Visual Impact Reviews New Sony PXW-FS7M2

During Visual Impact's webinar on the new Sony PXW-FS7M2, experienced DoP Alister Chapman guided viewers through the exciting new features and provided some insightful tips and opinions on its functionality. For those tempted by the new addition to Sony's video-shooting arsenal, here's a summary of what we learned.

It's important to keep in mind that the FS7 II is not intended to replace the original FS7. Now considered to be an industry standard camera, the FS7 is used by professional broadcasters the world over in organisations such as CNN and the BBC. Boasting the ability to shoot in HD, 4K, slow motion, and RAW, the iconic camera has built a good reputation over a lengthy period of time on the market. The FS7 II is a variation on the original that addresses previous issues and introduces some further features. Think of it as the FS7 Plus.

There are some immediate changes noticeable to the exterior, with a selection of improvements to the VF and grip arm ergonomics. Sony has addressed the need for a new viewfinder mount, with the round rod of the original FS7 being one of its primary weaknesses.

The round shape has a tendency to cause the lens to droop whilst shooting, especially when adjusting mid-shot. This has been replaced by a square bar and new clamps which feature a separate locking tab for each direction of movement.

You can now safely slide the viewfinder forwards and backwards whilst shooting. It's also easier to extend the arm using the new onboard screw which eliminates the need for a screwdriver. This screw can also be used to attach the arm to the body of the camera to provide a close-body, FS5-style shooting mode. This is a small, but useful tweak.

A power LED has been added to the exterior, something that was missing from the original model, meaning that you can tell whether the camera is switched on or off without having to use the viewfinder. Those of you who will be shooting outside in the elements whilst wearing gloves will be pleased to hear that the operability of XQD cards has been improved. Memory cards now stick out more at 8mm compared to 3.7mm, making them far easier to grasp and remove.

The FS7 II also boasts 10 assignable buttons that are ring shaped for easy tactile location and quick access to core functions. These buttons do however have a downside in that they are too small to apply sticky labels, so you may struggle to remember exactly what you have assigned to all 10 of them. It's not a deal breaker, but in reality you may find yourself only making use of six of these as a result – depending on how good your memory is.

Alistair highlighted the electronic variable ND filter as being the main appeal of the FS7 II. DoF can be maintained using this even under strong lighting changes. Anyone who has experience with an FS5 will be familiar with the capabilities of this function as Sony has effectively removed the mechanical filter wheel of the original FS7 and put in its place the same variable ND filter found in the FS5. Setting the filter wheel to clear will remove the ND filter altogether, whilst changing the position from 1 through to 4 will action the motor to drive the variable ND filter in front of the sensor, providing a seamlessly smooth transition from 1/4 to 1/128 ND.

The second significant change with this new model is the locking E-mount. This is a far stronger mount than that found on the standard FS7 and is incredibly secure when the lens is on correctly.
There is a downside, as Alistair warned, in that it is very easy to mistakenly assume that the lens is attached when it isn't. Differing from previous models, the FS7 II requires three white dots (one on the camera body, the locking ring, and the lens itself) to be lined up in unison. Failure to do this precisely enough will mean that the lens is not locked, so it is imperative that you take care when attaching lenses.

The chassis of the camera has changed in line with the new mount to optimise the FS7 II for heavier lenses. This strong locking system prevents the tendency for heavy lenses to twist and droop without the need for external support. This is delivered without adding excess weight to the camera and the mount is backward-compatible with the entire E-mount range.

So, is it worth getting? The lens mount and variable ND filter make this new model quite different from the regular FS7, with the filter in particular being an exceedingly valuable addition to any camera.

The VF mounting improvements are welcome but don't necessarily warrant a big enough advantage to 'upgrade' for those already in possession of the original FS7, as there are plenty of third party options available for you to build upon your current camera. Alistair commends the FS7 II as a versatile and professional camera that’s perfect for those buying from scratch. The difference in price from the original model is not significant and the new features are all highly recommended. It's certainly a camera worthy of the Sony FS7 name.

For further information watch the original webinar here.

visuals.co.uk

(MH)