I searched the site and looks like the F3 forum is where I should post?

Looking at purchasing the Sony F5. There are two kit options that look nice and I am discussing with two dealers.

Questions:

1. How well does the FZ to EF by Optitek work? I would use EF-L glass when shooting 1080p 422 50M/bs. For footage with higher res I would rent nice glass or purchase a few PL primes.

2. Hearing mixed opinion about OLED or the nice LCD? I had that LCD monitor on the PMW-500 and PDW-F800 and liked it but have never used an OLED.

3. Sony shoulder mount? Nice it works with Sony quick release plate which I also like and own. Are there other options that also work with quick release and are cheaper? I don't like a big rig.

4. Does the camera have connections for a shoulder strap like ENG 2/3" Sony cameras?

5. Are there big benifits going with the Sony Battery? I have Switronix Pro X 130 batteries (3) which I would prefer to just use.

6. What is the difference in the SxS card reader beyond the USB 3 compared to the previous one?

Thanks for the help.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Sure I was wondering some of the same things you have asked, I was wondering what your shooting with now? Im currently using and ex3 and was thinking of making a big step to the F5 but not sure.

Thanks

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Brent,

Currently I am shooting with the C300. But have owned 3-2/3” XDCAM’s, I like Sony product and believe in CineAlta. Also owned a Red One.

The C300 is ok for some clients but does not work for all of mine. There are clients who want 29.97, 50M/bs 422 and are happy. But I have lost a few jobs and possible new clients that request 120-240fps at 1080p, and some with 4K needs. I think the F5 would be a nice package to offer all of those options to my client with other great benifits. I do miss 24bit audio and the Sony picture look and control with a bonus of ergonomics.

The new firmware announced is what has me back looking.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

#2 - Not sure but I think the most important difference is that the oled is an eyepiece only panel, while the lcd is the flip up over a 4" lcd panel below. I would assume the oled is the better image, but must have your eye on the rubber cup.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Paul, I've ordered the OLED VF, extra Olivine batteries, charger and an extra 128gb Pro+ card. I felt the OLED was more compact and a much more accurate picture. It's also way smaller in exterior size.

I have the Optitek adaptor for Nikon which has been excellent. I like the Nikon lenses with the F3 (except the reverse focus) as they are manual and give good control. The pro AI-S zooms are very sharp even wide open.

I have the Tilta TB-103 base plate which works well with the F3 and slots on to the VCT-14 quick release plate. It's $330. I removed the QR sled on the Tilta and attached the baseplate directly to the F3. had to drill out one of the mount holes to make it fit. But I'm looking at the Arri base plate for the F5.

I don't know about straps. I don't carry it around like shooting news.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the input. Good point on the size of the OLED. I know the LCD took up a lot of extra space in the Portabrace bag with my PMW-500. Always made me nervous when putting it in the overhead. I fly a lot with my gear so small is a bonus. Also means I would have to carry a monitor since most of my shoots the producer needs to look back at clips through out the day and that makes the LCD better smaller.

I have a lot of Canon EF-L glass for my still work and my C300 so all set with 1080p glass. The EF-L glass with IS is great for a lot of my hand held work. Will rent PL lens that fit the focal length I need for the job at hand. Be nice to try the Fujinon zoom in the helicopter.

The ΩTilta TB-103 base plate looks nice. The Sony shoulder brace comes with one of the kits they are selling so I might go with that setup but want to see it first. I have a VCT-14 quick release plate sitting on a shelf also a very nice Kessler QR plate that works with my 5D MKIII and C300 well. Very positive lock and once slid in will not come out even not locked. Great light system that I also use on a small dolly

The shoulder strap is something I always use on my cameras. There are times I just need it on the water moving around boats which is a big part of my work. I have set up the Canon C300 with a neck strap that is a huge help. Sure I can figure out a strap with the F5, but always liked the Portabrace strap on the eng cameras..

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

We should move this to the F5 forum?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Tom,

Have you used the LCD and OLED on the F5?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Threads merged; now in F5 forum.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Wow, you are on it Chris thank you!

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

So the kit I am pricing is the following:

1. PMW-F5
2. DVL-F350 LCD Viewfinder
3. SBACUS20 SxS USB card reader.
4. Two - Sony SBP128B SxS Pro+ cards
5. Shape 7000 baseplate w/out handles

That should have me productive right away since it would be on a job days after arrival.

Anything that F5 owners think I am missing let me know? I might already own it but always happen to learn.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

I'm sure you must be aware, but I thought I would mention just in case, that Sony has a package deal presently that includes:
PMW-F5 with PL Mount Lens Adapter
DVF-L350 LCD Viewfinder
V-Mount Battery
Dual Battery Charging Station
32GB SxS Card
USB 3.0 SxS Reader / Writer
Shoulder Mount Accessory
ATA-Tough Hard Case
Optitek FZ to EF Lens Adapter

For less than the F5 and LCD EVF would cost as separates.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Ron,

Yup, did see both kits which are hard to beat price wise.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Paul,
I thought you might have. I couldn't resist the OLED package. However, I am have some difficulty figuring out how to mount a shotgun mic. Have you arrived at a possible solution?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Ron,

No, I have not given that any thought yet. Might have to use one of the universal arms and mount it to the handle or a 1/4-20 somewhere. I do find it silly that they did not put strap mounts and a simple shotgun mount.

Question:
From what I am learning I would need the SxS Pro+ to get the most out of internal recording?

Then to do 4K and 2K-120-240fps I need CD OdysseyQ or Sony recorder?

There is no way to record XAVC 4K with the F5 correct?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Paul,
I have yet to receive the cam, but I believe that you are correct in re 4k XVAC. However, I came across a post that indicated that the standard SxS cards have been working for most internal recording.

I also found a post suggesting the use of the Arri MHB-1 mic holder bracket for the F5/55. Can't seem to find a reseller for that item and in addition, it mounts with a 3/8" threaded screw, whereas, the F5/55 has 1/4" mounting holes on top? However, a thread adapter might work.

While I realize that the F5/55 were intended as cinema cameras, where sound would be otherwise acquired, it nevertheless seems quite amazing that the design team missed something as critical as a removable mic holder.

Addendum: It seems that the Rycote 042902 comes with a 1/4" screw and should do the trick.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

I can't seem to get a straight answer on what cards will do what. I have seen the graph on the Sony site but then I hear comments that the SXS Pro not Pro+ work fine on the F5. Be nice to save some money on cards and put that toward a recorder when needed.

For the mic I have enough gear in my studios I could set up a shotgun.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

4k XAVC internal recording and non-skew recording is why I want the same offer-bundle for the F55, or wait for something else to come along. I also don't understand why should have to get firmware updates in order to have zebra or waveform.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Unless I have missed something, it already has Zebras?
But I agree, I would have been happy to purchase the F55 if there were an incentive of the type or better than offered for the F5. But when you consider the fact that in addition to the F55 body one still requires, at a minimum, an EVF, batteries and charger, and perhaps the hard case, the price differential between the current F5 package and the 55 with the same items is in the region of $15,500. For those of us whose shooting scenarios do not tend to showcase the limitations of a rolling shutter and who do not need in-camera 4k XAVC, the price differential is significant. Will there be something better next year and every year thereafter? Of course! Technology thrives on planned obsolescence. Will the prices come down? IMO, if Blackmagic can sell a 4k global shutter camera for just under $4,000, it would appear that there is room for a competitive global shutter camera—perhaps more costly than the BMCC but less than the F55—in the not too distant future. But that's conjecture based upon personal logic.

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Is that right? Then I have missed something. Thanks for correction.

OMG gosh, duh...(senior moment), I meant histogram. I think F5/F55 does not have a histogram? Just saying that to be right for me, mobility dictates some exposure tools, non-raw internal 4k XAVC recording, and shoulder adapter, the latter two nicely covered by the F55, except no current bundle like the very attractive offer on F5.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Paul,

When I get back from my shoot in France in two weeks we can get together and I'll show you how I have solved some of the issues you're wondering about, including which third-party base plate, shouldermount, and top plate that I went with. In fact, I have a beautiful Sony ECM-680 shotgun mounted on my F55 that does not get in the way of the handle and sounds great. I also have attached a standard Portabrace suede shoulder strap on the camera that does not get in the way at all and allows me to sling the camera over my shoulder just like a regular ENG camera.

BTW, as I said before, do not get the OLED viewfinder. I'm sure that you will be sorry. Everyone I know, who has spent a lot of time with both, prefers the LCD and I have no regrets at all. In fact, the two F55's we are using on this shoot in France (not mine) are fitted with OLED and we wish they had LCD.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Why exactly for the dissing of the OLED? There are many positive reports from F-users across all forums who say the OLED is great for size, quality and accuracy of image. You can't just say "...you will be sorry".

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Thanks Doug sounds great see you in a couple of weeks. With you all the way on LCD.

Agree with your email that the F55 is worth a serious look. I will demo both F5 and F55 at Rule prior to checking out your setup.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Sure I can. I'm not under any obligation to make the case one way or another. I'm just offering advice to a friend who has asked for it many times in the past.

I encourage people to make the effort to spend some quality time comparing the two models before making a purchase and then they can come to their own informed conclusions. Don't make assumptions just from the specifications. I've used both models quite a bit before I formed my opinion. And all but one of my friends who are F55 or F5 owners have come to the same conclusion. The OLED comes up short in several ways, but the LCD viewfinder is even better than the $12K viewfinder I had on my F800. So if having an EVF that is slightly smaller in physical size is really important to you, then go for the OLED. But if brightness, sharpness, angle of view, and being able to flip the diopter out of the way are important, then maybe the OLED is not the right choice.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

The oled viewfinder is said to have focus magnification. That could be important for critical focus in 4k. Does the lcd viewfinder have focus magnification as well?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Yes the LCD does have focus mag.

I agree with Doug and actually prefer the LCD EVF as the image quality is great and it is more flexible to use than the OLED. However, it is a bit of a bulky design and makes mounting an onboard mic tricky. Not saying the OLED is bad by any means but it is worth trying both and seeing where your priorities lead you.

Doug, I'd love to see how you have mounted your onboard mic. I haven't managed to figure it out a good solution yet.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Mike,

I'm traveling for a few weeks and don't have any photos of my mic mount handy, but it hangs to the right side of the camera kind of above the XLR jacks. I resurrected an old shock mount cage that used to be on the end of a boom pole many years ago and has been gathering dust since. With this solution the mic extends from the rear of the camera up to the lens and does'nt get in the way of the handle. I hardly even know it is there, desipite that it is a pretty big and very good mic.

I was able to mount the shock mount to the side of the camera rather than on top because my Arri top plate has a couple of threaded holes that point to the side. BTW, I really like the Arri accessories I added to the camera, and if I didn't have them, it would be impossible to setup the naked stock F5/55 properly for shooting.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi,
I'm thinking buying F55 now but current Sony AU offer is F5 bundle with Oled vf or LCD : SPECIAL BUNDLE OFFERS ON SONY?S PMW-F5 DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY CAMERA : Promotions : Sony Professional Solutions Australia & New Zealand

the offer is good but not for F55. I don't know if there is an offer or promotion for F55 already.

Hope Sony will has offer for F55 after the F5 bundle offer ends.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

I wouldn't hope for much there. My dealer pushed hard for an F55 deal and Sony Australia said there are none and won't be any in the foreseeable future.

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It's sad to hear that :(

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I agree it would be nice to have a basic package deal.

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I've been looking for the F5/F55/F65 forum and still can find it. Where is the link to the F5 forum?

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi,
This may be what you are looking for:
F5 & F55 - Sony Community

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Thanks Ron,

Not good reading about the crashing and loosing footage with the F5.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Rumor has it that a fix is in the works, although it has not been a universal issue it certainly is something the needs to be addressed.
BTW, I had been following the OLED vs LCD debate and had decided against the LCD due to its bulk. One of the many reasons I had decided to upgrade from the F3 to the F5, was to avoid the added bulk, cabling and powering of the Alphatron, Samurai, etc. With that in mind, I veered away from the LCD due to its size. And now that I own and have been using the OLED with the F5, I can honestly say that, IMO, it's great. Its bright, sharp and easy to pull focus and does a good job of enabling exposure, given that if set up properly, what you see is fairly close to what you are saving to media. Once the missing tools—histogram and or Waveform—are added it should be even better.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Ron Thanks for that info. I thought they were talking about a section on DVINFO. I currently hangout at the F65 forum area:
F65 - Sony Community

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

You're welcome.

Re: Sony F5 purchase questions
 

Hi Ron,

I am sure Sony will fix any problem that comes up, and hopefully quickly.

Glad you are happy with the OLED. For me it has the be LCD just have to show clips to producers and talent all the time. Not interested in an added monitor so it is my way of also keeping it small and fitting my needs. Nice to have options.

My demo is tomorrow so decision making is close.