Which recorder should I rent to use with the F3?

A

alantor

New member
I am shooting a short in a couple weeks and I am trying to figure out which recorder I should rent for it.
So far I am trying to decide between the Atomos Ninija, Samurai, and the Aja Ki Pro Mini.

I know there have been other forum topics on similar things but at this point I'm just getting confused.

I want to get the recorder so that I can record the 10-bit 4:2:2 signal for more flexibility in grading in post. It would also be nice to have the option to record 60p for the option to make things in slow motion.
It is out of the question to rent the S-Log upgrade because it is too expensive.

So I guess my questions are:
1. Does the F3's HDMI out output a 10-bit signal?
2. Which of these recorders would be able to record 60p?
3. What is the difference between shooting 60i vs 60p when I will be shooting the majority of the film in 24p?
4. Is it even worth getting the recorder since I won't have S-Log?

I'm pretty new here but so far I have been finding a lot of good information here, thanks!
 
If you want 60p, that is only going to be with a 444 recorder so you're looking a Cinedeck.

I am partial to the Pix240.

Yes. It is worth going to a higher quality output. And with S-Log reduced to $899 for current F3 owners, buy it.

And don't go HDMI while you have SDI available.

Pix240 gives you the most flexibility with 4 flavors of ProRes as well as DNxHD up to 220/10bit.

Ned Soltz
 
I didn't realize the S-Log was only $899...
Would I be able to sell the S-Log upgrade after I'm done? And would it be better to go S-Log to SxS cards vs no S-Log to an external recorder (i know this has been asked elsewhere so sorry for asking again)
What is better about using SDI over HDMI? The only difference that I know is that SDI would give me timecode and a locking cable.
 
yes to get 1080p 60p you need the Gemini. or i have a macbook pro with thunderbolt and the Blackmagic Design UltraDesign Studio 3d able to do this with a Tekkeon battery to power it for the field and some long bnc cables. not the most portable option , but the cheapest and it gets the job done
 
I can't answer the question about whether the upgrade can later be sold. But I can say that I don't like recording Slog to the internal cards. The XDCam codec at only 4:2:0 does not do well when stretched back out to make blacks and whites look right. You'll see the histogram develop gaps which means possible banding. The F3 works best for me if I record to the internal cards with a good profile and externally with Slog.
 
Upgrade can most likely not be sold since you need to send the camera to Sony for depot upgrade.But for $899, this will make your F3 an entirely different camera.
Ned
 
I was under the impression that the S-Log upgrade could be easily installed/removed. If I have to send the camera to Sony then buying the S-Log is out of the question since the camera is not mine.

If HDMI is always 8-bit then I wouldn't want to get the Atomos Ninja which I was originally hoping since it is the cheapest to rent.
I guess this brings me back to my question of whether it is worth renting an external recorder with a SDI input to capture 10-bit 4:2:2 or to just use the SxS cards with cinegammas.
 
nsoltz said:
If you want 60p, that is only going to be with a 444 recorder so you're looking a Cinedeck.

I am partial to the Pix240.

Yes. It is worth going to a higher quality output. And with S-Log reduced to $899 for current F3 owners, buy it.

And don't go HDMI while you have SDI available.

Pix240 gives you the most flexibility with 4 flavors of ProRes as well as DNxHD up to 220/10bit.

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...
Where do you buy it for that price?
 
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