Snowfun

Camera news? There’s a market opportunity for a portable fridge...

I’m surprised they didn’t take the next step and at launch state something along the lines of “8k recording limited to 12 minutes to AVOID overheating issues” (and build in the appropriate cut off) rather than allowing the camera to simply stop BECAUSE of overheating. That would have marketed 8k 12 mins as a positive feature rather than the negative issue it has now become. And of course it would be entirely up to the potential buyer if the reliable 8k 12 mins is worth it. Bizarre marketing.

Might take the R5 out later...

Or produce a short featuring a day-to-day activity in the style of a famous scene... Requires a bit more creativity than simply reproducing a scene. Also facilitates interesting interpretations of “style”.

Agree with @noone The A7Sx should be what it is - a high quality low light video focused camera. 12mp is fine. What’s the point of making the A7Sx “like” the A7iii - get the A7iii if that’s the better or preferred option. Isn’t this the whole point of the A7 series? Different cameras for different people/uses. If it produces supreme 4k footage at high iso (internal/external - I don’t mind) then it’ll fill this chap’s niche rather well. Personally, I’d like Sony to release a version of the A7Sx to update the UMC-S3CA.

It’s looking good. Scrumptious 4k @ 24/25/30 is all I ask (at ridiculously high iso levels). Preferably over full size (unlikely) HDMI to BMva for easy to edit Prores files. Plus a Hawk-Woods dummy battery so I can power it from dtap. But I’m expecting to also have to pay a premium for rapid AF (I only have MF lenses), IBIS (hopefully there’s an “off” menuitem somewhere), 120fps, etc etc etc...

Add a water tank and you’ll have a steam engine...

Sony A6400? Class leading in neither stills nor video but a competent all rounder. Lots of cheap lenses to adapt & play with with perfectly adequate AF lenses for day to day use. Convenient size too for you to take anywhere with the family - not a trivial consideration. What accessories are you selling with the P4k?

I have to say that this worries me more! If it is, as you say, a “social experiment” then the majority of civilised societies have rules regulating such research. The “its a social experiment” defence no longer works for “upskirting” (now a specific offence in the UK for example). I’m not suggesting that you are doing anything remotely like that but even to ask someone whether they like Coke or Pepsi whilst secretly filming them has implications in terms of “experiment” or “research”. Or is It really just a bit of fun? Asking retrospective permission is not informed consent! (But I work in a heavily regulated medical research field so am probably biased!)

That raises significant ethical issues... Are you sure that this is a good idea?

It’s pricey, yes. But the wide end (12) is impressive. And, as you say, there are very good, cheaper alternatives. If the “brand” names sold products at “third party” prices the “third party” manufacturers would disappear. Then we’d be in trouble...

I’ll forgive it so long as I can still record to Prores externally over HDMI... (preferably a full size HDMI connector but I’m not optimistic about that.)

Anyone planning to order the R5/6 before the Sony announcement?! It could be a difficult comparison as I suspect each will bring something special to the table. The (reported) superior build quality of the R5 intrigues me.

For the vast majority of users the phone itself is getting good enough. For the rest I suspect direct loading to FB/IG or whatever isn’t a priority. Aren’t we already at the stage where phone (with an integrated camera) already exceeds camera (plus integrated comms) for instant uploading? The Sony Xperia Pro offers something fancy 5G communication I believe but limited availability.

MDR7506 here! Solid performance for the price. Comfortable to wear (insofar as headphones can be). They don’t tell lies - if the audio is bad they sound bad. If they sound good one can relax.

It will be unfortunate if the best image the camera produces is the image on the EVF! If Andrew is correct about the 6k cost then the Komodo will creep into the frame for a lot of potential purchasers. It’s going to be quite a month - R5, Sony ?, more Komodo footage... none of which will actually improve anyone’s creativity and imagination...

To what extent might “iso” merge with an electronic variable ND function? I’m thinking out aloud here but it seems to me that sensor technology doesn’t need to advance much further to enable that option. Of course, ND restricts the amount of light reaching the sensor whereas “iso” determines what the sensor does with it so there is a key difference. But in terms of the end result might they not be effectively the same (assuming DR and latitude etc remain constant which I presume current sensor technology doesn’t achieve)?

Reminds me of Jannard’s “obsolescence obsolete” claim about the Hydrogen... I suppose RED have managed some degree of upgrading an existing unit but for lower priced items disposal and buying new is, unfortunately, here to stay. I remember the day when I could fix my Land Rover with some string and a bit of wire...

Personally I’d like to see a super high iso variant (think Canon ME20F). But that’s niche. Global shutter - yes. IBIS, AF, EVF I can live without. Good solid output to an external recorder (with SDI) would be perfect (I can live without SD cards). Doesn’t need to impress the YT crowd. Add on audio module - pay for what you use. But I’m describing a “sensor in a box” set up which possibly runs counter to what the FP is. An interesting question to pose and definitely worth a repeat read when FP2 comes out!

Not quite a webcam but I went for the BM Atem mini with my P4k and a Ride videomic pro+. The Atem lets me use my two additional Mac laptops plus an overlay whilst my iMac desktop runs MS Teams, Zoom or Blackboard Collaborate. I’d rather not use my P4k but I can’t find a suitable camera which outputs over hdmi when plugged In without switching off after a few minutes. With a pull-up green screen and lights from BlindSpot gear it all seems to work well. The Atem has the advantage that I can play with the buttons & on-screen control software during boring meetings.

Certainly. And why not? From Bloom’s FX9 review ”So although I got paid by Sony to initially assess their camera in November this is NOT a sponsored review. They had no editorial control of this video at all. They did see it when it was finished as I wanted to make sure everything I said about the camera was 100% factually and technically accurate, in every way. The only thing they asked was for me to correct a couple of typos!” It is at least purporting to be transparent. And that is important. Of course one can still decide whether to take his comments at face value, with a pinch of salt or dismiss them as paid hyperbole but at least he has experience in the industry and therefore knows what he is talking about. Different from the majority of YT review channels? Not having had years of working in the industry, I’d say that most things I know about cameras are derived from here or Bloom. At least we are free to choose our own Oracles!

Personally I would certainly trust a Bloom review. Indeed he is one of the few I actually listen to when making a buying decision. I suspect most purchasers use YT channels post purchase for affirmation and reassurance that they bought wisely (and joined the right “crowd”) rather than as an important guide pre-purchase. The majority of us buy according to other prejudices and habits and brand loyalties. Or for specific feature sets.

Great fun! And no tractors were harmed which is a good thing.

The S1H with the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 is beginning to look like the optimum combination for what I want. I note that Hawk-Woods do a dtap-dummy battery so power isn’t an issue. Might wait until October to purchase just in case Sony announce something special in the interim...

Is certainly impressive. Tempting. I need to investigate lens options...