My first little short with the Sony F3 and kit PL primes and Vinten Vision Blue. “Stardust Nathalie”

Camera Reviews F3 featured Film

Nat and I

So I have the Sony F3 over Christmas with both the 50mm and 85m T2 primes that form 2/3rds of the F3K kit, there was no 35mm unfortunately. It’s cold outside so doing a pretty landscape thingamajig was out of the questions also my sister has gotten jealous with the attention my mum got for the cute cooking video I did with her and the GH2 (which is going to be on the big screen at the Panasonic stand at CES in Vegas!). So I decided to make a little film of her.

I tend to prefer to film interesting looking people rather than obviously beautifully people like my sister Nathalie but I made an exception for her. She’s my older sister and very lovely and it was time I exposed you lot to her, I have been trying to protect her. She modelled for many years in the 80s/90s and was very successful but stopped when she had her two kids, my lovely niece and nephew, Jaime and Dan.

She has been a wonderful host this Christmas, we are not religious but this is a time to be with family for us, especially with the little ones. So it was Nat, her kids, my Mum and Dad and it has been lovely having family time with the just 6 of us. The closest of my family left. So this is a little gift to her, also a great subject for my little film. She adores Michael Buble hence the choice of music and John Lennon, hence the cameo. I took loads of photos with my Leica M9 on Christmas day  (check me out on flickr for those photos, link at footer of blog) and just got the video camera out for today. They are VERY used to me and cameras!

The lack of anything resembling a wide lens was a pain, the 50mm with the S35 crop means I was getting more of an 72mm field of view from it when compared to a full frame camera, check out my latest lens blog for more on this. I shot it at 1080p HQ mode at 24p overcranked to 30p to give it a slightly slower more graceful look and everything was filmed in reverse to add to the slightly different kind of etherereal feel to it. So she basically took all the decorations off! Which made my directions and camera moves hurt my head a little. But she had the patience of a saint and did everything spot on for me.

No additional lighting was used. All practicals.

Those aren't my shoes!

Everything was graded with Magic Bullet Looks, using a film stock preset tweaked as I really wanted this to feel as damn Christmassy and warm as possible!! You can see a split screen version below which shows out of camera picture one side and graded the other. You can get 20% off at the checkout of redgiantsoftware.com with code bloom20, and the damn dead pixel I have on the pre-production camera was removed using Digital Heaven’s Reincarnation 2.0. A very fast plug in and worked perfectly (the first version uploaded was pre fixing, new version which is uploading is perfect) It’s a bloody most buy for anyone shooting digitally these days and so cheap! Don’t bother judging latitude from this as it is graded!

The kit lenses are ok, not as silky smooth as I would like, not enough focus rotation and nowhere near enough focus marks for accurate focus pulling like the Zeiss Cp.2s have. They have a lovely image though, and are nice and solid with no apparent breathing that I could see. If given the choice, just from these pre-production lenses I would go with the Zeiss Cp.2 instead, they are smoother and the markers are more precise. CVP in the UK are doing an F3 kit with CP.2 lenses but it will cost you £1800 more than the F3K kit…but getting a set of CP.2 is a great idea as their are awesome lenses of great value.

In fact the whole camera feels really solid, much much more so than the EX1. This feels like a really meaty professional camera and if feels reassuringly expensive. Yes, it is expensive. Almost £13,000 body only for us in the UK, we always pay more. The Ex1 for comparison is £5,500 and the nearest camera to it in the marketplace feature wise and sensor size wise is the WAY cheaper Panasonic AF101 at just £4000. This feels like more of a pro camera for sure. Feels better built, comes with a PL mount, takes a better recording medium with SxS and a better recording format in XDCAM EX. But it’s only 4:2:0, only 35mb/s and can only overcrank to 30p in full HD mode for 60fps it’s 720p only (the AF101 can do full HD 60fps overcrank). Like the EX1. In fact it feels like an upgraded EX1 with a MUCH better chip in it, a native Super 35mm CMOS sensor. It is capable of dual link 4:4:4 out to HDCAM SR for incredible quality and 4:2:2 with something like a Nanoflash. It’s just a shame at the price point there is not native 50mb/s or 4:2:2.

I have two more days with the camera where I hope to learn more about it. Do I want one? Abso-bloody-lutely. It’s a dream to shoot with, the image IS better than the Panny in my personal opinion but it’s SO much more money. Can I justify that sort of expensive? Not really right now after buying the Panny…I wish I had the spare cash for it…

The little piece I did with my sister could EASILY have been done with any of my Canon DSLRs or GH2, there was nothing that challenged the camera in any way except the low light. Everything was shot with practical lights, no additional lighting. I shot at 1/50th of a second despite doing 30fps as there would have been flicker from the practicals at 1/60th of second as it’s 50hz in this country. All the shots were at 12db and 18db gain with cine gamma 4 and detail off.

I used the rather excellent new Vinten Vision Blue tripod with my rather excellent Kessler Crane Philip Bloom Signature Series dolly on top of it. Normally I would not mount it on a head but the Vinten plate is rock solid and could take it. The F3 with the prime is not light, and it was great to see my pocket dolly not struggle in the slightest. It really can take quite heavy cameras!

The blue really is a tripod worth looking at. Classic Vinten quality. Solid smooth head with perfect balance feature and really pretty affordable for a tripod in this class. It works with DSLRs through to this sort of camera. I don’t recommend floor spreaders like I had, get the centre spreader.

I will be doing an on camera review of the F3 before I hand it back. I doubt I will get a chance to really push it as I simply don’t have it long enough. But I have had it long enough to know that if it was sub £10k I would be ordering it today. Potentially this is a stupendous camera BUT it needs an external recorder to realise it’s potential and that costs more money. Damn shame as it’s such a f****** gorgeous image. I have already bought an AF101 and have it so it’s makes buying an F3 so much of a harder decision. I have an EX3 still and loads of SxS cards and batteries so I am already partly invested in the system. Luckily I as I was given no charger and no media!

The form factor of course sucks as I have said before, so does the Panny. Shoulder mount is the only form factor that really works. Being based on an EX3 would have been better but not perfect. The EVF too is not great…

Anyway that’s my initial thoughts for now, I will be doing a full video review this week. In the meantime enjoy easily the most festive short I have made and my lovely sister. Just hands off alright!!!?

“Stardust Nathalie” :Sony F3 from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

Stardust Nathalie: Half grade from Philip Bloom extras on Vimeo.

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58 comments

  2. The whole F3 Kit looks fantastic. I’m heavily invested into
    EX3 and kinda wish I wasn’t now, because of the weight (EX3 +
    Zacuto Base + SGBlade + MicroMatteBox = Heavy). Mattebox aside, how
    does the weight of this camera compare to the EX3 with DoF adapter
    attached? BTW, another excellent review! Merry Christmas!

  3. Beautifully shot, lights and colors spot on, as though I’d
    expect anything less. Seems like everyone is tossing colors aside
    these days for shades of orange and teal, it’s nice to see a large
    palette of color being used. I especially liked the soft glow at
    the center of the tree, seemed like it was in every shot and every
    focus, was that the way the camera saw it or was that tweaked in
    post? And your sister compliments the scene very nicely. Happy New
    Year to you and yours

  4. Nice first footage, thank you for this quick feedback. I
    didn’t understand why you said the 50mm was like a 80mm. These PL
    lenses are made for S35, so it should give you the same frame than
    a nikon 50mm on a full frame DSLR, am I wrong ?

    1. Check out abelcine video called “a lens is a lens is a lens”

      No matter what camera it is designed for the focal length of every single lens on this planet corresponds to full frame still camera. It’s the Field of view that is important. So a 50mm on a S35 sensor gives around 1.5 to 1.6x magnification. That’s just how lenses are calculated.

      Best

      P

      1. Hi Philip:

        Great images with the F3 but I tend to prefer even the images of your mother cooking…Sharper texture although it shouldn´t be like that if we are to compare consumer products with professional class products. The F3 has an impressive look…seems well built and sturdy and the crop factor helps a lot IMHO. Which camera would you actually use more often having both to choose from? Of course different tools to different jobs but we always have a starting point comparison… Of course as a rental perhaps I would choose the Alexa due to the name and rental price profit ( better renting deal) and also because the market works that way. At a 5000 range I think most professionals would buy the AF-101 it instead of renting (you pay after a couple of jobs).

        Thank you

  11. Would your opinion on the covetousness of the F3 increase if there was some sort of Canon adaptor (albeit with the magnification factor)? It seems that (IMHO) to rely solely on PL mount lenses limits the camera to a rather small and select group of cinematographers. Whereas £10k plus ‘the lenses you already have’ is a far wider and more enabling proposition…

  12. Hi Philip.

    Very nice as always! If you grap a camera it becomes magic!!

    I have a EX3 and I want to switch to a AF-101 or a Sony F3.
    But I can buy a panny with very good lenses for the body of the F3.

    What should be your advice, if you must choose and also coming from the EX3.

    kind regards, Johan

  16. I think this is great stuff for the big screen at the Sony CES’ stand!

    The images look very good indeed, nice colors, nice motion…
    Your sister is beautiful too, but that’s no surprise since we saw your mum (but it’s unmistakable that you two are family, I think it’s the nose…)

    But it’s you and Nathalie who give this little short the ‘soul’ it needs.
    And in the end, that last ingredient is, in my opinion (and I believe yours too), the most important.

    Big thumbs up for the lovely Bloom family and a happy and creative 2011!

  19. A lovely short Phillip. Could you possibly post a segment of the ungraded footage? Or a couple of frame grabs? Also, did you have any noise issues to fix with the gain that high?

    Best-

  21. Hi Philip!

    Thanks for your new short! I have three questions for you:

    1. How do you feel about the low light/image noise cababilities compared to your DSLR:s?

    2. Can you confirm that the camera has cache/pre-record likte the EX1r? I have had contradicting info on this.

    3. Do you think you can put up some BPAV-folders for download from this or future sessions with the cam?

    Thanks for your great contribution to the community!

    Ola

  25. Hello Philip,

    I did pick up a Vinten Vision Blue for testing but did you notice that when dailing in the balance the tilt will be limited. If the balance is dailed in max the tilt will only be 40 degr. instead of 90 degr. with no balance dialed in.
    This is, I must say, a real shame. This head performs very good but with a heavier camera it’s not possible to look down.

    regards, Mario

  26. Hello philip,
    Rumoured that Epic S will be available under 20k usd,that too ready to shoot and 3/4 months short after sony pmw f3 releases. Are you waiting for Epic S release or waiting for the f3 to drop its price pant out to compete Epic S price?(Epic is far superior to F3k in specs but the pricing is close to F3) This time Red seems to be on schedule as Epic m and x will be on store before the NAB and Epic S will soon be on production line or show case in NAB too.
    So the question is do you think F3 price will drop or not? Cause I want one but not at this price.
    Regards

      1. Does the F3 (or the AF101 for that matter) have focus assist like the EX3?
        I think that’s what you call it, you know, the red lines you get on the VF.
        It’s a great feature that I use a lot.
        Very nice film there. And essential site!
        Many thanks, ADC

  28. Philip, I can’t believe the amount of amazing shots you somehow see in a every situation!Truly inspirational! Mood, lighting, audio….unreal!

    So when are coming to South Africa, would love to see your “Venice Beach” take on one of our settings!

    Thanks for sharing!!!

  29. love this short, thank you! so the panasonic will do 1080 at 60fps? i thought the avchd codec couldnt handle that, did they update the codec? and if so do you think the gh2 will ever be able to have that capability? seems like it has the functionality. anyway, check out the tests i did with my gh2 on my vimeo channel, featuring; anamorphic flares, slow motion tricks and lens tests!
    let me know what you think.

    http://vimeo.com/groups/75448

  34. Hi Philip,

    You have one of the most enjoyable and informative blogs on the internet- I’m an addicted visitor. There’s a lot more to making movies and sharing information than just making movies and sharing information. You really make each of the trips down whatever particular lane you’re exploring for any given review a real pleasure. I was sorry to not be able to have made the workshop you had in Las Vegas…but the blog is the next best thing. Thanks for taking the time and energy to bring us so much information in such a genial way.

    Cheers,

    Alan

  35. Hi! I like what I see. We are just preparing a short fiction that should be shot with F3 + Zeis Standard Primes T 1.3. I was a bit affraid of 4:2:0 idea but we have much better lighting conditions than the video You made (which by the way looks awesome!!!) Thank You for Your contribution.
    Petar

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