Considering a Z7 after using an FX1 at DVinfo.net

Matt Bigwood · April 7th, 2009, 04:08 AM

I've used an FX1e for four years and I'm considering a new camera - the Z7 appeals to me, and the Compact Flash and built-in XLRs would be an advantage.

Is the interchangeable lens noticeably better quality than the FX1's lens, and is image quality from the Z7 better or similar to the FX1/Z1?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Gary Nattrass · April 8th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Matt the Z7 and S270 are way better camera's than the FX1 or Z1.

They have a nice look about them and the way sony use the chips gives superb results, the CF is a dream to use with tape as a belt and braces back-up.

You will not be disapointed if you chose a Z7 as it a lovely camera, the only down side is CMOS can be a pain if you are shooting weddings or press with a lot of flash photography.

Matt Bigwood · April 8th, 2009, 08:59 AM

Thanks Gary, that sort of makes the decision for me. I'll phone up Preston's and see how much they are selling them for.

Matt

Gary Nattrass · April 9th, 2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Bigwood

Thanks Gary, that sort of makes the decision for me. I'll phone up Preston's and see how much they are selling them for.

Matt

Good place to buy, John Preston will give you a good deal!

Uli Mors · April 14th, 2009, 01:42 PM

After using PD150 and FX1 (and XDCAM HD for broadcast) I just purchased a Z7 to have a companon for XDCAM HD - you will be familiar with most of the elements - and the cam is much more lowlight sensitive than fx1...

Regards

ULI

Matt Bigwood · April 15th, 2009, 01:24 AM

Thanks Uli, I've decided on the Z7 and will hopefully purchase one in the next few weeks.

Gary Nattrass · April 17th, 2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Bigwood

Thanks Uli, I've decided on the Z7 and will hopefully purchase one in the next few weeks.

Shame you just missed my Z7 package with low hours, I just sold it for £4k

I do have a S270 package for sale if you can go that far?
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/private-c...amera-kit.html

Both great cameras but we are upgrading so I have to sadly pass them on.

Matt Bigwood · April 18th, 2009, 02:18 AM

Hi Gary

Thanks for the message, but I can't stretch to the S270... what camera are you upgrading to?

Matt

Gary Nattrass · April 18th, 2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Bigwood

Hi Gary

Thanks for the message, but I can't stretch to the S270... what camera are you upgrading to?

Matt

Either one sony 700 or three panasonic 301, it all depends on the decline of broadcast here in the UK as budgets are at rock bottom but they still expect you to have £50k worth of camera kit.

Matt Bigwood · April 26th, 2009, 02:31 AM

I bought a Z7 this week and first impressions seem very good - the manual capabilities of the lens are great and a big step up from the FX1's servo focusing. The built-in XLR ports are also a bonus.

I also bought a Mike Tapa adapter for Nikon lenses - the quality of my 80-200 f2.8 is great on the Z7.

There's a short HD clip on youtube of the first shots from the camera (no audio)

YouTube - 090425z7test

I used Picture Profile 6 (film look) on the youtube clip - seems like a good effect. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Tom Hardwick · April 26th, 2009, 03:03 AM

Good choice Matt, but you must've had a close-up look at the Z5 while still in buying mode. Once the CF unit is on board the price of the Z5 and Z7 aren't too far apart, so what swayed you in the end?

Matt Bigwood · April 26th, 2009, 04:29 AM

Hi Tom

I did think long and hard about the Z5, but the interchangeable lens on the Z7 swayed my decision - I have a number of wide aperture Nikon lenses and the MTF adapter lets me use them on the Z7.

Matt

Bryan McCullough · April 27th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Looks great. I've been considering the Z7 for over a year now. Decided to wait until NAB to see if anything was announced that I should consider instead. Now it looks like I'll be pulling the trigger. I'm also an FX1 user so it's good to hear some favorable feedback from the switch.

Luc De Wandel · April 28th, 2009, 12:30 AM

The Z7 is a fantastic camera, but the Z5 - being newer - has a few advantages over it. Such as the choice of 3 colours for peaking indication, total exposure setting (shutter speed, iris, gain) with one ring (the iris ring) etc... It is also lighter as the Z7.

Tom Hardwick · April 28th, 2009, 02:16 AM

The big plus of the Z7 over the Z5 is the much faster lens, so in poor light and lots of telephoto it's markedly better. It also has that 'horizon leveller' in the v'finder which is neat - though maybe the Z5 has that as well - anyone?

April 7th, 2009, 04:08 AM	#1
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Considering a Z7 after using an FX1 I've used an FX1e for four years and I'm considering a new camera - the Z7 appeals to me, and the Compact Flash and built-in XLRs would be an advantage. Is the interchangeable lens noticeably better quality than the FX1's lens, and is image quality from the Z7 better or similar to the FX1/Z1? Thanks in advance, Matt

April 8th, 2009, 07:28 AM	#2
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Matt the Z7 and S270 are way better camera's than the FX1 or Z1. They have a nice look about them and the way sony use the chips gives superb results, the CF is a dream to use with tape as a belt and braces back-up. You will not be disapointed if you chose a Z7 as it a lovely camera, the only down side is CMOS can be a pain if you are shooting weddings or press with a lot of flash photography. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

April 8th, 2009, 08:59 AM	#3
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Thanks Gary, that sort of makes the decision for me. I'll phone up Preston's and see how much they are selling them for. Matt Last edited by Matt Bigwood; April 8th, 2009 at 09:00 AM. Reason: mistyped

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April 14th, 2009, 01:42 PM	#5
Uli Mors Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 565	After using PD150 and FX1 (and XDCAM HD for broadcast) I just purchased a Z7 to have a companon for XDCAM HD - you will be familiar with most of the elements - and the cam is much more lowlight sensitive than fx1... Regards ULI

April 15th, 2009, 01:24 AM	#6
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Thanks Uli, I've decided on the Z7 and will hopefully purchase one in the next few weeks.

April 18th, 2009, 02:18 AM	#8
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Hi Gary Thanks for the message, but I can't stretch to the S270... what camera are you upgrading to? Matt

April 26th, 2009, 02:31 AM	#10
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	I bought a Z7 this week and first impressions seem very good - the manual capabilities of the lens are great and a big step up from the FX1's servo focusing. The built-in XLR ports are also a bonus. I also bought a Mike Tapa adapter for Nikon lenses - the quality of my 80-200 f2.8 is great on the Z7. There's a short HD clip on youtube of the first shots from the camera (no audio) YouTube - 090425z7test I used Picture Profile 6 (film look) on the youtube clip - seems like a good effect. Anyone have any other recommendations?

April 26th, 2009, 03:03 AM	#11
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Good choice Matt, but you must've had a close-up look at the Z5 while still in buying mode. Once the CF unit is on board the price of the Z5 and Z7 aren't too far apart, so what swayed you in the end?

April 26th, 2009, 04:29 AM	#12
Matt Bigwood Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 223	Hi Tom I did think long and hard about the Z5, but the interchangeable lens on the Z7 swayed my decision - I have a number of wide aperture Nikon lenses and the MTF adapter lets me use them on the Z7. Matt

April 27th, 2009, 07:18 PM	#13
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	Looks great. I've been considering the Z7 for over a year now. Decided to wait until NAB to see if anything was announced that I should consider instead. Now it looks like I'll be pulling the trigger. I'm also an FX1 user so it's good to hear some favorable feedback from the switch.

April 28th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#14
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	The Z7 is a fantastic camera, but the Z5 - being newer - has a few advantages over it. Such as the choice of 3 colours for peaking indication, total exposure setting (shutter speed, iris, gain) with one ring (the iris ring) etc... It is also lighter as the Z7.

April 28th, 2009, 02:16 AM	#15
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	The big plus of the Z7 over the Z5 is the much faster lens, so in poor light and lots of telephoto it's markedly better. It also has that 'horizon leveller' in the v'finder which is neat - though maybe the Z5 has that as well - anyone?