Snowfun

I have the P4K, 6KPro and FX30. 
By far, my favourite to use is the 6K Pro.....mainly for the internal ND's and the better battery life compared to the P4K and regular P6K which use the small LPE6 batteries.  I only got the FX30 as a B Camera to the FX6 for quite a few clients that want Sony but I can't say it brings me 'joy' to use or is a 'fun' camera. I've never really found Sony's user friendly but use them more out of necessity. Technically the FX30 is fantastic, specs wise it's amazing but if you wan't a camera that is easy to use and allows you to focus more on creativity, the 6K Pro is the pick of the bunch. Also has the best image quality IMO even if I do 'only' really ever shoot in ProRes 4K on it.
I also love the fact that the Pocket Cameras can record to inexpensive Samsung T5 and T7 SSD's and this saves you a ton of money compared to Sony where if you want to shoot 10bit ALL-I, you need to buy expensive CFexpress type A cards. With a Tilta cage on the Pockets and using the Tilta Samsung T5 holder, it feels like the SSD's are an integrated part of the camera rather than add on external storage. 

Astonishing what this stuff is capable of. And equally astonishing how cheap they can sell it.
There were times I assumed Blackmagic had moved into refrigeration - everything is “pretty cool”.
 

@tompeter has transcended my friends

This must be a claimant of the title for the “best”?
Sony E 18-110mm F4 G OSS

Take care Andrew.
Let the family’s love carry you all through this.

I use them for delivering recorded and live lectures & meetings (using Teams). The Atem handled the green screen side of things so I had the Keynote slides behind me. 

“Professional”
if I was permitted additional words - convenient, useful, adaptable, manageable, cost-efficient…
I am not a professional broadcaster but for my use they are super little cameras especially when matched to the Atem.
https://aidaimaging.com/hd-100a/
I have two of the cheapest model.

I’d definitely go with 2 (or more) AIDA cameras fed into a BM Atem for this. They are cheap and capable and the setup is easy to use (either live streamed or recorded - in the latter case there are, of course, multiple options either to record each camera separately and mix in post or simply to record a single output from the Atem).
I use 2 x HD100A but there are other more expensive options.
 

I’d definitely go with 2 (or more) AIDA cameras fed into a BM Atem for this. They are cheap and capable and the setup is easy to use (either live streamed or recorded - in the latter case there are, of course, multiple options either to record each camera separately and mix in post or simply to record a single output from the Atem).
I use 2 x HD100A but there are other more expensive options.
 

I’d definitely go with 2 (or more) AIDA cameras fed into a BM Atem for this. They are cheap and capable and the setup is easy to use (either live streamed or recorded - in the latter case there are, of course, multiple options either to record each camera separately and mix in post or simply to record a single output from the Atem).
I use 2 x HD100A but there are other more expensive options.
 

It's official:
https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/digital-cinema-cameras/venice2
 
 

Yes, this post was deliberately tongue-in-cheek, but it's also completely true and not joking in any way either.  @Emanuel told me I'm allowed to disagree with myself and it makes me a poet instead of less credible, plus I can just randomly tag people in brand new threads, so I'm doing that too.
You're welcome internet.
Now you have no excuse for not getting out there and making something wonderful.  (You never really had any excuses, so maybe you have a negative number of excuses now?  There I am, being poetic again..)
Enjoy.

Huh?

I had a go at the FX3 and yes finally a Sony mirrorless body I felt comfortable with! The build quality is also a step up and the added air vent is reassuring. I could see myself switching back to Sony from Canon with this body. Paired with a FX/FS cine cam it would be a very strong combo for my line of work.

I had a C70 which has a lovely image and an excellent body concept but something was bothering me with it. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but in my gut, something wasn’t right. 
I also had an A7SIII at the same time, and still do. The gut feeling that overshadowed my positive view of the C70 might have been the A7SIII. That camera is simply a marvel that I love shooting with. Maybe I enjoyed the sheer flexibility of the A7SIII more, hence the demise of the C70. 
I always shoot with 2 bodies. Instead of getting an A7SIII again, I picked up the FX3 as I wanted the XLR’s and the video centric button layout. 
When the FX3 was delivered, I was very surprised at how it felt in the hand. I was surprised at how small the XLR handle unit was. The grip feels really good. I was thinking “wow, Sony have nailed this”. 
At first, the button layout was confusing as I’m used to the A7SIII. It still trumps me now as it has a function where you can lock your shutter, ISO or IRIS and I keep forgetting it does that. So I always have a few sections feeling frustrated when the values aren’t changing, because I’ve forgot they are locked. 😂
The camera is identical to the A7SIII, minus the body design. Everything is the same. 
I use it with the Ninja V which is a powerful combo for this size. It feels amazing handheld without the XLR handle and the Tilta cage but with the XLR handle it does feel a little clunky and unbalanced in the hand. Now when I’m handheld, I don’t use the XLR handle unless I’m recording some audio with a handheld look, which isn’t that often. On a tripod, it’s fine. 
Capturing shots with the FX3 is very liberating. You can do pretty much anything with it without lugging a brick around. Some people like to rig it up but for me, it’s just very unnecessary with a body this size. 
The image itself is fantastic. What I will say is that it won’t perform miracles for you. People have this misconception the FX3 or A7S3 will light an image for you. No, it won’t. Stop being lazy, feed the camera what it needs and it will shine. 
Again, Slog3 won’t perform miracles. It takes practice, patience and resilience. It isn’t the best between 3200 and 12,800 ISO. To shoot at these high values is a bonus but the best image is SLOG3 640 ISO, so to get great results, shoot for that as much as possible. 
The FX3, just like the A7S3, does have superb colour capability. If you don’t WB, or expose correctly or nail your focus, it would look like garbage. It is not forgiving, you can’t be lazy. I can match this very easily to the C70 - I couldn’t do that with previous Sony cameras. 
Using both Alpha cameras together is extremely powerful and liberating. When treated and operated correctly, and not lazily used to perform miracles, the image you can achieve is just fantastic. 
Peoplr saying these cameras are conservative and underwhelming need to re-check their opinions. Sony gave us almost everything in pristine 4k and it delivers. They are unique on the market in terms of feature set, and it shows. 
Most importantly, the FX3 as a step forward in camera concept for cinema application is the right one. It’s exciting to work with and getting great shots isn’t a pain in the arse or a cripple on your back. 
What I would like to see in the next version is the FX3 and A7S3 to merge into one camera offering with: 
- On-sensor ND or similar tech. 
- A thicker image in feel and robustness. Not bothered about 6k or 8k, just even better 4k please. 
- A larger back LCD. 
- A flip up EVF like BMP6k Pro. 
- An improved XLR unit that is more modular when used with accessories. 
- Possibly both an IBIS and non- IBIS version. 
If they deliver the above, that would be near perfect. 
 

iPhone 12 Pro Max 
 

I constructed a holder for my iPad which sits above the lens (on 15mm rails). I use a Bluetooth controller but rather than using a teleprompt app I simply put my text into a Keynote (Apple’s PowerPoint) presentation, breaking it up nicely and click to advance to the next slide. This actually introduces a natural pause too. I’m not looking into the lens but at an “upper body” distance one wouldn’t notice.
The holder also supports a laptop (which sits on top of the cage) if required. All works well for my needs. Highly adaptable as I use it with the P4k, Aida HD100 (a super little camera) or A7Siii just by changing the height and position on the rods.
I did think about going down the angled glass route but decided that it was expensive diminishing returns.
 
 

Given the previous thread about the pandemic, why not simply a 5x5 short film (ie 25s comprising 5 scenes of 5 seconds each) on the theme: Perceptions of Pandemic.
So anyone who feels that they’ve been staring at the same 4 walls for the past 12 months will have to be creative and find a 5th scene.
Who knows, you could compile the best of the shorts and persuade one of the reputable media outlets to showcase them - a global view of what Covid has meant to a group of creatives.

Given the previous thread about the pandemic, why not simply a 5x5 short film (ie 25s comprising 5 scenes of 5 seconds each) on the theme: Perceptions of Pandemic.
So anyone who feels that they’ve been staring at the same 4 walls for the past 12 months will have to be creative and find a 5th scene.
Who knows, you could compile the best of the shorts and persuade one of the reputable media outlets to showcase them - a global view of what Covid has meant to a group of creatives.

😂

With me it's the waiting, - I have a moderate amount of patience but absolutely zero tolerance and the world seems full of idiots. When I say 'full of', I mean enough to fuck it up for those who are not idiots.
Yes it will recover. Think The Black Death, Spanish Flu, WW1, WW2...stuff comes back. Usually, it's so gradual we don't really notice it until we lose it again. And we will lose it again, ie, be living in some future shitstorm at some point in the future whether it be financial, war or pestilence.
I'm quite fortunate in regard to the social side of things being something of a social retard anyway. I'm one of those that could actually live on that deserted desert island, but I do appreciate that for many...most even, the lack of social contact etc sucks.
Hang in there. I don't know if 'the good times' are coming back and there are bound to be some changes, but I think that once most of the cloud has lifted, we will be able to see clearly a lot more of the positives than we can now.

I’ll start.
The first thing to say is that I am extremely fortunate insofar as the pandemic has (with the exception of not being able to head north for the winter) been extremely positive. Working for a University the move to deliver lectures and other meetings online has been so much fun. An opportunity to build a green screen “studio” (around an Atem mini) and “play” with different techniques for online delivery. Everyone else in the institution has been screen sharing in Teams/Zoom - but it’s so easy with a little investment of time and money to dramatically improve on that.
Last week I discovered the Aida HD100A - so much more convenient to use than the P4k and the reduction in quality won’t be noticed. And since a Video Assist is doing the recording (HDMI output from Atem) the simple Aida is perfect.
Simple things like “top and tail” a video - adding a title sequence and some simple credits is a huge improvement over the usual first few seconds watching the lecturer fiddle around and settle. 
But... I am aware that not many will have been so fortunate. Yes, I need to get out more (I need to get to a post office!) but life at home has overall been positive.
”Filmmaking” has “saved” the work I do. Without being able to produce short films and negotiate live video sessions life would have been miserable. But that’s easy to say when ones income is not directly linked to the ability to create short films.
That’s my perspective. 

Another year over and what a shit one it was, to be quite frank about it. We all deserve a bit of peace and happiness at Christmas after this, to get our spirits up so that's my hope for all of you - have a good one, and cheers for your EOSHD-ing all year through thick and thin, keep the passion and let's keep our heads above water!
And I hope all your front rooms look as great as this...
 

I agree with this. It’s all about what you do with it that dictates what you should buy. Both the RF and E mounts have bright futures, so you can’t go wrong much.

Wash your mouth out with soap.