Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100

[Paul Anderegg]

I use push to white merely to attain the KELVIN of the light, I then quickly toggle into manual kelvin set, set to whatever push to white said the K was, and I am set to shoot. The PP WB adjustments should be sued to "center" your whiting after you select the correct kelvin for your lighting, but still see your whites a bit off-color. You can push to white 5 times and get the same color temperature reading, but vastly different hues and colors. When you dial the camera manually, you are getting solid and repeatable colors, like an actually broadcast camera. High end broadcast gear changes kelvin, and nothing else when you push to white.

Here are my current Cinematone 1 PP settings that I got off the scope and with a bit of "eyeball" calibration as well. You can try them out to see how you like them. NO color depth adjustments made on this. These were adjusted with the camera seeing and set to 3300k on a 3200k incandescent light source.

Color phase: +3
Memory 1: 12, 4, 0/ +13, +15
Memory 2: 13, 7, 0/ +7, 0

Try using those color revisions as a base, and simply point them at a colorful scene and ramp them up and down to see changes visually. It is sort of like an eyeglass test at a optometrist....better, or worse, better or worse. :-)

Paul

[Terence Morris]

Originally Posted by Christopher Young

Occasionally these adapters turn up on eBay. The model number is a Fujinon WCV-82SC. One went for $10.00 last week! These cost in the high hundreds when they came out. Great value if you can score one.

Christopher: Thanks for the heads-up - I have been looking for a suitable low-cost WA adaptor for the X70. Anyway, this looks good and I took the plunge (I trust your judgement) and picked one up today on ebay for $79. One question: I can't find much on the specs, but is there a filter screw at the front end, if so, what size is that? Also, regarding the need for the "empty" filter ring, I was considering getting this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/964659-REG/cokin_r8282_82mm_extension_ring.html
That would seem to do that job, together with a 62-82mm step-up, as you say.

-Terence

[Mike Griffiths]

So it was you Terence!!!, got there 2 minutes before me for the W/A on Adorama, well done!

[Mike Griffiths]

Just went onto the Adorama site and bought one for £74!! but shipping is $60 and I'll have to pay duty when it arrives in Thailand

[Terence Morris]

Originally Posted by Mike Griffiths

So it was you Terence!!!, got there 2 minutes before me for the W/A on Adorama, well done!

Sorry, Mike. Nothing personal!

[Mike Griffiths]

It was $74 not £74, being a Brit I often do that

[Christopher Young]

Originally Posted by Terence Morris

- I have been looking for a suitable low-cost WA adaptor for the X70.
-Terence

So it was you who grabbed the Adorama one. Good move :) I wondered if that would go fairly quickly. Look I just checked out that Cokin 82-82 extension ring. A bit hard to tell looking at the picture but I feel pretty sure that would do the job along with the 62-82mm step up. I must admit I didn't know that extension rings as such existed, and I have a big collection of Cokin filters, adapters and mount etc for the stills stuff, also use them on video sometimes. The small variable ND grads should work quite well on the X70.

Re a filter screw on the front of the adapter? Yes there is one and it is also 82mm as were many of the Fuji and Canon B4 lenses front filter mounts. I guess they stuck with 82mm as it was almost the defacto filter size on many 13 to 20 x ENG lenses. I am currently using one of the 82mm UVs off one of my old B4 lens on the adapter until I can get around to picking up another one.

I trust your belief in my judgement is upheld once you receive and review your adapter. Fingers crossed here. I think you will enjoy using it :)

Geez I must get Mr. Hurd to allow me to change my name to Chris not Christopher. I only got called that by my mother if I had done something wrong :(

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Paul Anderegg]

It can also be noted that the front lens assembly of the CX900/AX100/X70 is pretty strong. With the weight of these large glass converters, I have never had any binding, flexing, or any other indication that the weight is affecting the mechanicals of the front barrel assembly.

Paul

[Terence Morris]

Originally Posted by Christopher Young

So it was you who grabbed the Adorama one. Good move :)
Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Hi Chris - Yes, that was a lucky find. The used price is quite variable. I had been toying with getting a used Zunow WA adapter on B&H. It was reviewed in another X70 thread and got a general thumbs-down, but I thought it marginally acceptable. I'm pretty sure this Fujinon will be much better and it does appear similar to the EXII that Paul uses to good effect.

I had no idea about those Cokin extenders either. Anyway, they are cheap enough to try out, but I think it should do the job. I appreciate you taking a look at that and for all your advice.

-Terence

[Christopher Young]

No probs as we say down here. As Paul says the front end of the X70 is a pretty tuff barrel and this Fuji adapter seems to give it no problems. It's interesting to note that the Sony VCL-HG0872, which is a .8 x adapter that requires a 62-72 step up feels almost twice the weight and is 25% wider at the front than the rear. Have one of those lying around since the Z1 days. Maybe I will check it out but so far am totally happy with the Fujinon.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[John Nantz]

Don't know if it would help any, but there is a Fujinon WCV-82SC for sale, but as part of a package, Ugh, I know.

It's an estate sale and the seller says they won't break it up but the ad is 8 days old. It's a craigslist Palm Springs ad at
Older Professional Field Production Package (SEE LIST)

[Kevin Balling]

Thanks to everyone who has shed light on the X70. I am getting close, but will wait to see what the JVC GY HM200 looks like. Anyway, I have a couple of questions for those of you who have used it.
--Is there any Tele Macro capability?
--How is the Focus Assist feature, and does the viewfinder turn monochrome when it is activated? My aging eyes are needing this more all the time.
--I am very leery of using a camera that I can't use the LCD and Viewfinder simultaneously. I could get used to this but he additional problem of the LCD turning off if the the viewfinder senses movement is troubling to me. Has anyone found this to be a concern?
Thanks so much.

[David Johns]

>>>
I am very leery of using a camera that I can't use the LCD and Viewfinder simultaneously. I could get used to this but he additional problem of the LCD turning off if the the viewfinder senses movement is troubling to me. Has anyone found this to be a concern?
<<<

Yes, I found it to be a right pain in the *****, very annoying indeed. Sometimes I was standing behind the camera looking at the screen and the VF would detect me there and switch the screen off!

This was, however, on the same troublesome prototype that had the audio problem so it may have been fixed on production units.

Regards
David

[Mike Griffiths]

Originally Posted by Kevin Balling

Thanks to everyone who has shed light on the X70. I am getting close, but will wait to see what the JVC GY HM200 looks like. Anyway, I have a couple of questions for those of you who have used it.
--Is there any Tele Macro capability?
--How is the Focus Assist feature, and does the viewfinder turn monochrome when it is activated? My aging eyes are needing this more all the time.
--I am very leery of using a camera that I can't use the LCD and Viewfinder simultaneously. I could get used to this but he additional problem of the LCD turning off if the the viewfinder senses movement is troubling to me. Has anyone found this to be a concern?
Thanks so much.

Focus assist can be set to 4X and 8X or 4X only the viewfinder stays in colour, LCD does not turn off when the viewfinder is opened but does when you put your eye close to it, then you can't see the LCD anyway! no problem

[Terence Morris]

Chris - The WA adapter arrived and looks in excellent nick. Just the bare bones, no front lens cap or lens bag. The EXII has a front filter thread, which I wish this had. But very happy.