F5: Zoom Lenses for Sony F5

N

Nick Navaro

Well-known member
Hi guys

Seriously considering getting a Sony F5. I've been using an EX3 for years and think it's time to upgrade. I shoot a lot of event stuff and am so used to and reliant on the zoom to get shots I need. I really can't see me using just prime to get around large areas filled with people. Can you recommend a great zoom lens to use with the Sony F5? Also, looking at music videos will the zoom be good enough quality wise or should I look to hire some primes. Not used a zoom on a 35mm chip before so any advice welcome.

Many thanks

Nick
 
There is no zoom rocker on the F5. There is one the F3. Sony does have an outboard unit with a zoom rocker but it is more designed for jib and crane use. The model # is: CBKDCB01. There is a thread on the lens just referenced and on page 5 of the thread this outboard zoom rocker and interface unit is discussed. You can find it here:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...th-the-18-252mm-(SCL-Z18X140)-Zoom-Lens/page5

If you are upgrading your camera and 80% or more is for event use, this may not be the camera for you. Some people have successfully made the shift with it and use the F series cam in event/doco work. This is a large sensor camera with shallow depth of field similar to what you would get from a 35mm film camera. You probably know this but just in case...
 
Andrew Stone said:
There is no zoom rocker on the F5. There is one the F3. Sony does have an outboard unit with a zoom rocker but it is more designed for jib and crane use. The model # is: CBKDCB01. There is a thread on the lens just referenced and on page 5 of the thread this outboard zoom rocker and interface unit is discussed. You can find it here:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...th-the-18-252mm-(SCL-Z18X140)-Zoom-Lens/page5

If you are upgrading your camera and 80% or more is for event use, this may not be the camera for you. Some people have successfully made the shift with it and use the F series cam in event/doco work. This is a large sensor camera with shallow depth of field similar to what you would get from a 35mm film camera. You probably know this but just in case...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Yes, I get the DOF with the F5.

What camera would recommend as an upgrade from the Sony EX3 for event work? Would like a great image and to record 2k and upto 120 fps on card in-cam, in a relatively small unit similar size to F5. Does any such camera exist?

I have used this camera as a rental in the past. Beautiful image on the 2/3" chip, but WAAAAY to big and heavy for run and gun
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/panasonic_aj-hpx3100g
 
Nick Navaro said:
What camera would recommend as an upgrade from the Sony EX3 for event work? Would like a great image and to record 2k and upto 120 fps on card in-cam, in a relatively small unit similar size to F5. Does any such camera exist?
Click to expand...

FS700 w/ SLR lenses

If you're working in S35, you will have to be changing lenses. That's all there is to it. But if you buy the right ones, you'll be doing it much less and you can learn to make it work.

18-50 and 50-150 by my experience works well for working fast and unplanned. You can get Sigmas in that range and adapt them to Fs700

To get working immediately you can buy the kit with the 18-200 lens and get some work done, although the F3.5-6.3 speed will limit you.
 
Nate Weaver said:
FS700 w/ SLR lenses

If you're working in S35, you will have to be changing lenses. That's all there is to it. But if you buy the right ones, you'll be doing it much less and you can learn to make it work.

18-50 and 50-150 by my experience works well for working fast and unplanned. You can get Sigmas in that range and adapt them to Fs700

To get working immediately you can buy the kit with the 18-200 lens and get some work done, although the F3.5-6.3 speed will limit you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Yes, been looking at the FS700 and it does look like a great camera for the price. As investment for the future tho, would you say the F5? I mean, the FS700 is S35, so is the F5, so there's no difference in chip. The F5 just seem like a nice working camera in form and function as is detailed here http://vimeo.com/60861705

Although it's a LOT more money for F5. For FS700 with lenses, batteries etc etc, looking about £10k. For full Sony shooting about £20-£25k....!
 
Before you buy an S35 camera I have a very good think if it fits your work - maybe borrow rent or start with a DSLR to pick up some broll

Just come back from a weekend at a conference with my FS100

Pretty brutal for focus and stability

Was kind of thinking of picking up a used EX3 for this stuff even though I have an EX1 - or maybe a 2/3 cam with a proper zoom

BTW my favorite lenses are nikkor 35-70 and 28-80 manual - I can say that after a lot of hunting

S
 
morgan_moore said:
Before you buy an S35 camera I have a very good think if it fits your work - maybe borrow rent or start with a DSLR to pick up some broll

Just come back from a weekend at a conference with my FS100

Pretty brutal for focus and stability

Was kind of thinking of picking up a used EX3 for this stuff even though I have an EX1 - or maybe a 2/3 cam with a proper zoom

BTW my favorite lenses are nikkor 35-70 and 28-80 manual - I can say that after a lot of hunting

S
Click to expand...

I've used a DSLR for some shots for a while now, it's was only a t2i/550 but it served a purpose, but the PCB power cable inside died and they want £200 to fix, so it's a paperweight at the moment. I was thinking of getting a GH3. The EX3 is great for certain things, but need to upgrade the look to upgrade the rate of pay too.

This is my latest work with EX3 (stock and gr pro in beginning)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULl_164HS6g

This is a friend's work who works in the same field but uses Red, Sony F3 and broadcast cams on cranes/jibs and commands A LOT more more... Like ridiculously more. He did have about 100 people working on this festival and I shot my stuff alone. lol :-/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy"ADMIN NOTE: I AM SPAM. PLEASE REPORT ME."BBHPUs

So the point is, the S35 chips don't really limit him, it adds to the production values no?

I also make these 30 minute TV shows for broadcast on cable and satellite, using EX3, 550D and stock from other people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF4XiH2Pqf8
 
Last edited:
Nick,

I would suggest having a very good think on what Nate and morgan_moore have dispensed to you. They come by their knowledge with use of these cameras. The FS700 is much lighter than the rest in their class. There is a LARGE ecosystem of 3rd party accessories and machined bits for this camera. You can do high framerate capture with it. There is an outboard recorder coming out that will be able to capture it's high framerate output in high bitate/resolution. It is also a lot less expensive than others in mid-range priced S35 cameras.

Nate suggests the Sigma 18-50mm which is better for doco/event work because it goes so wide. Morgan suggests the 28-70mm Nikon which I use and it lends itself more towards narrative style capture. I wish I had a 18-50 PL lens.

I also have an EX3 which I use for event or run & gun. I've had this camera since Sony released it. There is no reason to part with it in my books. The viewfinder, compactness and the inputs on the back still set it apart from it's competitors. As an upgrade right now, I would be looking at the PMW-400 that was announced at NAB. If you are looking to "mix it up" then I would be looking at an S35 camera but I wouldn't see it as a replacement for a 1/2" or 2/3" chip camera.

Of note, I have seen a few posts recently from people, relatively close to Sony that fully expect an EX3 replacement before the year is out.
 
Last edited:
Andrew Stone said:
Nick,

I would suggest having a very good think on what Nate and morgan_moore have dispensed to you. They come by their knowledge with use of these cameras. The FS700 is much lighter than the rest in their class. There is a LARGE ecosystem of 3rd party accessories and machined bits for this camera. You can do high framerate capture with it. There is an outboard recorder coming out that will be able to capture it's high framerate output in high bitate/resolution. It is also a lot less expensive than others in mid-range priced S35 cameras.

Nate suggests the Sigma 18-50mm which is better for doco/event work because it goes so wide. Morgan suggests the 28-70mm Nikon which I use and it lends itself more towards narrative style capture. I wish I had a 18-50 PL lens.

I also have an EX3 which I use for event or run & gun. I've had this camera since Sony released it. There is no reason to part with it in my books. The viewfinder, compactness and the inputs on the back still set it apart from it's competitors. As an upgrade right now, I would be looking at the PMW-400 that was announced at NAB. If you are looking to "mix it up" then I would be looking at an S35 camera but I wouldn't see it as a replacement for a 1/2" or 2/3" chip camera.

Of note, I have seen a few posts recently from people, relatively close to Sony that fully expect an EX3 replacement before the year is out.
Click to expand...

Thanks Andrew. Interesting and useful info. You have any ideas what spec/features the EX3 replacement would be? Might worth the wait. A 2/3" would be cool if they can get everything in a small enough chasis. I think the PMW-400 is slightly too big for my work.

I wasn't sure about the FS700 as read so many negative things about the look, but then saw this and was blown away http://vimeo.com/51128941 goes to show it's the man not the tool that is super important.

Does an Atomos Samurai work with FS700 slo mo? I use a Samurai to record Pro Res.
 
Hey Admin

What's up with of my links being SPAM??? Can you fix. I'm trying to highlight to people different types work so they can suggest good cameras. I don't really think anyone in here cares about music events.

Over sensitive somewhat? The modern age eh.... :undecided
 
Nick Navaro said:
.. need to upgrade the look to upgrade the rate of pay too.
Click to expand...

That is an interesting quote.

To me there are trade offs, often ones the clients really dont understand.

I shot a speech this weekend 200mm at 2.8 S35, and frankly 70% is not sharp - the speaker was walking the room, not behind a podium

I had my EX1 locked off too BTW

But is the client right to want that, irrelevant of pay grade...? I dunno

Seems to me there are correct tools for certain jobs

For one I would not be without a smaller chipped camera!

S
 
Lens wise I mix my 18 prime with a longer zoom.

Reason?

I find a typical sequence is a wide intro followed by a bunch of MCUs and CUs so im in the 30-80 range much more than at the wide end so less lens changes than covering the same range with a 17-55 and an 80 prime (for example)

S
 
Hey Morgan

RE: pay increase. If you have time to check my work against this

Youtube dot com prefix

watch(question mark)v=no5XeOJHxK8

there is a SIGNIFICANT leap in cash reward.

Cheers

Nick
 
I continue to use my EX-1 for run and gun. The servo zoom makes a big difference as well as even, I hate to say it, auto features when needed. I would not be without it for many applications. I personally wouldn't consider using my F3 (or F5/55 if I owned one) for that kind of shooting. If you feel you need the jump in quality, consider the PMW-200 which will shoot XDCAM 50Mbps 4:2:2. I love my F3 and I am also a big fan of the FS700. But I don't use those tools for run and gun purposes. My DSLR is lower-end interviews. The EX-1 for run and gun and more "video" work and the F3 for higher-end interviews and cinematic.

Ned Soltz
 
Nick Navaro said:
watch(question mark)v=no5XeOJHxK8

Nick
Click to expand...

Found a pop vid in 4:3?

Its all about matching the camera to the shoot..

Shooting actuality with S35 you will miss more shots either due to bad focus or because you are changing lenses

The shots you get will be creamy and wonderful

It all depends what the client wants/needs/thinks they need

I have both formats and feel a lot safer with the smaller one

Of course you can shoot everything with a loose framing at 17 with s35 and get everything sharp, but its not a look I like or feel is significantly more 'beautiful' than a camcorder

Currently I own EX1/FS100.. a nice pair - I would certainly suggest a PMW200/F5 would be a better pair

S
 
Nick Navaro said:
Thanks for that. Yes, been looking at the FS700 and it does look like a great camera for the price. As investment for the future tho, would you say the F5? I mean, the FS700 is S35, so is the F5, so there's no difference in chip. The F5 just seem like a nice working camera in form and function as is detailed here http://vimeo.com/60861705
Click to expand...

You don't sget something for nothing. There is a HUGE difference between the FS700 and the F5. They are not the same chip. They are not the same performance. Not even close.
 
And just to add to Mitch's post -- besides performance considerations, they are not the same workflow, not the same codec, not the same profile settings, and not the same ergonomics and features. Just because two cars may both have an engine with eight cylinders does not mean they are similar in other, very important, ways.
 
nsoltz said:
I continue to use my EX-1 for run and gun. The servo zoom makes a big difference as well as even, I hate to say it, auto features when needed. I would not be without it for many applications. I personally wouldn't consider using my F3 (or F5/55 if I owned one) for that kind of shooting. If you feel you need the jump in quality, consider the PMW-200 which will shoot XDCAM 50Mbps 4:2:2. I love my F3 and I am also a big fan of the FS700. But I don't use those tools for run and gun purposes. My DSLR is lower-end interviews. The EX-1 for run and gun and more "video" work and the F3 for higher-end interviews and cinematic.

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...

That's just it. All these clients want CINEMATIC look for run and gun stuff because the market has been flood with people doing it with DSLRs for the last 3 years now, and they are doing it (some not that well) for ridiculously cheap. Undercutting others. The ones who get the film look on these tours/events/promo videos shoots get paid MORE money. Simple as that really. Maybe here there are too many purists who do everything by the book?? What I've experienced in the last 5 years is the book is being re-written by the young generation. Just my observation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top