The New F

[Nick Hiltgen]

So I realize I'm probably alone in this but the real appeal to me with this camera is the addition of highspeed but unfortunately the camera isn't expected to be released until february and then the 180 and 240fps upgrades (on the f55) aren't expected to be released until a firmware update is out (which I'm betting won't be free looking at how sony has worked in the past and how arri ran their highspeed upgrade) So the price would have to be VERY competitive to make me want to switch away from my little f3.

I do like the looks of the lenses though, a full 2.0 6 piece set looks nice.

[Joachim Hoge]

The lens set Looks very nice. The cameras too, but I'm happy with my Epic for the time being. Very curious about the price of the lens kit. $20-25.000 maybe for the full kit?

[Nate Weaver]

Yow. Sony means business. I do believe I will be upgrading.

[Dennis Hingsberg]

Originally Posted by Nick Hiltgen

So I realize I'm probably alone in this but the real appeal to me with this camera is the addition of highspeed but unfortunately the camera isn't expected to be released until february and then the 180 and 240fps upgrades (on the f55) aren't expected to be released until a firmware update is out (which I'm betting won't be free looking at how sony has worked in the past and how arri ran their highspeed upgrade) So the price would have to be VERY competitive to make me want to switch away from my little f3.

I do like the looks of the lenses though, a full 2.0 6 piece set looks nice.

firmware updates will not cost anything.

[Paul Cronin]

Wow the F55 sounds nice on paper. Look forward to a visit to Abel once it is there for a test run.

[Barry J. Anwender]

Given that these new models are new fully fledged 4K camera systems, it would follow that they warrant a new thread/forum separate from the F3.

Is this possible?

[Dennis Hingsberg]

Let's wait until they are shipping at least before a new thread is started, in the meantime incase anyone missed the live chat on Facebook today wiht Sony, here is a link to a transcript if you are interested to check it out.

Please enjoy it while the link lasts: From today's #TheNewF Webchat - October 29th 2012


:D

[Trell Mitchell]

So far, this is the best info regarding Sony's PMW-F55 and PMW-5.
Den Lennie from f-stop academy posted a hands-on introduction to the cameras.
Worth reading & Watching video included within the link!
Click below!

Sony F5 and F55 (From the horses mouth - not speculation...) - F-Stop Academy

[Joachim Hoge]

I also wonder what that viewfinder will cost. The "good ones" for the big ENG cameras costs around 8000GBP

[Trell Mitchell]

Here's another link direct from Sony U.K.
Topic: PMW-F55
Video clip: 18 minutes in length!
Enjoy!

Introducing the PMW-F55 : Sony Professional

[Alister Chapman]

The lower cost Sony EVFs will most likely be less than the $8k of the C35W. I'd estimate the smaller one to be in the $2k region. Of course your not tied to Sony EVF's, you can use the HDMI port to output EVF overlays to a third party VF or monitor.

[Paul Cronin]

Hi Alister,

I think you will want a high quality VF on the F5 or F55. HDMI would not be my choice for a VF, I want all the functions of the camera I can get in my VF. But if the Sony color 3.5" is only $2K that would be great.

[Leonard Levy]

Do the new Sony EVF's use the SDI output and thus are they useable on other cameras (i.e. F3).

[Nate Weaver]

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

Do the new Sony EVF's use the SDI output and thus are they useable on other cameras (i.e. F3).

No. There's a proprietary viewfinder port on the upper, right side (dumb side) of the camera.

I believe I read it's a new format connector for Sony, digital in nature. To my knowledge, all HD EVF ports on Sony cams prior have carried analog component HD, including the F65.

There's a rumor (yeah, I know) that Sony has been making the OLED panel in the latest iteration of the Red Bomb EVF. Either way, both the new Sony DVF-EL100 OLED and the new Red Bomb are OLED panels at 1280x784. Previous to this last year's NAB, the Red Bomb finder was 720P LCOS. Red owners are raving about the new OLED EVF, and the previous LCOS based unit has taken quite a hit on the used market. Keep in mind even the 720P LCOS is much better than most people have ever put their eye to, I had one on my Red One and I miss it all the time. The Alexa's EVF is also 720p LCOS.

The Red OLED finder is $3900, so I think there's a great chance Sony's version will be a good amount cheaper (my guess, $2500-$2700 list, $2000 street?)

I suspect we're in for a real treat with the 720p OLED. I have the 17" Sony OLED PVM and it's one of my most coveted pieces of gear, bar-none.

[Mike Marriage]

Originally Posted by Nate Weaver

No. There's a proprietary viewfinder port on the upper, right side (dumb side) of the camera.

I believe I read it's a new format connector for Sony, digital in nature. To my knowledge, all HD EVF ports on Sony cams prior have carried analog component HD, including the F65.

Nate is right. It is actually the same connector as on the PMW500/350/320 but uses a new digital interface. I tried to plug in an EVF from a 350 and the Sony guy from Japan told me not to because it wouldn't work.

I wondered whether the 3.5" EVF was the same panel as the 320/350 kit EVF but it actually appeared sharper when I tried it. Can't wait to see the OLED EVF, should be great. The Cynic in me wonders whether the new interface is to stop it poaching sales from Sony's existing high end EVFs!