Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I'm probably gonna get this, will still use my ex but this cam is special,I loved everything about it
If you haven't used the loupe,you'll love it,very sharp,easy to focus diopter

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I agree with this. It's small, but the diopter works well for my eyes, and I can get a crisp focus.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Mike have u gotten the camera yet? what cam were u using?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Interesting that I never heard anyone ever mention that by using the variable ND you use 2 stops of light. Alister said it is great if you move from outside to inside or vice versa you can maintain the same f-stop but he didn't mention you need to up your ISO. (and in some cases that won't be enough) So this is not a replacement for iris-control, as was suggested.

You also need a lot of light to shoot 200 FPS noise free.

For longer periods of handheld work, I found I really need a shoulder solution and loupe when shooting with the camera fully decked out with the SpeedBooster+Canon 24-105, external mic, wireless receiver and BP-U60. It becomes a heavy little package.

Yesterday I mounted my FS5 on a Zacuto shoulderplate with a wooden handle on the right and an Albatros monitor. It was a setup for use with the FS700. (see attachment)

For the FS5, we could do away with the monitor and use a proper loupe. And replace the wooden handle by mounting the handgrip forward on the rods.

I really liked the compact factor and balance. And with the FS5 handgrip replacing the wooden handgrip, this could be a great package.

I just wonder how the LCD screen would stand up under the strain of a loupe pressed against your eye.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I've been using the variable ND a lot. I've been shooting over the past few days in a big farming equipment manufacturing plant. Not dimly lit by any means, but also not a bright outdoor setting. At 1000 ISO and f4.0, I haven't needed to remove the ND filter yet. I've been exposing primarily using the ND. Extremely handy being able to expose while maintaining the same depth of field.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Jody, what PP do you use?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

So far I've been sticking to PP5 (Cine1 gamma) and I'm happy with it. It handles highlights very well, which was my main concern when testing out the REC709 profiles. It requires some grading but just a few tweaks to contrast and colour, nothing like SLOG.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Did you tweak the PP5 settings or use it 'as is'?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Jeroen: You've said that you're using EF lenses - I assume with the CommLite EF - E-mount Adapter you mentioned.

I have the 24-105 and 17-55. I've tried them on the JVC LS300, and the Metabones "smart" (quotes are mine) adapter I bought seems to lose contact, so I lose iris control. I have to shut down, remove and remount the lens. And Metabones has not been a great resource for customer support.

Have you ever had that problem with the CommLite on the FS5? Or has anyone else with the Metabones or Speedbooster?

Also, I've looked at some comparisons and the CommLite seems to exhibit considerable flare compared to the Metabones - true or false? I dislike adapters, and that's the one thing keeping me from springing for the FS5.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I have not had any issues either with the CommLite or Metabones SB. I have not used the 70-200 f4 with the Metabones but the 24-105 works fine with both adapters.

Mine is a brand new Metabones Speedbooster, by the way. I have read of problems with the (older) Speedbooster and the FS7.

(Interesting comment on the flare issue- it may explain a phenomenon during a shoot a week ago. I'm going to have to look into that.)

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Is there a specific model Commlite adapter for the FS5 (Canon EF/EF-S lenses) that I should get or is there just one version?

BTW, there are a number of online tips on fixing the flare issue. Here's one on a Metabones but the Commlite tutorials were about the same:

http://dennisharding.com.au/prevent-...non-ef-adapter

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

The camera is set up such that the viewfinder is only on when your eye is up against it. When your eye isn't up against it, the viewfinder turns off and the LCD pop out turns on. This is a decent idea for a feature (er, "feature"), but for the fact that the f'ing thing turns on and off everytime you pass a shadow over the viewfinder, turning the LCD monitor off.

The only way I have found to fix this is to go into the menu and turn the viewfinder off entirely, but I'd like to still use it from time to time, and diving into the menu each shot doesn't seem realistic.

How is everyone else handling this?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I can only see two options:

1. Use the automatic eye sensor so the VF turns on and the LCD turns off automatically
2. Set it to manual so the VF only turns on when the switch on the top of the LCD screen turns off

I'm personally using the auto method, although it is annoying when you move in front of the VF's eye sensor and turn it on by mistake.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

This is the one I got:
http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Focus-Mou.../dp/B00DW0EV2I

I believe it's the only version (that I can see).

Initial thoughts are it's very well built (it actually has a much better fit than the last Metabones adapter that I had).

AF is mostly unusable, auto iris doesn't work, and I can't get image stabilisation working on my Canon 17-55 f2.8. I'll do a few more tests with my other lenses tomorrow.

It cost me less than $100 though so I'm happy. Even if it doesn't last, I can buy at least 6 of these for the same price as a Metabones adapter.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I find it easiest to turn Auto Off and just turn the LCD on and off to switch between LCD and VF. Just a switch on top of the LCD screen to deal with :-)

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Ok so I FINALLY found a little time to try my Canon lenses on the FS5 with the Metabones IV adapter (MB-EF-E-BT4), directly linked below:

Metabones®

The fit is good and tight/no more play than when these lenses are on my C100.

Lenses tried were:

Canon 10-22mm F3.5 EF-S (nice and light on the FS5 - this is going to work great with my Letus Helix Jr!)
Canon 17-55mm F2.8 IS EF-S (bit front heavy but this is my main lens on my C100)
Canon 70-200mm F4 IS EF (front heavy as expected)
Above lens with Canon EF 1.4x MkII Extender (what the hell, whilst I was in testing mood)
Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro HIS EF (again, front heavy).

On all of them, I can adjust Iris (albeit in a very step-wise fashion) or, what I'm more likely to do when outside etc., set the Iris and ISO where I want it for DOF control (e.g. using the Direct menu for speed) and then simply adjust exposure to fine tune via the Variable ND (very, very smoothly) using the little thumbwheel. It's not 100% perfect but it all seems usable.

I am only getting manual focus on all these lenses - but that's OK as that's how I shoot 99% of the time.

So whilst not ecstatic, I'm basically happy - as although the super light Sony 18-104mm G kit lens offers some additional features (autofocus, power zoom etc.) those are not essentials in my style of shooting. And I have this lens for if and when I want that.

BTW, if you push Auto Iris or Auto Focus in Green Mode you get an error message "Cannot execute functions because of the condition of the lens".

Explanation of what Green and Advanced modes are directly linked below.

Metabones®

I've tried the Advanced mode a couple of times (using the mounting instructions above) but it does not seem to make any difference at all, not sure why! OK, worked it out, Cam power needs to be ON, doh!

UPDATE: In Advanced mode I have now worked out that Push Auto Iris works. Push Autofocus still gives the error message. This is with the Canon 17-55mm F2.8 IS and the Canon 70-200 F4 IS. You also now get a zoom position indicator - will test the other lenses and update further if it is any different with them.

UPDATE II: Advanced mode does not seem to work with the Canon 10-22mm F3.5 at all - just becomes unresponsive/impossible to set Iris (no F stop shows on LCD).

How are others getting on with their Metabones adapters and Canon glass on the FS5?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Andy: Thanks for that comprehensive coverage of using various Canon lenses with the Metabones adapter. I have had similar - actually worse - experiences using the Metabones EF-MFT adapter on the LS300...

I've rarely used auto-anything in the past, but with old eyes when shooting 4K, it's sometimes absolutely necessary. However, my major complaint with the Metabones on the JVC is that it after a few minutes it loses it's ability to manually change aperture, which involves shutting down and remounting- and forget OIS. And customer support rivals the DMV (that's the infamous Departmeint of Motor Vehicles over here).

The Metabones is an adapter with no optics that costs $400. I have no doubt that the electronics involved are complex, but for $400 I just got my nephew a pretty complex consumer camcorder at Best Buy that works as advertised... And my young AC a pretty amazing 50" LG TV at Costco - $400 should assure a certain level of reliability.

For several years on these forums I've read many people praising the Metabones "Smart" adapters... Has the quality dropped, or is something else going on?

To be fair, I do have a two year old Metabones Pocket Camera specific Speedbooster that works pretty well. That was a $700 purchase, and except for an occasional inability to talk to the camera, it usually does what it is supposed to do... But even it isn't 100% reliable. Isn't this supposed to be a professional product?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Reliance on adapters was one reason I steered shy of the FS7 when it launched...since I have Canon glass. Other reasons were size/weight (especially for one man band, low profile gimbal/steadicam work), slow menus/bugs and to a lesser degree cost. Plus, I had only just bought my PMW-300 a short period before and together with my C100 my needs were more than covered.

But I have become accustomed to reading posts from well respected professionals using the FS7 with Metabones adapters that indicated things could work pretty well - so when the FS5 was announced I took the plunge and ordered the cam and the MB adapter.

My guess is that, as things stand at the moment, unless Metabones issues a significant firmware update then FS5 owners might as well save themselves a load of cash and just buy the much cheaper Commlite adapter, which apart from a susceptibility to internal flare will offer the same (or at least similar) functionality? Correct?

I'm no expert on these "smart" adapters - never used one until today! This is more of a clarification question to help others...so is that right?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Andy - I went through the whole AF100 thing and adapted a bunch of Leica and Canon FD lenses using dumb adapters.. I bought Novoflexes for the Leicas, but got cheapos for the FDs. Even the cheap ones focused accurately to infinity, although the mounts were looser (1/4" black gaffers tape saves the day).

The Metabones Speedbooster was my first foray into the world of smart. As I said, it's great when it works properly. But I get nervous on an important shoot when I can't totally rely on something, so I don't use it much on my Pocket Cameras, and depend on the Nokton or Rokinons when I need speed and the Olympus 12-40 when I need a zoom. And I was drawn to the LS300 because I had all these lenses. But I also have EFs.

Hopefull Metabones will improve these adapters for use on these cameras (or maybe it's something to do with an esoteric design difference in the FS5 and LS300?). Hopefully firmware will work.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I've been debating buying the FS5 as a kit or body only and then buying the metabones speed booster and using it with my 24-105 L.

Unfortunately there are no FS5 demos where I am on holiday over the coming weeks to try out with either the kit lens or the speed booster / Canon combo.

I head back to central america early Jan so don't have too much time to play with the options.

Got to say, some of the glitches with the metabones makes me a bit worried. Especially as I wouldn't have a back up in the field. I travel around to some reasonably remote places in Latin America and the Caribbean and am thinking the kit lens might be the safest option. I'd hate to be on a 7 day documentary shoot in say haiti and not be able to work.

Open to all advice.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Dave, best info I could find that might address your question specifically was Slavik's post in the Lenses for FS5 thread, quote below. Hope this helps!

Also, read his 2nd Dec article on the Newsshooter website (I won't directly link it here).

But despite all of the above, I would still ALSO buy the kit lens (or at least a second adapter of some sort, maybe a cheap Commlite one?) just so I always had some kind of backup in the field...I think you might not get IS working with the Commlite one though, as per post #94 from Jody in this thread.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Just seen this FS5 video - has some lovely shots.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Cheers Andy. I wonder how the adapter will stand up to the test of time. I think you're right to have a backup ... just in case.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I'm curious - are there no native E mount zoom lenses besides the terrible to use (I think) Sony lenses?

If not, and adapters are the only choice, I'd go with a Speedbooster rather than the standard Metabones. The booster I have for my Pocket Cameras is reliable compared to the EF-MFT I bought with the LS300.

The only reason I've become wary of it is because of my less-than-stellar experience with the new one, and the total lack of support from Metabones..

My mistake was not testing mine immediately (my EF lenses were on loan to a friend who had them in Australia at the time) and consequently, since 30 days had lapsed, B&H refused an exchange or refund. Maybe I just got a bad one (although it seems there are a lot of bad ones out there).

But I've not heard any complaints about the Speedbooster... Maybe that branch of Metabones has their s__t together. My guess is that if you get the Speedbooster, and work the Hell out of it the day you receive it, the probability is that it will continue to function correctly

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Here is a list of E-mount lenses:

'E' mount lens chart

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Thanks Olof - so, after perusing that list it seems that the Sony FE 28-135mm F/4 OSS G PZ is probably the best bet for all purpose shooting. It's big, kinda slow, and not very wide, but it's probably the closest native E mount zoom to the popular Canon 24-105, which is a similar.

It's also $2,500, which is okay if you subscribe to the "investing in glass is future proof" theory - a theory I no longer believe as I stare around my office at a pile of MFT lenses that are all dressed up with no place to go.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Depends on what you shoot, but I'm a big fan of wide shots, and 28mm on a crop sensor like the FS5 is a 45mm equivalent. Pretty tight for a wide shot.

I couldn't make it work as my main lens.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

The way the focus works on Sony E mounts is a real bummer, the 50 and 35 1.8 are super lightweight, razor sharp, the way the focus ring feels is really nice... with the FS5's digital zoom would be really useful... but that focus!, turn the ring to the right 20mm and the focus point changes maybe 4 feet then move it back to the left the same 20mm and the focus point might be 40 feet off. Its sad because not only does it seem like it could be fixed (its all electronic) but it could actually be a really nice improvement over other SLR lenses by programing a nice long focus throw. I would buy a few... right now, I kept the 50 but I would re-buy the 35 and add the 18-105, 10-18

Sony makes some really odd choices especially when it comes to accessories... like they don't want to take my money or something. Why remove the tabs on the FS5 LCD? should have kept them and charged me $200 for a decent loupe, why make the cable built in to the LCD? I know I will break it and its either to long or to short... why not charge me $50 an extra cable? external monitors, iPhone screens, going for $1000 and the Gratical for $2500... you'd think SONY could make some pretty slick screens if they wanted and even offer some neat tricks with the proprietary connection (focus magnification from the grip) I really love this little camera and think thats why these little things feel more annoying than they did with my other cameras

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

This is what I've always thought. Couldn't this huge flaw be fixed with a firmware update and then be a huge selling point?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Silly question:
where can I download 2 (short) 10 bit 4:2:2 HD clips from the FS5?
I'd like to compare the performance of my hardware and compare the codec while pushing it in post.

(It may be 2 20 second shots of some street: doesn't need to be fancy at all.
It may be the dullest thing ever :-p )

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Just a further quick update on my FS5/Metabones/Canon lenses post from 18th Dec (Post #96).

I have now got the Canon 10-22mm lens working as per all the other Canon lenses I tested, i.e. Iris control via the little side thumbwheel and/or controls on the handgrip in Direct and showing the Wide-Tele indicator, (Manual) focus distance etc. on the LCD. However, Push Auto Iris still does not work with this lens - you get the error message. Not sure... but I suspect I might have accidentally knocked the sliding Hold switch to the Hold position when testing with that particular lens the other day - it needs to be in the OFF position to enable the F stop adjustment.

However, and very importantly, this seems a bit flakey as sometimes I can adjust Iris and sometimes not - it's almost as if the lens goes to sleep...I'm investigating.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Andy - what you're describing is similar to what I'm experiencing with the EF-MFT Metabones on the LS300 - only my iris control works less than 50% of the time, and will stop working for no apparent reason, which really makes it useless for anything but play.

It's weird, because on the Pocket Camera with the Metabones Speedbooster everything works - (well, occasionally you do have to remount the lens to restore contact, but that's relatively rare) - including IS. The 17-55 on that camera becomes the equivalent of an f1.6 13-30 on the S16 sensor, and the IS makes the fumbly little Pocket a great cruiser.

I wonder why, if that technology is working with the Speedbooster on the cheap little Pocket, it doesn't with the standard "smart" adapter on the more sophisticated cameras.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Mike, as I said, 28 certainly isn't quite wide enough - although I'm not a big fan of wide-wide lenses, I do have a 12 that I do use on the LS300 occasionally (although I usually ramp the VSM up to 80%).

But, the point I was alluding to is why I'm really on the fence about this camera... It's mainly because of the limited lens choices. I don't care much for auto-anything, and have been really turned off by "smart" adapters, so, other than primes, that doesn't leave much.

Despite being a JVC (which admittedly has a reputation for QC issues) the LS300 is the perfect camera for my type of work (documentaries, often handheld) because of it's ability to use the quite good Olympus and Lumix zooms, as well as native and dumb adapted MFT primes. And for those interested, the AF on both the 12-40 Olympus and 35-100 Lumix work quite well, which can be a lifesaver - even for an old schooler like me when focusing wide with the Olympus in 4K.

I pre-ordered the FS5 before buying the LS300, and intended to switch to the Sony as soon as the JVC paid for itself - which it did in about three weeks! But Sony really has to do something about the amateurish functional usability of their lenses - which might be okay for the ubiquitous soccer-mom, but have no business on a camera designed for professional use... Or at least they could cave in and give a nod to Canon by making their own EF-E adapter.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

Just a quick update on this. So far it has worked fine every time I've tried that (and all my other) lenses - which isn't very often as I've been busy (with family/holiday stuff). So I've been unable to recreate the problem with the Canon 10-22mm and the Metabones IV - let's hope it stays that way!

On another point, I'm sure the battery I left on my FS5 had about 30% remaining when I packed it in its bag a day or so before Xmas (in this case a small, new BPU-30 rather than the BPU-60s I have loads of). Took it out of the bag this morning and the battery was completely flat. Cam was definitely switched off (unlike my old EX3 from a few years ago where the switch was so finicky that it would occasionally be left on!)

I may have remembered the remaining level wrong... but is anyone else noticing battery drain on a switched off FS5?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I just checked my (very old) BP-U60 on the FS5 and it's dead. It has been on my camera for a week or so. There is battery drain but not way as bad as on my EX3...

Anyway, it's best practice to disconnect your battery after a shoot.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I have both the FS7 and the FS5 and I definitely get battery drain on my FS7.

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I'm curious what everyone's doing with the dual slots.

I'm currently only shooting on A, and swapping out when I get to the end of a card/project. But I was considering getting a big (128 or 256) SD card for slot B, and just leaving it in there - then shooting on both cards at once. The A card would be the one I would take out and edit with, and the B would just stay in the camera and act as a backup until it filled - at which time I'd either format it, or swap it out with a second big card, then go back and forth.

Thoughts?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I put my 128 in the A slot and use that most of the time.
I keep my custom camera setup on both the A and B, but the B is not reformatted nearly as often so I pretty much always have my setups. I also back up my setup to my MBP.

I can also see when I need to hand off a card at the end of a shoot, then I would dual record and sell the A or B card to the client, and still have a copy w/o any copying. Nice.

I currently have a dozen 64's and 2 128's.

I also often shoot with an Odyssey O7Q+ and then I always record that as well. It is a great directors/producer/client monitor

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

The camera specs (from B&H) read:
I can get my phone to control the camera, but when I do, the viewfinder is blank so you can't see what the camera's doing from the camera anymore. The way this is written, it seems like I should be able to just watch from a tablet/phone without control. Has anyone made this work?

Re: Sony PXW-FS5 - Initial User Impressions
 

I always shoot on 2 cards simultaneously. I once had an SD card fail during an event shoot, and since then i've never shot on a single SD card. The risk of failure, while minimal, is still too high in my opinion.