[Dale West]

Richard,

Allow me to toss in my 2 pennies worth on the NanoFlash. I have a Nano and a Pix 240 and when I use them with my F3 or Ex3 I always record media in the camera as well. Maybe its just being a little paranoid but one time it saved my bacon. I had an unexplained audio issue. The Pix audio was totally unusable and having the card recorded on the F3 allowed me to give the client both files and they were able to use the sound from the SxS card. Strange issues popping up are not limited to the Pix or the Nano. It can happen with any of the outboard recorders. With the 350 you could just have a couple cards and re-format them once you were able to confirm that the files were good. It is very cheap insurance especially if you are going to be shooting stuff that will happen only one time. Ebay is full of SxS cards.
Id also rethink the 128 CF card. IF there were to be an issue along the way you might risk losing the entire contents of the CF card. I have 4-64Gb cards and even on a heavy shooting day I find that to be plenty. I also agree with Robin. Stay away from the HDMI in the field. HDSDI is the way to go.

As for wireless mics consider using the Sony slot receiver. It will allow 2 channels of audio into the camera via the receiver. You can configure the transmitters in a way that works for you. Perhaps 2 belt packs and one butt plug that you can use with hand mics. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be attached to the side of the camera. Its internal. Plus this can allow you to put the Nano is a bracket and attache it to the battery plate.

Camera mic. The 416 is a good all around mic but it is a bit long for on camera use. You might have to buy the adaptor that allows you to attach it back on the body a bit. They are a couple hundred bucks. The mic requires 48volts but the camera outputs that so a mixer isn’t needed. Sony also makes a stereo mic for on camera use that is affordable.

For an on-camera light take a look at the Zylite 90 or any of the assorted new LED lights.

Good luck with your purchases.

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Jim

As we discussed a couple of months ago. HDSDI is good for around 300 feet but that is getting close to the max length. However you might be able to add a reclocking device to get a little more length. You will need to do a site survey to determine the length you need then back at your shop do some testing. You can buy an HDSDI to HDMI converter. Black Magic and AJA among others make such devices. BH photo has them on their site. The big deal is test test test. The day of the service is not the day to find out its a run too long.

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Jim another issue you will need to be aware of is distance. Depending on the quality of your video cable the max distance HDSDI will travel is 200 -300 feet. You should try to measure your run and do some tests with your coax as well

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Kate,

Took me 2 minutes to find a user manual.
Your question is answered on page 53
Here is the link to download the manual.
You owe it to yourself and your client to know how your camera works.
I have all my user manuals on my smart phone and my laptop.
Frankly I have stuff on cameras and support I dont even own but may run into on a job

https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/assetDownloadController/PMW400_OP_SYM(44776051M).pdf?path=Asset%20Hierarchy$Professional$SEL-yf-generic-153708$SEL-yf-generic-153753SEL-asset-381122.pdf&id=StepID$SEL-asset-381122$original&dimension=original

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Trevor,

Here are some things Ive learned but there are others that can provide deeper details

1: I always record on the cards and external recorder. Ive only had one time that I needed the back up but it was for an interview that could not be duplicated and the client was sooooo happy that we had the backup. They were able to sync the audio on the SxS to the Video on my Pix 240 and all was right withthe world.

2. I dont know much about the 2 devices you ask about. I use the NanoFlash and the Pix 240. A friend has the Hyperdeck and has had some issues but Im not sure what they were. It just came up in conversation.

3. Just always check the files after offloading. Some folks just dump and move on and then get the surprise when they get back to the shop.
And data is not data until there are at least 2 copies of everything.
Dont erase any cards until you confirm you have it on your drives.

4. Most all of the recorders let you view directly from the recorder. You dont have to put the camera into VTR mode. But again its a good way to make sure you are safe on all your recorded options.
Get familiar with the clip naming and all of the meta data settings before you head out into the field. It will save you a ton of time later on.

The more you know about the end before you are at the begining of shooting the more time, effort and money you can save yourself in post.

Good luck

dw

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

That was the deal. Sent it to Macie Video in Boston and they turned it right around. For some reason didnt even think of Panasonic for service. Its just a natural reaction to send my cameras to Macie. Ill try to run the repair back to Panasonic as Macie is an authorized service ctr I think. Seems that fuse is an issue. My friend had the same thing with his 2700. Running fine, shut down to change locations and won’t repower. I will seek out some from Panasonic at NAB in a couple of weeks.
best
dw

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Steve,
I just downloaded the user manual and did a quick look. Looks like the only “IN” is the camera.
All other video is outbound even the ilink. But thats only about 2 minutes of looking.
Here is the link for the user manual:https://www.hotcam.co.uk/docs/operationmanual_pdw-f330_350_v156.pdf

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Update. I was using Chrome. Figured I’d open up Firefox. Download took about 1 minute.

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Evan,

You are not being rude and you make a good point. My response should have been to provide an answer and then show you where you could see it for yourself.
Ian and John are rock solid with their responses. Ive known John for years and have been reading
responses from Ian for a while as well. They know their stuff and always offer sound advice.
I love the Cow. I have 4-5 forums that I bookmark and check a couple of times per day.
Ive even reached out for help.
It was not fair to indict you for a trend I sometimes see here and that is asking a question that is
so totally answerable by a quick look at the manuals. Keeping up requires constant effort.

I really did mean it when I said good luck with your thesis.
Perhaps when its done you can share a link.

best

dw

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv

[Dale West]

Evan,
I think the best way to answer this question is to say, “Read the manual”. Your post has been on line for an hour and change now and if you had taken the time to download the manual you would know the answer already. There is so much information available in the manuals now. Frankly spending time with it will probably unearth other little bits of information that you didn’t even know you wanted to know! I own an F3, I have the manual on my iPhone and my iPad in addition to in the camera case. Go ahead, search it, download it, read it. In the end you will be better for it.
Much luck with your thesis film
dale west

Dale West Video
North Miami, FL
305-588-2683
dale@dalewestvideo.tv