F3: Why I Bought an F3

Shoots56 said:
What about that top handle? It looks like its sticking WAY up there.
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Yeah, it's my sole gripe with the kit. I've asked ET for a shorter riser for the manhandle and they've promised me the first one off the line - but it ain't here yet.

That said, it's only an issue so far as packing the camera into your transport case. I don't have a problem fitting mine in, so it's been a non-issue, but it would be nicer if it were that little bit lower.
 
Grug said:
I'd have to dig up my original tests from the old computer, but basically I was ending up with very harsh edges of contrast as I crushed blacks and added back in mid-tone contrast, it's just a case of bumping up against the limits of 8-bit tonality.

I originally started with a v-mount solution, but to cut down on total weight and streamline the camera rigging, I switched to 90w/hr aftermarket batteries from GlobalMediaPro that include a DTAP port for powering the PIX (so the camera and recorder run from a single battery solution). So the rig in the pictures above is literally the entire rig except for the BNC cable from the PIX to the Camera and the DTAP cable from the battery to the PIX - so there's only those couple of components to it.

The main thing the armour does is streamline the layout of the camera. You don't have to contend with the useless EVF flopping around, you don't have to fret about the top handle flexing and creaking in your hand when you lift the whole rig, you don't have the side handle catching on anything - it just keeps things out of your way so you can get on with shooting.

Element Technica discontinued them a while back and sold them off at firesale 70% off prices (there was a pretty big thread on it on here). So if they still have any left, you should still be able to get them at the BIG discount. I was just days away from purchasing just the topplate and handle to streamline the camera when the firesale came up, and I was able to get the entire armour package for the same price as just the top plate and handle cost originally. If you're interested, I'd suggest sending them an email about it, because after a 10-bit recorder, it's the single best thing you can do for the camera.

With the camera setup the way I have it, I literally almost never have to enter into the camera menus. I can adjust my white balance between 2900-3200-4500-5600-6500-10000 with just the switch on the camera, I can adjust my gain between the only settings I use 800, 1250 and 1600 ISO, ND filters and S&Q motion for 720p50 is all there on the operator side of the camera. So basically everything I want to adjust, I can without any complications.

As for the headphone port. Because I use the PIX for recording both video and sound, I do my headphone monitoring via the PIX, so I don't need access to sound on the camera.
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How did you set up the white balance values? There is the 3200/5600 switch and the ability to store two measured values. How did you get the values to the desired standards?
 
lasikdenver said:
How did you set up the white balance values? There is the 3200/5600 switch and the ability to store two measured values. How did you get the values to the desired standards?
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The trick is to use the 5600k quick switch button to your advantage. Your 'preset' switch gives you 3200k by default, and the '5600K CC' button takes that to 5600K. So that's those two sorted right off the bat.

Then what you need to do is configure your 'A' and 'B' options. I set my 'A' option to 2900k as standard, and that bumps up to 4500k when you press the 5600K CC button. Then if you set the 'B' option to 4500k as well, it bumps up to 10000k when you hit the 5600K CC button.

So basically the '5600K CC' gives you two options for each of your three 'Preset', 'A' and 'B' options - so if you set them up just right, you can switch easily between the values you use most often. 2900k can cool down the image when you're shooting with tungsten, or 6500k can warm things up a bit if you're shooting with daylight. I just use 3200k, 5600k, and 4500k for 99% of my work. But it's nice to have the other options there at the switch of a button when you need them.

As for actually setting the 'A' and 'B' memories to colour temperatures you want, use different strengths of CTB or CTO on top of a white card to dial in the options you want.
 
A question of clarification. There's quite a few used F3's on the market, but many don't have the paid SLOG feature just the firmware update. Is it possible to punch between rec709 and Log output on a monitor (like the Odyssey) without the RGB/444 option? I believe you can't ouput a LUTed LOG image with just the firmware update.

Is there any difference in IQ between the RGB option and the firmware update when outputting 4:2:2? I don't mind the limitation as it's rare that I would need 444, but I would sorely miss being able to put a LUTed image out on a monitor for the director/producer.
 
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Yeah you dont need it anymore unless you need that "444", if you get an Odyssey. It is going to have built in LUTs for each camera system and will have user LUT's with a firmware update. I'm ordering a 7Q as soon as I can. It's simply amazing. The 422 SDI is the same either way.
 
Shoots56 said:
Dude, that is a joke, right? If I hired someone to work with me and they showed up with that rig, they'd be going home.
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Not at all - of course still playing and neatening up but overall not a joke.
getting the 3ality armour and losing the EVF would be the big leap

I'd fire someone who didnt..

-have at least a 720monitor to hold focus, with adjustment for lo-mode operating.
-have a shotgun and a lav
-have decent batteries to keep it running
-spent all day f'king about with a matte box
- have a rig that was balanced on the shoulder and went straight to sticks

Add some protection of the
-filmsy evf
-flimsy mini SDI ports on the blackmagic shuttle
-yellow tape any protrusions that might come in contact with crew.

And really you cant simplify it much more

You gotta remember this is a 'solo' shooters rig - if you have a soundie and or a puller they carry half the trash.
Sound acquisition makes a big mess.

How we expect our rigs to look, how they actually look..

She cant focus or monitor audio or see in the sun, doesnt have a lav or a well placed shotgun or have any battey life and her cam doesnt need a recorder

..and the second doesnt have sound, a sticks mount or any protection of the cameraEVF, yet is still a mess and way front heavy and lens changes probably take 2 mins.

zacuto2.jpg



S
 
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..To be fair I have been considering the whole build, the only other option I can see is a 'tethered rig'

Basically you get, maybe a small peli and vent it up, this then holds the recorder, lavs and vlock(s) easy to add a spare, and has a cable (loom) running to the much stripped down camera/monitor only

(kind of how the F35 and SR deck where used)

Such an arrangement might work well but you are stuck on an umbilical cord.

Ive started aquiring the appropriate connectors to build such a device.

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The other option is to have some sort of cover made, maybe from neoprene.

S
 
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..another thought/comment.

If I 'upgrade' from my DP6/Hyperdeck to an Odyssey, which I will do, when funds allow, and the Ody has a track record for working, which it does not yet IMO, that will be a major cut in trash on the rig, less cables and one less lump.

S
 
As long as your happy working with your rig, who cares what others think. We work with what we have. It's what you do with it that's important.
 
Yes and no - it is important to balance function and some form of client friendly ness. Sad but true looking cool is kind of important - certainly my french flag should go and when I finalise some of the bits Ive made Ill give them another polish..

S
 
I like my camera very minimal, but it's what works for you. Well I highly recommend the Element Technica body armour, and I'm sure you can still get it with the discount code. Not only does it look good, but it makes the camera far more robust, the handle feels solid, not like the original Sony handle. The ET Riser etc, is quality too, I find Element Technica's designs really well thought out, and visually pleasing. You will need a tall camera case though, like a Portabrace RIG case. Then all you will need is the Odyssey 7Q. I'm that impressed with my camera, that I'm going to build a second F3 in 2014. F3 prices are stupid, EX3's sell for more on eBay. Why not take advantage.
 
JackCarter said:
I like my camera very minimal,
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Sure. Its not really what I like.. it is a tool for work. I do a lot of interviews on the shoulder and we need sound, lav and shotgun, my shotgun is rigged to a mini boom to be handed off to a reporter.

Again we need the batts not to conk for at least half a day, so I have an big batt, and I need to be in focus, so use a monitor .. there is nothing else on my camera.

If I worked with a soundie, half the gear would melt away, If I had a puller I would be able to use a low res tiny EVF because focus would not be my job, then the other half of the accs. would melt away...

S
 
Yeah sound is not my department, I don't even have a mike hooked up to my camera. I will have to though If I do decide to start filming weddings with F3's. What I like about the 7Q is it puts everything in to one box, monitor, EVF, external recorder, It's no.1 on my list of upgrades for 2014, and then we'll have uncompressed recording from the F3, which would be amazing for short films. I'm hoping that a BP U attachment will come out for the 7Q, as they have done for the Sony L series battery's.

I was kind of hoping that Sony would re-release the F3, The F3R, with 1080 422 internal recording, 2K to that new codec that's in the F5-55, some slow-motion feature, and I'd be very happy. Keep the same sensor and body shape though, but if they made the body in magnesium like they have done with the new PMW-300, that would be even better. And at a price of say, £7000 inc VAT, haha, I can dream.
 
JackCarter said:
I like my camera very minimal, but it's what works for you. Well I highly recommend the Element Technica body armour, and I'm sure you can still get it with the discount code. Not only does it look good, but it makes the camera far more robust, the handle feels solid, not like the original Sony handle. The ET Riser etc, is quality too, I find Element Technica's designs really well thought out, and visually pleasing. You will need a tall camera case though, like a Portabrace RIG case. Then all you will need is the Odyssey 7Q. I'm that impressed with my camera, that I'm going to build a second F3 in 2014. F3 prices are stupid, EX3's sell for more on eBay. Why not take advantage.
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+1 on f3 armor. Just purchased from ET and had it installed at Abel Cinetech. And the discount is still available.
 
george su said:
+1 on f3 armor. Just purchased from ET and had it installed at Abel Cinetech. And the discount is still available.
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Excellent, I'll order a second kit in January then. Out of interest, how much did you pay for the installation? I did mine myself, it was very easy, ET did some videos showing you how to do it. Still better to have it done by professionals though.
 
Does anyone have the links to the 3 installation videos for the F3 Amour Kit or if they downloaded them can they be shared somehow?
 
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