Having just got a recorder for the F3, I've written an entire blog post about my decision process to buy a recorder/monitor as I've been debating which to get for a long while (since even before I purchased the F3!!):


Which recorder/monitor is best for the Sony PMW-F3? | David Peterson (http://ironfilm.co.nz/which-recorder-monitor-is-best-for-the-sony-pmw-f3/)


Basically my logic process then went, if:
a) you have a bit more cash, get the PIX-E5
Because aside from its price (which is pricey relative to a Samurai Blade or Video Assist, however PIX-E5 is cheap compared to any of its direct competitors!) it is practically almost flawless! Especially as I feel 5 inches is the “sweet spot” for an operator’s monitor while shooting, but if you disagree there is always the PIX-E7 instead with its 7 inch screen.


b) don’t mind focus peaking / waveforms / vector scopes / etc are missing, get the BMD VA!
Some people don’t mind living without these and don’t see what is the big deal, others would shudder at the thought of being without them….


c) otherwise…. am left with the last choice of the three :-P Get a Samurai Blade


Or at least, that is how my thought process went.


Thus personally I went for the Atomos Samurai Blade, which I’ll use with my PMW-F3. It arrives next week! (it just arrived today at my reshipper service in the USA)

You can now rip into me for making the wrong choice :-P Or give me tips on using them together. For instance, I think the tagging (thumbs up/down) on set feature in the Atomos recorders only can be used with Final Cut?? (even though Atomos promised it would work with other NLEs) If there is any way to make it work with Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas (or even DaVinci Resolve's editing?! Just I can't use Final Cut, as using a PC, as does everybody else I work with) please let me know.