GEAR
SONY FS7 II
USED FOCUS
SPECIFICATIONS Price: From £4100/$4500 used Sensor size: Super 35 Exmor CMOS Formats: 4096x2160 (4K DCI), 3840x2160 (UHD), 2048x1080 (2K), 1920x1080 (FHD), 1280x720 (HD) Codecs: XAVC-I 10-bit 4:2:2, XAVC-L, 8-bit 4:2:0, MPEG 8-bit 4:2:2, 12-bit 4K/2K Raw and HD Apple ProRes via EXCA- FS7 and external recorder Frame rates: 59.94/50/29.97/ 25/23.98fps for UHD/HD, up to 180fps/150fps for HD, 240fps/200fps via EXCA-FS7 and external recorder Slow and quick motion: XAVC-I/ XAVC-L 4K 1-60fps, HD 1-180fps ISO: 2000 native Gamma curve: Std, HG, S-Log2, S-Log3 Dynamic range: 14 stops, V-Log and V-Gamut Controls: Peaking, waveform, zebras Lens mount: Sony E Shutter speed: 1/3-1/9000sec Stabilisation: Electronic image stabilisation Filters: Variable ND 1.4-1/128 Screen: 8.8/3.5in LCD, 1.56 million dots Audio: 2x XLR inputs Output: 2x BNC SDI, HDMI Storage: 2x XQD slots, 1x SD
A pre-loved Sony FS7 II costs less than a flagship mirrorless – but offers so much more
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
W hen Sony revealed the FS7, it was the first affordable Super 35 camcorder to mix the elements of a traditional shoulder- mount ENG-style camera with the interchangeable-lens style of a real movie camera. The Sony was snapped up by small TV companies, freelance news camera operators and independent filmmakers who need one device for many applications. It was a sellout success for months after its launch in 2014, and soon became the most popular camera with the majority of rental companies. It’s relatively compact, can take lots of lenses either in native Sony E-mount or with adapters, shoots to relatively affordable Sony XQD cards and records at 180fps without buffering. But it’s not perfect by any means, and there have been a few gripes from professional users who put it to the test as a daily workhorse. Sony listened – releasing a newer version in 2017, the improved FS7 II which was put on sale alongside the original FS7. The Mark II had the electronic variable ND filter inherited from the newer FS5, which means you can dial in the shutter speed and aperture then alter exposure by turning the variable ND filter wheel.
The standard lens mount was replaced by a sturdier lever-lock E-mount. Instead of mounting the lens and twisting it to click in place, the optic is offered up in the correct orientation before the mount swivels around it to secure everything tightly. This is a much more stable system, perfect for longer lenses or mounting glass with a follow focus or other accessory. Sony increased the number of user-assignable buttons from six to ten, and a new LCD monitor arm and mic holder may be swapped over for left-eye shooting. The telescopic arm was altered to allow more adjustability, and for tool-less changes rather than having to break out the hex head wrenches to
MASTER MOUNT The Mark II FS7 used the same sensor as the original but added a beefy lever- lock lens mount system
Dimensions (wxhxd): 15.89x24.52x24.7cm/ 6.23x9.65x9.72in Weight: 2kg/4.14lb
“Sony increased the number of user-assignable buttons from six to ten and a new LCD monitor arm”
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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