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

Dear Timur,

I enjoyed reading your Blog.

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

Thank you Dan,

I certainly will.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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

T.STOPS

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

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.

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?

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

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.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Which Cookes?

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

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