Baby B Cam for F3
 

Sony Product Detail Page NEXFS100UK

Note :Same imager as the F3,,HDMI out with TC.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Yes, Dennis, this could mean a whole new function for our NanoFlash recorders -- do you think they will read (and trigger off) the time code coming through the HDMI?

Meanwhile, ran across this:

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Thanks for posting Dave. Best description of the camera I've seen so far.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Wait. What? HDMI has timecode now? What version of HDMI is that and which products support it? As far as I know, there is no version of HDMI which includes a specification for embedded timecode.

I suppose I could be wrong though.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Spoke to Dan from C-D today, and apparently they are aware of the HDMI/TimeCode specs and are working to add this capability in a future firmware update for the NanoFlash. :))

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

If the HDMI signal is 10 bit then you could set the nanoFlash into E to E mode and bounce the signal into a Gemini to capture all the goodness of the signal. I think you can bank that someone here will do that before the summer is out.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

I'm confused about a few things regarding this camera. Especially when it comes to the sensor. Rumours say that it has the same sensor as the F3. Now, how can that be possible? I can see two things that make this unlikely.

1. The specs of the FS100 say that it has a S/N Ratio is 54 dB. The F3 is supposed to be 64 dB.

2. The F3 is essentially an EX1r with a different sensor. Since the sensor is the only big difference in the electronics it should be responsible for the considerably higher power draw of the F3 compared to the EX1r. The FS100 draws a fraction of the power of the EX1r. How could it be using the same sensor?

Correct me if I'm wrong!

/ola

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

No ND filters either on the FS100, that's a downer...

Thierry.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Ola,

Judging from the images so far, the F3 takes much nicer pictures. If it's the sensor or the supporting electronics and codec, IHNI.

But this does not look like it will be an alternative to the F3, image wise.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Honestly, that is a bizarre conclusion. Probably called judging a book by it's cover. Just because it's about the same size, has similar view finders and records XDCAM EX that makes it identical electronically?

Bayer sensor needs de-bayering, complete end to end 4:4:4 signal processing, RGB processing,s-log encoding, dual link processing, programmable LUTs, and on and on.

Seriously, you probably made some poor Sony engineer spit his coffee all over his desk :)

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Where are you seeing this? I can't find it. Thanks!

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Pretty much a universal sentiment. I'm feeling a bit saguine about it. Two reasons. One, my funds are too wrapped up in trying to get the best image possible out of the F3 to even consider it. I imagine most people here are in the same boat. Second, if you think of the camera and live within it's limitations there are relatively simple solutions that really work well within how the camera can be used... largely for handbombing and guerrilla style shooting.

Sony is protecting their investment and our investment by not giving away the farm with this camera. If I were to buy one to use for B-cam or guerrilla shooting I would just live with lenses designed for the camera and get a those variable ND screw on filters and get on with it.

Lots of good stuff about this camera and people could and will make it work.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Agreed. Before the F3, life with large sensors just meant you need to have NDs, so I can't say I'm spoiled yet by the F3s inclusion.

Anybody serious enough to care about moving from DSLR land either invested in screwins or 4x4 NDs a while back.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

David, I realise that there are many differences between the ex1r and the f3 under the hood. However the featureset suggests similar electronics after a point somewhere after the sensor in the signal flow. However, I was not trying to make a statement on the differences between the ex1 and the F3. That was not my point. I was only trying to figure out if the F3 has the same sensor as the FS100 by doing some generalisations regarding power draw. If the FS100 has the same sensor it would also need de-bayering etc. Now, what are your thoughts on that?

Erik - the s/n specs are on the official Sony site. Sorry - don't have an URL handy. Google it.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Yes, the S/N is 54 db.

It could be that the signal processing isn't as good on the FS 100, lower grade components being used etc to keep the costs down.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

That was my take on it...what's behind the sensor adds noise somehow (although I thought A/D happened on the sensor?)

Either way, I believe them.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Thanks guys. If that translates into an 18db image that has the same noise as an EX1/3, it means I don't need this camera. I already have an EX3.

Would still love to have a F3 though. :)

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

From what I understand, the 54b for the EX3 is around 320 (360?) ISO. The FS100 will have the same 54db at 800 ISO. Big difference. The signal should be a lot cleaner on the FS100.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Yea but what you are saying is that because it's more sensitive you won't need to have the gain as high, thus it will be lower noise than an EX camera.

Not for where I'll be using it. Out at the sand dunes at night it is ink black with only campfires and headlights to illuminate the night. I'll be at 18db even with this camera. So it would be brighter than the EX, but just as much noise if I understand it right.

Not good enough to buy a whole new camera when I'm already happy with the EX. Now the F3 on the other hand, I'd love one, just can't afford it.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Well, then you save about $6,000.

Re: Baby B Cam for F3
 

Looks like it huh? I look forward to direct comparisons either way.