Band Pro One World 2010 Trade Show

Sony F3 camera (technically, the PMW-F3)


Sony F3 and NXCAM Super 35MM Cameras

The biggest product at the show was a working Sony F3 camera (technically, the PMW-F3). This is a very interesting mid-range camera, which Sony introduced in November, but hasn't been shown to the general public in the U.S. until BandPro's show.

Sony will start selling the F3 for $16,000 in February 2011, merging an EX1 with a much more expensive Cinealta camera like an F23 or F35. They've given the camera a Super 35 CMOS sensor, and the ability to put top-notch lenses on it -- it takes a new line of Sony lenses natively, but also includes a PL adapter. The PL adapter also contacts for Cooke /i Technology and ARRI LDS lens data.

Like an EX1, the F3 camera features two slots for Sony SxS cards, and can record to those using the same XDCAM codecs as the EX1 -- ie, 25Mbps or 35MBps, 8 bit color, with 4:2:0 color sampling, and long-gop compression. But the F3 can also output uncompressed 4:4:4, 10-bit video via dual-link HD-SDI outputs. So you can use one of the growing number of field recorders around to record at much higher quality than SxS cards can handle.

The camera also supports Sony's S-Log and Hyper Gamma settings, which let the camera maximize the dynamic range it records, giving you more to work with in post-production.

When you combine the Super 35 sensor with interchangeable lenses, flexible gamma settings and high-end HD-SDI output, you've got a camera that that can produce some pretty spectacular video (I had a chance to see some F3 footage played on a 4K projector, and it did look exquisite, with a very filmic look similar to what you see from Sony cameras shooting major TV shows). And yet the camera comes in a 5+ pound package, with a 24w power draw that can squeeze about 3 hours of run-time out of a Sony EX-1 style battery. Not bad!

By the way, Sony will also be selling a new high-end field recorder, the SR Memory Portable Recorder, that records up to 880mbps video to solid-state memory cartridges. It's should be shipping in early 2011 and be priced under $20,000.

Sony also showed a non-functioning concept body for its recently announcement NXCAM Super 35mm camera. This is Sony's answer to DSLRs shooting video, which records in the AVCHD codec, and takes Sony's new E-mount lenses, as well as others with an adapter. The camera should be available mid 2011, but price is unknown now.


Anton Bauer Tandem 150 / DIONIC HCX BATTERY

Anton Bauer was showing off its recently-shipping Tandem 150 battery charger / camera power supply ($949). True, it's not exactly the sexiest pieces of gear, but it does something unique in the sprawling Anton Bauer universe, which is power a camera while charging a single battery (as long as the camera doesn't suck up more than 75 watts...if it does, the Tandem 150 simply acts as a 150 watt power supply). But 75 watts is quite a bit of a load. It's enough to accommodate an ENG camera, field monitor, and an LED light.

That's definitely helpful for lean productions working out in the field, especially given the 150's small size (it's about the size of a Dionic 90 battery, along with a small power supply). Also, the Tandem 150 exclusively pairs with Anton Bauer's new solar panel and car charger accessories, so you've got additional power options in case wall power isn't available. Anton Bauer also had its Dionic HCX battery on hand… it's just barely bigger than the Dionic 90 and HC, but packs 120 watts, instead of 90.

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