Camera testing: Sony F65

by - 2012/04/02 28 Comments Filming, Production

Tomorrow we’re going to do tests with cameras from Camalot in Amsterdam. I’m very happy that we can also test (and most likely use) the new Sony F65 camera, which made everyone in the industry drool! More news & original frame samples will be posted here tomorrow.

-Ton-

  1. TMW says:

    The lack of de-bayering will certainly help green screening compared to the Red.

  2. David Jordan says:

    Could we also get some files as they are directly off the Cameras, with any metadata too, if possible? It would be handy for supporting some of these cameras in open software.

    • ton says:

      We will fill a 1 TB drive with test footage. For sure a nice selection of the files will end up on the web :)

  3. Christoph Pöhler aka Dracio says:

    I was checking googel about the Camera and
    “what d´ Mother F#~*”…. :D

    What has happend to the Flying-Camera thad remot 8 Rotors Helicopter thing I sawe last week in the Block???

  4. Tycho says:

    Are you still gonna use red ? Which is the best ?

  5. Tycho says:

    I change my gravatar …

  6. Chef says:

    Nice! Like it even more than the Red Epic! The sensor should deliver better colors, so good choice! Wish I could afford one… :p

  7. Romain says:

    Why shoot with a 4K camera (RED or F65) instead of a 2K camera such as Arri Alexa on Mango Project ? (No critics at all, just a question)

    • Cody says:

      Twice the pixels to work with. Not only does it allow a 4k finished master of the film without scaling, but it gives extra resolution for tweaking things a bit during compositing. It’s a matter of setting your resolution during a render when your entire film is made in 3D, but when you’re working with non-vector images like video footage, best to start with the highest possible quality. Much like textures.

    • ton says:

      4k indeed allows to manipulate the pixels more (before it becomes blurry). But we also like to keep it open to deliver the film in 4k itself. The industry loves such high quality films for testing & references. Waiting for a sponsor to pay for it though…

  8. lightfuzz says:

    Since it’s a CMOS sensor is there going to be a “rollong shutter” issue while tracking footage? Otherwise, looks like an awesome cam.

    • Cody says:

      Technically yes, as all CMOS sensors have a “rolling shutter” effect, but the better the sensor, the less it is noticeable. Given that this is Sony’s flagship Cinealta, it’s likely the industry’s best sensor. This is what it’s designed to do. Much better than a flipcam, iPhone, or any $50k camera on the market.

      • Cody says:

        Correction…techincally yes to it having a “rolling shutter” effect, but likely to be insignificant.

      • Chef says:

        Also, if I’m not mistaking, the camera is capable of using it’s mechanical shutter instead of the electronical one, which should reduce the problem for the most part!

  9. tristan says:

    Nice webcam, could need it too!

  10. Olaf says:

    Hey, that’s a 4K camera, isn’t it? Mango will be a cinema quality production! Too bad it will be very short, but who knows, other productions using Blender may crop up.

  11. Daniel Wray says:

    A run down of the technologies in the F65, sounds like a phenomenal camera!

    http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/video/collections-technology_training/all-genre/?sort=recent&view=grid
    (Click on F65 Technologies for 4K Cinematography)

  12. blendercomp says:

    I really like the idea of using a high-end camera for shooting Mango. I understand that it will pave the way for Blender to enter the VFX industry. Developing and testing such a pro workflow is much needed to help establish Blender’s position in the industry.
    What I would also like is to see more down to earth DSLR cameras used in production. Let’s face it, the average amateur filmmaker, small studios or freelance artists will never afford such a camera. I’m hoping that all Mango-related developments will be directly or indirectly applicable to low-end cameras.

  13. Brandon Hix says:

    If your considering using both a RED Epic and the Sony F65, why not consider using something like a 5D Mark II as well? It’s no secret that many of the pros shooting tv shows and films use DSLRs as “B” cameras for their advantages of being lightweight and able to get into tight spaces. This way everybody would have a great range of test footage to play with afterwards and you would satisfy all the high end film buffs as well as the amateurs who are following the Mango project.

    • ton says:

      Good idea to keep in mind :)

    • J. says:

      Isn’t that big-time cutting corners if you’re making a 4K movie?

      • David Jordan says:

        If the point is every frame in 4k, then yes. There are some circumstances where a full frame DSLR, might be a very good choice for artistic reasons, thanks the sensor size, a particular lens, or a need to get into small corners. HDSLRs might also be useful for capturing background plates or additional angles to fill in blind spots for reconstruction.

    • Daniel Wray says:

      If Blender (in general) can handle 4K image sequences, then chances are it’ll handle 1080p image sequences as well.

      Perhaps a few nodes can be catered to Dslr’s, such as noise removal, moire removal, and things like that, but overall I think this is one case where the actual benefits of having Blender designed for such a high-end, cutting edge piece of technology will go all the way down to those of us shooting 1080p sub-100mbps footage.

      The benefits of using a Dslr during production are definitely good ones though, the portability is excellent – I think currently that the Nikon 800, or the 7D are the only cameras that can put out clean 1080p 4:2:2 via HDMI (7D may actually only be 4:2:0), which is a major factor when shooting against green screen, and for colour grading.

    • blendercomp says:

      +1
      even though even 5D Mark II (or III) are still out of reach for most filmmakers.

  14. Scipione205 says:

    Hi Ton,

    I would like to add a banner to my site to redirect to project mango (I already wrote a post about it). My site si about a movi project, and at least for the teaser’s previz it uses Blender, so it’s kinda related. I shoot about 100 visits a week so I believe that it would be useful for Mango.

    Can I add a banner?

    Carlo