Sony F5

The Sony F5 camera is capable of producing beautiful 4K pictures and is very flexible in terms of frame rate and format.

The Sony F5 genuinely holds up against cameras that cost significantly more. You can add a Raw Recorder (AXS-R5) to give even greater flexibility. The Sony F5 uses less power, it is more sensitive with lower noise than the Arri Alexa. It is also approximately the same size and weight as an Alexa Mini. Despite its flimsy appearance, it has proved to be incredibly reliable in the field. Franklin used the Sony F5 to shoot in a variety of extreme conditions for the Oscar and BAFTA nominated feature documentary Virunga. The film also earned him a Primetime EMMY for Outstanding Cinematography.

The Sony F5’s awful menu structure puts a lot of high-end DOP’s off using it (I struggle with it myself!). However we will happily set the camera up for you in advance so that it’s ready configured the way you like it straight out the case. Please feel free to come and see the camera and try it for yourself.

Lastly don’t forget the cropped sensor mode which in a run and gun documentary situation makes a huge difference. The Sony F5 gives you a full resolution HD or 2K picture (unlike some other large chip cameras that use crop sensors) but has the advantage of freeing you up to use smaller chip format lenses. With adapters, you can use B4 mount broadcast lenses and, if you want something a bit sexier, the PL mount super16 Zeiss and Canon zooms fit straight on. All of these zooms give you a massive focal length range compared with super 35mm format lenses.

Sony 4K sensor for gorgeous, super-sampled HD and 2K

The Sony f5 CineAlta camera shoots spectacular images with its 8.9 megapixels (effective) Sony 4K image sensor. You get superior, super-sampled pictures with noticeably higher contrast, rich colour reproduction and greater clarity. The Sony f5 offers robust built-in recording modes, all with vibrant 4:2:2 colour. Irresistible options include the amazing precision of 16-bit linear RAW 2K/4K recording and high speed shooting at up to 120 fps without cropping.

Multiple recording formats includes HD/2K on SxS memory and 16-bit RAW 2K/4K on AXSM™ media

Multiple recording formats include MPEG-2 HD422, MPEG4 SStP, XAVC 2K/HD and 16-bit RAW 2K/4K*. You can have simultaneous recording on internal high-speed SxS PRO+ memory cards and RAW 2K/4K recording on sleek AXSM™ memory cards using the optional bolt-on AXS-R5 recorder, designed specifically to attach seamlessly to the F55 and Sony f5 cameras. The CBKZ-55FX software upgrade for the PMW-F5 also enables XAVC 4K and XAVC QFHD internal recording, simultaneous recording of XAVC 4K and HD resolution on one SxS PRO+ card at the same time and 4K/QFHD output via 3G-SDI and HDMI**. There is also high speed shooting up to180 fps XAVC 2K/HD* internally and 120 fps RAW 2K onto the AXS-R5. Recording directly in Apple ProRes codec and Avid DNxHD codec are also available options.***

* Recording onto the optional AXS-R5 recorder.

** Requires CBKZ-55FX software upgrade and Version 5.0 firmware update.

*** Requires CBK-55PD codec board.

Lightweight modular design to maximise versatility in 2D and 3D

The Sony f5 is exceptionally small, light and modular, letting you build up the right configuration for each job ‐ or each shot. The camera includes cache recording functions and has an easy‐to‐access customised user menu that sits on top of the setup menu. As well as the choice of formats and internal and external recording options, you can attached a variety of viewfinders, including the revolutionary optional DVF‐EL100 OLED viewfinder, PL‐mount, FZ‐mount and still lenses, including second-generation Sony PL‐mount lenses, and extra long-life Olivine ‐ Lithium Iron Phosphate ‐ batteries. The chassis is only slightly wider than a typical PL‐mount prime lens, perfect for 3D rigs. An optional shoulder rig provides for hand-held and shoulder‐mounted shooting.

Version 5.0 firmware update

Version 5.0 firmware increases the functionality of the Sony f5. Upgraded functions include: DNR (Noise suppression) in Cine-EI mode; Memory A/B White Balance in Custom mode; assignable Colour Bars On/Off; assignable VF Magnification On/Off; changing FPS (STEP) with Menu knob (push for 2 seconds); the Double Speed VF setting remains while switching HFR On to Off; and simultaneous recording on SStP 422 SQ at 59.94i (SStP and MPEG 50). Version 5.0 also supports additional codecs, including ProRes 4444* with the installation of the optional CBK-55PD codec board. It is also possible to assign EI value to the Gain Switch in Cine-EI mode** and 3200K/4300K/5500K to White A/B/Preset switch in Cine-EI mode**. Wireless Audio settings can also be set via the “WRR” page**.

* Requires CBK-55PD firmware update 2015.

** These functions require the attachment of CBK-55BK build-up kit.

General

Power Requirements DC 12 V (11 V to 17 V)

Power Consumption Approx .24 W (while recording XAVC HD 60p, EVF Off, LCD monitor Off, HD-SDI On)

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

32°F to 104°F

Storage Temperature -20°C to +60°C

-4°F to +140°F

Mass 2.2 kg (without lens, handle, audio box and accessories)

4 lb 14 oz (without lens, handle, audio box and accessories)

Dimensions (W x H x D) *1 130 x 125 x 191 mm (without protrusions)

5 1/8 x 5 x 7 5/8 inches (without protrusions)

Battery Operating Time Approx. 160 min with BP-FL75

Approx. 230 min with BP-GL95A

Recording Format (Video) XAVC (AVC/H.264 High 4:2:2 Intra Profile)

HD: SMPTE RP2027 Class101 compliant

MPEG2 HD (MPEG-2 Long GOP)

HD 422 mode: CBR, 50 Mbps max., MPEG-2 422P@HL

*2

Recording Format (Audio) LPCM 8CH (2CH recording/playback), 24-bit, 48-kHz

Recording Frame Rate XAVC 2K (2048 x 1080):

23.98p/24p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p

XAVC HD (1920×1080):

23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p

MPEG4 SStP (1920 x 1080):

23.98p/24p/25p/29.97p

MPEG2 HD (1920×1080):

23.98p/25p/29.97p/50i/59.94i

MPEG2 HD (1280 x 720):

50p/59.94p

*3

Recording/Playback Time XAVC HD, 23.98p: Approx. 70 min (SBP-64B)/Approx. 140 min (SBP-128B)

59.94p: Approx. 30 min (SBP-64B)/Approx. 60 min (SBP-128B)

MPEG2 HD: Approx. 60 min (SBS-32G1A)/Approx. 120 min (SBS-64G1A)

Camera Section

Imaging Device (Type) Super 35mm equivalent Single-chip CMOS

Imaging Device (Pixel Count) 11.6M (total), 8.9M (effective)

Aspect Ratio 17:9

Built-in Filters Clear, 0.9 (1/8ND), 1.8 (1/64ND)

Sensitivity (2000 lx, 89.9% reflectance) Video Gamma: T14@24p (3200K light source)

ISO Sensitivity S-Log2 Gamma: ISO 2000 (D55 light source)

Lens Mount PL mount (with supplied lens mount adapter)

FZ mount (without supplied lens mount adapter)

Latitude 14-stop

S/N Ratio 57dB (Video Gamma, 24p, Noise Suppression OFF)

Shutter Speed 1/24s to 1/6,000s (23.98PsF)

Shutter Angle 4.2°to 360°(electrical shutter)

Slow Shutter (SLS) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-frame accumulation

Slow & Quick Motion Function XAVC 2K/HD: 1-120p (NTSC), 23.98p/29.97p

XAVC 2K/HD: 1-100p (PAL), 25p

White Balance Preset (3200K, 4300K, 5500K), Memory

Gain -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 dB, AGC

Gamma Curve Standard (x6)

HG1, HG2, HG3, HG4, HG7, HG8

S-Log2 Gamma

Input/Output

Audio Input CH-1/CH-2: XLR-type 3-pin (female) (x2), Line/Mic/Mic +48V (AES/EBU) *4 switchable

DC Input XLR-type 4-pin (male) (x1), 11 V to 17 V DC

DC Output 4-pin (x2), 11 V to 17 V DC (max. 1.8 A) with battery adapter

Viewfinder Digital viewfinder interface (x1)

SDI Output BNC (x4), SDI 1/2 Line Output, SDI 3/4 Monitor Output

Test Output BNC (x1), HD-Y or HD Sync (tri-level) V1.0

Timecode Input/Output TC IN/OUT (x1) switchable

Genlock Input BNC (x1)

Remote 8-pin (x1)

HDMI Output A Type (x1)

USB USB device, Mini-B (x1)

USB host, type-A (x1)

Headphone Output Stereo mini jack (x1)

Speaker Output Monaural

Shutter BNC (x1) (To be supported by future upgrades.)

Wi-Fi USB host, type-A (x1)

Media

Type ExpressCard/34 slot (x2)

SD card slot (x1)

Supplied Accessories

Supplied Accessories Lens mount adapter (1)

Battery adapter (1)

Audio input connector (1)

Screws for the audio input connector (4)

Tape measure hook (1)

USB wireless LAN module IFU-WLM3 (1) *4

Before Using this Unit (1)

Operating Instructions (CD-ROM) (1)

Notes

Note *1 The values for dimensions are approximate.

*2 These are the supported formats at launch and will be added by future upgrades.

*3 Some frame rates are not supported at launch and will be supported by future upgrades.

*4 To be supported by future upgrades.

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