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! ;-)

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Gotta be in it to win it.

However, gear is only part of the equation. I wouldn't be in this position to use this stuff without the education i received from the many DP's who have taught me the skills i need to do my job. This is why i have dedicated myself to sharing the knowledge i gather. Hence the blog and participation on the various forums.

As i get more findings you can be sure i will share it.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Tim,
I'm jealous of those lenses man.
Are those the T2.8 Cooke's? Curious why you made the decision to go with the slower lenses ( say as opposed to an older set of Zeiss standard's). I assume its the look but you must have considered the trade-offs .
I'm bending my brain about how to set up the F3.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Speed is not the determining factor when choosing primes. I'm concerned about factory support, build quality, maintenance costs, optical quality, rentability ( iPanchros are optically matched with S4's and S5's in all image charachterisitcs), coveres 5K for Rental to the Epic market.... etc.

Older zeiss super speeds, standard speeds, etc all will require maintenece during their new found lives in the Digital S35 world. Zeiss no longer produces super speeds, nor have they for 20 years, same for Standards. You can never truly repair them. ITs essentially one patch over another, over another.... Eventually the lens is unserviceable requiring a full rehouse ( HUGE $$$). Not to mention alot of this glass wont cover the 5k Epic sensor eliminaing your glass from the running for a Epic production. In addition, with the increased sensitivity of the current Digital Cinema cameras a T2.8 stop is not of concern.

Brave new world.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Thanks for your thoughts Timur.

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

Yes, many thanks for your efforts to share, Timur!
"Gotta be in it to win it" is great.

I actually got a quote on the iPanchros thinking that I could rent them out too, but I know I'd not let them leave my grubby paws once I had them. ;-)

I'll be mating an Angenieux 17-102 to my F3 and see that that gives me.
I'll report back here once I get some images off it. ;-)

Re: Unboxed, with a light review
 

That should be a great lens! Angeniuex makes great glass.

Good focal range too.... And Trust me you wont feel the "slow" speed.