Unboxed, with a light review at DVinfo.net

Timur Civan · February 19th, 2011, 02:37 PM

Got my F3 2 days ago, w/ Cooke Lenses.

Some initial thoughts. Real testing will take place on Sunday.

I will be updating the findings. Check back.

T.STOPS

Dan Keaton · February 19th, 2011, 09:37 PM

Dear Timur,

I enjoyed reading your Blog.

Please keep us informed about your progress. This is certainly exciting.

Timur Civan · February 19th, 2011, 09:44 PM

Thank you Dan,

I certainly will.

Timur Civan · February 20th, 2011, 10:59 PM

Updated the Blog with a DIT's take on the camera.... interesting stuff....

T.STOPS

Andy Shipsides · February 21st, 2011, 09:21 AM

Hey Timur

Nice review. How are you rating the ISO values on the camera? The production models still list gain in dB values. Was your -6db rating the 280 ISO value? Just curious.

Andy

Timur Civan · February 21st, 2011, 10:44 AM

The scale built in to the camera suggests the following.

ISO280 - -3dB
ISO400 0dB
ISO580 +3dB
ISO800 +6
ISO1100 +9dB
ISO1600 +12dB
ISO3200 +18dB

My thinking is that Sony rates the F3 @ ISO800, and there lies 0dB. But it would perhaps seem unorthodox to have a -3 dB -6dB and -9dB on the scale. So to follow broadcast tradition, they placed 0dB squarely ln ISO400.

It seems the camera performs best, interms of dynamic range and noise performance around ISO400-ISO800.

Steve Kalle · February 21st, 2011, 11:42 AM

Hi Timur,

I appreciate the time put into your blog, especially how you shot certain scenes.

So, which camera do you prefer and why: AF100 or F3?

Andy Shipsides · February 21st, 2011, 02:37 PM

Thanks Timur!

I rated the camera differently in quick test, we got 0db around 800 ISO. However +18db didn't seem to be much over 2500. Wasn't very scientific, but I'll break out the meter tomorrow and see what I come up with. The gamma mode will play a part in this so I'll adjust accordingly.

I agree that the 0 to +3 db range seems to be the best in terms of performance and dynamic range.

Andy

Leonard Levy · February 21st, 2011, 03:43 PM

Did -3DB have any negative affects(i.e. loss of highlight range)? I imagine it could be useful in cutting depth of field.

Timur Civan · February 21st, 2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Kalle

Hi Timur,

I appreciate the time put into your blog, especially how you shot certain scenes.

So, which camera do you prefer and why: AF100 or F3?

Well, I helped create and beta test the AF100. It's. not quite what I need in my career. I needed something with more punch. The F3 was it for me. Its sharper, cleaner, and has betterdynamic range. In my opinion the choice was clear.

On a side not, I tried an F3 w/ the new Leica PL primes today at Bandpro East. WOW. You haven't seen sharp, till you've seen these lenses.

Timur Civan · February 21st, 2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

Did -3DB have any negative affects(i.e. loss of highlight range)? I imagine it could be useful in cutting depth of field.

I am not sure. I would need a step chart to determine that. When I have access to one, I will be sure to report all findings.

David C. Williams · February 21st, 2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timur Civan

I am not sure. I would need a step chart to determine that. When I have access to one, I will be sure to report all findings.

There's an easy test that works with the EX3, might work on the F3. Enable the spot meter, point the camera at a high light that blows out reading 109%, switch to -3db, same highlight peaks at 105% and nothing will read higher.

Ryan Koo · February 22nd, 2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timur Civan

Got my F3 2 days ago, w/ Cooke Lenses.

T.STOPS

Which Cookes?

Timur Civan · February 22nd, 2011, 05:02 AM

I have a full set of 6 Cooke iPanchros and a varotal 18-100 T3 zoom

Steve Strickle · February 22nd, 2011, 09:32 AM

Timur doesn't play around! The lenses and tripod cost as much as my house! ;-)

February 19th, 2011, 02:37 PM	#1
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Unboxed, with a light review Got my F3 2 days ago, w/ Cooke Lenses. Some initial thoughts. Real testing will take place on Sunday. I will be updating the findings. Check back. T.STOPS

February 19th, 2011, 09:37 PM	#2
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Timur, I enjoyed reading your Blog. Please keep us informed about your progress. This is certainly exciting. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

February 19th, 2011, 09:44 PM	#3
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Thank you Dan, I certainly will. __________________ Director of Photography - www.timurcivan.com Sony F3, Cooke lenses, sunny disposition.

February 20th, 2011, 10:59 PM	#4
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Re: Unboxed, with a light review Updated the Blog with a DIT's take on the camera.... interesting stuff.... T.STOPS __________________ Director of Photography - www.timurcivan.com Sony F3, Cooke lenses, sunny disposition.

February 21st, 2011, 09:21 AM	#5
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	Re: Unboxed, with a light review Hey Timur Nice review. How are you rating the ISO values on the camera? The production models still list gain in dB values. Was your -6db rating the 280 ISO value? Just curious. Andy __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

February 21st, 2011, 10:44 AM	#6
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Re: Unboxed, with a light review The scale built in to the camera suggests the following. ISO280 - -3dB ISO400 0dB ISO580 +3dB ISO800 +6 ISO1100 +9dB ISO1600 +12dB ISO3200 +18dB My thinking is that Sony rates the F3 @ ISO800, and there lies 0dB. But it would perhaps seem unorthodox to have a -3 dB -6dB and -9dB on the scale. So to follow broadcast tradition, they placed 0dB squarely ln ISO400. It seems the camera performs best, interms of dynamic range and noise performance around ISO400-ISO800. __________________ Director of Photography - www.timurcivan.com Sony F3, Cooke lenses, sunny disposition.

February 21st, 2011, 11:42 AM	#7
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Hi Timur, I appreciate the time put into your blog, especially how you shot certain scenes. So, which camera do you prefer and why: AF100 or F3?

February 21st, 2011, 02:37 PM	#8
Andy Shipsides Sponsor: Abel CineTech Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 361	Re: Unboxed, with a light review Thanks Timur! I rated the camera differently in quick test, we got 0db around 800 ISO. However +18db didn't seem to be much over 2500. Wasn't very scientific, but I'll break out the meter tomorrow and see what I come up with. The gamma mode will play a part in this so I'll adjust accordingly. I agree that the 0 to +3 db range seems to be the best in terms of performance and dynamic range. Andy __________________ Andy Shipsides -Camera Technology Specialist AbelCineTech, New York - Visit our Blog - http://blog.abelcine.com

February 21st, 2011, 03:43 PM	#9
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Re: Unboxed, with a light review Did -3DB have any negative affects(i.e. loss of highlight range)? I imagine it could be useful in cutting depth of field.

February 22nd, 2011, 05:02 AM	#14
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Re: Unboxed, with a light review I have a full set of 6 Cooke iPanchros and a varotal 18-100 T3 zoom __________________ Director of Photography - www.timurcivan.com Sony F3, Cooke lenses, sunny disposition.

February 22nd, 2011, 09:32 AM	#15
Steve Strickle New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 23	Re: Unboxed, with a light review Timur doesn't play around! The lenses and tripod cost as much as my house! ;-)