Matt Kieley

Can this thread become dedicated to any older Sony camera? After 12 years of shooting with mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and Blackmagic Pocket/Micro cams, I finally got a proper "camcorder" or "cinema camera" or whatever you want to call it. I got a camera I had my eye on for the past four years that finally popped up on mbp for $999 so I had to have it. The Sony FS5! I also preordered the Sirui Nightwalker cine lenses on Indiegogo so I can have some proper no-fuss lenses to go with my no-fuss camera. I haven't had a proper camera for video that didn't require a bunch if fiddly rigging since I moved on from the DVX100 (to the GH1) in 2011. The built-in variable ND is amazing.
I got it yesterday so today I decided to test the DR and test with Slog3 in 10bit 4:2:2 2K (and grading with FilmConvert Nitrate). Since last year I've been doing this by sitting in front of a big window at magic hour. This is also partially an experiment to find a good set-up that raises the interior light while sill being somewhat moody. The goal wasn't a bright commercial or interview look but a naturalistic dark-but-not-in-silhouette look without the window going nuclear. The natural light was supplemented by an Aputure LS-60D at full blast shooting through the diffusion disc of a 45" 5-in-1 reflector just out of frame camera-left. The compression of the grab kinda butchers it and crushes the shadows, but at least you get the idea.

Here's the shot before I entered frame, so you can get a better look at the window/space:

I think the light just barely allowed me to achieve what I wanted. The room is super cramped so it was challenging, but I'm pleased with this. I think I still have some practice/testing to fully get the hang of exposing for and grading Slog3. Side note: I didn't think I would share any footage so I wish I had dressed a little better before getting on camera.

I have a Fujinon 18-108mm 1.8 c-mount zoom that covers s16 that's very light and compact. Here it is next to my Canon 17-102 and Panasonic 12-35, and mounted on my GH5:



I don't know if it's compact enough for you, but it's the smallest c-mount zoom that covers s16 that I've owned (and I've owned quite a few).
 

I have a Fujinon 18-108mm 1.8 c-mount zoom that covers s16 that's very light and compact. Here it is next to my Canon 17-102 and Panasonic 12-35, and mounted on my GH5:



I don't know if it's compact enough for you, but it's the smallest c-mount zoom that covers s16 that I've owned (and I've owned quite a few).
 

The JVC LS-300 has a classic camcorder body with an MFT mount and S35 sensor although I think it's only 8bit internal. I was looking at camcorders recently and also came across a JVC camera with a small chip and built-in zoom lens that can record 10bit prores internally, but I can't remember which model it was. The sample footage I saw had some pretty ghastly CA. The beloved Sony F3 has the old school camcorder style body. It's kind of a shame that the camcorder form factor went out of fashion for cinema cameras. I still think the DVX100 is the most pleasurable camera I've ever used. It had the perfect size, weight, and shape.

The JVC LS-300 has a classic camcorder body with an MFT mount and S35 sensor although I think it's only 8bit internal. I was looking at camcorders recently and also came across a JVC camera with a small chip and built-in zoom lens that can record 10bit prores internally, but I can't remember which model it was. The sample footage I saw had some pretty ghastly CA. The beloved Sony F3 has the old school camcorder style body. It's kind of a shame that the camcorder form factor went out of fashion for cinema cameras. I still think the DVX100 is the most pleasurable camera I've ever used. It had the perfect size, weight, and shape.

I decided to play around with ML raw on the EOS M again, and test out my Angeniuex 8-64mm 1.9 Super 8 zoom lens.
 

So I've been using a bmpcc 4k for nearly 4 months now, and while I love the image from it, the braw codec, and the UI, it definitely has some limitations as a camera with a 5 year old sensor and lacks things I've missed from the GH5 and G9 like IBIS and the ergonomics (I'm not a fan of the P4K body/ergonomics). With the new S5 cameras being released, the used prices of the original have already gone down to tempting prices, so I've been thinking about getting the original S5 and using it with the BM Video Assist 12G. I figured that could be sort of the best of both worlds between mirrorless and cameras the p4k: ibis, braw, prores, bm touch screen UI, less processed/sharpened looking image, an XLR audio interface, options to use SSDs or SD cards, high quality monitor, false color. I was actually thinking maybe the Video Assist would be a worthy investment because I can always use it with different cameras if I decide to switch to something else later. It's almost like a cine cam brain but without being limited to one sensor or lens mount, you can basically use any camera (though not all offer raw, you could still record prores). It turns the S5 into a FF 6K braw cine camera/audio interface it ibis for around $2K. The only tradeoff is rigging and powering a separate device. I was hoping to hear of the user experience from anyone who has used this setup, or if there are caveats I'n not aware of, etc. 

I have ran with the S5 + VA for a long time. The only real benefit of BRAW is file size and playback speed. You will get no additional benefits in DR or "motion cadence"

So I've been using a bmpcc 4k for nearly 4 months now, and while I love the image from it, the braw codec, and the UI, it definitely has some limitations as a camera with a 5 year old sensor and lacks things I've missed from the GH5 and G9 like IBIS and the ergonomics (I'm not a fan of the P4K body/ergonomics). With the new S5 cameras being released, the used prices of the original have already gone down to tempting prices, so I've been thinking about getting the original S5 and using it with the BM Video Assist 12G. I figured that could be sort of the best of both worlds between mirrorless and cameras the p4k: ibis, braw, prores, bm touch screen UI, less processed/sharpened looking image, an XLR audio interface, options to use SSDs or SD cards, high quality monitor, false color. I was actually thinking maybe the Video Assist would be a worthy investment because I can always use it with different cameras if I decide to switch to something else later. It's almost like a cine cam brain but without being limited to one sensor or lens mount, you can basically use any camera (though not all offer raw, you could still record prores). It turns the S5 into a FF 6K braw cine camera/audio interface it ibis for around $2K. The only tradeoff is rigging and powering a separate device. I was hoping to hear of the user experience from anyone who has used this setup, or if there are caveats I'n not aware of, etc. 

It depends on your project/needs, and if you already own any of the cameras mentioned. As someone who has owned the original Pocket, Micro, and currently the P4K, I would take the P4K with the 2.6K Super 16 crop over the original Pocket and Micro. You get color, dynamic range and image quality every bit as good as the older cameras (people like to wax poetic about the old sensors but any of these cameras can be treated in post to match seamlessly), plus you're gaining a dual native iso/better lowlight performance, better rolling shutter performance, more compression options (up to 12:1), better UI (the touch screen and physical buttons for ISO, WB, etc is a godsend compared to the fiddly little buttons and menu of the Micro), more media options (I can shoot up to 8:1 on a Sandisk extreme Pro sd card, plus there's cfast and SSD), frame rates up to 120fps, no moire/no need for the rawlite filter, and the braw codec is very edit friendly. The only thing you'd lose is ProRes. You can only shoot Braw with the s16mm crop.
All that said, if you already have the Micro and it's your only camera, shoot with what you have. It still produces a great image and is a perfectly usable camera, even if it is a bit fiddly. I'm actually planning on using it as a first person POV camera on a helmet for a project I'm working on.

I reunited with the model from my Demonic Housewife shoot to do this retro pinup style shoot. Shot on Kodak Portra 400 in 120 format.

Another recent shoot on Kodak Potra 400 in 120 format:






Focusing on the ground glass of my Yaschica Rookie can be difficult so I missed focus a few times. Oh well...

Testing my Canon AE-1 + Canon FD 28mm f2. Fujifilm Superia X-Tra 400, 35mm:

Trying a low light shoot with Ilford Delta 3200, 35mm, all available light:

I got my 6D today and tested stills, video, and even ML raw a bit. The video is the typical mushy Canon 1080p, and the only continuous shooting for ML raw adds a 1.42 crop, nearly the same crop factor of the P4K with a .71 focal reducer with a much a worse workflow, so I won't be using that. But the stills are very nice and I'm excited to go out and shoot more. As much as I'n enjoying shooting film again, the cost can add up, so I don't want to go out and shoot casually much. So any camera that makes me want to shoot is always good. Here's a little self portrait I shot on the 6D:

Color version:

And my heavy-handed attempt at an expired film/cross-processed look:

I got my 6D today and tested stills, video, and even ML raw a bit. The video is the typical mushy Canon 1080p, and the only continuous shooting for ML raw adds a 1.42 crop, nearly the same crop factor of the P4K with a .71 focal reducer with a much a worse workflow, so I won't be using that. But the stills are very nice and I'm excited to go out and shoot more. As much as I'n enjoying shooting film again, the cost can add up, so I don't want to go out and shoot casually much. So any camera that makes me want to shoot is always good. Here's a little self portrait I shot on the 6D:

Color version:

And my heavy-handed attempt at an expired film/cross-processed look:

I decided to keep my P4K for video but get a cheap old DSLR for stills (and maybe to toy around with video). I just purchased a "heavily used" Canon 6D with 64k shutter count from mpb for $214. I was gifted $200 for Christmas so I figured "why not?"

thanks!

Beautiful! Thank you for posting!

Just a casual little 120 shoot with my Yashica Rookie and Ilford Delta 400. I've really fallen in love with the 6x6 square format.



Nailing focus at f3.5 with this camera is hard sometimes. I still kind alike the photo anyway.

FRaming with the ground glass is something I'm still getting used to. It bugs me that the guy's knee snd toe are framed out but otherwise I like the photo.


 

I just got back into film photography. Last month I did an Evil Dead inspired horror photo shoot. This is the first time I've done a conceptual photo shoot with a model. I resurrected my old 35mm Canon Rebel and bought a couple of lenses. This is shot with the Canon 28mm 1.8 (all wide open) on 35mm with Kodak Portra 800. I have some more horror themed photo shoots set up, and some pinup style shoots as well. I also recently got a Yashica Rookie TLR camera and some 120 film.

Good ol' Kodak TriX 400 35mm. I learned to shoot/process/print film on this stock. There was no additional lighting or bounce, all available light.

CineStill 800T 35mm:

Finally tested out my Yashica Rookie TLR medium format camera and I'm in love. Shot on CineStill 800T 120:

Did a few shoots recently. Kodak Extachrome E100 35mm: