F3: What would you say is the most important accessory to buy?

djosbun

djosbun

Active member
Hello all,
For the past many months I have been doing research on what camera to upgrade to. When the FS7 was released I thought that would be the way to go, but honestly I don't see myself shooting 4k and even though having slow-motion capability is nice I don't think i'd use it that much to justify buying a new camera. SO- with the current prices of used F3 cameras, it's really a no-brainer!

What would you consider to be the most important, or one of the most important (if you have a list of 2 or 3 items) item to buy for a used F3? Would it be an Odyssey 7Q? A better EVF?

Thank you in advance for all replies. I am very appreciative of your input!!
Dave
 
Better EVF, a shoulder plate/rods system including a Berkey System Top Plate, external recorder.

You could hang an Odyssey 7Q+ over and down where the EVF would sit and nail two items at once. A decent EVF, I mean a good one that is no compromise is going to cost you AT LEAST 2 grand, in my view. The solutions that most people use add a couple of pounds to the camera and make them severely lop sided in weight distribution. Spend some time thinking about this before you proceed. This will either make the camera usable or a complete pain in the field.

If you start adding powered accessories you will need to add a battery system like V-Lock or Anton Bauer and hang the batts off the back of the rig.
 
I would say skip the F3+7Q/EVF combo and go for F35!!

Of course, I don't know what type of shooting environments you'll be working in, so it's just a generalization. But if you don't need 4K, the F35 will give you global shutter and an amazing image!!!
 
One consideration I neglected is the lens mount. If you are invested in Nikon lenses try to pick up a camera that includes the Opitek Nikon Prolock adapter.

As just mentioned there is the F35 which IS a stellar camera by any measure. There is a sub-forum here on the F35. Lots to consider though if you were to go that route.
 
- External recorder like the Odyssey 7/7Q/7Q+. This allows you to shoot anything from Prores to uncompressed 10bit RGB444 slog and you get a OLED monitor for 'free'.

- sLOG upgrade

- Berkey top plate.
 
If you're on a budget - the EVF is essential -. next i would get an original Samurai recorder as its the cheapest way to get 10bit 422. Of course the Odyssey does get you a good monitor for the same price so that's worth thinking about. A decent monitor with good color peaking is very valuable for large sensor work. TV Logic is great but odyssey is even better.
 
Can you get Samurai (or any other Atomos recorder) to start/stop by camera start button? Their web page says NO... Correct?

Or even 7Q? Possible start/stop with F3?
 
But the 7Q does not currently allow ProRes 444. Only 422 HQ...which is still great!

yeah, if you were to stick to F3, and you were also going to be doing some studio environment shoots, the 7Q would give you very nice monitoring capabilities on top of expanded recording capabilities. I would only say get EVF if you're exclusively doing run/gun documentary work and never really controlled shoots.
 
- A 10-bit recorder (ideally one that can do 50/60p)
- Element Technica F3 Body Armour
- RGB444 Upgrade

In that order.
 
Thanks everyone! While the F35 is a superb camera, the current rate for used is double the F3.

While reading many threads here, I agree the Body Armor (or Berkey top plate, depending on final cost) is probably the #1 item on my list, and an Odyssey 7Q will be a definite purchase, since its a great value for what it offers and the invaluable help Mitch Gross provides on this forum.

I will definitely be looking for a camera that includes the SLog option (as well as the pass code!) and will want an adapter for Nikon F mount lenses, since I am still growing my AIS collection.

I am just an amateur and GREATLY appreciate everyone taking the time to give their input. I can't wait to get my hands on one and see how the footage looks in my Vegas Pro 12 editing system. (My poor son is going to be pissed when his Steam gaming sessions decrease!).

Dave
 
Dave, get the F35. Really, that one was conceived for Hollywood blockbusters- its a Panavision camera in disguise. Completely different league than the F3. I didnt know they were going for so cheap. That really is a steal!
 
I would strongly suggest you reconsider those choices.
Why in the world do you "NEED " the body armor?. I was quite happy without it . A Berkey Cheese plate is a very good idea though. Likewise do you really "NEED " to be shooting 444?. They are huge files. How many of us with FS7's and F5/55 are bothering to shoot 444. Not me or my clients, they don't want to deal with it.
On the other hand you absolutely need an EVF if you plan to shoot outside. And a good one - I suggest the alfatron myself as i could never focus a Zacuto.

Everyone is different I guess.
 
The armour does NOT add to the functionalty to the camera. In fact it removes functionality. If you are not crewing with the camera (sole operator without Camera Assistants), I would seriously rethink the armour decision. I know there are a lot of people here who did it and it makes the camera "sexy" but it removes the mic mount, the headphone jack. Both of which most people need. It also removes the rear tally light which is useful, the infrared remote sensor which may have some use in the future.

Until very recently there were only a couple of cameras available that did true 444 chroma capture with the F35 being one of them. This camera retailed for $225,000 when it came out, if I am not mistaken. In the production world there are two reasons for 444 capture, one is when you are doing green screen on big productions and the other if for VFX work on big productions.

The Berkey Plate is around $200 and is more than sufficient for bolting on accessories.

Not sure how you are kitted out but there are lots of things besides the camera that go into doing a shoot... Lenses, microphones, lights, stands, gels, bounce cards, sand bags, booms, filters and a decent tripod to mention a few of the more obvious things.

Think about how your spend is going to show up in terms of benefit to the final product, the video work you will be doing.

BTW, the F35 is designed to be operated by a crew of people. Some have used it solo but most of those F35 enthusiasts have more than one video camera in their stable.
 
Am I reading this correctly? An f35...really? A camera that's going on 10 years old and needs a tape deck. Tell me I reading this wrong.
Yes it's a stellar camera. I've used it on episodic production and it's hybrid cousin the Panavision Genesis and yes great pictures but what a beast. Ever hand hold one? Not for long I can assure you.
Gotta say, the F3 by most measures would be safer. Since the introduction of the FS7 you can buy F3's by the pound. Realize it's only a 35mb camera but it makes nice pictures. Anybody who wants to dip their toe in the shallow depth side of the video pool would be served well. My complaint with the F3 and the F5 and the F55 to a certain extent, is they too are kind of beastly. By the time you add on the add ons, you dropped serious cake and added not only poundage but increased real estate.
 
I think people get a little obsessed over certain aspects of gear that just don't make economic sense to me. I presume that a lot of people who can just afford an F3 are coming rom the DSLR world. You don't even need to shoot Log or 10 bit for that to be a huge jump. I hardly ever shot Log with that camera and I shot lots of beautiful footage directly to the XDCAM card . I lost clients to RED for the 4K but never 10 bit or Log. I would put my money into very good lenses, EVF, monitors ( a good 17") maybe a Prolock adapter if you're using Nikons, + some lights way before i would worry about 444. You'll see the lens difference , and a good monitor is the best thing you can buy. You can't shoot exteriors at all without an EVF. Don't look down on plain old 709 either - I think it usually looked better than cinegammas on faces. When given the AB choice I never had a client pick the cine gamma. Oh yeah a get a new shotgun mic for it as well - the stereo mic was stupid (IMHO anyway).
 
I just bought an F3 with body armor and got an hyperdeck that i put on top.

I would get:

an SxS to SD adapter, works great.

a lensadapter of your choice

a baseplate with shouldersupport and rods

a followfocus and handles

a mic and micholder (i have from rode)

a few batteries


after this I would shoot and see what more u need, I have jusy shot a music video in both prores and xdcam hd and for so many shots the internal just looks fine. A good rule of thumb is probably for web: internal is fine and for big screen: prores. Also for greenscreen prores. And evf would be nice for balanced shoulder but honestly the lcd in the camera works very well and in dayligt get something to cover it a bit.

Keep it small and simple and u will be happy the image is great!

ps. I shoot slog internal and its fine.
 
This is my former F3 Rig, which some consider the best F3 solution they've ever seen. But it always depends on your style of shooting. My philosophy was to have it as an ENG style rig. Being able to go from sticks to handheld to steadicam to crane real quickly. Having a shoulder mount VCT plate and V-mount for balance was crucial. Also the EVF bracket had to be with friction, so the camera could go under my armpit without having to loosen screws to adjust the angle of the EVF. The Zacuto EVF did fine for me to nail focus, unlike some other Operators. The V-mount Plate also served as a Powersource for the Camera,EVF,10Bit Recorder and cameralight at the same time. Having to change only one Battery for all items was kinda nice. I sold the rig (without Mattebox, FF, Light or Batteries) for 5000 $ which still pains me.

artikelbild-kamerafuehrung-im-film-750x400.jpg
 
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Thanks again, everyone! Since i'm a one-man show, it's probably best to skip the body armor and just go with a plate. Since some of my shooting is ENG style, a shoulder mount (like the one above) is probably a wise investment. I won't be doing any green screen or VFX, so I guess the internal capture would suffice. I've read the new Zacuto Gratical EVF is really nice, but I don't know its price. I have to investigate further if an EVF would be a better purchase over an Odyssey 7Q.

You guys rule!
Dave
 
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