Sony is preparing to release an updated version of its popular PXW-FS7 professional video camera that will feature an electronic variable neutral density filter that automatically compensates for exposure shifts of between two and seven stops. The filter can adjust itself so that apertures and shutter speeds can remain constant even when light intensity changes quite dramatically – thus maintaining the ‘look’ of the video. The new feature also allows aperture changes that alter the depth of field during recording without affecting the exposure of the footage.
The new camera doesn’t replace the existing FS7 as Sony says it will retain both models in the range to give videographers a choice. The new model will cost more than the original, so there will be models to suit different budgets.
Another new feature of the FS7 ll will be a locking collar around the lens throat that allows E-Mount lenses to be fitted directly to the camera without the need to twist them into place. The lens can be offered up to the throat and the collar rotated to lock it into place. This, Sony says, makes changing lenses much quicker as lens support rigs won’t need to be taken off to complete the lens switch.
Sony has altered the shoulder mount and the viewfinder so that they can be adjusted without tools, using wing nuts and finger screws to secure them in place. The monitor arm and the micro holder can now be switched for left-eye viewers, and the number of external assignable buttons has increased from six to ten.
Like the FS7 the new FS7 ll uses a Super 35mm format sensor and can record 4K and full HD video at a range of frame rates up to 180fps and in a wide range of formats.
At the same time Sony announced the FS7 ll it also announced a new kit lens for the FS7 series and a G-Series 256GB XQD card with a 400Mbps write speed. The new lens is the SELP18110G 18-110mm f/4 power zoom with Optical SteadyShot built-in. Although Sony had said originally that the lens would be suited to be paired with the SEL14TC and SEL20TC teleconverters it has now announced that it will not in fact be compatible.
The Sony PXW-FS7 ll is due to arrive in January 2017, and the company has yet to release pricing information (the current model costs about £8000/$ 8500). For more information visit the Sony Pro website.
Sony Expands FS Series with New FS7 II Camcorder
New Model Delivers Advanced Features for creative Documentary and Indie Production with Electronic Variable ND Filter, Lever Lock Type E-mount and Refined Mechanical Design
Sony is expanding its FS Series Super 35mm professional family with the addition of the new FS7 II camcorder. The new model builds on the original FS7’s strengths by adding advanced features including Electronic Variable ND technology, a lever lock type E-mount, and a new mechanical design for faster and easier set-up.
Since its introduction in 2014, the FS7 has become one of the most widely used cameras in a range of production applications, and the original model remains in the Sony line-up. The new FS7 II now gives creative professionals a broader range of creative tools, with new features all based on end user feedback.
The new FS7 II camcorder is designed for long-form shooting and production applications, especially for documentaries and independent filmmaking. Amongst the many enhancements outlined below, the FS7 II can also record in BT2020 colour space, hence making it ideal for today’s 4K broadcast productions.
Electronic Variable ND Technology
The camcorder’s Electronic Variable ND Filter system, combined with its large sensor, delivers greater exposure control, with the option of preset or variable operation modes. Variable ND mode (clear + 2~7 stop range, in seamless transition steps up to 1/128) allows the user to vary the density of the ND filter during shooting and to transition seamlessly between steps. This also ensures an optimum motion delivery by maintaining desired shutter speed.
The camera’s expanded ND operations enables fine exposure adjustment by relegating iris to set depth of field, prevents soft focus caused by diffraction, and prevents colour shift caused by stacking multiple external ND filters.
The camera can compensate for exposure fluctuation caused by iris control while adjusting the depth of field. Users can adjust exposure while keeping the same bokeh in changing shooting or lighting environments.
Preset mode lets users assign three ND settings to the filter turret, useful in selecting the most appropriate filtration range for changing light conditions, for example. Auto ND mode is also available allowing exposure to stay at a fixed level while adjusting the depth of field with iris control.
E-mount (Lever Lock type) for professional shooting
The FS7 II revisited E-mount (lever lock type) gives users the ability to change lenses by rotating the locking collar rather than the lens itself, which means that in most cases lens support rigs don’t need to be removed, saving time during a production. The new E-Mount has been designed for demanding applications in the professional environment and will fit any existing E-mount lenses in the market and other mount lenses with an adapter. The new FS7 II camcorder also supports Sony ? Mount System, which includes more than 70 lenses.
Mechanical Design Enhancements
Like its counterparts in the FS Series family – the FS7 and FS5 models – the new FS7 II features several design and ergonomic updates for comfortable and functional use in the field. These new features are based customer feedback around the FS7.
The FS7 II “tool-less” mechanical design lets users make on-the-fly changes to the camera’s set-up and operation. For example, no tools are required to adjust the Smart Grip or viewfinder positions.
The detachable viewfinder eyepiece, which comes with a pop-up hood, provides a third stabilizing contact point when shooting handheld. Durable square section rods and lever-clamps on the LCD and camera body provide simple and precise front-to-back VF adjustment while retaining level positioning.
New Sony 18-110mm Sony G lens
Sony also introduced a new E-mount, Super 35mm lens specifically designed for documentary and motion picture production.
The new lens, model E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS, covers Super35mm and APS-C sensors. Compact and lightweight — 2.4 lbs (1.1Kg) — with an 18 to 110 focal range (6x zoom) it uses a new fully mechanical/servo zoom switchable system, capable of snap zooms and entirely devoid of lag. The focal range is optimised for Super 35 and APS-C sensors.
The lens is compatible with Sony ? Mount System cameras, including the ?7 series interchangeable-lens cameras and professional Super 35mm 4K camcorders like the FS7 or FS5. Although perfectly suited for still image taking, filmmakers will fully appreciate the lens’ extended creative capabilities for shooting motion images.
The lens benefits Smooth Motion Optics (SMO) design from Sony, which is developed to optimise performance during motion image capture. This lens design eliminates undesirable characteristics and artifacts that do not affect still image taking, but can severely limit a lens’ usefulness for motion shooting, such as:
- Ramping: F stop gradually diminishes when zooming tight
- Not holding focus while zooming
- Breathing (angle of view variation while focusing)
- Optical axis shift (image moves in the frame while zooming)
*Due to a change in the SELP18110G specifications it is no longer compatible with the SEL14TC and SEL20TC teleconverters.
XQD Cards
The FS7 II supports the XQD memory card format, designed for capturing and transferring high-bandwidth, high resolution files. The newest XQD card from Sony, QD-G256E — with an industry first 256 GB capacity — enables recording time of approximately 45 minutes at 4K 60P and 3.5 hours at 2K 30P. Combined with a read speed of 440MB/s and write speed 400MB/s, users can shoot for longer without needing to change media cards.?
The FS7 II is planned to be available in January 2017. For more information, please visit the product page.
