F3: Why I Bought an F3

Star - there is no light it is not set up.

Grug - no Slog which is why im happy to get some contrast saturation a colour going down but still with some attractive roll off to the lights..

S
 
Ah righto, I like the colours and general look, it's rough and cool, gives it a nice 'garage band' kinda vibe. The the rolloff in the very top end of highlights looks a little harsh and digital to my eyes, but that's probably all I'd nitpick about it. Well done.
 
Hello fellow film makers, happy new year to you all.

I was just browsing Element Technica's website and it looks like the F3 product line is being discontinued. I just bought another armour kit, and it looks like only 2 are left.

http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/sony-f3-armor-kit-v2/

Grab it before it's gone! End of an era, makes me wonder what Sony are releasing in 2014.

Dennis, all those issues that I was having with aliasing from my F3 in S-log, when I played the footage back on my friends 1080p TV, the aliasing was gone. It looks like it was an issue with my 720p monitors, thankfully.
 
I stumbled onto aliasing from my F3 footage once. It turned out to be the NLE interpreting the footage as interlaced and when I changed to progressive the aliasing disappeared.
 
Lenilenapi said:
That's reassuring - Was it a computer monitor or a genuine video monitor like a Panasonic or Flanders?

Lenny
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Hi

Neither. I am using a couple of Sony Barvia's, 720p, 100hz, they were great when I first got them, but now it's time to upgrade. Just to note, I also saw some of the aliasing on the F3 monitor when filming. I was so relieved when I played the finished project back on a 1080p TV, and the aliasing was gone.
 
JackCarter said:
Hello fellow film makers, happy new year to you all.

I was just browsing Element Technica's website and it looks like the F3 product line is being discontinued. I just bought another armour kit, and it looks like only 2 are left.

http://elementtechnica.mybigcommerce.com/sony-f3-armor-kit-v2/

Grab it before it's gone! End of an era, makes me wonder what Sony are releasing in 2014.
Click to expand...

That's only two chances left for people make their F3's ergonomically sensible. Get on them fellas - after a 10-bit recorder, the ET armour is the single best thing you can do for your F3 (and the best chance you have of staving of upgrade-hunger as more and more appealing, ergonomically designed, 4K-capable cameras hit the market).
 
Does Sony still sell the 444 upgrade directly? Also, are there other ways to buy it? I'm looking at getting a used F3, but some do not have the update and want to know how difficult it would be to get on my own.
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/784678-REG/Sony_CBK_RGB01_Optional_Software_Key.html


Upgrade 1.4
In S-Log mode, picture profiles could not be selected or modified. And white balance could be set only for 3200K or 5600K.
In late May 2012, Sony released version 1.4 of the F3 firmware which enabled S-Log gamma within a picture profile along with full control of the camera including custom white balance settings.
Under version 1.4, an operator has the choice of 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 S-Log from the A/B SDI ports just as under prior versions with the same limitations. Or the operator may load or modify a picture profile in which the gamma is set to S-Log as opposed to one of Sony’s 4 CineGammas or video gammas. All functions are available including modification of picture profiles with S-Log gamma, ATW white balance or custom white balance.
Greater versitility
A 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 signal may still be output via the A/B SDI ports or the standard SDI or HDMI port. LUTs may still be applied as before.
The camera still requires the CBK-101 to unlock dual link and 3G output. But the addition of the S-Log gamma in firmware version 1.4 allows greater versatility for camera adjustments, particularly in less-controlled lighting situations where the lighting will not be pure 3200K or 5600K.
Sony has indicated that another firmware update is in the works with no indication yet either of release date or new features.
 
v1.45 is now v1.5 and the last update by Sony in 2012 on this was more information would be posted soon. It was suppose to support a new demand convertor box, the CBK-DCB01 but all updates seem to have fizzled since then... likely due to the launch of the successor, the F5/F55 camera.

Sony also said at that time that adding any new codec to the F3 was impossible.
 
Just a note the paid upgrade gives you 444 RGB output but you need an external recorder that can record 444 RGB signals.
 
morgan_moore said:
my current solo shooting lens package with the f3 is 18/4 35-70/3.5 35/2.5 and 135/2.8 nikkors. This lot goes in a small bag and with the average cost of each lens at $200 used I don't have to baby sit them too much.

A lens like the 35/2.5 is tiny.

As for pulling my own focus it is hard but work is hard.
My lenses are picked for appropriate throw - not like modern horror af lenses. I use a dp6 which has good resolution and most important of all just concentrate while working
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I'm surprised you don't have a 50mm f/1.8 or f/2 in the mix there, why is that?

Also got quite a gap there from 18 to 35! Why not at least fill it in with a cheap 28mm? Or even better a 24mm

Based on your other post, I assume you also have the Nikkor 85mm f/2 as part of your lens kit.
 
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