[Glyn Gray]

Are you using any Picture Profiles?

I would suggest moving the gain down to -3 or even -6 see if this removes the noise for you. You could also bump down the blacks int he picture profile as well.

Inside the Picture Profile there is a section called detail. Bump the sharpness up some and test.

See if any of this helps?

Glyn Gray – Editor/Videographer

[Glyn Gray]

Well the first question is are you filming the same type of footage? Sounds to me like you may be filming low level light environments? When I was using these cameras I used to use -3 and -6db which removed some noise for me. Are you using a new monitor? Is your screen brighter than normal. The list really could go on.

[Glyn Gray]

Hi there,

I think your suggestion is a good idea as lenses last forever. I had heard nasty stories about the stock lens and I do understand the limitations of the low light and slow focus. However as far as detail it far surpasses the NX5U in great detail and color. With the NX5U and various profile tweaks I can create some rather nasty saturation issues on the FS100 it does a superb job. Also the stock lens supports auto focus, iris and gain. Well most E-Mount lenses should. The sensor is the same as the Sony F3 which is also fantastic but of course has the $13,000 price tag.

Anyhow back to topic. Like I said lenses last forever and I believe this is where video is moving as it just gives you so much flexibility in a variety of projects. I have not invested in the FS100 as I have only used it a couple of times now. The plus is that the workflow will be the same as the NX5U, yet another plus.

What troubles me about the NX5U or it may just be my model is that even dead center there is a small amount of CA.

More than happy to share any more info with you. I have played with it quite a bit and I think it is an awesome camera except for the CA issues which unless you are on high contrast areas you would probably never see it 🙁

Glyn Gray – Editor/Videographer

[Glyn Gray]

Hey there,

Sounds very frustrating what you are dealing with right now. I had not really noticed the focus softening until I reviewed some footage and finally saw it. It was ever so slight. Perhaps on an orchestra I may have seen it as you are dealing with a wider shot and more detail.

OK now onto the answers you needed:
1. I grabbed these screen shots straight from my NLE (FCP) but also reviewed these through VLC straight from the card and the conclusion was the same. I convert all files from card to FCP as ProRes 422 LT.
2. Full HD size which means images are 1920×1080.
3. Zoom length is almost wide open, perhaps 95% wide (good enough to be fully wide).

As I do a load of filming on white backdrops this is a huge problem for me. There are ways to help knock the CA prominence down but that is not a solution for me. Sony’s final response was that the camera, with the limited lens is within spec :). For some projects I ended up getting a small plugin called “Cheap Lens” by River Rock Studios to remove some of the CA from my footage.

On a side note I just finished up a gig using the Sony FS100 and I have to say I am extremely happy with the results. So I have every reason to believe the CA is not just about the lens it is also about the sensor. I was using the stock lens and there was next to no CA at all. I know this is well out of price range but if this could be an option I would go with it. This is something I am looking at doing now. I mainly deal with indoor, studios and theatres which is where I need great low level light and no CS if I can.

No throwing up please 🙂

Glyn Gray – Editor/Videographer

[Glyn Gray]

Hi there,

No problems on the slow response my main concern was to get as much info to you as possible seeing as I had already made the purchase. To give you a quick update I actually took the unit in to Sony for a checkup and the focus thing you talk about on the left hand side was actually present too so they ended up replacing the lens to resolve the soft focus on the left and also to realign. The sad news is, that after Sony having the unit for 3 weeks the chromatic aberration is still no better 🙁

Follow this link to see some examples where it is quite terrible in my eyes:
https://www.stirstudiosdesign.com/nx5u-chromatic-abberations

I will only keep this page for a limited time so you can see the issues I have had.

Cheers

Glyn Gray – Editor/Videographer

[Glyn Gray]

I thought I would jump in here as I have been doing a load of searching to see if other videographers with the NX5U had experienced CA (chromatic aberration). I was blown away by how strong the CA is on my NX5U which was only bought 3 months ago. My tests are all based off subjects on clean white backdrops at full wide zoom 0/100, f2.6, -3db. The CA is present ever so slightly in the center and is rather strong as you move mid way and even worse closer to the edges. Up until this new camera I had been using my trusty Sony FX1 and never saw this (although when I look back it is there but only slightly). I understand the NX5U is of greater quality in many factors than the FX1 but the CA was something I had not seen up until now.

Having all this footage I decided to contact Sony to see what they thought. Their response was not what I had expected, 2 specialists said this is to be expected from a cheap lens. They did say however to take it in to be checked as well. I will be doing that this week. I will give you an update later.

So from my experience and research the quality of the glass is the issue here and with having a fixed lens there is not much else you can do.

I have seen you images and I could safely say that the NX5U would probably produce the same CA.