no match for positive lock on the Prolock of course.
One annoying little glitch:
the way these adapters work is that if the lens does have an iris ( non G ) then you actually have 2 irises on the lens. Both grab the same mechanical arm inside the lens that grabs the real iris. Typically you don't want to use the lens iris because it has click stops so you set that to f22 and use the the adapters iris to override it and open up more. If the lens iris is set to 5.6 then the adapter iris won't close any lower than 5.6 bit will open to f2.8 or whatever the lens max is .

Both metabones adapters have a slight glitch . Withe lens set at any closed down aperture, the adapter iris won't open the lens to the last 1/3 or 1/4 stop . If you then open the lens iris all the way it will open up though. This could be annoying for doc shoots where you are shooting wide open, then closing and opening. Of course that could be pretty often.
 
duol1972 said:
Hi Leni and Thank you.

What is the best adapter for you to mount nikon lenses ?

Is there an Optitek Prolock adapter for the FS7 or is it the same for F3/F5/F55?

What do you think of the Adaptimax : http://www.adaptimax.com/nikon-to-sony-e-mount-adapter-plus.html ?

Is the novoflex better ?

Thank you
Click to expand...

No, there is no Optitek ProLock for the FS7. There was a loose rumor one might be in development but no word on that yet.

Do not buy the Adaptimax, the threaded screw adjuster for iris is a novel idea but not practical in the real world. Yes, I owned one for a minute.

The regular Metabones Nikon adapter does have it's own markings on the iris ring which is a nice reference to where you might be in f stop. I have one for use on my BMPCC and it does the job well enough. The "spring plates" that tension the lens bayonet when mounted have loosened up and there is now play in the interface. You can carefully spread those springs open a little with a very very small flat head screwdriver to reset and increase the tension. Every Nikon adapter I've had (except the ProLock) going back 5 years to the early 5D days developed slop i the interface after a while. Only a real Nikon camera will hold that tension perfectly over 20 years.

For quality, smoothness of the aperture ring and snugness to the lens I would highly recommend the Novoflex but as others have noted it has no reference marks which do come in handy. Whatever you buy dont cheap out and buy some Chinese crap, the lens interface and smooth iris are crucial. FYI, the ProLock for Nikon costs $1,000, after three years with it I'd pay $3,000 if it cost that much, even with no electronic connection.
 
Thank you Fotojorno.

I would like to know if the metabones adapters are simple to install and deinstall to switch between the regular and the speedbooster quickly ? How the adapters are fixed on the FS7 ?

Thanks
 
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